Launch control device

Abstract

To provide a start controller capable of enhancing the visibility of the start of opening of a blocking rod at a closed position for a driver.SOLUTION: A start controller is equipped with a rotary shaft, a rotation mechanism for rotating the rotary shaft around a central axis of the rotary shaft, a blocking bar connected to the rotary shaft, and a mechanism support part installed on a roadside of a lane and supporting the rotation mechanism. The rotary shaft is supported by the mechanism support part via the rotation mechanism such that the rotary shaft extends in the horizontal direction and the central axis of the rotary shaft is inclined with respect to the lane direction. The blocking bar is connected to the tip of the rotary shaft by being inclined with respect to the central axis so as to be rotatable along a hypothetical conical surface about the central axis as the rotary shaft rotates.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a launch control device that can stop a vehicle traveling on a road. [Background technology]

[0002] An example of a launch controller that can block the progress of a vehicle traveling on a road is the device disclosed in the following Patent Document 1. This launch controller has a rotating shaft, a rotating mechanism that rotates the rotating shaft, a blocking rod connected to the rotating shaft, and a mechanism support part that supports the rotating mechanism.

[0003] The rotation axis of this launch control device is parallel to the road. Furthermore, this rotation axis is inclined relative to the vertical direction so that the base end of the rotation axis is located downstream (+X direction side) in the lane direction, which is the side on which the vehicle travels, relative to the base end of the rotation axis. The blocking bar is connected to the rotation axis so that it is perpendicular to this rotation axis. Therefore, this blocking bar rotates between a closed position and an open position in an imaginary plane perpendicular to the inclined rotation axis. In the closed position, the blocking bar extends horizontally and in the lane width direction. In addition, in the open position, the blocking bar extends in the lane direction and is inclined relative to the horizontal plane so that the tip of the blocking bar is located above the base end of the blocking bar. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5264554 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] If the visibility of the bar beginning to open when in the closed position is high, the driver of the vehicle can easily recognize that passage is now permitted.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a launch control device that can improve the driver's visibility of the beginning of the opening of the blocking rod in the closed position. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] One aspect of a launch control device for achieving the above-mentioned objective comprises a rotating shaft, a rotating mechanism for rotating the rotating shaft around the central axis of the rotating shaft, a blocking bar connected to the rotating shaft, and a mechanism support part installed on the roadside of the lane and supporting the rotating mechanism. The rotating shaft extends horizontally, the tip end of the rotating shaft is located downstream in the lane direction relative to the base end of the rotating shaft, and the central axis of the rotating shaft is supported by the mechanism support part via the rotating mechanism so that it is inclined with respect to the lane direction. The blocking rod is connected to the tip end of the rotating shaft at an angle relative to the central axis so as to be rotatable along an imaginary conical surface centered on the central axis as the rotating shaft rotates. The rotation mechanism rotates the rotation shaft so as to realize a closed position in which the blocking bar extends horizontally and in the lane width direction, and an open position in which the blocking bar extends in a direction in which the horizontal component is greater than the up-down component and the lane direction component is greater than the lane width direction component. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] In one aspect of the present disclosure, it is possible to improve the visibility for the driver of the beginning of the opening of the blocking bar in the closed position. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a toll booth according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a launch controller according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a plan view of a main portion of the starting controller according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4]1 is an overall plan view of a launch controller according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure; [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a view taken along the arrow V in FIG. [Figure 6] 6 is a view taken along the arrow VI in FIG. 4. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is an overall plan view of a launch controller according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a view taken along arrow VIII in FIG. 7. [Figure 9] 9 is a view taken along the arrow IX in FIG. 7. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, various embodiments of a launch controller according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0011] The launch control device according to the present disclosure is installed, for example, at a toll booth of a toll road. The toll booth of a toll road will be described below.

[0012] <Toll booth type> As shown in Figure 1, a lane R is installed at the exit toll gate of a toll road, which is a driving lane that leads from the toll road to a general road. Here, the direction in which lane R extends is referred to as the lane direction (±X direction), the direction in which vehicle C travels is also referred to as the downstream side in the lane direction (+X direction side), and the side opposite the downstream side in the lane direction is also referred to as the upstream side in the lane direction (-X direction side). The width direction of lane R is also referred to as the lane width direction (±Y direction), and the left side facing the downstream side in the lane direction (+X direction side) is also referred to as the left side in the lane width direction (+Y direction side), and the right side facing the downstream side in the lane direction (+X direction side) is also referred to as the right side in the lane width direction (-Y direction side). Furthermore, the direction perpendicular to the road surface of lane R is referred to as the up-down direction (±Z direction), and the upper side is also referred to as the upper side in the up-down direction (+Z direction side), and the lower side is also referred to as the lower side in the up-down direction (-Z direction side).

