JPH0447745Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] [Field of industrial application] This invention relates to variable signs, that is, signs whose display content changes from one sign to no indication, or from one sign to another sign or no indication. .

[Problem to be solved] Road signs include fixed signs that always display fixed content and variable signs that select and display one or more display content from a plurality of display content prepared in advance. . On the other hand, there are signs whose display contents are valid all the time, and signs whose display contents are valid depending on the time, day, period, or special circumstances.

An essential feature of variable signs used for signs that are valid depending on the time, day, period, or special circumstances is that when they are invalid, they are not displayed or passersby can easily know that they are not valid. It is to display it in a way. There are two methods actually used to achieve this function:

The first method is to add an auxiliary sign to the main sign to display valid/invalid conditions, and is the most commonly used method. The second method is to display only valid signs by selecting variable signs that have a plurality of display contents in advance according to a program or by remote control.

However, the above two methods have the following problems. That is, according to the first method,
As shown in FIG. 4, the auxiliary sign 2 indicating the passable time zone is much smaller than the main sign 1 indicating the route direction, and is very difficult to read from a vehicle traveling at normal speed. In particular, when many kinds of signs are displayed at the same point, it is almost impossible to read all the signs if you are paying attention to one auxiliary sign, so it is necessary to make them into simplified patterns to make them easier to recognize. Everyone knows that the function of the signboard is deteriorated.

Also, according to the second method, only the necessary signs are selectively displayed, which solves the problems of the first method, but the second method requires complicated electrical and mechanical equipment. In short, if these break down or the power necessary for their operation is interrupted, there is a risk that appropriate display may not be possible.

Conventionally, in order to solve the problem of this second method, as shown in FIG. 5, for example, a sign body 3 (hereinafter referred to as (Sometimes referred to as a display film.)
It is equipped with an opaque film (hereinafter referred to as "Fail film") 4 that can cover the front part of the display surface of the display screen, and is normally rolled up by a take-up roller 6 driven by a motor 5 with an electromagnetic clutch to expose the display surface and detect abnormalities. Sometimes, a method is used in which the bar weight 7 is used to pull down the Faire film 4 to cover the display surface. However, this method requires a mechanism to drive the Fehl's membrane, which makes it expensive, and because it covers a large display surface, the Fehl's membrane is likely to malfunction. It is difficult to install the display without changing the external shape of the sign.In order to change the displayed content of the sign, the roller 8 is driven by a motor 9 with a reduction gear to wind up the display film. It also takes time to lower and raise the sign, so it has disadvantages such as unavoidable transitional confusion when changing signs.

In addition, in FIG. 5, 10 is a marker position detector, and 11 is a lamp for internal illumination at night.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned drawbacks by using a liquid crystal shutter in place of the above-mentioned fail film and its drive mechanism, and is relatively inexpensive, highly reliable, allows for quick and accurate changes in display contents, and has a wide range of applications. The aim is to provide a wide range of variable indicators.

[Problem Solving Means] A sign displaying a predetermined sign such as a road sign, which exhibits a transparent state when a predetermined voltage is applied, and exhibits an opaque state when the application of the voltage is stopped. It is characterized by comprising a liquid crystal shutter provided on the side of the sign on which a predetermined sign is displayed, and a power cut-off means for applying the predetermined voltage to the shutter or stopping the application of the voltage. There is.

Further, the power supply cut-off means is characterized in that it is controlled by any one or a combination of two or more of a preset program, a predetermined abnormality detection signal, an external voltage application stop command, or a power outage. There is.

Furthermore, the sign body is composed of a display membrane, and is characterized in that two or more kinds of labels are displayed on the display membrane, and that the display membrane is moved to display the signs variably.

[Operation] In the above configuration, when a voltage is applied to the liquid crystal shutter, the liquid crystal shutter becomes transparent and the mark on the display body can be recognized from the outside. On the other hand, when the application of the voltage is stopped, the liquid crystal shutter becomes opaque and the sign on the sign body becomes unrecognizable from the outside.
After the power is turned off, the power supply to the liquid crystal shutter is controlled by a program installed in advance. Additionally, the display membrane moves and the content of the label changes.

[Embodiment of this invention] Next, an embodiment of this invention will be described based on FIGS. 1 to 3.

