JP2006072947A

JP2006072947A - Traffic light integrated in single large display signal lamp

Info

Publication number: JP2006072947A
Application number: JP2004288610A
Authority: JP
Inventors: Yoshio Fujino; 好夫藤野
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-09-01
Filing date: 2004-09-01
Publication date: 2006-03-16

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a traffic light, capable of securing transmission of signal, by giving stimulating and attention-attracting movement in display of a signal lamp considering the psychological states of drivers, the characteristics of which are not obtainable in existing traffic lights. <P>SOLUTION: The traffic light has a single integrated signal lamp. Light-emitting diodes for three colors of red, blue and yellow are used as light sources, and arranged in a distributed manner at arbitrary positions on a printed board to form a signal light-emitting panel. When a display color of the traffic light is designated, a single signal color light is emitted over the entire surface of the display lamp using a means for selectively turning on the diodes of a corresponding single-color group. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

この発明は、一般の交通に使用される、交通信号機に関するものである。
［背景技術］The present invention relates to a traffic signal used for general traffic.
[Background technology]

従来、交通信号機は、赤色、黄色、青色の透明色付きガラスと白熱電球の組み合わせによる、それぞれ単独の、３組の発光照明装置で構成されていた。
［発明の開示］
［発明が解決しようとする課題］Conventionally, traffic signals have been composed of three sets of light emitting lighting devices, each of which is a combination of red, yellow, and blue transparent colored glass and an incandescent bulb.
[Disclosure of the Invention]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]

本発明が解決しようとする課題を列挙すれば、次ぎの通りである。
（イ）日照の非常に強い場所に設置された信号機で、何らかの原因で、太陽光線の一部が色付きガラスに入射すると、本来、点灯していない筈の信号が、弱く点灯しているように見える交通安全上、極めて危険である。
（ロ）赤信号、黄信号、青信号のうち、現時点で点灯が必要なものは、只一個のみであり、他の二個は点灯不許可であるから、信号機表示面の利用率は最大でも三分の一に過ぎない。実際には信号灯周囲の工作物を考慮しなければならず、利用率は更に低下する。運転者に対する指示伝達上、上記利用率は、大きいほうが表示面積が増加して見えやすく、効果的であることは論を待たない。
（ハ）三個の表示灯から成る現行信号機は、構造複雑かつ重量大であり、性能上、経済上、市街地の美観、の見地から、更に、発光源のフィラメント球の保守点検、交換に要する費用と時間を考慮すれば、現行の三灯式信号灯が、最良の形態のものとは思えない。
（ニ）従来の信号機は、単に三色の信号灯を、その都度切り替え、数十秒ないし数分間連続点灯するのみであった。心理的に見れば、この方式は、慣れ状態を生じやすく、殊に、運転者の睡眠不足、信号灯の照度不足、コントラスト不足、等があると、交通状態の時々刻々の変化に対応して、運転者の視線中心部が信号機から外れていた場合、信号機への注意力の復帰が遅くなり、信号を見落とす危険を生じる虞がある。交通事故防止上、人間の心理面に配慮した、弾力的活用が。信号機に求められる。
［発明を解決するための手段］The problems to be solved by the present invention are listed as follows.
(I) It is a traffic light installed in a place with very strong sunshine. When some part of the sun's rays enter the colored glass for some reason, the signal of the light that is not originally lit is weakly lit. Visible It is extremely dangerous for traffic safety.
(B) Of the red, yellow, and blue signals, only one of them needs to be lit at the present time, and the other two are not allowed to illuminate. It's only a fraction. In practice, the work around the signal light must be taken into account, and the utilization rate is further reduced. In the transmission of instructions to the driver, the larger the utilization rate, the easier it is to see the display area with increasing display area.
(C) The current traffic light consisting of three indicator lights is structurally complex and heavy, and requires performance, economics, and aesthetics of the city, as well as maintenance, inspection and replacement of the light source filament sphere. Given the cost and time, the current three-lamp signal light does not seem to be the best form.
(D) The conventional traffic lights simply switched on the three-color signal lamps each time and lit continuously for several tens of seconds to several minutes. Psychologically, this method tends to cause a familiarity, especially when there is a lack of sleep for the driver, a lack of illuminance of the signal lights, a lack of contrast, etc. If the driver's line-of-sight center is out of the traffic light, the recovery of attention to the traffic light is delayed, and there is a risk of overlooking the signal. In order to prevent traffic accidents, it should be used flexibly in consideration of human psychology. Required for traffic lights.
[Means for Solving the Invention]

