JP2017182253A - Signal device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a signal device capable of preventing misunderstanding while being light-weight and thin.SOLUTION: A signal device includes a light source and a light control sheet 30 arranged on a light emitting side of the light source. The light control sheet extends with a predetermined cross section, and includes: light transmission parts 33 formed of a resin and arranged with intervals in a direction different from the extending direction; and light absorption parts 34 formed of a resin between the light transmission parts and configured to absorb light. Light for signal display in a desired direction can be restricted and light in a front direction can be displayed in a brighter manner.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to a traffic signal used for traffic such as roads and railway tracks.

  The road is provided with a traffic signal indicating whether or not the vehicle can travel for pedestrians and automobiles, and also a railroad signal indicating whether or not the railroad can be traveled. Various techniques relating to these traffic lights are disclosed (for example, Patent Documents 1 to 3).

For example, when an intersection of roads is considered, traffic accidents can be prevented by recognizing and following the indications of traffic lights to follow in the direction of travel. However, depending on the arrangement of the traffic lights, the display of the traffic lights that should not be followed is visually recognized so as to leave a strong impression, and there are many places where misunderstandings are likely to occur.
On the other hand, there is also a technique related to a so-called louver structure in which a plurality of plate-like members are arranged in front of the display surface of the traffic light to limit the viewing angle so that the display surface cannot be seen from other than the front.

JP 2001-148093 A Japanese Patent No. 378368 Japanese Patent No. 3947825

  However, the louvers conventionally provided in front of the display surface of the traffic light are arranged in large numbers, so that the traffic light itself is heavy, the cost is increased, and the construction is troublesome. Moreover, when it is intended to narrow the viewing angle effectively, it tends to be difficult to see from the front.

  Therefore, in view of the above-described problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a traffic light that can prevent misidentification while being lightweight and thin.

  The present invention will be described below. Here, for easy understanding, reference numerals used in the drawings are written in parentheses. However, the present invention is not limited to the form described in the drawings.

  One aspect of the present invention includes a light source (23) and a light control sheet (30) disposed on the light output side of the light source, the light control sheet extending with a predetermined cross section, and the extending direction. Are arranged with intervals in different directions, and include a light transmission part (33) formed of resin and a light absorption part (34) formed of resin between the light transmission parts to absorb light. The traffic light (10).

  In this traffic light (10), the refractive index of the light transmission part (33) can be larger than the refractive index of the light absorption part (34).

  Further, the direction in which the light transmission part (33) and the light absorption part (34) extend may be the vertical direction, and the direction in which the light transmission part and the light absorption part are arranged may be the horizontal direction.

  Furthermore, the light source (23) and the light control sheet (30) may be included in a cover (21) having a portion that transmits light.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the weight of the traffic light and improve the ease of construction, suppress the signal display light in the desired direction, and display the light to the front in a brighter state. Is possible.

It is a front view of the traffic signal. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a signal lighting member 20. FIG. FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a part of the light control sheet 30.

  The present invention will be described below based on embodiments shown in the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment. In the drawings shown below, for the sake of easy understanding, minute elements and thin elements are sometimes exaggerated and sometimes expressed thickly. Some of the repetitive symbols are omitted.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating one embodiment, and is a front view of a traffic light 10 installed on a road. FIG. 2 schematically shows the signal lighting member 20 in an end view of the traffic signal 10 cut along the line (horizontal line) indicated by II-II in FIG. Further, FIG. 3 shows an enlarged view of a portion indicated by III in FIG.

  As can be seen from these drawings, the traffic signal 10 of this embodiment includes a housing 11 and three signal lighting members 20. In addition to what is described below, the traffic signal 10 includes known means for the traffic signal 10 to function as a traffic signal. For example, control means for controlling lighting and extinguishing of the signal lighting member 20 can be used.

  The housing 11 is a member that holds and holds at least the signal lighting member 20 and is made of a material such as a metal hammer or resin, and is formed in a box shape. And it opens in the site | part where the light from the signal lighting member 20 is emitted among the housing | casings 11, and it is comprised so that the signal lighting member 20 may be exposed outside in this part. Thereby, the light emitted from the signal lighting member 20 can be visually recognized.

