JP2004270174A - Traffic sign board - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To uniformly illuminate the whole of a traffic sign board by a simple structure, facilitate maintenance, and adaptable to with either a self-illuminating type or a reflecting type. <P>SOLUTION: A traffic panel 40 is integrally constituted of: a translucent plate 41; an indication sheet 42 which is fixed to the surface side of the translucent plate 41 and on which a prescribed sign signal and a prescribed sign character are indicated and light incident form the surface side is reflected, and throughwhich light incident from the backside is permeated; and a diffusion sheet 43 which is fixed to the backside of the translucent plate 41 and diffuses the light. Light is projected from a plurality of light emitting diodes 60 supported at every specified interval on a base board 58 of the back face side to the traffic panel 40 side to illuminate the indication sheet 42. When the light emitting diode 60 is not lit, it serves as a reflective type traffic signal board. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a technology for improving the visibility of a traffic sign such as “temporary stop” with low power consumption, and for reducing the weight and cost of the traffic sign.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Among the traffic signs, for example, a sign of "temporary stop" is generally of a reflective type that is installed on the side of a road and reflects the light of the light of an automobile to make it visible.
[0003]
However, since this reflection type traffic sign has a narrow reflection angle, the distance range in which the traffic sign can be visually recognized is narrow, and the optical axis of the light of the car is shifted, or if there is a preceding vehicle in that range, Danger of overlooking traffic signs.
[0004]
This problem can be solved by installing a self-illuminated traffic sign that illuminates a translucent sign display from the back with a fluorescent lamp or a glowing lamp inside the sign, at a high place.
A self-illuminated traffic sign that illuminates the sign display from the back with a fluorescent lamp provided inside as described above is disclosed in, for example, Patent Document 1 below.
[0005]
[Patent Document 1] JP-A-8-6513
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, since the life of the fluorescent lamp or the glowing lamp used for the above-mentioned self-illuminated traffic sign is as short as one year or less, the replacement work must be performed frequently and the maintenance becomes complicated. In addition, since it is often installed at a high place, it is necessary to restrict traffic in order to prevent an accident at the time of maintenance, and congestion frequently occurs.
[0007]
In order to solve this problem, it is conceivable to illuminate the sign display with light from a light-emitting diode having a long life.
[0008]
However, since the light emitting diode has a narrow beam width, in order to uniformly illuminate the entire surface of the sign display having a large area, the light emitting diodes are densely arranged on the entire rear side of the sign display or the light is emitted from the edge of the light guide plate. It is necessary to illuminate with light emitted from the diode and uniformly emitted from the entire surface of the light guide plate.
[0009]
However, in the method of illuminating the light emitting diodes in a dense manner as described above, the number of light emitting diodes to be used is enormous, the power consumption is large, a commercial power source is required, and the installation place is limited.
[0010]
Also, the method of illuminating with light emitted from the light emitting diode from the edge of the light guide plate and illuminating with light uniformly emitted from the entire surface of the light guide plate requires a complicated structure, and furthermore, the light emitting diode is arranged outside the sign display body. Therefore, the outer shape of the frame supporting the sign display increases.
[0011]
In addition, since self-illuminated traffic signs are often installed in high places where the environment is severe, a rigid frame structure using iron or the like is required, and there is a problem that the weight is large and the cost is high.
[0012]
The present invention solves this problem, is easy to maintain, can respond to both illuminated and reflective types, can uniformly illuminate the entire sign with a simple structure, and is lightweight and low-cost. It is intended to provide traffic signs.
[0013]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the traffic sign of the present invention comprises:
An endless frame (21) having a predetermined outer shape;
A light-transmitting plate (41) having an outer shape substantially similar to the outer shape of the frame; and a light-transmitting plate fixed to the front surface of the light-transmitting plate, on which predetermined sign symbols and characters are written and reflecting light incident from the front surface. A display sheet (42) for transmitting light incident from the rear side; and a diffusion sheet (43) fixed to the rear side of the light-transmitting plate and diffusing light, wherein A sign panel (40) fixed so as to cover one open side of
A light-shielding back plate (50) having an outer shape substantially similar to the outer shape of the frame, and fixed so as to cover the opposite surface side of the frame;
A substrate (58) fixed between the sign panel and the back plate in the frame;
A plurality of light emitting diodes (60) supported on the substrate at predetermined intervals and emitting light to the sign panel side are provided.
