JP4216064B2 - Road marking method and system, and apparatus used therefor - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a sign formed on a road surface or a wall surface of a tunnel of various transportation facilities for the convenience of transportation.
[0002]
[Prior art and problems to be solved by the invention]
Conventionally, various signs (road markings) have been made on the surface of roads in order to facilitate traffic, particularly automobile traffic. Among them, basic road markings include linear markings such as center line markings, lane boundary markings, road limit markings, etc. on motorway roads and ordinary roads. These road markings are basically formed in a solid line shape, but may be formed in a broken line shape.
[0003]
The road marking is generally formed by applying a paint of a predetermined color (including white) on the surface of the road.
[0004]
However, once this road marking by coating is formed, it is difficult to change, and in order to change the traffic form, unnecessary road marking is removed by processing to scrape off part of the road surface. In addition, paint must be applied for the required new road markings.
[0005]
In addition, road marking by paint application is removed at the same time when the road surface is repaired by road construction, etc., so paint must be applied again for new road marking on the repaired road surface after construction. .
[0006]
As described above, road marking by conventional paint application requires processing of the road surface and re-applying new paint when changing the sign or refurbishing the road surface. Has the disadvantage of restricting or stopping traffic.
[0007]
On the other hand, road marking by paint application becomes difficult or impossible to see when snow, dust, etc. accumulate on the road surface, resulting in inconvenience of traffic and easy traffic accidents. is there.
[0008]
Therefore, the present invention does not require processing such as scraping off the road surface when changing the sign, and is therefore easy to change, and it is not necessary to change the means for marking even during road construction. It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus used for them.
[0009]
Furthermore, an object of the present invention is to provide a road marking method and system capable of providing a good marking regardless of the surface condition of the road, and a device used therefor.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to the present invention, the object as described above is achieved.
A plurality of LED modules each including an LED (light emitting diode) and a lens unit for making light emitted from the LED into substantially parallel light are prepared, and light emitted from each of the plurality of LED modules is supplied to a road surface. A road characterized in that a road surface is formed by projecting upward to form an illumination area and intermittently or continuously positioning the plurality of illumination areas formed using the plurality of LED modules. Marking method,
Is provided.
[0011]
In one aspect of the present invention, as the LED module, a module including a plurality of LEDs and a lens unit including a plurality of lenses corresponding to the LEDs is prepared.
[0012]
In addition, according to the present invention, the object as described above is achieved.
A plurality of LED modules each comprising an LED and a lens portion for making the light emitted from the LED substantially parallel light, a support means for the LED module, and a power source for the LED;
In the plurality of LED modules, light emitted from each of the LED modules is projected onto a road surface to form an illumination area, and the plurality of illumination areas formed using the plurality of LED modules are intermittent. Or a road marking system, characterized by being arranged so that road markings are formed by being continuously located,
Is provided.
[0013]
In one aspect of the present invention, the LED module includes a plurality of the LEDs, and the lens unit includes a plurality of lenses corresponding to each of the LEDs. In one aspect of the present invention, the support means includes a tunnel inner wall or a bridge and a fixture for these.
[0014]
In one aspect of the present invention, the power source includes an external power source and a battery individually provided for each of the plurality of LEDs. In one aspect of the present invention, the battery is charged with a current supplied from the external power source. In one aspect of the present invention, the external power source includes a solar cell.
[0015]
Furthermore, according to the present invention, the object as described above is achieved.
An LED module including an LED and a lens unit for making light emitted from the LED substantially parallel light, a power supply circuit unit for supplying power to the LED, and the LED module and the power supply circuit unit A traffic signing device comprising a case for receiving and passing substantially parallel light from the lens portion of the LED module;
Is provided.
[0016]
In one aspect of the present invention, the LED module includes a plurality of the LEDs, and the lens unit includes a plurality of lenses corresponding to each of the LEDs. In one aspect of the present invention, the power supply circuit unit includes a battery that is charged by a current supplied from an external power supply.
