JP5453581B2 - Fogging device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an anti-fogging device that performs anti-fogging using infrared rays radiated from an infrared radiation material heated by a heat source lamp.

  On toll roads and the like, when fog is generated, visibility is poor and the risk of traveling on the vehicle increases. Therefore, in order to ensure the safety of traveling, speed limit notifications and in the worst case, the road is closed. In the case of a closed road, there is a request for measures against fog because the revenue from tolls will be reduced. The fog is a phenomenon that cannot be seen far away by small water droplets having a diameter of about 10 to 40 μm that are generated in the air. The mist is basically fine water droplets that are generated when water vapor in the air adheres to fine dust having a diameter of 1 μm or less. The generation of fog depends on factors such as atmospheric pressure, temperature, and airflow. By the way, it is known that infrared rays give kinetic energy to water droplets, and in particular far infrared rays have an effect of giving thermal energy. Infrared rays are a wavelength region of 0.75 to 1000 μm in electromagnetic waves, and among them, a wavelength band of 4 μm or more is called far infrared rays. When water molecules having electric polarity are irradiated with infrared rays and given kinetic energy and thermal energy, they are resonated with energy lower than the energy required for evaporation and cause a self-splitting phenomenon. Infrared rays have the effect of resonating molecules and strengthening their motility.Infrared rays are radiated and absorbed into the fine water droplets on the road, partially increasing as the internal energy of the fine water droplets increases. However, the molecular motion and the surface tension are not balanced and breaks up into small water droplets. When the size of the water droplet is reduced to some extent, it becomes transparent to visible light.

Conventionally, as can be seen in Patent Documents 1 and 2, there has been proposed an anti-fogging device that removes fog generated on a roadway, a track, a runway, or a route using infrared rays. In these apparatuses, ceramics that radiates far-infrared rays through a heating means is employed as an antifogging means.
JP 2007-51540 A JP 2002-30362 A

However, in the configuration employing a far-infrared radiator that employs ceramics, the far-infrared radiator is heated to radiate far-infrared radiation. It is not sufficient to make it respond appropriately. In addition, in order to obtain the required amount of far-infrared radiation, it is necessary to install a large-sized radiator having an area size corresponding to that, and the installation location is also restricted. Furthermore, in the tunnel, because the vehicle is forcibly exhausted to the outside in the installed fan of CO ₂ to be discharged to the ceiling inside the tunnel, the fog is generated in the entrance of the tunnel, it sucks it in the tunnel However, it is not easy to dispose far-infrared radiators such as Patent Documents 1 and 2 knitted in a net shape in the tunnel. In addition, if the amount of dust in the tunnel is taken into account, the configuration as in Patent Document 2 that sequentially reflects the radiated far-infrared light with a reflector installed on the opposite side across the traveling path has a certain limit, and It does not function when passing by vehicle.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and it is an object of the present invention to provide an anti-fogging device that can respond to the generation of fog with good responsiveness, can be miniaturized, and can be applied to a tunnel.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, a fog sensor that constantly detects the presence or absence of fog on a traveling road of a vehicle, and light mainly containing infrared rays is irradiated toward an irradiation space from the road surface of the traveling road to a predetermined height. An irradiation unit including a plurality of lamp units along the travel path, a control unit that turns on each lamp unit when generation of fog is detected by the fog sensor, and the lamp unit includes a predetermined number of lamp units. Each lamp unit has a narrow irradiation angle and is directed to different areas in the irradiation space to irradiate the entire irradiation space.

  According to the present invention, when the fog sensor detects the occurrence of fog on the traveling path of the vehicle, the fog sensor detects the occurrence of fog on the traveling path of the vehicle at all times. Infrared rays are irradiated toward an irradiation space from the road surface to a predetermined height. The lamp unit that constitutes the irradiation unit includes a predetermined number of lamp units, and each lamp unit has a narrowed irradiation angle and is directed to a different area in the irradiation space. The whole area can be irradiated with infrared rays. Therefore, when generation | occurrence | production of fog is detected, infrared rays can be efficiently irradiated with respect to applicable irradiation space, and fogging can be performed. Further, since the irradiating part is constituted by a lamp, it can be downsized and installed in a tunnel as compared with a conventional configuration in which an infrared radiation net is provided.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the fog extinguishing apparatus according to the first aspect, the lamp portion is obtained by coating the surface of a halogen lamp with an infrared radiation material. According to this configuration, the infrared radiation material is efficiently heated by the radiation light from the halogen lamp. In particular, as in the third aspect of the present invention, the defogging effect is enhanced by emitting infrared rays having a peak of about 3 μm from the infrared radiation material.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the fog eliminator according to any one of the first to third aspects, the control unit receives a fog generation signal by the fog sensor. According to this configuration, the defogging operation can be performed from the stage where the fog grows.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the anti-fogging device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the lamp unit includes an angle adjusting unit that adjusts an irradiation direction on a vertical plane. . According to this configuration, it is possible to irradiate infrared rays in an appropriate direction in order to perform efficient defrosting in consideration of the terrain of the installation area and the occurrence of fog.

