Gate device

Abstract

To provide a gate device which is easily installed.SOLUTION: A gate device 1 is a device which opens / closes a passage using a movable arm 2. The gate device 1 comprises the movable arm 2, a support part 3, an energization part 4 and a brake part 5. The support part 3 supports a base end part of the movable arm 2 to enable the arm to rotate horizontally. The energization part 4 generates an energization force in a direction to make the movable arm 2 return to a home position. The brake part 5 brakes the movable arm 2. The movable arm 2 closes the passage at the home position and a deflection angle θ from the home position is changed when pushed. Then, when the deflection angle θ stops changing, the brake part 5 brakes the movable arm 2 to keep the deflection angle θ for a prescribed time, and after elapse of the prescribed time, releases the braking.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a gate device for opening and closing a passageway. [Background technology]

[0002] Railroad crossings are classified into types 1 to 4 depending on the level crossing safety devices they have (see Non-Patent Document 1). Type 1 crossings are equipped with automatic barriers (railroad crossing barriers that open and close automatically) (see Patent Document 1, for example). Type 3 crossings are equipped with railroad crossing warning devices (see Patent Document 2, for example). Type 4 crossings are not equipped with automatic barriers or railroad crossing warning devices. There are currently no type 2 crossings.

[0003] Of all level crossing accidents, the proportion of accidents at Class 4 level crossings (Class 4 level crossing accidents) is high. The main cause of Class 4 level crossing accidents is crossing just before a vehicle approaches. The majority of Class 4 level crossing accidents involve light vehicles such as bicycles and motorcycles. At Class 4 level crossings, accidents occur when light vehicles enter the crossing without stopping temporarily. However, fundamental measures such as abolishing or upgrading Class 4 level crossings require time to gain local consent. For this reason, temporary measures that are easier to obtain local consent for are desired.

[0004] A railroad crossing signboard for use at class 4 railroad crossings has been known (see Patent Document 3). This railroad crossing signboard has a retroreflective film and a light-emitting diode to improve visibility. However, even if pedestrians recognize the railroad crossing signboard, they do not necessarily stop temporarily before the crossing.

[0005] It has also been proposed to install a gate device on the entrance / exit side of a railroad crossing (see Patent Document 4). In this gate device, an opening / closing command signal is given to a drive circuit, which rotates a motor to open the blocking bar upward (see paragraph 0024 of the specification of the same document, etc.). However, this gate device requires a device that generates an opening / closing command signal for opening and closing the blocking bar, and also requires a supply of power to drive the blocking bar upward, making the device large-scale and not easy to install. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] JP 2012-188032 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2012-166768 A [Patent Document 3] JP 2012-188827 A [Patent Document 4] JP 2001-344623 A [Non-patent literature]

[0007] [Non-Patent Document 1] JIS E 3013:2001 "Railway signalling safety terminology" Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] The present invention is devised to solve the above problems, and has an object to provide a gate device that is easy to install. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The gate device of the present invention is a device which opens and closes a passage with a movable arm, and comprises a support section which supports the base end of the movable arm so that it can rotate horizontally, a biasing section which generates a biasing force in a direction which returns the movable arm to its fixed position, and a braking section which brakes the movable arm, wherein the movable arm closes the passage at its fixed position, and when it is pushed, its deflection angle from the fixed position changes, and when the deflection angle no longer changes, the braking section brakes the movable arm for a predetermined time so as to maintain the deflection angle, and when the predetermined time has elapsed, releases the brake.

[0010] In this gate apparatus, it is preferable that when the deflection angle is within a predetermined non-detection range, the braking portion does not brake the movable arm.

[0011] In this gate apparatus, it is preferable that the braking portion releases the brake when the movable arm is pushed in the opening direction while braking the movable arm, without waiting for the predetermined time to elapse.

[0012] In this gate apparatus, when the movable arm is pushed in the closing direction while the braking portion is braking the movable arm, the braking portion may release the brake without waiting for the predetermined time to elapse.

[0013] In this gate device, it is preferable that the braking unit has a rotation angle sensor that detects the deviation angle, a motor that generates a braking torque, and a control unit that receives an output of the rotation angle sensor and controls the braking torque of the motor.