[0013] As an example, lane R shown in Figure 1 is a lane where toll collection is possible both via an Electronic Toll Collection System (ETC (registered trademark); in the following explanation, this will also be referred to simply as "ETC") and via an automatic toll collection machine 1.

[0014] An island I is provided on each side of the road in the width direction of lane R. An automatic toll collection machine 1, vehicle detectors 2 and 4, an antenna 3, a start control device 10, and a control device 5 are installed on island I.

[0015] The automatic toll collection machine 1 is installed on one of the islands I on both sides of the lane R. This automatic toll collection machine 1 is a device that accepts toll payments from users of vehicle C when the vehicle C does not support toll collection by ETC.

[0016] Antenna 3 performs wireless communication with the on-board unit of vehicle C that has entered lane R to collect tolls by ETC. If the entering vehicle C is compatible with ETC toll collection (i.e., if it is equipped with a dedicated on-board unit), toll collection by ETC is performed via antenna 3 while the vehicle is traveling on lane R.

[0017] The vehicle detector 2 has a projector 2a and a receiver 2b that face each other in the lane width direction (±Y direction). The projector 2a is provided on one of the islands I on both sides of the lane R, and the receiver 2b is provided on the other island I. With this configuration, the vehicle detector 2 can detect the presence or absence of a vehicle C between the projector 2a and the receiver 2b. The vehicle detector 2 is arranged upstream in the lane direction (-X direction) of the automatic toll collection machine 1 and the antenna 3. When the vehicle detector 2 detects that a vehicle C has entered the lane R, the automatic toll collection machine 1 and the antenna 3 start operations for collecting various tolls. Similarly, the vehicle detector 4 has a projector 4a and a receiver 4b that face each other in the lane width direction (±Y direction). The projector 4a is provided on one of the islands I on both sides of the lane R, and the receiver 4b is provided on the other island I. With this configuration, the vehicle detector 4 can detect the presence or absence of a vehicle C between the projector 4a and the receiver 4b. The vehicle detector 4 is arranged downstream in the lane direction (+X direction side) of the transmission controller 10, which will be described later. The departure controller 10 is controlled to perform a closing operation when it is triggered by the vehicle detector 4 detecting that the vehicle C has left the lane R.

[0018] The departure controller 10 is provided on each island I on both sides of the lane R. The departure controller 10 is located downstream in the lane direction (+X direction side) of the automatic toll collection machine 1. The departure controller 10 has a blocking bar 11 for controlling the temporary stop and departure of a vehicle C traveling on the lane R.

[0019] When the control device 5 determines, as a result of wireless communication between the vehicle C's onboard device and the antenna 3, or as a result of toll collection by the toll collection machine 1, that the correct toll has been paid, it instructs the start control device 10 to set the blocking bar 11 to the open position so as to allow the vehicle C to exit lane R. When the control device 5 determines that the correct toll has not been paid, it instructs the start control device 10 to set the blocking bar 11 to the closed position so as to prevent the vehicle C from exiting lane R.

[0020] The above-described toll gate configuration is merely an example, and the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, lane R at the toll gate may not be equipped with an automatic toll collection machine 1, and only vehicles compatible with ETC may be allowed to travel on the lane, or the toll gate may not be equipped with an antenna 3, and all vehicles may pay tolls through the automatic toll collection machine 1. Alternatively, instead of the automatic toll collection machine 1, a manned booth where a toll collector is on standby may be installed, and the toll collector may accept toll payments.

[0021] <First embodiment of the launch controller> The aspects of the launch controller in the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0022] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the launch controller 10 in this embodiment includes an obstructing rod 11, a rotating shaft 15, a rotating mechanism 17, a mechanism support portion 18, and a rod connecting portion 20.

[0023] The rotation mechanism 17 can rotate the rotation shaft 15 around the central axis Ac of the rotation shaft 15. A mechanism support unit 18 supports the rotation mechanism 17. The mechanism support unit 18 is disposed on an island I provided on the roadside of the lane R. The mechanism support unit 18 supports the rotation shaft 15 via the rotation mechanism 17 so that the rotation shaft 15 extends horizontally (in a direction parallel to the XY plane), the tip end 15t of the rotation shaft 15 is located downstream in the lane direction (+X direction) relative to the base end 15b of the rotation shaft 15, and the central axis Ac of the rotation shaft 15 is inclined with respect to the lane direction (±X direction). In this embodiment, the axial inclination angle α, which is the minor angle of the conjugate angle of the central axis Ac with respect to the lane direction (±X direction), is 45°.

