JP2001132525A - Idling stop signal indication device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To promote movement of 'stop idling', by asking a driver to stop an engine during the time such as stopping at a red light or in front of a crossing bar, and then by notifying the driver of the engine start timing. SOLUTION: This idling stop signal indication device comprises at least: a signal display portion 15 for displaying an indication of asking the driver to stop the engine and then an indication of starting of the engine; and a signal control portion 13 that determines a time where the driver should stop the engine depending on an input signal to make the signal display portion 15 display the indication of promoting the driver to stop the engine, and then determines a time of starting the engine to make the signal display portion display the indication of asking the driver to start the engine. In a case where the idling stop signal indication device is connected to a traffic signal control equipment 2, the signal control portion controls so that the signal display portion displays a first indication of stopping the engine, a second indication of holding a state of the engine, and a third indication of starting the engine sequentially, when the length of the red light immediately before repeating the red light and a blank period in input information is not less than a reference value. Further, the signal control portion 13 controls so that the signal display portion 15 displays only the second indication when the length of the red lights immediately before repeating the red light and the blank period in input information is not more than a reference value.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a display of an idling stop signal for prompting a stop of idling of a vehicle when it is effective for environmental protection by being connected to a traffic signal for stopping the vehicle on a road or a railroad crossing barrier. Related to the device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a state of waiting for a green light at an intersection or a state where a circuit breaker goes down at a level crossing and waits for a train to pass, a driver generally keeps an idling state without turning off a vehicle engine. This is because when the traffic light turns green, or when the train passes and the circuit breaker goes up, the train starts immediately. By maintaining the idling state, gasoline is wasted even when the vehicle is stopped.

Further, it emits global warming substances such as carbon dioxide (CO ₂ ) and gases toxic to the human body such as nitrogen oxides (NO _x ). Therefore, "idling stop" exercises are being promoted in some places to encourage the driver to stop idling when the vehicle stops. However,
The reason why the "idling stop" movement is not widespread is that
The main reason is that simply turning off the engine is troublesome.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a change in the emission amount of nitrogen oxides (NO _x ) before and after idling stop. i is the emission levels of the NO _X during idling. t ₁ is the idling stop time, t ₂ is the timing of the engine restart. Portion M ₁ indicated by hatching indicates the idling stop time equivalent amount of exhaust gas to be discharged when the continued idling. Shaded area M ₂
Indicates the amount of exhaust gas that increases due to the high-concentration exhaust gas discharged at the restart of idling as compared with the case where idling is continued.

[0005] By thus idling stop, no emissions of t time NO _X, has a peak exceeding the emissions during idling time by restarting drops over time to a level during idling. If part of the M ₂ is less than the portion of M _1, shows that idling stop is effective to exhaust gas reduction. Note that CO
_2, CO, for also THC, draws a similar change curve and NO _X.

[0006]

In addition to the fact that simply turning off the engine is troublesome, one of the reasons why the "idling stop" exercise is not widespread is that even if you recognize that "idling stop" is good, There is a case in which the custom is not remembered immediately at the time of stopping and misses the timing of stopping the engine. Also, it may not be interesting to be frustrated and wait for that time because the engine is to be started immediately before the green light is turned on or immediately before the circuit breaker goes up.

An object of the present invention is to solve such a problem and to effectively spread the "idling stop" exercise. As an apparatus effective for displaying a red light of a traffic light or a descending rod of a level crossing barrier, It is an object of the present invention to provide an idling stop signal display device which prompts the stop of the engine at the appropriate time and notifies the engine start timing.

[0008]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an idling stop signal display device according to the present invention is provided with a display connected to traffic-related equipment for notifying a moving person or a car of a need to stop. A display device capable of performing at least a display for prompting the stop of the engine and a display for prompting the start of the stopped engine to a stopped vehicle, and an input from the traffic-related equipment to the display unit. Based on the signal, a time period in which it is preferable to stop the engine of the vehicle is determined to display a message prompting the engine to be stopped, and a time period in which the stopped engine is preferable to be started is determined to start the engine. And a control unit including a function of performing prompting display.

The traffic-related equipment is a traffic signal installed at an intersection of a road, and is connected to the traffic signal. The control unit turns on the light for a predetermined time based on the input red light display information. The red signal lighting time zone is divided at predetermined intervals in the time series direction, and the display unit prompts the display unit to stop the engine in the first division of the division, and in the last division of the division, A configuration may be provided that includes a function of causing the display unit to perform a display prompting the start of the engine.