[0014] In this gate device, the rotation angle sensor preferably has a variable resistor whose resistance value changes according to the deviation angle.

[0015] In this gate device, it is preferable that the biasing portion has a cylindrical cam and an elastic body for generating a biasing force, the cylindrical cam has a cylindrical cam and a cam follower that moves in contact with the cam, and converts between horizontal rotation of the movable arm and linear displacement of the cam follower, and the elastic body has a movable end connected to the cam follower and a fixed end, and is elastically deformed by the linear displacement in accordance with the deflection angle of the movable arm.

[0016] In this gate device, it is preferable that the elastic body is a spring, and the elastic deformation of the elastic body is compression of the spring.

[0017] In this gate device, the cam follower has a contactor that contacts the cam, the cylindrical cam is a cylindrical end face cam whose contactor contacts the cylindrical end face of the cam, and the cylindrical end face has a cam curve formed thereon that is expressed by height relative to a circumferential angle, and it is preferable that the cam curve has a slope such that the linear displacement of the cam follower increases as the absolute value of the deflection angle of the movable arm increases.

[0018] In this gate device, it is preferable that the inclination of the cam curve becomes gentler as the absolute value of the deflection angle of the movable arm increases.

[0019] In this gate device, it is preferable that the cylindrical end surface has a recess into which the contact is fitted at the fixed position, and the contact comes out of the recess when the movable arm is pushed.

[0020] In this gate device, the cylindrical end surface preferably has a stopper portion that limits the angular range of the contact in the circumferential direction.

[0021] This gate device preferably has a power supply unit that supplies power to the braking unit, the power supply unit having a solar panel and a power storage unit for storing power generated by the solar panel.

[0022] This gate device is preferably installed at a Class 4 railroad crossing. Effect of the Invention

[0023] According to the gate device of the present invention, since the movable arm rotates horizontally, there is no need to supply energy from an external source to lift the movable arm. Also, since the movable arm closes the passage at a fixed position and changes its deflection angle from the fixed position when it is pushed, no device is required to command the opening and closing of the movable arm. Therefore, this gate device is extremely easy to install. Furthermore, when the deflection angle of the movable arm stops changing after it is pushed, the deflection angle is maintained for a predetermined period of time, so that the movable arm does not close immediately after it opens, making it easy for people to pass through. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0024] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is an isometric view of a gate device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the gate device. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a plan view showing horizontal rotation of the movable arm in the gate device. [Diagram 5] 4 is a flowchart showing braking control by a braking unit of the gate apparatus. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a state transition diagram showing state changes of the gate device. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a state transition diagram showing state changes of a gate device according to a modified example of the embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the gate device with the cover removed. [Figure 9] Front view of Figure 8. [Figure 10] FIG. 9 is a right side view of FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the inside of the housing of the gate device. [Figure 12] FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 4 is an isometric view of a cam in the gate device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0025] A gate device according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 13. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the gate device 1 is a device that opens and closes a passageway with a movable arm 2.

[0026] As shown in Fig. 3, the gate device 1 includes a movable arm 2, a support unit 3, a biasing unit 4, a braking unit 5, and a power supply unit 6. The support unit 3 supports a base end of the movable arm 2 so that the movable arm 2 can rotate horizontally. The biasing unit 4 generates a biasing force (biases) the movable arm 2 in a direction to return it to its fixed position. The braking unit 5 brakes the movable arm 2 (applies a brake to the movable arm 2). The power supply unit 6 supplies power to the braking unit 5.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 4, the movable arm 2 closes the passage at a fixed position, and when pressed, the deflection angle θ from the fixed position changes.

[0028] The horizontal rotation is expressed in polar coordinates with the rotation axis as the origin in a plan view. The fixed position is the deflection angle θ=0°. In this embodiment, the movable range of the horizontal rotation of the movable arm 2 is within a deflection angle θ of plus or minus 135° (-135°≦θ≦135°). When the absolute value of the deflection angle θ is small, the gate device 1 is in a closed state in which the passage is closed. When the absolute value of the deflection angle θ is large, the passage is opened. When the approach direction of the pedestrian is perpendicular to the movable arm 2 in the fixed position, the gate device 1 is in a fully open state in which the passage is fully opened when the absolute value of the deflection angle θ is 90°. In other words, when the movable arm 2 is parallel to the approach direction of the pedestrian, the gate device 1 is in a fully open state. When the approach direction of the pedestrian is not necessarily perpendicular to the movable arm 2 in the fixed position, for example, when it is 45°, the gate device 1 is in a fully open state when the deflection angle θ is -135° or 45°.