[0024] The blocking rod 11 is rotatable along an imaginary conical surface centered on the central axis Ac as the rotating shaft 15 rotates, and is connected to the tip end 15t of the rotating shaft 15 via the rod connection part 20 at an angle relative to the central axis Ac. In this embodiment, the rod inclination angle β, which is the minor angle among the conjugate angles of the blocking rod 11 with respect to the central axis Ac, is 45°. In the above, it has been explained that the blocking rod 11 is connected to the "tip 15t" of the rotating shaft 15, but the "tip" here does not necessarily mean only the tip portion of the rotating shaft 15. In other words, the expression "the blocking rod 11 is connected to the tip 15t of the rotating shaft 15" also includes situations in which a part of the rotating shaft 15 extends beyond the "tip 15t" to which the blocking rod 11 is connected, or situations in which other accessories exist.

[0025] As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6 , the rotation mechanism 17 can rotate the rotation shaft 15 to realize a closed position Sc in which the blocking bar 11 extends horizontally and in the lane width direction (±Y direction) and an open position So in which the blocking bar 11 extends horizontally and in the lane width direction (±X direction). The blocking bar 11 in the open position So is symmetrical to the blocking bar 11 in the closed position Sc with respect to the central axis Ac of the rotation shaft 15, which extends horizontally. Note that in this embodiment, the blocking bar 11 in the closed position Sc does not have a component in the up-down direction (±Z direction) or the lane width direction (±X direction), but extends horizontally and in the lane width direction (±Y direction). Furthermore, in this embodiment, the blocking bar 11 in the open position So does not have a component in the up-down direction (±Z direction) or the lane width direction (±Y direction), but extends horizontally and in the lane width direction (±X direction). Here, the expression "no component in the XX direction" does not only mean that there is no component in the XX direction at all, but also includes cases where there is a small component in the XX direction due to, for example, deflection of the blocking rod 11 or manufacturing errors.

[0026] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the rod connection portion 20 has a rod swing support portion 21, a first restraining portion 25a, and a second restraining portion 25b.

[0027] The rod swing support part 21 has an oscillation shaft 22 and an axial fixing part 23. The axial fixing part 23 is fixed to the tip part 15t of the rotating shaft 15. The oscillation shaft 22 is fixed to the axial fixing part 23 so as to be perpendicular to the central axis Ac of the rotating shaft 15. An axial hole 12 extending perpendicular to the rod center line Ar of the blocking rod 11 is formed in the base part of the blocking rod 11. The oscillation shaft 22 is inserted into the axial hole 12 of the blocking rod 11. With the above configuration, the rod swing support part 21 supports the base end part 11b of the blocking rod 11 so as to allow the blocking rod 11 to swing in a horizontal plane between the closed position Sc and the released position Sr. As described above, the blocking rod 11 rotates along an imaginary conical surface centered on the central axis Ac as the rotating shaft 15 rotates. The release position Sr is located along this conical surface and is symmetrical to the closed position Sc with respect to the central axis Ac in the horizontal plane. As described above, the open position So is also symmetrical to the closed position Sc with respect to the central axis Ac. In other words, in this embodiment, the release position Sr and the open position So are the same position.

[0028] In this embodiment, the rod swing support part 21 has a swing shaft 22, and the blocking rod 11 is formed with an axial hole 12 through which the swing shaft 22 is inserted. However, the blocking rod 11 may be provided with a swing shaft, and the rod swing support part 21 may be formed with an axial hole through which the swing shaft is inserted.

[0029] The first restraint portion 25a and the second restraint portion 25b each have a restraint protrusion 26 and a protrusion fixing portion 27. The protrusion fixing portion 27 is fixed to the tip end 15t of the rotation shaft 15. The restraint protrusion 26 is fixed to the protrusion fixing portion 27. A first fitting hole 13a and a second fitting hole 13b are formed in the base end 11b of the blocking rod 11. The first fitting hole 13a and the second fitting hole 13b are both recessed from the surface of the blocking rod 11 in a direction perpendicular to the rod center line Ar of the blocking rod 11 and the axial hole 12 of the blocking rod 11, and are holes into which the restraint protrusion 26 fits. However, the second fitting hole 13b is formed in a position symmetrical to the first fitting hole 13a with respect to the rod center line Ar of the blocking rod 11. With the above-described configuration, the first restraining portion 25a and the second restraining portion 25b allow the restraining protrusion 26 to fit into the first mating hole 13a or the second mating hole 13b, restraining the blocking rod 11 so that it cannot swing. However, when a load of a predetermined magnitude or more is applied to the blocking rod 11, the first restraining portion 25a and the second restraining portion 25b allow the restraining protrusion 26 to come out of the first mating hole 13a or the second mating hole 13b, thereby releasing the restraint on the blocking rod 11.

