JP2000215704A - Road light emitting device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a road light emitting device placed on a curb capable of realizing uniform time zone of a plurality of light emitting devices to emit light, preventing the lack of the charging of the batteries even if being placed in a dark place on a road. SOLUTION: This road light emitting device 1 has a case 2, light emitting elements 4, 5, 6 attached to the side of the case 2, a blinking control circuit 16 which blinks the light emitting elements 4, 5, 6, a power battery 17, solar batteries 7, 8 which are attached to the upper part of the case 2 and supply the battery 17 with electric power, a cover 3 which is made of a transparent material and attached to cover the light emitting elements, the solar batteries 7, 8 and the surface of the case 2, and is placed on the curb. Lenses 3L are formed integrally and sequentially at the position on the cover 3 corresponding to the solar batteries 7, 8.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a light emitting device for roads installed on a curb of a road, and more particularly, to a light emitting device for roads which blinks at night to indicate the position of the curb on the road.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, road intersections and curbs are often used at night,
A plurality of light emitting devices are continuously installed at a predetermined interval on the curb to inform the driver of the vehicle or the like of the position. Such a light emitting device is equipped with a device that reflects light from an automobile and emits light, a solar cell or a battery, and blinks and emits light at night to be noticeable by a driver or the like of the automobile.

[0003]

However, since the conventional light emitting device can recognize only when the light emitting device is opposed to the traveling direction, the light emitting device can be recognized in other directions except when viewed from the front.
For example, the position could not be confirmed from the direction seen from the opposite lane. In addition, even when viewed from the traveling direction, it is difficult to confirm when the viewing angle changes, and in the case of the reflection plate, it can be confirmed only up to the distance (about 40 m) that the light can reach.

Further, the road environment is not always the same everywhere. For example, there are many places where the sunshine duration and the irradiation light intensity are small as compared with other places, such as under a tree or under a pedestrian bridge. When a solar cell type light emitting device is installed in such a place as in a place with good installation conditions such as sunshine conditions, the battery is insufficiently charged, thereby shortening the light emission time zone of the light emitting device and starting to emit light in the evening. However, there is a problem that the light emission of a plurality of light emitting devices installed is not uniform, and it is difficult to visually recognize the light emission state, for example, the power of the battery is quickly consumed, or the light emission does not occur in a dark time at dawn. For this reason, attempts have been made to solve the problem by using a solar cell having high power generation efficiency or by using a power saving circuit, but in any case, the cost has been increased and practical use has not been achieved.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and it is possible to prevent a shortage of charging even when installed in a dark place on a road, and to make uniform a time period in which a plurality of installed light emitting devices emit light. It is an object of the present invention to provide an inexpensive road light emitting device that can realize the above.

[0006]

Means for Solving the Problems The present inventors have made intensive studies to achieve the above object, and as a result, have noticed that the above object can be achieved by integrally molding a lens with a cover.
The present invention has been completed based on this finding.

That is, the present invention provides (1) a case, a light emitting element mounted on a side surface of the case, a blink control circuit for blinking the light emitting element, and a power supply battery.
A solar cell attached to the upper part of the case to supply power to the battery, and the light emitting element made of a transparent material, the solar cell, and a cover attached to cover the surface of the case, In a road light emitting device installed on a curb of a road, a lens is integrally and continuously formed at a position of the cover facing the solar cell.

[0008] (2) In the road light emitting device according to (1), the lens is located outside the cover.
In addition, it is formed to be convex with respect to incident light.

Further, (3) the above (1) or (2)
The light emitting device for a road according to the above, wherein the lens is a meniscus lens.

Further, (4) the above (1) to (3)
In the road light emitting device described in the above, the lens is formed of the same material as the cover.

(5) The above (1) to (4)
Wherein the material having transparency is polycarbonate.

[0012]

In such a light emitting device, the light emitted from the light emitting element is transmitted while being reflected in the cover and the lens made of a transparent material, and the entire cover emits light, so that light other than in front of the light emitting element is emitted. It can be easily recognized from any direction.