Specifically, when the length of the immediately preceding red light display information in the repetition of the red light and the blank of the input information exceeds a predetermined time, the control unit instructs the display means.
A first display that prompts the engine to stop, a second display that prompts not to change the state of the engine following the first display, and a third display that prompts the start of the engine following the second display. May be sequentially performed, and when the length of the immediately preceding red light display information does not exceed the predetermined time, only the second display may be controlled to be displayed.

Further, the traffic-related equipment is a circuit breaker for a railway line, and is connected to the circuit breaker, and the control unit indicates to the display means either a train approaching or a railroad crossing input to the device. A display may be made to prompt to stop the engine of the vehicle based on a signal, and a display may be made to prompt to start the engine based on a signal indicating train passage input to the device.

[0012]

Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described.
This will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a system of functions of each part of an embodiment of an idling stop signal display device of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example in which the device shown in FIG. 1 is added to a traffic signal at an intersection and installed.

1 and 2, reference numeral 1 denotes a traffic light controller, and 2 denotes a traffic signal controller for controlling the operation of the traffic light 1. A display means 15 indicates whether to stop idling of a stopped vehicle when the red light of the signal light 1 is turned on at the intersection or to continue the idling, and a display means (hereinafter referred to as a signal display) for notifying a timing of restarting the engine when stopped. Department). Reference numeral 10 denotes a controller that controls the operation of the signal display unit 15 (hereinafter, referred to as an idling signal controller).

The apparatus according to the present invention comprises an idling signal controller 1
0 and the signal display unit 15. The idling signal controller 10 includes a power supply unit 11, an interface circuit 12, a display control unit 13, and a display drive unit 14. Power supply unit 11 and interface circuit 12
Are connected to the traffic signal controller 2 by a cable 9. The power supply unit 11 supplies power to the display control unit 13 and the display drive unit 14, and supplies power to the signal display unit 15 via the display drive unit 14.

The display control unit 13 includes the interface circuit 1
2 to input red light information from the traffic light controller 2 via
The display drive unit 14 is controlled based on this input, and the display content of the signal display unit 15 is changed. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a relationship between display contents and a traffic signal in a case where a driver who visually recognizes the driver to stop idling. 4, the display L ₁ of G, Y, R of the traffic signal, the display of the signal light 1 respectively indicate blue, yellow, the time zone is red. Idling signal display L ₂ of A, B, C, the display of the signal display unit 15, respectively, "engine stop", "engine as is", indicates the time zone is "engine start".

S indicates a reference time for determining whether or not to display "engine stop". Reference time S is set to a value close to the idling stop time t when the parts M ₁ and a portion M ₂ in FIG. 3 equal.
Therefore, the time during which the idling signal “engine stop” is displayed corresponds to (R−S).

P is a psychological idling advance time with a margin for starting the vehicle calmly with respect to starting the engine. Accordingly, the time for displaying the "engine as it is" of the idling signal is obtained by subtracting a predetermined idling advance time P from the reference time S (S-P).
Is set to The display control unit 13 determines whether or not to display the idling stop based on the input information of the red signal immediately before the red signal and the blank of the red signal input, and if necessary, the signal display unit In FIG. 15, "engine stop", "engine as it is", and "engine start" are sequentially displayed.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a criterion for determining whether idling display is necessary. If the display is L ₁₁ of the immediately preceding signal lamp 1, so is longer than the reference time S the length of the red signal R ₁ performs an idling signal display, but the display of the immediately preceding L ₁₂
As in the case the length of the red signal R ₂ is shorter than the reference time S can either continue the display between the red signal "engine as is", the idling signal display does nothing.

[0019] includes a counter (not shown) to the display control unit 13, for example, display of the immediately preceding case of L _11, simultaneously starts counting the reference time S and the start of the input of the red signal R ₁ or R _2. At the end of the counting of the reference time S, (R
-S) Start counting of the measurement, and the red signal R ₁ or R
Measure until the input of ₂ is completed and the result is "engine stopped"
Display time. A value of 0 or a negative (R-S) as in the case of L _12, to display the "engine as is", and does not conduct the idle signal display. "Engine as it is" and "engine start" following the display of "engine stop" are set in accordance with (SP) and P obtained from the reference time S and the psychological idling advance time P, and the respective display times are set. And

FIG. 6 is a front view showing an example of the display surface of the signal display section 16 corresponding to the signal display section 15 of FIG. 1 (FIG. 2). The signal display section 16 sequentially displays "engine stopped", "engine as it is", and "engine start".
In this example, the "engine" common to the three words is fixedly displayed on the display surface, and the changing "stop", "as is",
“Start” is displayed by illuminating it from the back with lighting whenever necessary.

