JP2001081736A - Indication device of road marking - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an indication device capable of eliminating damage of light source and electric cables and easily being maintained and imparting an exellent visibility. SOLUTION: This device is provided with a light source 12 and a plurality of optical fibers 13 embedded underground through which incident, light from the light source passes from one end face. The other end face of the optical fiber 13 is used as a light-emitting end face 14 and exposed to a roadway face 51 at positions corresponding to a road marking such as tgraffic division lines to be indicated and light which has passed through the optical fiber is emitted out of the light-emitting end face 14.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a lane dividing line or center line of a road, a boundary line between a sidewalk and a road, a stop line, an arrow indicating a traveling direction, and the like. The present invention relates to a display device of a road surface index for displaying various traffic indices written on the road surface.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Lane division lines, which are a kind of road surface index, are conventionally displayed by the following method. That is, FIG.
This is an example in which 2 is displayed in paint, and a boundary line 54 is also displayed in paint on a sidewalk surface 53 adjacent to the vehicle road surface 51. Reference numeral 55 denotes a street lamp.

Another conventional technique shown in FIG. 8 is a road surface index for indicating the center of an intersection or a part of a pedestrian crossing, or a lane itself, and a light-emitting body (a lamp, an LED, etc.) as a light source.
56 is built in a rigid cover 58 and installed on the road surface 51, and these luminous bodies 56 emit light by supplying power from the outside via an electric cable 57. Further, another conventional technique shown in FIG. 9 is an example in which a solar cell (not shown) is provided on the upper surface of a cover 58, and a storage battery for charging generated power of the solar cell is built in a main body 59 buried underground. . The wiring between these components is not shown.

[0004]

Conventionally, the visibility of a road surface index such as a lane marking line has been enhanced by the various methods described above. However, in the prior art shown in FIG. 7, even if the lane division line 52 and the boundary line 54 are illuminated by the streetlight 55, the visibility is generally poor on the road at night or on a rainy day, and the part far from the streetlight 55 is not provided. In this case, it is difficult to accurately recognize the various lines 52 and 54 even for drivers and pedestrians who have sound vision. In particular, in an aging society in the future, since the number of elderly drivers and pedestrians will surely increase, it is desired to provide a display device for a road surface index excellent in visibility for these persons.

Further, in the display method relying only on paint as shown in FIG. 7, the paint wears down due to long-term use, and the color becomes thin, or the paint is cracked or chipped due to a change in ambient temperature. However, there was an inconvenience that some of them disappeared. For this reason, it is necessary to regularly regulate the traffic of vehicles and to repaint the lines, which has caused a lot of trouble and cost, and also caused problems such as being forced to make detours due to traffic regulation and congestion.

In the prior art shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, as the weight and vibration of the vehicle are repeatedly applied over time, the cover 58 and the luminous body 56 are damaged, and the electric cable 57 itself or the electric connection portion is damaged. There is a risk of disconnection and tearing,
A lot of trouble was required for maintenance work including these inspections, repairs, and replacements. In addition, similarly to the above, problems such as traffic regulation at the time of maintenance work have occurred. In addition, since the abrasion state of the cover 58 is different from the asphalt or concrete abrasion state of the road itself, the entire road surface is worn unevenly over time, and the function of the road is affected. there were.

Therefore, the present invention solves various problems that occur when simply applying paint or installing or burying a light-emitting body as an electric cable or a light source on a road, and has high visibility and high maintenance. It is an object of the present invention to provide a display device for a road surface index, which is easy and can reduce the cost.

[0008]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a light source, comprising: a plurality of optical fibers buried in the ground to receive light from the light source from one end face; With the other end face of the optical fiber as a light emitting end face, it is exposed to a road surface at a position corresponding to a road surface index such as a lane marking line to be displayed, and emits light passing through the optical fiber from the light emitting end face. is there.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a light source comprising: a light source; and a plurality of optical fibers which are disposed above a road surface and into which light from the light source enters from one end face, and which has the other end face of the optical fiber. The light emitting unit is disposed above a road surface, and emits the light passing through the optical fiber from the light emitting unit toward a position corresponding to a road surface index to be displayed.

[0010] The third aspect of the present invention is the first or second aspect.
In the display device for a road surface index described above, the color of the emitted light is changed according to the type and use of the road surface index to be displayed.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a main part of the first embodiment of the present invention, in which a lane dividing line or a boundary line between a sidewalk and a road is displayed as a road surface index. In the figure, reference numeral 11 denotes a light source device, which incorporates a light source 12 composed of a semiconductor laser or the like and a driving circuit therefor.
This light source device 11 is installed at an appropriate position on the ground where maintenance is easy, such as a sidewalk on the side of a road.

