Guidance device

Abstract

To provide a guidance device which can be configured at a low cost and can reliably guide a user.SOLUTION: A plurality of guidance devices 1 arranged along a passage for guiding a user moving on the passage are provided, and the plurality of guidance devices 1 are configured to cause a light pattern Lp to project and disappear with a predetermined period and a required phase difference, respectively. The plurality of guidance devices 1 are divided along the passage PW into viewable areas A to C, and the number (n=2) of the guidance devices 1 existing in an area A where the number of the divided guidance devices 1 is the smallest is one of the elements when the predetermined period is set.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a guidance device for safely and appropriately guiding users such as people and vehicles. [Background technology]

[0002] In various facilities, it is desirable to guide users, such as vehicles and people, who are unfamiliar with the facility to their destination. Patent Document 1 proposes a guidance technology that projects a guiding light pattern onto the floor of a parking lot and guides users who see it in a required direction. Patent Document 2 proposes a guidance technology that projects a light pattern, such as a light spot, from a device installed on a streetlight or utility pole and guides pedestrians by following the light pattern. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-69105 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-233503 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The guidance technology in Patent Document 1 is a technology for projecting a required light pattern, but this type of light pattern projection device is made up of a liquid crystal display device, an image forming device, etc., and is therefore expensive. Therefore, when multiple guidance devices are installed to cover the entire area of ​​a large parking lot, cost issues arise. If the installation of guidance devices is insufficient, it is difficult to provide reliable guidance to users.

[0005] The technology of Patent Document 2 projects multiple light patterns along the guidance direction, but is insufficient to display the guidance direction. Therefore, if the technology of Patent Document 2 is configured as an evacuation guidance device in an emergency in a facility, it is difficult to reliably guide a user to a safe location.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a guidance device that can be constructed at low cost and that can reliably guide a user. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present invention includes a plurality of guide devices arranged along a passageway to guide a user moving along the passageway, each of which projects and erases a light pattern at a predetermined period and with a required phase difference. The plurality of guide devices are then divided into areas along the passageway where visibility is possible, and the number of guide devices present in the area with the fewest number of divided guide devices is used as one of the factors for setting the predetermined period.

[0008] Preferably, the predetermined period is the sum of the projection time and the disappearance time of the light pattern, and the number of guidance devices is set as one of the factors for setting the disappearance time. For example, the disappearance time is set based on the number of guidance devices, the time difference between the projection timing of the light pattern on adjacent guidance devices, and a preset adjustment time. Here, the time difference is set to the time it takes for a user moving along the corridor to move between adjacent guidance devices. Furthermore, the adjustment time is set to a time that does not cause anxiety to ordinary people when the light pattern disappears. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] The guidance device of the present invention guides users by projecting and erasing light patterns, so the configuration of the projection means is simple, and even if multiple guidance devices are provided and multiple light patterns are projected, the device can be constructed at low cost.At the same time, by using multiple light patterns to guide users, the user can be guided reliably. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment in which a guiding device of the present invention is installed in an evacuation passageway of a facility. [Figure 2] Schematic diagram of part of the passage. [Figure 3]FIG. [Figure 4] Horizontal cross section along line HH in Figure 3. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a partially exploded perspective view of the entire induction device. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a partially exploded perspective view of the projection and sound generation unit of the guidance device. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a timing chart showing the projection of a light pattern according to an embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram similar to FIG. 1 in accordance with another embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a timing diagram showing the projection of a light pattern according to another embodiment. [Figure 10] 1 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment in which a guidance device of the present invention is installed in a parking lot. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment in which a guidance device 1 of the present invention is arranged in a passageway PW of an indoor facility. A plurality of (nine) guidance devices 1 (1a-1i) are arranged at required intervals along the extension direction of the passageway PW on the ceiling of the passageway PW, which extends from a room exit EX1 to an emergency exit EX2. The guidance devices 1 are equipped with lighting means, which are turned on normally or when necessary to illuminate the passageway. The guidance devices 1 also have projection means and sound generation means, and in an emergency, when people move along the passageway PW to evacuate, the projection means projects a light pattern Lp for guidance onto the floor of the passageway PW. In addition, the sound generation means can generate sound.