  A sixth aspect of the present invention is the fog eliminator according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the irradiation section is attached to a predetermined height position of the inner wall of the tunnel, and the irradiation space is substantially Further, it is characterized in that it is the whole area of the cross section of the tunnel, and each lamp portion constituting the lamp unit is directed in different elevation directions on the vertical plane. According to this configuration, since infrared rays are irradiated on substantially the entire area of the cross section of the tunnel, the fog flowing into the tunnel or the fog generated in the tunnel is effectively extinguished.

  A seventh aspect of the present invention is the fog extinguishing apparatus according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, characterized in that a plurality of lamp portions constituting the lamp unit are arranged in the vertical direction. According to this configuration, since the irradiation space is formed so as to cross the traveling road, it becomes possible to effectively cut off the mist flowing through the traveling road as a curtain.

  The invention according to claim 8 is the fog eliminating apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the lamp portion is directed to a predetermined angle range of 0 ° to 45 ° upstream of the travel path. It is characterized by. According to this configuration, the lamp light is visually recognized from the traveling vehicle, and functions as a lane guidance device.

  According to invention of Claim 1, generation | occurrence | production of fog is estimated, infrared irradiation can be efficiently performed with respect to applicable irradiation space, and the response | compatibility with a high fog becomes possible with high responsiveness. Further, since the irradiating part is constituted by a lamp, it can be downsized and installed in a tunnel as compared with a conventional configuration in which an infrared radiation net is provided.

  According to the second and third aspects of the invention, the infrared radiation material can be efficiently heated by the radiated light from the halogen lamp, and the infrared radiation having a peak of about 3 μm is radiated from the infrared radiation material, and the anti-fogging effect is obtained. It can be demonstrated.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the defogging operation can be performed from the stage where the fog grows.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to irradiate infrared rays in an appropriate direction in order to perform efficient defrosting in consideration of the topography of the installation area and the fog generation results.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, since infrared rays can be applied to substantially the entire cross section of the tunnel, fog flowing into the tunnel or fog generated in the tunnel can be effectively extinguished.

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the irradiation space is formed so as to cross the traveling road, so that the mist flowing through the traveling road can be effectively cut off.

  According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, since the lamp light can be visually recognized from the running vehicle, it can also be functioned for lane guidance.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing an embodiment in which an anti-fogging device according to the present invention is applied to an automobile road near a tunnel. In FIG. 1, a dome-shaped tunnel TU is provided in the middle of the traveling road RO. In this example, the road RO is two lanes. On the left shoulder of the traveling road RO, a road-fogging portion is disposed, and a tunnel TU-fogging portion is disposed at a suitable position on the inner wall of the entrance (or exit) of the tunnel TU.

  The present defoaming apparatus comprises a plurality of lamp units 1 (only one of which is visible in FIG. 1) disposed along the traveling path RO, which constitutes a defrosting section, a transmittance meter 2, The power supply unit 3 and the control unit 4 are provided, and necessary signal lines and power lines are wired between them.

  The transmittance meter (VI meter) 2 is a known measuring instrument and is composed of a main body that transmits and receives a beam of light and a reflecting part that is arranged at a predetermined distance. The basic operation of the transmissometer 2 will be described. A light beam having a wavelength region having a high absorption rate with respect to fog is emitted from the main body, and is branched into two, one of which serves as reference light, and the other serves as measurement light. The measurement light that has traveled toward and reflected by the reflection part returns to the main body and is received, and is compared with the reference light to measure the amount of absorption of the measurement light. It measures the occurrence of fog in the propagation space. Specifically, the measurement result is represented by a visual field distance (referred to as visibility). For example, there are cases where a road closure is issued when the visibility is 50 m or less. The transmittance meter 2 can be installed in the required number by dividing the target section in the direction of the road RO, or may be installed on both sides of the road RO. Furthermore, one or a required number of the transmissometers 2 may be disposed in the tunnel TU (mainly near the entrance / exit) in addition to the shoulder of the road.