In addition, since the lens is integrally and continuously formed on the cover made of a transparent material, the intensity of irradiation light is increased by the light condensing effect of the lens, and the power generation of the solar cell can be increased. Since the light emitted from the light emitting element is transmitted from the side surface of the cover into the lens of the same medium by internal reflection, and the light radiated outside at the lens portion of the cover is diverged by the lens,
It becomes easy to confirm the presence of the light emitting device. Further, by using polycarbonate as the material having transparency, impact resistance and weather resistance are provided, and the integral molding of the cover and the lens becomes cheap and easy. Therefore, the conventional light emitting device can be switched to a light emitting device for a dark place only by replacing the cover.

[0014]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an external configuration of a light emitting device according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the light emitting device according to the present embodiment. The light emitting device 1 mainly includes
Case 2, cover 3, LED (light emitting diode) 4,
5, 6, solar cells 7 and 8, and a blink control circuit and a battery described later.

The case 2 is made of, for example, zinc die casting, and has a base 21, a main body 22, and mounting pieces 23 and 24. Holes 21 a, 21 b, 2 for attaching cover 3 are formed in base portion 21.
1c and 21d are formed. A blinking control circuit and a battery, which will be described later, are built in the main body 22. On the upper surface of the main body 22, two solar cells 7, 8 are attached.

Further, three concave portions 221a, 221b, 221c are formed on the side surface 221 on the front side of the main body portion 22. The recesses 221a, 221b, 221c are formed so that the cross-sectional shape cut along the horizontal plane is an arc. These recesses 221a, 221b, 221c
, The lighting portions of the red LEDs 4, 5, and 6 respectively protrude.

The mounting pieces 23 and 24 are formed on the left and right of the base 21. Bolt holes 23a and 24a are formed in the mounting pieces 23 and 24, respectively.
The cover 3 is mounted on the base 21 with the packing 11 interposed therebetween. On the upper surface of the cover 3, a main body 22
The lens 3L is formed continuously and integrally with the cover 3 at a position facing the solar cells 7 and 8 attached to the lens. The cover 3 is preferably made of a material having transparency and having impact resistance and weather resistance, and is formed by, for example, injection molding of polycarbonate at a low production cost. Thereby, impact resistance and weather resistance are provided, and the integral molding of the cover 3 and the lens 3L is inexpensive, and
It will be easier.

On the lower surface of the cover 3, four bosses 3 are provided.
1, 32, 33 and 34 are formed. Further, screw holes (not shown) are formed at the tips of the boss portions 31, 32, 33, and 34. And each boss part 31, 32,
33, 34 are holes 21a, 21b, 21 of base portion 21
The entire cover 3 is fixed to the case 2 by being inserted into c and 21d and screwed from below.

Next, the internal structure of the light emitting device 1 will be described. FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line X1-X1 in FIG. FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line X2-X2 in FIG. The lower side of the case 2 is
2 is screwed. Thereby, the inside of the main body 22 is sealed. The substrate 14 is mounted in the main body 22 by the mounting member 15. The mounting member 15 is screwed into the main body 22 by a screw 15a. The mounting pieces 151 of the mounting member 15
The substrate 14 is fixed to 152 via screws 151a and 152a, respectively.

The substrate 14 has the LED shown in FIGS.
4, 5, and 6 are soldered. As shown in FIG. 4, the light emitting portion of the LED 4 protrudes to the front side through a hole 221 d formed in the side surface 221 of the main body 22. A recess 35 is formed on the inner surface of the cover 3 at a position facing the LED 4. The concave portion 35 is formed so that the base portion has substantially the same shape as the upper half of the light emitting portion of the LED 4. The LED 4 is provided in the recess 35
Is mounted so as to cover or be in contact with or close to the upper end of the. The other LEDs 5 and 6 are also LED
Similarly to 4, the light emitting portion protrudes outside through a hole (not shown) in the side surface 221 and is attached so as to be in contact with or close to a concave portion (not shown) formed in the cover 3.

