JP3490204B2 - Self-cleaning gaze guide - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a self-cleaning apparatus which is configured to rotate a rotary blade provided on a front surface of a reflector by wind force when a vehicle is passing through to wipe dust and dirt attached to the reflector. The visual gaze guide is designed to rotate the rotating blades even with a small amount of wind power.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a self-cleaning line-of-sight guide using wind force, as disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 55-27685, a horizontal axis protruding at the center of the surface of a reflector supported by a housing is used. A blade provided with a wiper that extends radially toward the outer periphery of the front surface of the reflector and supports a plurality of blade pieces that rotate in response to wind on the horizontal axis, and the blade pieces are in sliding contact with the surface of the reflector. Proposed.

[0003]

As described above, in the conventional self-cleaning line-of-sight guidance target, a plurality of blade pieces radially extending toward the outer periphery of the front surface of the reflector are supported by the horizontal axis, and wind force and the like when the vehicle is traveling. Is used to clean the dust and dirt adhering to the surface of the reflector by rotating this blade piece, but if the number of blades is small, it will not rotate well unless it is under relatively strong wind, We could not expect cleaning in a weak wind.
However, conversely, if the number of blade pieces is increased, the area that receives the wind becomes large, and it can be rotated even in a weak wind, but the area ratio of the blade pieces to the front surface of the reflector becomes large, and the reflection area of the reflector becomes large. There is a problem that it is easily damaged. Further, this blade piece is rotated mainly by receiving the wind from the front surface, and is difficult to rotate with respect to the side wind and the wind from the back surface.

In view of the above, the present invention solves the above-mentioned problems, and the self-cleaning line-of-sight guidance that can clean the surface of the reflector with a small amount of wind force regardless of the direction of the wind without damaging the reflection area. It is intended to provide a mark.

[0005]

As a result of earnest studies for achieving the above object, the inventors of the present invention have found that the rotary blade extends from the center of the reflector toward the outer peripheral direction so as to face the surface of the reflector. By forming one blade piece and a second blade piece provided in an annular shape on the outer peripheral edge portion of the reflector, in particular, not directly receiving wind from the front to rotate the rotary blade, but mainly hitting the surface of the reflector from the front If the rotating blade is rotated by receiving the wind flowing in the outer peripheral direction of the reflector not only by the first blade piece but also by the second blade piece, the wind receiving area is increased without impairing the reflection area. The inventors have learned that the surface of the reflector can be cleaned with a small amount of wind force regardless of the direction of the wind, and have completed the present invention.

That is, in the self-cleaning line-of-sight guide according to the present invention, a support shaft is provided substantially at the center of the surface of the reflector attached to the frame, and the rotary vanes are freely rotatable on the support shaft on the front surface of the reflector. It is a self-cleaning line-of-sight guide marker in which the wiper provided on the rotary blade is brought into sliding contact with the surface of the reflector when the rotary blade is pivotally attached to the rotary blade. A plurality of arm portions extending in the outer peripheral direction of the reflector from a bearing portion pivotally mounted on the support shaft and a tip end of the arm portion are connected to each other and arranged annularly on the outer peripheral edge portion of the reflector. And an annular portion, and the arm portion reflects the first blade piece curved in an arc shape, and the annular portion reflects a plurality of second blade pieces curved in an arc shape at appropriate intervals. It is characterized by being erected so as to face the surface of the body.

According to the present invention, the rotary blade has a plurality of arm portions extending from the bearing portion in the outer peripheral direction of the reflector,
The first blade piece is erected upright to face the surface of the reflector, and the front end of the arm portion is connected to the annular portion annularly arranged on the outer peripheral edge of the reflector to face the surface of the reflector. Since the second blade piece is erected, the wind that hits the surface of the reflector from the front passes between the surface of the reflector and the annular portion and flows in the outer peripheral direction of the reflector, and this wind Not only the first blade piece but also the second blade piece receives and rotates the rotary blade. Therefore, the air receiving area is increased by the second blade piece as compared with the conventional case, and the rotating blade can be rotated even with weak wind. Further, not only the wind from the front but also the wind from the lateral direction is caught by the second blade piece when the wind passes between the surface of the reflector and the annular portion, and rotates the rotary blade. Moreover, since the second blade piece is located in the annular portion arranged in an annular shape on the outer peripheral edge portion of the reflector, it does not become an obstacle and the reflection area is not impaired.

If the arm portion has the same width as the first blade piece, and the first blade piece is twisted in the direction opposite to the bending direction, the wind from the front will be applied to the first blade piece. As it comes into direct contact with the wind, it becomes easier to catch this wind, and therefore the first blade piece catches both this direct wind and the wind that hits the surface of the reflector from the front and flows in the outer peripheral direction of the reflector, and effectively rotates the blades. Can be rotated.