FIG. 1 shows an example in which this invention is applied to a variable sign with a display membrane winding system similar to that shown in FIG. Reference numerals common to those in FIG. 5 indicate the same members as those in the same figure. 3
is a sign body, which is composed of, for example, a display film on which a plurality of types of road signs are sequentially printed on the top and bottom. 8 is a roller for winding up this display film; 9 is a motor with a reduction gear for driving the roller; 10 is a marker position detector for detecting the position of each marker; and 11 is a lamp for internal illumination at night.

In this invention, a liquid crystal shutter 20 is stretched and fixed on the front surface of the sign on the display film 3.

As shown in FIG. 2, the liquid crystal shutter 20 is made by laminating a liquid crystal film 23 between transparent acrylic plates 21 and 22 on the front and back sides. Film 23 is protected from ultraviolet light.

As shown in FIG. 3, the liquid crystal film 23 is made of a polyester film 23a, transparent electrodes 23b printed on the film, and liquid crystals sealed in microcapsules made of a transparent material. Layer 23c, polyester film 2
It is formed by adhering the transparent electrode 23e printed on the 3d, and can be bent freely. The liquid crystal is enclosed in a microcapsule, and the capsule is a film 23a,
23d, there is no need to particularly seal the ends of the liquid crystal film. Here electrode 2
When an alternating current voltage is applied to 3b and 23c, the optical axes of the liquid crystals in the capsule align, and the liquid crystal shutter becomes transparent. When the alternating current voltage is turned off, the optical axes of the liquid crystals inside the capsule become irregular, and light is reflected diffusely, making the liquid crystal shutter opaque. As is clear from the above explanation of the structure, this liquid crystal film can be freely cut into any shape, so it can be applied to circular, polygonal, etc. signs.

The liquid crystal shutter 20 is used in a transparent state by applying a commercial power frequency (50/60 Hz) to the liquid crystal film, but in order to block the markings on the display film 3 from being recognized from the outside, it is sufficient to turn off the power. By carefully arranging the liquid crystal film, part or all of the mark can be made invisible.

It is necessary to shut off the sign 3 by the liquid crystal shutter 20 when the sign is invalid, when the display is being changed, when the display film drive mechanism fails, etc. Therefore, the power cut-off means must be operated according to a program in advance, or be remotely controlled. There are some types that operate automatically when a failure is detected, and others that operate automatically when a power outage occurs. Any one or a combination of these can be used depending on the purpose of the label, and the practical effect is great.

[Effects of this invention] As is clear from the above, according to this invention,
Since a liquid crystal shutter is provided, not only is there no need for a conventional mechanism for winding up the Fayle film, but also there are no operational troubles that tend to occur when the Fayle film is lowered. When changing the display contents, the display surface is instantly switched to a non-display state and then displayed again instantly, so that the display can be quickly changed without causing any transitional confusion.

Furthermore, since no mechanical operation is required, it is highly reliable, and by changing the shape of the liquid crystal shutter, it can be applied to signs of any shape.

Furthermore, if the power cutoff means is controlled according to a program or the like, the sign can be effectively disabled.

When the sign body is composed of a display film, a plurality of signs can be selected and displayed.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is a sectional view of a sign showing an embodiment of this invention, Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view of a part of a liquid crystal shutter, Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of a liquid crystal film, and Fig. 4 is a conventional sign. FIG. 5 is a front view showing an example, FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the structure of a conventional variable sign, and FIG. 6 is a front view of the same. 3... Sign body (display film), 20... Liquid crystal shutter.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claim for Utility Model Registration] (1) A sign displaying a prescribed sign, such as a road sign, which becomes transparent when a prescribed voltage is applied, and when the application of that voltage is stopped. a liquid crystal shutter provided on the side of the sign body on which a predetermined sign is displayed and exhibiting an opaque state; and a power supply cut-off means for applying the predetermined voltage to the liquid crystal shutter or stopping application of the voltage. A variable label characterized by having the following. (2) The power cutoff means is a preset program,
Paragraph 1 of the utility model registration claim is characterized in that the utility model is controlled by any one or a combination of two or more of a predetermined abnormality detection signal, an external voltage application stop command, or a power outage. Variable signs listed. (3) Registration of a utility model characterized in that the sign is composed of a display membrane, two or more types of signs are displayed on the display membrane, and the display membrane is moved to provide variable display. The variable label according to claim 1 or 2.