Construction unit for dividing lines

Abstract

To provide a lane marking construction unit which makes it easier to ensure construction accuracy when a lane marker is constructed in a place with a distance in the vehicle width direction from a vehicle becoming greatly larger.SOLUTION: A lane marking construction unit comprises a carriage 7 that is supported by a vehicle and travels on a road surface R as the vehicle travels on the road surface R, a support body 8 that is supported by the carriage 7 and extends outward in the vehicle width direction from the carriage 7, a paint spray gun 9 that is supported by the support 8 at a position separated outward in the vehicle width direction from the carriage 7 and sprays, toward the road surface R, paint to be supplied through a paint pipe from a paint tank mounted on the vehicle, and a bead spray gun 10 that is supported by the support 8 at a position separated outward in the vehicle width direction from the carriage 7 and sprays, toward the paint sprayed from the paint spray gun 9, beads which are reflective materials to be supplied through a bead pipe from a bead tank mounted on the vehicle.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a marking construction unit used to construct markings on a road surface. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, there has been known a marking construction device used to construct markings such as road center lines, road outer lines, and lane boundary lines on road surfaces such as highways (see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-137403).

[0003] The marking construction device described in JP 9-137403 A is mounted on a vehicle traveling on a road surface and includes a paint applicator and a bead spreader. The paint applicator and bead spreader are supported at the tip of a support member that extends outward from the vehicle in the vehicle width direction. The positions of the paint applicator and bead spreader relative to the vehicle in the vehicle width direction can be adjusted by sliding the support member in the vehicle width direction.

[0004] The paint applicator is equipped with a paint storage container. Paint heated by a paint melting device mounted on the vehicle is supplied to the paint storage container through a supply gutter. The paint supplied to the paint storage container is dropped onto the road surface by opening a shutter provided at the bottom end of the paint storage container.

[0005] The bead dispenser receives reflective beads stored in a bead tank mounted on the vehicle through a supply pipe and can dispense the beads onto the road surface.

[0006] When applying markings to a road surface, a shutter attached to the bottom of the paint reservoir is opened while a vehicle is running on the road, causing the paint in the paint reservoir to drip onto the road surface and be applied to the road surface. Furthermore, beads are sprayed onto the uncured paint applied to the road surface from a bead sprayer, creating markings that are reflective to lights and easy to see, even at night. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 9-137403 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] Conventionally, as a measure to prevent accidents caused by lane departure, milled warning pavement has been applied to road surfaces. Milled warning pavement has an intentionally created wavy surface by cutting grooves into the road surface at regular intervals along the lane. When a vehicle deviates from its lane and its tires run over the milled warning pavement, it generates large vibrations and noise, which alert the driver to return the vehicle to its lane.

[0009] In recent years, there has been an increase in cases where cut-type warning pavement is installed on the inside of the existing center line installed on the road surface, that is, adjacent to the lane side, in two-way traffic sections of expressways. In such cases, if the existing center line has deteriorated over time and some of the paint has peeled off, it is necessary to repair the center line, that is, to re-apply (repaint) the center line.

[0010] When carrying out such construction using conventional marking construction equipment, in order to prevent the wheels of vehicles traveling in the lane from riding over the cut-type warning pavement, it is necessary to increase the extension amount of the support member that extends outward in the vehicle width direction from the vehicle traveling in the lane, and to position the paint applicator and bead spreader supported at the tip of the support member above the center line of the roadway to be repaired, which is located outside the cut-type warning pavement.

[0011] However, in conventional marking construction devices, the paint applicator supported at the tip of the support member is heavy, i.e., equipped with a paint storage container for storing paint. Therefore, if a vehicle is driven with the support member extended too far, the vibrations caused by the vehicle's movement will cause the paint applicator to shake more, making it difficult to ensure accurate re-application of the roadway centerline. On the other hand, if the support member is extended too far, the vehicle's wheels will move over the cut-type warning pavement, and similarly, the vibrations caused by the vehicle's movement will cause the paint applicator to shake more, making it difficult to ensure accurate re-application of the roadway centerline.

[0012] The present invention aims to provide a demarcation line construction unit that makes it easy to ensure construction accuracy even when constructing demarcation lines at a location that is a large distance away from the vehicle in the vehicle width direction. [Means for solving the problem]

[0013] A marking construction unit according to one aspect of the present invention includes a carriage, a support, a paint spray gun, and a bead spray gun.

[0014] The bogie is supported by a vehicle and travels on a road surface as the vehicle travels on the road surface.

[0015] The support body is supported by the bogie and extends from the bogie outward in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle.

[0016] The paint spray gun is supported on the support body at a position spaced apart from the bogie on the outside in the vehicle width direction, and sprays paint supplied from a paint tank mounted on the vehicle through a paint piping toward the road surface.

[0017] The bead spray gun is supported by the support body at a position spaced outward from the bogie in the vehicle width direction, and sprays beads of reflective material supplied from a bead tank mounted on the vehicle through a bead piping toward the paint sprayed from the paint spray gun. Here, the paint sprayed from the paint spray gun may be paint that has been sprayed from the paint spray gun and has not yet adhered to the road surface, or may be paint that has been sprayed from the paint spray gun and has immediately adhered to the road surface.