[0012] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a portion of passage PW including a guiding device 1. The guiding device 1, which is disposed on the ceiling of passage PW, uses built-in lighting means to designate an approximately circular area on the floor directly below as an illumination area Ls. Furthermore, built-in projection means projects a rectangular light pattern Lp onto the approximate center of the illumination area Ls. A user (person) moving along passage PW from room exit EX1 of the facility shown in FIG. 1 sees this light pattern Lp and is guided to emergency exit EX2 by the light pattern Lp.

[0013] Fig. 3 is an external perspective view of the guidance device 1, and Fig. 4 is a central horizontal cross-sectional view taken along line HH in Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a partially exploded perspective view of the overall configuration. The guidance device 1 has an outer housing 100 formed in a roughly cylindrical container shape, and an illumination unit 10 and a projection / sound unit 20 are incorporated into this outer housing 100. The outer housing 100 has a flange portion 101 that bulges outward along the circumference of a portion of the opening side, and the illumination unit 10 is disposed within this flange portion 101. The projection / sound unit 20 is configured within an inner housing 200 that is cylindrical and slightly smaller than the outer housing 100, and is disposed in the central region of the outer housing 100.

[0014] The lighting unit 10 is disposed within a circular chamber defined by the flange portion 101 of the outer housing 100, and includes a light source 11, an inner lens 12, a reflector 13, and an outer lens 14. The light source 11 includes a plurality of LEDs (light-emitting diodes) 11b mounted on a circular light source substrate 11a. The inner lens 12 is comprised of two rod-shaped light guides 12a, each bent into a semicircular arc shape with both ends 12b facing the LEDs 11b. Light emitted from the LEDs 11b is directed into the interior through the ends 12b. The reflector 13 surrounds the light source 11 and the inner lens 12 and reflects light emitted from the circumferential surface of the inner lens 12 toward the opening in the flange portion 101. The outer lens 14 is comprised of a circular, light-transmitting member, such as a transparent resin plate, attached to the front opening of the flange portion 101 to cover it.

[0015] In this lighting unit 10, when the lighting LED 11b is powered and emits light, light emitted from the lighting LED 11b enters the lighting inner lens 12a from the end 12b of the lighting inner lens 12a and is guided circumferentially within the lighting inner lens 12a. This guided light is then emitted from the circumferential surface of the lighting inner lens 12a, with a portion directed toward the lighting outer lens 14 and another portion reflected by the lighting reflector 13 and directed toward the lighting outer lens 14. These light beams then pass through the lighting outer lens 14 and are emitted as illumination light. As shown in FIG. 1 , the emitted light illuminates a substantially circular or annular area Ls on the floor of the passageway. To achieve uniform illumination, the surface of the lighting outer lens 14 may be configured as a diffusing surface. Alternatively, the lighting outer lens 14 may have a lens function that converges or diverges light, thereby illuminating a desired area.

[0016] Fig. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the projection / sound unit 20, and will be described with reference to Fig. 4 as well. The inner housing 200 is formed in the shape of a cylindrical container, and when it is installed inside the outer housing 100, a cylindrical space S is defined between the outer surface of the inner housing 200 and the inner surface of the outer housing 100 by a spacer or the like (not shown in the figure). An opening 201 is provided in the bottom surface of the inner housing 200, and a speaker 21 is attached inside the inner housing 200 so as to face this opening 201. For example, a dynamic speaker is attached with its cone facing the opening.

[0017] A light source unit 22 is disposed around the speaker 21 on the inner bottom surface of the inner housing 200. The light source unit 22 includes an annular circuit board 22a. A plurality of projection LEDs 22b, whose light-emitting surfaces face the opening of the inner housing 200, are mounted on the circuit board 22a and arranged in the circumferential direction. A sound generating circuit for driving the speaker 21 may also be configured on the circuit board 22a. A projection inner lens 23 is mounted on the circuit board 22a so as to face the light-emitting surfaces of the projection LEDs 22b. A plurality of lens steps 23a are integrally formed on the projection inner lens 23, each of which is disposed opposite the light-emitting surfaces of the projection LEDs 22b. These lens steps 23a function as condenser lenses that convert the light emitted from each projection LED 22b into a nearly parallel beam, and are configured as lens steps that form a TIR (total internal reflection) lens, for example.