[0030] The first restraint portion 25a and the second restraint portion 25b can both restrain the blocking rod 11 in the closed position Sc and the blocking rod 11 in the release position Sr so that they cannot swing, depending on their positions around the central axis Ac. Furthermore, when one of the first restraint portion 25a and the second restraint portion 25b restrains the blocking rod 11 in the closed position Sc so that it cannot swing, if a load of a predetermined value or more is applied to the blocking rod 11 in the closed position Sc, the restraint of the blocking rod 11 is released, and the blocking rod 11 swings to the release position Sr, the other restraint portion can restrain the blocking rod 11 in the release position Sr so that it cannot swing.

[0031] In this embodiment, the restraint portion has a restraint protrusion 26, and a fitting hole into which the restraint protrusion 26 fits is formed in the blocking rod 11, but this is not limited to this, and for example, in other embodiments, the restraint protrusion 26 may be provided on the blocking rod 11, and a fitting hole may be formed in the restraint portion.

[0032] Next, the operation of the above-described starting controller 10 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0033] As described above, the blocking bar 11 in the closed position Sc extends horizontally and in the lane width direction (±Y direction). When the rotation mechanism 17 positions the blocking bar 11 in the closed position Sc to the open position So, it rotates the rotation shaft 15 so that the blocking bar 11 in the closed position Sc begins to rotate upward in the vertical direction (towards the +Z direction). When the rotation shaft 15 rotates, the blocking bar 11 rotates along an imaginary conical surface centered on the central axis Ac and reaches the open position So. As described above, the blocking bar 11 in this open position So extends horizontally and in the lane width direction (±X direction).

[0034] When positioning the blocking rod 11 from the open position So to the closed position Sc, the rotation mechanism 17 also rotates the rotation shaft 15 so that the blocking rod 11 from the open position So begins to rotate upward in the vertical direction (towards the +Z direction). Therefore, the rotation direction of the rotation shaft 15 when positioning the blocking rod 11 from the open position So to the closed position Sc is opposite to the rotation direction of the rotation shaft 15 when positioning the blocking rod 11 from the closed position Sc to the open position So. When the rotation shaft 15 rotates, the blocking rod 11 rotates along an imaginary conical surface centered on the central axis Ac, and reaches the closed position Sc again.

[0035] Here, let us assume that the first restraining portion 25a restrains the blocking bar 11 in the closed position Sc so that it cannot swing. At this time, if a vehicle C traveling in lane R hits the blocking bar 11 and a load of a predetermined magnitude or more is applied to the blocking bar 11 in the horizontal direction and toward the downstream side in the lane direction (+X direction), the restraint of the blocking bar 11 by the first restraining portion 25a is released. Then, the blocking bar 11 swings in the horizontal plane around the swing axis 22 of the bar swing support portion 21 and reaches the release position Sr. When the blocking bar 11 reaches the release position Sr, the blocking bar 11 is restrained so that it cannot swing by the second restraining portion 25b.

[0036] The blocking bar 11 in the release position Sr can be positioned at the closed position Sc by rotating the rotation shaft 15. At this time, the blocking bar 11 in the closed position Sc is restrained so as not to swing by the second restraint portion 25b. When a vehicle C traveling in lane R hits the blocking bar 11 and a load of a predetermined magnitude or more is applied to the blocking bar 11, the restraint of the blocking bar 11 by the second restraint portion 25b is released. Then, the blocking bar 11 swings in a horizontal plane around the swing shaft 22 of the bar swing support portion 21, and reaches the release position Sr. When the blocking bar 11 reaches the release position Sr, the blocking bar 11 is restrained so as not to swing by the first restraint portion 25a.

[0037] As described above, in this embodiment, the blocking bar 11 rotates along a virtual conical surface centered on the horizontally extending central axis Ac as the rotation shaft 15 rotates. Furthermore, the blocking bar 11 in the closed position Sc extends horizontally and in the lane width direction (±Y direction). Therefore, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5 , when the blocking bar 11 in the closed position Sc moves to the open position So, the blocking bar 11 in the closed position Sc first moves vertically (±Z direction). Then, the amount of displacement in the vertical direction (±Z direction) gradually decreases, and instead, the amount of displacement in the lane width direction (±Y direction) and the lane direction (±X direction) increases. Therefore, in this embodiment, the driver of the vehicle C can easily recognize that the blocking bar 11 in the closed position Sc is about to begin opening, which improves visibility.

[0038] In addition, in this embodiment, the blocking bar 11 in the open position So extends in a direction in which the horizontal component is larger than the vertical component (±Z direction) and the lane direction component (±X direction) is larger than the lane width direction component (±Y direction), so the driver of the vehicle C has low visibility of the blocking bar 11 in the open position So. Therefore, the driver can pass the launch control device 10 without being aware of the presence of the blocking bar 11.

