Road surface drawing lamp

Abstract

To provide a road surface drawing lamp which is provided on a construction machine, for example, a fork lift truck and is suitable to alert presence and approach of the fork lift truck to surrounding operators.SOLUTION: A road surface drawing lamp 11 comprises a casing 12 which opens a front face, a front lens 13 which radiates light from two-color LED light sources 14, 15 provided within the casing 12 to outside of the casing 12, a lens optical surface 13a which is provided on the front lens 13 and draws an arch picture image by projecting the light from the LED light sources 14, 15 on a road surface of a work area of the fork lift truck and a crepe processing section 13b which radiates the light from the front lens 13 by spreading the light from the LED light sources 14,15.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a road marking lamp, and more particularly to a road marking lamp that is used to mark a road surface in a work area of ​​a construction machine such as a forklift. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, road surface drawing devices are known that project images onto the road surface around construction machinery or vehicles to alert workers, pedestrians, etc. around vehicles such as passenger cars to the presence and approach of construction machinery or vehicles and prevent collision accidents. However, images projected onto the road surface by conventional general road surface drawing devices are drawn in the same monochrome color as the light emitted by general vehicle lamps, so that there is a problem that the attention of workers and pedestrians is not sufficiently drawn.

[0003] To solve this problem, it has been proposed in the past to first arrange two drawing patterns on the same straight line and dynamically project them as a so-called animation that appears to change continuously (Patent Document 1). Also, it has been proposed to project two areas separated in the vehicle width direction in different forms, specifically in different colors such as white and amber (Patent Document 2). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2019 / 016943 [Patent Document 2] Patent Publication No. 2022-109439 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, the first proposal has a problem that the projection control of the two drawing patterns for projecting the animation is complicated. In addition, the inside of a warehouse or a work site where a construction machine such as a forklift works is poorly visible due to the presence of many piled up packages, and the passageway is narrow, so that it requires a relatively wide road surface, and there is a problem that it is not suitable for projecting animation by arranging two drawing patterns in the same straight line. In addition, the second proposal can make pedestrians and the like recognize the traveling direction of the vehicle near the intersection, but as with the first proposal, it is difficult to secure a wide road surface for projecting two areas separated in the vehicle width direction in the inside of a warehouse or a work site where a construction machine such as a forklift works. Thus, the conventional road surface drawing device has a problem that it is difficult to install it on a construction machine such as a forklift and to inform surrounding workers of the presence and approach of the construction machine while the construction machine is working, and to call their attention to reliably avoid contact accidents.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of such problems, and has an object to provide a road marking lamp suitable for installation on construction machinery such as a forklift to alert surrounding workers to avoid contact accidents. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problem, in a first aspect of the present invention, a road surface drawing lamp that projects and draws an image on a road surface provided at the rear of a construction machine such as a forklift includes a casing with an opening at the front, a light source provided in the casing, a front lens that is provided to close the opening of the casing and irradiates light from the light source to the outside of the casing, a lens optical surface provided on the front lens that projects the light from the light source onto the road surface of the work area of ​​the construction machine to draw an arch-shaped image, and a light diffusion generating unit that diffuses the light from the light source and irradiates it from the front lens. An LED is preferable as the light source. Also, it is preferable that the light diffusion generating unit is provided with a textured finish on a part of the back surface of the front lens other than the lens optical surface.

[0008] According to this first aspect, by projecting an arch-shaped image on the road surface of the work area, workers around the construction machine, especially those behind the construction machine, can visually recognize the arch-shaped image and recognize the presence and approach of the construction machine. Since the arch-shaped image can be drawn even on a narrow passageway, the arch-shaped image can make the workers aware of the presence and approach of the construction machine and prevent the workers from coming into contact with the construction machine. The image clearly indicates to the workers around the construction machine that it is safe to be outside the arch-shaped image, but that it is dangerous to enter inside the image because there is a possibility of contact with the construction machine. In addition, even if the worker cannot clearly recognize the arch-shaped image, the light diffusion generating unit is provided so that light is diffused and irradiated from the front lens, thereby increasing the visibility of the road drawing lamp itself, and thus making it easier to confirm the presence and approach of the construction machine. In this way, the road drawing lamp of this aspect also functions as a marker lamp.

[0009] In the second embodiment, in addition to the configuration of the first embodiment, the light source is composed of two LEDs with different colors, and the color of the arch-shaped image is changed on the road surface depending on whether it is a normal warning or an emergency warning. For normal warning, a blue or green LED is suitable, and for emergency warning, a red LED is suitable.

[0010] According to the second aspect, by changing the colors of the two arch-shaped images, the workers around the construction machine are more alerted by the sight of the images. During normal warning, a safe area at a certain distance from the construction machine is shown, for example, outside the drawing position of the green arch-shaped image, and if the worker enters inside the green arch-shaped image, the worker is alerted to the risk of contact with the construction machine. On the other hand, during emergency warning, the color is changed from that during normal warning, for example, a red arch-shaped image is projected and drawn on the road surface, so that the workers around the construction machine are made aware of the occurrence of an emergency situation where they may come into contact with the construction machine, and are alerted to quickly leave the dangerous area.

