Multi-function pole

Abstract

The present invention makes it possible to provide a pole with a number of functions without complicating the appearance. A multi-function pole (10) includes two or more units selected from among a plurality of units (11) each providing a predetermined function. In the multi-function pole (10), two or more units (11) are coupled together to form a pole.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a multi-function pole. [Background technology]

[0002] As a related art, Patent Document 1 discloses a pole to which equipment can be attached. The pole described in Patent Document 1 has a cylindrical support and one or more connecting poles. The connecting pole has a cylindrical body. The cylindrical body has a first connection part provided at one end in the longitudinal direction, a second connection part provided at the other end in the longitudinal direction, and an equipment attachment part to which equipment is attached. The first connection part of each connecting pole is configured to be connectable to the second connection part of another connecting pole. The support has a fixing part provided at one end in the longitudinal direction and a third connection part provided at the other end in the longitudinal direction. The third connection part is configured to be connectable to the first connection part or the second connection part of the connecting pole.

[0003] In Patent Document 1, the fixing portion of the support pole has a base plate. The base plate is fixed to a foundation provided on the ground by using a fixing bolt. For example, the second connection portion of the connecting pole is connected to the third connection portion of the support pole, and the connecting pole is connected to the top of the support pole. Any number of connecting poles can be connected to the top of the connecting poles connected to the support pole by connecting the second connection portion of one connecting pole to the first connection portion of another connecting pole. Equipment such as lighting fixtures, security cameras, speakers, or automatic flashers is attached to the equipment mounting portion of each connecting pole. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-190002 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In Patent Document 1, the overall length of the pole can be changed by changing the number of connecting poles attached to the support. For example, the overall length of the pole can be extended by increasing the number of connecting poles, and the overall length of the pole can be shortened by decreasing the number of connecting poles. In addition, the connecting pole has an equipment mounting part, and the equipment attached to the equipment mounting part of each connecting pole can be changed as desired.

[0006] However, in Patent Document 1, the device and the connecting pole are separate entities, and the device is attached externally to the body of the connecting pole. In Patent Document 1, the more devices are attached, the more cluttered the appearance becomes. For example, when the pole is installed in a park or the like, the pole may not blend in with the scenery of the place where it is installed, and the scenery may be marred. In addition, Patent Document 1 also has the problem that the user needs to prepare a device that can be attached to the device attachment part of the connecting pole separately from the connecting pole.

[0007] In view of the above circumstances, the present disclosure aims to provide a multi-function pole that can have several functions without looking cluttered. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to achieve the above object, the present disclosure provides, as a first aspect, a multi-function pole, which includes a plurality of units each having a predetermined function, and the plurality of units are connected to form a pole. Effect of the Invention

[0009] The multi-function pole of the present disclosure allows the pole to have several functions without looking cluttered. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 illustrates a multi-function pole according to the present disclosure. [Figure 2A] FIG. 1 is a front view showing a multi-function pole according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2B] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a multi-function pole according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing an example of a configuration of a module for a traffic signal. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a module that can be used in a multi-function pole. [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 is a front view showing a multifunction pole according to a first modified example. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a front view showing a multifunction pole according to a second modified example. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a front view showing a multifunction pole according to a third modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Prior to describing the embodiments of the present disclosure, an overview of the present disclosure will be described. FIG. 1 shows a multifunction pole according to the present disclosure. The multifunction pole 10 has a first unit 11-1 to an n-th unit 11-n (n is an integer of 2 or more). Each of the first unit 11-1 to the n-th unit 11-n is configured as a unit having a predetermined function. Note that the first unit 11-1 to the n-th unit 11-n are also referred to as units 11 when there is no need to distinguish them from one another.

[0012] In FIG. 1, the multifunction pole 10 is formed by connecting n units 11-1 to 11-n. The units 11-1 to 11-n may include a unit including a traffic light. Alternatively or in addition, the units 11-1 to 11-n may include at least one of a unit including a wireless communication device that performs wireless communication with a wireless communication terminal, a unit including a camera that captures the surroundings, a unit including a sensor, and a unit including an illumination lamp. In the multifunction pole 10, the order of the n units 11-1 to 11-n may be appropriately changed. The n units 11-1 to 11-n do not necessarily have to have different functions, and the multifunction pole 10 may have two or more units 11 having the same function.