A blinking control circuit 16 for controlling blinking of the LEDs 4, 5, and 6 is mounted on the board 14. The blink control circuit 16 controls the LEDs 4, 5, and 6 using the battery 17 shown in FIG. 4 as a power supply.

A recess 222 is formed on the upper surface of the main body 22. The solar cells 7 and 8 are placed on the recess 222 via the sponge 18. Solar cells 7, 8
Converts light incident through the lens 3 </ b> L integrally formed on the cover 3 into electricity, and charges the battery 17.

The lens 3L only needs to have such a shape that at least the light intensity incident on the solar cells 7 and 8 is higher than that of the conventional light emitting device 1 'having no lens. It is optimal that the focal point of the lens 3L exists on the solar cells 7 and 8. However, if the focal point exists on the solar cells 7 and 8 or between the solar cells 7 and 8 and the cover 3 side, Since the entire light-emitting device 1 becomes large, it is sufficient that the light-emitting device 1 is located at least near the rear of the solar cells 7 and 8. Lens 3
L is formed in a convex shape with respect to incident light such as sunlight, and is preferably a meniscus lens integrally formed by combining a convex lens and a concave lens. By adopting such a shape, the incident light is condensed on the solar cells 7 and 8, and even if the incident angle of the incident light fluctuates, the solar cells 7 and 8 are irradiated. The power generation amount of 7, 8 will increase. The shape of the lens 3L can be changed depending on the place where the light emitting device 1 is installed as described later.

Next, a specific blinking control of the LED 4 and the like will be described. FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram of the blink control circuit 16. Solar cells 7 and 8 are connected to the battery 17 in parallel. However, diodes D1 and D2 are provided to prevent current from flowing from the battery 17 side.
The solar cells 7 and 8 are, for example, 3.6V amorphous batteries. On the other hand, the battery 17 is, for example, a 2.4V nickel-cadmium battery.

The voltage of the solar cell 7 is divided by the resistors R5 and R6 and applied to the base of the transistor TR3. The collector of the transistor TR3 is connected to the base of the transistor TR4 via the resistor R7.

The collector of the transistor TR4 is connected to the input terminal of the inverter IC1. The capacitor C1 is connected to the input terminal of the inverter IC1. On the other hand, the output terminal of the inverter IC1 has a resistor R
1, and is connected to the base of the transistor TR1 via an integrating circuit including a resistor R2 and a capacitor C2. Transistor T
The emitter of R1 is connected to a transistor TR via a resistor R3.
2 base.

The LEDs 4, 5, and 6 are connected in parallel with each other, and each anode is connected to the battery 1 via a resistor R4.
7 is connected. On the other hand, the cathodes of the LEDs 4, 5, and 6 are connected to the collector of the transistor TR2.

Next, the flicker control circuit 16 having such a configuration will be described.
Will be described. First, when sufficient light is incident on the solar cells 7 and 8 and the voltage of both is higher than the battery 17, the battery 17 is charged. At this time, the transistor TR3 is turned on by the voltage of the solar cell 7, and the transistor TR4 is also turned on. When the transistor TR4 is turned on, the capacitor C
1 is charged, and the input side of the inverter IC1 becomes high level. Then, the output side of the inverter IC1 becomes low level, and no current flows to the base of the transistor TR1. Therefore, the transistors TR1 and TR2 are both turned off, and the LEDs 4, 5, and 6 do not light. When the surroundings are bright and the voltage of the solar cell 7 is equal to or higher than a certain value, this state is continued.