  The lamp unit 1 constituting the fog extinguishing part is arranged at a predetermined interval along the shoulder of the traveling road RO. The installation interval and the installation area of the lamp unit 1 are set in consideration of past results of generation of fog, the amount of generation, and the like at that point. In the present embodiment, the lamp unit 1 has a predetermined number of lamp units 10 in the height direction, here three lamp units 10 are attached to the fixing pillars PI. The fixing member of the lamp unit 1 is not limited to the column PI, and a dedicated support portion may be provided. The lamp unit 1 may be composed of one set of the three-stage lamp unit 10, but a predetermined number of two lamp units 10 are disposed adjacent to each other at a predetermined interval in the traveling road RO direction. For example, the lowermost ramp portion 10 is 1 m (meters) from the road surface, the second step is 1.3 m, and the uppermost step is 1.3 m. The upper stage is arranged at 1.6 m. The height from the road surface and the interval between the steps are preferably set in consideration of past fog generation results at the installation location. The infrared irradiation height by the lamp unit 1 may be an installation height that exceeds at least the height of the tail lamp (brake lamp) of the vehicle from the road surface.

  In addition, although not shown in the drawings, they are alternately arranged along the road RO or opposite the shoulder of the opposite side across the road RO. Each lamp unit 10 includes a halogen lamp, and details of the structure and the like will be described later.

  The power supply unit 3 supplies a predetermined level of electric power for lighting the lamp to each lamp unit 1 or to all of the lamp units 1 constituting the defoaming unit of the defrosting device. In the example of FIG. 1, it is also used as a power source for a defrosting section for a tunnel.

  The control unit 4 incorporates a microcomputer and the like, analyzes the measurement result from the transmittance meter 2, and controls the lighting (ON) and extinguishing (OFF) of each lamp of the lamp unit 1 through the power supply unit 3. To do. Details of the control unit 4 will be described later with reference to FIG.

  2A and 2B are diagrams for explaining a support structure of the lamp unit 10 of the lamp unit 1, FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the attachment 11 to the column PI, and FIG. 2B is an attachment of the lamp unit main body 12. It is a perspective view of a state. FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view showing an example of the lamp unit main body 12.

  The attachment 11 is formed in a plate shape with a metal fitting such as aluminum, for example, and is formed in a U-shaped cross-section by bending both sides in the longitudinal direction at right angles in the same direction. The bottom of the fixture 11 is fixed to the support pillar PI, and the lamp body 12 is attached to both sides of the fixture 11.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the lamp body 12 includes, as an example, a tubular halogen lamp 122 that generates infrared rays inside a casing 121 having a trapezoidal cross section in the longitudinal direction and an opening on one surface. Yes. Although not shown in the figure, structures for supporting and electrically connecting the electrode portions at both ends of the halogen lamp 122 are provided on both longitudinal sides of the lamp main body portion 12. In the present embodiment, two halogen lamps 122 are provided side by side. The lamp body 12 is substantially U-shaped in cross section and has an opening at the opening of the housing 121 in order to efficiently irradiate infrared rays radiated from the halogen lamp 122 into the directivity angle from the opening of the housing 121. The reflector 123 is disposed so as to substantially coincide with the portion. Further, both end portions in the tube direction inside the casing 121 are provided with side reflectors (not shown) inclined toward the opening side, and infrared rays directed toward the inclined side reflectors are reflected forward (opening side). I try to let them. Further, a lattice-shaped protective net 124 for protecting the halogen lamp 122 is stretched at the opening of the housing 121.

  In the halogen lamp 122, a filament made of tungsten is disposed at a substantially central portion in a bulb made of quartz glass, and a halogen gas and an inert gas such as argon or nitrogen are enclosed. In the halogen lamp 122, the surface of the tube is coated with an infrared radiation material, for example, a black far infrared radiation ceramic. Such a halogen lamp 122 is suitable for application to an anti-fogging device in that it has the following characteristics.