[0039] In particular, in this embodiment, the blocking bar 11 in the open position So extends in a direction that has no vertical (±Z) components (i.e., extends horizontally), so that the visibility of the blocking bar 11 in the open position So to the driver of the vehicle C can be reduced.

[0040] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the blocking bar 11 in the open position So extends in a direction that has no component in the lane width direction (±Y direction), so that the tip 11t of the blocking bar 11 in the open position So can be prevented from protruding into the lane R.

[0041] As described above, the blocking rod 11 rotates along an imaginary conical surface centered on the central axis Ac as the rotating shaft 15 rotates. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6 , the tip 11t of the blocking rod 11 moves on a circle centered on the central axis Ac extending horizontally as the rotating shaft 15 rotates. In this embodiment, when the blocking rod 11 from the closed position Sc is positioned at the open position So, and when the blocking rod 11 from the open position So is positioned at the closed position Sc, the blocking rod 11 starts to rotate upward in the vertical direction (toward the +Z direction). Therefore, in this embodiment, when the blocking rod 11 from the closed position Sc is positioned at the open position So, and when the blocking rod 11 from the open position So is positioned at the closed position Sc, the tip 11t of the blocking rod 11 moves on a circle centered on the central axis Ac extending horizontally, and upward in the vertical direction (toward the +Z direction) from the central axis Ac. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the blocking bar 11 rotates in accordance with the rotation of the rotary shaft 15, the tip end 11t of the blocking bar 11 can be prevented from coming into contact with the lane R.

[0042] In this embodiment, the closed position Sc, the open position So, and the release position Sr are all positions along an imaginary conical surface centered on the central axis Ac of the rotation shaft 15. Therefore, by rotating the rotation shaft 15 using the rotation mechanism 17, the blocking rod 11 at the release position Sr can be moved to the closed position Sc or the open position So. Therefore, in this embodiment, there is no need to provide a separate mechanism for moving the blocking rod 11 at the release position Sr to the closed position Sc or the open position So, which reduces device costs.

[0043] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the blocking bar 11 comes into contact with the vehicle C, the blocking bar 11 swings in a horizontal plane. This allows the load applied to the blocking bar 11 in the horizontal direction and toward the downstream side in the lane direction (+X direction) during vehicle contact to be effectively released. Therefore, in this embodiment, the load applied to the blocking bar 11 and the parts supporting the blocking bar 11 during vehicle contact can be reduced, thereby preventing damage to these parts.

[0044] In addition, in this embodiment, since the release position Sr is the same as the open position So, the control for moving the blocking rod 11 from the release position Sr to the closed position Sc is the same as the control for moving the blocking rod 11 from the open position So to the closed position Sc, making it easier to control the rotation mechanism 17.

[0045] <Second embodiment of the launch controller> The starting controller in the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0046] Like the launch controller 10 of the first embodiment, the launch controller 10a of the present embodiment also includes a blocking rod 11, a rotating shaft 15, a rotation mechanism 17, a mechanism support portion 18, and a rod connecting portion 20. The configurations of the rotating shaft 15, the rotation mechanism 17, the blocking rod 11, the rod connecting portion 20, and the mechanism support portion 18 of the present embodiment are also basically the same as the configurations of the corresponding portions of the launch controller 10 of the first embodiment. However, in the present embodiment, the axial inclination angle α of the central axis Ac relative to the lane direction (±X direction) is different from that of the first embodiment. Furthermore, the rod inclination angle β of the blocking rod 11 relative to the central axis Ac is also different from that of the first embodiment. Specifically, in the present embodiment, the axial inclination angle α of the central axis Ac relative to the lane direction (±X direction) is 50°, and the rod inclination angle β of the blocking rod 11 relative to the central axis Ac is 50°.

[0047] In the present embodiment, the blocking bar 11 in the closed position Sc, like the first embodiment, extends horizontally and in the lane width direction (±Y direction) without any components in the vertical direction (±Z direction) or the lane direction (±X direction). However, in this embodiment, since the axial inclination angle α and the bar inclination angle β are different from those in the first embodiment as described above, the blocking bar 11 in the open position So does not have a component in the lane width direction (±Y direction), but does have components in the vertical direction (±Z direction) and horizontal direction, and extends in a direction in which the horizontal component is larger than the vertical component (±Z direction). Therefore, in the present embodiment, the blocking bar 11 in the open position So extends in a direction inclined in the vertical direction (±Z direction) with respect to the horizontal direction.

