JP2020139346A - Sign structure, road marking, and road attachment and structure - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a sign structure capable of increasing the reception strength of reflected waves when sensing with a radar using millimeter waves or quasi-millimeter waves, and having excellent fatigue resistance.SOLUTION: A sign structure has a repeating structure in which conductive members are repeatedly arranged at intervals of 0.2 mm or more and 40 mm or less, and the conductive members contain an organic substance having electrical conductivity. The organic substance having electrical conductivity is preferably a conductive polymer or a carbon material, and more preferably carbon nanotubes.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a marking structure, road markings using the marking structure, road attachments and structures, and particularly uses a radar such as a millimeter wave radar or a quasi-millimeter wave radar in an automatic driving system or a driving support system. It relates to marking structures, road markings, road attachments and structures that can be used to advantage in performing the sensing.

In recent years, a driving support system that assists a driver's driving operation of an automobile and an automatic driving system that automatically drives an automobile without the driver performing the driving operation have been attracting attention.

Here, in the driving support system and the automatic driving system, in-vehicle radar devices and the like are used to mark road markings such as lane markings and stop lines; curbs, breakers, guard fences (guard rails, guard pipes, etc.), rubber. It is essential to develop technology to accurately detect road attachments such as poles, distance markings, lighting, electric poles, traffic lights, signal poles, road signs and road marking pillars; and structures such as walls and outer walls; ..

Therefore, for example, in Patent Document 1, a thermoplastic binder and a constitutional material are used as road surface line markings which have a large difference in refractive index intensity from the road surface and can reduce detection malfunction when a laser radar is used. , A glass having a predetermined refractive index and a particle size on the surface of a band-shaped line formed of a melt-type marking paint that requires a plasticizer, a coloring pigment, and glass beads having a predetermined refractive index and a particle size. Road surface line markings in which beads are sprayed and fixed have been proposed.

Further, for example, in Non-Patent Document 1, a millimeter-wave radar is used as an all-weather white line detection technology in which the detection performance is unlikely to deteriorate even in bad weather such as rainfall, snowfall and fog, and even in the case of snow, for example, about 400 mm. A technique for detecting rib-type white lines provided with metal ribs at equal intervals has been proposed.

JP-A-2015-148114

Kotaro Ishimoto, 5 others, "Rib-type white line detection by millimeter-wave radar", Fujitsu Ten Giho, March 2017, Vol. 34, No. 1, p. 9-17

Here, from the viewpoint of realizing a driving support system and an automatic driving system that are not easily affected by the weather, as an in-vehicle radar, a millimeter-wave radar or a quasi-millimeter-wave radar whose detection performance is unlikely to deteriorate even in bad weather and snowfall is used. It is preferable to use it. However, in the above-mentioned conventional marking structure such as the above-mentioned road surface line marking and rib type white line, the reception intensity of the reflected wave is low when the millimeter wave radar or the quasi-millimeter wave radar is used.

In addition, the rib-type white wire, in which metal ribs are laid on the road surface at predetermined intervals, is disconnected due to metal fatigue when a traveling vehicle is repeatedly stressed by passing over the rib-type white wire. There was room for improvement in that there was a risk.

Therefore, the present invention provides a marking structure capable of increasing the reception intensity of reflected waves and having excellent fatigue resistance when sensing is performed by a radar using millimeter waves or quasi-millimeter waves. The purpose.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide road markings, road appendages and structures that can be well sensed over a long period of time by a radar using millimeter waves or quasi-millimeter waves.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above problems advantageously, and according to the present invention, the following marking structures <1> to <10>, the following road markings <11> to <12>, The road markings <13> to <14> below and the structures <15> to <16> below are provided.
<1> It has a repeating structure portion in which conductive members are repeatedly arranged at intervals of 0.2 mm or more and 40 mm or less.
A marking structure in which the conductive member contains an organic substance having electrical conductivity.
<2> The marking structure according to <1> above, wherein the organic substance is a conductive polymer.
<3> The marking structure according to <1> above, wherein the organic substance is a carbon material.
<4> The marking structure according to <3> above, wherein the carbon material contains carbon nanotubes.
<5> The marking structure according to <4> above, wherein the carbon nanotubes have an average length of 20 μm or more.
<6> The marking structure according to any one of <1> to <5> above, wherein the conductive member has a conductivity of 1 S / cm or more.
<7> The marking structure according to any one of <1> to <6> above, wherein the conductive member has an average diameter of circumscribed spheres of 0.03 mm or more and 15 mm or less.
<8> The marking structure according to any one of <1> to <7>, which is transparent to millimeter waves or quasi-millimeter waves and has a cover layer covering the repeating structure portion.
<9> The marking structure according to <8>, wherein the cover layer is a layer that conceals the repeating structure portion from at least one of visible light and infrared light.
<10> The marking structure according to <8>, wherein the cover layer absorbs at least one of visible light and infrared light.
<11> A road marking having the marking structure according to any one of <1> to <10> above.
<12> The marking structure according to any one of <8> to <10> above is provided.
The cover layer is a road marking having a higher reflectance of at least one of visible light and infrared light than the installation surface.
<13> A road accessory having the marking structure according to any one of <1> to <10> above.
<14> The marking structure according to any one of <8> to <10> above is provided.
The cover layer is a road accessory having a higher reflectance of at least one of visible light and infrared light than the installation surface.
<15> A building having the marking structure according to any one of <1> to <10> above.
<16> The marking structure according to any one of <8> to <10> above is provided.
The cover layer is a structure in which the reflectance of at least one of visible light and infrared light is higher than that of the installation surface.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a marking structure capable of increasing the reception intensity of reflected waves and having excellent fatigue resistance when sensing is performed by a radar using millimeter waves or quasi-millimeter waves. it can.
Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide road markings, road attachments and structures that can be well sensed over a long period of time by a radar using millimeter waves or quasi-millimeter waves.