[0017]
In one aspect of the present invention, the traffic sign device further includes a fixing portion to which the case is detachably attached, and the first terminal portion connected to an external power source is disposed on the fixing portion. The case is provided with a second terminal portion connected to the power supply circuit portion, and the first terminal portion and the second terminal portion are attached by attaching the case to the fixing portion. And are connected. In one aspect of the present invention, the second terminal portion has a hook shape protruding from the case, and the second terminal portion is locked to the first terminal portion to lock the fixed portion. The case is attached. In one aspect of the present invention, the fixing portion includes a fixing tool for fixing to an external member.
[0018]
Furthermore, according to the present invention,
An LED module comprising an LED and a lens portion for making light emitted from the LED substantially parallel light, a light diffusing element for making substantially parallel light from the lens portion of the LED module diffuse light, A power supply circuit unit for supplying power to the LED; and a case that includes a window that houses the LED module, the light diffusing element, and the power supply circuit unit and that allows diffused light from the light diffusing element to pass through. Marking device, characterized by
Is provided.
[0019]
In one aspect of the present invention, the LED module includes a plurality of the LEDs, and the lens unit includes a plurality of lenses corresponding to each of the LEDs. In one aspect of the present invention, the case includes a main body having an opening and the window attached to the main body so as to close the opening, and the case is waterproof between the window and the main body. The material is filled. In one aspect of the present invention, the main body portion of the case includes an outer member having a side wall portion and a bottom plate portion, and an inner member having a side wall portion accommodated in the outer member.
[0020]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0021]
FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing an embodiment of a road marking method and system according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a schematic central longitudinal sectional view thereof. 3, 4 and 5 are a front view, a plan view and a bottom view, respectively, showing an embodiment of a road marking device according to the present invention. FIG. 6 is a central longitudinal sectional view of FIG. 7 is a front view of the case of the present embodiment, FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the fixing portion of the present embodiment, and FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the road marking device of the present embodiment is attached and fixed to an external member. This road marking device is used in the road marking method and system of the embodiment shown in FIGS.
[0022]
1 and 2 show a road 2 and a tunnel 4 through which the road 2 passes. On the ceiling portion of the inner wall of the tunnel 4, road marking devices 6 are arranged along the road 2 at an appropriate interval.
[0023]
As shown in FIGS. 3 to 10, the road marking device 6 includes an LED module 16 that includes an LED 12 and a lens unit 14 for making light emitted from the LED into substantially parallel light. . In the present embodiment, in the LED module 16, a total of 20 LEDs 12 are arranged in 4 rows × 5 columns, and the lens unit 14 includes 20 lenses (convex lens surfaces) 14 a corresponding to the 20 LEDs 12. ing. However, the number of LEDs 12 constituting the LED module 16 can be appropriately changed according to required optical characteristics, particularly required light quantity. The lens unit 14 may be composed of individual translucent blocks arranged corresponding to the respective lenses 14a so as to cover the LEDs 12 from the lower side, or arranged so that all the lenses 14a cover the LEDs 12 from the lower side. It may be formed in a common light-transmitting block.
[0024]
Although the light emitted from LED12 is yellow, for example, it is not limited to this. For example, ten LEDs 12 are connected in series, and the two series connection bodies are connected in parallel. For example, a voltage of DC 24V is applied to the LED module 16 and the LED module 16 is driven with a current of 40 mA and a power consumption of 1.92 W, and its luminous intensity is, for example, 2000 cd. The divergence angle (FWHM) of the substantially parallel light emitted from the lens portion 14 of the LED module 16 is preferably 5 ° or less, more preferably 4 ° or less, and particularly preferably 3 ° or less.
[0025]
The road marking device 6 includes a power supply circuit unit 18 for supplying power to each LED 12 of the LED module 16, and further includes a case 20 for housing the LED module 16 and the power supply circuit unit 18. The case 20 includes a case main body 201 that supports the LED module 16 and the power supply circuit unit 18, and a case cover 202 that is screwed to the case main body. On the bottom surface of the case cover 202, there is provided a window 22 made of a translucent plate that allows substantially parallel light (indicated by an arrow) emitted downward from the lens portion 14 of the LED module to pass therethrough. The opening of the window 22 has a rectangular shape with a side dimension of 50 to 200 mm, for example.