[0013] In the present disclosure, the multifunction pole 10 has a plurality of units 11 each having a predetermined function. When the units 11 are connected to each other, the plurality of units 11 as a whole form the main body of the pole. In the present disclosure, the multifunction pole 10 can provide various functions by appropriately selecting the units 11 to be connected. In the present disclosure, the multifunction pole is formed by connecting a plurality of units each having a predetermined function, rather than attaching a device having a predetermined function to the pole. Therefore, unlike the case where a plurality of external devices are attached to the pole, the appearance of the present disclosure does not become cluttered and can blend in with the scenery.

[0014] Hereinafter, the embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the following description and drawings are omitted and simplified as appropriate for clarity of explanation. In addition, in each drawing, the same elements and similar elements are given the same reference numerals, and duplicate explanations are omitted as necessary.

[0015] 2A and 2B show a multifunction pole according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In one embodiment, the multifunction pole constitutes a traffic light 100. FIG. 2A is a front view of the traffic light 100, and FIG. 2B is an exploded perspective view of the traffic light 100 from an oblique direction. The traffic light 100 has a plurality of modules 101-109 connected to each other. The modules 101-109 may be called units or ASSY (assembly). The traffic light 100 corresponds to the multifunction pole 10 shown in FIG. 1, and the modules 101-109 correspond to the units 11.

[0016] The module 101 is, for example, a module constituting a common section. The module 101 has devices such as a power supply device and a network device inside. The power supply device supplies power to the devices mounted on the modules 101 to 109. The module 101 may include a watt-hour meter for monitoring the amount of power used by each part of the traffic light 100. The module 101 may have, for example, a watt-hour meter for monitoring the amount of power used for each unit. The network device is connected to an external network. The devices mounted on the modules 102 to 109 may be configured to be able to communicate with the external network through the network device of the module 101. The module 101 is not particularly limited, but may be at least partially buried in the ground, for example. Alternatively, the module 101 may be connected to a foundation placed on the ground using a fastening bolt or the like. The module 101 may be connected to a support buried in the ground.

[0017] Here, the module 101 constituting the common area is considered to be heavy since it includes devices such as a power supply device. When considering the center of gravity, it is considered preferable that the module 101 is disposed at a low position in the traffic light 100. However, the position of the module 101 in the traffic light 100 is not particularly limited to a low position. The module 101 may be disposed at a position slightly higher than the ground. For example, if the module 101 is disposed at a low position, there is a possibility that the module 101 will be submerged in the event of a flood or the like. If the traffic light 100 is installed at a location where flooding is likely to occur, the module 101 may be disposed at a position in the traffic light 100 that is higher than the water level expected in the event of a flood.

[0018] The module 102 is, for example, a module having a digital signage function. The module 102 has, for example, a display and a control unit (controller). The module 102 may have a speaker and a microphone. Furthermore, the module 102 may have an edge computer (a MEC (Multi-access / Mobile Edge Computing) server).

[0019] Modules 103 and 104 are modules having the function of a traffic light. Module 103 is a module having the function of a pedestrian traffic light. Module 104 is a module having the function of a vehicle traffic light.

[0020] FIG. 3 shows a configuration example of the module 104. The module 104 includes a body 141 and a traffic light 142. The traffic light 142 has blue, yellow, and red lights. The body 141 has an attachment to which a mounting device 144 is attached. An arm of the traffic light 142 is attached to the body 141 via the mounting device 144. In the module 104, the body 141 may have a plurality of attachments to which the mounting device 144 is attached. For example, the body 141 may have one attachment on each of four side surfaces. The body 141 may have a built-in camera used for controlling the traffic light. A transparent cover 143 for protecting the camera may be attached to the body 141.

