U.S. patent application number 13/145280 was filed with the patent office on 2011-11-10 for vehicle passage control device.
Invention is credited to Shinichi Hayashida, Toshio Uchimaru, Yutaka Yamamoto.
Application Number | 20110271593 13/145280 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42665540 |
Filed Date | 2011-11-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110271593 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hayashida; Shinichi ; et
al. |
November 10, 2011 |
VEHICLE PASSAGE CONTROL DEVICE
Abstract
Disclosed is a vehicle passage control device capable of
suppressing damage and breakage of an opening/closing bar thereof
to the minimum, and suppressing damage and the like of a vehicle to
the minimum even if the vehicle collides with the opening/closing
bar. The vehicle passage control device is a vehicle passage
control device in which an opening/closing bar 12 that regulates
passage of a vehicle is provided, the vehicle passage control
device being installed at a passage gate of an entrance or exit of
a toll road or the like. The vehicle passage control device
performs opening/closing control for the opening/closing bar 12 to
rotationally move and upspring obliquely upward in front in a
passing direction of the vehicle. An inclined angle .theta. at
which the opening/closing bar 12 rotationally moves and upsprings
obliquely upward remains within a range from approximately 25
degrees to approximately 55 degrees with respect to a road surface.
A vehicle sensing sensor that senses a vehicle approaching a front
of the opening/closing bar 12 is provided, and an instruction to
open the opening/closing bar 12 is issued when the vehicle is
sensed by the vehicle sensing sensor. When a predetermined load or
more is applied to the opening/closing bar 12, an instruction to
perform an opening operation is issued to the opening/closing bar
12.
Inventors: |
Hayashida; Shinichi; (Osaka,
JP) ; Uchimaru; Toshio; (Osaka, JP) ;
Yamamoto; Yutaka; (Osaka, JP) |
Family ID: |
42665540 |
Appl. No.: |
13/145280 |
Filed: |
February 24, 2010 |
PCT Filed: |
February 24, 2010 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP2010/052812 |
371 Date: |
July 19, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
49/49 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E01F 13/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
49/49 |
International
Class: |
E01F 13/04 20060101
E01F013/04; E01F 13/06 20060101 E01F013/06 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 25, 2009 |
JP |
2009-042562 |
Claims
1. A vehicle passage control device in which an opening/closing bar
that regulates passage of a vehicle is provided, the vehicle
passage control device being installed at a passage gate of an
entrance or exit of a toll road or the like, characterized in that
the vehicle passage control device performs opening/closing control
for the opening/closing bar to rotationally move and upspring
obliquely upward in front in a passing direction of the
vehicle.
2. The vehicle passage control device according to claim 1, wherein
an inclined angle at which the opening/closing bar rotationally
moves and upsprings obliquely upward remains within a range from
approximately 25 degrees to approximately 55 degrees with respect
to a road surface.
3. The vehicle passage control device according to claim 1 or 2,
wherein a vehicle sensing sensor that senses a vehicle approaching
a front of the opening/closing bar is provided, and the
opening/closing bar is opened when the vehicle is sensed by the
vehicle sensing sensor.
4. The vehicle passage control device according to claim 1, wherein
the opening/closing bar is opened when a predetermined load or more
is applied to the opening/closing bar.
5. The vehicle passage control device according to claim 1, wherein
the vehicle passage control device includes a right and left pair
of vehicle passage control devices, opening/closing bars thereof
are opened to both right and left sides, the opening/closing bar of
one of the devices performs an opening operation and maintains an
open state in a case where the one of the devices fails, and
vehicle passage control is configured to be enabled by an operation
of only the opening/closing bar of other of the devices.
6. The vehicle passage control device according to claim 1, wherein
the opening/closing bar has a substantially circular shape in cross
section, and on a surface thereof, two types of paint different in
color are alternately applied in a spiral fashion.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle passage control
device including an opening/closing bar for controlling permission
or non-permission of vehicle passage on an ETC (registered
trademark) lane or the like at an entrance or exit of an
expressway, a toll road or the like.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] This type of conventional vehicle passage control device is
a control device in which, after fee payment processing or the like
is finally completed by a proper communication between a roadside
radio device and an on-board machine, an opening/closing bar
provided on the control device concerned is opened, and a vehicle
is enabled to pass through a passage gate.