[0026]
The power supply circuit unit 18 includes a battery 18a that is charged by a current supplied from the external power supply 8 shown in FIGS. A commercial power source and / or a solar battery can be used as the external power source 8. If power supply from the external power source 8 is interrupted, the LED is driven by the battery 18 a in the power circuit unit 18.
[0027]
The road marking device 6 further includes a fixing portion 24 to which the case 20 is detachably attached. A pair of first terminal portions 8 ′ connected to the external power supply 8 is arranged on the fixing portion 24, and a pair of first terminal portions connected to the power supply circuit portion 18 is corresponding to the case body 201. 2nd terminal part 18 'is provided. As shown in FIG. 6, the first terminal portion 8 ′ and the second terminal portion 18 ′ are connected by attaching the case 20 to the fixed portion 24. That is, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the second terminal portion 18 ′ protrudes upward from the case 20 to form a hook shape. On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, The fixed portion 24 is formed with a pair of arc-shaped openings 24a that allow the protrusion of the second terminal portion 18 'to pass through. The tip of the second terminal portion 18 ′ is fitted to the wide portion of the arc-shaped opening 24a, moved upward, inserted into the fixing portion 24, and then the case 20 is rotated about the vertical direction, thereby the second terminal portion. 18 'is adapted to the narrow part of the arcuate opening 24a. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 6, the second terminal portion 18 ′ is locked to the first terminal portion 8 ′, and the case 20 is attached to the fixing portion 24.
[0028]
As shown in FIG. 10, the fixing portion 24 includes a screw 24b as a fixing tool for fixing to the tunnel inner wall 4a which is an external member. Therefore, the case main body 201, the fixing portion 24 including the screw 24b, and the tunnel inner wall 4a function as a support means for the LED module 16.
[0029]
The upper part of the fixing part 24 is formed by a cover 24c having waterproofness. Further, an O-ring 20a for sealing is interposed in an engaging portion between the case 20 and the fixing portion 24, and an O-ring 20b for sealing is provided in an engaging portion between the case main body 201 and the case cover 202. Intervene.
[0030]
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, light emitted from each of the LED modules of the plurality of road marking devices 6 is projected downward onto the surface of the road 2, thereby forming an illumination area 7. . The distance between the road marking device 6 and the road 2 is, for example, 3.5 to 5 m. The plurality of illumination areas 7 are positioned in a discrete manner (for example, at intervals of 1 to 3 m) along the direction of the road corresponding to the arrangement of the road marking device 6, thereby forming broken-line markings. Diffuse reflected light is emitted from the illumination area 7 and is visually recognized well by an automobile driver or the like. This sign functions as a center line sign for the road 2. Instead of discontinuously (intermittently) positioning the illumination area 7 as described above, it may be positioned continuously. Outside the tunnel 4, a center line 7 ′ is formed on the road 2 by applying paint.
[0031]
In the present embodiment, since the center line sign is formed by the illumination area 7, a good sign is possible regardless of the state of the surface of the road 2. For example, even when foreign matter such as snow or dust is accumulated on the surface of the road 2, the illumination region 7 is formed on the surface of the foreign matter accumulation layer such as snow or dust, and irregularly reflected light from the illumination region is It is visually recognized in the same manner as when there is no deposited layer.
[0032]
In this embodiment, an LED is used as a primary light source, and the LED can operate well from, for example, a low temperature of −30 ° to a high temperature of + 65 °, so that road marking under a wide range of temperature environmental conditions is possible. It is.
[0033]
Moreover, since the road marking device 6 and the marking system are not affected at the time of road construction, a predetermined centerline marking can be performed immediately without requiring any work for centerline marking after completion of the construction. it can.