[0048] As in the first embodiment, the release position Sr is located along a virtual conical surface centered on the central axis Ac and is symmetrical to the closed position Sc with respect to the central axis Ac. However, in this embodiment, as described above, the shaft inclination angle α and the rod inclination angle β are different from those in the first embodiment. Therefore, the blocking rod 11 in the release position Sr does not have a vertical (±Z) component, but has a lane width (±Y) component and a lane direction (±X) component, and extends in a direction in which the lane width (±Y) component is larger than the lane width (±Y) component. Therefore, in this embodiment, the blocking rod 11 in the release position Sr extends in a direction inclined in the lane width (±Y) direction with respect to the lane direction (±X). Therefore, in this embodiment, the release position Sr is different from the open position So.

[0049] As described above, even if the shaft inclination angle α and rod inclination angle β are different from those of the first embodiment, the configuration of each part of the launch controller 10a in this embodiment is basically the same as the configuration of the corresponding part of the launch controller 10 in the first embodiment, so basically, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained.

[0050] However, even if the shaft inclination angle α and the rod inclination angle β are different from those in the first embodiment, it is not preferable to make the shaft inclination angle α and the rod inclination angle β smaller than those in the first embodiment. For example, if the shaft inclination angle α is set to 35°, the rod inclination angle β will also be set to 35° so that the blocking bar 11 in the closed position Sc extends horizontally and in the lane width direction (±Y direction). In this case, there is a risk that the tip end 11t of the blocking bar 11 in the open position So and the released position Sr may protrude into the lane R. For this reason, it is preferable to set the shaft inclination angle α and the rod inclination angle β to 45° or more.

[0051] Furthermore, it is not preferable to make the shaft inclination angle α and the bar inclination angle β significantly larger than those in the first embodiment. For example, if the shaft inclination angle α is set to 60°, the bar inclination angle β will also be set to 60° so that the blocking bar 11 in the closed position Sc extends horizontally and in the lane width direction (±Y direction). In this case, the width occupied by the blocking bar 11 in the open position So in the lane width direction (±Y direction) on the roadside will become larger. For this reason, it is preferable to set the shaft inclination angle α and the bar inclination angle β to less than 60°.

[0052] In this embodiment, as described above, the release position Sr and the open position So are different. However, as a modified example, the release position Sr in this embodiment may be the open position So. In this case, the blocking bar 11 in the open position So has no component in the up-down direction (±Z direction), but has both a component in the lane width direction (±Y direction) and a component in the lane direction (±X direction), and extends in a direction in which the component in the lane direction (±X direction) is larger than the component in the lane width direction (±Y direction).

[0053] Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail above, the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments. Various additions, modifications, substitutions, partial deletions, etc. are possible within the scope of the conceptual idea and spirit of the present invention derived from the content defined in the claims and their equivalents.

[0054] <Additional Notes> The launch controller in the above embodiment can be understood, for example, as follows.

[0055] (1) In the first aspect, the launch controller A launch controller 10, 10a capable of blocking the advance of a vehicle C traveling on a lane R includes a rotating shaft 15, a rotating mechanism 17 that rotates the rotating shaft 15 about a central axis Ac of the rotating shaft 15, a blocking bar 11 connected to the rotating shaft 15, and a mechanism support part 18 that is installed on the roadside of the lane R and supports the rotating mechanism 17. The rotating shaft 15 extends horizontally, and is supported by the mechanism support part 18 via the rotating mechanism 17 such that a tip end 15t of the rotating shaft 15 is located downstream in the lane direction (+X direction) relative to a base end 15b of the rotating shaft 15, and the central axis Ac of the rotating shaft 15 is inclined with respect to the lane direction (±X direction). The blocking bar 11 is connected to the tip 15t of the rotating shaft 15 at an angle relative to the central axis Ac and is rotatable along an imaginary conical surface centered on the central axis Ac as the rotating shaft 15 rotates. The rotation mechanism 17 rotates the rotating shaft 15 so as to realize a closed position Sc in which the blocking bar 11 extends horizontally and in the lane width direction (±Y direction), and an open position So in which the blocking bar 11 extends in a direction in which the horizontal component is larger than the up-down component (±Z direction) and the lane direction component (±X direction) is larger than the lane width direction component (±Y direction).

[0056] In this embodiment, the blocking bar 11 rotates along an imaginary conical surface centered on a horizontally extending central axis Ac as the rotating shaft 15 rotates. The blocking bar 11 in the closed position Sc extends horizontally and in the lane width direction (±Y direction). Therefore, in this embodiment, when the blocking bar 11 in the closed position Sc moves to the open position So, the blocking bar 11 in the closed position Sc starts to move in the vertical direction (±Z direction). Then, the amount of displacement in the vertical direction (±Z direction) gradually decreases, and the amount of displacement in the lane width direction (±Y direction) and lane direction (±X direction) increases. Therefore, in this embodiment, the driver of the vehicle C can easily recognize that the blocking bar 11 in the closed position Sc is about to begin opening, making it easier for the driver to recognize that passage is permitted.