前記（イ）項の課題として示した、外部からの光線入射による偽点灯状態発生の原因は、それぞれ三色の色ガラスを使用したためである。無色透明ないしは、半透明乳白色ガラスであれば、仮に入射光線で、上記偽点灯状態になったとしても、色が付かないため、信号の意思伝達に影響しない。然し、三色の色ガラスを除去するには、発光源自体が着色されている必要がある。採るべき手段は発光源として発光ダイオード（ＬＥＤ）の如き、点状着色発光素子を多数個二次元配列させて構成された、面状点灯エレメントを用いることである。この面状点灯エレメントの特徴は、赤、青、黄、のＬＥＤ個々の配列が、プリント基板上で、自由に設計できることであり、プリント回路作成技術と、電子的スイッチング技術によって、従来の信号灯では原理的に成し得なかった、各種の個性的発光方式が、自由に採用できることである。この場合，強い点状発光を暈かして、面状発光に近かづける目的で、乳白色半透明フィルターガラス等を用いる手段は、本発明の全ての応用例で有用である。以上の構想に基づき、形成された信号機を［図１］に示す。［図１］は本発明の、交通信号機の外観形状を現した斜視図である。［図１］のように、本発明の信号機は、大別して、信号機本体の構造物を示すフレーム２と、フレーム２に内装された後述の発光パネルと、発光パネルを風雨塵埃から保護する目的の、無着色ガラスを表示面に装着させた、信号表示灯１と、フレーム２を設置固定するためのアーム３、とから成立されている。構造上、従来の信号機と異なる点は、三色の丸型信号灯を、只一個の角型大型信号灯に集約した事である。このように構成すると、従来の信号灯に比べ、基本構造が、薄型化、単純化、軽量化され、耐候性向上が見られるので、性能的向上による無事故長寿命化の有益性と併せて、経済的コスト低減に、効果を見込めるものである。前掲（ハ）項の課題は、このように、信号灯を集約させる手段で解決可能である。同時に、上述の如く、大型信号灯に集約された信号機では、信号灯正面の面積使用効率は、格段に向上し、従来信号灯の表示面積に比べ、本発明の信号灯は、同一構造規模のものでも、表示面積を遥かに大型化する事が可能であるので、前掲（ロ）項の課題は、は表示面の大型化による手段によって解決できるものである。この大型信号灯の発光源は、基本的に、方形平面状プリント基板に、赤、黄、青、三色のＬＥＤ（発光ダイオード）を混合配列したものである。［図２］は、ＬＥＤの二次元配列の一例を示す平面図であり、Ｒは赤色ＬＥＤ，Ｙは黄色ＬＥＤ、Ｂは青色ＬＥＤ、周囲の枠はプリント基板、を示す。プリント基板のパターン設計で、同一色のＬＥＤが選択的に点灯するように配線すると、電子的にスイッチングされた電源により、任意のタイミングで、赤、黄、青のみの発色がえられる。正確なプリント配線が施工されていれば、ＬＥＤの配置ミス以外、混色発光事故は、原理的に生じない。発光状態を均一化させるための、乳自色フィルターガラス等の使用は任意であり、かつ、効果的である。円形平面プリント基板に、単色のＬＥＤのみを配列すれば、従来の、白熱灯と着色ガラスで構成されていた、信号灯の光源に置き換えて使用できるわけであるが、白熱灯とＬＥＤの単なる置き換えでは、ＬＥＤの有する卓越した特性を、充分に発揮させる事ができないのである。本発明では、ＬＥＤの多色性、高光度，非断線事故、微小点光源、点滅時間の動作速度、低発熱温度、電流の整流性、高効率性、電気的接続の容易さ、プリント基板への適用性、交換の安易性、放射集光性、、低電圧動作、半永久的長寿命、等々、従来の白熱灯では、到底実現不可能な諸特性を、最大限活用するよう配慮した。［図２］は本発明の基本的構成例であって、前述のごとく、Ｒは赤色ＬＥＤ、Ｙは黄色ＬＥＤ，Ｂは青色ＬＥＤ、長方形の枠はＬＥＤを取り付けたプリント基板を示す。［図２］に示した信号灯光源ユニットでは、汎用プリント基板上に、Ｒ，Ｙ，Ｂ，三色のＬＥＤを混在して配列し、同一の色群をその都度、電気的に選択できるよう、電子的にスイッチングさせたものである。このように構成すると、一台の大型発光面で、Ｒ，Ｙ，Ｂ、の各単色を、選択的に発光できることになる。本発明はこの手段を用いて、［０００３］項に述べた、従来の信号機の有する諸課題を、解決しようとするものである。課題の一つである、（イ）項の入射光線による偽点灯の解決手段として、信号灯保護ガラスに色付きガラスを使用しない方法が有効であるが、上記［図２］の方式では、無色透明、或は乳白色半透明板ガラスで良く、色付きガラスは必要ないので、（イ）項の解決手段として有効である。更に、（ニ）項の解決手段で、本発明で、強く主張したい事項は、交通事故防止対策として、一般に、運転者の注意力を喚起し、信号機に注意集中させるためには、信号機発光源に，光度の増減、輝点の平面移動、フラッシュランプの混在、発光源の画像化、画像の移動、等の心理的効果を狙った動きを与えて、運転者の注意を喚起する方法が、事故防止上有効であると言う事である。。即ち、（ニ）項の課題の解決手段を具体的に列挙すれば、次の通りである。
▲１▼微小短時間間隔のパルス状点滅、［図２］は連続通電であったのに対し、同じ［図２］での配列に於いて、ＬＥＤを１秒以下の短時間で、信号期間中、継続的に点滅させるよう、ＬＥＤの高速動作を応用し、電子的に、パルス状電圧を印加させたものである。パルス的に発光させる素子は、パネルに配列された全ての素子、或は部分的に選択された一部の素子とし、その選択は自由である。
▲２▼最大定格負荷による光度増大。これは、パネルに配列された点発光源の一部、または全部を、最大許容電流を下回る電流で、実用的に充分な程度に光度を落として、連続点灯させつつ、微小任意時間、最大定格許容電流を通電し、パルス的、かつ、飛躍的に光度を増大させる手段である。ＬＥＤはこのような使用法をしても、一般に、充分耐えうるものであるが、実用的には、安全対策上、充分な実験的検討が必要である。素子配列例は［図２］と同様にしたが、この方法は、上記ＬＥＤの有する卓越した特性、殊に、早い動作速度、非断線性、発光効率、を最大限に利用したものである。動作速度が遅く、更に、断線の恐れがある従来使用の、フィラメント球では、到底、実現不可能な手段である。
▲３▼キセノン放電管のような、フラッシュランプの混在配列。 ▲３▼の手段は、▲２▼の方法に更にアクセントを付けたものであり、具体例を［図３］に示す。ここで、Ｒは赤色ＬＥＤ、Ｙは黄色ＬＥＤ、Ｂは青色ＬＥＤ、Ｆは、ＬＥＤ配列に挿入されたフラッシュランプ、周囲の長方形の枠は、上記ＬＥＤ群を配置したプリント基板である。［図３］に示すように、Ｒ，Ｙ，Ｂ，の各色を配列し、任意の位置に、任意の個数のフラッシュランプを点在させ、パルス的にフラッシュさせる。どの信号色の時にこの動作を行うかは任意である。フラッシュランプの光度はＬＥＤに比較して、桁違いに大きいので、少数点在させるのみで、運転者に対する注意喚起力は、極めて大である。この方法は、現状の色付きガラス信号灯にも適用できる。
▲４▼発光面上に画像を描画。電流配分に個別差をつける方法で、パネル面上の点光源に、恣意的に明暗部分を設けて、グラフィックパターンを描き、そのパターンの、パネル面上表示、あるいは、この平面移動を行うものである。これは、動く絵、或は模様を表示して、注意を喚起しようとするものであり、本発明の大型信号灯でのみ、成し得る手段である。［図４］の例は、縞模様の平面移動のパターンであり、Ｒは赤色ＬＥＤ，Ｙは黄色ＬＥＤ，Ｂは青色Ｄを示す。ａ行〜ｊ行、１列〜２４列、のＬＥＤ配列に於いて、その時の信号に該当する同一色を選択し、当該色を最大許容電流を下回り、かつ、実用光度を確保できるような電流で、全面点灯後、例えば、１列、４列、７列、１０列、１３列、１６列、１９列、２２列、のみに最大許容電流を数分の一秒間印加し、次の数分の一秒間は、一列上の列、即ち，２、５，８，１１，ｌ４，１７，２０，２３列に移動して、最大許容電流を通電するようにし、プログラムされた電子スイッチで、以下同様の操作を繰り返すと、縞模様が動いているような、錯覚効果を与えるので、運転者の注意喚起上、有効である。
▲５▼点発光源で構成された静止文字、および、移動する文字の表示。これは、▲４▼項と同様な手段を用いて、点発光源の光度に恣意的に、光度差を設け、信号用文字，例えば、ＳＴＯＰ，ＧＯ，ＣＡＲＥ，止，行、注、等の文字を描き、大型表示灯で表示することで、運転者あるいは歩行者に、充分な注意を喚起しようとするものである。これは、大型表示灯でのみ実現可能な手段である。この場合当然、ＳＴＯＰ，止、は赤色ＬＥＤ、ＧＯ，行、は青色ＬＥＤ，ＣＡＲＥ，注、は黄色ＬＥＤ，の配色群内で設定する。
▲６▼青色矢印信号の大型化。現行の小型青色矢印信号を大型表示灯に構造変更し、視認を容易にしたものである。ここでは、［図５］、［図６］の２例を挙げて説明する。［図５］に於いて、Ｂは青色ＬＥＤ，周囲の長方形の枠は、ＬＥＤ搭載用プリント基板である。信号色は青色のみであるから、青色ＬＥＤを図の如く、矢形に配列するのみで、目的を達成することができるが、ここでは、前記▲４▼項の手段を用いて、矢印の方向に縞模様が流れて行くようにすると、図形にダイナミック効果が得られるので、視認が更に容易になる。［図６］は一つの表示面で、左右二つの矢印を、スイッチの切り替えによって、表示させるものである。［図６］で、Ｂは青色ＬＥＤ，左は左方向の時、点灯する青色ＬＥＤ，右は右方向の時、点灯する青色ＬＥＤ，周囲の長方形の枠は、ＬＥＤ配列用プリント基板である。いま、右を非点灯とし、Ｂと左を双方共に点灯すると、図示の如く、左向きの青色矢印信号が出現する。この方向を反対にするには、左を非点灯とし、Ｂと右を点灯すれば良い。上下方向の青色矢印、或は上下左右の青色矢印も、全く同様にして構成できる。このようにすると、信号灯表示面の使用効率が改善される。 ▲２▼項、▲３▼項、或は、▲４▼項の手段を適用して、視覚に訴えるような、ダイナミック画像を得ることは自由である。
▲７▼各信号色の光度、表示方法、を交通状況に応じて、恣意的に調整。
これは、停止信号時に、赤信号を更に強調させるよう、点灯直後の短時間だけ赤信号全体、あるいは、その一部を、▲２▼項、▲３▼項の方法で、フラッシュさせ、注意を喚起しようとするもので、混雑した交差点では、青信号にも、この手段を応用して、運転者の注意を喚起し、交通渋滞緩和の一助とする事が、できる
▲８▼ 赤、器、青、それぞれの表示面積、および、表示位置の調整。現行信号機の色配列は左側から青、黄、赤、であるが、一台の大型信号灯から成る本発明の信号機に於いても、発光パネル面への発光素子の配列方法により、全く同様な構成を得られる。
以上▲１▼から▲８▼の各手段が、前記大型発光パネルと、ＬＥＤの諸特性を複合的に組み合わせ、かつ、選択的に利用する事によって、任意に採り得るものである。
［発明の効果］The cause of the false lighting state due to the incidence of light from the outside, which is shown as the problem of the above item (a), is because three colored glasses are used. If it is colorless and transparent or translucent milky white glass, even if it is in the false lighting state with incident light, it will not be colored, so it will not affect signal transmission. However, in order to remove the three-color glass, the light source itself needs to be colored. A means to be taken is to use a planar lighting element constituted by arranging a large number of two-dimensional colored light emitting elements such as a light emitting diode (LED) as a light emitting source. The feature of this planar lighting element is that individual arrangements of red, blue, and yellow LEDs can be freely designed on a printed circuit board. With conventional circuit lamp technology and electronic switching technology, Various unique light emission methods that could not be realized in principle can be freely adopted. In this case, a means using milky white translucent filter glass or the like is useful in all applications of the present invention for the purpose of making strong point light emission close to surface light emission. The traffic light formed based on the above concept is shown in FIG. