Road mirror with Anti-fogging and alerting functions

Abstract

To provide a system with high energy efficiency capable of enhancing an attention calling effect in a road reflecting mirror such as a curve mirror and preventing a mirror surface from being clouded or frozen.SOLUTION: An attention calling device by an LED light (8) and a defogging device by a heating wire (6) are incorporated and integrated in a body (1) of the road reflecting mirror, and a photovoltaic power generation panel (2) and a battery (3) for supplying electric power to them are also integrated to enhance energy efficiency. The present invention creates a new value and improves safety, convenience, and economic efficiency by integrating existing individual technologies.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to road reflectors (also known as convex mirrors) installed on roads, and in particular to road reflectors that call the attention of vehicles and pedestrians when they approach the road reflector and prevent the mirror surface from fogging or freezing in winter or when frost falls. [Background technology]

[0002] The following technologies exist for conventional road reflectors: For warning purposes, there is a system in which a sensor attached to a pole detects people or vehicles and lights up an LED sign using power supplied from an externally attached solar panel (Patent Document 1).

[0003] There is also a system in which a moving object detection sensor is attached to the support pole of a road reflector, and when it detects something, a rotating light on the support pole lights up (Patent Document 2). However, the power supply is provided by the power company. Similarly, there is also a technology that uses a camera attached to the support pole to detect moving objects approaching a corner through image analysis, and then alerts the driver with an LED light installed inside the mirror surface (Patent Document 3).

[0004] On the other hand, one method to prevent the mirror surface from fogging or freezing is to install a fan inside the road reflector and blow air using electricity supplied from a solar power generation panel attached to the outside, thereby preventing condensation (Patent Document 4).

[0005] There is also a technology that prevents fogging by attaching a fan to the top inside of the cover of a road reflector and operating the fan with power supplied from a solar power generation panel (Patent Document 5), and there is also a technology that prevents fogging by placing a heater or other heating means inside the mirror surface and using power supplied from an external solar power generation panel (Patent Document 6). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-38428 [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 7225480 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2024-31245 [Patent Document 4] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-105915 [Patent Document 5] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-202435 [Patent Document 6] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-127354 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] The above-described conventional attention-calling devices are generally installed on supports outside the mirror surface, making them difficult for the driver to see, and therefore have limited effectiveness.

[0008] In addition, road reflectors generally have the problem that the mirror surface fogs up in the cold winter temperatures, significantly reducing visibility. The existing anti-fogging technologies mentioned above mainly involve fan ventilation or heater heating inside the mirror surface, but these are independent devices that are not linked to the warning device and are also low in energy efficiency.

[0009] The present invention provides a highly energy-efficient system that can more effectively attract the driver's attention, prevents the mirror surface from fogging or freezing, and supplies the necessary power from a solar panel to charge a battery. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] The road reflector of the present invention aims to provide a highly energy-efficient system that prevents the mirror surface from fogging or freezing and improves the warning effect. To achieve this, the present invention is equipped with a solar cell, and integrates an anti-fogging device using an electric heating wire and a warning device using an LED warning light into the reflector body, and is equipped with an intelligent control function that controls the operation of these devices in an integrated manner. It then processes data from temperature sensors, environmental sensors, vehicle and pedestrian detection sensors, remaining battery charge information, temperature information, etc. in an integrated manner to provide optimal control according to the weather, temperature, and ambient brightness.

[0011] Specifically, for example, if the ambient brightness is above a predetermined value, the temperature is below a set value (for example, 0°C), and the ambient humidity is above a set value, the operation of the heating wire is prioritized and the brightness of the LED warning light is adjusted according to the remaining battery level information.On the other hand, if the ambient brightness is below a predetermined value (such as at night, when the ambient light measured by the illuminance sensor is less than 500 lux), the illumination of the LED warning light is prioritized and the output of the heating wire is adjusted according to the remaining battery level information, thereby optimizing power consumption.