On the other hand, when the surroundings become dark and the potentials of the solar cells 7 and 8 decrease, the transistors TR3 and TR4 are both turned off, and the charging of the capacitor C1 from the transistor TR4 side is stopped. Then, since the electric charge of the capacitor C1 flows to the output side of the inverter IC1 via the resistor R1, the potential of the input side (P1) of the inverter IC1 decreases, and finally goes to a low level. As a result, the output side (P2) becomes high level, the transistors TR1 and TR2 are turned on, and the LEDs 4, 5, 6
Lights up. However, since an integrating circuit including the resistor R2 and the capacitor C2 is provided on the input side of the transistor TR1, a current gradually flows through the LEDs 4, 5, and 6 for a time determined by the time constant. Thereby, LE
D4, 5, and 6 gradually become brighter.

When the output of the inverter IC1 becomes high level, the electric charge flows to the capacitor C1 side via the resistor R1. When the capacitor C1 is charged, the input side of the inverter IC1 goes high, and the output side goes low. Thereby, the transistor TR1
And the transistor TR2 is turned off, and LED4,
5 and 6 are turned off. However, at this time, the integration of the resistor R2 and the capacitor C2 allows the LED4,
5 and 6 gradually darken over the same time as the lighting.

As long as the surroundings are dark and the capacity of the battery 17 continues, the LEDs 4, 5, and 6 repeat blinking in the above pattern. FIG. 6 is a time chart showing the operating state of the positive part of the blinking control circuit. Here, the input point P1, the input point P2 of the inverter IC1, and the base point P of the transistor TR1
3 shows changes in the respective potentials at the emitter point P4 and changes in the light emission state of the LEDs 4, 5, and 6.

The capacitor C1 is charged and the inverter I
When the potential of the input point P1 of C1 is high, the inverter IC
1 is at a low level (L). At this time, the potentials of the base point P3 and the emitter point P4 of the transistor TR1 are lowered, and the LEDs 4, 5, and 6 are also turned off. When the input point P1 of the inverter IC1 goes low (t1), the output point P2 goes high. At this timing, the potential at the point P3 rises and the transistor T
R1 is turned on (t2). As a result, the potential of the point P4 rises, and when the potential reaches a predetermined potential, the transistor TR
2 is turned on (t3), and the LEDs 4, 5, and 6 gradually become brighter.

Thereafter, when the output point P2 of the inverter IC1 becomes low level, the LEDs 4, 5, and 6 gradually become dark and finally go out (t4). Thereafter, the above operation is repeated at the same cycle T. In this embodiment, the LED 4
The lighting times of 5 and 6 are set to, for example, T / 2.

In the light emitting device 1 which performs such blinking, L
Light from the EDs 4, 5, and 6 is transmitted to the entire cover 3, and the entire cover 3 emits light. Next, this principle will be described.
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the principle of light emission of the cover 3 of the light emitting device 1. Most of the light L1 output from the LED 4 passes through the transparent cover 3 and travels straight, and is radiated to the outside as directional light L2. However, the refractive index of the cover 3 and the refractive index of air existing around it are different. Due to the difference, some light L3 is partially reflected at the boundary surface. The reflected light L3 repeats internal reflection in the cover 3 and reaches the upper surface and the rear surface. In the meantime, some light is radiated to the outside, so eventually the cover 3
The whole will emit light brightly.

The light L3 is also transmitted to the inside of the lens 3L integrally formed on the upper surface by internal reflection. The lens 3L is integrally and continuously formed of the same material as the cover 3, and since there is no boundary with the lens 3L inside the cover 3, the light is transmitted without changing the refractive index. Lens 3L
Light L2 radiated to the outside at the portion is diffused by the surface of the lens 3L. Therefore, LEDs 4, 5,
The presence of the light emitting device 1 can be easily confirmed even from an upper surface or a side surface other than the front where the light emitting device 6 is located.

In this embodiment, since the concave portion 35 for covering the light emitting portion of the LED is formed in the portion of the cover 3 where the LED 4 and the like are provided, it is possible to prevent light from being reflected inside the device, and Light absorptivity can be increased. In addition, since the concave portion 35 is curved, light output in the front direction can be refracted and wrapped around the side surface. Therefore, the entire cover 3 can emit light more reliably.