  That is, the filament of the halogen lamp 122 has a small heat capacity, and can raise the temperature at a speed several times higher than other far infrared heaters such as ceramic heaters and infrared heaters equipped with nichrome wire coils. Further, the halogen lamp 122 can obtain a constant light output until it is disconnected, and the halogen cycle does not cause blackening on the bulb wall, and the light output and the color temperature are less attenuated. Further, the halogen lamp 122 is a few tenths of a size and compact compared to a general white light bulb. In addition, the halogen lamp 122 uses quartz glass for the bulb, and thus is extremely resistant to thermal shock. Furthermore, in the halogen lamp 122, 75 to 95% of the input power is converted into light and heat, of which 6 to 12% is visible light and the rest is infrared, and the energy efficiency is high.

In addition, the infrared radiation ceramics coated on the halogen lamp 122 efficiently absorbs visible light and near infrared light (for example, 1.3 μm to 2 μm) emitted from the halogen lamp 122 and generates heat to generate 2.5 μm to 15 μm. Infrared rays in the wavelength region, particularly infrared rays having a peak at 3 μm are radiated (radiated). This type of halogen lamp is also called a halogen heater. Further, it is said that an infrared wavelength suitable for destroying a cluster of water molecules (water droplets) constituting the mist is effective on the order of μm. The infrared rays emitted from the lamp body 12 have a peak value of about 3 μm as described above. Therefore, it is possible to efficiently remove the fog by irradiating a large amount of infrared rays suitable for extinguishing the fog. Further, since the heat capacity is small like the filament of the halogen lamp 122, the temperature can be raised in a short time.

  Table 1 is a table summarizing experimental results showing the anti-fogging effect when the anti-fogging response is not performed and when the anti-fogging response is applied. In Table 1, the horizontal axis indicates the distance from the radiator, and the vertical axis indicates the visibility ratio when no antifogging is performed. Using the wavelength of irradiation light as a parameter, in this experiment, radiators having five types of peak wavelengths of 1.2 μm, 2 μm, 3 μm, 4 μm, and 5 μm were used.

  Here, the visibility ratio is obtained based on the level of the signal received by the transmissometer 2. For example, when the visibility ratio at a distance of 1 m is “5”, the light is reflected at a distance of 1 m when the fog is not eliminated (that is, the irradiation light is not irradiated), and the transmittance meter (VI meter) 2 In the sense that the level of the received signal returned is equal to the level of the received signal that is reflected at a distance of 5 m and is returned to the VI meter 2 when the anti-fogging countermeasure is applied (that is, the irradiation light is irradiated). is there. The visibility ratio “1” refers to a state where the defogging effect is not exhibited.

From Table 1, it can be seen that a radiator having a peak wavelength at 3 μm has a higher visibility ratio at least up to about 4 m than a radiator having a peak wavelength at other wavelengths. Next, the visibility ratio of the radiator having the peak wavelength at 4 μm is high, and then the visibility ratio of the radiator having the peak wavelength at 2 μm is high, followed by 5 μm and 1.2 μm in this order. Thus, in the relationship between the wavelength of infrared rays and the antifogging effect, it can be said that infrared rays having a peak at 3 μm have the largest visibility distance within the range of about 1 μm to 5 μm and are preferable as the antifogging effect. Since the width of the roadway is about 5 m in the case of two lanes, if the emission intensity of a halogen lamp that irradiates infrared light having a peak at 3 μm is adjusted, infrared light with a peak wavelength of 3 μm In practice. In this embodiment, an inorganic compound ceramic mainly composed of SiO ² is used as an infrared radiation ceramic that emits infrared light having a peak at about 3 μm.

  Returning to FIG. 2, a substantially central hole 111 and a circular hole 112 having a predetermined length on the circumference thereof are formed in both side portions of the fixture 11. On the other hand, on the back surface of the lamp unit main body 12, a connecting tool 13 that is in line with the distance between both side parts of the mounting tool 11 is erected. The connector 13 is formed with a central hole 131 and a plurality of holes 132 having an equal radius around the hole 131. The support shaft is passed in a state where the center hole 111 and the hole 131 coincide with each other, and the hole 132 that faces the arc hole 112 in a posture in which the lamp body 10 is rotated by a required angle with respect to the fixture 11. Are fastened with bolts, and the lamp body 12 is fixed to the fixture 11 in an angle-adjusted state.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the lamp units 10 of the three-stage configuration of the lamp unit 1 and the irradiation direction of infrared rays. The curved surface shape of the reflector 122 is designed so that the directivity width (irradiation angle) of infrared rays in each lamp unit 10 is a predetermined angle, for example, 30 °.

