JPH10326362A - Vehicle detector - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a vehicle detector that can precisely adjust the mutually facing state of respective light emitting units and light receiving units with good operability and that can be actualized at a low cost. SOLUTION: A light emitting unit and a light receiving unit have light emitting element units 1 (light emitting unit or light receiving unit) held fixedly and coupled by coupling members 2 and 3 so that their directions (light emitting direction and light receiving direction) are parallel. Then, the coupling members 2 and 3 are supported by a rotary shaft 4 so that they can swing.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vehicle detector used for detecting entry and start of a vehicle in, for example, an automated entrance system on a toll road.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the appearance and an example of use of a vehicle detector. As shown in this figure, the vehicle detector includes a light emitting unit 101 and a light receiving unit 102. The light emitting unit 101 and the light receiving unit 10
2 are islands IL formed on both sides of the vehicle passage W,
Each is arranged in IR. And the light emitting unit 101
The light emitted from each of the plurality of light emitters incorporated in the light receiving unit 102 is opposed to each other so as to reach the plurality of light receivers incorporated in the light receiving unit 102.

As shown in FIG. 11, a vehicle V exists between a light emitting unit 101 and a light receiving unit 102,
At least a portion of the light P emitted from the light emitting unit 101 is blocked by the vehicle V, and the vehicle P is detected when it does not reach the light receiving unit 102.

In the light emitting unit 101 and the light receiving unit 102, the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit are vertically arranged by connecting members 121 and 122 as shown in FIG. 12 in order to form a radiation pattern of light P as shown in FIG. Along and fixed inside the housing. FIG. 1
In FIG. 2, reference numeral 123 denotes a light emitting device or a light receiving device, and the light emitting device or the light receiving device is fixed to the connecting members 121 and 122 such that both the light emitting direction and the light receiving direction are along the horizontal direction.

[0005] Thus, the vehicle detector must be installed with the light emitting unit 101 and the light receiving unit 102 facing each other. Therefore, if there is a step between the island IL and the island IR as shown in FIG.
02 does not directly face, and vehicle detection cannot be performed normally.

Therefore, conventionally, as shown in FIG. 14, the casing 101a of the light emitting unit 101 and the channel base 101b
And the channel base 101b
The holes 141 (141-1 to 141-3) in FIG.
) Is provided. Then, the housing 101a is moved up and down so that one hole provided in the housing 101a is aligned with one of the plurality of holes 141 provided in the channel base 101b, and is fixed using bolts or the like, as shown in FIG. A structure in which the position of the body 101a can be changed is adopted.

With such a structure, as shown in FIG. 15, by adjusting the position of the housing 101a of the light emitting unit 101, the influence of the steps of the islands IL and IR can be reduced.

[0008]

However, with the above-described structure, there is a problem that the workability is poor because a relatively heavy housing must be moved up and down for adjustment. In addition, since adjustment can be performed only with the accuracy of the pitch of the holes provided in the channel base,
There was a problem that fine adjustment was not possible.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to adjust the facing state between each light emitting device and each light receiving device with good workability and high accuracy. It is an object of the present invention to provide a vehicle detector which can be realized at a low cost.

[0010]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit, wherein a plurality of light emitting units or a plurality of light receiving units are fixedly held by a connecting member. By connecting the plurality of light emitters or the plurality of light receivers in such a manner that their light emitting directions or light receiving directions are parallel to each other, the connecting member is swingable by a support member such as a rotating shaft. To support.

By taking such measures, if the connecting member is swung, the orientation of the plurality of light emitters or the plurality of light receivers is maintained in a state where the respective light emitters or the respective light receivers are parallel to each other. It changes arbitrarily as it is. Therefore, even if there is a difference in installation height between the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit, each light emitting device and each light receiving device can be obliquely opposed to each other, and vehicle detection can be performed.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a plurality of light-emitting devices or a plurality of light-receiving devices are provided in each of the light-emitting unit and the light-receiving unit. And the plurality of light emitters or the plurality of light receivers are connected to each other in a state where their light emitting directions or light receiving directions are parallel to each other by being rotatably held by a second connecting member. The first member
A connecting mechanism is provided for supporting the connecting member and the second connecting member such that their relative positions in a direction orthogonal to the arrangement direction can be changed.

[0013] By taking such measures, the first
If the relative position of the connecting member and the second connecting member is changed, the orientation of the plurality of light emitters or the plurality of light receivers is maintained while maintaining the state where each light emitter or each light receiver is parallel to each other. Changes arbitrarily. Therefore, even if there is a difference in installation height between the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit, each light emitting device and each light receiving device can be obliquely opposed to each other, and vehicle detection can be performed.

[0014]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, the vehicle detector of the present invention
The basic configuration, which includes a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit and is used in the state shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, is the same as a conventional vehicle detector.