Next, an example of installation of the light emitting device 1 of the present embodiment having such a configuration will be described. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an installation example of the light emitting device 1 of the present embodiment. The light emitting devices 1 are attached to the curb 100 of a road at equal intervals. The light emitting device 1 passes a bolt through the holes 23a and 24a shown in FIG.
It is fixed by screwing to 00. At this time, the side surfaces 221 provided with the LEDs 4, 5, and 6 are attached so as to face the traveling direction. Thereby, the driver of the vehicle can confirm the presence of the light emitting device 1 even in a place where the light is not directly applied. Therefore, the position of the curb 100 can be confirmed over a longer distance.

In the light emitting device 1 of the present embodiment, the cover 3
Since the entire device emits light, it can be confirmed from directions other than the front side where the LEDs 4, 5, and 6 are located. Therefore, the curb can be sufficiently confirmed even on a road with a sharp curve. In addition, the curb in the opposite lane can be checked, so that the width of the road can be checked, which further improves safety.

Further, when the light emitting device 1 according to the present invention is installed on a road, the light emitting device 1 is selectively used in a dark place A and a light place B. Usually, a light-emitting device 1 ′ in which a lens is not formed on the cover 3 may be installed in a light place B on a road where there is nothing to block light, a place where the sunshine time is long, and a place where the irradiation light intensity is strong. However, the road environment is not always the same everywhere. For example, there are places where the sunshine time is short and places where the irradiation light intensity is weak as compared with other places, such as under a tree or under a pedestrian bridge. In the dark place A of such a road, the light emitting device 1 of the present invention in which the lens 3L is integrally formed is installed. By properly using the light sources in this manner, the light emitted to the solar cells 7 and 8 of the light emitting devices 1 and 1 'becomes uniform, and the shortage of charge of one battery of the light emitting device installed in the dark place A occurs. Is reduced. In other words, the light emitting device 1 in which the lens 3L is formed integrally with the cover 3 and the light emitting device 1 'in which the lens is not formed and which is installed in a light place B on the road have a uniform light emission time zone. become able to.

In a dark place A in which the light emitting device 1 of the present invention is installed, if the brightness is different, the shape of the lens 3L of the light emitting device 1 is changed and a light and a strong one is installed. This makes it possible to respond. That is, it is possible to easily cope with the situation by sharing the main body of the light emitting devices 1 and 1 'and changing only the cover 3 according to the situation of the installation place.

Further, in order to enhance the visibility, the main body 22
A mirror surface may be formed by applying a treatment such as forming a film by vapor deposition or plating with a metal such as Al, Ag, or Ti, or forming a coating film with a glittering paint on the outer surface of the film. By forming the mirror surface on the outer surface of the main body 22 in this way, the light L3 transmitted by the internal reflection of the cover 3 radiates the light L4 radiated inward (on the side of the main body 22) on the side surface of the cover 3 to the main body. The light is reflected on the outer surface of the cover 22 and can be returned into the cover 3 again. That is, LEDs 4, 5, 6
Since the light L1 output from the device can be efficiently radiated to the outside, visibility from the outside can be improved.

Here, if the distance between the cover 3 and the outer surface of the main body 22 is set to an even multiple of the wavelength of the light emitted by the LEDs 4, 5, and 6, the reflected light of the light L4 and the inside of the cover 3 are transmitted. Since the light L3 interferes and is amplified, the visibility from the outside is further improved.

Further, a film having a hydrophilic property and an antifouling property such as titanium oxide may be formed on the outer surface of the cover 3. By doing so, the light transmittance will be slightly inferior,
Even if water droplets such as rainwater adhere to the cover 3, the irregularity of the incident light is reduced due to the hydrophilicity, and as a result, the power generation of the solar cell is increased, and the light output from the LEDs 4, 5, and 6 is also reduced. It becomes easier to see. Furthermore, even if dust and dirt adhere to the cover 3 and the lens 3L due to the long-term installation, it is possible to prevent a reduction in the amount of power generation and deterioration in visibility due to the antifouling effect of the photocatalyst.