It is a top view which shows the structure of an example of a marking structure. (A) and (b) are plan views which show the structure of the modification of the marking structure. It is a top view which shows the structure of another example of a marking structure. (A)-(c) are plan views which show the structure of another example of a marking structure. It is a top view which shows the structure of still another example of a marking structure. (A) and (b) are plan views showing the configuration of still another example of the marking structure. It is a top view which shows the structure of still another example of a marking structure. It is a top view which shows the structure of still another example of a marking structure. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of an example of a marking structure. It is explanatory drawing which shows the state of constructing the marking structure using the marking sheet. (A) to (c) are cross-sectional views showing the structure of a marking sheet. (A) and (b) are sectional views which show the structure of an example of the marking structure constructed on the road surface. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of an example of a road marking. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of an example of a road appendage. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of another example of a road appendage. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of another example of a road appendage.

The marking structure of the present invention can be suitably sensed by a radar using millimeter waves or quasi-millimeter waves. For example, a radar such as a millimeter-wave radar or a quasi-millimeter-wave radar is used in an automatic driving system or a driving support system. It can be installed on the object to be sensed. Further, the road markings, road attachments and structures of the present invention have the marking structure of the present invention and can be suitably sensed by a radar using millimeter waves or quasi-millimeter waves.

(Marking structure)
The marking structure of the present invention has a repeating structure portion in which conductive members containing organic substances having electrical conductivity are repeatedly arranged at intervals of 0.2 mm or more and 40 mm or less. In this way, if the conductive members are repeatedly arranged at intervals of 0.2 mm or more and 40 mm or less, the reflected waves in which millimeter waves or quasi-millimeter waves are scattered and reflected by the conductive members are strengthened and propagated in the radar. The reception intensity of the reflected wave can be increased. Further, if the conductive member is formed of an organic substance having electrical conductivity, the durability (fatigue resistance) when repeatedly subjected to stress can be enhanced as compared with the case where a metal is used as the conductive member. Therefore, good sensing is possible over a long period of time.
The marking structure may further have a cover layer that covers the repeating structure portion.

<Millimeter wave / quasi-millimeter wave>
Here, examples of millimeter waves and quasi-millimeter waves include electromagnetic waves having a frequency of 20 GHz or more and 300 GHz or less and a wavelength of 1 mm or more and 15 mm or less. Specifically, the millimeter wave includes an electromagnetic wave having a frequency of 30 GHz or more and 300 GHz or less and a wavelength of 1 mm or more and 10 mm or less, and a quasi-millimeter wave has a frequency of 20 GHz or more and less than 30 GHz and a wavelength of 10 mm. Examples include electromagnetic waves having an ultra-15 mm or less.

<Repeat structure part>
Further, the repeating structure portion has a conductive member repeatedly arranged at predetermined intervals and a portion located between the conductive members and having a conductivity different from that of the conductive member. Specifically, the form of the repeating structure portion is not particularly limited. For example, when the conductive member is directly arranged on the installation surface, (1) the conductivity of the installation surface is different from that of the conductive member. A form in which a plurality of conductive members are installed at predetermined intervals on the surface, (2) a plurality of conductive members are arranged at predetermined intervals so that a part of them is exposed on the surface layer of an installation surface whose conductivity is different from that of the conductive members. An embedded form, (3) a form in which members having different conductivitys from the conductive members are laid between a plurality of conductive members arranged at predetermined intervals on the installation surface, and (4) a conductive member laid on the installation surface. Examples thereof include a form in which members having a conductivity different from that of the conductive member are arranged so that the conductive members are exposed at predetermined intervals. Further, for example, when a conductive member is installed on an installation surface via a base material or the like, (5) a plurality of conductive members are installed at predetermined intervals on or inside a base material having a conductivity different from that of the conductive member. The form, etc.
The "part where the conductivity is different from the conductive member" and the "base material whose conductivity is different from the conductive member" are usually different in the reflectance of millimeter wave or quasi-millimeter wave from the conductive member. The "portion whose conductivity is different from that of the conductive member" and the "base material whose conductivity is different from that of the conductive member" may be those that absorb millimeter waves or quasi-millimeter waves. Further, the marking structure may have only one repeating structure portion or may have a plurality of repeating structure portions. Further, in the above (1), (3) and (4), the conductive member and the member whose conductivity is different from that of the conductive member may be directly installed or arranged on the installation surface, or may be placed on the installation surface. It may be installed or arranged indirectly via an adhesive layer or the like.

Then, the repeating structure portion having the above-mentioned form usually has a distribution in which the conductivity repeatedly changes at the above-mentioned intervals.

[Conductive member]
Here, the conductive member is a member containing an organic substance having electrical conductivity, and usually exhibits conductivity by the organic substance. The conductive member may be composed of only an organic substance having electrical conductivity, or may be composed of at least one of an inorganic substance having electrical conductivity and a non-conductive substance and an organic substance having electrical conductivity. May be good. Specifically, for example, the conductive member may be one in which the surface of resin particles or inorganic particles is coated with an organic substance having electrical conductivity. Further, the conductive member may contain additives such as a surfactant, an antiaging agent, an ultraviolet absorber, a dispersant, and a binder.