[0034]
Further, when changing the center line position, it is not necessary to cut off the road surface, it is only necessary to change the attitude of the road marking device 6, particularly the LED module 16, and the marking can be easily changed. For the convenience of changing the posture of the LED module 16 as described above, a holding posture control mechanism that enables the holding posture of the case 20 to be changed can be interposed in the fixing portion 24.
[0035]
FIG. 11 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view showing another embodiment of the road marking method and system according to the present invention. FIG. 12 is a bottom view showing another embodiment of the road marking device according to the present invention. This road marking device is used in the road marking method and system of the embodiment of FIG.
[0036]
In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12, four road marking devices 6 of the embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 10 are collectively mounted on one base 30 and a road marking device 36 is mounted. Is configured. Then, as shown in FIG. 11, the road marking device 36 projects the light emitted from the LED modules 16 of the three road marking devices 6 in different directions. The illumination area 7 is formed in a discrete manner similar to the embodiment described. For the convenience of setting the posture of the LED module 16 as described above, it is preferable to interpose a holding posture control mechanism that enables the holding posture of the case 20 to be changed with respect to the fixing portion 24 as described above. The remaining one of the four road marking devices 6 of the road marking device 36 is a spare one.
[0037]
In the present embodiment, in addition to the same effects as the embodiments described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 10 described above, the wiring from the external power supply 8 to the road marking device 6 can be easily integrated. When the road marking device 6 relating to the use fails, the restoration of the marking can be quickly performed by using the spare road marking device 6.
[0038]
In the above embodiment, an example is shown in which the LED module 16 and thus the road marking device 6 are attached to the tunnel inner wall 4a. However, in the present invention, the LED module and thus the road marking device can be attached to the bridge. Thus, since the road marking device of the present invention can be easily attached to an existing structure, road marking can be easily performed. However, in the present invention, a dedicated structure for supporting the road marking device 6 may be provided.
[0039]
Further, in the above embodiment, the center line sign is shown as the road sign, but the road sign may be a linear sign such as other lane boundary sign or road limit line sign. In particular, the road limit line marking is an effective road marking for snowplows, etc., even when the surface of the road is covered with snow, etc. A fall accident can be prevented.
[0040]
Note that the road marking device having the above-described usage pattern can be used in other forms. For example, the road marking device may be installed by a method such as embedding in a road surface such as a road or a runway, and used as a sign for various roads or runways, or a wall surface of a tunnel such as a subway or a railway. It can also be used as a traffic sign for various types of transportation. The present invention provides a marking device having such a usage pattern and a traffic marking device including the road marking device. In this case, the traffic signing device has a light emitting display surface that is directly visually recognized.
[0041]
FIG. 13 is a partially cutaway exploded perspective view showing an embodiment of a road marking device suitable for such embedding, and FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing an assembled state thereof.
[0042]
In the present embodiment, the case 40 includes an inner member 401 and an outer member 402 that constitute the main body. The inner member 401 has four side walls, and the power supply circuit unit 18 fixed and held on the side walls is disposed therein, and the power supply circuit unit 18 accommodates an inverter. Although not shown, the power supply circuit unit 18 is connected to an external power supply, and an internal power supply such as a battery can be disposed inside the power supply circuit unit 18. On the horizontal upper surface of the power supply circuit unit 18, the same LED module 16 as that in the above embodiment is disposed upward. That is, the LED module 16 has a lens 14a formed on the top thereof, and light emitted from an LED (not shown) is converted into upward parallel light by the action of the lens 14a. Above the LED module 16, a light diffusing plate 44 as a light diffusing element fixed and held on the side wall portion of the inner member 401 and disposed horizontally is disposed above the light diffusing plate 44. A translucent protective plate 46 that is fixedly held on the side wall and disposed horizontally is disposed. As the light diffusing element, an element having a light diffusing function such as a light diffusing sheet other than the light diffusing plate 44 can be used. The translucent protection plate 46 is made of, for example, a glass plate or a plastic plate such as an acrylic resin plate or a polycarbonate plate, and functions as a window constituting the case 40 together with the inner member 401 and the outer member 402. Moreover, since the translucent protective plate 46 constitutes a part of the outer road surface when the device is installed on the road surface, the light-transmitting protective plate 46 has a strength that can withstand the pressing force when a person walks or travels a vehicle. Is used.