[0018] Furthermore, a composite projection reflector 24 is disposed in front of the projection inner lens 23 within the inner housing 200. This projection reflector 24 is composed of an outer reflector 24a shaped like an inverted cone, the inner surface of which is a reflective surface, and an inner reflector 24b shaped like an inverted cone, the outer surface of which is a reflective surface, located at the center of the outer reflector 24a. Additionally, a circular projection outer lens 25 is attached to the opening of the inner housing 200. This projection outer lens 25 has a light-transmitting portion 25a with a required pattern formed in its central region, and the remaining region is composed of an opaque portion formed by vapor deposition or coating of an opaque material. This light-transmitting portion 25a has a rectangular pattern.

[0019] In this projection / sound production unit 20, when the speaker 21 is driven, sound generated by the vibration of the cone is propagated within the annular gap S between the inner housing 200 and the outer housing 100, and is emitted outside the guidance device 1 from the gap between the illumination outer lens 14 and the projection outer lens 25. The sound from the speaker 21 is emitted from the annular gap S facing the front side of the guidance device 1, and therefore has a highly directional characteristic. Therefore, it is possible to selectively play the sound to users in the vicinity of the guidance device 1.

[0020] Furthermore, when the projection LEDs 22b are powered and emit light, the light emitted from each projection LED 22b is collimated by the lens step 23a, reflected by the inner reflective surface of the outer reflector 24a toward the center, and then reflected by the outer reflective surface of the inner reflector 24b toward the opening of the inner housing 200. It is preferable that the reflective surfaces of the outer reflector 24a and the inner reflector 24b are arranged parallel to each other. In this way, the center of the beam (optical axis) of the light emitted from the projection LEDs 22b and collimated by the lens step 23a is directed in a direction perpendicular to the light-emitting surface of the projection LED 22b, i.e., in a direction perpendicular to the lens surface of the illumination outer lens 25, even after being reflected by the projection reflector 24.

[0021] Furthermore, it is preferable that the centers of curvature of the reflective surfaces of the outer reflector 24a and the inner reflector 24b coincide. In this way, the light beam collimated by the lens step 23a is reflected by the outer reflector 24a and converged in the circumferential direction, but is reflected by the inner reflector 24b and diverged in the circumferential direction, compensating (complementing) each other and preventing significant deformation of the beam shape. As a result, the light emitted from each projection LED 22b is focused in the central region of the projection outer lens 25, transmitted through the light-transmitting portion 25a, and converted into a rectangular beam of light corresponding to the shape of the light-transmitting portion 25a. As shown in FIG. 2, this allows for the projection of a highly bright light pattern resulting from the combined light of the multiple projection LEDs.

[0022] The guidance device 1 of the present invention is not limited to the configuration of the embodiment, and may be modified as appropriate, as long as it includes an illumination means, a projection means, and a sound generation means. For example, the projection means and the sound generation means do not have to be configured as a projection / sound generation unit as in the embodiment, but may be configured as independent units. Alternatively, the illumination means may be configured as a unit integrated with the projection means or the sound generation means.

[0023] Furthermore, the light emitted by the lighting LED 11b as the light source of the lighting unit 10 of the guidance device 1 or the projection LED 22b as the light source of the projection and sound unit 20 is not limited to a single color, but may be multicolored. For example, the color of light may be varied depending on the distance to the emergency exit to give people a sense of security. Furthermore, the projection of the light pattern may be gradually faded in or out to avoid creating a sense of tension.

