JPH0747007A - Cane with safety light - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To light a safety light for the convenience of walking at night or the like. CONSTITUTION:This is a cane with a safety light which is constituted so that the safety light 7 provided at a cane main body 1 may be driven and lighted by the electric discharge of electric charge accumulated at a power capacitor C built inside the cane main body 1, and charging terminals 3a, 3b are provided at the suitable places of the cane main body 1, and also its constitution is such that the instant charging of the power capacitor C can be realized by the charging terminals 3a, 3b being connected to the power supply terminals of charging adapters.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a cane equipped with a safety light suitable for use by a blind person, an elderly person, a physically handicapped person, or another person while walking at night.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a cane provided with safety measures for night use has a reflective tape attached to an appropriate portion of the cane body so as to reflect light from an automobile light or the like. Proposed.

[0003]

However, in the case of constructing a cane as described above, the presence of a pedestrian with a cane cannot be positively appealed to others, and at the time of walking at night. There is a drawback that it is inferior in safety. The present invention has been proposed in view of the above points, and by providing a safety light on the main body of the cane and causing the safety light to blink when walking at night, it is an excellent safety system that protects pedestrians from accidental danger. Its purpose is to provide a lighted cane.

[0004]

In a cane with a safety light according to the present invention as set forth in claim 1 proposed to achieve the above object, the safety light provided in the cane body is built in the cane body. A cane with a safety light, which is configured to be driven by lighting by discharging electric charge accumulated in a power capacitor,
A charging terminal is provided at an appropriate position of the cane body, and the charging terminal is connected to a power supply terminal of a charging adapter so that the power capacitor can be instantly charged. A cane with a safety light according to a second aspect of the present invention is a cane body in which a pendulum generator for supplying charging power to a power capacitor is provided in place of the means for providing a charging terminal in the cane body of the first aspect. This is the configuration provided. Claim 3
The cane with a safety light according to the present invention described in [1] has a simple configuration in which the safety light is driven to be driven by using a dry battery without using a power capacitor.

[0005]

In the cane with a safety light according to the present invention as set forth in claim 1, the safety light provided on the main body of the cane is turned on (which is a concept including blinking) by discharging the electric charge accumulated in the power capacitor, The safety when walking at night will be improved. Here, as a driving power source for a safety light, unlike a battery or a rechargeable battery that involves a chemical reaction, for example, an electric power source 2
By connecting the charging terminal provided in the proper position of the other cane body where a power capacitor such as a multi-layer capacitor is used to the power supply terminal of the predetermined charging adapter, the power capacitor can be charged instantly. It can be carried out. Therefore, even if the accumulated charge of the power capacitor is discharged, it can be charged in an extremely short time and the safety lamp can be immediately turned on to use the cane. In addition, some power capacitors have a long service life and have the characteristic that they can be repeatedly charged and used, for example, up to about 100,000 times. Therefore, if such a power capacitor is used, it is necessary to replace this power capacitor. Almost never,
It can be so-called maintenance-free. Claim 2
In the cane with a safety light according to the present invention described in, the pendulum generator built in the cane body generates electric power due to vibration or shaking when walking with the cane with a safety light, and its power is The power capacitor is charged. Therefore, it is possible to always turn on the safety light when using the cane at night without performing any work for charging the power capacitor by using an external power source. Further, as in the case of the first aspect, since the power capacitor having a long service life is also used, there is almost no need to replace the power capacitor, and the maintenance becomes free. In the cane with a safety light according to the third aspect of the present invention, since a dry battery or the like is used, it can be inexpensively constructed, and the dry battery may be replaced if the voltage of the dry battery drops to a predetermined level.

