JP2009185593A - Road reflecting mirror and its manufacturing method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a road reflecting mirror provided with a gauge for presuming distance to a target vehicle and its speed. <P>SOLUTION: In the road reflecting mirror, a reticule, a graphic form or the like is arranged on a mirror surface. By observing them in comparison with an actual image on the mirror surface, the distance to the target vehicle and its speed can be recognized. The reticule on the mirror surface is used as the gauge for the prediction. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

The present invention relates to a road reflecting mirror installed at an intersection, a monitoring mirror used indoors and outdoors, a safety mirror, and a manufacturing method thereof. (Note: Road reflectors are usually called curve mirrors, so in the description of this application, reflectors and mirrors should be interpreted synonymously.)

Conventional road reflectors are installed on the side of roads where visibility is obstructed by buildings. Although there are flat mirrors, most of them have a convex mirror structure, which is made of resin, stainless steel, etc., and the size of the mirror surface varies. Recently, many are used for safety indoors and outdoors.

Problems to be solved by the invention

The convex mirror structure of the conventional road reflector is advantageous in that it captures a wide field of view on a limited mirror surface, but the major drawback is that the image is very distorted compared to our usual visual observation. That is. That is, the image of the distant object is much smaller than the actual image, and the image of the near object is projected larger than the actual image. Therefore, the moving speed of the object is similarly distorted and is far from the normal visual perception. Therefore, it is not easy for a young driver who is excellent in moving body recognition and motor nerves to perform accurate confirmation using this type of mirror. This is the reason why there are many accidents at this kind of intersection, which is different from an intersection with traffic lights and requires accurate self-judgment. A possible solution to the problem would be the use of a large plane mirror that provides an image close to the normal sensation, but this is not possible due to restrictions on the installation location, and a radio wave transmission device that uses a car navigation system is not possible. Attempts have been made to develop a device (Japanese Patent Application No. 10-15559) that recognizes a partner vehicle that is installed at an intersection, but the cost of incidental equipment is high and far from being realized.

Means for solving the problem

Therefore, the present proposal provides an improved mirror structure having a new structure that is more effective and practical. There is no cost. That is, a plurality of radial lines and latitude lines as shown in FIG. 1 are provided on the mirror surface.

Considering the refractive index of the mirror surface, the width of the meridian is wide at the center and the outer edge is narrow, and a circular image showing the center of the mirror surface is provided at the center.
With the above-described structure, a temporary scale for estimating the perspective of the target vehicle and the speed of the vehicle is first installed on the mirror surface of the road reflector. This is clearly beneficial compared to a conventional simple mirror image, i.e., a mirror having no scale or figure.

The invention's effect

The effects of the invention will be described below with specific examples. The vehicle (A) shown on the outer edge of the mirror surface in FIG. 2 is still far away. However, if there is speed, it will immediately approach the intersection and pass through the intersection with a large image (A '). The speed of movement of the vehicle can be estimated by observing a mirror image of the vehicle approaching the intersection across three meridians drawn on the mirror surface. Therefore, it can be determined that the intersection will not cross until this vehicle passes.

Another example will be described with reference to FIG. One vehicle (B) was confirmed at the outer edge on the left side of the mirror surface. After a few seconds, the position is still at the point (B '), so it was confirmed that the movement speed was quite slow. Therefore, the observer can determine that the vehicle can pass through the intersection before the vehicle reaches the intersection. These determinations are made more concretely than the conventional specular image because of the effect of the meridian that is obtained by dividing the mirror surface into vertical sections.

Other forms for carrying out the invention

The structure in which the graticules are provided on the mirror surfaces is very effective in identifying the video location even when used for an indoor plane mirror, a safety mirror, etc. together with a surveillance camera.

In addition, if the above-mentioned graticules are formed of a paint, a reflective material, a fluorescent material or the like having a high reflection luminance, the effect is exhibited even when used at night.

Next, [FIG. 4] is an explanation relating to [Claim 3] for providing a character on the mirror mirror surface to alert the driver. For example, it is necessary to display a warning to a passing vehicle on a steep slope or a sharply curved road. It is possible to install a character such as (caution on steep slope) or (caution on sharp curve) on the mirror surface of such a place. There is no need to install a sign on the face separately, and the cost can be reduced.

The distance to the driver of the mirror installed at the intersection is usually observed as 4 to 7 meters, so the graticule of the mirror surface can be visually confirmed if it is 2 to 3 mm. Further graticule widths are considered undesirable because they narrow the mirror surface and make the mirror surface cumbersome. In addition, the mirror surface near the top of the mirror usually reflects the sky and scenery, so the graticule may be omitted. In addition, it is considered that this portion apart from the important portion of the mirror surface is appropriate for printing characters and the like.

When observing many intersections, the situation of the intersection is various, such as a two-way street, a one-way street, a straight road, and a curved road. Needless to say, it is important to prepare products of various shapes, select the most suitable reflector for each of the scenes, and install them to obtain the best effect.

Industrial applicability

There are no applications for road reflectors of this type, so there is a possibility of adoption in overseas countries.

FIG. 3 is a front view of a road reflector provided with graticules. These are explanatory drawings of one scene in a reflective mirror surface. These are explanatory drawings of one scene in a reflective mirror surface. FIG. 3 is a front view of a reflecting mirror displaying characters on a mirror surface.

Explanation of symbols

1 mirror surface 2 latitude line 3 meridian 4 mirror surface central figure 5 road center line A target vehicle A 'target vehicle B target vehicle B' target vehicle

Claims (3)

A road reflector that has graticules, figures, etc. installed on the mirror surface, and is used for recognizing the distance and speed of the target vehicle by observing them against the actual image on the mirror surface. A road reflecting mirror for forming the graticule or figure of claim 1 on a mirror surface with paint, reflecting material, fluorescent material or the like having a high reflection luminance and for use at night. A road reflecting mirror that draws letters, figures, etc. on the mirror surface of claim 1 and claim 2 to alert the driver.

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