Mobile detection device

Abstract

To provide a mobile object detection device having a heater which is efficient and hard to deteriorate.SOLUTION: A mobile object detection device comprises: a housing portion which houses a light emitting portion emitting sensor light or a light receiving portion receiving the sensor light, and has an opening end open toward a first side in the optical axis direction of the sensor light; a cover disposed on the first side in the optical axis direction with respect to the housing portion and having an opening through which the sensor light can pass; a transmitting member disposed between the cover and the housing portion and transmitting the sensor light; and a heater unit which is disposed on a second side of the transparent member, opposite to the first side in the optical axis direction and heats the transparent member.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a moving body detection device.

Background Art

[0002] In highways, toll roads, parking lots, etc., an automatic toll payment system equipped with a toll gate that automatically collects tolls using wireless communication is used. Such an automatic toll payment system includes a moving body detection device that detects the entry of a vehicle into the toll gate. Some of this type of moving body detection device has a light emitting unit that irradiates sensor light and a light receiving unit that receives the sensor light, which are arranged opposite each other across a vehicle passage.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a moving body detection device having a configuration including a transmission part through which sensor light can pass and a cover provided outside the transmission part. In such a configuration, when ice and snow adhere to the transmission part or the cover during snowfall or the like, the sensor light may be blocked by the adhered ice and snow. For this reason, the moving body detection device of this configuration includes a heater body having a heating element and a conductive member sandwiched between the heater body and the cover to conduct the heat of the heater body to the cover. With such a configuration, the heat generated by the heater body is conducted to the transmission part and the cover to melt the ice and snow adhered due to snowfall or the like, suppressing the adhesion of ice and snow.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, in the configuration described in Patent Document 1, the heater body is disposed between a transmissive portion through which sensor light can pass and a cover provided outside the transmissive portion. That is, the heater body is disposed outside the transmissive portion. Specifically, a rubber heater is used as the heater body. The rubber heater includes a heating wire and a sheet-shaped rubber portion made of silicon rubber or the like that covers the heating wire. Such a rubber heater may deteriorate the rubber portion due to the influence of a snow melting agent sprayed during snowfall during long-term use, leading to a decrease in the insulation performance of the rubber portion.

[0006] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a moving body detection device in which a heater is efficient and less likely to deteriorate.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, a moving body detection device according to the present disclosure includes a housing portion that houses a light emitting portion that emits sensor light or a light receiving portion that receives the sensor light, and has an open end that opens toward a first side in the optical axis direction of the sensor light, a cover that is disposed on the first side in the optical axis direction with respect to the housing portion and has an opening through which the sensor light can pass, a transmissive member that is disposed between the cover and the housing portion and transmits the sensor light, and a heater unit that is disposed on a second side, which is a direction opposite to the first side in the optical axis direction, with respect to the transmissive member and heats the transmissive member.

Effects of the Invention

[0008] According to the moving body detection device of the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a moving body detection device in which a heater is efficient and less likely to deteriorate.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] (Configuration of the moving body detection device) Hereinafter, a moving body detection device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. A vehicle detection unit 1 as a moving body detection device in the embodiment of the present disclosure shown in FIG. 1 detects the passage of a vehicle (moving body) such as an automobile. The vehicle detection unit 1 constitutes, for example, a part of an automatic toll payment system (not shown) that automatically pays tolls at toll gates such as toll roads and parking lots using wireless communication. The automatic toll payment system needs to detect the entry of a vehicle into the toll gate in order to synchronize the communication timing between the roadside antenna installed on the roadside and the vehicle-mounted antenna of the vehicle-mounted device mounted on a vehicle such as an automobile. The vehicle detection unit 1 detects the entry of a vehicle into the toll gate.

[0011] The vehicle detection unit 1 includes a first unit 2 and a second unit 3. The first unit 2 and the second unit 3 are arranged on both sides with the passage S of the vehicle therebetween.

[0012] One of the first unit 2 and the second unit 3 includes a light emitting unit 4. The other of the first unit 2 and the second unit 3 includes a light receiving unit 5. In the present embodiment, the first unit 2 includes the light emitting unit 4, and the second unit 3 includes the light receiving unit 5.

[0013] The light emitting unit 4 outputs sensor light B such as infrared rays toward the light receiving unit 5. On the other hand, the light receiving unit 5 detects whether it is receiving the sensor light B output from the light emitting unit 4. For example, when the sensor light B is blocked by a vehicle traveling on the traffic path S and the light receiving unit 5 does not detect the reception of the sensor light B for a predetermined time or more set in advance, the vehicle detection unit 1 detects the passage of the vehicle and outputs the detection information to the control unit of the automatic toll payment system or the like. When the control unit of the automatic toll payment system receives the detection information of vehicle passage, it starts communication between the roadside antenna arranged on the traffic path S side and the vehicle side antenna of the in-vehicle unit.