[0029] The configuration of the gate device 1 will be described in detail. In this embodiment, the movable arm 2 is long in the horizontal direction (radial direction of horizontal rotation) from the base end to the tip end. This movable arm 2 is plate-shaped and is also called an arm panel (see FIG. 1). The movable arm 2 may be a bar.

[0030] When the gate device 1 is used as a single-wing gate, the width range over which the movable arm 2 closes the passage is, for example, about 1.5 m. When a pair of opposing gate devices 1 are used as double-wing gates (double-wing gates), the width range over which the passage is closed is about 3.0 m. The width range over which the passage is closed may be narrowed by using a movable arm 2 that is short in the horizontal direction.

[0031] It is desirable for the movable arm to have a shape that produces little resistance (air resistance) against wind. The movable arm 2 is marked with letters or the like to indicate that it can be pushed along.

[0032] The movable arm 2 is not limited to a long horizontal shape, and may be, for example, a plate-like shape that is long in the vertical direction. The movable arm 2 that is long in the vertical direction is used, for example, to prevent something from passing through above or below the movable arm 2.

[0033] The support portion 3 has a post 31 and a base plate 32. The base plate 32 is a plate for fixing the base of the post 31 to the ground.

[0034] In this embodiment, the biasing portion 4 generates a biasing force by an elastic force, and the braking portion 5 generates a braking torque by an electromagnetic force.

[0035] The braking unit 5 has a rotation angle sensor 51, a motor 52, and a control unit 53 (see FIG. 3). The rotation angle sensor 51 detects the deflection angle θ of the movable arm 2. The motor 52 generates a braking torque for braking the movable arm 2. The motor 52 functions as a rotary actuator for maintaining the deflection angle θ, not as a rotating machine for driving rotation or a brake for slowing down high-speed rotation, and therefore a motor having characteristics suitable for this purpose is used. The control unit 53 receives the output of the rotation angle sensor 51 and controls the braking torque of the motor 52. The control unit 53 has a microcontroller as hardware, and operates by executing a program.

[0036] The power supply unit 6 has a solar panel 61, a power storage unit 62, and a charge / discharge circuit 63. The power storage unit 62 stores the power generated by the solar panel 61. In this embodiment, the power storage unit 62 is an electric double layer capacitor. The power storage unit 62 may be a storage battery (secondary battery). The charge / discharge circuit 63 is an electronic circuit that controls charging and discharging of the power storage unit 62. For example, a power supply IC is used for the charge / discharge circuit 63. The output of the power storage unit 62 is supplied to the braking unit 5 via the charge / discharge circuit 63.

[0037] The control of the gate device 1 configured as above will be described with reference to a flowchart. As shown in Fig. 5, first, when the movable arm 2 is in a fixed position, the braking unit 5 is started (step S100). Then, a microcontroller (microcomputer) built into the braking unit 5 is initialized (step S101). Then, the braking unit 5 releases the brake (braking) (step S102). As a result, the control mode of the braking unit 5 becomes a standby mode (step S103).

[0038] In the standby mode, the movable arm 2 may move due to the wind. Even if the movable arm 2 moves due to the wind, there is no need to brake the movable arm 2. Therefore, when the deflection angle θ of the movable arm 2 is within a predetermined non-detection range, the brake unit 5 maintains the standby mode (YES in step S104). In the non-detection range, the brake unit 5 does not brake the movable arm 2. In the non-detection range, the brake unit 5 detects the deflection angle θ but does not detect the change in the deflection angle θ over time, and therefore this angle range is called the non-detection range. The specific angle value of the non-detection range is a design item that is determined according to the setting of the magnitude of the biasing force, the installation environment of the gate device 1, etc. In addition, such a non-detection range may be omitted depending on the installation environment of the gate device 1, etc.