[0021] The module 104 may have a traffic light control circuit inside the body 141 that controls the traffic light 142. The traffic light control circuit does not necessarily have to be disposed in the module 104, and may be disposed in another module. Moreover, the traffic light control circuit does not necessarily have to be disposed in any module of the traffic light 100. For example, the traffic light control circuit may be disposed outside the traffic light 100. In that case, the traffic light control circuit may communicate with the module 104 via a network and control the traffic light 142 via the network.

[0022] The configuration of module 103 having the function of a pedestrian signal light may be the same as that of module 104, except that the traffic signal light is for pedestrians. Module 103 may be provided with four attachments to which pedestrian signal lights can be attached via mounting devices, and the direction of the pedestrian signal lights may be determined by appropriately selecting the attachment positions. Similarly, module 104 may be provided with multiple attachments on its body, making the direction of traffic signal light 142 selectable.

[0023] It should be noted that the modules 103 and 104 do not necessarily have to be separate. The modules 103 and 104 may be configured as a single module. Also, the modules 103 and 104 may be configured as a common module that can be used as either module. In that case, either a vehicle signal lamp or a pedestrian signal lamp may be selectively connected to the common module. In that case, a control device corresponding to the signal lamp to be connected may be disposed in the common module.

[0024] Module 105 is a module having a function of a security camera. Module 105 has, for example, a camera that captures the surroundings and a camera control circuit. Modules 106 and 107 are modules for adjusting the height or length of the pole. Modules 106 and 107 may not be equipped with a functional unit. For example, the inside of modules 106 and 107 may be hollow.

[0025] The module 108 is a module having the function of a public WiFi (registered trademark) base station. The module 108 has, for example, a wireless antenna and a WiFi transceiver (wireless communication device). The module 109 is a module having the function of a 5G (5th Generation) antenna base station. The module 109 has, for example, a wireless antenna and a 5G transceiver (wireless communication device). The communication method of the wireless communication function installed in the traffic light 100 is not limited to 5G and public WiFi. The traffic light 100 may have a module including a wireless communication device of a communication method such as MCA (Multi-Channel Access) Advance or C-V2X (Cellular V2X (Vehicle to X)). In the traffic light 100, a module that generates electricity using renewable energy, for example a module 110 incorporating a solar panel, is attached on the module 109. The wireless communication is not limited to 5G, and may be wireless communication conforming to a next-generation communication standard. The traffic light 100 may have a module including a wireless communication terminal instead of or in addition to the module having the functions of a wireless base station.

[0026] In the traffic light 100, the area from the ground to a certain height, for example, 5.5 m, is assumed to be an area used by a traffic-related ministry, for example, the traffic authority. In the traffic light 100, modules 102, 103, 104, and 105 are arranged in the area used by the traffic authority. In the traffic light 100, the area higher than 5.5 m is assumed to be an open area that can be used by parties other than the traffic authority. Private companies, local governments, and national agencies other than the traffic authority can install any modules in the open area. In the traffic light 100, modules 108 and 109 are arranged in the open area.

[0027] 4 shows a module that can be used for modules 101 to 109. Module 120 has a cylindrical body 123. Body 123 is formed of a material such as metal. Body 123 can be formed of various materials depending on the strength required for the module and the weight allowed for the module. For example, in traffic light 100, a module that is expected to be installed in a high place may be formed of a light material such as carbon fiber.

[0028] The module 120 may incorporate equipment for providing a predetermined function inside the body 123. The cross-sectional shape of the module 120 in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction is not particularly limited, and may be an ellipse or an oval. When the cross-sectional shape is an ellipse or an oval, the equipment can be housed more efficiently than when the cross-sectional shape is a circle. In addition, the visual impression can be improved. The lengths of the modules (lengths in the longitudinal direction of the pole) may be different from each other or may be the same.

[0029] The module 120 has a first interface 121 at one end in the longitudinal direction and a second interface 122 at the other end in the longitudinal direction. The first interface 121 and the second interface 122 include, for example, a power supply terminal for power supply. Alternatively or in addition, the first interface 121 and the second interface 122 include a communication terminal for signal communication. A plurality of modules can be linked by connecting the first interface 121 of one module (first module) 120 to the second interface 122 of another module (second module) 120. When the plurality of modules 120 are linked and the terminal of the first interface 121 is connected to the terminal of the second interface 122, the module 101 constituting the common section can be electrically connected to each of the modules 102 to 109 above it.