The organic substance having electrical conductivity is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include a conductive polymer, a carbon material, and a combination thereof.

Here, examples of the conductive polymer include those obtained by doping a conjugated polymer with an acceptor or a donor. The conjugated polymer includes, for example, an aliphatic conjugated polymer such as polyacetylene; an aromatic conjugated polymer such as poly (p-phenylene); and a mixed conjugated polymer such as poly (p-phenylene vinylene). Molecules; heterocyclic conjugated polymers such as polypyrrole, polythiophene, poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT); heteroatomic conjugated polymers such as polyaniline; double-chain conjugated polymers such as polyacene ; And so on. Examples of acceptors include halogens such as Br ₂ , I ₂ , ICl, and ICl ₃ ; Lewis acids such as PF ₅ , AsF ₅ , BF ₃ , and SO ₃ , and protons such as HCl, H ₂ SO ₄ , and HClO _4. Acids; transition metal halides such as FeCl ₃ , FeBr ₃ , SnCl ₄ ; tetracyanoethylene (TCNE), tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ), 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-p-benzoquinone (DDQ) ), polystyrene (PSS), organic compounds such as amino ^acids; and the ^{_{like; ClO -, BF 4 -,}} PF 6 - -, AsF 6 such electrochemical doping. Further, as donors, for example, alkali metals such as Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs; alkaline earth metals such as Be, Mg, Ca; Li ⁺ , Na ⁺ , K ⁺ , (CH ₃ ) ₄ N ^+. , (C ₆ H ₅ ) ₄ N ⁺ , (CH ₃ ) ₄ P ⁺ , (C ₆ H ₅ ) ₄ P ^{+ and} other electrochemical doping; and the like.
Among the above, as the conductive polymer, PEDOT / PSS obtained by doping PEDOT with PSS is preferable.

Examples of the carbon material include graphite such as scaly graphite, massive graphite, earthy graphite, flaky graphite, spheroidized graphite, expanded graphite, and artificial graphite; graphite; carbon fiber; carbon nanotube (CNT). Be done. In addition, these carbon materials may be doped.

Among the above, as the organic substance having electrical conductivity, a carbon material is preferable, carbon nanotubes are more preferable, carbon nanotubes having an average length of 20 μm or more are further preferable, and carbon nanotubes having an average length of 80 μm or more are more preferable. Carbon nanotubes having an average length of 200 μm or more are particularly preferable. This is because carbon nanotubes provide high electrical conductivity and stability. Further, when the average length of the carbon nanotubes is equal to or more than the above lower limit value, the contact points between the CNTs in the conductive member are increased, and further higher electrical conductivity and stability can be obtained. The average length of the carbon nanotubes is preferably 1000 μm or less. When the average length of the carbon nanotubes is not more than the above upper limit value, the carbon nanotubes are well dispersed in the conductive member, and high conductivity can be obtained.

The conductive member preferably has a conductivity of 1 S / cm or more, and more preferably 10 S / cm or more. When the conductivity is at least the above lower limit value, the reception intensity of the reflected wave when sensing is performed using a millimeter wave radar or a quasi-millimeter wave radar can be sufficiently increased.

Also, each of the repeatedly arranged conductive members usually has a length sufficiently long with respect to the wavelength of millimeter wave or quasi-millimeter wave, and a width sufficiently short with respect to the wavelength of millimeter wave or quasi-millimeter wave. Have. Specifically, the conductive member has, for example, a length of 0.1 mm or more. The width of the conductive member is, for example, 1/200 or more and 2/3 or less, preferably 1/50 or more and 1/5 or less of the average value of the arrangement intervals of the conductive members in the repeating structure portion.

Further, the height of the conductive member provided on the installation surface is preferably 3 mm or less, and more preferably 1 μm or more and 100 μm or less. When the height of the conductive member is not more than the above upper limit value, it is possible to suppress the formation of excessive unevenness in the structure to which the marking structure is provided. Therefore, for example, when the road marking structure is formed by using the marking structure, it is possible to prevent the vehicle such as a motorcycle from being hindered from running, and it is possible to prevent the road marking from being scraped off when removing snow by a snow removal grader or the like. can do. Further, when the height of the conductive member is at least the above lower limit value, the reception intensity of the reflected wave when sensing is performed using a millimeter wave radar or a quasi-millimeter wave radar can be sufficiently increased.

The average diameter of the circumscribed spheres of the conductive members is preferably 0.03 mm or more and 15 mm or less, particularly when the conductive members are granular, spherical or scaly. When the average diameter of the circumscribed sphere is at least the above lower limit value, the reception intensity of the reflected wave when sensing is performed using a millimeter wave radar or a quasi-millimeter wave radar can be sufficiently increased. Further, when the average diameter of the circumscribed sphere is not more than the above upper limit value, it is possible to suppress the formation of excessive unevenness in the structure to which the marking structure is provided.

Further, the plan view shape of each of the repeatedly arranged conductive members is not particularly limited, and for example, in addition to a linear shape such as a straight line or a curved line, a circular shape, an elliptical shape, a cross shape, a polygonal shape, or the like can be used. Can be mentioned.
When the conductive member is linear, the repeating direction of the conductive member is preferably a direction intersecting the linear member.