[0014]
The traffic sign according to claim 2 of the present invention is the traffic sign according to claim 1,
The frame body is
A plurality of frames (22A to 22C) formed by processing a frame component (23) extruded from an aluminum material into an endless outer shape obtained by dividing the endless predetermined outer shape into a plurality of parts;
And a connecting member (35, 45) for connecting the ends of the plurality of frames.
[0015]
The traffic sign according to claim 3 of the present invention is the traffic sign according to claim 2,
On the inner wall of the frame, a pair of ribs (32, 33) projecting in a hook shape are formed in parallel along the length direction of the frame,
In a state in which the connecting member has one end inserted between a pair of ribs on the end side of one frame to be connected, and the other end inserted between a pair of ribs on the end side of the other frame, It includes a connecting plate (35) screwed to both frames.
[0016]
The traffic sign according to claim 4 of the present invention is the traffic sign according to claim 2 or claim 3,
The frame body is
Ends of three frames obtained by bending a central portion of the frame constituent material at an angle of about 60 degrees are connected to each other by the connecting member to form a substantially equilateral triangular outer shape.
[0017]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
1 to 6 show the structure of a "temporary stop" traffic sign 20 to which the present invention is applied.
[0018]
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the traffic sign 20 includes an endless frame 21 having a substantially equilateral triangular outer shape with a side of about 1200 mm (No. 1.5 standard) and a corner of an arc. Have.
[0019]
The frame 21 is formed by connecting the ends of three identical frames 22A to 22C whose central portions are bent in a V-shape at an angle of 60 degrees.
[0020]
As shown in FIG. 7, the frames 22A to 22C are formed by drilling and bending screws for a frame component 23 having a length of about 1200 mm, which is extruded from an aluminum material. is there.
[0021]
The frame component 23 has a band-shaped substrate 24 having a constant width and thickness, and a front flange 25 is formed on one side end of the substrate 24.
[0022]
A panel stopper 25a is provided at the lower end of the front flange 25 so as to be folded toward the other side of the substrate 24, and a bracket stopper 25b is protruded above the panel stopper 25a.
[0023]
The panel stopper 25a restricts the forward movement of the sign panel 40 described later, and the bracket stopper 25b restricts the forward movement of the L-shaped bracket 45 that presses the sign panel 40 from the rear side. It is for regulation. Further, a groove 25c formed by a gap between the panel stopper 25a and the bracket stopper 25b serves as an accommodating portion for accommodating a waterproof rubber 38 described later.
[0024]
A rear flange 27 is formed on the other side end of the substrate 24 so as to face the front flange 25.
[0025]
A groove 28 having a constant width is formed continuously inside the rear flange 27 in the longitudinal direction of the substrate 24, and a screw hole (not shown) that penetrates the groove 28 from the outside is formed in the rear flange 27. Are provided at predetermined intervals.
[0026]
On the other hand, at a position near the front flange 25 on the inner wall of the substrate 24, a hook-shaped rib 30 whose tip extends in the direction of the front flange 25 is formed continuously in the length direction of the substrate 24.
[0027]
The rib 30 is for receiving one side of the L-shaped bracket 45 and restricting the rearward movement of the bracket 45 and the movement in the direction away from the inner wall of the substrate.
[0028]
At positions between the front frame 25 and the ribs 30 of the substrate 24, holes 31 for screwing and fixing the bracket 45 are provided at predetermined intervals along the length direction.
[0029]
At the approximate center of the inner wall of the substrate 24, a hook-like rib 32 whose tip extends in the direction of the rear flange 27 is formed continuously in the longitudinal direction of the substrate 24, and is closer to the rear flange 27 of the inner wall of the substrate 24. A hook-shaped rib 33 whose tip extends in the direction of the front flange 25 is formed in parallel with the rib 32 at the position.
[0030]
The two ribs 32 and 33 forming a pair receive a connecting plate 35 for connecting the ends of the frame 22 therebetween, and move in the width direction of the connecting plate 35 and move in a direction away from the inner wall of the base 24. It is for restricting movement.
[0031]
At a position between the ribs 32 and 33 near the end of the substrate 24, a hole 34 for screwing and fixing a connecting plate 35 mounted between the ribs 32 and 33 is provided.