However, in the vehicle detector according to the present invention, the internal structure of the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit has a characteristic configuration as described in detail below. (First Embodiment) FIGS. 1 and 2 are diagrams showing a main configuration of a vehicle detector according to a first embodiment.

In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes an optical element unit. This optical element unit is a light emitting unit in the light emitting unit, and is a light receiving unit in the light receiving unit.

A plurality of (k) optical element units 1 are provided for each of the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit.
The k optical element units 1 (1-1 to 1-k) are
The light emitting directions or the light receiving directions are arranged at predetermined intervals so as to be parallel to each other, and are fixed to the connecting members 2 and 3 by screws or the like.

The connecting members 2 and 3 are formed of elongated plate-like members, and are arranged so that the optical element unit 1 is sandwiched between the connecting members 2 and 3 from the side.
Is maintained as described above.

A rotary shaft 4 is provided near the center of the connecting members 2 and 3 in the longitudinal direction, and penetrates the connecting members 2 and 3. The rotating shaft 4 is fixed to the inner wall of the housing of the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit.

On the other hand, arcuate through-holes 2a, 3a around the rotary shaft 4 are provided at both ends of the connecting members 2, 3 in the longitudinal direction.
2b and 3b are formed respectively. Then, the connecting members 2 and 3 are fixed to the fixing portions 5 and 6 protruding from the ceiling surface and the bottom surface of the housing, and the bolts 7 inserted through the through holes 2a and 3a.
8 and bolts 9 and 10 inserted through the through holes 2b and 3b.

Thus, according to such a configuration, when the bolts 7, 8, 9, 10 are loosened, both ends of the connecting members 2, 3 can be swung about the rotating shaft 4. . The direction of the optical element unit 1, that is, the light emitting direction or the light receiving direction is arbitrarily changed within the range from the state shown in FIG. 3 to the state shown in FIG. Can be done.

Therefore, when there is a step between the island for installing the light emitting unit and the island for installing the light receiving unit, as shown in FIG. 12 and the unit 11 installed on the island IR on the high side
3 and the unit 12 installed on the lower island IL has the same inclination as shown in FIG.
What is necessary is just to adjust the inclination of each of the optical element units 1 and 12 so that they face each other.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the inclination of the optical element unit 1 with respect to the housing can be changed while maintaining the optical element units 1 in a parallel state. Each light emitting device and each light receiving device can be opposed to each other without adjusting the respective installation heights, and vehicle detection can be performed. In addition, the operation for causing each light emitting device and each light receiving device to face each other only requires adjusting the inclination of the connecting members 2 and 3, which is very simple.

In addition, the present embodiment can be realized by slightly improving the conventional vehicle detector, and the cost increase can be kept low. (Second Embodiment) FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 are diagrams showing a main configuration of a vehicle detector according to a second embodiment. 1 and 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

The k optical element units 1 are arranged at predetermined intervals so that the light emitting direction or the light receiving direction is parallel to each other, and are rotatably held by first pins with respect to the first connecting members 21 and 22, respectively. Have been. The optical element unit 1 is rotatably held with respect to the second connecting members 23 and 24 by pins or the like.

The first connecting members 21 and 22 and the second connecting members 23 and 24 are each formed of an elongated plate-like member.
The k optical element units 1 are connected to each other with the connecting element 21 and the connecting member 22 and the connecting members 23 and 24 sandwiching the optical element unit 1 from the side. The second connecting members 23 and 24 are arranged along the light emitting direction or the light receiving direction of the optical element unit 1 with respect to the first connecting members 21 and 22.

Both ends in the longitudinal direction of the first connecting members 21 and 22 are fixed to fixing portions 24 and 26 protruding from the ceiling surface of the housing and fixing portions 27 and 28 protruding from the bottom surface by screwing or the like. ing. On the other hand, both ends of the second connecting members 23 and 24 are fixed to the fixing portions 25, 26, 27 and 2 respectively.
8, arc-shaped through holes 25a, 26 provided in
a, 27a, 28a, bolts 29, 30,
31 and 32 are fixed to the fixing portions 25, 26, 27 and 28, respectively.

Thus, according to such a configuration, when the bolts 29, 30, 31, 32 are loosened, the second
The connecting members 23 and 24 can be slid. The direction of the optical element unit 1, that is, the light emitting direction or the light receiving direction is arbitrarily changed within the range from the state shown in FIG. 8 to the state shown in FIG. 9 in accordance with the sliding of the second connecting members 23 and 24. Can be done.

Therefore, when there is a step between the island for installing the light emitting unit and the island for installing the light receiving unit, as shown in FIG. 11 and the unit 10 installed on the island IR on the high side
In FIG. 8, the inclination is set as shown in FIG. 8, and in the unit 11 installed on the lower island IL, the inclination is set as shown in FIG.
The inclination of each of the optical element units 0 and 11 may be adjusted so that the optical element units 1 face each other.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the inclination of the optical element unit 1 with respect to the housing can be changed while maintaining the optical element units 1 in a parallel state. Each light emitting device and each light receiving device can be opposed to each other without adjusting the respective installation heights, and vehicle detection can be performed. In addition, the operation for causing the light emitting devices and the light receiving devices to face each other only requires sliding the second connecting members 23 and 24, and is very simple.