[0006]

EXAMPLES Examples of the present invention will be described below. [First Embodiment (corresponding to claim 1)] Fig. 1 is a front view showing an example of the external appearance of a cane with a safety light according to the present invention described in claim 1, and Fig. 2 is a power capacitor provided therein. FIG. 3 is a schematic explanatory diagram showing a circuit configuration of a safety light drive circuit including the electric double layer capacitor as described above and a charging adapter for charging the electric double layer capacitor. In FIG. 1, this cane with a safety light is a cane mainly used for the blind, and is provided at a position near the center of the lower half of the rod-shaped cane body 1 made of a durable material such as synthetic resin. , Semi-transparent translucent parts 2, 2 such as transparent or red are provided,
Inside each of these translucent parts 2, a safety lamp 7 composed of a light emitting LED is provided. In addition, a reflective tape may be attached to an appropriate place of the cane body 1.

As shown in FIG. 2, a safety lamp driving circuit 10 for driving the safety lamp 7 is a lighting control circuit 11 for controlling the lighting (including blinking) of the safety lamp 7, and this lighting control circuit 11. And an electric double layer capacitor C connected via a switch SW, and a pair of charging terminals 3a and 3b. Of these, the pair of charging terminals 3a and 3b are provided, for example, on the surface of the cane body 1 near the lower end, as shown in FIG. 1, and the charging adapter 20 shown in FIG.
The power supply terminals 25a and 25b can be contacted with each other. However, the charging terminals 3a and 3b do not necessarily have to be provided in a state of being exposed on the surface of the cane body 1,
For example, when using a normal cane, the charging terminals 3a and 3b may be covered with a cover or the like.

The electric double layer capacitor C as an example of the power capacitor includes a charging adapter 20 to a charging terminal 3
When a predetermined power is supplied to a and 3b, the electric charge of this power is accumulated and charged. However, the charging of the electric double layer capacitor C is different from the charging of the battery accompanied by the chemical reaction, and a relatively large amount of electric power is instantaneously accumulated. And this electric double layer capacitor C
When the switch SW is closed, the electric charge stored in is discharged to the lighting control circuit 11 side, and the safety lamp 7 is driven to light. The switch SW is provided so as to be easily turned on / off by the user of the cane, and is provided on the upper surface of the cane body 1 as shown in FIG. 1, for example. In the safety lamp drive circuit 10, all the electric parts other than the switch SW and the charging terminals 3a and 3b are provided in the cane body 1 in a built-in state.
Each device such as the safety light 7 and the electric double layer capacitor C configured by D may be lightweight and small, and has a diameter of, for example, 2 to 3 cm.
It can be efficiently built in a space within the cane main body 1 of about a certain degree or less.

The charging adapter 20 shown in FIG. 2 is provided with the power supply terminals 25a and 25b described above, but on the front side thereof, a plug 21 for inserting into a commercial AC power source such as AC100V and a voltage of the AC current. Is provided with a step-down transformer 22 that drops the voltage and a rectifier 23 that performs AC / DC conversion of the stepped-down AC current, and is configured to obtain the DC current necessary for instantaneously charging the electric double layer capacitor C. There is. As the instantaneous charging method for the electric double layer capacitor C, for example, a pulse charging method is adopted. In addition, the charging adapter 20 is also provided with a charging monitor lamp 24 and the like, which displays whether or not the charging of the electric double layer capacitor C is completed by lighting a lamp, etc.

In the above-configured cane with a safety light, the switch SW may be closed when it is used at night or the like. As a result, the electric charge accumulated in the electric double layer capacitor C is discharged, the safety lamp 7 is turned on (or blinks), and the translucent section 2
Part emits light in a predetermined color such as red. Therefore, the presence of the pedestrian holding the cane can be positively appealed to others, and the safety can be improved. Further, since the light emitting LED with low power consumption is applied as the safety lamp 7, it is possible to drive the safety lamp 7 for a long time.