[0039] When the movable arm 2 is pushed, the deflection angle θ from its fixed position changes. When the movable arm 2 is pushed and the deflection angle θ exceeds the non-detection range (NO in step S104), the control mode of the brake unit 5 becomes the operating mode (step S105). While the movable arm 2 is moving, the absolute value of the deflection angle θ increases over time. The brake unit 5 detects that the movable arm 2 is moving by differentiating the absolute value of the deflection angle θ with respect to time. While the movable arm 2 is moving, the brake unit 5 maintains the operating mode and does not apply the brakes (NO in step S106).

[0040] Then, when the deflection angle θ stops changing, that is, when the movable arm 2 stops (YES in step S106), the control mode of the braking unit 5 becomes the brake mode (step S107). The braking unit 5 sets a timer value (predetermined time) for applying the brakes (step S108). The timer value is, for example, about several tens of seconds (maximum about one minute). Then, the braking unit 5 applies the brakes to the movable arm 2 so as to maintain the deflection angle θ of the movable arm 2.

[0041] In the brake mode, that is, when the movable arm 2 is pressed while the brake unit 5 is braking the movable arm 2 (YES in step S109), the brake (braking) is released (step S110) without waiting for the timer to time out (without waiting for a predetermined time to elapse). In the brake mode, the movable arm 2 is rotated by being pressed with a force exceeding the braking torque. The rotation angle sensor 51 detects a change in the deflection angle θ caused by the rotation, and thus it is detected that the movable arm 2 has been pressed. Note that, if the magnitude of the braking torque in the brake mode is such that a pedestrian can pass by pushing the movable arm 2, the release of the brake when the movable arm 2 is pressed (steps S109 and S110) may be omitted. As described later, in this embodiment, steps S109 and S110 are executed when the movable arm 2 is pressed in the opening direction. In addition, in a modified example of this embodiment, steps S109 and S110 are executed when the movable arm 2 is pressed in either direction.

[0042] In the brake mode, when the timer runs out (when a predetermined time has elapsed) (YES in step S111), the brake unit 5 releases the brake (step S112). As a result, the movable arm 2 returns to its home position by the biasing force of the biasing unit 4. Then, the control mode of the brake unit 5 returns to the standby mode (steps S113 to S103).

[0043] When the movable arm 2 returns to its fixed position by the biasing force, the movement of the movable arm 2 may be used to regenerate power by the motor 52 and charge the power storage unit 62.

[0044] The state changes of the gate device 1 controlled as described above will be described with reference to a state transition diagram. As shown in Fig. 6, the initial state and steady state of the gate device 1 is a closed state in which the movable arm 2 closes the passage (state st0). In the closed state, the movable arm 2 is in a fixed position (deflection angle θ = 0°) and the braking unit 5 is released from braking. When the deflection angle θ is within a predetermined non-detection range (within a predetermined angle range), the closed state remains (event e00).

[0045] When the movable arm 2 is pressed (event e01), the absolute value of the deflection angle θ of the movable arm 2 increases beyond the non-detection range, and the gate device 1 enters an opening operation state (state st1).

[0046] Then, when the deflection angle θ stops changing (event e12), the brake unit 5 brakes the movable arm 2. The deflection angle θ of the movable arm 2 becomes constant, and the gate device 1 is in the open state (state st2). The open state (state st2) is maintained for a predetermined time (event e22).

[0047] When the movable arm 2 is further pressed (event e21), the brake unit 5 releases the brake (state st1). That is, when the movable arm 2 is pressed in the opening direction while the gate device 1 is in the open state (state st2), the brake unit 5 releases the brake.

[0048] When a predetermined time has elapsed (event e23) in the open state (state st2), the braking unit 5 releases the braking. The gate device 1 enters a closing operation state (state st3).

[0049] The absolute value of the deflection angle θ of the movable arm 2 decreases due to the biasing force of the biasing portion 4, and the movable arm 2 returns to its home position (deflection angle θ=0°) (event e30).

[0050] In this embodiment, when the movable arm 2 is pushed to the opposite side in the open state (state st2), the braking unit 5 does not release the brake. This is to prevent the brake from being released unnecessarily due to disturbances such as wind. For this reason, the maximum value of the braking torque is set so that a pedestrian who wants to pass on the opposite side can push back the movable arm 2 and pass through.

[0051] As a modification of this embodiment, the brake may be released when the movable arm 2 is pushed to the opposite side in the open state.