[0057] In addition, in this embodiment, the blocking bar 11 in the open position So extends in a direction in which the horizontal component is larger than the vertical component (±Z direction) and the lane width component (±Y direction) is larger than the lane width component (±X direction), so the driver of the vehicle C has low visibility of the blocking bar 11 in the open position So. Therefore, the driver can pass the launch controller 10, 10a without paying much attention to the blocking bar 11.

[0058] (2) The launch controller in the second aspect is In the launch controller 10 in the first embodiment, the blocking rod 11 in the open position So extends in a direction that has no vertical (±Z) components.

[0059] In this embodiment, the blocking bar 11 in the open position So extends in a direction that has no vertical (±Z) components, so that the visibility of the blocking bar 11 in the open position So to the driver of the vehicle C can be reduced.

[0060] (3) The launch controller in the third aspect is In the launch control device 10 in the first embodiment or the second embodiment, the blocking bar 11 in the open position So extends in a direction that does not have a component in the lane width direction (±Y direction).

[0061] In this embodiment, the obstructing bar 11 in the open position So extends in a direction that has no component in the lane width direction (±Y direction), so it is possible to prevent the tip 11t of the obstructing bar 11 in the open position So from protruding into the lane R. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the width occupied by the obstructing bar 11 in the closed position Sc in the lane width direction (±Y direction) on the roadside can be narrowed.

[0062] (4) In the fourth aspect, the launch controller In the launch control device 10 in any one of the first to third embodiments, the axial tilt angle α, which is the minor angle among the conjugate angles of the central axis Ac with respect to the lane direction (±X direction), is 45°.

[0063] Since the blocking bar 11 in the closed position Sc extends horizontally and in the lane width direction (±Y direction), in this embodiment, the blocking bar 11 in the open position So extends horizontally and in the lane width direction (±X direction) without any components in the up-down direction (±Z direction) or the lane width direction (±Y direction). Therefore, in this embodiment, the visibility of the blocking bar 11 in the open position So to the driver of the vehicle C can be reduced. Also, in this embodiment, the tip 11t of the blocking bar 11 in the open position So can be prevented from protruding into the lane R. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the width occupied by the blocking bar 11 in the closed position Sc in the lane width direction (±Y direction) on the roadside can be narrowed.

[0064] (5) In the fifth aspect, the launch controller In the launch control device 10, 10a in any one of the first to fourth embodiments, when the blocking rod 11 in the closed position Sc is positioned at the open position So, the rotation mechanism 17 rotates the rotation shaft 15 so that the blocking rod 11 in the closed position Sc begins to rotate upward in the vertical direction (towards the +Z direction), and when the blocking rod 11 in the open position So is positioned at the closed position Sc, the rotation mechanism 17 rotates the rotation shaft 15 so that the blocking rod 11 in the open position So begins to rotate upward in the vertical direction (towards the +Z direction).

[0065] The blocking rod 11 rotates along an imaginary conical surface centered on the central axis Ac as the rotating shaft 15 rotates. Therefore, the tip 11t of the blocking rod 11 moves on a circle centered on the central axis Ac extending in the horizontal direction as the rotating shaft 15 rotates. In this embodiment, when the blocking rod 11 from the closed position Sc is positioned at the open position So, and when the blocking rod 11 from the open position So is positioned at the closed position Sc, the blocking rod 11 starts to rotate upward in the vertical direction (toward the +Z direction). Therefore, in this embodiment, when the blocking rod 11 from the closed position Sc is positioned at the open position So, and when the blocking rod 11 from the open position So is positioned at the closed position Sc, the blocking rod 11 moves on a circle centered on the central axis Ac extending in the horizontal direction and upward in the vertical direction (toward the +Z direction) from the central axis Ac. Therefore, in this embodiment, the rotation of the blocking bar 11 accompanying the rotation of the rotary shaft 15 can prevent the tip portion 11t of the blocking bar 11 from coming into contact with the lane R.

[0066] (6) In a sixth aspect, the launch controller The launch control device 10, 10a in any one of the first to fifth aspects has a rod connection part 20 to which the blocking rod 11 is connected and which is fixed to the rotating shaft 15 and rotates integrally with the rotating shaft 15. The rod connection part 20 has a rod swing support part 21 that supports the blocking rod 11 to be swingable in a horizontal plane between the closed position Sc and a release position Sr that is along the conical surface and symmetrical to the closed position Sc with respect to the central axis Ac, and a first restraining part 25a and a second restraining part 25b that restrain the blocking rod 11 so that it cannot swing, and release the restraint of the blocking rod 11 when a load of a predetermined value or more is applied to the blocking rod 11.