[0043]
The power supply circuit unit 18, the light diffusing plate 44, and the translucent protective plate 46 can be fixedly held on the side wall of the inner member 401 via, for example, a bracket (not shown) attached to the inner surface of the side wall. In addition, it is preferable to fill, for example, a silicone-based waterproof material between the outer peripheral end surface of the translucent protective plate 46 and the inner surface of the side wall portion of the inner member 401.
[0044]
The outer member 402 has four side wall portions and a bottom plate portion, and the inner member 401 is accommodated therein with a slight clearance between the outer surface of the side wall portion and the inner surface of the side wall portion of the outer member 402. It is preferable to fill, for example, a silicone-based waterproofing material between the outer surface of the side wall of the inner member 401 and the inner surface of the side wall of the outer member 402 at least in the vicinity of these upper end surfaces.
[0045]
In this embodiment, what cut | disconnected iron square pipes by required length can be used as a side wall part of the inner side member 401 and a side wall part of the outer side member 402, for example. The outer member 402 can be obtained by welding, for example, an iron bottom plate to the lower end edge of the side wall portion. In order to prevent corrosion, the surface of the iron material is preferably galvanized.
[0046]
If an example of the dimension of each member of the apparatus of this embodiment is given, the length L, the width W, and the height H shown in FIG. 14 are L = W = 200 mm, H = 150 mm, for example, and the thickness of the light diffusion plate 44 The thickness of the transparent protective plate 46 is, for example, 6 mm in the case of a glass plate, and 60 mm in the case of a plastic plate. In addition, each lens portion 14 constituting the LED module 16 has dimensions of 14 mm, 14 mm, and 34.5 mm in the directions corresponding to the above L, W, and H, respectively. Luminance of 1300 to 1400 cd / m ² can be obtained with power consumption of 14 to 15 W by using 10 to 14 units formed by integrating 2 vertical units × 5 horizontal units = 10 units. In addition, since a pressure resistance of about 8 t can be obtained, it is possible for a person to walk on the vehicle and travel a vehicle.
[0047]
Although not shown, lighting and extinguishing of each LED can be controlled in common via the inverter. The plurality of LEDs may all have the same emission color or may be different from each other.
[0048]
The light diffusing plate 44 is omitted by forming the entire thickness of the translucent protective plate 46 or a partial region in the thickness direction as a light diffusing layer and making the translucent protective plate 46 light diffusive. Is also possible.
[0049]
FIG. 15 is a schematic view showing a usage pattern of this surface emitting type marking device. Here, a plurality of marking devices 50 described with reference to FIG. 13 are used, and these are arranged in a matrix form. By controlling the lighting / extinguishing state of the LEDs of all the marking devices 50 for each marking device 50 by a control device (not shown), a desired marking pattern can be formed in a so-called dot matrix format. In FIG. 15, the marking device 50 in the LED lighting state is marked with a cross, and here an arrow pattern is displayed.
[0050]
Moreover, when using a some apparatus, it is also possible to use LED from which luminescent color mutually differs for every apparatus.
[0051]
The surface light emitting type marking device as described above can be used for purposes other than traffic marking. Such applications include decorative lighting in parks and the like. In this case, for example, it is possible to adopt an illumination format in which each marking device blinks randomly by the control device. In addition, in the case of this decorative illumination, in particular, LEDs having different emission colors are used in each marking device, and the lighting / extinguishing state of these indicators is controlled by different control systems, or the emission colors are different for each marking device. The effect of decorative illumination can be further enhanced by using an LED.
[0052]
The apparatus of this embodiment can also be installed on the wall surface of a structure in addition to the case where it is installed on a road surface. Further, by excluding the light diffusing plate from the device of the present embodiment, it can be used as the traffic signing device described with reference to FIGS. Furthermore, in the traffic signing apparatus described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 12 described above, the light diffusing element such as a light diffusing plate is interposed between the LED module 16 and the window 22, so that the description with respect to FIGS. It can be used as a marking device.