  By the way, the infrared irradiation region for eliminating fog is required to be from the road surface to a position at least higher than the line of sight of the driver on the traveling vehicle. For example, about 2 m to 2.5 m is preferable. The directivity direction of each lamp unit 10 is directed in the horizontal direction, and accordingly, different ranges in the height direction are shared in the irradiation area. If the vehicle width is 5 m, the first stage installation height is 1 m and the lamp section 10 with an irradiation angle of 30 ° can sufficiently irradiate the road surface with infrared rays, and the third stage installation height is 1.6 m. With the lamp section 10 with an irradiation angle of 30 °, 2.5 m from the road surface can be made a sufficient irradiation space near the center of the road RO (5 m in this embodiment). In addition, it is not necessary to design the directivity widths of the respective lamp units 10 to be equal, and it is not necessary to direct all of them in the horizontal direction. An adjusted mode may be used. Also, the irradiation angle may be a predetermined angle in the range of 30 ° to 45 °. Within this range, it is possible to efficiently cover the irradiation space and to secure a so-called curtain-shaped irradiation region. Although the irradiation angle depends on the road width and the wattage of the lamp unit 10, it is preferably about 60 ° or less from the viewpoint of irradiation efficiency.

  In addition, a halogen lamp 122 having a wattage rating at which at least the fog existing in the vicinity of the center of the traveling road RO can be extinguished is used as infrared energy irradiated from each lamp unit 10.

  FIG. 5 is a schematic front view showing an attachment state of the defrosting part on the tunnel side. The lamp unit 5 constituting the tunnel-side defrosting unit is composed of a predetermined number of three lamp units 5A having the same configuration provided here in the vicinity of the entrance (exit) of the tunnel TU, for example, on the inner wall around several meters. 5B and 5C. The three lamp portions 5A, 5B, and 5C may be arranged in the vertical direction, but here, they are arranged in a substantially horizontal direction. The basic structure of each of the lamp parts 5A, 5B, 5C is the same as the structure of the lamp part 10. In addition, the rating of the halogen lamp that irradiates infrared rays, which is the main component of the lamp units 5A, 5B, and 5C, is set based on the past occurrence of fog. In particular, the tunnel TU has a higher fog density than the road RO, or the tunnel TU is dim and the visibility is relatively poor. Therefore, a halogen lamp having a higher wattage than the halogen lamp used in the lamp unit 1 is used. In addition, it is preferable that the number of units is increased to more effectively eliminate the fog.

  FIG. 6 is an exploded view showing a structure for attaching the lamp portions 5A, 5B, 5C to the inner wall of the tunnel TU. Since the mounting structures of the lamp portions 5A, 5B, and 5C are the same, one of them will be described. A mounting plate 50 of a required size is attached to the inner wall of the tunnel TU to which the lamp body 52 is attached by a fastener 501 made of an anchor bolt. The mounting plate 50 is fixed by fastening the nut through the hole of the mounting tool 51 to the anchor bolt which is the fastener 501. The attachment structure of the fixture 51 and the lamp part main body 52 is similar to the structure of FIG. That is, the attachment 51 is formed in a plate shape with a metal fitting such as aluminum, and is formed in a U-shaped cross-section by bending both sides in the longitudinal direction at right angles in the same direction. The bottom of the fixture 51 is fixed to the mounting plate 50, and the lamp body 52 is attached to both sides of the bottom of the fixture 51.

  On both sides of the attachment 51, a central hole 511 at the center and a circular hole 512 having a predetermined length on the circumference are formed. On the other hand, on the back surface of the lamp unit main body 52, a connection tool 53 that is in accord with the interval between both side parts of the attachment tool 51 is provided upright. The connector 53 is formed with a central hole 531 and a plurality of holes 532 having an equal radius around the center hole 531. The support shaft is passed in a state where the center hole 511 and the hole 531 coincide with each other, and the hole 532 faces the arc hole 532 in a posture in which the lamp body 52 is rotated by a required angle with respect to the fixture 51. Are fastened with bolts, and the lamp body 52 is fixed to the fixture 51 in a state where the angle is adjusted. Although not shown in the drawing, the lamp unit main body 52 is provided with a required number of halogen lamps as in FIG. 3, and the required irradiation is performed so as to surround each halogen lamp (similar to FIGS. 3 and 4). A reflecting mirror is provided to obtain the angle. The number of halogen lamps may be, for example, a total of four, two in series in the horizontal direction and two in parallel in the vertical direction. By providing the required number of halogen lamps in this way, it is possible to obtain the required wattage as a total.