[Spacing of conductive members]
The spacing between the repeatedly arranged conductive members needs to be 0.2 mm or more and 40 mm or less, preferably 0.5 mm or more and 40 mm or less, and more preferably 1 mm or more and 10 mm or less. .. When the distance between the conductive members is out of the above range, the reception intensity of the reflected wave cannot be sufficiently increased.
In the present invention, when the distance between the conductive members adjacent to each other in the repeating direction is not constant (for example, the adjacent conductive members are not arranged in parallel with each other and are between the central portions of the conductive members and the conductive members. (For example, when the distance between the ends of the conductors is different), the distance between the conductive members refers to the average distance between the conductive members adjacent to each other in the repeating direction.

[Members whose conductivity is different from that of conductive members]
The member which can be arbitrarily used and whose conductivity is different from that of the conductive member is not particularly limited, and a member made of a material whose conductivity is different from that of the conductive member can be used. Here, the conductivity of the conductive member can also be changed by changing the mixing ratio of the materials constituting the conductive member.

[Installation surface]
The installation surface on which the above-mentioned members can be placed may be the surface of the structure to which the marking structure is applied, or the surface of the undercoat layer provided on the surface of the structure to which the marking structure is applied. That is, the repeating structure portion is configured by arranging the above-mentioned members on the surface or surface layer portion of the structure, or on the surface or surface layer portion of the undercoat layer.

Here, the undercoat layer is not particularly limited, and for example, a resin layer that smoothes the unevenness of the surface of the structure to which the marking structure is applied, and the adhesiveness between the above-mentioned member and the surface of the structure are improved. Examples thereof include a resin layer and a resin layer that suppresses unnecessary reflection of millimeter waves or quasi-millimeter waves.

[Base material]
The substrate is usually made of a member having a millimeter-wave or quasi-millimeter wave reflectance different from that of the conductive member, preferably a member having a millimeter-wave or quasi-millimeter wave reflectance lower than that of the conductive member. The base material is capable of supporting a conductive member and has self-supporting property.
Specifically, the base material is not particularly limited, and a resin film, a non-woven fabric, paper, or a laminate thereof can be used. Further, as the base material, for example, a resin film having silica particles projected on the surface, a resin film having an uneven surface, a woven fabric, a knitted material, or the like, which has irregularities, can be preferably used.

[Formation of conductive member]
Then, the arrangement of the conductive member on the installation surface or the base material is a method of depositing an organic substance having electrical conductivity; a method of sputtering an organic substance having electrical conductivity; applying a paint containing the organic substance having electrical conductivity. Method of spraying or printing; Method of applying, spraying or printing a coating material in which particles coated with an organic substance having electrical conductivity are dispersed on the surface; Alternatively, an organic substance having electrical conductivity previously formed into a thread or a band is woven. It can be done by using methods such as weaving, sewing, squeezing or laying; etc.

<Example of marking structure>
The marking structure having the repeating structure portion described above is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include marking structures as shown in FIGS. 1 to 8.

Here, in the repeating structure portion 10 of the marking structure shown in FIG. 1, linear conductive members 1 made of a material having a reflectance different from that of the installation surface S are arranged on the installation surface S in parallel with each other at the above-mentioned predetermined intervals. Being done. That is, the conductive members 1 are repeatedly arranged at regular intervals. Each conductive member 1 extends in a direction (vertical direction in FIG. 1) orthogonal to the repeating direction (horizontal direction in FIG. 1).

Further, in the repeating structure portion 10A of the marking structure shown in FIG. 2A, linear conductive members 1A made of a material having a reflectance different from that of the installation surface S are parallel to each other on the installation surface S at the above-mentioned predetermined intervals. It will be placed in. That is, the conductive member 1A is repeatedly arranged at a constant cycle. Each conductive member 1A is inclined and extends in a direction orthogonal to the repeating direction (left-right direction in FIG. 1). Then, when the conductive member 1A is inclined with respect to the repeating direction, sensing using a millimeter wave radar or a quasi-millimeter wave radar is performed from a vehicle traveling beside the marking structure to display the millimeter wave or the quasi-millimeter wave. Even if it is incident from an oblique direction, it can be reflected in the incident direction.

Further, in the repeating structure portion 10B of the marking structure shown in FIG. 2B, curved conductive members 1B made of a material having a reflectance different from that of the installation surface S are parallel to each other on the installation surface S at the above-mentioned predetermined intervals. It will be placed in. That is, the conductive members 1B are repeatedly arranged at regular intervals. Each conductive member 1B is curved and extends so that the central portion is convex in one of the repeating directions (leftward in FIG. 1). When the conductive member 1B has a curved shape, the reflection direction when sensing is performed using a millimeter-wave radar or a quasi-millimeter-wave radar can be widened to enhance robustness.

Further, in the repeating structure portion 10C of the marking structure shown in FIG. 3, linear conductive members 1 made of a material having a reflectance different from that of the installation surface S are arranged on the installation surface S in parallel with each other at different intervals. There is. That is, the conductive member 1 is arranged so that the arrangement interval is modulated within the above-mentioned predetermined interval range, and in FIG. 3, the portion where the arrangement interval of the conductive member 1 becomes sparse and the conductive member 1 The portions where the arrangement intervals of the above are dense are alternately present in the repeating direction. Each conductive member 1 extends in a direction (vertical direction in FIG. 1) orthogonal to the repeating direction (horizontal direction in FIG. 1). When the arrangement interval of the conductive member 1 is modulated, high reflectance can be obtained for millimeter waves or quasi-millimeter waves in a wide wavelength band.