[0014] In the following description, the irradiation direction of the sensor light B between the light emitting unit 4 and the light receiving unit 5 is referred to as the optical axis direction Db. The optical axis direction Db is along the road width direction Da of the traffic path S where the first unit 2 and the second unit 3 arranged across the traffic path S face each other. The direction orthogonal to the optical axis direction Db in the horizontal plane is referred to as the width direction Dw. The direction orthogonal to the optical axis direction Db and the width direction Dw is referred to as the vertical direction Dv.

[0015] The first unit 2 includes a support housing 10 and a unit main body 20A provided with the light emitting unit 4. The second unit 3 includes a support housing 10 and a unit main body 20B provided with the light receiving unit 5. The unit main body 20A and the unit main body 20B differ only in that the unit main body 20A is provided with the light emitting unit 4 while the unit main body 20B is provided with the light receiving unit 5. Therefore, in the following description of the unit main bodies 20A and 20B, unless it is necessary to distinguish between the light emitting unit 4 and the light receiving unit 5, the unit main bodies 20A and 20B are simply referred to as the unit main body 20, and the description is made common.

[0016] The support housing 10 is erected on the ground via anchor bolts or the like. The unit main body 20 is supported by the support housing 10 by being joined to the support housing 10 via bolts or the like. The unit main body 20 extends in the vertical direction Dv and is formed, for example, to be longer than the height of a general vehicle (e.g., a passenger car). In addition, a box body 13 in which a power supply circuit, an interface circuit, etc. are accommodated is integrally attached to the support housing 10 on the second unit 3 side.

[0017] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the unit main body 20 mainly includes a chassis 21, a heater unit 23, a second heat transfer member 26, a transmission member 27, and a cover 29. The cover 29, the transmission member 27, the second heat transfer member 26, the heater unit 23, and the chassis 21 are sequentially arranged in this order from the first side Db1 to the second side Db2 in the optical axis direction Db. The first unit 2 and the second unit 3 are arranged to face each other. For this reason, the first side Db1 and the second side Db2 in the optical axis direction Db of the unit main body 20A of the first unit 2 and the first side Db1 and the second side Db2 in the optical axis direction Db of the unit main body 20B of the second unit 3 face opposite directions. Each unit main body 20 arranges the cover 29 on the first side Db1 in the optical axis direction Db on the passage S side and arranges the chassis 21 on the second side Db2 in the optical axis direction Db on the side away from the passage S.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 3, the chassis 21 integrally has a back plate 21a, a pair of side plates 21b, a pair of end plates 21c, and a pair of outer plates 21d. The chassis 21 is formed by bending a metal plate made of, for example, stainless steel into a predetermined shape. The chassis 21 is formed to be long and extends in the vertical direction Dv.

[0019] When viewed from the vertical direction Dv, the chassis 21 has the following cross-sectional shape. The back plate 21a is arranged on the second side Db2 in the optical axis direction Db of the chassis 21, which is the most. The back plate 21a is along a plane orthogonal to the optical axis direction Db when viewed from the vertical direction Dv. The pair of side plates 21b extend from the end portions outside the width direction Dw of the back plate 21a toward the first side Db1 in the optical axis direction Db, respectively. The pair of end plates 21c extend outward in the width direction Dw from the front edges of the pair of side plates 21b on the first side Db1 in the optical axis direction Db, respectively. The pair of outer plates 21d extend toward the second side Db2 in the optical axis direction Db from the end portions outside the width direction Dw of the pair of end plates 21c, respectively.

[0020] The chassis 21 includes a housing portion 21s having a U-shaped (channel-shaped) cross section when viewed from the vertical direction Dv, which is formed by being surrounded by the back plate 21a and the pair of side plates 21b. The housing portion 21s has an open end 21e that opens toward the first side Db1 in the optical axis direction Db. The pair of end plates 21c form a part of the peripheral edge of the open end 21e.

[0021] The substrate 22 and the light emitting portion 4 are housed in the housing portion 21s of the unit body 20A. The substrate 22 and the light receiving portion 5 are housed in the housing portion 21s of the unit body 20B. When viewed from the vertical direction Dv, the substrate 22 extends in the vertical direction Dv along a plane orthogonal to the optical axis direction Db. A plurality of light emitting portions 4 are arranged on the substrate 22 at a predetermined interval in the vertical direction Dv. The light emitting portion 4 includes a light emitting element such as an infrared LED (Light Emitting Diode) that emits, for example, infrared rays as the sensor light B. A plurality of light receiving portions 5 are arranged on the substrate 22 at a predetermined interval in the vertical direction Dv. The light receiving portion 5 includes a light receiving element that receives the sensor light B. In the present embodiment, the light emitting portion 4 and the light receiving portion 5 are arranged such that the installation interval in the vertical direction Dv at the lower part of the unit body 20 is smaller than the installation interval in the vertical direction Dv at the upper part of the unit body 20.

[0022] The heater unit 23 is disposed on the first side Db1 in the optical axis direction Db with respect to the chassis 21. The heater unit 23 is disposed on the second side Db2 in the optical axis direction Db with respect to the transmissive member 27. The heater unit 23 heats the transmissive member 27 and the cover 29. The heater unit 23 includes a first heat conductor 25 and a heater 24.