[0018] In one embodiment of the marking line construction unit of the present invention, the support body includes a first support shaft that extends from the bogie side toward the outside in the vehicle width direction and supports the paint spray gun, and a second support shaft that is positioned at a distance from the first support shaft in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle, extends from the bogie side toward the outside in the vehicle width direction, and supports the bead spray gun.

[0019] In one embodiment of the marking line construction unit of the present invention, the support body includes a first reinforcing member connecting the bogie to an axial portion of the first support shaft, and a second reinforcing member connecting the bogie to an axial portion of the second support shaft.

[0020] The marking construction unit according to one aspect of the present invention includes a vehicle width direction adjustment mechanism that adjusts the positions of the paint spray gun and the bead spray gun relative to the carriage in the vehicle width direction.

[0021] In one aspect of the present invention, the vehicle width direction adjustment mechanism includes a mechanism that slides the paint spray gun and the bead spray gun in the vehicle width direction relative to the support body.

[0022] The marking construction unit according to one aspect of the present invention includes a vertical adjustment mechanism for adjusting the vertical positions of the paint spray gun and the bead spray gun relative to the carriage.

[0023] In one aspect of the present invention, the vertical direction adjustment mechanism of the marking line construction unit includes a mechanism for moving the support body in the vertical direction relative to the carriage.

[0024] In one aspect of the present invention, the vertical adjustment mechanism of the marking construction unit includes a mechanism for moving the paint spray gun and the bead spray gun in the vertical direction relative to the support body. [Effects of the Invention]

[0025] According to one aspect of the marking line construction unit of the present invention, construction accuracy can be easily ensured even when constructing marking lines at locations that are a large distance away from the vehicle in the vehicle width direction. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0026] [Figure 1] Figure 1(a) is a plan view of a vehicle equipped with a marking line construction unit according to a first embodiment of the present invention, viewed from above with some parts omitted, and Figure 1(b) is a side view of the vehicle viewed from below Figure 1(a), with some parts omitted. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the first example of the demarcation line construction unit in use, seen from above and behind, with piping omitted. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the first example of the demarcation line construction unit as viewed from above and behind. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the first example of the demarcation line construction unit, with piping omitted, as seen from above and behind. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the first example of the demarcation line construction unit, with piping omitted, as seen from above and from the front. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a plan view of the first example of the demarcation line construction unit, viewed from above, with piping omitted. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a side view of the first example of the demarcation line construction unit, seen from the outside, with piping omitted. [Figure 8]FIG. 8 is a view of the first example of the demarcation line construction unit, with piping omitted, as seen from the front. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a view of the first example of the demarcation line construction unit, with piping omitted, as seen from the rear. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0027] [First example of embodiment] A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 9. FIG.

[0028] The marking construction unit 1 in this example is mounted on a vehicle 2 as shown in Figures 1(a) and 1(b), and is a device that applies paint and reflective beads to the road surface R to construct markings such as roadway center lines, roadway outer lines, and lane boundary lines.

[0029] In the following description of the demarcation line construction unit 1 of this example, the front-rear direction and left-right direction refer to the front-rear direction and left-right direction of the vehicle 2, and the vehicle width direction refers to the left-right direction of the vehicle 2.

[0030] In this example, the vehicle 2 is a truck and comprises a cabin 3 with a driver's seat, a cargo bed 4 arranged behind the cabin 3, left and right front wheels 5 arranged below the cabin 3, and left and right rear wheels 6 arranged below the rear side of the cargo bed 4.

[0031] In this example, the demarcation line construction unit 1 is disposed on the right side of the vehicle 2, more specifically, on the right side of the midsection in the fore-and-aft direction of the loading platform 4. The demarcation line construction unit 1 is disposed below the loading platform 4. When implementing the present invention, the demarcation line construction unit can also be disposed on the left side of the vehicle.

[0032] As shown in FIGS. 3 to 9, the marking construction unit 1 includes a carriage 7, a support 8, a paint spray gun 9, and a bead spray gun 10.

[0033] The carriage 7 is supported by the vehicle 2 and travels on the road surface R as the vehicle 2 travels on the road surface R.

[0034] In this example, the dolly 7 includes an upper frame 11, a lower frame 12, casters 13, and a folding air cylinder 14.

[0035] 4, 5, and 7, the upper frame 11 has an upper horizontal portion 15 extending in the front-to-rear direction, and an upper inclined portion 16 extending downward as it moves forward from the front end of the upper horizontal portion 15. The upper frame 11 is supported on the vehicle 2 via a storage device 24, which will be described later.

[0036] As shown in Figures 4, 5, and 7, the lower frame 12 is disposed below the upper frame 11 and has a lower horizontal portion 17 extending in the front-to-rear direction and a lower inclined portion 18 extending upward from the front end of the lower horizontal portion 17 toward the front. The front end of the lower inclined portion 18 is connected to the front end of the upper inclined portion 16 so as to be able to swing about a swing shaft 19 in the vehicle width direction. In other words, the lower frame 12 is connected to the upper frame 11 so as to be able to swing about the swing shaft 19.