  The signal lighting member 20 is a part that is turned on and off as necessary. In this embodiment, the three signal lighting members 20 are provided so that a blue signal, a yellow signal, and a red signal can be turned on from the left side of FIG. It is configured as follows. The basic function as such a signal is as known.

  As can be seen from FIG. 2, each signal lighting member 20 includes a cover 21, a lid 22, a light source 23, and a light control sheet 30. Each member will be described below.

In this embodiment, the cover 21 is a member that houses the light source 23 and the light control sheet 30 and has a surface 21a exposed to the outside. The light emitted from the traffic light 10 is recognized by a person through this surface 21a. Accordingly, the cover 21 is formed in a box shape having an open portion on the side opposite to the surface 21a as in the present embodiment, for example, and a cover 22 is formed on the open portion to form a sealed box shape, and a light source is provided inside the cover 21. 23 and the light control sheet 30 are included.
The cover 21 is formed of a material that transmits light, such as glass and resin, and has a certain level of strength. Specific materials are the same as those used for known traffic lights.

  The light source 23 is a light source. The type of the light source 23 is not particularly limited, and a known light source such as a fluorescent lamp, an incandescent bulb, or a light emitting diode (LED) can be applied. In this embodiment, a plurality of LEDs 23a are arranged. Such a light source 23 is connected to a power source provided outside the traffic light 10 to emit light. An advantage of a light emitting diode is that a large number of light emitting sources can be arranged and arranged, so that a surface light source having a tendency of a flat luminance distribution compared to a single light source such as an incandescent lamp can be cited.

  In this embodiment, the light control sheet 30 is a sheet that controls the light emitted from the light source 23 to be described later, emits light in a manner that is bright for the front and limited in the left-right direction. As can be seen from FIGS. 2 and 3, the light control sheet 30 has a base material layer 31 and a light control layer 32.

  The base material layer 31 is a layer serving as a base material for forming the light control layer 32, and has a light transmitting property and supports the light control layer 32 so that deformation of the light control layer 32 can be prevented. From this viewpoint, as specific examples of the material constituting the base material layer 31, for example, a transparent resin mainly composed of one or more of acrylic, styrene, polycarbonate, polyethylene terephthalate, acrylonitrile, and the like, epoxy acrylate, and urethane acrylate The reactive resin (ionizing radiation curable resin etc.) can be mentioned.

  Although the thickness of the base material layer 31 is not specifically limited, It is preferable that they are 25 micrometers or more and 300 micrometers or less. If the thickness of the base material layer 31 is out of this range, there is a possibility of causing a problem in workability. For example, if the base material layer 31 is thinner than this, wrinkles are likely to occur. Moreover, when the base material layer 31 is thicker than this, there exists a possibility that it may become difficult to wind up in an intermediate | middle process.

  The light control layer 32 is a layer that is laminated on one surface of the base material layer 31 (the surface on the light source 23 side in this embodiment), and light transmission portions 33 and light absorption portions 34 are alternately arranged along the layer surface. ing.

The light control layer 32 has a shape having the cross section shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 and extending to the back / near side of the drawing. That is, the light transmitting part 33 having a substantially trapezoidal shape and the light absorbing part 34 having a substantially trapezoidal cross section formed between two adjacent light transmitting parts 33 in the cross sections shown in FIGS. Yes.
Since the viewing angle in the left-right direction is usually limited due to the nature of the traffic light 10, the direction in which the light transmitting portion 33 and the light absorbing portion 34 extend is the vertical direction, and the light transmitting portion 33 and the light absorbing portion 34 are extended. Are arranged so that the direction in which they are alternately arranged is the horizontal direction.