  FIG. 7 is an explanatory view seen from the tunnel cross-sectional direction for explaining the irradiation direction of the lamp portions 5A, 5B, and 5C. A lamp part 212 is attached to the inner wall of the tunnel TU at a height of about 5 m from the road surface. The irradiation directions of the three lamp parts 5A, 5B, and 5C are indicated by broken lines in this embodiment. Thus, 0 ° (horizontal), 40 ° below, and 80 ° below are set as a rough guide. As described above, by setting the irradiation directions of the three lamp portions 5A, 5B, and 5C to different directions, it is possible to irradiate the irradiation space (substantially the entire tunnel TU cross section) with infrared rays.

  FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram viewed from the tunnel cross-sectional direction showing another embodiment of the irradiation direction of the lamp portions 5A, 5B, and 5C. In FIG. 8, the attachment positions of the lamp portions 5A, 5B, and 5C are set on the lower side of the inner wall of the tunnel TU. The irradiation directions of the three lamp portions 5A, 5B, and 5C are set with 10 ° (slightly above horizontal), 35 ° above, and 60 ° above as a rough guide. As described above, by setting the irradiation directions of the three lamp portions 5A, 5B, and 5C to different directions, it is possible to irradiate the irradiation space (substantially the entire tunnel TU cross section) with infrared rays. Alternatively, the lamps 5A, 5B, and 5C may be installed at an appropriate height that is equal to or less than the height of a general person in order to facilitate work such as attachment and inspection. Moreover, the aspect arrange | positioned in both the tunnel lower part side and upper part side like mixing FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 may be sufficient. By adjoining the three lamp portions 5A, 5B, and 5C, the irradiation space can be substantially made into a curtain shape.

  FIG. 9 is a block diagram for controlling the operation of the present defrosting apparatus. FIG. 10 is a time chart of the defrosting operation. FIG. 10A shows an example of a change in visibility, and FIG. 10B shows the defrosting operation. The control unit 4 is composed of a microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as a microcomputer) 40 and the like, and includes a ROM area for storing in advance various data (for example, values L0, L1, L2, etc.) necessary from measurement to the fog-off operation, and in the process. A data storage unit 401 having a RAM area for temporarily storing data is provided.

  The microcomputer 40 fetches the measurement operation instruction and measurement data to the VI meter 2, predicts the presence or absence of fog, instructs the lighting of the halogen lamp according to the prediction result, and further determines the halogen lamp based on the measurement result. And a lighting operation control unit 42 that instructs to turn off.

  The traffic management center 100 is a management system composed of a microcomputer or the like provided at the center of a management company that manages and operates a motorway or an expressway. Although there is no management of various facilities, various information notification (for example, warning for declaring the speed of fog generation, notification of prohibition of traffic due to dense fog with visibility below 50m, etc.) etc. . In the present embodiment, the VI meter 2 performs a measurement operation at all times (periodically) in order to acquire fog information such as the occurrence or disappearance of fog in response to an instruction from the traffic management center 100 and the like.

  In this embodiment, the prediction unit 41 obtains the visibility from the measurement data obtained for each measurement from the VI meter 2 (or receives the visibility information of the VI meter obtained at the traffic management center), and has a predetermined threshold value. Compared to the above, it is used to judge the generation and disappearance of fog. That is, the prediction unit 41 determines whether or not the visibility reaches a preset threshold value L1 or less until the next time or a predetermined number of times of measurement when the visibility falls below the preset threshold value L2. After the visibility becomes less than the threshold L2, when it reaches the threshold L1 or less until the next or predetermined number of measurements, it is expected that a fog (visibility L0 or less) that will interfere with running occurs. When the visibility does not reach the threshold value L1 or less, it is determined that the mist does not grow so as to hinder traffic.