Here, when the arrangement interval of the conductive member 1 in the repeating structure portion 10C is modulated as in the marking structure shown in FIG. 3, the arrangement interval of the conductive member 1 is 0, which is the average value of the arrangement intervals. It is preferably in the range of 7 times or more and 1.3 times or less. When the variation of the arrangement interval is within the above range, the reception intensity of the reflected wave when sensing is performed using the millimeter wave radar or the quasi-millimeter wave radar can be sufficiently increased.

Further, in the above-described example, the case where the marking structure has only one repeating structure portion has been described, but as shown in FIG. 4, the marking structure has a plurality of repeating structure portions arranged apart from each other. You may. When the marking structure has a plurality of repeating structures separated from each other, the reflected wavelength band, the reflection direction of the millimeter wave or the quasi-millimeter wave can be widened, and the robustness can be enhanced.

Here, the marking structure shown in FIG. 4A has a plurality of (three in the illustrated example) repeating structure portions 10D, 10E, 10F arranged apart from each other in the left-right direction in FIG. 4A. ing. Each of the repeating structure portions 10D, 10E, and 10F has linear conductive members 1 made of a material having a reflectance different from that of the installation surface S arranged in parallel with each other on the installation surface S. That is, the conductive members 1 are repeatedly arranged at regular intervals. Each conductive member 1 extends in a direction orthogonal to a repeating direction (horizontal direction in FIG. 4A) (vertical direction in FIG. 4A). When the marking structure has a plurality of repeating structure portions separated from each other in the repeating direction of the conductive member, high reflectance can be obtained for millimeter waves or quasi-millimeter waves in a wide wavelength band.

Further, the marking structure shown in FIG. 4B has a plurality of (three in the illustrated example) repeating structure portions 10H, 10G, and 10I arranged vertically separated from each other in FIG. 4B. There is. Then, in the repeating structure portions 10H and 10I, linear conductive members 1A made of a material having a reflectance different from that of the installation surface S are arranged on the installation surface S in parallel with each other at the above-mentioned predetermined intervals. Specifically, the conductive members 1A are repeatedly arranged at regular intervals, and each conductive member 1A is inclined and extends in a direction orthogonal to the repeating direction (left-right direction in FIG. 4B). are doing. Further, in the repeating structure portion 10G located between the repeating structure portions 10H and 10I, linear conductive members 1 made of a material having a reflectance different from that of the installation surface S are placed on the installation surface S at predetermined intervals described above. It is arranged in parallel. Specifically, the conductive members 1 are repeatedly arranged at regular intervals, and each conductive member 1 extends in a direction orthogonal to the repeating direction (left-right direction in FIG. 4B). When the extending direction of the conductive member is different between the plurality of repeating structures of the marking structure, the reflection direction when sensing is performed using a millimeter wave radar or a quasi-millimeter wave radar is widened to improve robustness. Can be done.

Further, the marking structure shown in FIG. 4C has a plurality of repeating structure portions 10J in which the repeating directions of the conductive members 1 are different. Specifically, in each repeating structure portion 10J, linear conductive members 1 made of a material having a reflectance different from that of the installation surface S are arranged on the installation surface S in parallel with each other at the above-mentioned predetermined intervals. Each of the conductive members 1 repeatedly arranged at a constant cycle extends in a direction orthogonal to the repeating direction. When the repeating direction of the conductive member is different between the plurality of repeating structures of the marking structure, high reflectance can be obtained in all directions when sensing is performed using a millimeter wave radar or a quasi-millimeter wave radar. ..

When a plurality of repeating structure portions having different repeating directions of the conductive members are provided, the number of conductive members possessed by each repeating structure is preferably 5 or more and less than 20. When the repeating direction of the conductive member is different between the repeating structures, if the number of conductive members is 5 or more, the directivity of reflection necessary for sensing by a millimeter wave radar or a quasi-millimeter wave radar should be sufficiently provided. Can be done. Further, if the number of conductive members is less than 20, redundancy can be provided in the wavelength band and directivity of the reflected wave.

Further, in the example shown in FIG. 4, the conductive members are arranged at regular intervals in all the repeating structure parts, but when the marking structure has a plurality of repeating structure parts in which the repeating directions of the conductive members are different, the conductive members are repeatedly arranged. The period of the conductive member may be different between at least two repeating structures. That is, the marking structure includes a first repeating structure portion in which the conductive members are repeatedly arranged in the first cycle, and a second repeating structure in which the conductive members are repeatedly arranged in a second cycle different from the first cycle. It may have a part. When the conductive member has a first repeating structure part and a second repeating structure part arranged at different cycles, each repeating structure part reflects millimeter waves or quasi-millimeter waves according to each cycle, so that a wide wavelength band High reflectance can be obtained for millimeter or quasi-millimeter waves.

Further, in the above-described example, the conductive member in each repeating structure portion is a linear member having the same length and width, but the conductive member in the repeating structure portion has a shape as shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, for example. It may be.