[0011] Furthermore, in a third aspect, in addition to the configuration of the second aspect, the focal position of the lens optical surface is aligned with an emergency warning LED.

[0012] According to this third aspect, the arch-shaped image drawn on the road surface during an emergency warning is focused and is therefore more clearly drawn than the arch-shaped image during a normal warning, allowing workers around the construction machine to more clearly recognize the danger area.

[0013] Furthermore, in a fourth aspect, in addition to the configuration of the second or third aspect, the arch-shaped image drawn with light from the emergency warning LED is drawn on the road surface closer to the body of the construction machine than the arch-shaped image drawn with light from the normal warning LED.

[0014] According to this fourth embodiment, the area outside the drawing position of the arch-shaped image for normal warning indicates a safe area where a worker is unlikely to come into contact with the construction machine, but by drawing an arch-shaped image with light from an emergency warning LED on the road surface inside the arch-shaped image for normal warning, closer to the body of the construction machine, the danger level of the area where there is a possibility of contact with the construction machine is indicated in two stages according to the distance from the body of the construction machine. Normally, only one of the arch-shaped images, for example the image for normal warning, is drawn on the road surface, but in this embodiment, even if two arch-shaped images are drawn on the road surface at the same time, the two images do not overlap and can be seen separately.

[0015] Furthermore, in a fifth aspect, in addition to the configuration of any one of the second to fourth aspects, an LED to be illuminated is selected and the color of the arch-shaped image drawn on the road surface is changed in response to an external signal, such as a controller installed in the driver's seat of the construction machine or a signal from a sensor that detects the presence of a worker around the construction machine.

[0016] According to the fifth aspect, it is possible to reliably draw arch-shaped images in different colors depending on the situation around the construction machine, depending on whether a normal warning is issued or an emergency warning is issued. Effect of the Invention

[0017] According to the present invention, by drawing an arch-shaped image on the road surface, it is possible to alert workers around the construction machinery who see this arch-shaped image. Furthermore, even if a worker is in a situation where he or she cannot see the arch-shaped image drawn on the road surface, the lamp itself, with its increased visibility, can be reliably seen, making it easier to recognize the presence and approach of construction machinery, and significantly improving the alerting of workers around the construction machinery. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic side view showing an installation state of a road marking lamp in a preferred embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a forklift. [Diagram 2] FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the inside of the road marking lamp with the casing and the front lens cut away along the line AA in FIG. 2 . [Figure 4] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the inside of the road marking lamp with the casing and front lens cut away along line BB in FIG. 2. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a drive control circuit that drives an LED light source using an external signal. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a schematic perspective view showing the state of drawing on a road surface. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a rear view of the front lens, showing another example of the placement of the embossed portion. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0019] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention applied to a forklift will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are illustrative and do not limit the invention, and all of the features and combinations described in the embodiments are not necessarily essential to the invention.

[0020] As shown in Figure 1, the road marking lamp 11 is attached to the underside of the rear end of a roof 3 called a head guard, located at the rear of the body 2 of the forklift 1, or to the upper end of a support pillar 4 supporting the roof 3. This attachment may be in a fixed state where it cannot be displaced, or may be tiltable up and down and fixed in a desired state. A headlamp 6 is provided at the upper end of a mast 5 located at the front of the body 2 of the forklift 1, and a fork 7 for carrying cargo G is provided at the lower end. A balance weight 8 and a brake lamp 9 are also provided at the rear of the body 2 of the forklift 1.

[0021] 2 to 4, the road marking lamp 11 includes a cylindrical casing 12 with a bottom and an open front, and a front lens 13 is provided so as to close an opening 12a of the casing 12. In addition, a red LED 14 and a green LED 15 serving as light sources are provided within the casing 12 via a light source substrate 16.

[0022] The front lens 13 is provided with a lens optical surface 13a for projecting light from the red LED 14 and the green LED 15 onto the road surface R of the work area of ​​the forklift 1 to draw an arch-shaped image F (see Figs. 1 and 6). The arch-shaped image F drawn on the road surface R has both ends located on the forklift 1 side and a center portion located in a direction away from the forklift 1. The area on the forklift 1 side of the drawing position of the arch-shaped image F indicates an area where there is a possibility of contact with the forklift 1. The red LED 14 is an emergency warning LED, and the green LED 15 is a normal warning LED. The focal position of the lens optical surface 13a is aligned with the red LED 14 for emergency warning.