[0024] The multiple guiding devices 1 configured as described above are connected to the control device 2 shown in Fig. 2, and under normal circumstances, the control device 2 supplies power to the lighting LED 11b of the lighting unit 10, causing the lighting unit 10 to operate and illuminate the passageway PW. In addition, in an emergency, the control device 2 supplies power to the projection LED 22b of the projection / sound unit 20, which projects a light pattern Lp onto the floor of the passageway. When projecting this light pattern Lp, the control device 2 controls the projection of each light pattern Lp of the multiple guiding devices 1 sequentially (in order), thereby guiding people in the passageway to the emergency exit EX2.

[0025] The projection control of this light pattern Lp will be described. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the passage PW is bent in a crank shape from a room exit EX1 of a room where a person is present toward the emergency exit EX2. Two guide devices 1a and 1b are disposed in the passage from the room exit EX1 to the first corner, four guide devices 1c, 1d, 1e, and 1f are disposed from the first corner to the second corner, and three guide devices 1g, 1h, and 1i are disposed from the second corner to the emergency exit EX2. That is, if the first guide device 1a is the most upstream guide device along the direction of movement of a person when moving through the passage PW to evacuate, nine guide devices 1 (1a to 1i), from the second guide device 1b to the ninth guide device 1i, are disposed along the passage PW to the emergency exit EX2. Here, the interval L (length along the passage) between each of the guide devices 1a to 1i is basically constant.

[0026] In an emergency, when a person evacuates from the room exit EX1 through the passage PW to the emergency exit EX2, these guiding devices 1 are controlled by the control device 2 to project a light pattern Lp onto the floor of the passage PW. Figure 7 is a projection timing diagram of the light pattern Lp by the nine guiding devices 1 arranged in the passage. Each guiding device 1 is controlled to repeat the projection time ton and disappearance time (elimination of projection) toff of the light pattern Lp at a fixed cycle T (T = ton + toff). In the figure, the timing of filling in is the projection time ton. This cycle T, projection time ton, and disappearance time toff are the same for each guiding device 1. This is to simplify the control of the projection of the light patterns of the nine guiding devices 1 by the control device 2.

[0027] Meanwhile, the projection timing t on of each of the first guidance device 1a to the ninth guidance device 1i is delayed by a predetermined time difference (also called a phase difference) relative to the projection timing of the preceding guidance device, i.e., a delay time t'. As a result, as shown in FIG. 7, the projection timing of each of the first guidance device 1a to the ninth guidance device 1i is delayed by the delay time t', resulting in sequential projection overall. In this way, the projection of the light pattern Lp from the first guidance device 1a to the ninth guidance device 1i is performed sequentially over time, so that the light pattern Lp is projected onto the floor of the passage PW from the upstream side toward the emergency exit while changing its position. Therefore, a person moving along the passage PW can be guided to the emergency exit EX2 by visually checking the changing position of the light pattern Lp as they move.

[0028] In this case, it is preferable to set the delay time t', which is the phase difference of the projection timing, based on the walking speed of a person. For example, it is set to the time it takes a person moving along the passage PW to walk between two adjacent guide devices 1. That is, the delay time t' is set to (the distance L between each guide device) / (walking speed). In this way, the projection timing of the light pattern Lp from the first guide device 1a to the ninth guide device 1i is synchronized with the speed of a person walking along the passage PW. That is, the position of the light pattern LP changes as the person moves, thereby enhancing the guidance effect.

[0029] To further enhance the guidance effect, it is preferable to appropriately set the period T for projecting the light pattern Lp in each guidance device 1, particularly the shadow disappearance time toff. To achieve this, in this embodiment, the passageway PW is divided into three areas, namely, A, B, and C, and the light patterns Lp that can be seen from the position of a person moving along the passageway PW are set based on the number. Here, a person in area A can see two light patterns Lp, the first guidance device 1a and the second guidance device 1b. A person in area B can see four light patterns Lp, from the third guidance device 1c to the sixth guidance device 1f. A person in area C can see three light patterns Lp, from the seventh guidance device 1g to the ninth guidance device 1i.