[0032]
The front and rear flanges 25 and 27 and the ribs 30, 32, and 33 also have an effect of increasing the strength of the frame component 23, and the strength of the frame component 23 is controlled by these flanges and ribs. It has sufficient strength as a frame material for a type of traffic sign.
[0033]
As described above, each of the frames 22A to 22C is obtained by bending the central portion of the frame component 23 at a predetermined radius of curvature (for example, 90 mm) to an angle of 60 degrees.
[0034]
The connecting plate 35 for connecting the ends of the frames 22A to 22C has a thickness slightly smaller than the length of the rising portions of the ribs 32 and 33 and a width slightly smaller than the interval between the rising portions of the ribs 32 and 33. It is formed in a rectangular shape having holes 36 for screw fixing at both ends.
[0035]
As shown in FIG. 6, one end of the connecting plate 35 is inserted between the ribs 32 and 33 at the end of one frame 22 to be connected (22A in FIG. 6), and the other end is connected to the other end. When inserted between the ribs 32 and 33 at the ends of the frame 22 (22C in FIG. 6) and when the ends of both frames are in contact with each other so as to be continuous, the holes at the ends of both frames 22 The hole 34 of the connecting plate 35 coincides with the hole 36 of the connecting plate 35, and the ends of the frame 22 are connected by screws tightened so as to communicate the holes 34, 36.
[0036]
As shown in FIG. 5, waterproof rubber 38 is attached to the triangularly continuous groove 25c of the frame 21 formed by the three identical frames 22A to 22C. The thickness of the rubber 38 is larger than the depth of the groove 25c when no external force is applied, and is pushed by the peripheral edge of the sign panel 40 described later to be elastically deformed to eliminate the gap between the front flange 25 and the sign panel 40, Prevent rainwater from entering.
[0037]
Behind the waterproof rubber 38, an equilateral triangular sign panel 40 substantially similar to the outer shape of the frame 21 is supported so as to cover the front side of the frame 21.
[0038]
The sign panel 40 is, as shown in FIG. 5, a light-transmitting plate 41 made of a transparent material such as acrylic, and affixed to the surface side of the light-transmitting plate 41, and a white background triangle frame and "stop" on a red background. The display sheet 42 reflects the light incident from the front and transmits the light from the rear side, and the diffusion sheet 43 attached to the rear side of the light transmitting plate 41 and diffuses the light. It is configured integrally.
[0039]
As the display sheet 42, for example, a 3M (registered trademark) # 3990T / L (wide-angle prism type) sheet can be used.
[0040]
The diffusion sheet 43 diffuses light emitted from a light emitting diode 60 described later to eliminate uneven illumination.
[0041]
The sign panel 40 is inserted from the rear side of the frame body 21, and three sides are pressed by the bracket 45 from the rear side at a position where the front side edge of the panel panel 25 a contacts the panel stopper 25 a of the front flange 25. The display sheet 42 is supported by the frame body 21 with the display sheet 42 facing front.
[0042]
As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, each bracket 45 extends from a wide first plate portion 45 a and one side edge of the first plate portion 45 a at a right angle to the first plate portion 45 a. The second plate portion 45b has a narrow width, and holes 46 for screwing are provided in the first plate portion 45 at predetermined intervals.
[0043]
In each bracket 45, the edge of the first plate portion 45a is inserted into the linearly continuous rib 30 by the frame 22 whose ends are connected via the connection plate 35, and the second plate portion 45b is connected to the sign panel 40. Is screwed into the hole 31 of the frame 22 and the hole 46 of the bracket 45 itself corresponding thereto, pressing the sign panel 40 forward, and connecting the frames 22 with each other. I have. That is, similarly to the connection plate 35, the bracket 45 also has a function as a connection member for connecting the ends of the frame 22.
[0044]
The movement of the bracket 45 in the direction of the front flange 25 is restricted by the bracket stopper 25b abutting on the second plate portion 45b.
[0045]
The back side of the frame 21 is covered with a metal back plate 50 having a substantially regular triangular outer shape similar to the frame 21.
[0046]
The rear plate 50 has a peripheral portion abutting on the rear flange 27, and screw holes (not shown) provided at predetermined intervals along the peripheral portion are aligned with the holes of the rear flange 27. It is screwed and fixed to the frame 21.