[0052] 7, when the movable arm 2 is pushed to the opposite side (event e23a) in the open state (state st2), the brake unit 5 releases the brake (state st3). That is, when the movable arm 2 is pushed in the closing direction in the open state (state st2) of the gate device 1, the brake unit 5 releases the brake. The gate device 1 enters the closing operation state (state st3).

[0053] When a predetermined time has elapsed in the open state (state st2) (event e23b), the braking unit 5 releases the braking. The gate device 1 enters a closing operation state (state st3).

[0054] The absolute value of the deflection angle θ of the movable arm 2 decreases due to the biasing force of the biasing portion 4, and the movable arm 2 returns to its home position (deflection angle θ=0°) (event e30).

[0055] The gate device 1 that opens and closes in this manner is installed, for example, at a fourth-class railroad crossing. The gate device 1 installed at a railroad crossing is called a railroad crossing gate. The movable arm 2 closes the passage when in a fixed position, so pedestrians on the railroad crossing are prompted to stop temporarily. Then, the pedestrian enters the railroad crossing while pushing the movable arm 2. When the horizontal rotation of the movable arm 2 stops, the deflection angle θ at that time is maintained, and the movable arm 2 does not open any further, making it even clearer that the movable arm 2 is normally in a closed state. Since the deflection angle θ is maintained for a predetermined time, the movable arm 2 does not return to the closing direction during that time, and for example, a bicycle or the like is prevented from getting caught in the movable arm 2. The gate device 1 is installed at a position that does not interfere with the construction gauge of the railroad tracks.

[0056] A more detailed description will now be given of the configuration of the gate device 1. The biasing unit 4, the braking unit 5, and the power storage unit 62 and the charge / discharge circuit 63 of the power supply unit 6 are housed in a housing 7 (see FIG. 3).

[0057] 8 and 9 show the gate device 1 with the cover of the housing 7 removed. The solar panel 61 is provided on the top of the housing 7. In this embodiment, the housing 7 is supported by a support portion 3 and rotates together with the movable arm 2.

[0058] A detailed internal configuration of the gate device 1 is shown in Fig. 10. A circuit board box 71 is installed at the upper part inside the housing 7. The circuit board box 71 houses the storage unit 62 and the charge / discharge circuit 63 of the power supply unit 6, and the control unit 53 of the braking unit 5. The circuit board box 71 protects the internal electronic devices.

[0059] A main shaft 33 (main axis) is provided in the center of the housing 7. The main shaft 33 is long in the up-down direction (vertical direction). The main shaft 33 is fixed to the upper end of the support 31 and does not rotate. The housing 7 rotates around the main shaft 33 in a plan view.

[0060] The main body of the motor 52 of the braking unit 5 is fixed to the housing 7 , and the rotating shaft of the motor 52 is coupled to the main shaft 33 .

[0061] The rotation angle sensor 51 of the braking unit 5 has a variable resistor whose resistance value changes according to the rotation angle of the rotating shaft. The horizontal rotation of the movable arm 2 relative to the main shaft 33 is transmitted to the rotating shaft of the rotation angle sensor 51 via a pulley 54. Therefore, the resistance value of the variable resistor of the rotation angle sensor 51 changes according to the deflection angle θ of the movable arm 2. As a sensor for detecting an angle, a variable resistor (rotary potentiometer) is much cheaper than an absolute type rotary encoder. The output of the rotation angle sensor 51 is input to the control unit 53. When braking the movable arm 2, the control unit 53 causes the motor 52 to generate a braking torque that counters the biasing force generated by the biasing unit 4.

[0062] 11, the biasing unit 4 has a cylindrical cam 8 and an elastic body 9. The cylindrical cam 8 is a mechanical element for converting the direction of motion. The elastic body 9 is a mechanical element for generating a biasing force.

[0063] The cylindrical cam 8 has a cylindrical cam 81 and a cam follower 82. The cam follower 82 is a part that moves in contact with the cam 81. The cylindrical cam 8 converts between the horizontal rotation of the movable arm 2 and the linear displacement of the cam follower 82. The elastic body 9 has a movable end 91 and a fixed end 92 (see FIG. 11). The movable end 91 of the elastic body 9 is connected to the cam follower 82. The fixed end 92 is fixed to the housing 7. The elastic body 9 is elastically deformed by linear displacement according to the deflection angle θ of the movable arm 2.