[0053]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, there is no need for processing such as scraping the road surface when changing the sign, so that the change is easy, and it is not necessary to change the means for marking during road construction. Road marking methods and systems and devices used therefor are provided.
[0054]
Furthermore, according to the present invention, there are provided a road marking method and system capable of providing a good marking regardless of the road surface condition, and an apparatus used therefor.
[0055]
In addition, according to the present invention, there is provided a sign apparatus with high emission luminance having a light emitting display surface that can be directly visually recognized.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an embodiment of a road marking method and system according to the present invention.
2 is a schematic central longitudinal sectional view of FIG. 1. FIG.
FIG. 3 is a front view showing an embodiment of a road marking device according to the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a plan view showing an embodiment of a road marking device according to the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a bottom view showing an embodiment of a road marking device according to the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a central longitudinal sectional view of FIG. 3;
FIG. 7 is a front view of the case.
FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the fixing portion.
9 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 8 with the internal illustration omitted.
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the road marking device of the present embodiment is attached and fixed to an external member.
FIG. 11 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view showing another embodiment of a road marking method and system according to the present invention.
FIG. 12 is a bottom view showing another embodiment of a road marking device according to the present invention.
FIG. 13 is a partially cutaway exploded perspective view showing an embodiment of a road marking device suitable for embedding.
14 is a perspective view showing an assembled state of the apparatus of FIG. 13. FIG.
15 is a schematic diagram showing a usage pattern of the apparatus of FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
2 Road 4 Tunnel 4a Tunnel inner wall 6 Road marking device 7 Illumination area 7 'Center line 8 by paint application External power supply 8' First terminal 12 LED
14 Lens part 14a Lens 16 LED module 18 Power supply circuit part 18a Battery 18 'Second terminal part 20 Case 201 Case body 202 Case cover 20a, 20b O-ring 22 Window 24 Fixing part 24a Arc opening 24b Screw 24c Cover 30 Base 36 Road marking device 40 Case 401 Inner member 402 Outer member 44 Light diffusion plate 46 Translucent protective plate 50 Marking device

Claims (8)

  An LED module comprising an LED and a lens portion for making light emitted from the LED substantially parallel light, a light diffusing element for making substantially parallel light from the lens portion of the LED module diffuse light, A power supply circuit unit for supplying power to the LED; and a case that includes a window that accommodates the LED module, the light diffusing element, and the power supply circuit unit and allows diffused light from the light diffusing element to pass therethrough. A marking device characterized by. The said LED module is equipped with the said some LED, The said lens part is equipped with the some lens corresponding to each of said LED, The marking apparatus of Claim 1 characterized by the above-mentioned. The case includes a main body having an opening and the window attached to the main body so as to close the opening, and a waterproof material is filled between the window and the main body. The marking device according to claim 1 , characterized in that it is a feature. The marking device according to claim 3 , wherein the main body portion of the case includes an outer member having a side wall portion and a bottom plate portion, and an inner member having a side wall portion accommodated in the outer member. Further, the case has a fixing portion to which the case is detachably attached, and the fixing portion is provided with a first terminal portion connected to an external power source, and the case is connected to the power supply circuit portion. A second terminal portion is provided, and the first terminal portion and the second terminal portion are connected by attachment of the case to the fixed portion . 4. The marking device according to any one of 4 above. The second terminal portion has a hook shape protruding from the case, and the case is attached to the fixed portion by locking the second terminal portion to the first terminal portion. The marking device according to claim 5 , wherein: The said fixing | fixed part is equipped with the fixing tool for fixing to an external member, The marking apparatus in any one of Claims 5-6 characterized by the above-mentioned. A marking pattern forming apparatus using a plurality of marking devices according to claim 1 to form a marking pattern in a dot matrix format in which each marking device is a dot.

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