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a traffic signal according to the present invention. As shown in [FIG. 1], the traffic light of the present invention is roughly divided into a frame 2 showing the structure of the traffic signal body, a light-emitting panel described later built in the frame 2, and a purpose of protecting the light-emitting panel from wind and dust. The signal display lamp 1 is mounted with a non-colored glass on the display surface, and the arm 3 is used to fix the frame 2 for installation. The structure is different from the conventional traffic lights in that the three-color round signal lights are combined into one square large signal light. With this configuration, the basic structure is thinner, simpler, lighter, and has better weather resistance than conventional signal lights. It can be expected to reduce the cost. The problem of the above item (c) can be solved by means for consolidating signal lights in this way. At the same time, as described above, in the traffic lights concentrated in the large signal lights, the area usage efficiency of the front of the signal lights is remarkably improved, and the signal lights of the present invention are displayed even if they have the same structure scale as compared with the display area of the conventional signal lights. Since the area can be greatly increased, the problem described in (b) above can be solved by means of increasing the display surface. The light source of this large signal lamp is basically a rectangular flat printed circuit board in which red, yellow, blue and three-color LEDs (light emitting diodes) are mixedly arranged. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an example of a two-dimensional array of LEDs, where R is a red LED, Y is a yellow LED, B is a blue LED, and a surrounding frame is a printed circuit board. If wiring is performed so that LEDs of the same color are selectively lit in the pattern design of the printed circuit board, only red, yellow, and blue colors can be obtained at an arbitrary timing by an electronically switched power source. If an accurate printed wiring is constructed, a mixed color light emission accident will not occur in principle except for an LED arrangement error. The use of milk self-colored filter glass or the like for making the light emission state uniform is optional and effective. If only a single color LED is arranged on a circular flat printed circuit board, it can be used in place of a conventional light source of a signal light, which is composed of an incandescent lamp and colored glass. The excellent characteristics of LEDs cannot be fully exhibited. In the present invention, LED polychromaticity, high luminous intensity, no disconnection accident, minute point light source, blinking time operating speed, low heat generation temperature, current rectification, high efficiency, easy electrical connection, to printed circuit board Consideration was made to make the best use of various characteristics that cannot be realized with conventional incandescent lamps, such as applicability, ease of replacement, radiation collection, low voltage operation, semi-permanent long life, etc. [FIG. 2] is a basic configuration example of the present invention. As described above, R is a red LED, Y is a yellow LED, B is a blue LED, and a rectangular frame indicates a printed circuit board to which the LED is attached. In the signal light source unit shown in FIG. 2, R, Y, B, and three color LEDs are mixedly arranged on a general-purpose printed circuit board so that the same color group can be electrically selected each time. Electronically switched. If comprised in this way, each single color of R, Y, B can be selectively light-emitted with one large light emission surface. The present invention uses this means to solve the problems of the conventional traffic signal described in the section [0003]. As one of the problems, as a means for solving the false lighting by the incident light beam of (A), a method that does not use colored glass for the signal light protection glass is effective. Alternatively, milky white translucent plate glass may be used, and colored glass is not necessary. Further, in the solution of the item (d), the matter which is strongly claimed in the present invention is that, as a traffic accident prevention measure, in general, in order to attract the driver's attention and concentrate attention on the traffic light, In addition, there is a method to raise the driver's attention by giving movements aiming at psychological effects such as increase / decrease in luminous intensity, movement of bright spots, mixing of flash lamps, imaging of light sources, movement of images, etc. It is effective in preventing accidents. . That is, the means for solving the problem in the item (d) is specifically listed as follows.
(1) Pulse-like blinking at very short intervals, [Fig. 2] was continuous energization, but in the same [Fig. 2] arrangement, the LED was turned on in less than 1 second in the signal period. A high-speed operation of the LED is applied and a pulsed voltage is applied electronically so that the LED blinks continuously. The elements that emit light in a pulse manner are all elements arranged in the panel, or a part of elements that are partially selected, and can be freely selected.
(2) Brightness increase due to maximum rated load. This is because some or all of the point light sources arranged on the panel are continuously lighted at a current level lower than the maximum allowable current, with the light intensity reduced to a practically sufficient level, for a minute arbitrary time, and the maximum rating. This is a means for energizing an allowable current to increase the luminous intensity in a pulsed manner. In general, LEDs can withstand such a method of use, but in practice, sufficient experimental investigation is necessary for safety measures. The example of the element arrangement is the same as that shown in FIG. 2, but this method makes the best use of the excellent characteristics of the LED, in particular, fast operation speed, non-breaking property, and luminous efficiency. This is a method that cannot be realized with a conventionally used filament sphere, which has a low operating speed and may be broken.