[0012] Furthermore, if the remaining battery charge falls below a certain level (e.g., 30%), the brightness of the LED warning light is reduced to 50% and the operating time of the heating wire is limited to optimize power consumption. Furthermore, to protect the battery in low temperatures, if the battery temperature falls below a certain level (e.g., 5°C), the heating mechanism inside the battery is automatically activated to maintain the battery temperature above 5°C. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] The road reflector of the present invention improves visibility. The LED warning light is integrated into the reflector body, and is naturally within the field of view of vehicle drivers and others, so it is more effective at attracting attention than a pole-mounted warning light. This improves nighttime visibility and contributes to ensuring pedestrian safety. It also improves anti-fogging performance. The heater and temperature sensor are integrated to enable energy-efficient anti-fogging, providing reliable anti-fogging effects with less power consumption than conventional fan-based anti-fogging systems. Furthermore, the road reflector of the present invention can be combined with solar cells and batteries to create a stand-alone system that does not require a power supply. This eliminates the need for conventional power wiring work and long-term maintenance, reducing operating costs after installation.

[0014] The road reflector of the present invention detects approaching pedestrians and vehicles and issues warnings according to the situation, allowing for faster and more appropriate response than conventional simple warning systems. It also has a control function that adapts to the environment, achieving energy savings of more than 50% compared to conventional technology.

[0015] That is, as shown in Figure 1, by combining, for example, the high efficiency of thin-film solar cells (including perovskite) (30% more efficient than conventional technologies), the low power consumption of graphene heaters (heating wires) (less than 50% of conventional technologies), and optimal control through environmental sensor integration (reducing energy consumption by an average of 30%), the present invention can reduce energy consumption by 68.75%, from 400Wh / day with conventional technology to 125W / day.

[0016] In addition, by utilizing the intelligent control function of this invention, PWM control can be used to link the temperature sensor and electric heater to heat only when necessary, minimizing energy consumption and ensuring reliable prevention of fogging. It is also possible to automatically adjust the brightness of the LED warning light to prevent excessive light emission while ensuring maximum visibility.

[0017] Conventional LED signs and anti-fogging devices have been installed independently, and energy efficiency and visibility have not been optimized. This invention integrates these functions and links them with sensors, potentially minimizing energy consumption while ensuring maximum visibility. This will also contribute to reducing environmental impact and realizing a sustainable society. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1]1 is a comparative table summarizing the energy balance of the road reflector according to the present invention in comparison with the prior art. [Figure 2] 1 is a front view of a road reflector according to the present invention; [Figure 3] 1 is a perspective view of a road reflector according to the present invention, seen from the side slightly forward. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a rear view of the road reflector according to the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to Figures 2 to 4. The road reflector of the present invention is a reflector body (1) attached to a support 12 installed on the road via a mounting bracket 13, and integrates an attention-calling device and an anti-fogging device, and is configured by incorporating the following elements inside the reflector body (1).

[0020] The power supply system uses thin-film solar cells (2) installed on the top of the mirror to charge the battery (3), eliminating the need for external power. A built-in charge controller (4) prevents the battery from overcharging or over-discharging.

[0021] The warning system is equipped with a detection sensor (7) to detect pedestrians and vehicles. LED lights (8) (LED warning lights) are placed on the top and bottom of the mirror and flash or light up when a detection occurs to warn the driver. An illuminance sensor (9) is installed and the LED brightness is automatically adjusted at night.

[0022] The integrated controller (10) processes data from various sensors and determines the optimal operating mode. For example, when the temperature is low, the heating element and LED light are activated simultaneously to maximize safety. In this case, if it is determined that the mirror surface is likely to become cloudy during the day based on the temperature and humidity, the activation of the heating wire is prioritized and the brightness of the LED light is adjusted to reduce power consumption.On the other hand, if it is determined that the mirror surface is unlikely to become cloudy, the LED light may be prioritized. On the other hand, when the ambient brightness is below a certain level, such as at night, the LED light is given priority, and power consumption is reduced by adjusting the output of the heating wire.

[0023] <Results of the operation test of the example> As an example, the prototype's battery life was confirmed to be approximately six hours when using a 12V 20Ah lithium-ion battery and a 50W thin-film solar cell (including perovskite) to simultaneously operate the LED warning light and heating wire. A stable power supply can be achieved by connecting four Panasonic "NICK18650B" lithium-ion batteries (3.7V 3400mAh) in series to create a 14.8V system.