[0030] The first module (its first interface) and the second module (its second interface) may be directly connected. Alternatively, the first interface and the second interface may be connected via a connection member for connecting them. In this case, the connection member may have a function of bypassing the power supply terminal and a function of bypassing the signal communication terminal, and each module may be electrically connected via the connection member.

[0031] 2B is an example, and the order of the modules in the traffic light 100 is not particularly limited. Each module has a first interface 121 and a second interface 122, and the order of the modules in the traffic light 100 can be changed arbitrarily. In addition, the module arranged at the bottom of the traffic light 100 only needs to have the second interface 122, and does not need to have the first interface 121.

[0032] The traffic light 100 has a function of providing information to people in the vicinity using digital signage in addition to the functions of a normal traffic light, for example. For example, the edge computer included in the module 102 acquires an image from a camera included in the module 105 and analyzes the camera image. For example, the edge computer analyzes whether there is a person who needs assistance at the intersection where the traffic light 100 is installed. If there is a person who needs assistance, the edge computer supports the person using digital signage (display). If the traffic light 100 includes a roadside unit (RU) that performs vehicle to infrastructure (V2I) communication with the vehicle, the edge computer may notify surrounding vehicles that there is a person who needs assistance via the roadside unit. In the present embodiment, an example in which the module 102 includes an edge computer has been described, but the edge computer may be installed in another module, or there may be a module that is equipped with only the edge computer.

[0033] The edge computer may analyze the camera image to determine whether or not an event such as an accident, incident, or disaster has occurred near the intersection where the traffic light 100 is installed. If the edge computer determines that an event such as an accident, incident, or disaster has occurred, it may automatically report it to relevant authorities. Furthermore, the edge computer may display a location where an AED (Automated External Defibrillator) is installed on digital signage, and notify people in the vicinity of the location of the AED. If the edge computer determines that a disaster has occurred, it may display an evacuation site on digital signage, and guide people in the vicinity to the evacuation site.

[0034] In this embodiment, the pole of the traffic light 100 is formed by appropriately combining a plurality of modules 101 to 109. Each module has a predetermined function, and various functions can be added to the traffic light 100 by appropriately selecting the modules to be used as the pole of the traffic light 100. In this embodiment, the modules 101 to 109 that form the pole have the functions provided by the traffic light 100. Therefore, the traffic light 100 can give an impression of orderliness that does not become a noise in the streetscape in an already cluttered landscape with utility poles, etc., compared to a case where various devices are attached to a pole.

[0035] In this embodiment, the multi-function pole constituting the traffic light can be formed by combining the necessary modules according to the installation location and the required functions. For example, consider a case where four traffic lights are installed at a certain intersection. One of the four traffic lights includes a module having the function of a security camera and a module having the function of a public WiFi base station in addition to a module having the function of a traffic light. The remaining three traffic lights have a module having the function of a traffic light, but do not include a module having the function of a security camera or a module having the function of a public WiFi base station. As in this example, one of the four traffic lights may be a multi-function traffic light, and the remaining three traffic lights may be traffic lights with a simple configuration.

[0036] Alternatively, if four traffic lights are installed at one intersection, one of the four traffic lights may be a traffic light including a module having the functionality of a wireless base station, and the remaining three traffic lights may be traffic lights including modules having wireless communication terminals. In this case, the traffic light including the module having the wireless communication terminal can perform wireless communication with the traffic light including the module having the functionality of a wireless base station.

[0037] Furthermore, at each of a plurality of intersections, one of the traffic lights installed at each intersection may be a multi-function traffic light such as the traffic light 100. For example, one of four existing traffic lights installed at each intersection may be replaced with the traffic light 100. In this case, the traffic light 100 installed at each intersection may perform wireless communication with the traffic lights 100 installed at other intersections within a communication range. In this case, information can be exchanged between a plurality of intersections.