[0030] A person in area A can see the fewest number of light patterns, and can see the light patterns Lp of the first guiding device 1a and the second guiding device 1b. Conversely, a person in area A can only see the light patterns Lp of the first guiding device 1a and the second guiding device 1b. Therefore, when the cycle T of the projection timing of the light patterns Lp is set long, particularly when the disappearance time toff is set long, the light patterns Lp of the first guiding device 1a and the second guiding device 1b are projected sequentially, and then the time from when the light pattern Lp of the second guiding device 1b disappears until the light pattern Lp of the first guiding device 1a is projected again becomes long, and during that time the light pattern Lp will not be displayed in the passageway of area A, causing anxiety to people in area A.

[0031] On the other hand, if the disappearance time toff is set to a short time, there is less risk of anxiety being generated in people in area A, but in areas B and C where the number of visible light patterns Lp is large, the projection and disappearance of light patterns Lp will be frequent, and the position of light patterns Lp will change significantly in the corridor. As a result, people in areas B and C will feel annoyed or experience unnecessary tension.

[0032] In the present invention, the shadow disappearance time toff is set based on the area with the fewest number of visible light patterns Lp, that is, the two visible light patterns Lp in area A. That is, it is set based on the following equation (1). toff=(n-1)t'+tmin (1) n is the minimum number of guidance devices (light patterns) that can be seen in one area, and n ≥ 2. Here, n is the number of light patterns that can be seen in area A, and n = 2. tmin is the adjustment time, which is the time during which people do not feel uneasy even if the projected light pattern continues to disappear. For example, it is set to any value within the range of 0.5 to 1.5 seconds.

[0033] The control device 2 sets the period T based on the thus set shadow disappearance time toff and the projection time ton of the light pattern that is preferred for all the guidance devices 1, and controls the first guidance device 1a to the ninth guidance device 1i. Therefore, all of the first guidance device 1a to the ninth guidance device 1i project light patterns based on the same period T, projection time ton, and shadow disappearance time toff. This period T is short for the first and second guidance devices 1a and 1b, but not so short for the third through ninth guidance devices 1c to 1i, resulting in a balanced overall system.

[0034] As a result, when people in area A move while visually checking the light patterns Lp of the first and second guiding devices 1a and 1b, even if the light patterns are not projected by these guiding devices 1a and 1b, the disappearance time toff is short, so they do not feel particularly uneasy. On the other hand, when people in areas B and C move while visually checking the light patterns Lp of the four guiding devices 1c to 1f or the three guiding devices 1g to 1i, the positional change of the light patterns Lp is suppressed, so they do not feel annoyed or nervous. This allows people moving along the passage PW to evacuate calmly and safely.

[0035] The delay time t' in the above formula (1) may be adjusted as appropriate depending on the level of urgency. For example, if the level of urgency is high, the delay time t' may be set shorter than the standard time, and if the level of urgency is low, the delay time t' may be set longer.

[0036] 8 is a schematic diagram of a passage and guidance devices according to another embodiment of the present invention, with parts equivalent to those in FIG. 1 being assigned the same reference numerals. In this other embodiment, the first guidance device 1a to the ninth guidance device 1i are arranged in a curved passage PW, but the light patterns Lp of three guidance devices 1a-1c, 1d-1f, and 1g-1i are visible in the A, B, and C areas of the passage, respectively. In this way, since three light patterns Lp are visible in each of the A, B, and C areas, the minimum number of guidance devices 1 overall is three, and n in the above formula (1) becomes n=3.

[0037] 9 is a projection timing diagram of the light pattern Lp of the guidance devices 1 in this other embodiment, i.e., the first guidance device 1a to the ninth guidance device 1i. As shown in FIG. 9, the period T, particularly the shadow disappearance time toff, in each guidance device 1 is set based on n=3. In this other embodiment, the projection time toff in each guidance device 1 is different from the projection time in the above embodiment, but it can be seen that the shadow disappearance time toff is different because the value of n is changed from 2 to 3.

[0038] In this other embodiment, the projection period T of the light pattern Lp is balanced across the regions as a whole, so there is no particular anxiety even if a state occurs in which the light pattern is not projected in each of the regions A to C. On the other hand, because the change in the position of the light pattern Lp is suppressed, there is no annoyance or tension. This allows people moving along the passage PW to evacuate calmly and safely.