[0037] 9, the caster 13 is disposed below the lower horizontal portion 17 of the lower frame 12, and has a main body 21 supported to be rotatable about a vertical rotation axis 20 relative to the lower horizontal portion 17, and a wheel 23 supported to be rotatable about a horizontal axle 22 relative to the main body 21. The wheel 23 enables the cart 7 to travel on the road surface R.

[0038] The folding pneumatic cylinder 14 is arranged to connect the upper frame 11 and the lower frame 12. In this example, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, the folding pneumatic cylinder 14 has an upper end connected to the middle part of the upper horizontal part 15 of the upper frame 11, and a lower end connected to the rear end of the lower inclined part 18 of the lower frame 12. The folding pneumatic cylinder 14 is connected to a pneumatic circuit powered by an air compressor (not shown) mounted on the loading platform 4 of the vehicle 2.

[0039] By operating an operation panel (not shown) mounted on the loading platform 4 of the vehicle 2, the folding pneumatic cylinder 14 can be switched between an air pressure state in which the lower frame 12 is swung upward about the swing shaft 19 and an air pressure state in which the lower frame 12 is swung downward about the swing shaft 19. In this example, when not in use, the folding pneumatic cylinder 14 swings the lower frame 12 upward, thereby lifting the wheels 23 off the road surface R. When in use, the folding pneumatic cylinder 14 swings the lower frame 12 downward, thereby bringing the wheels 23 into contact with the road surface R. When implementing the present invention, a hydraulic cylinder, an electric actuator, or the like can be used as the folding actuator instead of a pneumatic cylinder.

[0040] In this example, the dolly 7 is supported by a storage device 24 (see Figures 1(a) and 4) arranged below the loading platform 4 of the vehicle 2 so as to be movable in the vehicle width direction relative to the vehicle 2.

[0041] The storage device 24 includes two slide rods 25 and a storage hydraulic cylinder 26. The two slide rods 25 are arranged spaced apart in the front-to-rear direction and are supported so as to be able to slide in the vehicle width direction relative to the vehicle 2. The tip ends of the two slide rods 25 are connected to both front-to-rear direction ends of the upper horizontal section 15 of the upper frame 11. The storage hydraulic cylinder 26 is arranged between the two slide rods 25 in the front-to-rear direction. The storage hydraulic cylinder 26 has a base end connected to the vehicle 2 and a tip end connected to the front-to-rear direction center of the upper horizontal section 15 of the upper frame 11. The storage hydraulic cylinder 26 is connected to a hydraulic circuit powered by a hydraulic pump (not shown) mounted on the bed 4 of the vehicle 2.

[0042] By operating the control panel, the storage hydraulic cylinder 26 can be switched between a hydraulic state that moves the carriage 7 inward in the vehicle width direction, a hydraulic state that moves the carriage 7 outward in the vehicle width direction, and a hydraulic state that stops these movements. In this example, by moving the carriage 7 inward in the vehicle width direction using the storage hydraulic cylinder 26 when not in use, at least the carriage 7 of the lane marking construction unit 1 can be stored under the loading platform 4. Furthermore, by moving the carriage 7 outward in the vehicle width direction using the storage hydraulic cylinder 26 when in use, the entire lane marking construction unit 1 can be positioned outward in the vehicle width direction from the loading platform 4, as shown in FIG. 1(a). When implementing the present invention, a pneumatic cylinder, an electric actuator, or the like can be used as the storage actuator instead of a hydraulic cylinder.

[0043] The support body 8 is supported by the bogie 7 and extends outward from the bogie 7 in the vehicle width direction.

[0044] In this example, the support body 8 includes a first support shaft 27 and a second support shaft 28 .

[0045] The first support shaft 27 is used to support the paint spray gun 9, and in this example is made of a metal round pipe. The first support shaft 27 is arranged to extend from the bogie 7 side toward the outside in the vehicle width direction.

[0046] The second support shaft 28 is used to support the bead spray gun 10, and in this example is made of a metal round pipe. The second support shaft 28 is disposed at a position spaced apart from the first support shaft 27 in the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle, and extends from the bogie 7 side toward the outside in the vehicle width direction. In this example, the second support shaft 28 is disposed rearward of the first support shaft 27.

[0047] In this example, the base ends of the first support shaft 27 and the second support shaft 28, which are on the inner side in the vehicle width direction, are supported by a lifting section 40 of a lifting device 38 (described later) attached to the bogie 7. In other words, the first support shaft 27 and the second support shaft 28 are each supported by the bogie 7 via the lifting device 38.

[0048] In this example, the support 8 further includes a first reinforcing member 29 and a second reinforcing member 30.

[0049] The first reinforcing member 29 is used to reinforce the first support shaft 27 by connecting an axial portion of the first support shaft 27, which is supported in a cantilevered manner on the lifting unit 40, to the bogie 7. In this example, the first reinforcing member 29 is configured as a metal L-shaped angle. An inner end portion in the vehicle width direction, which is the base end of the first reinforcing member 29, is swingably connected to the lower horizontal portion 17 of the lower frame 12 of the bogie 7, and an outer end portion in the vehicle width direction, which is the tip end of the first reinforcing member 29, is swingably connected to an axial portion of the first support shaft 27. Specifically, in this example, the tip end of the first reinforcing member 29 is connected to the outer end portion in the vehicle width direction, which is the tip end of the first support shaft 27. In this state, the first reinforcing member 29 is inclined upward as it moves outward in the vehicle width direction.