[0064] The elastic body 9 is a spring. Elastic deformation of the elastic body 9 is compression of the spring. In this embodiment, the elastic body 9 is a compression coil spring, and the main shaft 33 is located on the central axis of the coil (see FIG. 10). The central axis of the elastic body 9 is in the vertical direction, and when the movable end 91 rises, it is compressed and generates an elastic force (see FIG. 11).

[0065] 12, the cam follower 82 has a slide plate 821 that moves linearly in the vertical direction, and a contactor 822 that comes into contact with the cam 81. The cylindrical cam 81 is a cylindrical end surface cam, and the contactor 822 comes into contact with the cylindrical end surface 811 of the cam 81. In this embodiment, the contactor 822 is a roller (circular end). The roller serving as the contactor 822 rolls on the cylindrical end surface 811 of the cam 81, causing the slide plate 821 to move linearly in the vertical direction (to be displaced linearly).

[0066] A linear bush bracket 83 is fixed to the slide plate 821 (see FIG. 11). The linear bush bracket 83 is an L-shaped bracket, and a vertical portion of the L-shape is fixed to the slide plate 821, and a linear bush 84 is provided on a horizontal portion of the L-shape. A movable end 91 of an elastic body 9 is attached to the linear bush 84. That is, the movable end 91 of the elastic body 9 is connected to the slide plate 821 of the cam follower 82 via the linear bush 84 and the linear bush bracket 83.

[0067] 13, a cam curve represented by a height h relative to a circumferential angle is formed on a cylindrical end surface 811 of the cam 81. The circumferential angle at the cylindrical end surface 811 is the same as the deflection angle θ of the movable arm 2. In other words, the cam curve can be represented by a cylindrical coordinate system (r, θ, h) with a constant radius r. This cam curve has a slope 811a such that the linear displacement of the cam follower 82 increases as the absolute value of the deflection angle θ of the movable arm 2 increases.

[0068] In this embodiment, the shape of the cam curve is symmetrical with respect to the deflection angle θ=0° (normal position). In other words, if the absolute value of the deflection angle θ is the same, the height h is the same even if the sign (positive or negative) of the deflection angle θ is different. Note that the shape of the cam curve is not limited to such symmetry, and may be asymmetrical with respect to the deflection angle θ=0°. With an asymmetric cam curve, for example, the pushing force required to push the movable arm 2 when entering and the pushing force required when exiting can be made different in magnitude.

[0069] The inclination 811a of the cam curve becomes gentler as the absolute value of the deflection angle θ of the movable arm 2 increases.

[0070] For example, the height h of the cam curve is set to be proportional to the square root of the absolute value of the deflection angle θ. The slope of such a cam curve (dh / dθ) is inversely proportional to the square root of the absolute value of the deflection angle θ, so the larger the deflection angle θ, the more gentle the slope.

[0071] The cylindrical end surface 811 has a recess 811b into which the contact 822 fits (engages) when the movable arm 2 is in the fixed position (θ=0°). The contact 822 comes out of the recess 811b when the movable arm 2 is pushed.

[0072] The cylindrical end surface 811 has a stopper portion 811c. The stopper portion 811c limits the angular range of the contact 822 in the circumferential direction.

[0073] The operation of the biasing unit 4 and the braking unit 5 configured as described above will be described in chronological order (see Figs. 10 to 13). When the movable arm 2 is pressed, the movable arm 2 rotates horizontally. The housing 7 rotates together with the movable arm 2 relative to the main shaft 33. The rotation of the movable arm 2 relative to the main shaft 33 is transmitted to the rotation angle sensor 51 via the pulley 54. The rotation of the movable arm 2 causes the cam follower 82 to rotate relative to the cam 81, and the contact 822 (roller) rises up the inclination 811a of the cylindrical end surface 811. The slide plate 821 to which the contact 822 is attached rises, and together with the slide plate 821, the linear bush bracket 83 and the linear bush 84 rise. As a result, the movable end 91 of the elastic body 9 (compression coil spring) rises, and the elastic body 9 is compressed.