[0047]
As shown in FIG. 3, stays 52 to 54 for fixing the traffic sign 20 to a pillar or the like standing on a road are attached to the outer surface of the back plate 50 in three upper and lower stages.
[0048]
At the lower end of the back plate 50, a hole 56 for drawing out a cable is provided, and a plurality of studs 57 for supporting the substrate are directed from the outside to the inside in a range avoiding the mounting positions of the stays 52 to 54. Has been inserted.
[0049]
Inside the back plate 50, a substrate 58 supported on the tip side of the stud 57 is disposed so as to face the back plate 50.
[0050]
On one surface side of the substrate 58 facing the sign panel 40 side, a plurality of (for example, about 90) light emitting diodes 60 having a white emission color are arranged vertically and horizontally at a predetermined interval (for example, an interval of 8 to 10 cm).
[0051]
The plurality of light emitting diodes 60 are pattern-connected on a substrate 58, and a cable (not shown) having one end connected to the pattern is drawn out from a hole 56 of the back plate 50 and connected to a power supply or the like.
[0052]
FIG. 7 shows a configuration example of a controller 70 for driving the plurality of light emitting diodes 60 to light up.
[0053]
The controller 70 is of a reflective type when the traffic sign 20 is bright in the daytime, and is a self-illuminated type by turning on a plurality of light emitting diodes 60 when it is dark such as at night. Is output from the secondary battery 72 charged in the above.
[0054]
The optical sensor 73 outputs a signal corresponding to ambient brightness to the control unit 75. The output of the solar cell 71 can be used instead of the optical sensor 73.
[0055]
The switch 74 is for supplying power to the plurality of light emitting diodes 60, and opens and closes under the control of the control unit 75. The switch 74 is not limited to a mechanical switch such as a relay, but may be a switch using a semiconductor such as a transistor.
[0056]
The control unit 75 opens the switch 74 and stops the power supply to the light emitting diode 60 while the output voltage of the optical sensor 73 is equal to or higher than the predetermined value, and operates the switch 74 while the output voltage of the optical sensor 73 is lower than the predetermined value. Closed to light the light emitting diode 60.
[0057]
In the traffic sign 20 configured as described above, when the light emitting diodes 60 are driven to light, light emitted from each light emitting diode 60 enters the back side of the sign panel 40, illuminates the display sheet 42, and illuminates the display sheet 42. It becomes a self-illuminated type that allows the 42 regulation display to be visually recognized.
[0058]
Further, since this light is diffused by the diffusion sheet 43 of the sign panel 40, as described above, illumination unevenness due to the beams of the light emitting diodes 60 arranged at a wide interval of about 8 to 10 cm does not occur, and the entire regulation display is uniform. Is illuminated.
[0059]
When the light emitting diode 60 is not driven to be lit, the display sheet 42 of the sign panel 40 that receives light from the front is of a reflective type in which the light is reflected to visually recognize the regulation display.
[0060]
Therefore, it is possible to switch from the self-illuminated type to the reflective type or vice versa from the reflective type to the self-illuminated type depending on the situation of the installation place.
[0061]
Further, even in the case of the self-illuminated type, since the light emitting diodes 60 are used as the light emitting elements and are not densely arranged, the life is long, the power consumption is low, and the maintenance is remarkably easy.
[0062]
In addition, because of low power consumption, as described above, the secondary battery 72 charged by the solar cell 71 can be operated as a power source, and can be installed as a self-illuminated type even in a place where commercial power cannot be supplied. .
[0063]
The ends of three frames 22 obtained by processing a frame component 23 extruded from an aluminum material are connected to each other via a connecting plate 35 and a bracket 45 to form the frame 21. Therefore, as compared with a traffic sign using an iron frame made by conventional welding or the like, the weight and cost can be significantly reduced, and the installation work can be performed safely.
[0064]
Further, since the three frames 22A to 22C have the same shape, parts can be used in common and the cost can be reduced.
[0065]
Here, an example in which the present invention is applied to a traffic sign of “temporary stop” having an outer shape of a substantially equilateral triangle has been described. The same can be applied to the display sheet 42 only by changing the display.
[0066]
Also, in the case of a traffic sign whose outer shape is not a substantially equilateral triangle such as a circle or a square, the outer shape of the frame 21, the sign panel 40, the back plate 50, the substrate 58, etc. is matched to the outer shape in the same manner. Applicable.