(3) A mixed arrangement of flash lamps, such as a xenon discharge tube. The means (3) is obtained by further adding an accent to the method (2), and a specific example is shown in FIG. Here, R is a red LED, Y is a yellow LED, B is a blue LED, F is a flash lamp inserted in the LED array, and a surrounding rectangular frame is a printed circuit board on which the LED group is arranged. As shown in FIG. 3, each color of R, Y, B is arranged, and an arbitrary number of flash lamps are scattered at arbitrary positions, and are flashed in pulses. Which signal color is used for this operation is arbitrary. Since the luminous intensity of the flash lamp is an order of magnitude greater than that of the LED, only a small number of points are scattered, and the driver's alerting power is extremely large. This method can also be applied to current colored glass signal lights.
(4) Draw an image on the light emitting surface. A method of giving individual differences to the current distribution, creating a graphic pattern on the point light source on the panel surface arbitrarily, drawing a graphic pattern, and displaying the pattern on the panel surface or moving this plane. is there. This is intended to call attention by displaying a moving picture or pattern, and is a means that can be achieved only with the large signal lamp of the present invention. The example of FIG. 4 is a striped pattern of plane movement, where R is a red LED, Y is a yellow LED, and B is blue D. In the LED array of a row to j row, 1 column to 24 column, the same color corresponding to the signal at that time is selected, and the current is less than the maximum allowable current and can ensure the practical light intensity. Then, after the entire surface is turned on, for example, the maximum allowable current is applied to only the 1st, 4th, 7th, 10th, 13th, 16th, 19th, 22th rows for a few seconds and the next several minutes For one second, move up one row, ie, 2, 5, 8, 11, 14, 4, 20, 23, to energize the maximum allowable current, and with a programmed electronic switch, Repeating the same operation gives an illusion effect that a striped pattern is moving, which is effective for alerting the driver.
(5) Display of stationary characters composed of point light sources and moving characters. This is done by using the same means as in item (4) to arbitrarily provide a light intensity difference in the light intensity of the point light source, such as signal characters such as STOP, GO, CARE, stop, line, note, etc. By drawing letters and displaying them with a large indicator light, the driver or pedestrian will be alerted sufficiently. This is a means that can be realized only with a large indicator lamp. In this case, naturally, STOP, stop is set in a color group of red LED, GO, row, blue LED, CARE, note, and yellow LED.
(6) Larger blue arrow signal. The structure of the current small blue arrow signal has been changed to a large indicator lamp to facilitate visual recognition. Here, two examples of [FIG. 5] and [FIG. 6] will be described. In FIG. 5, B is a blue LED, and the surrounding rectangular frame is a printed circuit board for LED mounting. Since the signal color is only blue, the purpose can be achieved only by arranging the blue LEDs in the shape of arrows as shown in the figure, but here, using the means of item (4) above, If the striped pattern is made to flow, a dynamic effect can be obtained on the figure, so that visual recognition becomes easier. [FIG. 6] is a display screen in which two arrows on the left and right are displayed by switching the switches. In FIG. 6, B is a blue LED, the left is a blue LED that is lit when it is in the left direction, the blue LED that is lit when the right is in the right direction, and the surrounding rectangular frame is an LED array printed board. If the right is not lit and both B and left are lit, a blue arrow signal pointing left appears as shown. In order to reverse this direction, it is only necessary to turn off the left and turn on B and the right. The blue arrow in the up / down direction or the blue arrow in the up / down / left / right direction can be configured in the same manner. In this way, the usage efficiency of the signal lamp display surface is improved. Applying the means of the items (2), (3), or (4), it is free to obtain a dynamic image that appeals visually.
(7) Arbitrarily adjust the brightness and display method of each signal color according to traffic conditions.
In order to further emphasize the red signal at the time of the stop signal, flash the entire red signal or a part of it for a short time immediately after lighting by the method of items (2) and (3). At a busy intersection, this means can also be applied to green traffic lights to alert the driver and help alleviate traffic congestion. 8) Red, vessel, blue , Adjustment of each display area and display position. The color arrangement of the current traffic light is blue, yellow, and red from the left side. However, in the traffic light of the present invention consisting of a single large signal light, the same configuration is used depending on the method of arranging the light emitting elements on the light emitting panel surface. Can be obtained.
The above means (1) to (8) can be arbitrarily adopted by combining and selectively using the characteristics of the large light emitting panel and the LED.
[The invention's effect]