[0050] The second reinforcing member 30 is used to reinforce the second support shaft 28 by connecting an axial portion of the second support shaft 28, which is cantilevered relative to the lifting unit 40, to the bogie 7. In this example, the second reinforcing member 30 is configured as a metal L-shaped angle. An inner end portion in the vehicle width direction, which is the base end of the second reinforcing member 30, is swingably connected to the lower horizontal portion 17 of the lower frame 12 of the bogie 7, and an outer end portion in the vehicle width direction, which is the tip end of the second reinforcing member 30, is swingably connected to an axial portion of the second support shaft 28. In this example, specifically, the tip end of the second reinforcing member 30 is connected to the outer end portion in the vehicle width direction, which is the tip end of the second support shaft 28. In this state, the second reinforcing member 30 is inclined upward as it moves outward in the vehicle width direction.

[0051] When carrying out the present invention, if the strength of the first support shaft and the second support shaft can be sufficiently ensured, the first reinforcing member and the second reinforcing member may be omitted.

[0052] The paint spray gun 9 is supported on a support 8 at a position spaced apart from the bogie 7 on the outside in the vehicle width direction, and sprays paint supplied through a paint piping from a paint tank (not shown) mounted on the vehicle 2 toward the road surface R.

[0053] In this example, the paint spray gun 9 is supported at the tip of the first support shaft 27 via a first holder 31.

[0054] The paint spray gun 9 can be switched by operating the operation panel between a paint spraying state in which paint is sprayed toward the road surface R and a paint stop state in which spraying is stopped.

[0055] That is, in this example, the bed 4 of the vehicle 2 is equipped with a paint tank (not shown) that stores paint, a pressure pump (not shown) for transporting and spraying the paint, and a paint heating device (not shown) that heats the paint transported from the paint tank. Heated paint is circulated between the paint tank and the paint heating device and supplied to the paint spray gun 9 through paint piping including paint hoses 33a and 33b (shown only in FIG. 3). An on-off valve provided inside the paint spray gun 9 can receive compressed air from the air compressor through air piping including an air tube 34 (shown only in FIG. 3). In this example, by operating the control panel, the paint spray gun 9 can be switched between a paint spraying state in which the on-off valve is opened by feeding compressed air from the air compressor to the on-off valve of the paint spray gun 9, thereby spraying paint downward from the nozzle 9a of the paint spray gun 9 toward the road surface R, and a paint stop state in which the on-off valve is closed by stopping the supply of compressed air, thereby stopping paint spraying.

[0056] The bead spray gun 10 is supported on a support 8 at a position spaced apart from the bogie 7 on the outside in the vehicle width direction, and sprays beads, which are reflective material, supplied through a bead piping from a bead tank (not shown) mounted on the vehicle 2 toward the paint sprayed from the paint spray gun 9.

[0057] In this example, the bead spray gun 10 is supported at the tip of the second support shaft 28 via a second holder 32 .

[0058] By operating the control panel, the bead spray gun 10 can be switched between a bead spraying state in which beads are sprayed toward the paint sprayed from the nozzle 9a of the paint spray gun 9, and a bead stop state in which the spraying is stopped.

[0059] That is, in this example, a bead tank (not shown) storing beads is mounted on the bed 4 of the vehicle 2. Compressed air is sent from the air compressor to the bead tank for transporting and spraying the beads. Beads are supplied from the bead tank to the bead spray gun 10 through a bead piping including a bead hose 35 (shown only in FIG. 3). Furthermore, compressed air can be sent from the air compressor to an on-off valve provided inside the bead spray gun 10 through an air piping including air tubes 36a and 36b (shown only in FIG. 3). In this example, by operating the control panel, it is possible to switch between a bead spraying state in which compressed air is sent from the air compressor to the on-off valve of the bead spray gun 10, opening the on-off valve and spraying beads from the nozzle 10a of the bead spray gun 10, and a bead stop state in which the on-off valve is closed by stopping the supply of compressed air, thereby stopping bead spray.

[0060] In the bead spraying state, beads are sprayed from the nozzle 10a of the bead spray gun 10 toward the paint sprayed from the nozzle 9a of the paint spray gun 9, specifically, toward the paint that has been sprayed from the nozzle 9a of the paint spray gun 9 and before it adheres to the road surface R, and / or toward the paint that has been sprayed from the nozzle 9a of the paint spray gun 9 and immediately after it has adhered to the road surface R. In this example, the beads are sprayed downward and forward from the nozzle 10a of the bead spray gun 10 toward the paint that has been sprayed from the nozzle 9a of the paint spray gun 9 and before it adheres to the road surface R.

[0061] When implementing the present invention, as in this example, when beads are sprayed from the nozzle 10a of the bead spray gun 10 toward paint that has been sprayed from the nozzle 9a of the paint spray gun 9 and before it adheres to the road surface R, the bead spray gun 10 can also be positioned in front of the paint spray gun 9, i.e., the first support shaft 27 and the first reinforcing member 29 can be positioned in front of the second support shaft 28 and the second reinforcing member 30.