[0023] 3 and 4, in order to diffuse the light from the red LED 14 and the green LED 15 and irradiate it from the front lens 13, a textured portion 13b formed with a large number of fine projections and recesses is provided on the rear surface of the front lens 13 except for the lens optical surface 13a. This textured portion 13b constitutes a light diffusion generating portion, but the light diffusion generating portion is not limited to the textured portion 13b, and various configurations are possible depending on the configuration of the road marking lamp 11. For example, if the road marking lamp 11 has a front cover, it can be configured by forming optical steps on this front cover.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 5, the red LED 14 and the green LED 15 are controlled to be turned on and off by a drive signal from an LED drive circuit 22 of a drive control circuit 21. The drive control circuit 21 includes an ECU 23 that controls the LED drive circuit 22, and an external signal input unit 24 that inputs an external input signal to the ECU 23. The external signal input unit 24 receives a signal from a remote controller (not shown) that is provided in the driver's seat of the forklift 1 and operated by the driver, or a sensor (not shown) provided in the rear of the body 2 of the forklift 1, for example, on the balance weight 8, for detecting the presence of a worker around the forklift 1. This signal input may be wireless or wired. The LED drive circuit 22 is configured to select one of the two LEDs 14, 15 and emit light by controlling the ECU 23 based on this input signal.

[0025] As shown in Figures 3 and 6, the red LED 14 is positioned to coincide with the focal position of the lens optical surface 13a, so that the red light projected from the lens optical surface 13a draws a clear red arch-shaped image F1 on the road surface R (see Figure 1, the same applies below). On the other hand, the green LED 15 is positioned away from the focal position of the lens optical surface 13a, so that the green light projected from the lens optical surface 13a draws a blurred green arch-shaped image F2 on the road surface R. The red arch-shaped image F1 is configured to be drawn on the road surface closer to the vehicle body 2 of the forklift 1 than the green arch-shaped image F2.

[0026] 6, during normal operation of the forklift 1, i.e., during normal warning, the green LED 15 is selected by the drive control circuit 21 to draw a green arch-shaped image F2 on the road surface R, and surrounding workers can visually recognize the presence and approach of the forklift 1. The green arch-shaped image F2 drawn on the road surface R indicates that the outside of the image is a safety area, and warns the worker of the risk of contact if he or she approaches the forklift 1 within the image.

[0027] On the other hand, during an emergency warning, for example, if the worker goes inside the drawing position of the green arch-shaped image F2, the red LED 14 is selected by the drive control circuit 21 to draw a red arch-shaped image F1 inside the drawing of the green arch-shaped image F2 on the road surface R, i.e., on the road surface on the vehicle body 2 side of the forklift 1. This makes the worker aware that he or she is in an extremely dangerous area close to the forklift 1 and that an emergency situation is occurring that could cause a contact accident, and calls the worker's attention to move away from this dangerous area immediately. In this case, drawing the red arch-shaped image F1 in a flashing state can further improve the attention drawing.

[0028] In the unlikely event that the worker is in a situation where he cannot clearly see the arch-shaped images F1, F2 drawn on the road surface R, the front lens 13 has an embossed portion 13b on the rear surface thereof other than the lens optical surface 13a, so that the light of the red LED 14 or green LED 15 is diffused and irradiated from the front lens 13, thereby increasing the visibility of the road drawing lamp 11 itself and making it easier to confirm the presence of the forklift 1. In other words, the road drawing lamp 11 also functions as a marker lamp.

[0029] 7 shows another example of the portion where the embossed portion 13b is provided on the back surface of the front lens 13, and the lighter shaded portion indicates the embossed portion 13b. In FIG. 7(a), the embossed portion 13b is provided on the upper half of the front lens 13, excluding the lens optical surface 13a. In FIG. 7(b), the embossed portion 13b is provided on the portion located on the inside of the lens optical surface 13a, approximately at the center of the front lens 13. In FIG. 7(c), the embossed portion 13b is provided on the installation portion of FIG. 7(a), excluding the inner portion of the lens optical surface 13a. In such a configuration where the embossed portion 13b is provided on each portion, the visibility of the road marking lamp 11 can be improved, as in the above-mentioned embodiment.

[0030] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the above-mentioned embodiments are merely examples of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments. [Explanation of symbols]

[0031] 1. Forklift 11 Road marking lamp 12 Casing 13 Front lens 13a Lens optical surface 13b Textured part 14 Red LED 15 Green LED 21 Drive control circuit

Claims

1. A road surface drawing lamp that projects and draws an image on a road surface and is provided at the rear of a construction machine body, The road marking lamp is a casing having an open front; A light source provided within the casing; a front lens provided to close the opening of the casing and configured to irradiate light from the light source to the outside of the casing; a lens optical surface provided on the front lens, which projects light from the light source onto a road surface in a work area of ​​the construction machine to draw an arch-shaped image; a light diffusion generating unit that diffuses the light from the light source and irradiates it from the front lens. A road marking lamp characterized by the above.

2. The light source is composed of two LEDs with different colors, one for normal warning and the other for emergency warning.

2. The road marking lamp according to claim 1 .

3. The focal position of the lens optical surface is aligned with the emergency warning LED.

3. The road marking lamp according to claim 2.

4. The arch-shaped image projected by the emergency warning LED is drawn on the road surface closer to the vehicle body of the construction machine than the arch-shaped image projected by the normal warning LED.

3. The road marking lamp according to claim 2.

5. Select the LED to be illuminated by an external signal 5. The road marking lamp according to claim 2, wherein the light source is a light source for receiving the light.

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