Further, in the present embodiment, as described with reference to FIG. 5 and the like, the LEDs 4, 5, and 6 are gradually turned on and off, so that the stimulus to the driver's eyes is extremely small. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the operation from being adversely affected.

In FIG. 5, the LED is smoothly turned on and off by an integrating circuit composed of a resistor R2 and a capacitor C2.
6 may have a circuit configuration as shown in FIG.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing another example of the structure of the blinking control circuit 16. Here, the resistors R2 and R shown in FIG.
3. The capacitor C2 and the transistor TR1 are removed, and instead, the resistor R8 and the diode D3 are connected in parallel with the resistor R1, and the resistor R9 is connected between the inverter IC1 and the transistor TR2.

In this circuit, since the diode D3 is provided, the resistor R8 is involved only when charging the capacitor C1. By setting the resistance R8 to a value smaller than the resistance R1, the output of the capacitor C1 quickly becomes low.
Therefore, the lighting time of the LEDs 4, 5, and 6 can be shorter than the lighting time. Thereby, the stimulus can be further reduced and the power supply can be saved.

Although the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various forms can be considered without departing from the essence. For example, the circuits in FIGS. 5 and 9 may be used together, or may be configured to be used by switching.

[0049]

As described above, according to the present invention, since the cover made of a transparent material is attached so as to cover the surface of the light emitting element and the case, the light emitted from the light emitting element is transparent. Is transmitted while repeating internal reflection within a cover and a lens made of a material having the above, and the entire cover can emit light. Thus, light emission of the light emitting device can be easily recognized even from a direction other than the front surface of the light emitting element, such as the upper surface or the rear surface side.

In addition, since the lens is continuously formed integrally with the cover made of a transparent material using the same material, incident light is condensed, and the light intensity of light irradiated on the solar cell is increased. The amount of power generated by the battery can be increased. Further, by using polycarbonate as the material having transparency, impact resistance and weather resistance are provided, and the integral molding of the cover 3 and the lens 3L is inexpensive and easy.

Further, the light output from the light emitting element is transmitted to the inside of the lens from the side surface of the cover by internal reflection, and when the light is radiated outside by the lens portion, the light is diverged by the lens. Therefore, the light emission of the light emitting device can be more easily confirmed. Furthermore, it is possible to easily switch between a dark place and a bright place by simply replacing the cover, and by using a light emitting device with a lens and a light emitting device without a lens in a dark place and a light place on a road, it is possible to continuously switch. The time period during which a plurality of light emitting devices installed in the device emit light can be made uniform.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an external configuration of a light emitting device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the light emitting device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line X1-X1 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line X2-X2 in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram of a blinking control circuit.

FIG. 6 is a time chart illustrating an operation state of a main part of the blinking control circuit.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a light emitting principle of a cover of the light emitting device.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of installation of a light emitting device according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating another configuration example of the blinking control circuit.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 1 'Light-emitting device 2 Case 3 Cover 3L lens 4, 5, 6 LED 7, 8 Solar cell 16 Flashing control circuit 17 Battery 21 Base part 22 Main part 35 Depression

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A case, a light emitting element attached to a side surface of the case, a blink control circuit for blinking the light emitting element, a power supply battery, and a power supply attached to an upper part of the case to supply power to the battery. In a road light emitting device having a solar cell and a light-emitting element made of a transparent material, the solar cell, and a cover attached so as to cover a surface of the case, the cover faces the solar cell. A light emitting device for roads, wherein a lens is integrally and continuously formed at a position where the light is emitted. 2. The road light emitting device according to claim 1, wherein the lens is formed outside the cover and is convex with respect to incident light. 3. The light emitting device for a road according to claim 1, wherein the lens is a meniscus lens. 4. The road light emitting device according to claim 1, wherein the lens is formed of a material having the same material as the cover. 5. The road light emitting device according to claim 1, wherein said transparent material is polycarbonate.