In addition, the present embodiment can be realized by only slightly improving the conventional vehicle detector, and the cost increase can be suppressed low. The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. For example, in the first embodiment, the rotating shaft 4 is provided near the center in the longitudinal direction of the connecting members 2 and 3, but is not limited to this.
It may be provided at any position. However, it is desirable that the rotating shaft 4 be as close as possible to the center of the connecting members 2 and 3 in the longitudinal direction. This is because the swing width of the ends of the connecting members 2 and 3 when the optical element unit 1 is tilted at a certain angle is reduced, and the space efficiency is improved.

In the second embodiment, the first connecting members 21 and 22 are fixed to the housing,
Although only the first and second connecting members 23 and 24 are slidable, it is only necessary that the first connecting members 21 and 22 and the second connecting members 23 and 24 be relatively slidable.
4 is fixed to the housing, and only the first connecting members 21 and 22 are slidable, or the first connecting member 2
Modifications such as making both the first and second and second connection members 23 and 24 slidable are possible.

In addition to the above, the structure of the various fixing portions and the holding portions, the method of fixing and holding, and other specific structures can be variously modified without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0034]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, in each of a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit, a plurality of light emitting units or a plurality of light receiving units are fixedly held by a connecting member, so that the plurality of light emitting units or the plurality of light emitting units are fixed. Are connected in such a manner that their light emitting directions or light receiving directions are parallel to each other, and the connecting member is swingably supported by a supporting member.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in each of the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit, a plurality of light emitting units or a plurality of light receiving units are rotated by a first connecting member and a second connecting member arranged in parallel with each other. By movably holding the plurality of light emitters or the plurality of light receivers, the light emitting direction or the light receiving direction is connected in parallel with each other, and the first connecting member and the second light receiving member are supported by a support member. A connecting mechanism is provided for supporting the connecting member such that its relative position in a direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction can be changed. Accordingly, the vehicle detector can adjust the facing state between each light emitter and each light receiver with good workability and high accuracy, and can be realized at low cost.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a main configuration of a vehicle detector according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a main configuration of the vehicle detector according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a view showing an example of a state in which the optical element unit is adjusted downward in the vehicle detector according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a state where the optical element unit is adjusted upward in the vehicle detector according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of an installation state of a vehicle detector according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a main configuration of a vehicle detector according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a main configuration of a vehicle detector according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a view showing an example of a state where an optical element unit is adjusted downward in the vehicle detector according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a state in which the optical element unit is adjusted upward in the vehicle detector according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the appearance and a usage example of a vehicle detector.

FIG. 11 is a view for explaining the principle of vehicle detection in the vehicle detector.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a fixing structure of a light emitting device or a light receiving device in a conventional vehicle detector.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the installation state of the vehicle detector in a state where there is a step in the island.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an installation height adjustment mechanism in a conventional vehicle detector.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of an installation state of the conventional vehicle detector having the adjustment mechanism shown in FIG. 14 in a state where the island has a step.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 (1-1 to 1-k) ... Optical element unit 2, 3 ... Connecting member 2a, 3a, 2b, 3b ... Through hole 4 ... Rotating shaft 5, 6 ... Fixed part 7, 8, 9, 10 ... Bolt 21 , 22 ... first connecting members 23, 24 ... second connecting members 24, 26, 27, 28 ... fixing portions 25a, 26a, 27a, 28a ... through holes 29, 30, 31, 32 ... bolts

Claims (2)

[Claims] A light receiving unit that receives light emitted from a plurality of light emitting units provided in the light emitting unit, based on a light receiving state of the plurality of light receiving units; A vehicle detector for detecting the presence or absence of a vehicle between the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit, wherein the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit are fixedly held by each of the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit. A connecting member that connects the plurality of light emitters or the plurality of light receivers in a state where their light emitting directions or light receiving directions are parallel to each other, and a supporting member that supports the connecting member in a swingable manner. A vehicle detector, comprising: 2. A light-emitting unit comprising: a plurality of light-emitting units provided in a light-emitting unit; and a plurality of light-emitting units provided in a light-receiving unit for receiving light emitted from the plurality of light-emitting units. A vehicle detector for detecting the presence or absence of a vehicle between the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit, wherein each of the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit is arranged in parallel with each other and the plurality of light emitters or the plurality of light A first connecting member and a second connecting member for connecting the plurality of light emitters or the plurality of light receivers in a state where their light emitting directions or light receiving directions are parallel to each other by rotatably holding the light receiver; , The first
A vehicle detector provided with a connecting mechanism having a connecting member and a supporting member for variably supporting a relative position of the second connecting member in a direction orthogonal to the arrangement direction. .