[0023] The first heat conductor 25 is formed in a plate shape along a plane orthogonal to the optical axis direction Db when viewed in the vertical direction Dv. The first heat conductor 25 is formed in a long shape extending in the vertical direction Dv. The first heat conductor 25 is disposed so as to straddle both sides in the width direction Dw of the opening end 21e of the housing portion 21s when viewed in the vertical direction Dv. Both end portions in the width direction Dw of the first heat conductor 25 face a pair of end plates 21c of the chassis 21 in the optical axis direction Db when viewed in the vertical direction Dv. The first heat conductor 25 is heated by the heater 24. The first heat conductor 25 is formed of a material having a higher thermal conductivity than the transmissive member 27 to be described later, such as an aluminum alloy, for example. The first heat conductor 25 has a certain thickness in the optical axis direction Db so as to have a heat capacity of a certain level or more.

[0024] The first heat conductor 25 has a plurality of through holes 25h, a pair of vertically extending portions 25s, and a plurality of connecting portions 25m. As shown in FIG. 2, the plurality of through holes 25h are formed in the first heat conductor 25 at intervals in the vertical direction Dv. Each through hole 25h penetrates the plate-shaped first heat conductor 25 in the optical axis direction Db, which is the plate thickness direction thereof. Each through hole 25h is formed in a rectangular shape, for example, when viewed in the optical axis direction Db. Each through hole 25h may be formed in a circular shape, an elliptical shape, or the like when viewed in the optical axis direction Db.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 3, each through hole 25h is formed inside the opening end 21e of the accommodating portion 21s so as to communicate with the inside of the accommodating portion 21s. Each through hole 25h is disposed at a position facing the light emitting portion 4 or the light receiving portion 5 in the optical axis direction Db. Each through hole 25h is formed so that the sensor light B emitted from the light emitting portion 4 or the sensor light B received by the light receiving portion 5 can pass therethrough. Each through hole 25h corresponds to the installation interval in the vertical direction Dv between the light emitting portion 4 and the light receiving portion 5, and is arranged so that the installation interval in the vertical direction Dv at the lower part of the unit body 20 is smaller than the installation interval in the vertical direction Dv at the upper part of the unit body 20.

[0026] A pair of vertically extending portions 25s are formed on both sides in the width direction Dw with respect to the plurality of through holes 25h. Each vertically extending portion 25s extends in the vertical direction Dv. Each vertically extending portion 25s faces a pair of end plates 21c of the chassis 21 in the optical axis direction Db.

[0027] The connecting portion 25m is formed above and below each through hole 25h. The connecting portion 25m is formed between the through holes 25h adjacent to each other in the vertical direction Dv. The connecting portion 25m extends in the width direction Dw and connects the vertically extending portions 25s on both sides in the width direction Dw. The connecting portion 25m is integrally formed with the pair of vertically extending portions 25s. Such a first heat conductor 25 is configured by forming a plurality of through holes 25h in a rectangular metal plate having the vertical direction Dv as a long side when viewed from the optical axis direction Db.

[0028] A packing 31p is sandwiched as a first water stop member 31 between the chassis 21 and the first heat conductor 25. The packing 31p is sandwiched between each vertically extending portion 25s and each end plate 21c on both sides in the width direction Dw of the opening end 21e. The packing 31p extends in the vertical direction Dv on both sides of the width direction Dw of the open end 21e, respectively. The packing 31p is arranged over substantially the entire length in the vertical direction Dv of the vertical extension portions 25s and the end plates 21c. The packings 31p on both sides in the width direction Dw are connected to each other at their lower end portions. The packing 31p is formed of a rubber-based material such as chloroprene rubber, for example. As the first water stop member 31, not only the packing 31p but also a sealant material or the like can be used. By sandwiching the packing 31p between the pair of vertical extension portions 25s of the first heat conductor 25 and the pair of end plates 21c of the chassis 21, the inside of the housing portion 21s on the second side Db2 in the optical axis direction Db with respect to the first heat conductor 25 is suppressed from intrusion of rainwater or the like from the outside.

[0029] The heater 24 generates heat by the electric power supplied from the outside. The heater 24 is arranged on the second side Db2 in the optical axis direction Db with respect to the transmission member 27 and the first heat conductor 25. The heater 24 is arranged along the surface 25f facing the second side Db2 in the optical axis direction Db in the first heat conductor 25. The heater 24 extends along the vertical extension portions 25s on both sides of the width direction Dw of each through hole 25h of the first heat conductor 25, respectively. The heaters 24 on both sides in the width direction Dw are connected to each other at their lower end portions. As the heater 24, for example, a heating wire 24w such as a cord heater is used. The heating wire 24w is arranged between the pair of side plates 21b in the width direction Dw. The heating wire 24w is housed inside the housing portion 21s. The heating wire 24w sandwiches the pair of vertical extension portions 25s of the first heat conductor 25 and faces the transmission member 27 in the optical axis direction Db. The heating wire 24w generates heat by the electric power supplied from the outside and heats the first heat conductor 25.