Then, when the electric power of the electric double layer capacitor C is consumed by such use, the electric double layer capacitor C may be charged by using the charging adapter 20 described in FIG. Unlike the charging to the battery, such charging can be fully charged instantly (for example, for about several seconds).
Even when it is first noticed that the power of the multilayer capacitor C has been consumed, it is possible to complete the charging immediately and immediately use the cane. There is no annoyance of waiting for a long time for the charging to be completed while the cane is connected to the charging adapter 20.

[Second Embodiment (corresponding to claim 1)] FIG.
[Fig. 6] is a front view showing another embodiment of the safety light cane according to the present invention (note that in Fig. 3 and subsequent figures, the same parts as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals). The cane with a safety light shown in FIG. 3 has a configuration similar to that of the first embodiment in that a safety light 7 is provided inside each of the translucent portions 2 and 2 of the cane main body 1, but a grip portion is formed. As shown in FIG. 3A, the upper portion 5 of the cane is configured to be rotatable with respect to the cane body 1 while being connected to the cane body 1. Then, in the bent and rotated state, the charging terminals 3a and 3b provided on the surface of the shaft portion 4 projecting from the lower side of the upper portion 5 of the cane are
It is configured so that it can be arranged outside the cane body 1.

In the cane with a safety lamp having the above-mentioned structure, when charging the electric double layer capacitor C (not shown in FIG. 3), the charging terminal arranged outside the cane body 1 as shown by A in FIG. The power supply terminals 25a and 25b of the charging adapter 20 can be connected to 3a and 3b. on the other hand,
During other normal use, the shaft portion 4 of the upper portion 5 of the cane can be inserted into the cane body 1 so that the charging terminals 3a and 3b are not exposed to the outside of the cane body 1. Therefore, it is possible to improve the appearance of the cane when it is used and to prevent the rainwater from touching the charging terminals 3a and 3b. Therefore, it is possible to appropriately prevent the charging terminals 3a and 3b from being soiled or corroded. it can.

[Third embodiment (corresponding to claim 1)] FIG.
3 is not a configuration in which the upper portion 5 of the cane is provided in a bending and rotating manner with respect to the cane main body 1 as shown in FIG. 3, but a configuration example in which the upper portion 5 of the cane can be completely removed from the cane main body 1 It is a principal part perspective view shown. However, even when the upper portion 5 of the cane is detached from the cane body 1, the charging terminal 3 provided on the shaft portion 4
At least an electric double layer capacitor C for a and 3b
Remain connected. Even with this configuration, the second
As in the case of the embodiment, the electric double layer capacitor C can be charged through the charging terminals 3a and 3b,
Further, when the cane is used, there is an advantage that the charging terminals 3a and 3b can be set so as not to be exposed from the outside of the cane body 1.

[Fourth embodiment (corresponding to claim 2)] FIG.
FIG. 4 is a schematic explanatory view showing an example of an electric circuit configuration of a safety light cane according to the present invention as set forth in claim 2. The cane with a safety light shown in FIG. 5 includes a safety light 7 including a light emitting LED, a lighting control circuit 11 for controlling the lighting of the safety light 7, a switch SW, and an electric double layer capacitor C. It is common to the safety lamp drive circuit 10 shown in the first embodiment.
However, the pendulum generator PG is connected to the electric double layer capacitor C via the backflow prevention diode D, and the voltage detector 12 is connected to the lighting control circuit 11.

Of the above-mentioned units, the pendulum generator PG generates electric power by vibrating the pendulum, and the electric power generated thereby is supplied to the electric double layer capacitor C to be charged. . The voltage detector 12 inputs a signal according to the detected voltage value to the lighting control circuit 11 so as to perform a stable light emitting operation state of the safety lamp 7 without being influenced by fluctuations in the voltage value generated by the pendulum generator PG. It is a thing. Further, among the above-mentioned parts, except for the operation part of the switch SW, they are provided inside the cane body having the same configuration as the cane body 1 shown in FIG. However, in the cane with a safety light shown in FIG. 1, the charging terminals 3a and 3b were provided in the cane main body 1, but in the present embodiment, the charging terminals 3a and 3b are not provided. In the cane with a safety light having the above configuration, when the user walks with the cane, the vibration of the cane causes the pendulum generator PG to continuously or intermittently generate electric power, and the electric power is sequentially supplied to the electric double layer capacitor C. Will be charged. Therefore, even if this cane with a safety light is used continuously for a long time, the power of the electric double layer capacitor C is not consumed and the safety light 7 is not turned off. Further, it is not necessary to charge the electric double-layer capacitor C by using the charging adapter 20, etc., and it is possible to further ensure maintenance-free operation.