[0074] Then, when the movable arm 2 is no longer pressed, the control unit 53 of the braking unit 5 detects the end of rotation from the deflection angle θ detected by the rotation angle sensor 51 (variable resistor), and brakes the movable arm 2 with the motor 52.

[0075] Then, after a predetermined time has elapsed, the braking unit 5 releases the braking. The elastic force of the compressed elastic body 9 pushes the linear bush 84, and the force is transmitted in this order to the linear bush bracket 83, the slide plate 821, and the contact 822. The contact 822 descends the inclination 811a of the cylindrical end surface 811, and the movable arm 2 rotates. Then, the movable arm 2 returns to its original position.

[0076] In addition, a typical cylindrical cam converts the rotational motion of a cam (driver) into the linear motion of a cam follower (follower). In contrast, in the cylindrical cam 8 of this embodiment, the cam 81 is fixed, and the cam follower 82 simultaneously performs rotational motion and linear motion, thereby converting the rotational motion into linear motion and vice versa. This is because in a cylindrical cam, the rotational motion and linear motion are relative motions between the cam and the cam follower.

[0077] As described above, according to the gate device 1 of this embodiment, the movable arm 2 rotates horizontally, so there is no need to supply energy from an external source to lift the movable arm 2. In addition, the movable arm 2 closes the passage when in a fixed position, and the deflection angle θ from the fixed position changes when it is pushed, so no device is required to command the opening and closing of the movable arm 2. Therefore, this gate device 1 is extremely easy to install. Furthermore, when the deflection angle θ stops changing after the movable arm 2 is pushed, the deflection angle θ is maintained for a predetermined time, so the movable arm 2 does not close immediately after opening, making it easy for people to pass through.

[0078] When the deflection angle θ is within a predetermined non-detection range, the braking portion 5 does not brake the movable arm 2, so that when the movable arm 2 opens within the non-detection range due to wind or the like, the movable arm 2 returns to its fixed position due to the biasing force.

[0079] When the movable arm 2 is pushed in the opening direction while braking the movable arm 2, the braking part 5 releases the brake without waiting for the lapse of a predetermined time, so that a passerby can push the movable arm 2 further open.

[0080] When the movable arm 2 is pressed in the closing direction while braking the movable arm 2, the braking part 5 releases the brake without waiting for a predetermined time to pass, making it easier for a pedestrian who wants to pass on the opposite side to push the movable arm 2 back to the opposite side.

[0081] The braking unit 5 generates a braking torque by the motor 52. In general, the rotor and stator of a motor are not directly connected, and slippage occurs due to overload. Therefore, even if the movable arm 2 is pressed hard during braking, the braking unit 5 is prevented from being mechanically broken.

[0082] The rotation angle sensor 51 of the braking unit 5 detects the deflection angle θ using a variable resistor, and therefore has a simple structure and is low in cost.

[0083] Since the biasing portion 4 generates a biasing force by the elastic body 9, the gate device 1 saves energy in returning the movable arm 2 to its home position.

[0084] Since the elastic body 9 is a spring, the elastic coefficient can be easily set and the elastic body 9 has high durability.

[0085] The cylindrical cam 8 is a cylindrical end surface cam, and a cam curve is formed on the cylindrical end surface 811, so that the biasing force for the deflection angle θ of the movable arm 2 can be easily set by the shape of the cam curve.

[0086] Since the inclination of the cam curve of the cylindrical cam 8 becomes gentler as the absolute value of the deflection angle θ of the movable arm 2 increases, the increase in the force required to push open the movable arm 2 when the absolute value of the deflection angle θ is large is mitigated.

[0087] Since the cylindrical end surface 811 has a recess 811b into which the contact 822 fits when the movable arm 2 is in a fixed position, the movable arm 2 remains stationary in the fixed position stably.

[0088] Since the cylindrical end surface 811 has a stopper portion 811c that limits the circumferential angular range of the contact 822, the angular range in which the movable arm 2 rotates is limited.

[0089] Since the power supply unit 6 has the solar panel 61 and the power storage unit 62, an external power supply is not required, and the gate device 1 can be easily installed.

[0090] By installing the gate device 1 at a class 4 railroad crossing, it is possible to encourage pedestrians to stop, which contributes to preventing railroad crossing accidents. In addition, the gate device 1 does not emit an alarm or light, and pedestrians can pass through by simply pushing the movable arm 2, so it is easy to obtain local consent for its installation.