  The lighting operation control unit 42 is configured to turn on the power supply unit 3 to light the lamp unit 1 that constitutes the extinguishing unit when the prediction unit 41 generates a fog with a visibility that is less than or equal to the threshold L1. Further, the lighting operation control unit 42 determines that the fog has cleared when the visibility measured by the VI meter 2 becomes equal to or lower than the threshold L1 and rises to a threshold L2 or more, for example, the threshold L2. Is output, and the lamp unit 1 is turned off. The threshold for turning off the light is not limited to L2, and is preferably a predetermined value that is at least L1.

  Closed by fog is generally issued when the visibility of the VI meter 2 is less than L0, and here the range is 50 m or less. For example, the threshold value L2 may be set to 80 m and the threshold value L1 may be set to 70 m. Of course, the threshold values L1, L2, etc. are preferably set based on the past fog generation situation at the installation location of the present defroster. Thus, it is preferable that the threshold value L1, which is a condition for turning on the lamp unit, is longer by a predetermined distance than the visibility of the traffic stop command. Since it can be suppressed, traveling troubles such as road closures are effectively avoided.

  In addition, the following aspects are employable for this invention.

(1) In this embodiment, the reflecting mirrors housed in the lamp unit main body have the same structure and the irradiation angles are made to coincide with each other. Instead, however, the reflecting mirror in the lamp unit main body 12a is used as shown in FIG. Different structures may be adopted. In FIG. 11, the reflecting mirror 123a surrounding the upper halogen lamp 122a has a large curvature, and reaches farther by narrowing the irradiation light from the halogen lamp 122a. As a result, a relatively high irradiation space from the road surface reaches half the vehicle width. On the other hand, the reflecting mirror 123b surrounding the lower halogen lamp 122b has a small curvature, and the irradiation light from the halogen lamp 122b has a relatively wide angle, and can efficiently irradiate a region near the road surface in the irradiation space. I am doing so. In FIG. 11, the halogen lamps 122a and 122b have a two-stage structure, but may have a required multi-stage structure having three or more stages having a plurality of halogen lamps with a narrow irradiation angle.

(2) In the present embodiment, the operation instruction of the VI meter is given by the traffic management center 100, but instead, it may be controlled by the present fogging device side. In this case, the measurement cycle can be made variable. For example, when the threshold value is less than or equal to L2, the measurement cycle is shortened. During lighting of the lamp unit, the measurement is repeated at the shortened cycle, and when the fog clears, the cycle may be returned to the original cycle. Or you may make it shorten a measurement period with respect to the time when fog is easy to generate | occur | produce according to a season thru | or a time slot | zone. If it does in this way, it will become possible to predict fog generation more quickly, it will become possible to suppress the increase of the water droplet which constitutes fog (growth of fog) beforehand, and to suppress fog generation effectively. .

(3) Further, a method may be employed in which the fog growth rate (that is, the visibility reduction rate) is obtained from the periodic measurement data of the VI meter 2 and the timing for turning on the halogen lamp is determined from the result.

(4) If the number of driving lanes is 4 lanes or more, install a fog-dissipating section using the location of the median strip, and turn to the lane on each side. Irradiation of infrared rays is possible from both sides in the width direction by half lanes.

(5) In the present embodiment, the halogen lamp is configured to be directed from the road shoulder to the roadway (traveling road). However, the halogen lamp may be directed to a predetermined angle of 0 ° to 45 ° upstream of the roadway, preferably 20 ° to 30 °. Good. By doing in this way, halogen light can be visually recognized from the running vehicle and can also function as lane guidance light. Therefore, it is also possible to apply this halogen lamp in place of the original lane guide light. In this case, it may be arranged at substantially the same pitch as the lane guide light, and when used as a guide light, the supplied power may be reduced to a predetermined level.

(6) In this embodiment, the lamp unit 5 installed near the entrance / exit of the tunnel is not limited to the entrance / exit. The mist flows from the outside of the tunnel to the inside, and may also occur inside the tunnel. To cope with this, the mist may be installed inside the tunnel.