[0030] The transmissive member 27 is disposed on the first side Db1 in the optical axis direction Db with respect to the heater unit 23. The transmissive member 27 is disposed on the second side Db2 in the optical axis direction Db with respect to the cover 29. The transmissive member 27 is disposed between the cover 29 and the accommodating portion 21s in the optical axis direction Db. When viewed from the vertical direction Dv, the transmissive member 27 is along a plane orthogonal to the optical axis direction Db. The transmissive member 27 extends in the vertical direction Dv. The transmissive member 27 is disposed so as to cover the plurality of through holes 25h formed in the first heat conductor 25 from the first side Db1 in the optical axis direction Db. The transmissive member 27 is formed of a material that transmits the sensor light B passing through each through hole 25h. The transmissive member 27 is formed of, for example, glass. The transmissive member 27 may be formed of a resin-based material such as polycarbonate, for example.

[0031] When viewed from the vertical direction Dv, the transmissive member 27 is formed to extend on both sides in the width direction Dw with respect to the through hole 25h. Both end portions 27a in the width direction Dw of the transmissive member 27 face the pair of vertically extending portions 25s of the first heat conductor 25 from the first side Db1 in the optical axis direction Db. That is, the first heat conductor 25 is disposed so as to extend along the transmissive member 27 from the second side Db2 in the optical axis direction Db.

[0032] Both end portions 27a in the width direction Dw of the transmissive member 27 and the pair of vertically extending portions 25s are respectively attached by double-sided tapes 32p as the second water stop member 32. Thereby, the second water stop member 32 is sandwiched between the transmissive member 27 and the first heat conductor 25. The double-sided tape 32p is a so-called waterproof tape using a resin-based material such as an acrylic foam base material. By this double-sided tape 32p as the second water stop member 32, a certain degree of water stoppage is maintained between both end portions 27a in the width direction Dw of the transmissive member 27 and the pair of vertically extending portions 25s. As the second water stop member 32, in addition to the double-sided tape 32p, for example, a sponge, a packing, a sealant material, etc. can be used.

[0033] The cover 29 is disposed on the first side Db1 in the optical axis direction Db with respect to the accommodation portion 21s, the heater unit 23, and the transmission member 27. The cover 29 has a front plate portion 29a and a pair of side plate portions 29b. When viewed from the vertical direction Dv, the front plate portion 29a is along a plane orthogonal to the optical axis direction Db. The front plate portion 29a extends in the vertical direction Dv. The front plate portion 29a extends on both sides in the width direction Dw with respect to the transmission member 27. The pair of side plate portions 29b extend from the end portions on both sides in the width direction Dw of the front plate portion 29a toward the second side Db2 in the optical axis direction Db, respectively. The pair of side plate portions 29b are disposed along the outside in the width direction Dw of the pair of outer plates 21d of the chassis 21.

[0034] An opening 29h is formed at the central portion in the width direction Dw of the front plate portion 29a. The opening 29h penetrates the front plate portion 29a in the optical axis direction Db. The opening 29h extends in the vertical direction. The transmission member 27 is disposed on the second side in the optical axis direction Db with respect to the opening 29h. When viewed from the optical axis direction Db, the transmission member 27 is exposed inside the opening 29h. The opening 29h is formed so that the sensor light B passing through the transmission member 27 can pass through.

[0035] A third water stop member 33 is sandwiched between both end portions 27a in the width direction Dw of the transmission member 27 and both side portions in the width direction Dw of the opening 29h in the front plate portion 29a of the cover 29. As the third water stop member 33, for example, a sponge 33s made of a rubber-based material such as chloroprene rubber is used. This sponge 33s is sandwiched in a compressed state in the optical axis direction Db between both end portions 27a in the width direction Dw of the transmission member 27 and both side portions in the width direction Dw of the opening portion 29h of the cover 29. As the third water stop member 33, in addition to the sponge 33s, for example, a double-sided tape, packing, a sealing material, etc. using a resin-based material can be used. With this third water stop member 33, a certain degree of water stoppage is maintained between both end portions 27a in the width direction Dw of the transmission member 27 and both side portions in the width direction Dw of the opening portion 29h in the front plate portion 29a of the cover 29.

[0036] The second heat transfer body 26 is sandwiched between the first heat transfer body 25 and the cover 29. The second heat transfer bodies 26 are respectively arranged on both sides in the width direction Dw of the transmission member 27. The second heat transfer bodies 26 on both sides in the width direction Dw are connected to each other at their lower end portions. The second heat transfer body 26 is sandwiched in the optical axis direction Db between the upper and lower extension portions 25s of the first heat transfer body 25 and the front plate portion 29a of the cover 29. The inner end portion 25a inside the width direction Dw of the second heat transfer body 26 is in contact with or close to the transmission member 27 in the width direction Dw. The thickness of the second heat transfer body 26 in the optical axis direction Db is set to be equal to the thickness of the transmission member 27 in the optical axis direction Db. The second heat transfer body 26 is formed of a material having a higher thermal conductivity than the transmission member 27 to be described later, such as an aluminum alloy. The second heat transfer body 26 may be integrally formed with the first heat transfer body 25.