[0091] The present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention. For example, the cylindrical cam 8 of the urging unit 4 is not limited to a cylindrical end surface cam, and may be a cylindrical groove cam in which a groove in the shape of a cam curve is formed on the side surface of a cylindrical cam. Furthermore, the urging unit 4 is not limited to a configuration in which a urging force is generated using a compression coil spring and cylindrical cam 8, and may use, for example, a torsion spring, or a weight and pulley. Furthermore, the gate device 1 may be installed at a place other than a fourth-class railroad crossing. [Explanation of symbols]

[0092] 1 Gate device 2 Movable arms 3 Support part 4. Pressurizing section 5 Braking part 51 Rotation angle sensor 52 Motor 53 Control section 6 Power supply section 61 Solar Panel 62 Power storage unit 8 Cylindrical Cam 81 Cam 811 Cylinder end face 811a Cam Curve Slope 811b Recess 811c Stopper part 82 Cam follower 822 Contactor (Roller) 9 Elastic Body θ declination

Claims

1. A gate device that opens and closes a passageway with a movable arm, a support portion for supporting a base end portion of the movable arm so as to be horizontally rotatable; a biasing portion that generates a biasing force in a direction to return the movable arm to a fixed position; a braking unit that brakes the movable arm, The movable arm closes the passageway in the home position and changes its angle of deflection from the home position when pushed; and When the deflection angle no longer changes, the braking section brakes the movable arm for a predetermined time so as to maintain the deflection angle, and when the predetermined time has elapsed, releases the brake.

2. 2. The gate apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the braking portion does not brake the movable arm when the deflection angle is within a predetermined non-detection range.

3. 3. The gate device according to claim 1, wherein the braking portion releases the brake when the movable arm is pressed in the opening direction while braking the movable arm, without waiting for the predetermined time to elapse.

4. 4. The gate device according to claim 3, wherein the braking portion releases the brake when the movable arm is pressed in the closing direction while braking the movable arm, without waiting for the predetermined time to elapse.

5. 5. The gate device according to claim 1, wherein the braking unit includes a rotation angle sensor that detects the deflection angle, a motor that generates a braking torque, and a control unit that receives an output of the rotation angle sensor and controls the braking torque of the motor.

6. 6. The gate device according to claim 5, wherein the rotation angle sensor has a variable resistor whose resistance value changes according to the deviation angle.

7. The biasing portion has a cylindrical cam and an elastic body for generating a biasing force, The cylindrical cam has a cylindrical cam and a cam follower that moves in contact with the cam, and converts the horizontal rotation of the movable arm into a linear displacement of the cam follower into the linear displacement of the cam follower, 7. The gate device according to claim 1, wherein the elastic body has a movable end connected to the cam follower and a fixed end, and is elastically deformed by the linear displacement in accordance with the deflection angle of the movable arm.

8. The elastic body is a spring, 8. The gate device according to claim 7, wherein the elastic deformation of the elastic body is compression of the spring.

9. The cam follower has a contact that comes into contact with the cam, the cylindrical cam is a cylindrical end face cam in which the contactor comes into contact with a cylindrical end face of the cam, The cylindrical end surface is formed with a cam curve that is expressed by a height relative to a circumferential angle, 9. The gate device according to claim 7, wherein the cam curve has a slope such that the linear displacement of the cam follower increases as the absolute value of the deflection angle of the movable arm increases.

10. 10. The gate device according to claim 9, wherein the inclination of the cam curve becomes gentler as the absolute value of the deflection angle of the movable arm becomes larger.

11. the cylindrical end surface has a recess into which the contact is fitted at the fixed position; 11. The gate device according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the contactor comes out of the recess when the movable arm is pushed.

12. 12. The gate device according to claim 9, wherein the cylindrical end surface has a stopper portion that limits an angular range of the contact in the circumferential direction.

13. a power supply unit for supplying power to the braking unit; 13. The gate device according to claim 1, wherein the power supply unit includes a solar panel and a power storage unit for storing the power generated by the solar panel.

14. 14. The gate device according to claim 1, wherein the gate device is installed at a fourth-class railroad crossing.

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