(7) In the present embodiment, a predetermined level of electric power is supplied from the power supply unit 3 to the halogen lamp. However, the infrared radiation ceramics has different wavelengths of radiant infrared rays depending on the temperature. For example, when an infrared ray having a wavelength of 3 μm is radiated at 800 ° C., an infrared ray having a wavelength of 4 μm is radiated at a lower temperature, for example, 700 ° C. In view of this, an exothermic temperature of the infrared radiation ceramics is measured with a thermometer, and an adjustment unit for adjusting the power supply level from the power supply unit 3 may be provided so that the infrared radiation ceramics is maintained at a predetermined temperature. . This makes it possible to always radiate infrared rays having a predetermined wavelength, and it is possible to cope with property changes accompanying deterioration of the infrared radiation ceramics without being influenced by the external temperature environment.

(8) In the present embodiment, application to a roadway has been described, but the present invention can be similarly applied to a track on which a train (vehicle) travels as a travel path.

(9) Although the prediction process using the prediction unit 41 is described in the present embodiment, the prediction unit 41 is not necessarily required. In this case, the timing at which the halogen lamp is turned on may be determined when the level of the received signal at the VI meter 2 becomes a predetermined level or less.

It is a schematic perspective view which shows one Embodiment by which the fog eliminating apparatus which concerns on this invention was applied to the road only for motor vehicles near a tunnel. FIGS. 2A and 2B are diagrams illustrating a support structure of the lamp unit 10 of the lamp unit 1, in which FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the attachment 11 to the column PI, and FIG. 2B is a perspective view of a state in which the lamp unit body 12 is attached. It is. FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view showing an example of a lamp unit body 12. It is a figure explaining each lamp | ramp part 10 of the 3 steps | paragraph structure of the lamp unit 1, and the irradiation direction of infrared rays. It is a schematic front view which shows the attachment state of the fog eliminating apparatus. It is an exploded view which shows the attachment structure to the tunnel TU inner wall of lamp | ramp part 5A, 5B, 5C. It is explanatory drawing seen from the tunnel cross-sectional direction for demonstrating the irradiation direction of each lamp | ramp part 5A, 5B, 5C. It is explanatory drawing seen from the tunnel cross-section direction which shows the other Example of the irradiation direction of each lamp | ramp part 5A, 5B, 5C. It is a block diagram which performs operation control of this fogging device. FIG. 10A shows an example of a change in visibility, and FIG. 10B shows the fog extinguishing operation. It is a schematic block diagram which shows other embodiment of a lamp | ramp part main body.

Explanation of symbols

1,5 Lamp unit (fogging part)
10, 5A, 5B, 5C Lamp unit 12, 12a Lamp unit body 122, 122a, 122b Halogen lamp 123, 123a, 123b Reflector 50 Mounting plate 11, 51 Mounting tool 13, 53 Connector 2 Transmittance meter (mist sensor)
3 Power supply unit 4 Control unit 40 Microcomputer 41 Prediction unit 42 Lighting operation control unit 401 Data storage unit PI Strut RO Traveling road TU Tunnel

Claims (8)

A fog sensor that constantly detects the presence or absence of fog on the road of the vehicle;
An irradiation unit including a plurality of lamp units that irradiate light mainly including infrared rays toward an irradiation space from a road surface of the traveling path to a predetermined height; and
When the generation of fog is detected by the fog sensor, a control unit that lights each lamp unit;
The lamp unit is composed of a predetermined number of lamp units, and each lamp unit has a narrowed irradiation angle and is directed to different regions in the irradiation space to irradiate the entire irradiation space. Features a defrosting device.   2. The fog eliminator according to claim 1, wherein the lamp unit is a halogen lamp whose surface is coated with an infrared radiation material.   3. The anti-fogging device according to claim 2, wherein the infrared radiation material emits infrared light having a peak wavelength of about 3 [mu] m.   The said control part receives the signal of the generation | occurrence | production of fog with the said fog sensor, The fog eliminating apparatus in any one of Claims 1-3 characterized by the above-mentioned.   The said lamp | ramp part is equipped with the angle adjustment part which adjusts an irradiation direction on a vertical surface, The anti-fogging apparatus in any one of Claims 1-4 characterized by the above-mentioned.   The irradiation unit is attached to a predetermined height position on the inner wall of the tunnel, the irradiation space is substantially the entire cross section of the tunnel, and each lamp unit constituting the lamp unit is on a vertical plane. The anti-fogging device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein each is directed in different elevation directions.   The fog-extinguishing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a plurality of lamp units constituting the lamp unit are arranged in a vertical direction.   The fog eliminating device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein an irradiation direction of the lamp unit is directed to a predetermined angle range of 0 ° to 45 ° upstream of the travel path.

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