[0062] In this example, a vehicle width direction adjustment mechanism is provided for adjusting the positions of the paint spray gun 9 and the bead spray gun 10 relative to the carriage 7 in the vehicle width direction.

[0063] In this example, the vehicle width direction adjustment mechanism includes a mechanism for sliding the paint spray gun 9 and the bead spray gun 10 in the vehicle width direction relative to the support body 8. More specifically, in this example, the mechanism is configured by fitting a slide block 37a provided on the first holder 31 to the outside of the first support shaft 27 so as to be able to slide in the axial direction, and fitting a slide block 37b provided on the second holder 32 to the outside of the second support shaft 28 so as to be able to slide in the axial direction. In other words, the position of the paint spray gun 9 in the vehicle width direction relative to the carriage 7 can be adjusted by sliding the slide block 37a in the axial direction relative to the first support shaft 27. Furthermore, the position of the bead spray gun 10 in the vehicle width direction relative to the carriage 7 can be adjusted by sliding the slide block 37b in the axial direction relative to the second support shaft 28.

[0064] An appropriate switching mechanism (screw locking mechanism 50a in this example) can be used to switch whether slide block 37a is allowed to slide relative to first support shaft 27 and whether slide block 37b is allowed to slide relative to second support shaft 28. When adjusting the positions of paint spray gun 9 and bead spray gun 10 relative to carriage 7 in the vehicle width direction, slide block 37a is allowed to slide relative to first support shaft 27 and slide block 37b is allowed to slide relative to second support shaft 28. After adjustment, the slide movements are disabled and the adjusted positions are maintained.

[0065] When carrying out the present invention, the vehicle width direction adjustment mechanism may be configured to include a mechanism for extending and retracting the support body in the vehicle width direction, for example, a mechanism in which the first support shaft and the second support shaft are formed of cylinders that extend and retract in the vehicle width direction. Alternatively, the vehicle width direction adjustment mechanism may be configured to include a mechanism for sliding the support body in the vehicle width direction relative to the bogie, for example, a mechanism for sliding the first support shaft and the second support shaft in the vehicle width direction relative to the bogie. In these cases, when the first reinforcing member and the second reinforcing member are further provided, for example, the base ends of the first reinforcing member and the second reinforcing member may be swingably connected to the bogie, and the tip ends of the first support shaft and the second support shaft may be connected to guide portions such as elongated holes provided in the first reinforcing member and the second reinforcing member so as to be able to slide and swing along the guide portions.

[0066] When the present invention is implemented, the vehicle width direction adjustment mechanism may be omitted.

[0067] In this example, a vertical adjustment mechanism is provided for adjusting the vertical positions of the paint spray gun 9 and the bead spray gun 10 relative to the carriage 7.

[0068] In this example, the up-down direction adjustment mechanism is configured to include a mechanism for moving the first support shaft 27 and the second support shaft 28 of the support body 8 in the up-down direction relative to the carriage 7. More specifically, in this example, the mechanism is configured by a hydraulic lifting device 38 attached to the lower horizontal part 17 of the lower frame 12 of the carriage 7. The lifting device 38 has a fixed part 39 fixed to the lower horizontal part 17, a lifting part 40 attached to the fixed part 39 so as to be movable up and down, and a hydraulic cylinder 41 having both ends connected to the fixed part 39 and the lifting part 40. The hydraulic cylinder 41 is connected to hydraulic hoses 42a, 42b (shown only in FIG. 3) which are hydraulic piping that constitutes the hydraulic circuit.

[0069] By operating the control panel, the hydraulic cylinder 41 can be switched between a hydraulic state in which the lifting unit 40 is raised relative to the fixed unit 39, a hydraulic state in which the lifting unit 40 is lowered relative to the fixed unit 39, and a hydraulic state in which the lifting and lowering of the lifting unit 40 is stopped. The vertical positions of the paint spray gun 9 and the bead spray gun 10 relative to the carriage 7 can be adjusted by raising and lowering the lifting unit 40 relative to the fixed unit 39. When implementing the present invention, the lifting device can be either electric or manual.

[0070] In this example, to enable the lifting unit 40 to move up and down relative to the fixed unit 39, i.e., to enable the first support shaft 27 and the second support shaft 28 to move up and down relative to the bogie 7, the base end of the first reinforcing member 29 and the base end of the second reinforcing member 30 are connected to the lower horizontal portion 17 of the lower frame 12 of the bogie 7 so as to be able to swing about swing axes 43a, 43b in the front-to-rear direction. Furthermore, the tip end of the first reinforcing member 29 and the tip end of the second reinforcing member 30 are connected to the tip end of the first support shaft 27 and the tip end of the second support shaft 28 so as to be able to slide in the vehicle width direction and swing about the swing axis in the front-to-rear direction. To achieve this, specifically, slide members 44a, 44b are fitted onto the tip end of the first support shaft 27 and the tip end of the second support shaft 28 so as to be able to slide in the axial direction. Further, the tip end of the first reinforcing member 29 and the tip end of the second reinforcing member 30 are connected to the slide members 44a, 44b so as to be swingable about swing shafts 45a, 45b in the front-rear direction.