[0003] Then, in order that a driver of the vehicle can visually
recognize an opening/closing state of the opening/closing bar
satisfactorily from an inside of the vehicle that goes slowly, the
opening/closing bar concerned is configured so as to rotationally
move perpendicularly to a road surface and in a direction at right
angles to a traveling direction of the vehicle.
[0004] That is to say, this opening/closing bar is formed so as to
rotationally move within a plane vertical to the road surface.
[0005] However, in this conventional vehicle passage control
device, there are a variety of problems as below.
[0006] Since passage of the vehicle is inhibited, the vehicle
collides with the opening/closing bar and the opening/closing bar
is broken in the case where the vehicle cannot stop immediately in
front of the opening/closing bar.
[0007] Therefore, in such a current device, in a portion of driving
the opening/closing bar, such an impact avoidance mechanism that
enables the opening/closing bar to rotationally move in a direction
horizontal to the road surface is provided. However, it is the
present condition that the breakage/damage of the opening/closing
bar itself is inevitable.
[0008] Once the vehicle collides with the opening/closing bar, the
opening/closing bar opens until becoming parallel to such a vehicle
traveling direction, a lock mechanism for preventing a rebound
works, and the opening/closing bar is fixed. Therefore, in order to
return the device concerned to a normal usage state, it is
necessary for an operator to walk to an installation location of
the device, and to reset the device.
[0009] In a passage gate in which ETC (registered trademark) is
provided, it cannot be estimated when the collision occurs.
Accordingly, the operator for resetting the opening/closing bar
must always be distributed at a toll booth or the like.
[0010] In order to make the resetting, the operator must go to the
vehicle passage control device. However, there also occurs a
necessity that the operator should cross a traffic lane on the way,
and there also occurs a possibility that the operator may encounter
an accident with the passing vehicle.
[0011] In each of passage control devices described in the
following patent documents, an opening/closing gate thereof
rotationally moves up and down perpendicularly to the road
surface.
[0012] Then, in Patent Document 1, it is an object thereof to
further downsize a drive device of the opening/closing bar, and in
Patent Document 2, it is an object thereof to prevent a trouble of
the opening/closing bar at the time of a power failure.
PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS
Patent Documents
[0013] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No.
2008-127911 [0014] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Laid-Open
Publication No. H11-61752
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0015] In this connection, in order to solve a variety of the
above-described problems, the present invention has the following
items as objects thereof.
[0016] First, one of the objects is to suppress, to the minimum,
the damage and breakage of the opening/closing bar of the vehicle
passage control device.
[0017] That is to say, the object is to make it possible to
suppress, to the minimum, the damage/breakage of the
opening/closing bar even if the passing vehicle collides with the
opening/closing bar.
[0018] Moreover, another object is to make it possible to open the
opening/closing bar in the case where the collision with the
opening/closing bar cannot be avoided.
[0019] Furthermore, still another object is to eliminate a
necessity that the operator should manually reset the
opening/closing bar even if the vehicle collides with the
opening/closing bar.
[0020] Besides the above, the objects of the present invention also
incorporate: operations at the time of the power failure; at the
time of using a right and left pair of opening/closing bars,
dealing with the case where one of them fails; adoption of a more
efficient configuration in maintenance of the device; and further,
avoidance of damage on visibility of the opening/closing bar.
Means to Solve the Problems
[0021] A first aspect of the present invention is a vehicle passage
control device in which an opening/closing bar that regulates
passage of a vehicle is provided, the vehicle passage control
device being installed at a passage gate of an entrance or exit of
a toll road or the like, characterized in that the vehicle passage
control device performs opening/closing control for the
opening/closing bar to rotationally move and upspring obliquely
upward in front in a passing direction of the vehicle.