If the annular portion is sized so that at least a part of the second blade piece protrudes from the frame body, the portion of the second blade piece that protrudes the wind from the back surface protrudes from the frame body. Therefore, the rotary blades can be effectively rotated against the wind from the back surface. In this case, if the second blade piece is twisted in the direction opposite to the bending direction,
It becomes easier to catch the wind from the back surface, and the rotary blades can be rotated more effectively.

[0010]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Next, embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings. First, FIG. 1 is a front view showing an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a side view thereof, and FIG.
4A is a rear view of the rotary blade of FIG. 1, FIG. 4A is a sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 3, and FIG. 4B is a sectional view taken along line BB.

1 to 4, reference numeral 1 denotes a frame, which is generally a metal such as aluminum alloy or steel, polyethylene or A.
It is obtained by molding a synthetic resin such as BS resin, FRP, polycarbonate and AAS. The lower portion of the frame body 1 is usually fitted and attached to the upper end of a column 11 which is usually attached to a guard rail or the like, but it may be attached directly to the guard rail or the like.

Reference numeral 2 is a reflector inserted into the front opening of the frame body 1, and is made of synthetic resin such as acrylic resin, methacrylic resin, polycarbonate, or glass, and the rear surface of the reflector 2 is prism-processed. The surface is made a reflective surface. The light emitted from the headlights of the vehicle, etc. on the surface is retroreflected toward the light source on the surface, and the reflected light is visually recognized by the driver.

Reference numeral 3 denotes a rotary blade provided on the front surface of the reflector 2, and the support shaft 2 provided at substantially the center of the reflector 2.
1, a bearing portion 31 provided in the center of the rotary blade 3 is axially mounted, and the rotary blade 3 is rotatably attached to a support shaft 21. The rotary vane 3 includes a plurality of plate-shaped arm portions 3 extending from the bearing portion 31 in the outer peripheral direction of the reflector 2.
2 is provided, and a plate-shaped annular portion 33 is provided on the outer peripheral edge portion of the reflector 2 by connecting the tips of the arm portions 32 in an annular shape. And the arm 32
The bearing portion 31 is formed at the base end thereof, the bearing portion 31 is pivotally attached to the support shaft 21, and the back surface of the arm portion 32 has the first blade piece 4 curved in an arc shape. Reflector 2
The surface of the first blade 4 is provided with a wiping element 5 that is abutted against the surface of the reflector 2 at a different radial position from the top of each first blade piece 4. Further, in the annular portion 33, a plurality of second blade pieces 6 curved in an arc shape at appropriate intervals from the inner peripheral edge of the back surface to the outer peripheral edge are formed in a wall shape facing the surface of the reflector 2. It is installed vertically.

In the present embodiment, the inner diameter of the annular portion 33 has substantially the same size as the outer diameter of the reflector 2, and the outer diameter is set to a size protruding from the frame 1. And this annular portion 33
A part of the second blade piece 6 that is erected upright is also projected from the frame body 1, so that the wind from the back surface can be blown by the second blade piece 6.
It is designed to be received at. Further, the shape of the first blade piece 4 and the second blade piece 6 is curved in an arc shape in order to easily catch the wind, but the curvature is not particularly limited. Further, in this embodiment, the first
Three blade pieces 4 are provided at intervals of 120 degrees, and second blade pieces 6 are provided at three equal intervals of 30 degrees between the adjacent first blade pieces 4.
Although they are formed one by one, the number is not particularly limited.

The rotary blade 3 is generally obtained by integrally molding a synthetic resin such as polycarbonate, acrylic resin or methacrylic resin.
The first blade piece 4 and the second blade piece 6 may be retrofitted to the back surface of the plate-shaped body composed of 2 and the annular portion 33, and the material is not limited to the above.
The wiper 5 is preferably made of a material such as a brush, sponge, nylon, or rubber-based synthetic resin that does not damage the surface of the reflector 2 by sliding contact.

Next, FIG. 5 is a rear view showing another embodiment of the rotary blade used in the present invention. FIG. 6 (A) is a sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 5, and (B) is a sectional view taken along the line BB. Is. This rotary vane 3 has a second position as compared with that shown in FIGS.
The difference is that the blade piece 6 is twisted in the direction opposite to the bending direction. With this configuration, the wind can be effectively captured not only in the arcuate curved direction but also in the twisted direction, and the rotary blades 3 can be rotated with less wind force.