[0071] An appropriate switching mechanism (screw locking mechanism 50b in this example) can be used to switch whether or not slide member 44a is allowed to slide relative to first support shaft 27 and whether or not slide member 44b is allowed to slide relative to second support shaft 28. When lifting unit 40 is raised or lowered relative to fixed unit 39 to adjust the vertical positions of paint spray gun 9 and bead spray gun 10 relative to cart 7, slide member 44a is allowed to slide relative to first support shaft 27 and slide member 44b is allowed to slide relative to second support shaft 28. After adjustment, the sliding movement is disabled to maintain the adjusted positions, and reinforcement of first support shaft 27 by first reinforcing member 29 and reinforcement of second support shaft 28 by second reinforcing member 30 are enabled.

[0072] In this example, the vertical adjustment mechanism includes a mechanism for moving the paint spray gun 9 and the bead spray gun 10 in the vertical direction relative to the support body 8. More specifically, in this example, the mechanism is composed of a manual actuator 46a provided in the first holder 31 and a manual actuator 46b provided in the second holder 32.

[0073] The actuators 46a, 46b each have a cylindrical fixed portion 47a, 47b that extends vertically and is fixed to the slide blocks 37a, 37b, a lifting portion 48a, 48b that is fitted into the fixed portion 47a, 47b so that it can be raised and lowered, a feed screw mechanism (not shown) that is disposed between the fixed portion 47a, 47b and the lifting portion 48a, 48b, and handles 49a, 49b that are disposed above the fixed portion 47a, 47b. The paint spray gun 9 is supported at the lower end of the lifting portion 48a, and the bead spray gun 10 is supported at the lower end of the lifting portion 48b.

[0074] The vertical positions of the paint spray gun 9 and the bead spray gun 10 relative to the carriage 7 can be adjusted by manually rotating the handles 49a and 49b to drive the feed screw mechanism and raise and lower the lifting units 48a and 48b relative to the fixed units 47a and 47b. When implementing the present invention, these actuators can also be electrically driven.

[0075] Whether or not lifting / lowering unit 48a can be raised / lowered relative to fixed unit 47a, and whether or not lifting / lowering unit 48b can be raised / lowered relative to fixed unit 47b, can be switched by an appropriate switching mechanism (screw locking mechanism 50c in this example). When adjusting the vertical positions of paint spray gun 9 and bead spray gun 10 relative to cart 7, lifting / lowering unit 48a can be raised / lowered relative to fixed unit 47a, and lifting / lowering unit 48b can be raised / lowered relative to fixed unit 47b. After adjustment, the lifting / lowering is disabled, and the adjusted position is maintained.

[0076] When implementing the present invention, a configuration including only one of the lifting device and the actuator as the vertical adjustment mechanism can be adopted, or the vertical adjustment mechanism can be omitted when implementing the present invention.

[0077] Next, a method for constructing a marking line using a vehicle 2 to which the marking line construction unit 1 of this embodiment is attached will be described.

[0078] 1(a) and 2 show an example of a lane marking construction site. This construction site is a two-way traffic section of a highway. Support posts 54 for supporting wire ropes (not shown) are erected at equal intervals along the lane in a median strip 53 in the two-way traffic section. Roadway centerlines 51a and 51b are constructed adjacent to the median strip 53 on both sides of the road surface across the median strip 53. Of the two roadway centerlines 51a and 51b, the roadway centerline 51a on the outer side (closer to the median strip 53) is a white centerline, while the roadway centerline 51b on the inner side (farther from the median strip 53) is a yellow centerline. Cut-type caution pavement 52 is constructed adjacent to the inside of the roadway centerlines 51a and 51b. Below, we will explain the re-construction of roadway centerlines 51a and 51b, where the paint has partially peeled off due to aging at such a construction site.

[0079] When redoing the roadway centerlines 51a, 51b at the construction site, the vehicle 2 equipped with the lane marking construction unit 1 of this example is driven from the vehicle depot to the construction site. During this movement, the lane marking construction unit 1 is stored under the loading platform 4 of the vehicle 2. That is, the folding pneumatic cylinder 14 swings the lower frame 12 upward to raise the wheels 23 off the road surface, and the storage device 24 moves the lane marking construction unit 1 toward the inside of the vehicle width direction, thereby storing the lane marking construction unit 1 under the loading platform 4. At this time, if the support body 8, the paint spray gun 9, and the bead spray gun 10 cannot be stored under the loading platform 4 and protrude outward in the vehicle width direction beyond the loading platform 4, the support body 8, the paint spray gun 9, and the bead spray gun 10 are separated from the carriage 7 and the lifting device 38 as necessary. The separated support body 8, paint spray gun 9 and bead spray gun 10 can then be stored separately under the loading platform 4 or placed on top of the loading platform 4 and transported to the construction site.