  The light transmission part 33 is a part whose main function is to transmit light. In the present embodiment, in the cross section shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a long bottom on the base material layer 31 side, the opposite side (light source 23 side) ) Having a substantially trapezoidal cross-sectional shape having a short upper base. The light transmissive portions 33 maintain the cross section along the layer surface of the base material layer 31 and extend in the above-described direction, and are arranged at a predetermined interval in a direction different from the extending direction. An interval having a substantially trapezoidal cross section is formed between the adjacent light transmission portions 33. Accordingly, the interval is a trapezoidal cross section having a long lower base on the upper base side (light source 23 side) of the light transmission part 33 and a short upper base on the lower base side (base material layer 31 side) of the light transmission part 33. The light absorbing portion 34 is formed by filling a necessary material described later. In this embodiment, the adjacent light transmission parts 33 are connected by the base part 32a on the long bottom side.

  The light transmission part 33 has a refractive index of Nt. Such a light transmission part 33 can be formed by hardening the composition which comprises a transmission part. Details will be described later. The value of the refractive index Nt is not particularly limited, but the refractive index is preferably 1.55 or more. However, since a material with a refractive index that is too high is likely to break, the refractive index is preferably 1.61 or less.

  The light absorption part 34 is provided in the above-mentioned space | interval formed between the adjacent light transmission parts 33, and becomes cross-sectional shape similar to the cross-sectional shape of the said space | interval. Therefore, the short upper base faces the base material layer 31 side, and the long lower base becomes the light source 23 side. And the light absorption part 34 is comprised so that a refractive index may be Nr and it can absorb light. Specifically, light absorbing particles are dispersed in a binder having a refractive index of Nr.

When the refractive index Nr is totally reflected at the interface between the light transmitting portion 33 and the light absorbing portion 34 to improve the front luminance, the refractive index of the light absorbing portion 34 is higher than the refractive index Nt of the light transmitting portion 33. Is also a low refractive index. Thus, by making the refractive index of the light absorbing portion 34 smaller than the refractive index of the light transmitting portion 33, the light incident on the light transmitting portion 33 under a predetermined condition is appropriately totally reflected at the interface with the light absorbing portion 34. Can be made. Even when the total reflection condition is not satisfied, some light is reflected at the interface.
Although the value of the refractive index Nr is not particularly limited, it is preferably 1.50 or less when total reflection is performed at the interface, and among these, 1.47 or more is preferable from the viewpoint of availability.
The difference in refractive index between the refractive index Nt of the light transmitting portion 33 and the refractive index Nr of the light absorbing portion 34 at this time is not particularly limited, but is preferably 0.05 or more and 0.14 or less. By increasing the refractive index difference, more light can be totally reflected.

  On the other hand, when light is absorbed by the light absorption unit 34 without causing total reflection at the interface between the light transmission unit 33 and the light absorption unit 34, the refractive index of the light absorption unit 34 is the refractive index of the light transmission unit 33. That is all. In this case, there is no further improvement in front luminance due to total reflection at the interface, but light can be emitted only in a narrower range than the front.

  The light control layer 32 is not particularly limited. For example, the light transmission part 33 and the light absorption part 34 are formed as follows. That is, it is preferable that the pitch of the light transmission part 33 and the light absorption part 34 represented by P in FIG. 3 is 20 μm or more and 100 μm or less. In addition, the angle formed by the interface between the light absorbing portion 34 and the light transmitting portion 33 indicated by θ in FIG. 3 and the normal of the layer surface of the light control layer 32 is preferably 1 ° or more and 10 ° or less. And it is preferable that the thickness of the light absorption part 34 shown by D in FIG. 3 is 50 micrometers or more and 150 micrometers or less. By being within these ranges, the balance between light transmission and light absorption is often appropriate.

  In this embodiment, an example in which the interface between the light transmitting portion 33 and the light absorbing portion 34 is straight in the cross section is shown. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be a polygonal line shape, a convex curved surface shape, a concave curved surface shape, etc. Also good. Moreover, the cross-sectional shape may be the same in the some light transmissive part 33 and the light absorption part 34, and a different cross-sectional shape may have predetermined regularity.

The light control sheet 30 can be produced, for example, as follows.
First, the light transmission part 33 is formed on one surface of the base material layer 31. This inserts the base material sheet used as the base material layer 31 between the mold roll which has the shape which can transfer the shape of the light transmission part 33 on the surface, and the nip roll arrange | positioned so as to oppose this. At this time, the mold roll and the nip roll are rotated while supplying the composition constituting the light transmitting portion between the base sheet and the mold roll. As a result, a groove corresponding to the light transmitting portion formed on the surface of the mold roll (a shape obtained by reversing the shape of the light transmitting portion) is filled with the composition that constitutes the light transmitting portion, and the composition becomes the surface of the mold roll. It will be along the shape.