[Fifth Embodiment (corresponding to claim 3)] FIG.
FIG. 4 is a schematic explanatory view showing an example of an electric circuit configuration of a cane with a safety light according to the present invention described in claim 3. In this embodiment, since the safety lamp is driven by the dry battery E,
The charging circuit and the pendulum generator shown in FIG. 2 are unnecessary, and the circuit can be simplified. When the lighting control circuit 11 is operated by the operation of the switch SW, the safety lamp 7 is turned on or blinks. Therefore, the cane with a safety light having such a configuration requires replacement of the dry battery, but can be constructed inexpensively and easily.

[0018]

As can be understood from the above description, according to the safety light cane according to the present invention as defined in claims 1 and 2, the safety light is generated by using the electric power of the power capacitor built in the main body of the safety cane. Since it is driven by lighting, it does not require frequent battery replacement as in the past, and unlike a rechargeable battery, it does not take a long time to charge and the power capacitor can be charged. There is an advantage that the cane can be instantly used and the cane can be immediately used. In addition, the service life of the power capacitor is extremely long, and it is almost unnecessary to replace the power capacitor, so that so-called maintenance-free can be realized, which is very convenient. According to the second aspect of the present invention, the pendulum generator generates power when the cane is used, and the power is charged in the power capacitor, which is convenient because the safety light can be kept on for a long time. In addition, there is no need to charge the power capacitor at all, and there is an advantage that maintenance-free operation can be more thorough. Further, according to the present invention as set forth in claim 3, the circuit configuration can be simplified because a dry battery is used, and an inexpensive cane with a safety light can be provided.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing an example of the external configuration of a cane with a safety light according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a safety light drive circuit and a circuit of a charging adapter built in the cane with a safety light according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an external view showing another embodiment of the safety light cane according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an external view of a main part showing another embodiment of the safety light cane according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic explanatory view showing an example of a circuit configuration for performing lighting drive of a safety light of a cane with a safety light according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic explanatory diagram showing another example of a circuit configuration for performing lighting drive of the safety light of the cane with a safety light according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Cane body 2 Transparent parts 3a, 3b Charging terminal 7 Safety light 10 Safety light driving circuit 11 Lighting control circuit 12 Voltage detection circuit 20 Charging adapter 25a, 25b Power supply terminal C Electric double layer capacitor (power capacitor) PG Pendulum generator SW Switch E dry cell

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Hiroyuki Nakai 1-3-3 Yayogaoka, Mita City, Hyogo Prefecture Yayogaoka 2 Bldg. 1209

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A cane equipped with a safety lamp, wherein a safety lamp provided on the cane body is configured to be driven by lighting by discharging electric charge accumulated in a power capacitor built into the cane body. A safety light, characterized in that a charging terminal is provided at an appropriate position of the main body, and the charging terminal is connected to a power supply terminal of a charging adapter so that the power capacitor can be instantaneously charged. Stick. 2. A cane equipped with a safety light, wherein the safety light provided in the cane body is configured to be driven by lighting by discharging electric charge accumulated in a power capacitor incorporated in the cane body. A cane with a safety light, wherein the main body is provided with a pendulum generator that supplies charging power to the power capacitor. 3. A cane with a safety light, wherein a safety light provided on the main body of the cane is configured to be driven by a dry battery incorporated in the main body of the cane.