[0080] When the vehicle 2 arrives at the construction site, the storage device 24 moves the lane marking construction unit 1 outward in the vehicle width direction, so that at least the portion of the lane marking construction unit 1 that is located outward in the vehicle width direction from the dolly 7 is positioned outward in the vehicle width direction from the loading platform 4. Furthermore, the folding pneumatic cylinder 14 swings the lower frame 12 downward, so that the wheels 23 come into contact with the road surface R. Note that if the support body 8, paint spray gun 9, and bead spray gun 10 have been detached from the dolly 7 and the lifting device 38 when the vehicle 2 arrives at the construction site, an additional task is to reattach the support body 8, paint spray gun 9, and bead spray gun 10 to the dolly 7 and the lifting device 38.

[0081] Next, when redoing, for example, the outer roadway centerline 51a of the roadway centerlines 51a, 51b, the vehicle 2 is positioned on the road surface R parallel to the roadway centerlines 51a, 51b as shown in FIG. 1(a), and the wheels 23 of the carriageway 7 (see FIG. 1(b)) are positioned on a position on the road surface R adjacent to the inside of the cut-type warning pavement 52. Furthermore, in this state, the paint spray gun 9 and the bead spray gun 10 are positioned a predetermined height above the outer roadway centerline 51a. For this purpose, in this example, the vehicle width direction positions of the paint spray gun 9 and the bead spray gun 10 relative to the carriage 7 are adjusted in advance by the vehicle width direction adjustment mechanism, and the vertical direction positions of the paint spray gun 9 and the bead spray gun 10 relative to the carriage 7 are adjusted in advance by the vertical direction adjustment mechanism.

[0082] When implementing the present invention, if the lane marking construction unit does not have a vehicle width position adjustment mechanism, the vehicle width length of the support body and the vehicle width direction mounting positions of the paint spray gun and bead spray gun relative to the support body are set in advance so that the vehicle width distance from the carriage 7 to the paint spray gun 9 and bead spray gun 10 is greater than the width of the cut-type warning pavement 52. Furthermore, when implementing the present invention, if the lane marking construction unit does not have a vertical position adjustment mechanism, the vertical direction mounting positions of the support body relative to the carriage and the vertical direction mounting positions of the paint spray gun and bead spray gun relative to the support body are set in advance so that the paint spray gun and bead spray gun are positioned a predetermined height above the outer roadway center line 51a.

[0083] Next, in this state, the vehicle 2 is caused to travel on the road surface R parallel to the roadway centerlines 51a, 51b, and the bogie 7 is caused to travel on the road surface R parallel to the roadway centerlines 51a, 51b. While traveling in this manner, white paint is sprayed from the paint spray gun 9 toward the outer roadway centerline 51a, which has deteriorated over time, and beads are sprayed from the bead spray gun 10 toward the paint. In this way, the outer roadway centerline 51a is repainted.

[0084] The re-application of the inner roadway centerline 51b can be carried out in the same manner as the re-application of the outer roadway centerline 51a. In this case, the vehicle width direction positions of the paint spray gun 9 and the bead spray gun 10 relative to the bogie 7 are changed by the vehicle width direction adjustment mechanism in accordance with the vehicle width direction distance from the bogie 7 to the inner roadway centerline 51b, or the travel position of the bogie 7 is shifted away from the central divider 53, thereby positioning the paint spray gun 9 and the bead spray gun 10 above the inner roadway centerline 51b. In addition, the paint supplied to the paint spray gun 9 and sprayed from the paint spray gun 9 onto the road surface R is changed to yellow paint.

[0085] After the construction at the construction site is completed, the vehicle 2 equipped with the lane marking construction unit 1 is driven from the construction site to the vehicle depot. At this time, as in the case of movement from the vehicle depot to the construction site, the lane marking construction unit 1 is stored under the loading platform 4 of the vehicle 2. Furthermore, if necessary, the support body 8, paint spray gun 9, and bead spray gun 10 can be separated from the carriage 7 and the lifting device 38 and stored separately under the loading platform 4 or placed on top of the loading platform 4 for transport to the vehicle depot.

[0086] The above explanation has been given on the case where the marking line construction unit 1 of this example is used to reconstruct the roadway center lines 51a, 51b that are located outside the cut-type warning pavement 52, but the marking line construction unit 1 of this example can also be used to reconstruct or construct new marking lines of various types.

[0087] In the marking construction unit 1 of this example, a paint spray gun 9 and a bead spray gun 10 are supported at the tip of a support 8 that extends outward in the vehicle width direction from a bogie 7 that travels with the vehicle 2. This makes it possible to construct markings at locations that are a large distance away from the vehicle 2 in the vehicle width direction, specifically, to reconstruct roadway centerlines 51a, 51b that exist outside the cut-type warning pavement 52. Furthermore, even if there is no cut-type warning pavement 52, there is the effect of not having to move the vehicle 2 too close to the center divider 53.

[0088] In this example, a vehicle width direction adjustment mechanism is provided that adjusts the vehicle width direction positions of the paint spray gun 9 and the bead spray gun 10 relative to the carriage 7. Therefore, even at sites where the width of the cut-type warning pavement 52 is different, by adjusting the vehicle width direction positions of the paint spray gun 9 and the bead spray gun 10 relative to the carriage 7, it is possible to appropriately re-apply the roadway centerlines 51a, 51b that exist on the outside of the cut-type warning pavement 52.