FIG. 7 is a front view showing an example of a display surface of another signal display section 17 corresponding to the signal display section 15 of FIG. 1 (FIG. 2). In this example, there are a plurality of windows 17a, 17b, 17c, and 17d provided on the display surface, and the characters "engine stop", "engine as it is", or "engine start" are repeated from the windows. The characters are scrolled and displayed one by one from right to left.

FIG. 8 is a front view showing an example of a display surface of another signal display section 18 corresponding to the signal display section 15 of FIG. 1 (FIG. 2). In this example, a lamp group composed of two kinds of LEDs of red light emission and blue light emission on the front surface of a signal light provided on a display surface is used to set “engine stop”, “engine as is”, “engine start” in a predetermined color. Are sequentially displayed. For example, 18a in FIG.
Represents "engine stopped" in red emission, 18b represents "engine as it is" in purple by red and blue emission, and 18c represents "engine start" in blue emission. There are many other ways of expressing these. For example, FIG. 9 shows another display example of the display unit 18 of FIG.
19a represents "engine stop", 19b represents "engine as it is", and 19c represents "engine start".

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the system of the functions of each part of the device as a modification of the idling stop signal display device of FIG. 1 (FIG. 2). The device shown in FIG. 10 is used in connection with a railroad crossing cutoff controller installed at a railroad crossing, and includes an idling signal controller 20 and a signal display unit 25. The idling signal controller 20 is a signal display unit 2
5 is a controller for controlling the operation of FIG.

The idling signal controller 20 includes a power supply unit 2
1, an interface circuit 22, a display control unit 23, and a display drive unit 24. The power supply unit 21 and the interface circuit 22 are connected to the railroad crossing cutoff control circuit box 3.
Are connected by a cable 29. Power supply unit 21
Receives power from the power supply unit 33 of the railroad crossing cutoff control circuit box 3, supplies power to the display control unit 23 and the display drive unit 24, and also supplies power to the signal display unit 25 via the display drive unit 24. .

The interface circuit 22 receives, from the interface circuit 32 of the railroad crossing cutoff control circuit box 3, the railroad crossing cutoff rod state information and the train passage signal. The state information of the railroad crossing rod is transmitted from the rod driving mechanism 30, and the train passing signal is transmitted from the circuit breaker control circuit 31 via the interface circuit 32 and the interface circuit 22, respectively.
3 is input.

The display control unit 23 controls the display drive unit 24 based on the input, and changes the display contents of the signal display unit 25. That is, as a level crossing blocking rod state information, when a blocking rod descent end signal is received, the signal display unit 25 is caused to perform a display urging “engine stop”, and when a train passing signal is received,
A display prompting "engine start" is performed.

The display of the signal display unit 25 indicates that the length of time that the railroad crossing rod is down and in the cutoff state is not determined in relation to the passing density of each train, so that "engine stop" and "engine start" are performed. It is only necessary to display “engine as it is” as in the case of a traffic light. The specific structure and form of the display surface may be the same as those shown in FIGS.

During the time when the crossing rod at the railroad crossing is descending,
The closing time varies depending on the diamond density such as day and night, but it generally takes several minutes to 10 minutes or more from the approach of the train to the passage. Therefore, when the time from the stop of the car to the start is short, M _{2 is} larger than M ₁ in FIG.
Even if there is a vehicle in which idling stop is meaningless, considering the average value of the exhaust gas amount of the vehicle stopped at the railroad crossing as a whole, it greatly contributes to reduction of harmful exhaust gas and energy saving. The signal display section of the idling stop signal display device connected to a traffic signal or a level crossing circuit breaker may have many different structures and forms besides FIGS. 6 to 9, but are in line with the gist of the present invention. Any of them are included in the present invention.

[0029]

As described above, the present invention provides at least a display for prompting a stopped vehicle connected to traffic-related equipment to stop the engine and a display for notifying the start timing of the stopped engine. This has the effect of stimulating the driver's willingness to help the environment and helping to reduce emissions.