  Here, examples of the composition constituting the light transmission part include ionizing radiation curable resins such as epoxy acrylate, urethane acrylate, polyether acrylate, polyester acrylate, and polythiol.

  Light (for example, ultraviolet rays) to be cured by a light irradiation device is applied from the substrate sheet side to the composition constituting the light transmitting portion sandwiched between the mold roll and the substrate sheet and filled therein. To do. Thereby, a composition can be hardened and the shape can be fixed. And the base material layer 31 and the shape | molded light transmission part 33 are released from a metal mold | die roll with a mold release roll.

  Next, the light absorption part 34 is formed. In order to form the light absorption part 34, first, the composition constituting the light absorption part is filled in the interval between the light transmission parts 33 formed above. Thereafter, the surplus composition is scraped off with a doctor blade or the like. Then, the remaining composition can be cured by irradiating light (for example, ultraviolet rays) for curing with a light irradiation device from the light transmitting portion 33 side to form the light absorbing portion 34.

  Although the material used as a light absorption part is not specifically limited, For example, prepolymers, such as urethane (meth) acrylate, polyester (meth) acrylate, epoxy (meth) acrylate, and butadiene (meth) acrylate, trimethylol propane tri (meta) ) Colored light-absorbing particles are dispersed in an ultraviolet curable resin comprising a composition containing a monomer of acrylate, dipentaerythritol hexa (meth) acrylate, or a prepolymer and a monomer. The composition which can be mentioned can be mentioned.

Further, instead of dispersing the light absorbing particles, the entire light absorbing portion can be colored with a pigment or a dye.
When using light-absorbing particles, light-absorbing colored particles such as carbon black are preferably used. However, the present invention is not limited to these, and selectively absorbs a specific wavelength according to the characteristics of image light. Colored particles may be used. Specific examples include carbon (black) such as carbon black and graphite, metal salts such as black iron oxide and black copper oxide, organic fine particles colored with dyes and pigments, and colored glass beads. In particular, colored organic fine particles are preferably used from the viewpoints of cost, quality, availability, and the like. The average particle diameter of the colored particles is preferably 1.0 μm or more and 20 μm or less.

  Thereby, the light control sheet 30 in which the light control layer 32 is laminated on one surface of the base material layer 31 is produced.

  As can be seen from FIG. 2, the light control sheet 30 is disposed on the light emission side of the light source 23 inside the cover 21. At this time, when restricting the viewing angle in the left-right direction, the direction in which the light transmitting portion 33 and the light absorbing portion 34 extend is the vertical direction, and the direction in which the light transmitting portions 33 and the light absorbing portions 34 are alternately arranged is horizontal. Arranged to be in the direction. In other words, the light transmitting portions 33 and the light absorbing portions 34 may be alternately arranged in the direction in which the viewing angle is desired to be limited.

  Next, the main optical path when the traffic light 10 is installed and operated at a predetermined location on the road will be described as an example. 2 and 3 schematically show examples of optical paths for explanation. Note that the optical path example is conceptually shown, and does not strictly represent the degree of refraction or reflection.

  In the lit signal lighting member 20, the light source 23 is turned on to emit light. Light is emitted from the light source 23 in various directions as represented by IIa in FIG. This includes light traveling in the left-right direction, which was one of the causes of misconceptions in the past.

In this embodiment, the light emitted from the light source 23 reaches the light control layer 32. And this light is radiate | emitted toward the person from the traffic light 10 as follows, for example.
The light L31 illustrated in FIG. 3 is an example of an optical path of light that has been transmitted through the light transmitting portion 33 without reaching the interface between the light transmitting portion 33 and the light absorbing portion 34. Since such light must enter the light transmitting portion 23 at an angle and direction so as not to reach the interface between the light transmitting portion 33 and the light absorbing portion 34, the emitted light has an angle close to the front. Accordingly, this light is appropriately viewed by a person who should follow the traffic light 10.