[0089] In this example, a vertical adjustment mechanism is provided that adjusts the vertical positions of the paint spray gun 9 and the bead spray gun 10 relative to the carriage 7. Therefore, even if there is a difference in elevation between the portion of the road surface R where the carriage 7 travels and the portion where a dividing line should be installed, such as a portion where the existing roadway center lines 51a, 51b should be re-installed, the vertical positions of the paint spray gun 9 and the bead spray gun 10 can be appropriately managed.

[0090] In this example, the vertical adjustment mechanism that adjusts the vertical positions of the paint spray gun 9 and the bead spray gun 10 relative to the carriage 7 includes the elevator 38 and the actuators 46a, 46b. Therefore, for adjusting the vertical positions, for example, after rough adjustment is made by the elevator 38, fine adjustment can be made by the actuators 46a, 46b.

[0091] In this example, heated paint is circulated between the paint spray gun 9 and the paint tank and paint heating device mounted on the bed 4 of the vehicle 2 through paint piping including paint hoses 33a and 33b (shown only in FIG. 3). In other words, in this example, no heavy object such as a paint storage container that stores paint is supported on the tip of the support body 8. This prevents the paint spray gun 9 from vibrating too much despite vibrations caused by the movement of the vehicle 2 and the bogie 7. This makes it easier to ensure the accuracy of the construction of the marking lines.

[0092] In this example, the support body 8 is provided with a first reinforcing member 29 that reinforces the first support shaft 27 that supports the paint spray gun 9, and a second reinforcing member 30 that reinforces the second support shaft 28 that supports the bead spray gun 10. Therefore, regardless of the vibrations that accompany the travel of the vehicle 2 and the bogie 7, it is possible to more effectively prevent the vibrations of the paint spray gun 9 and the bead spray gun 10 from increasing. [Explanation of symbols]

[0093] 1. Construction unit for dividing lines 2 vehicles 3 Cabins 4 Cargo bed 5 front wheels 6 rear wheels 7 trolleys 8 Support 9. Paint spray gun 9a Nozzle 10 Bead Spray Gun 10a injection port 11 Upper frame 12 Lower frame 13 Caster 14 Folding air cylinder 15 Upper horizontal section 16 Upper slope 17 Lower horizontal part 18 Lower slope 19 Swing axis 20 Rotating shaft 21 Main Unit 22 axles 23 wheels 24 Storage device 25 Slide rod 26 Storage hydraulic cylinder 27 1st support shaft 28 2nd support shaft 29 First reinforcing member 30 Second reinforcing member 31 First Holder 32 Second holder 33a, 33b Paint hose 34 Air tube 35 Beaded Hose 36a, 36b air tube 37a, 37b slide block 38 Lifting device 39 Fixed part 40 Lifting section 41 Hydraulic cylinder 42a, 42b Hydraulic hose 43a, 43b Oscillating shaft 44a, 44b slide members 45a, 45b Oscillating shaft 46a, 46b Actuators 47a, 47b Fixed part 48a, 48b Lifting section 49a, 49b handle 50a, 50b, 50c Screw fastening mechanism 51a, 51b Roadway Chuo Line 52 Cutting type warning pavement 53 Median Strip 54 Post

Claims

1. a bogie that is supported by the vehicle and travels on the road surface as the vehicle travels on the road surface; a support member supported by the bogie and extending from the bogie toward an outer side in a vehicle width direction of the vehicle; a paint spray gun that is supported by the support body at a position spaced outward from the bogie in the vehicle width direction and that sprays paint supplied from a paint tank mounted on the vehicle through a paint piping toward the road surface; a bead spray gun that is supported by the support body at a position spaced outward from the bogie in the vehicle width direction and that sprays beads, which are reflective material, supplied from a bead tank mounted on the vehicle through a bead pipe toward the paint sprayed from the paint spray gun; Construction unit for dividing lines.

2. 2. The marking construction unit according to claim 1, wherein the support body comprises a first support shaft that extends from the bogie side toward the outside in the vehicle width direction and supports the paint spray gun, and a second support shaft that is positioned at a distance from the first support shaft in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle, extends from the bogie side toward the outside in the vehicle width direction, and supports the bead spray gun.

3. The support body comprises a first reinforcing member connecting the bogie and a portion of the axial direction of the first support shaft, and a second reinforcing member connecting the bogie and a portion of the axial direction of the second support shaft. The marking line construction unit described in claim 2.

4. A marking construction unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising a vehicle width direction adjustment mechanism for adjusting the positions of the paint spray gun and the bead spray gun relative to the carriage in the vehicle width direction.

5. The marking construction unit according to claim 4 , wherein the vehicle width direction adjustment mechanism includes a mechanism that slides the paint spray gun and the bead spray gun in the vehicle width direction relative to the support body.

6. A marking construction unit according to any one of claims 1 to 5, comprising an up-down adjustment mechanism for adjusting the up-down positions of the paint spray gun and the bead spray gun relative to the carriage.

7. The division line construction unit according to claim 6 , wherein the vertical direction adjustment mechanism includes a mechanism that moves the support body in the vertical direction relative to the carriage.

8. The demarcation line construction unit according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the vertical direction adjustment mechanism includes a mechanism for moving the paint spray gun and the bead spray gun in the vertical direction relative to the support body.

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