In the case of a device connected to a traffic signal installed at an intersection of roads, the signal control unit chronologically sets a red light lighting time zone for lighting for a predetermined time based on the input red light display information. By dividing the signal at predetermined intervals in the direction, causing the signal display unit to display a message urging the engine to be stopped at a first divided part of the division, and performing a display urging the engine to be started at the last divided part of the division. The effect can be surely exhibited.

Further, the control unit prompts the display means to stop the engine when the length of the immediately preceding red light display information in the repetition of the red light and blank of the input information exceeds a predetermined time. Display, and a second prompting not to change the state of the engine following the first display as it is.
And a third display that prompts the start of the engine following the second display is controlled so as to be sequentially performed. When the length of the immediately preceding red light display information does not exceed the predetermined time, the second display is performed. By performing control so that only display is performed, the above-described effect can be embodied reliably.

In the case of a device connected to a circuit breaker on a railway line, the control unit inputs to the display means a railroad crossing cut-off rod descending end signal indicating that the entry into the railroad crossing has been blocked out of the railroad crossing information. At the time, a display for prompting the stop of the engine of the car is performed, and when a level crossing cut-off rod ascending signal is input after the train passing signal, the display for prompting the start of the engine is performed. can do.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system diagram showing functions of respective units according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an installation state of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a change in a nitrogen oxide emission amount before and after idling stop.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a relationship between display contents when prompting to stop the engine and display contents of a traffic light;

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a criterion for determining whether idling display is necessary.

FIG. 6 is a front view illustrating an example of a display surface corresponding to the display unit in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a front view illustrating an example of another display surface corresponding to the display unit in FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a front view showing an example of still another display surface corresponding to the display unit in FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a front view showing another display example of the display unit in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a system of functions of each unit of a modified example of the device in FIG. 1;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Signal light 2 Traffic signal controller 3 Railroad crossing cutoff control circuit box 10, 20 Idling signal controller 11, 21, 33 Power supply part 12, 22, 32 Interface circuit 13, 23 Display control part 14, 24 Display drive part 15, 16, 17, 18, 25 Signal display unit 30 Breaking rod drive mechanism 31 Circuit breaker control circuit

Continued on the front page F term (reference) 3G084 BA33 CA01 CA03 DA10 EA07 EA11 FA04 3G093 BA21 BA22 BA24 CA01 CA04 CB01 DB18 DB23 EC01 FA11 5H161 AA01 MM02 MM14 PP07 RR32 5H180 AA01 BB15 GG08 GG09 JJ17

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A display device connected to a traffic-related facility for notifying a person or a car in progress that a vehicle should be stopped, comprising: a display for urging a stopped car to stop at least an engine; A display means capable of performing a display prompting the start of the stopped engine, and a display means,
Based on the signal input from the traffic-related equipment, determine the time period during which the engine is preferably stopped and display an indication to encourage the engine to stop, and determine the time period during which the stopped engine is preferable to be started. An idling stop signal display device, comprising: a control unit having a function of performing a display prompting start of the engine. 2. The traffic-related equipment is a traffic signal installed at an intersection of roads or the like. The traffic-related equipment is connected to the traffic signal, and the control unit turns on a predetermined time based on the input red light display information. Red light lighting time zone is divided at a predetermined interval in a time series direction, and the display means prompts the display means to stop the engine in a first division of the division,
2. The idling stop signal display device according to claim 1, further comprising a function of causing the display unit to display a message urging the start of the engine in a last divided portion of the division. 3. The first control unit prompts the display means to stop the engine when the length of the red light display information immediately before the repeated red light and blank of the input information exceeds a predetermined time. Display, a second display that prompts not to change the state of the engine following the first display as it is, and a third display that prompts start of the engine following the second display are controlled to be sequentially performed. 3. The idling device according to claim 1, wherein when the length of the immediately preceding red light display information does not exceed the predetermined time, control is performed such that only the second display is displayed. 4. Stop signal display device. 4. The traffic-related equipment is a railroad crossing circuit breaker, and is connected to the railroad crossing circuit breaker. 2. A display that prompts the user to stop the engine of the vehicle based on a signal indicating whether the vehicle is running, and a display that prompts the user to start the engine based on a signal indicating train passage input to the device. 2. The idling stop signal display device according to 1.