一台の大型発光パネルで構成された交通信号機は、従来の表示灯の数倍以上の、信号表示面積を持たせる事が可能であるから、前述、［０００３］（ロ）項に示した課題の、運転者に対する視認効果は、極めて大きくなる。信号色の発光源は、赤、黄、青、三色の発光ダイオードであり、従来の色付きガラスは不要となるので、課題（イ）項に基づく、入射光線による偽点灯事故を防止できる。同時に、三台の小型表示灯から成る現行信号機を、一台の大型信号灯に集約した効果は、信号機構造の薄型化、単純化、軽量化、を招き、建設コストの低減、非断線事故等の信頼性の向上による、保守点検期間の延長、プリント基板の互換性による故障継続時間の短縮等、総合的に見て大きな経済効果を期待できるものである。この意味でも、集約の効果は大であり、課題（ハ）に示した事項は解決できる。また更に、前述▲１▼項、▲２▼項、▲３▼項、▲４▼項、▲５▼項、▲６▼項、▲７▼項、の各手段による効果で、運転者の交通信号に対する注意喚起力を、飛躍的に向上させる事ができ、（ニ）項に掲げた課題が解決される。これは、従来の信号機では、物理的に成し得なかった新しい効果である。また、▲６▼項の手段によって、小型で識別困難であった青色矢印信号が大型化された結果、遠方からの視認が容易になり、進行可否の疑念に基づく、運転者の心理的負担が軽減される。以上のようにして、本発明は、性能的に、交通信号見落とし，及び、誤認による交通事故解消に効果を期待できるものであり、併せて、経済的にもコスト低減に寄与できるものである。尚、現状の三個の信号灯を、一台の大型信号灯に集約した効果は、視認効果の向上ばかりでなく、別の付帯効果をも、もたらすものである。即ち、信号灯の汚染が少なく、その洗浄が容易なことである。従来の信号機の投光面は凹凸が多く、塵埃に汚染され易かったが、本発明信号機の表示面は、一枚の平面状保護ガラスで形成されているから、突起がなく、平坦であり、その結果、汚染され難く、洗浄も容易である。この特徴を利用して、投光面に電動式ワイパーを設置することも可能である。タイマーの使用で、計画的に自動ワイピングを行えば、交通信号機の運用上、極めて有益であり、交通安全の目的を積極的に追求し、視認効果良好な、新機能を有する信号機を、構成することが出来る。また、上述信号機の機能上の汎用性により、本発明は、自動車交通のみならず、鉄道、或は、船舶交通の分野にまで、広く適用可能な特長を有するものである。殊に、極薄型超軽量のものも技術的に構成可能であるから、緊急時の可搬型信号機として、利用分野が拡大され、交通整理上、交通安全上、極めて有用である。
以上の如く、本発明の理念は、基本的に、信号機の指示を、運転者に間違いなく伝達できる可能性を希求して、成されたものであり、効果の主たる評価も、この見地から行われるべきである。
［発明を実施するための最良の形態］A traffic signal composed of one large light-emitting panel can have a signal display area several times larger than that of conventional indicator lights. Therefore, the problems described in [0003] (b) above. The visual recognition effect on the driver becomes extremely large. The signal color emission sources are red, yellow, blue, and three-color light emitting diodes, and the conventional colored glass is not required. Therefore, it is possible to prevent false lighting accidents due to incident light based on the item (A). At the same time, the effect of consolidating the current traffic lights consisting of three small indicator lights into one large traffic light leads to a thinner, simpler and lighter traffic light structure, resulting in reduced construction costs, non-disconnection accidents, etc. Great economic benefits can be expected from a comprehensive perspective, such as the extension of maintenance inspection period due to improved reliability and the reduction of failure duration due to the compatibility of printed circuit boards. In this sense as well, the effect of aggregation is great, and the items shown in the problem (c) can be solved. Furthermore, the driver's traffic can be obtained by the effects of the above-mentioned means (1), (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), and (7). The ability to alert the signal can be improved dramatically, and the problems listed in (d) are solved. This is a new effect that cannot be physically achieved by conventional traffic signals. In addition, the blue arrow signal, which was small and difficult to identify, has been enlarged by means of the item (6), so that visual recognition from a distant place is facilitated, and the driver's psychological burden based on the suspicion of whether or not it can proceed can be reduced. It is reduced. As described above, the present invention can be expected to be effective in solving traffic accidents due to oversight of traffic signals and misperceptions, and can also contribute to cost reduction economically. The effect of consolidating the current three signal lights into one large signal light not only improves the visual effect, but also provides other incidental effects. That is, the signal lamp is less contaminated and can be easily cleaned. The light emitting surface of the conventional traffic light has many irregularities and is easily contaminated with dust, but since the display surface of the traffic light of the present invention is formed of a single flat protective glass, it has no protrusions and is flat, As a result, it is hardly contaminated and can be easily cleaned. Using this feature, it is also possible to install an electric wiper on the projection surface. By using a timer and performing automatic wiping in a planned manner, it is extremely beneficial for traffic signal operation, actively pursuing the purpose of traffic safety, and constructing a traffic signal with new functions with good visual effect. I can do it. Further, due to the versatility of the function of the traffic signal, the present invention has a feature that can be widely applied not only to automobile traffic, but also to the field of railway or ship traffic. In particular, since an ultra-thin and ultra-light one can be technically constructed, the field of use is expanded as an emergency portable signal device, which is extremely useful for traffic control and traffic safety.
As described above, the philosophy of the present invention is basically made in the hope of the possibility that the instructions of the traffic light can be transmitted to the driver without fail, and the main evaluation of the effect is also performed from this viewpoint. Should be.
[Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention]