The luminous flux of the laser light emitted from the light source 12 is incident on one end face of a plurality of optical fibers 13, and the other end face is exposed to a vehicle road surface 51 to form a light emitting end face 14. These optical fibers 13 are buried at the same time as pavement of asphalt or concrete on the road. In this embodiment, it is assumed that a lane dividing line is displayed on the road surface 51. However, when a boundary line is displayed on the pedestrian surface as shown in FIG.
4 will be exposed on the sidewalk. Here, the optical fiber 13 shown in FIG. 1 is an image in which a plurality of bundled strands are bundled, but the number of bundled strands, the number of bundled strands, and the like can be arbitrarily selected. The thickness of the optical fiber 13 shown is for convenience.

FIG. 2 shows a use state of the embodiment of FIG. 1, in which the lane dividing line 15 of the road surface 51 and the boundary line 16 of the sidewalk surface 53 are displayed using the light emitting end face 14 of the optical fiber 13. It is. 11A is a light source device of the optical fiber 13 for displaying the lane dividing line 15, 11B is a light source device of the optical fiber 13 for displaying the boundary line 16,
These are installed at appropriate positions on the sidewalk surface 53 in consideration of the convenience of maintenance.

The lane dividing line 15 and the boundary line 16 are coated with white paint, and the light-emitting end faces 14 are evenly arranged on these lines (for example, at both ends and the center of the line). A plurality of optical fibers 13 are embedded. Here, the paint forming the lane division line 15 and the boundary line 16 is not an essential requirement of the present invention, and the light emitting end faces 14 of a large number of optical fibers 13 may be densely arranged in a line without using paint. Although not shown, the center line of the vehicle road surface 51 can be displayed in a similar manner.

According to this embodiment, for example, the light source device 1
Since the light flux from a single light source in 1A can be guided to the light emitting end faces 14 of the plurality of lane marking lines 15 via the optical fiber 13, the cost required for the light source can be reduced. In addition, the light source devices 11A and 11B may be provided with spare light sources, respectively, to be duplicated. As described above, since the light source is built in the light source devices 11A and 11B on the sidewalk 53, maintenance work such as inspection, repair, and replacement is facilitated, and personnel and work time can be reduced.

In addition, unlike the conventional case where the light source itself and the electric connection portion of the electric cable are installed or buried in a roadway or the like, there is no possibility that the light source is damaged, and the electric connection portion exists in the ground. There is no worry about signal interruption due to disconnection. In other words, when burying electric cables underground,
Even if a part of the fiber is broken, it is impossible to transmit a normal signal.However, in the case of an optical fiber, even if the part is broken, a certain amount of light can be guided to the light-emitting end face, so fatal display is impossible. It does not invite the state.

Further, as is apparent from FIG.
1 can be realized without any protrusions, and the light emitting end face 14 wears at the same level as the surrounding road surface 51, so that uneven wear of the road surface is prevented and the function of the road is not impaired. In addition, since the paint for displaying each line only performs an auxiliary display function, the frequency of repainting can be reduced, and the influence of traffic regulation at the time of repainting is small.

Next, FIGS. 3 and 4 show a second embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that an optical fiber is buried in a road and its light-emitting end surface is not exposed to the road surface. A light emitting unit provided with the light emitting unit is provided to irradiate a light beam such as a laser beam passing through the optical fiber to a target position (a lane dividing line or a sidewalk boundary line) such as a road surface from above the road.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 3 is a case where a light emitting unit 21 having a plurality of optical fibers 13 is provided in a streetlight.
A dedicated light source as a streetlight is not shown. A plurality of optical fibers 13 are accommodated in the case 22 of the streetlight, and their light emitting end faces 14 are directed to the lower road side. The arrangement and the number of the optical fibers 13 in FIG. 3 are not limited at all, and may be appropriately changed according to the direction and the position where the light beam is directed.

FIG. 4 shows a use state of this embodiment, in which a streetlight 20 is installed on a sidewalk surface 53 and the light emitting section 21 is provided.
Lane division line 15 by the luminous flux 24 of the laser light from
Are irradiated at both ends and the center. As in the first embodiment, the lane division line 15 may or may not be used with paint. The light source such as a semiconductor laser and the drive circuit thereof in this embodiment are built in the base 23 of the streetlight 20 or in the light source device 11 installed on the sidewalk 53 as in the first embodiment. Although not shown, also in the present embodiment, the boundary line of the sidewalk surface 53 and the center line of the road can be displayed by the same principle.

Also in this embodiment, since the light source can be installed at an easy place for inspection or the like, maintenance work is facilitated. In addition, since the optical fiber 13 is not buried in the road, there is no risk of wear or damage, and there is an advantage that the optical fiber 13 can be used for a long time.

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 shows a use state of this embodiment. In this example, on a road with a ceiling such as inside a tunnel or underground road, building indoor road, indoor parking lot,
A light emitting unit having a plurality of optical fibers is arranged on the ceiling, and a light beam from these light emitting units displays a lane dividing line on a road surface of a vehicle.

In FIG. 5, reference numeral 61 denotes a road surface in a tunnel, an underground road, a building indoor road, or the like; 62, a side wall; and 63, a ceiling. Reference numeral 31 denotes a light emitting unit arranged on a ceiling 63, and the light emitting end faces 14 of the plurality of optical fibers 13 are connected to a road surface 61.
The beam 34 of the laser light from the optical fiber 13 is directed to the upper lane dividing line 15 and irradiates both ends and the center of the lane dividing line 15.