[0037] The cover 29, the second heat transfer body 26, the first heat transfer body 25, the first water stop member 31, and a pair of end plates 21c of the chassis 21 are fastened by screws (not shown) on both sides in the width direction Dw of the opening portion 29h, the transmission member 27, and the through hole 25h, respectively.

[0038] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a lid body 28 is provided on the top of the unit main body 20. The lid body 28 covers the chassis 21, the heater unit 23, the second heat transfer member 26, the transmission member 27, the cover 29, etc. of the unit main body 20 from above.

[0039] In such a vehicle detection unit 1, sensor light B is emitted from each of the plurality of light emitting portions 4 of the first unit 2. The sensor light B passes through the through hole 25h, the transmission member 27, and the opening 29h of the first unit 2 and is irradiated toward the second unit 3. The sensor light B irradiated from the first unit 2 is received by the light receiving portion 5 through the opening 29h, the transmission member 27, and the through hole 25h of the second unit 3. The vehicle detection unit 1 detects the passage of a vehicle or the like when at least a part of the sensor light B emitted from the plurality of light emitting portions 4 is blocked by a vehicle passing through the passage S.

[0040] When the heater 24 of the heater unit 23 generates heat in the first unit 2 and the second unit 3 of the vehicle detection unit 1, the heat is transmitted to the transmission member 27 through the first heat transfer member 25. Further, the heat of the heater 24 is transmitted to the transmission member 27 and the cover 29 through the first heat transfer member 25 and the second heat transfer member 26. Also, the heat of the heater 24 is transmitted from the inner end portion 25a of the second heat transfer member 26 to the transmission member 27. Thereby, the transmission member 27 and the cover 29 are heated, suppressing the adhesion of ice and snow during snowfall or the like.

[0041] (Function and effect) In this embodiment, the heater unit 23 can melt the ice and snow adhering to the transmission member 27 by heating the transmission member 27, for example, during snowfall. This can prevent the transmission of the sensor light B from being hindered due to the adhesion of ice and snow. The transmission member 27 is disposed between the cover 29 and the housing portion 21s. The heater unit 23 is disposed on the second side Db2, which is the direction opposite to the first side Db1 in the optical axis direction Db with respect to the transmission member 27. That is, the heater unit 23 is disposed on the second side Db2 in the optical axis direction Db with respect to the cover 29 and the transmission member 27. This can prevent water containing a snow melting agent scattered during snowfall from directly adhering to the heater unit 23. Therefore, it is possible to provide a moving body detection device in which the heater unit 23 is efficient and less likely to deteriorate.

[0042] Further, the heater unit 23 includes a heating wire 24w disposed on the second side Db2 in the optical axis direction Db with respect to the transmission member 27. Thereby, the transmission member 27 can be heated by the heat generated by the heating wire 24w. The heating wire 24w is less expensive compared to a rubber heater or the like, and its layout and heater capacity can be easily changed.

[0043] Further, the heating wire 24w is housed inside the housing portion 21s. This can more effectively prevent water containing a snow melting agent from directly adhering to the heating wire 24w.

[0044] Further, the heater unit 23 further includes a first heat transfer body 25 that is disposed along the second side Db2 in the optical axis direction Db with respect to the transmission member 27 and is heated by the heating wire 24w. Thereby, the heat generated by the heating wire 24w is transmitted to the transmission member 27 via the first heat transfer body 25. Since the first heat transfer body 25 has a higher thermal conductivity than the transmission member 27, the heat generated by the heating wire 24w is efficiently dispersed and transmitted to the transmission member 27. Therefore, the transmission member 27 can be heated more uniformly, and the adhesion of ice and snow can be suppressed.

[0045] Further, the first heat transfer body 25 includes a connecting portion 25m that connects the upper and lower extending portions 25s on both sides in the width direction Dw above and below the through hole 25h. The heat generated by the heating wire 24w is transmitted to the upper and lower extending portions 25s on both sides in the width direction Dw of each through hole 25h and the upper and lower connecting portions 25m. Thereby, the first heat transfer body 25 can heat the transmission member 27 throughout the periphery of the through hole 25h. Therefore, in the transmission member 27, the adhesion of ice and snow to the portion corresponding to the through hole 25h through which the sensor light B passes can be more effectively suppressed.

[0046] Further, a second heat transfer body 26 formed of a material having a higher thermal conductivity than the transmission member 27 is further provided between the first heat transfer body 25 and the cover 29. Thereby, the heat generated by the heating wire 24w can be efficiently transmitted from the first heat transfer body 25 to the cover 29 through the second heat transfer body 26. Therefore, the adhesion of ice and snow to the cover 29 can be effectively suppressed, and the occlusion of the opening 29h by ice and snow can be suppressed.