[0067]
Further, in the above-described example, the frame body 21 is configured by connecting the ends of three frames 22 having the same shape. However, two types of frames, that is, an arc portion and a straight portion are connected by the connection plate 35 and the bracket 45. They may be connected.
[0068]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the traffic sign of the present invention includes an endless frame having a predetermined outer shape, a light-transmitting plate having an outer shape substantially similar to the outer shape of the frame, and a predetermined sign fixed to the surface side of the light-transmitting plate. A display sheet on which a sign and a sign character are written and which reflects light incident from the front side and transmits light incident from the rear side, and a diffusion sheet fixed to the rear side of the light transmitting plate and diffusing light; A sign panel fixed so as to cover one open side of the frame with the side facing up, and an outer shape substantially similar to the outer shape of the frame, and fixed so as to cover the opposite side of the frame. A back plate having a light shielding property, a substrate fixed between the sign panel and the back plate in the frame, and a plurality of light emitting diodes supported on the substrate at predetermined intervals and emitting light to the sign panel side. Have.
[0069]
For this reason, maintenance is easy, it can be used for both self-illuminated type and reflective type, and the light emitted from the light emitting diode is diffused by the diffusion sheet of the sign panel. It does not occur and the entire sign can be illuminated uniformly.
[0070]
Further, since the light emitting diodes do not need to be densely arranged, the power consumption is low, the secondary battery charged by the solar cell can be operated as a power supply, and the power supply can be installed even in a place where commercial power cannot be supplied.
[0071]
Further, in the case where the frame body is formed by connecting the ends of a plurality of frames obtained by processing a frame component material extruded with an aluminum material by a connecting member, an iron frame manufactured by welding or the like is used. Compared to a traffic sign using a body, the weight and cost can be significantly reduced, and the installation work can be performed safely.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a front view of an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a side view of an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a rear view of the embodiment. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the embodiment. FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. 1; FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a shape of a frame component; FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a controller; Description】
20 ... traffic sign, 21 ... frame, 22 ... frame, 23 ... frame constituent material, 25 ... front flange, 27 ... rear flange, 30, 32, 33 ... rib, 35 ... connecting plate , 40 sign panel, 41 translucent plate, 42 display sheet, 43 diffusion sheet, 50 back plate, 58 substrate, 60 light emitting diode, 70 controller 71 ... Solar cell, 72 ... Secondary battery, 73 ... Optical sensor, 74 ... Switch, 75 ... Control unit

Claims (4)

An endless frame (21) having a predetermined outer shape;
A light-transmitting plate (41) having an outer shape substantially similar to the outer shape of the frame; and a light-transmitting plate fixed to the front surface of the light-transmitting plate, on which predetermined sign symbols and characters are written and reflecting light incident from the front surface. A display sheet (42) for transmitting light incident from the rear side; and a diffusion sheet (43) fixed to the rear side of the light-transmitting plate and diffusing light, wherein A sign panel (40) fixed so as to cover one open side of
A light-shielding back plate (50) having an outer shape substantially similar to the outer shape of the frame, and fixed so as to cover the opposite surface side of the frame;
A substrate (58) fixed between the sign panel and the back plate in the frame;
A traffic sign comprising a plurality of light emitting diodes (60) that are supported on the substrate at a predetermined interval and emit light toward the sign panel. The frame body is
A plurality of frames (22A to 22C) formed by processing a frame component (23) extruded from an aluminum material into an endless outer shape obtained by dividing the endless predetermined outer shape into a plurality of parts;
The traffic sign according to claim 1, wherein the traffic sign is configured by a connecting member (35, 45) that connects ends of the plurality of frames. On the inner wall of the frame, a pair of ribs (32, 33) projecting in a hook shape are formed in parallel along the length direction of the frame,
In a state in which the connecting member has one end inserted between a pair of ribs on the end side of one frame to be connected, and the other end inserted between a pair of ribs on the end side of the other frame, 3. A traffic sign according to claim 2, including a connecting plate (35) screwed to both frames. The frame body is
That the ends of the three frames obtained by bending the central part of the frame constituent material to an angle of about 60 degrees are connected to each other by the connecting member to form a substantially equilateral triangular outer shape. The traffic sign according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that it is a traffic sign.

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