Also in this embodiment, the lane marking line 15 may or may not be used with paint. Further, the number and arrangement of the optical fibers 13 constituting each light emitting section 31 are not limited to the illustrated example at all, and can be appropriately changed. Although not shown, a light source such as a semiconductor laser is installed in a place where maintenance is easy. Also in this embodiment, since the optical fiber 13 is not buried in the road similarly to the second embodiment, there is no fear of wear or damage, and the optical fiber 13 can be used for a long time.

Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In this embodiment, when the present invention is installed on a road having a ceiling 63 as in the third embodiment, an optical fiber 13A as a light emitting unit for displaying a lane dividing line as shown in FIG. , And optical fibers 13B and 13C as light-emitting units for displaying the center of the lane, and these optical fibers 13A, 13B and 13C are provided.
This is an example in which the colors of the light beams 34A, 34B, and 34C emitted from C are different. For example, the light source is selected so that the light beam 34A for displaying the lane division line is red or yellow, and the light beams 34B and 34C for displaying the center of the lane are other colors (blue or green). The idea of making the color of the light beam emitted from the optical fiber different according to the type and position of the road surface index can be applied to any of the first to third embodiments.

FIG. 6B corresponds to the plan view of FIG. 6A, in which the light beams 34a, 34b and 34c are the light beams 34A and 34A.
B and 34C show spots formed on the road surface.
Of these, the spot 34a indicates a lane dividing line, and the spots 34b and 34c indicate a lane center. The number and arrangement of these spots, in other words, the number and arrangement of the optical fibers attached downward from the ceiling 63 can be arbitrarily changed. Also in this embodiment,
A light source such as a semiconductor laser is installed in a place where maintenance is easy.

According to the present embodiment, the luminous flux of a different color is emitted from the ceiling 63 according to the type, use, and function of the road surface index, such as the lane dividing line and the center of the lane.
Since the spots are displayed as spots on the vehicle 1, the driver can appropriately assist the driver in taking a course using the lane division line or the center of the lane as a guide when traveling, and can call attention.

In the third and fourth embodiments, even when the paint on the road surface is hidden by the preceding vehicle, the spot of the luminous flux is displayed on the upper surface of the body of the preceding vehicle. The driver of other vehicles can always accurately recognize the lane division line, the center of the lane, and the like, and the safety and convenience are greatly improved.

In each of the above embodiments, the lane marking line and the boundary line have been described as the road surface index. However, the road surface index that can be displayed by the present invention is not limited to these, and indicates, for example, a stop line and a traveling direction. Arrow,
The present invention can be applied to the display of various road surface indexes such as a sign index such as a pedestrian crossing, a numerical index indicating a speed limit or a distance between vehicles, and a character index such as "first stop" and "a sharp curve ahead".

[0030]

As described above, according to the present invention, the poor visibility of the prior art in which only paint is applied is improved, and an electric cable or a luminous body as a light source is installed or buried on a road. Problems such as breakage and disconnection that occur in such a case can be solved to reduce costs, improve reliability as a display device, and improve road traffic safety. Particularly for elderly drivers and pedestrians in the aging society, it is extremely useful for safety to enhance the visibility of various road surface indexes. In addition, since the light source can be installed at a place where inspection and replacement work is easy on the side of the road, such as on a sidewalk, the maintainability is improved, and the frequency of repainting is reduced, which also contributes to the elimination of labor and traffic jams. be able to.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a main part of a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a use state of the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a main part of a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a use state of a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a use state of a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a use state of a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a conventional technique.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a conventional technique.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of a conventional technique.

[Explanation of symbols]

 11, 11A, 11B Light source device 12 Light source 13, 13A, 13B, 13C Optical fiber 14 Light emitting end face 15 Lane dividing line 16 Boundary line 20 Street light 21, 31 Light emitting unit 22 Case 23 Base 24, 34, 34A, 34B, 34C Light flux 34a , 34b, 34c Spot 51, 61 Car road surface 53 Pedestrian road surface 62 Side wall 63 Ceiling

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A road surface index to be displayed, comprising: a light source; and a plurality of optical fibers embedded in the ground, into which light from the light source enters from one end surface, and the other end surface of the optical fiber as a light emitting end surface. A road surface index display device, which is exposed to a road surface at a position corresponding to (a), and emits light passing through the optical fiber from the light emitting end surface. 2. A light source comprising: a light source; and a plurality of optical fibers disposed above a road surface and receiving light from the light source from one end surface, and a light emitting unit having the other end surface of the optical fiber is disposed above the road surface. A light-emitting device for displaying a road-index, wherein the light that has passed through the optical fiber is emitted from the light-emitting unit toward a position corresponding to a road-index to be displayed. 3. The display device for displaying a road index according to claim 1, wherein the color of the emitted light is changed according to the type and use of the road index to be displayed.