[0024] The prototype uses a PIR sensor (passive infrared sensor) and has been confirmed to be capable of detecting pedestrians and vehicles at a distance of up to 5 meters with a wide 120-degree field of view. The sensor's false detection rate is less than 1%, enabling reliable detection. The PIR sensor module, M-09656, sold by Akizuki Electronics Trading, is highly sensitive and suitable for this system.

[0025] When the prototype graphene heater (heating wire) was operated in an environment with an outside temperature of -5°C, the temperature change reached +2°C in 5 minutes and +5°C in about 10 minutes, confirming that it could effectively prevent fogging. The temperature sensor used was the Texas Instruments LM35DZ.

[0026] <Calculating the energy required for charging> The battery used in this example is a lithium-ion battery with a rated power supply of 12V and a capacity of 20Ah. The total energy amount is 12V x 20Ah = 240Wh. Taking into account the power loss during charging (conversion efficiency of 85%), the actual energy to be supplied is 240Wh ÷ 0.85 = 282Wh.

[0027] In this example, the solar cell charging calculation uses thin-film solar cells (including perovskite) to generate electricity during the day and charge the battery. The amount of power generated is based on a nominal panel output of 50W. Considering the actual power generation efficiency (80%), a full charge is possible in approximately 6.5 hours. 50W x 0.8 = 40W (actual power supply).

[0028] Based on the power generation capacity, the time required for charging is 282Wh ÷ 40W = 7.05 hours, but power generation efficiency decreases in winter, and even at 50W, actual power generation may be around 30W. Therefore, the full charge time in winter is estimated to be approximately 9.4 hours. In this example, a maximum power point tracking (MPPT) charge controller is used to ensure maximum power generation even in low-light winter environments, thereby shortening charging time in winter.

[0029] In addition, power generation efficiency may decrease further in winter due to the effects of reduced solar radiation, changes in the angle of sunlight, and snowfall. In particular, in areas above 35 degrees north latitude, the angle of sunlight is lower in winter, so the actual power generation amount drops to 30W to 25W, and it may take more than 10 hours to fully charge.

[0030] Therefore, in this example, a maximum power point tracking (MPPT) charge controller is used to ensure maximum power generation efficiency according to sunlight conditions, thereby shortening charging time in winter. Furthermore, to supplement power generation shortages, an auxiliary battery (12V 30Ah) can also be used to ensure a stable power supply even in low-sunlight environments. Furthermore, by introducing a solar panel angle adjustment mechanism, it is possible to maintain optimal power generation efficiency according to the angle of sunlight in winter.

[0031] We also confirmed that the illuminance sensor reduces the LED brightness to 50% when the ambient light is 1000 lux, and to 30% when the ambient light is 2000 lux, making it possible to operate the device in an energy-efficient manner.

[0032] In this example, thin-film solar cells (including perovskite) are used, and a solar panel that fits the shape of the back of the convex mirror is installed. To match the standard mirror size, the rear-mounted panel is 800mm x 600mm (assuming a Φ800 mirror). The power generation output of this size is 50W, weighs less than 1kg, and the thin-film solar cells are installed on the top and back of the convex mirror. This size reduces the installation burden on the convex mirror while ensuring maximum power generation efficiency.

[0033] There are other shapes of convex mirrors, such as Φ600, Φ1000, and rectangular, but in this example, a Φ800 convex mirror is used as the standard. Even a Φ600 mirror will have the same specifications as a Φ800 mirror in a warm climate with long hours of sunshine, but this invention uses a Φ800 mirror as the standard. If power generation capacity improves through improvements in thin-film solar cells, the effects of this invention will be further enhanced.