本発明は上述の如く、課題解決の手段、及びその組み合わせが数多く存在し、殊に、道路交通法等の規制の関係上、これを実施するための最良の形態を、一方的に決定する事は、現時点では不可能である。この前提に立って、ここでは、従来の赤、黄、青、三区分方式の信号機に代替可能な、大型信号機について説明する。［図７］は現行信号機と同じく、歩道側を青、車道側を赤、その中央を黄とし、その配列となるように、三色のＬＥＤを同一色の三群となるように並べた、プリント基板の配列図を示す。［図７］でＢは青色ＬＥＤ，Ｙは黄色ＬＥＤ，Ｒは赤色ＬＥＤ、周囲の枠はプリント基板を示す。本発明の大型発光パネルでは、どのような配列でも容易に採れるから、三色の独立した三個の信号灯を設置しなくとも、一枚のプリント基板のみで構成できる利点がある。信号機の製造面を考慮すれば、一枚の基板上に組み上げた方が簡明であり、経済的にも有利である。前述、［０００４］、［発明を解決するための手段］で述べた▲１▼〜▲８▼項の手段はこの場合、発光面積が狭いことを考慮すれば、特に、▲２▼項、▲３▼項、のように、パルス的に光度を増大する方法、或は、フラッシュランプを混在させる方法が、有効である。いずれにしても、光源のＬＥＤは、従来の、フィラメント球で構成された信号機に見られる、断線事故のような重大事故は、原理的に発生し難く、仮に発生しても、点光源で危険負担が分散されるので、交通事故防止上の信頼性は、極めて高いものと言えよう。 As described above, the present invention has many means for solving the problems and combinations thereof. In particular, the best mode for carrying out this is unilaterally determined in relation to regulations such as the Road Traffic Law. Is impossible at this time. Based on this premise, here, a large traffic light that can be replaced with a conventional red, yellow, blue, and three-segment traffic light will be described. [FIG. 7] is the same as the current traffic light, the sidewalk side is blue, the roadway side is red, the center is yellow, and the three colors of LEDs are arranged in three groups of the same color. The arrangement | sequence figure of a printed circuit board is shown. In FIG. 7, B is a blue LED, Y is a yellow LED, R is a red LED, and the surrounding frame is a printed circuit board. The large light-emitting panel of the present invention can be easily adopted in any arrangement, and therefore has an advantage that it can be configured with only one printed board without installing three independent signal lights of three colors. Considering the manufacturing aspect of the traffic light, it is simpler and more economically advantageous to assemble it on a single substrate. In the above-mentioned [0004] and [Means for Solving the Invention], the means described in the items (1) to (8) are particularly considered to be the items (2) and (8), considering that the light emitting area is small. The method of increasing the luminous intensity in a pulse manner or the method of mixing flash lamps as in item 3) is effective. In any case, the LED of the light source is unlikely to occur in principle in a serious accident such as a disconnection accident, which is found in a conventional traffic light composed of a filament ball. Since the burden is distributed, it can be said that the reliability in preventing traffic accidents is extremely high.