[0047] Also, a first water stop member 31 is sandwiched between the first heat transfer body 25 and the peripheral edge of the opening end 21e of the accommodating portion 21s. For this reason, the intrusion of water into the inside of the accommodating portion 21s can be suppressed. Thereby, when the heating wire 24w is disposed inside the housing member, the adverse effect on the heating wire 24w can be more effectively suppressed.

[0048] Also, a second water stop member 32 is sandwiched between the transmission member 27 and the first heat transfer body 25. Thereby, the intrusion of water into the heater unit 23 side can be suppressed.

[0049] Also, a third water stop member 33 is sandwiched between the transmission member 27 and the cover 29. This can also suppress the intrusion of water into the heater unit 23 side.

[0050] As described above, some embodiments of the present disclosure have been explained. However, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. These embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the disclosure. These embodiments and their modifications are to be included in the scope and gist of the disclosure, as well as in the scope of the claims and their equivalents. For example, in the above embodiment, the vehicle detection unit 1 is configured to detect vehicles passing through the passage S. However, vehicles passing through the passage S may include, for example, in addition to automobiles, tow vehicles towed by automobiles, motorcycles, motorized bicycles, etc. In addition, the moving object detection device can also be installed outside the vehicle passage S, and for example, it may be configured to detect bicycles, pedestrians, etc. Further, the moving object detection device may be configured to detect, for example, articles conveyed by a conveying device.

[0051] <Supplementary Note> The moving object detection device described in the embodiment is grasped as follows, for example.

[0052] (1) The moving object detection device 1 according to the first aspect includes a housing portion 21s that houses a light emitting portion 4 that emits sensor light B or a light receiving portion 5 that receives the sensor light B, and has an opening end 21e that opens toward the first side Db1 in the optical axis direction Db of the sensor light B; a cover 29 that is disposed on the first side Db1 in the optical axis direction Db with respect to the housing portion 21s and has an opening through which the sensor light B can pass; a transmissive member 27 that is disposed between the cover 29 and the housing portion 21s and transmits the sensor light B; and a heater unit 23 that is disposed on the second side Db2, which is the direction opposite to the first side Db1 in the optical axis direction Db with respect to the transmissive member 27, and heats the transmissive member 27. Examples of moving objects include automobiles, tow vehicles towed by automobiles, motorcycles, motorized bicycles, bicycles, pedestrians, and articles conveyed by a conveying device.

[0053] According to this moving body detection device 1, the heater unit 23 can melt the ice and snow adhering to the transmission member 27 by heating the transmission member 27, such as during snowfall. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the obstruction of the transmission of the sensor light B due to the adhesion of ice and snow. The transmission member 27 is disposed between the cover 29 and the housing portion 21s. The heater unit 23 is disposed on the second side Db2, which is the direction opposite to the first side Db1 in the optical axis direction Db with respect to the transmission member 27. That is, the heater unit 23 is disposed on the second side Db2 in the optical axis direction Db with respect to the cover 29 and the transmission member 27. Thereby, it is possible to suppress water containing a snow melting agent scattered during snowfall from directly adhering to the heater unit 23. Therefore, it is possible to provide a moving body detection device in which the heater unit 23 is efficient and less likely to deteriorate.

[0054] (2) The moving body detection device 1 according to the second aspect is the moving body detection device 1 of (1), wherein the heater unit 23 includes a heating wire 24w disposed on the second side Db2 in the optical axis direction Db with respect to the transmission member 27.

[0055] Thereby, the transmission member 27 can be heated by the heat generated by the heating wire 24w disposed on the second side Db2 in the optical axis direction Db with respect to the transmission member 27, that is, on the housing portion 21s side. The heating wire 24w is less expensive compared to a rubber heater or the like, and its layout and heater capacity can be easily changed.

[0056] (3) The moving body detection device 1 according to the third aspect is the moving body detection device 1 of (2), wherein the heating wire 24w is housed inside the housing portion 21s.

[0057] Thereby, by housing the heating wire 24w inside the housing portion 21s, it is possible to more effectively suppress water containing a snow melting agent from directly adhering.

[0058] (4) The moving body detection device 1 according to the fourth aspect is the moving body detection device 1 of (2) or (3), wherein the heater unit 23 is arranged along the second side Db2 in the optical axis direction Db with respect to the transmission member 27, and is heated by the heating wire 24w, and further includes a first heat transfer body 25 formed of a material having a higher thermal conductivity than the transmission member 27.

[0059] Thereby, the heat generated by the heating wire 24w is transmitted to the transmission member 27 through the first heat transfer body 25 arranged along the second side Db2 in the optical axis direction Db with respect to the transmission member 27. Since the first heat transfer body 25 has a higher thermal conductivity than the transmission member 27, the heat generated by the heating wire 24w is efficiently dispersed and transmitted to the transmission member 27. Therefore, the transmission member 27 can be heated more uniformly, and the adhesion of ice and snow can be suppressed.