[0034] In addition, in the present invention, taking into consideration operation in low temperature environments in winter, it is believed that more stable power generation and storage will be possible by implementing the following measures. 1. The addition of a reinforced battery (upgraded to 12V30Ah) extends the operating time during times of insufficient sunlight. In addition, a modular battery system can be adopted as needed, enabling flexible power supply according to operating conditions. 2. To maintain the battery's low-temperature performance, an insulating structure is used to prevent voltage drops at low temperatures. A heater is also installed inside the battery case to maintain the battery's operating temperature at extremely low temperatures. Furthermore, in anticipation of operation in extremely cold regions (below -20°C), a system with a self-heating function for the battery is used to ensure stable energy supply at low temperatures. 3. The structure is optimized with a waterproof coating to prevent snow and frost from accumulating on the surface. Furthermore, it is expected to utilize a new type of thin-film solar cell with a self-heating function. 4. To ensure maximum power generation even in winter, MPPT charging control is adopted, and dynamic power generation control is implemented in response to changes in sunlight intensity.

[0035] <Effects of road reflectors in the example> As mentioned above, the road reflector of this embodiment incorporates LED lights into the mirror body, which emits a warning at a position that matches the driver's line of sight, making it more effective at attracting attention than conventional pole-mounted LEDs. It also improves visibility at night, contributing to ensuring pedestrian safety.

[0036] In addition, the integration of a heater and temperature sensor enables energy-efficient defogging, providing reliable defogging with lower power consumption than conventional fan-based defogging systems.

[0037] Furthermore, by combining an autonomous power supply system with thin-film solar cells (including perovskite) and batteries, a stand-alone system that does not require a power supply can be realized, eliminating the need for long-term maintenance and reducing operational costs after installation.

[0038] The low-power LED light and graphene heater (heating wire) are designed to operate only when necessary, making them highly energy-efficient. Intelligent PWM control optimizes the power consumption of the heating wire, extending battery life.

[0039] Furthermore, variable brightness LEDs have been introduced, allowing for different 5-degree levels to be set for daytime and nighttime use. It is also possible to operate it at lower brightness at night than during the day. It is equipped with a microcomputer such as ESP32, and communication functions have been added, allowing for cloud data management. It is expected that maintenance will be easier through the collection of accident data and remote monitoring. [Explanation of symbols]

[0040] 1 reflector body, 2 thin solar cell, 3 battery, 4 charge controller, 5 temperature sensor, 6 heating wire, 7 detection sensor, 8 LED light, 9 illuminance sensor, 10 integrated control controller, 11 body cover, 12 support, 13 mounting bracket

Claims

1. A road reflector equipped with a solar cell, an anti-fogging device using an electric heating wire, and an attention-calling device using an LED warning light, wherein the solar cell, the anti-fogging device, and the attention-calling device are integrated into the reflector body.

2. 2. A road reflector according to claim 1, further comprising a temperature sensor, which automatically activates the heating wire when the outside air temperature drops below a predetermined temperature.

3. 2. The road reflector according to claim 1, further comprising a detection sensor, which automatically turns on or flashes the LED warning light when it detects a pedestrian or a vehicle.

4. 4. A road reflector according to claim 3, further comprising an illuminance sensor, which automatically adjusts the brightness of the LED warning light in accordance with the brightness of the surroundings.

5. 2. A road reflector according to claim 1, wherein the electric power generated by the solar cell is stored in a battery so that the road reflector can function at night.

6. 2. The road reflector according to claim 1, further comprising at least a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor and an illuminance sensor, and an intelligent control function for processing information on remaining battery capacity and battery temperature in an integrated manner; If the ambient brightness is above a predetermined value, the temperature is below a set value, and the ambient humidity is above a set value, the activation of the heating wire is prioritized, and the brightness of the LED warning light is adjusted according to the remaining battery level information; When the ambient brightness is less than a predetermined value, the LED warning light is turned on with priority, and the output of the heating wire is adjusted according to the remaining battery level information. A road reflector characterized by:

7. 7. The road reflector according to claim 6, wherein when the remaining battery charge falls below a predetermined value, the brightness of the LED warning light is reduced to less than 50% and the operating time of the heating wire is limited; A road reflector configured to activate a heating mechanism within the battery when the battery temperature falls below a predetermined value.

8. 4. The road reflector according to claim 3, further comprising an intelligent control function that changes the warning display pattern of the LED warning light in accordance with the speed and direction of movement of a pedestrian or vehicle detected by the detection sensor.

Images