［図１］本発明の信号機の外観斜視図。
［図２］信号機の発光パネルを示し、ＬＥＤの基本配置図。
［図３］信号機の発光パネルを示し、ＬＥＤとフラッシュランプの混在配列によるＬＥＤ配置図。
［図４］信号機の発光パネルを示し、縞模様の運動効果を企図した、ＬＥＤ配置図。
［図５］信号機の発光パネルを示し、青色矢印信号を出現させ、更に、この流動効果を企図した、ＬＥＤ配置図。
［図６］信号機の発光パネルを示し、双方向の青色矢印信号を出現させた、ＬＥＤ配置図。
［図７］信号機の発光パネルを示し、現行信号機と同様の、三色表示を出現させた、ＬＥＤ配置図。FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a traffic light of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a basic layout of LEDs showing a light emitting panel of a traffic light.
[FIG. 3] The LED arrangement | positioning figure which shows the light emission panel of a traffic light, and is a mixed arrangement of LED and a flash lamp.
FIG. 4 is an LED arrangement diagram showing a light emitting panel of a traffic light and intended for a striped movement effect.
FIG. 5 is an LED layout diagram showing a light emitting panel of a traffic light, causing a blue arrow signal to appear, and further contemplating this flow effect.
FIG. 6 is an LED arrangement diagram showing a light emitting panel of a traffic light and causing a bidirectional blue arrow signal to appear.
[FIG. 7] An LED arrangement diagram showing a light emitting panel of a traffic light and displaying a three-color display similar to the current traffic light.