FIG. 7 is a front view showing another embodiment of the rotary blade used in the present invention. FIG. 8A is a sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8B is a sectional view taken along the line BB. is there. As compared with the rotary blade 3 shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the arm portion 32 has the same width as the first blade piece 4, and the first blade piece 4 is twisted in the direction opposite to the bending direction. They differ in points. With this configuration, the wind from the front directly impinges on the first blade piece 4 and makes it easier to catch this wind, and therefore the first blade piece 4 can reflect the direct wind and the reflector 2 from the front. The rotary blade 3 can be effectively rotated by catching both of the winds that hit the surface of the reflector 2 and flow in the outer peripheral direction of the reflector 2.

[0018]

According to the present invention, in the rotary blade, the first blade piece stands on the plurality of arm portions extending from the central bearing portion in the outer peripheral direction of the reflector so as to face the surface of the reflector. Since the second blade piece is erected on the annular portion, which is provided and connects the tips of the arm portions and is annularly arranged on the outer peripheral edge portion of the reflector, facing the surface of the reflector. The wind hitting the surface of the reflector from the front passes through between the surface of the reflector and the annular portion and flows toward the outer periphery of the reflector, and this wind is received not only by the first blade piece but also by the second blade piece to rotate. Rotate the blades. Therefore, the air receiving area is increased by the second blade piece as compared with the conventional case, and the surface of the reflector can be cleaned by rotating the rotating blade even with weak wind. Also, not only the wind from the front but also the wind from the lateral direction is caught by the second blade piece as it passes between the surface of the reflector and the annular portion, and rotates the rotary blades. , The surface of the reflector can be cleaned. Moreover, since the second blade piece is positioned in the annular portion which is annularly arranged on the outer peripheral edge portion of the reflector, the reflection area is not impaired by this.

Further, if the arm portion has the same width as the first blade piece and the first blade piece is twisted in the direction opposite to the bending direction, the wind from the front will be applied to the first blade piece. As it comes into direct contact with the wind, it becomes easier to catch this wind, and therefore the first blade piece catches both this direct wind and the wind that hits the surface of the reflector from the front and flows in the outer peripheral direction of the reflector, and effectively rotates the blades. Can be rotated.

Furthermore, if the annular portion is sized so that at least a part of the second blade piece protrudes from the frame body, the wind from the back surface protrudes from the frame body.
Since that part of the blade is received, the rotary blade can be effectively rotated even against the wind from the back surface. In this case, if the second blade piece is twisted in the direction opposite to the bending direction, it becomes easier to catch the wind from the back surface, and the rotating blade can be rotated more effectively.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of FIG.

3 is a rear view of the rotary blade used in FIG. 1. FIG.

4A is a sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 3, and FIG. 4B is a sectional view taken along the line BB.

FIG. 5 is a rear view showing another form of the rotary blade used in the present invention.

6A is a sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 5, and FIG. 6B is a sectional view taken along line BB.

FIG. 7 is a front view showing still another form of the rotary blade used in the present invention.

8A is a sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 7, and FIG. 8B is a sectional view taken along line BB.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 frame 11 props 2 reflector 21 Support shaft 3 rotating blades 31 Bearing 32 Arm 33 Ring 4 First blade 5 wiper 6 Second blade

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (56) Bibliography Sho 53-149591 (JP, U) Steady Sho 60-4609 (JP, U) Steady Sho 62-7412 (JP, U) Steady Sho 62- 50211 (JP, U) S. 55-27685 (JP, Y1) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) E01F 9/015 B08B 1/04 G09F 13/16

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. A support shaft is provided substantially in the center of the surface of a reflector attached to a frame, and a rotary blade is rotatably attached to the front surface of the reflector by the support shaft by wind force. A self-cleaning line-of-sight guide in which the wiper provided on the rotary blade is brought into sliding contact with the surface of the reflector by being rotated, and the rotary blade is a bearing portion axially attached to the support shaft. To a plurality of arm portions extending in the outer peripheral direction of the reflector, and an annular portion annularly arranged on the outer peripheral edge portion of the reflector by connecting the ends of the arm portions to the arm portion. Is a first blade piece curved in an arc shape, and a plurality of second blade pieces curved in an arc shape are provided upright on the annular portion so as to face the surface of the reflector at appropriate intervals. A self-cleaning line-of-sight guide that is characterized. 2. The self-cleaning line-of-sight guide according to claim 1, wherein the arm portion has the same width as the first blade piece, and the first blade piece is twisted in a direction opposite to the bending direction. . 3. The self-cleaning line-of-sight guide mark according to claim 1, wherein the annular portion is sized so that at least a part of the second blade piece protrudes from the frame body. 4. The self-cleaning line-of-sight guide mark according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the second blade piece is twisted in a direction opposite to the bending direction.