Here, in the repeating structure portion 10K of the marking structure shown in FIG. 5, linear conductive members 1, 1C which are made of a material having a reflectance different from that of the installation surface S and have different lengths from each other are placed on the installation surface S. Are alternately arranged at predetermined intervals as described above. Specifically, the conductive members 1 and 1C are repeatedly arranged at regular intervals so that they are parallel to each other and the centers in the length direction are located on the same straight line. The conductive members 1 and 1C extend in a direction (vertical direction in FIG. 5) orthogonal to the repeating direction (horizontal direction in FIG. 5). When conductive members having different lengths are alternately arranged, the reception intensity of the reflected wave when sensing is performed using a millimeter wave radar or a quasi-millimeter wave radar can be further increased.
From the viewpoint of increasing the reception intensity of the reflected wave, it is preferable that the conductive member 1 and the conductive member 1C are arranged at equal intervals. Also, for the same reason, the length of the conductive member 1 is longer than half the wavelength of the millimeter wave or the quasi-millimeter wave, and the length of the conductive member 1C is shorter than half the wavelength of the millimeter wave or the quasi-millimeter wave. Is preferable.

Further, in the repeating structure portion 10L of the marking structure shown in FIG. 6A, dot-shaped conductive members 1D made of a material having a reflectance different from that of the installation surface S are arranged on the installation surface S at the above-mentioned predetermined intervals. Being done. Specifically, in FIG. 6A, the conductive member 1D is repeatedly arranged at regular intervals in both the vertical direction and the horizontal direction. When the dot-shaped conductive members 1D are arranged at a constant cycle, millimeter waves or quasi-millimeter waves can be satisfactorily reflected in a plurality of directions.

In the repeating structure portion 10L'of the marking structure shown in FIG. 6B, granular conductive members 1D' made of a material having a reflectance different from that of the installation surface S are arranged on the installation surface S at the above-mentioned predetermined intervals. It becomes. Specifically, the conductive member 1D'is repeatedly arranged in a plurality of directions at a plurality of cycles. When the granular conductive member 1D'is repeatedly arranged in a plurality of directions at a plurality of periods, high reflectance is obtained in all directions when sensing is performed using a millimeter wave radar or a quasi-millimeter wave radar. Obtainable.

Further, in the repeating structure portion 10M of the marking structure shown in FIG. 7, linear conductive members 1E made of a material having a reflectance different from that of the installation surface S are repeatedly arranged at the above-mentioned predetermined intervals. Specifically, in the repeating structure unit 10M, four conductive members 1E (first conductive member row) juxtaposed in the vertical direction (direction orthogonal to the repeating direction (horizontal direction in FIG. 7)) in FIG. In FIG. 7, three conductive members 1E (second conductive member rows) juxtaposed in the vertical direction are alternately and repeatedly arranged at regular intervals. In the vertical direction of FIG. 7, each conductive member 1E forming the second row of conductive members is located between the conductive members 1E forming the first row of conductive members. Further, the conductive member 1E extends in a direction along the left-right direction (repeating direction) in FIG. 7. Then, according to the repeating structure portion 10M of the marking structure shown in FIG. 7, a high reflectance can be obtained for the polarized waves oscillating in the left-right direction.

Further, in the above-mentioned example, the case where each conductive member exists independently is shown, but the conductive members in the repeating structure portion may intersect each other as shown in FIG. 8, for example.

Here, in the marking structure shown in FIG. 8, the linear conductive member 1 made of a material having a reflectance different from that of the installation surface S is repeatedly arranged in the left-right direction in FIG. 8, and the conductive member 1 of the repeating structure portion 10N. In FIG. 8, a linear conductive member 1 made of a material having a reflectance different from that of the installation surface S is repeatedly arranged in the vertical direction, and the conductive member 1 of the repeating structure portion 10P intersects with the conductive member 1 in a grid pattern. That is, the marking structure shown in FIG. 8 has a plurality of repeating structure portions 10N and 10P (two in FIG. 8) having different repeating directions of the conductive member 1. When the repeating directions of the conductive members are different between the plurality of repeating structure portions of the marking structure and the conductive members intersect each other to form a grid, millimeter waves or quasi-millimeter waves are transmitted in a plurality of directions (FIG. In the example, it can reflect well in two directions).

<Cover layer>
Then, in the marking structure of the present invention, the repeating structure portion may be covered with a cover layer having transparency to millimeter waves or quasi-millimeter waves.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 9 showing the structure of the cross section of the conductive member 1 along the repeating direction, the repeating structure portion formed by repeatedly arranging the conductive member 1 may be covered with the cover layer 3. Note that FIG. 9 shows a case where the conductive member 1 is provided on the undercoat layer 2 provided on the surface S of the structure to which the marking structure is applied, but the present invention shows the embodiment shown in FIG. It is not limited to.

Here, the cover layer is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include a sheet having an adhesive layer, a layer made of a paint containing a synthetic resin, a pigment, an extender, and a plasticizer.
Above all, the cover layer is preferably a layer that conceals the repeating structure portion from at least one of visible light and infrared light. By concealing the repeating structure from at least one of visible light and infrared light, the driver and other sensors mounted on the vehicle (eg, visible light camera, infrared camera, infrared laser radar, etc.) ) Can be prevented from giving a false recognition. The layer that conceals the repeating structure with respect to at least one of visible light and infrared light can be formed by containing a dye, a pigment, or a material having a light scattering property.
Further, the cover layer is preferably a layer that absorbs at least one of visible light and infrared light. Absorption of at least one of visible and infrared light can mislead the driver and other sensors in the vehicle (eg, visible light cameras, infrared cameras, infrared laser radars, etc.). You can prevent that. The layer that absorbs at least one of visible light and infrared light can be formed by containing a dye or a pigment.