Explanation of symbols

１：信号表示灯２：フレーム３：アームＲ：赤色ＬＥＤ
Ｙ：黄色ＬＥＤＢ：青色ＬＥＤＦ：フラッシュランプ
左：左方向を示す青色ＬＥＤ右：右方向を示す青色ＬＥＤ1: Signal indicator 2: Frame 3: Arm R: Red LED
Y: Yellow LED B: Blue LED F: Flash lamp Left: Blue LED indicating left direction Right: Blue LED indicating right direction

Claims

Red, blue, yellow, and three-color light emitting diodes are used as light emitting sources, and these are distributed and arranged at arbitrary positions on the printed circuit board to form a signal light emitting panel.When the display color of the traffic light is specified A traffic signal device composed of a single signal light that is configured to produce a single signal color on the entire surface of the indicator light by using means for selectively lighting each individual color group.

The traffic signal device according to [Claim 1], in which the light intensity of the light-emitting diodes is flashed in whole or in any number of portions and at short time intervals to psychologically alert the driver.

At any position of the light emitting diode array group, flash lamps that are much brighter than the light emitting diodes are present at any number of points, blinking at short time intervals, psychologically, in order to alert the driver visually, The traffic signal according to claim 1.

In a light emitting diode array group, by means of individual current adjustment of a diode at an arbitrary position, a light intensity difference is partially provided, a graphic design is drawn, and furthermore, a current value of the light intensity difference part is sequentially switched electronically. The traffic traffic light according to claim 1, wherein the traffic signal is configured to move the graphic design and psychologically stimulates the driver to visually recognize the driver.

By means of individual current adjustment of a diode at an arbitrary position in a light emitting diode array group, a light intensity difference is partially provided to draw a character, and further, a means for electronically switching the current value of the light intensity difference part sequentially, The traffic signal according to claim 1, wherein the traffic signal is configured to move the character and psychologically elicits the driver's visual recognition.

Light-emitting diodes are arrayed and fixed on the signal light-emitting panel surface in the shape of the purpose of signal transmission, and part of the diode group is turned on or off so that the driver can visually confirm signal changes, etc. The traffic signal according to claim 1 configured as described above.

The traffic signal device according to claim 1, which has an ultra-thin structure, is light in weight, is portable, and is convenient for emergency use or irregular use such as road construction.

The traffic signal device according to claim 1, wherein a wiper is installed on the protective glass surface of the flat indicator lamp so that the rain and dust on the indicator lamp surface can be wiped off and the visual effect can be maintained at all times.