  The light L32 and the light L33 shown in FIG. 3 are incident on the light transmission part 33 at a large angle in the left-right direction with respect to the normal direction (thickness direction) of the light control layer 32, and thus reach the interface with the light absorption part 34. It is an example of the optical path of the light. When there is a difference in refractive index between the light transmitting portion 33 and the light absorbing portion 34, and the refractive index of the light transmitting portion 33 is larger than that of the light absorbing portion 34, the light L32 and the light L33 shown in FIG. In addition, depending on the refractive index difference between the light transmission part 33 and the light absorption part 34 and the incident angle condition of light to the interface between the light transmission part 33 and the light absorption part 34, the total reflection is performed if it is equal to or greater than the total reflection critical angle. The direction is changed and light is emitted. According to this, the direction of the light traveling in the left-right direction can be changed so as to approach the front. Therefore, since light that causes misidentification can be directed to the front, misidentification can be prevented. In addition, since the light in the front direction increases, the front luminance is improved and bright light can be visually recognized from the front. From this point of view, the light intensity of the light source 23 can be reduced while the front luminance is equal or increased, and there is a possibility of energy saving. In addition, when the LED light source is used, the light control sheet can be disposed close to the light source, so that the diffused light can be brought close to the front efficiently.

  Further, there is a difference in refractive index between the light transmitting portion 33 and the light absorbing portion 34, and the light transmitting portion 33 has a refractive index larger than that of the light absorbing portion 34, and the interface is formed at an angle smaller than the total reflection critical angle. When the reached light or the refractive index of the light transmitting portion 33 is equal to or lower than the refractive index of the light absorbing portion 34, the light traveling in the left-right direction enters the light absorbing portion 34 as shown by the light L 34 in FIG. Reached here is absorbed. As a result, light that causes misidentification is absorbed, so that misidentification can be prevented. Further, when light in the lateral direction is likely to be generated with a conventional light bulb or the like, the light direction can be adjusted by simple means. The light control sheet may be a three-dimensional shape or a curved surface that matches the shape of the light source.

The specific angle of the viewing angle control in the left-right direction is not particularly limited, but the viewing angle in the left-right direction with respect to the front indicated by α in FIG. 2 is preferably 90 ° or more and 120 ° or less. . In the case of left-right symmetry, the angle is ± 45 ° or more and ± 60 ° or less around the front. If the viewing angle is narrower than this, the person who should follow the traffic light 10 may not be able to see. Further, if the viewing angle is wider than this, misidentification is likely to occur.
Here, the viewing angle means a range having a luminance of 50% or more with respect to the luminance in the highest luminance direction (for example, the front direction).

  According to the traffic signal 10 as described above, it is possible to make it difficult for a person other than the person who should follow the traffic signal 10 to be misidentified. Further, since the light control sheet 30 as a means for that is thin and light, it is possible to reduce the weight and cost of the structure. Construction is also easy.

  In the embodiment described above, the light control sheet 30 is disposed on the cover 21 side. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the light control sheet 30 may be disposed outside the cover 21. In this case, for example, a form in which the light control sheet 30 is attached to the light exit surface 21 a of the cover 21 can be exemplified.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Signal apparatus 11 Case 20 Signal lighting member 21 Cover 22 Cover 23 Light source 30 Light control sheet 31 Base material layer 32 Light control layer 33 Light transmission part 34 Light absorption part

Claims (4)

A light source, and a light control sheet disposed on the light output side of the light source,
The light control sheet is
Extending with a predetermined cross-section, arranged in a direction different from the extending direction, with an interval, and a light transmitting portion formed of resin;
A light absorbing part that absorbs light formed by resin between the light transmitting parts,
traffic lights.   The traffic light according to claim 1, wherein a refractive index of the light transmission part is larger than a refractive index of the light absorption part.   The traffic light according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a direction in which the light transmission part and the light absorption part extend is a vertical direction, and a direction in which the light transmission part and the light absorption part are arranged is a horizontal direction.   The traffic light according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the light source and the light control sheet are included in a cover having a portion that transmits light.

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