(Construction method of marking structure)
The above-mentioned marking structure may be constructed, for example, by directly arranging the conductive member on the installation surface as in the above-mentioned aspects (1) to (4), or as in the above-mentioned embodiment (5). It may be constructed by installing a conductive member on the installation surface via a material or the like.

Here, when the conductive member is installed on the installation surface via the base material, for example, as shown in FIG. 10, the base material 20 and the conductive member 1 are placed on the base material 20 at intervals of 0.2 mm or more and 40 mm or less. Alternatively, it is preferable to use a marking sheet 100 having a repeating structure portion repeatedly arranged in the base material 20. From the viewpoint of improving workability and storability, the marking sheet 100 is wound in a roll shape in the illustrated example. Further, in the illustrated example, a white line (cover layer) 30 is formed on the marking sheet 100 laid on the road surface G as the installation surface.

<Marking sheet>
An example of a marking sheet that can be used for construction of a marking structure is, for example, a cross section of the marking sheet 100 along a direction in which conductive members are repeatedly arranged (hereinafter, may be referred to as a "repeating direction"). As shown in FIG. 11A, the base material 20 is provided with a repeating structure portion 10 in which the conductive member 1 is repeatedly arranged on the base material 20 at intervals of 0.2 mm or more and 40 mm or less. ..
Further, in another example of the marking sheet, for example, as shown in FIG. 11B, the structure of the cross section along the repeating direction is 0.2 mm or more and 40 mm in the base material 20 and the conductive member 1 in the base material 20. It is provided with a repeating structure portion 10 that is repeatedly arranged at the following intervals.
Further, in another example of the marking sheet, for example, as shown in FIG. 11 (c), the structure of the cross section along the repeating direction is the base material 20 and the conductive member 1 so that a part thereof is exposed to the outside. It is provided with a repeating structure portion 10 that is repeatedly arranged in the base material 20 at intervals of 0.2 mm or more and 40 mm or less.
In FIGS. 11A to 11C, the repeating direction is the left-right direction. The method of providing the conductive member on the base material is not particularly limited, and is, for example, vapor deposition; sputtering; printing using an organic substance (organic substance having electrical conductivity); and thread-like or strip-shaped organic substance (filament-like or band-shaped organic substance) Weaving, weaving, sewing and squeezing; etc. of organic matter having electrical conductivity). In addition, the marking sheet may optionally further include a coating layer and / or an adhesive layer.

Here, the coating layer can be provided on at least one surface side of the base material, but when the conductive member is arranged on the base material, the coating layer is located on the side where the conductive member is arranged rather than the base material. It is preferable to provide it, and it is more preferable to provide it so as to cover the conductive member. If the coating layer is provided, the base material and the conductive member can be protected. The coating layer is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include a layer made of a paint containing a synthetic resin, a pigment, an extender, and a plasticizer.
Above all, the coating layer is preferably a layer that conceals the repeating structure portion from at least one of visible light and infrared light. If the repeating structure is concealed from at least one of visible light and infrared light, the driver and other sensors mounted on the vehicle (eg, visible light camera, infrared camera) when the marking structure is formed. , Infrared light laser radar, etc.) can be prevented from giving false recognition. The layer that conceals the repeating structure with respect to at least one of visible light and infrared light can be formed by containing a dye, a pigment, or a material having a light scattering property.
Further, the coating layer is preferably a layer that absorbs at least one of visible light and infrared light. By absorbing at least one of visible and infrared light, the driver and other sensors mounted on the vehicle (eg, visible light camera, infrared camera, infrared laser) when the marking structure is formed It is possible to prevent erroneous recognition from being given to the radar, etc.). The layer that absorbs at least one of visible light and infrared light can be formed by containing a dye or a pigment.

Further, the adhesive layer can be provided on one surface side of the base material. Specifically, the adhesive layer can be provided on the side to be attached to the installation surface when the marking sheet is attached to and fixed to the installation surface.

The marking sheet preferably reflects at least one of visible light and infrared light. If the marking sheet reflects at least one of visible light and infrared light, it can also function as a marking structure for visible light and / or infrared light when installed on the installation surface, and the driver and , A highly redundant marking structure that can be detected by a visible light camera, an infrared light camera, an infrared light laser radar, or the like can be obtained.

Here, the reflectivity for at least one of visible light and infrared light is not particularly limited, and by containing a retroreflecting material of visible light such as glass beads or an infrared light reflecting material, it is used for marking. It can be given to the sheet.
The retroreflective material and the infrared light reflecting material are not particularly limited, and can be contained in the base material or the coating layer constituting the surface of the marking sheet.

Here, the marking sheet 100 is fixed to the road surface G as an installation surface by interposing an adhesive layer 40 between the road surface G and the marking sheet 100, as shown in FIG. 12A. Can be done.
Although FIGS. 10 and 12 (a) show a case where the marking sheet 100 is fixed so that the conductive member 1 is located on the opposite side of the road surface G, the marking is shown as shown in FIG. 12 (b). The sheet 100 can also be fixed so that the conductive member 1 is located on the road surface G side. In this case, the thickness of the adhesive layer 40 may be made thicker than the thickness of the conductive member 1.

<Structure>
The structure provided with the above-mentioned marking structure is not particularly limited, and for example, road markings such as lane markings and stop lines; edge stones, breakers, guard fences (guard rails, guard pipes, etc.), Road accessories such as rubber poles, distance markings, lighting, electric poles, traffic lights, signal poles, road signs and road marking pillars; and structures such as walls and outer walls; etc. may be mentioned.