[0067] In this embodiment, the closed position Sc, the open position So, and the release position Sr are all positions along a conical surface centered on the central axis Ac of the rotation shaft 15. Therefore, by rotating the rotation shaft 15 using the rotation mechanism 17, the blocking rod 11 at the release position Sr can be moved to the closed position Sc or the open position So. Therefore, in this embodiment, there is no need to provide a separate mechanism for moving the blocking rod 11 at the release position Sr to the closed position Sc or the open position So, which reduces the cost of the device.

[0068] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the blocking bar 11 comes into contact with the vehicle C, the blocking bar 11 swings in a horizontal plane. This allows the majority of the load applied to the blocking bar 11 in the horizontal direction and toward the downstream side in the lane direction (+X direction) during vehicle contact to be effectively released. Therefore, in this embodiment, the load applied to the blocking bar 11 and the parts supporting the blocking bar 11 during vehicle contact can be reduced, thereby preventing damage to these parts.

[0069] (7) In a seventh aspect, the launch controller In the launch controller 10 in the sixth embodiment, the release position Sr is the same as the open position So.

[0070] In this embodiment, since the release position Sr is the same as the open position So, the control for moving the blocking rod 11 from the release position Sr to the closed position Sc is the same as the control for moving the blocking rod 11 from the open position So to the closed position Sc, making it easier to control the rotation mechanism 17. [Explanation of symbols]

[0071] 1 Toll collection machine 2, 4 vehicle detector 2a, 4a floodlight 2b, 4b receiver 3 Antennas 5. Control device 10,10a Launch control 11 Blocking rod 11t tip 11b Proximal end 12 Shaft hole 13a First fitting hole 13b Second matching hole 15 Rotation axis 15t tip 15b Proximal end 17 Rotation mechanism 18 Mechanism support part 20 Rod connection 21 Rod swing support part 22 Oscillating shaft 23 Axis fixing part 25a First restraint part 25b Second restraint part 26 Restriction protrusion 27 Protrusion fixing part C vehicle I-Island R lane Sc closed position So open position Sr release position Ac center axis Ar rod center line α axis tilt angle β bar inclination angle

Claims

1. A rotation axis; a rotation mechanism that rotates the rotation shaft around a central axis of the rotation shaft; A blocking rod connected to the rotating shaft; a mechanism support unit that is installed on the roadside of a lane and supports the rotation mechanism; Equipped with the rotating shaft extends in a horizontal direction, a tip end of the rotating shaft is located downstream in a lane direction relative to a base end of the rotating shaft, and the rotating shaft is supported by the mechanism support part via the rotation mechanism such that the central axis of the rotating shaft is inclined with respect to the lane direction; the blocking rod is connected to the tip end of the rotating shaft at an angle with respect to the central axis and rotatable along an imaginary conical surface centered on the central axis as the rotating shaft rotates, The rotation mechanism rotates the rotation shaft so as to realize a closed position in which the longitudinal direction of the blocking bar extends horizontally and in the lane width direction, and an open position in which the longitudinal direction of the blocking bar extends in a direction in which the horizontal component is larger than the vertical component and the lane direction component is larger than the lane width direction component, The blocking rod has a rod connection portion that is connected to the rotation shaft and is fixed to the rotation shaft so as to rotate integrally with the rotation shaft, The rod connection portion is a rod swing support portion that supports the blocking rod swingably in a horizontal plane between the closed position and a release position that is along the conical surface and symmetrical to the closed position with respect to the central axis; a first restraining portion and a second restraining portion that restrain the blocking rod so that the blocking rod cannot swing, and releases the restraint of the blocking rod when a load equal to or greater than a predetermined value is applied to the blocking rod; and the blocking bar in the closed position and the blocking bar in the released position are in the same horizontal plane; When the blocking rod is restrained by the first restraining portion and is in the closed position, if a load equal to or greater than a predetermined value is applied to the blocking rod, the restraint by the first restraining portion is released, the blocking rod swings in a horizontal plane, and when it reaches the release position, it is restrained by the second restraining portion, The blocking rod, which is constrained at the release position, moves from the release position to the closed position along the imaginary conical surface by rotation of the rotation shaft. Launch control device.

2. The blocking bar in the open position extends in a direction that does not have a component in the lane width direction.

2. The launch control of claim 1.

3. The axial tilt angle α, which is the minor angle among the conjugate angles of the central axis with respect to the lane direction, is 45°.

3. A launch control device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. the rotation mechanism rotates the rotation shaft so that the blocking rod in the closed position starts to rotate upward when the blocking rod in the closed position is positioned at the open position, and rotates the rotation shaft so that the blocking rod in the open position starts to rotate upward when the blocking rod in the open position is positioned at the closed position. A launch control according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The release position is the same as the open position. A launch control according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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