[0038] In the above embodiment, each module does not need to have all of the circuits and control units required for the functions provided in a single module. For example, in the traffic light 100, a traffic light control circuit that controls the vehicle traffic light and the pedestrian traffic light may be disposed in the module 101, which is a shared part. In that case, the traffic light control circuit can be disposed at a lower position than the modules 103 and 104, which facilitates maintenance work. Alternatively, the 5G radio unit (RU), distributed unit (DU), centralized unit (CU), and antenna may be disposed in a number of modules in a distributed manner, and the traffic light 100 may provide the function of 5G wireless communication by linking them together.

[0039] In the above embodiment, the thickness (size and shape in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction) of each module may be the same or different. If each module has a uniform thickness, when the modules are connected, the traffic light 100 (multi-function pole) will have a uniform thickness, resulting in a good appearance. In addition, there is a high degree of freedom in changing the combination (height) of modules. For example, the height at which a camera is to be installed may differ depending on the location where the traffic light 100 is installed. If the thickness is uniform, the position of the module including the camera in the traffic light can be changed arbitrarily, so the module including the camera can be placed at any height.

[0040] One pole may be formed by connecting modules of multiple thicknesses. For example, the traffic light 100 may include several modules of a first thickness, several modules of a second thickness, and several modules of a third thickness. In this case, the first thickness is the thickest, the third thickness is the thinnest, and the second thickness is intermediate between them. In the traffic light 100, modules of the first thickness may be arranged at the bottom, modules of the second thickness may be arranged at the middle, and modules of the third thickness may be arranged at the top. That is, the traffic light 100 may be configured so that the bottom is the thickest and the thickness becomes thinner toward the top. In that case, the order of the modules may be interchangeable between modules of the same thickness. Arranging the thick modules at the bottom and the thin modules at the top is advantageous in terms of strength and stability.

[0041] In the above embodiment, the traffic light 100 including the modules 101 to 109 has been described as an example of the multifunction pole. In the present disclosure, the multifunction pole is not limited to a traffic light. Furthermore, the modules that can be incorporated into the multifunction pole are not limited to the above-mentioned modules 101 to 109. For example, the modules that can be used in the multifunction pole may include a module for charging an electric vehicle, a module including a projector that projects light onto roads and surrounding structures, and a module including a lighting lamp. The modules that can be used in the multifunction pole may include a module including a sensor. The sensor may include, for example, LiDAR (light detection and ranging), and a sensor for measuring wind speed, rainfall, or snowfall. The modules that can be used in the multifunction pole may include a module including a beacon receiver. The multifunction pole may be placed in, for example, a park, a shopping center, and a store. The length of the multifunction pole is not particularly limited, and the multifunction pole may have a length of about several meters to a dozen meters.

[0042] Fig. 5 shows a multi-function pole according to a first modified example. In the example of Fig. 5, a traffic light 100a has modules 101, 102, and 104 shown in Fig. 2B. The traffic light 100a may have a pedestrian traffic light module 103. The traffic light 100a may not have the digital signage module 102. In that case, a height adjustment module may be connected to the position of the module 102.

[0043] FIG. 6 shows a multi-function pole according to a second modified example. In this example, the traffic light 100b has a module for lighting in addition to the modules 101 to 109 shown in FIG. 2B. The module for lighting has a light 161. In this example, an edge computer included in any of the modules may analyze camera images and control the light according to the analysis results. For example, when there is a person around the traffic light 100b, the edge computer may turn on the light 161 to brightly illuminate the intersection. The edge computer may change the brightness and color of the light 161 according to whether there is a person or not.

[0044] FIG. 7 shows a multifunction pole according to a third modified example. In this example, the multifunction pole 160 has two illuminating lights 161. In the third modified example, the multifunction pole 160 is used as a pole for lighting. In this example as well, an edge computer included in any of the modules may turn on the illuminating lights 161 when there is a person around the multifunction pole 160, to brightly illuminate the place where the multifunction pole 160 is installed. In addition, the edge computer may change the brightness and color of the illuminating lights 161 depending on whether there is a person or not.