When a marking structure having a cover layer is provided for these structures, it is preferable that the cover layer has a higher reflectance of at least one of visible light and infrared light than the installation surface. If the reflectance of the cover layer for at least one of visible and infrared light is higher than the installation surface, the cover layer can also function as a marking structure for visible and / or infrared light, as well as the driver. , A highly redundant marking structure that can be detected by a visible light camera, an infrared light camera, an infrared light laser radar, or the like.

Further, when the marking structure is used for an automatic driving system or a driving support system as a target of sensing using a radar such as a millimeter wave radar or a quasi-millimeter wave radar, the marking structure is such that the repeating direction of the conductive member is the traveling direction of the vehicle. It is preferable to have at least one repeating structure portion parallel to the direction.

(Road marking)
Here, as a road marking using the above-mentioned marking structure, for example, there is a road marking such that FIG. 13 shows a cross section parallel to the traveling direction of the vehicle. In the road marking shown in FIG. 13, the conductive member 1 is repeatedly arranged on the surface of the undercoat layer 2 provided on the road surface 20 so that the traveling direction of the vehicle is in the repeating direction, and the white line 4 serving as the cover layer is further arranged as the undercoat layer. It is provided on 2 and the conductive member 1. Further, from the viewpoint of enhancing the visibility of the white line 4, a retroreflecting material for visible light such as glass beads 5 and an infrared light reflecting material (not shown) are provided on the surface layer portion of the white line 4.

Then, in this road marking, a highly intense reflected wave can be obtained by sensing from a traveling vehicle using a radar such as a millimeter wave radar or a quasi-millimeter wave radar.

(Road accessories)
Further, the road attachment using the above-mentioned marking structure is not particularly limited, and for example, a guardrail 300 as shown in FIG. 14, a curb 400 as shown in FIG. 15, and a utility pole 500 as shown in FIG. Can be mentioned.

Here, in the guardrail 300 shown in FIG. 14, a repeating structure portion 10 in which the repeating direction of the conductive member is parallel to the traveling direction of the vehicle is provided in the beam portion.
Then, in this guardrail 300, a reflected wave having high intensity can be obtained by performing sensing from a traveling vehicle using a radar such as a millimeter wave radar or a quasi-millimeter wave radar.

Further, in the curb 400 shown in FIG. 15, a repeating structure portion 10 in which the repeating direction of the conductive member is parallel to the traveling direction of the vehicle is provided on the surface and the side surface.
Then, in this curb 400, a highly intense reflected wave can be obtained by performing sensing from a traveling vehicle using a radar such as a millimeter wave radar or a quasi-millimeter wave radar.

Further, in the utility pole 500 shown in FIG. 16, a repeating structure portion 10 in which the repeating direction of the conductive member is parallel to the traveling direction of the vehicle is provided on the surface along the circumferential direction.
Then, in the utility pole 500, a reflected wave having high intensity can be obtained by performing sensing from a traveling vehicle using a radar such as a millimeter wave radar or a quasi-millimeter wave radar.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a marking structure capable of increasing the reception intensity of reflected waves and having excellent fatigue resistance when sensing is performed by a radar using millimeter waves or quasi-millimeter waves. it can.
Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide road markings, road attachments and structures that can be well sensed over a long period of time by a radar using millimeter waves or quasi-millimeter waves.

1,1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1D', 1E Conductive member 2 Undercoat layer 3 Cover layer 5 Glass beads 10, 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D, 10E, 10F, 10G, 10H, 10I, 10J, 10K, 10L , 10L', 10M, 10N, 10P Repeated structure part 20 Base material 30 White line (cover layer)
40 Adhesive layer 100 Marking sheet 200 Road surface 300 Guardrail 400 Curb 500 Utility pole S Installation surface G Road surface

Claims (16)

It has a repeating structure portion in which conductive members are repeatedly arranged at intervals of 0.2 mm or more and 40 mm or less.
A marking structure in which the conductive member contains an organic substance having electrical conductivity. The marking structure according to claim 1, wherein the organic substance is a conductive polymer. The marking structure according to claim 1, wherein the organic substance is a carbon material. The marking structure according to claim 3, wherein the carbon material contains carbon nanotubes. The marking structure according to claim 4, wherein the carbon nanotubes have an average length of 20 μm or more. The marking structure according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the conductive member has a conductivity of 1 S / cm or more. The marking structure according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the conductive member has an average diameter of circumscribed spheres of 0.03 mm or more and 15 mm or less. The marking structure according to any one of claims 1 to 7, which is transparent to millimeter waves or quasi-millimeter waves and has a cover layer covering the repeating structure portion. The marking structure according to claim 8, wherein the cover layer is a layer that conceals the repeating structure portion from at least one of visible light and infrared light. The marking structure according to claim 8, wherein the cover layer absorbs at least one of visible light and infrared light. A road marking having the marking structure according to any one of claims 1 to 10. The marking structure according to any one of claims 8 to 10 is provided.
The cover layer is a road marking having a higher reflectance of at least one of visible light and infrared light than the installation surface. A road appendage having the marking structure according to any one of claims 1 to 10. The marking structure according to any one of claims 8 to 10 is provided.
The cover layer is a road accessory having a higher reflectance of at least one of visible light and infrared light than the installation surface. A building having the marking structure according to any one of claims 1 to 10. The marking structure according to any one of claims 8 to 10 is provided.
The cover layer is a structure in which the reflectance of at least one of visible light and infrared light is higher than that of the installation surface.

Images