[0060] (5) The moving body detection device 1 according to the fifth aspect is the moving body detection device 1 of (4), wherein a plurality of the light emitting units 4 or the light receiving units 5 are provided in the housing portion 21s at intervals in the vertical direction Dv, the first heat transfer body 25 is formed at intervals in the vertical direction Dv, and includes a plurality of through holes 25h through which the sensor light B can pass, and vertical extension portions 25s extending in the vertical direction Dv on both sides in the width direction Dw intersecting with the optical axis direction Db and the vertical direction Dv with respect to the plurality of through holes 25h, and connecting portions 25m extending in the width direction Dw above and below the through holes 25h and connecting the vertical extension portions 25s on both sides in the width direction Dw.

[0061] As a result, the sensor light B emitted by the plurality of light emitting units 4 arranged at intervals in the vertical direction Dv within the housing portion 21s, or the sensor light B received by the light receiving unit 5, passes through the through holes 25h of the first heat transfer body 25. In addition to the vertical extending portions 25s arranged on both sides in the width direction Dw of the plurality of through holes 25h, the first heat transfer body 25 includes a connecting portion 25m that connects the upper and lower vertical extending portions 25s on both sides in the width direction Dw above and below the through holes 25h. Therefore, the heat generated by the heating wire 24w is transmitted to the vertical extending portions 25s on both sides in the width direction Dw of each through hole 25h and the upper and lower connecting portions 25m. Thereby, the first heat transfer body 25 can heat the transmissive member 27 throughout the periphery of the through hole 25h. Therefore, in the transmissive member 27, the adhesion of ice and snow to the portion corresponding to the through hole 25h through which the sensor light B passes can be suppressed more effectively.

[0062] (6) The moving body detection device 1 according to the sixth aspect is the moving body detection device 1 according to (4) or (5), further comprising a second heat transfer body 26 that is sandwiched between the first heat transfer body 25 and the cover 29, transfers heat from the first heat transfer body 25 to the cover 29, and is formed of a material having a higher thermal conductivity than the transmissive member 27.

[0063] As a result, by sandwiching the second heat transfer body 26 between the first heat transfer body 25 and the cover 29, the heat generated by the heating wire 24w can be efficiently transmitted from the first heat transfer body 25 through the second heat transfer body 26 to the cover 29. Therefore, the adhesion of ice and snow to the cover 29 can be effectively suppressed, and the closing of the opening 29h by ice and snow can be suppressed.

[0064] (7) The moving body detection device 1 according to the seventh aspect is the moving body detection device 1 according to any one of (4) to (6), further comprising a first water stop member 31 that is sandwiched between the first heat transfer body 25 and the peripheral edge portion of the opening end 21e of the housing portion 21s and is formed of a material having water stop properties. Examples of the first water stop member 31 include packing and a sealing material.

[0065] Thus, the first water stop member 31 sandwiched between the first heat transfer body 25 and the peripheral edge of the opening end 21e of the housing portion 21s can suppress the intrusion of water into the housing portion 21s. Accordingly, when the heating wire 24w is disposed inside the housing portion 21s, the adverse effect on the heating wire 24w can be more effectively suppressed.

[0066] (8) The moving body detection device 1 according to the eighth aspect is the moving body detection device 1 according to any one of (4) to (7), and further includes a second water stop member 32 sandwiched between the transmission member 27 and the first heat transfer body 25 and formed of a material having water stop properties. Examples of the second water stop member 32 include double-sided tape, sponge, packing, and sealant material using a resin-based material.

[0067] Thus, the second water stop member 32 sandwiched between the transmission member 27 and the first heat transfer body 25 can suppress the intrusion of water into the heater unit 23 side.

[0068] (9) The moving body detection device 1 according to the ninth aspect is the moving body detection device 1 according to any one of (1) to (8), and further includes a third water stop member 33 sandwiched between the transmission member 27 and the cover 29 and formed of a material having water stop properties. Examples of the third water stop member 33 include double-sided tape, sponge, packing, and sealant material using a resin-based material.

[0069] Thus, the third water stop member 33 sandwiched between the transmission member 27 and the cover 29 can suppress the intrusion of water into the heater unit 23 side.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0070] 1…Vehicle detection unit (moving body detection device) 2…First unit 3…Second unit 4…Light emitting unit 5…Light receiving unit 10…Support housing 13…Box body 20, 20A, 20B... Unit body 21... Chassis 21a... Back panel 21b... Side panel 21c... End panel 21d... Outer panel 21e... Open end 21s... Accommodation part 22... Substrate 23... Heater unit 24... Heater 24w... Heating wire 25... First heat transfer body 25a... Inner end part 25f... Surface 25h... Through hole 25m... Connection part 25s... Vertically extending part 26... Second heat transfer body 27... Transmission member 27a... Both end parts 28... Cover body 29... Cover 29a... Front plate part 29b... Side plate part 29h... Opening 31... First water stop member 31p... Packing 32... Second water stop member 32p... Double-sided tape 33... Third water stop member 33s... Sponge B... Sensor light Da... Road width direction Db... Optical axis direction Db1... First side Db2... Second side Dv... Up and down direction Dw... Width direction S... Passageway