[0045] Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail above, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments. The present disclosure also includes modifications and alterations to the above-described embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

[0046] For example, some or all of the above embodiments may be described as, but are not limited to, the following supplementary notes.

[0047] [Appendix 1] The device includes a plurality of units each having a predetermined function, A multi-function pole, wherein the multiple units are connected to form a pole.

[0048] [Appendix 2] each of the plurality of units has a first interface and a second interface; 2. The multifunction pole of claim 1, wherein when a first unit and a second unit are coupled together, a first interface of the first unit is connected to a second interface of the second unit.

[0049] [Appendix 3] The multifunction pole of claim 2, wherein the first interface and the second interface each include a power terminal for power supply.

[0050] [Appendix 4] The multifunction pole according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the first interface and the second interface each include a communication terminal for signal communication.

[0051] [Appendix 5] The multifunction pole according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the plurality of units includes a unit including a traffic signal light.

[0052] [Appendix 6] The multifunction pole of claim 5, wherein the plurality of units includes a unit including a traffic light control circuit that controls the traffic light.

[0053] [Appendix 7] The multi-function pole described in any one of appendices 1 to 6, wherein the multiple units include at least one of a unit including an edge computer, a unit including a wireless communication device that performs wireless communication with a wireless communication terminal, a unit including a camera that photographs the surroundings, a unit including a sensor, and a unit including a lighting lamp.

[0054] [Appendix 8] A multifunction pole as described in any one of appendix 1 to 7, wherein the plurality of units includes a unit including a power supply device that supplies power to other units forming the pole.

[0055] [Appendix 9] A multi-function pole described in any one of appendix 1 to 8, wherein the cross-sectional shape of the unit in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction is elliptical or oblong.

[0056] [Appendix 10] A multifunction pole described in any one of appendix 1 to 9, wherein the multiple units have the same thickness.

[0057] [Appendix 11] A multi-function pole described in any one of Appendices 1 to 9, wherein the multiple units include units of multiple thicknesses, and in the pole, a unit of a first thickness is connected lower than a unit of a second thickness that is thinner than the unit of the first thickness. [Explanation of symbols]

[0058] 10: Multi-function pole 11: Unit 100: Traffic lights 101-110: Module 120: Module 121: First interface 122: Second interface 123: Torso 141: Torso 142:Traffic signal light equipment 143: Cover 144: Mounting fixture 160: Multi-function pole 161: Lighting

Claims

1. The device includes a plurality of units each having a predetermined function, The plurality of units are connected to form a pole; The plurality of units function independently and can communicate with each other; The plurality of units includes at least a unit having an edge computer that analyzes acquired sensor information and a unit having an output unit, A multifunction pole in which the unit having the output section controls the output content based on the analysis results of the unit having the edge computer.

2. each of the plurality of units has a first interface and a second interface; The multifunction pole of claim 1, wherein when a first unit and a second unit are coupled together, a first interface of the first unit is connected to a second interface of the second unit.

3. The multifunction pole according to claim 2 , wherein the first interface and the second interface each include a power terminal for supplying power.

4. The multifunction pole according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the first interface and the second interface each include a communication terminal for signal communication.

5. The multifunction pole according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of units includes a unit including a traffic light.

6. The multifunction pole according to claim 5 , wherein the plurality of units includes a unit including a traffic light control circuit that controls the traffic light.

7. The multifunction pole according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the plurality of units include at least one of a unit including a wireless communication device that performs wireless communication with a wireless communication terminal, a unit including a camera that photographs the surroundings, a unit including a sensor, and a unit including a lighting lamp.

8. The multifunction pole according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of units includes a unit including a power supply device that supplies power to other units that form the pole.

9. A multifunction pole according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the cross-sectional shape of the unit in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction is an ellipse or an oval.

10. A multi-function pole as described in any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the multiple units include units of multiple thicknesses, and in the pole, a unit of a first thickness is connected lower than a unit of a second thickness that is thinner than the unit of the first thickness.

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