[0039] While the above-described embodiments illustrate examples in which the guidance device of the present invention is installed in an evacuation passageway of an indoor facility, it may also be configured as a device for guiding users, such as vehicles and people, through passageways PW in a parking lot PA, as shown in the schematic diagram of FIG. 10 . In FIG. 10 , parts common to the above-described embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals. Inside this parking lot PA, there are parking spaces PS and curved passageways PW connecting these spaces. Each passageway PW is equipped with multiple guidance devices 1 for guiding vehicles CAR. Therefore, in such a parking lot PA, the number of guidance devices 1 installed in each passageway PW can be confirmed, and the period T for projecting the light pattern Lp, particularly the shadow disappearance time toff, can be set based on the minimum number of guidance devices 1 installed in each passageway PW. This enables safe and reliable guidance of users, such as vehicles C, within the parking lot PA.

[0040] The above explanation has been given of an example of guidance using a light pattern projected by the projection means of the guidance device, but smooth and safe guidance can also be achieved by combining illumination by the lighting means and sound by the sounding means. For example, when the passage is dark, it is preferable to illuminate the passage with a brightness that does not impair the visibility of the light pattern. Also, advice for moving along the passage may be given by sound.

[0041] The shape of the light pattern projected by the guidance device of the present invention is not limited to the rectangular pattern described in the embodiment, but may be various shapes such as an arrow pattern, a triangular pattern, etc. Furthermore, each guidance device may be configured to selectively or collectively project multiple patterns.

[0042] In the embodiment, the present invention is shown as being applied to a guidance device installed in the passageways of a facility or parking lot, but as long as the device is installed to guide the movement of users as they move around, it can also be applied to guiding users in places where many users gather, such as event venues. [Explanation of symbols]

[0043] 1 Guidance device 2. Control device 10 Lighting Unit 11 Light source section 12 Lighting inner lens 13 Lighting reflector 14 Lighting outer lens 20 Projection and Sound Unit 21 Speaker 22 Light source section 23 Projection inner lens 31 Recognition part 32 Guidance control unit 33 Projection Reflector 34 Projection outer lens 100 outer housing 200 inner housing Lp Light Pattern Ls lighting (lighting area) EX1,EX2 exit PW aisle PA Parking

Claims

1. A guidance system comprising a plurality of guidance devices arranged along a passageway to guide a user moving along the passageway, each of the plurality of guidance devices being configured to project and eliminate a light pattern at a predetermined period and with a required phase difference, the plurality of guidance devices being divided into areas along the passageway from which the user can see, and the number of guidance devices present in the area with the fewest number of divided guidance devices being one of the factors in setting the predetermined period.

2. 2. The guidance device according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined period is the sum of a projection time and a disappearance time of the light pattern, and the number of the guidance devices is set as one of the factors for setting the disappearance time.

3. The guidance device according to claim 2 , wherein the shadow disappearance time is set based on the number of the guidance devices, a time difference between the projection timings of the light patterns of adjacent guidance devices, and a preset adjustment time.

4. The guide device according to claim 3 , wherein the time difference is set to a time it takes for a user traveling along the passage to move between adjacent guide devices.

5. 4. The guidance device according to claim 3, wherein the adjustment time is set to a time that will not cause anxiety to an average person when the light pattern disappears.

6. 2. The guidance device according to claim 1, further comprising: a lighting means for illuminating the passageway; a projection means for projecting the light pattern onto a floor surface of the passageway; and a sound generation means for uttering a sound to a user present in the passageway, wherein the lighting means, the projection means, and the sound generation means are integrally assembled.

7. 7. The guidance device according to claim 6, wherein the projection means includes a light source unit that emits light and a projection outer lens having a light-transmitting portion that transmits the light emitted from the light source unit, and is configured to project the shape of the light-transmitting portion as a light pattern.

8. 2. The guidance system according to claim 1, wherein the passage is an evacuation passage within a facility or a passage in a parking lot, the users are vehicles and people present in the passage, the guidance device is disposed above the passage, and the projection means is configured as a projection device that projects the light pattern onto the floor surface of the passage.

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