Claims

1. A housing portion that houses a light emitting portion that emits sensor light or a light receiving portion that receives the sensor light, and has an open end that opens toward a first side in the optical axis direction of the sensor light; A cover that is disposed on the first side in the optical axis direction with respect to the housing portion and has an opening through which the sensor light can pass; A transmissive member that is disposed between the cover and the housing portion and transmits the sensor light; A heater unit that is disposed on a second side, which is a direction opposite to the first side in the optical axis direction, with respect to the transmissive member and heats the transmissive member, and the heater unit an electric heating wire disposed on the second side in the optical axis direction with respect to the transmissive member; a first heat conductor that is disposed along the second side in the optical axis direction with respect to the transmissive member, is heated by the electric heating wire, and is formed of a material having a higher thermal conductivity than the transmissive member, and the light emitting portion or the light receiving portion is provided in plurality at intervals in the vertical direction within the housing portion; the first heat conductor a plurality of through holes that are formed at intervals in the vertical direction and through which the sensor light can pass; vertical extending portions that extend in the vertical direction on both sides in the width direction that intersects the optical axis direction and the vertical direction with respect to the plurality of through holes; a connecting portion that extends in the width direction above and below the through holes and connects the vertical extending portions on both sides in the width direction, and a moving body detection device.

2. The electric heating wire is housed inside the housing portion The moving body detection device according to claim 1.

3. A housing portion that houses a light emitting portion that emits sensor light or a light receiving portion that receives the sensor light, and has an open end that opens toward a first side in the optical axis direction of the sensor light; A cover that is disposed on the first side in the optical axis direction with respect to the housing portion and has an opening through which the sensor light can pass; A transmissive member that is disposed between the cover and the housing portion and transmits the sensor light; A heater unit that is disposed on a second side, which is a direction opposite to the first side in the optical axis direction, with respect to the transmissive member and heats the transmissive member, and the heater unit an electric heating wire disposed on the second side in the optical axis direction with respect to the transmissive member; a first heat conductor that is disposed along the second side in the optical axis direction with respect to the transmissive member, is heated by the electric heating wire, and is formed of a material having a higher thermal conductivity than the transmissive member, and A second heat transfer body that is sandwiched between the first heat transfer body and the cover, transfers heat from the first heat transfer body to the cover, and is formed of a material having a higher thermal conductivity than the transmission member. Moving body detection device.

4. A housing portion that houses a light emitting portion that emits sensor light or a light receiving portion that receives the sensor light, and has an open end that opens toward a first side in the optical axis direction of the sensor light; A cover that is disposed on the first side in the optical axis direction with respect to the housing portion and has an opening through which the sensor light can pass; A transmission member that is disposed between the cover and the housing portion and transmits the sensor light; A heater unit that is disposed on a second side opposite to the first side in the optical axis direction with respect to the transmission member and heats the transmission member. The heater unit is A heating wire disposed on the second side in the optical axis direction with respect to the transmission member; A first heat transfer body that is disposed along the second side in the optical axis direction with respect to the transmission member, is heated by the heating wire, and is formed of a material having a higher thermal conductivity than the transmission member. A first water stop member that is sandwiched between the first heat transfer body and a peripheral edge portion of the open end of the housing portion and is formed of a material having water stopping properties. Moving body detection device.

5. A housing portion that houses a light emitting portion that emits sensor light or a light receiving portion that receives the sensor light, and has an open end that opens toward a first side in the optical axis direction of the sensor light; A cover that is disposed on the first side in the optical axis direction with respect to the housing portion and has an opening through which the sensor light can pass; A transmission member that is disposed between the cover and the housing portion and transmits the sensor light; A heater unit that is disposed on a second side opposite to the first side in the optical axis direction with respect to the transmission member and heats the transmission member. The heater unit is A heating wire disposed on the second side in the optical axis direction with respect to the transmission member; A first heat transfer body that is disposed along the second side in the optical axis direction with respect to the transmission member, is heated by the heating wire, and is formed of a material having a higher thermal conductivity than the transmission member. A second water stop member that is sandwiched between the transmission member and the first heat transfer body and is formed of a material having water stopping properties. Moving body detection device. **Claim 6**: A housing unit that houses a light emitting unit that emits sensor light or a light receiving unit that receives the sensor light, and has an open end that opens toward a first side in the optical axis direction of the sensor light; A cover that is disposed on the first side in the optical axis direction with respect to the housing unit and has an opening through which the sensor light can pass; A transmissive member that is disposed between the cover and the housing unit and transmits the sensor light; A heater unit that is disposed on a second side, which is a direction opposite to the first side in the optical axis direction, with respect to the transmissive member and heats the transmissive member; and A third water stop member that is sandwiched between the transmissive member and the cover and is formed of a material having water stop properties. A moving body detection device.

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