[0022] Here, "obliquely upward" in front in the vehicle passing
direction stands for both of opening/closing operations in which
the opening/closing bar rotationally moves and upsprings "linearly
obliquely upward" and "curvedly obliquely upward".
[0023] In a second aspect of the present invention according to the
first aspect, an inclined angle at which the opening/closing bar
rotationally moves and upsprings obliquely upward remains within a
range from approximately 25 degrees to approximately 55 degrees
with respect to a road surface.
[0024] In a third aspect of the present invention according to the
first or second aspect, a vehicle sensing sensor that senses a
vehicle approaching a front of the opening/closing bar is provided,
and the opening/closing bar is opened when the vehicle is sensed by
the vehicle sensing sensor.
[0025] In a fourth aspect of the present invention according to any
one of the first to third aspects, the opening/closing bar is
opened when a predetermined load or more is applied to the
opening/closing bar.
[0026] In the fifth aspect of the present invention according to
any one of the first to fourth aspects, the vehicle passage control
device includes a right and left pair of vehicle passage control
devices, opening/closing bars thereof are opened to both right and
left sides, the opening/closing bar of one of the devices performs
an opening operation and maintains an open state in a case where
the one of the devices fails, and vehicle passage control is
configured to be enabled by an operation of only the
opening/closing bar of other of the devices.
[0027] In the sixth aspect of the present invention according to
any one of the first to fifth aspects, the opening/closing bar has
a substantially circular shape in cross section, and on a surface
thereof, two types of paint different in color are alternately
applied in a spiral fashion.
Effects of the Invention
[0028] In the first one of the present invention, the
opening/closing bar rotationally moves and upsprings obliquely
upward in front in the passing direction of the vehicle.
Accordingly, even in the case where the passing vehicle collides
with the opening/closing bar, a direction of an impact thereof is
directed forward, and does not contradict a rotationally moving
direction of the opening/closing bar at all. In other words, the
opening/closing bar turns to such a state of being pushed and
opened forward. Although the opening/closing bar and a front
portion of the vehicle come into contact with each other, an impact
thereof is absorbed, whereby it becomes possible to suppress the
damage and breakage of the opening/closing bar and the vehicle to
the minimum.
[0029] Moreover, the opening/closing bar does not rotationally move
forward in the horizontal direction, but rotationally moves
obliquely upward and turns to a retreated state. Accordingly, it
also becomes possible for the driver to surely visually recognize a
state where the opening/closing bar is opened (that is, a state
where the opening/closing bar upsprings).
[0030] Moreover, a connection portion between the opening/closing
bar and a rotational spindle of the opening/closing bar is made
movable by a universal joint or the like, and a basal portion of
the opening/closing bar is guided by a guide rail or the like,
whereby it is also possible to curvedly adjust a rotational
trajectory of the opening/closing bar. Then, this rotational
trajectory is matched with a collision (substantially horizontal)
direction on a closed state side, and is gradually set to a curved
trajectory guided to an upward trajectory, whereby a function to
absorb and relieve energy at the time of the collision can be
exerted. In addition, when viewed from the driver, an initial speed
of such an opening operation looks slow (at the beginning, the
opening/closing bar rotationally moves in the substantially
horizontal direction). Accordingly, an effect of speed suppression
of the passing vehicle can be expected. However, in terms of a
relationship between mechanical complexity and such an opening
speed, it is more advantageous to rotationally move the
opening/closing bar obliquely upward simply linearly.
[0031] In the above-described first invention, in the second one of
the present invention, such an angle range at which the
opening/closing bar rotationally moves obliquely upward is limited,
and within this range, the visibility from the driver can be
ensured most satisfactorily.
[0032] In the above-described first and second inventions, the
opening/closing bar does not perform any positive retreating
operation against the collision of the passing vehicle. Meanwhile,
in the third one of the present invention, a structure is adopted,
in which the opening/closing bar is instantaneously opened in such
a manner that the collision of the passing vehicle is sensed by the
vehicle sensing sensor.
[0033] In such a way, it is also intended to prevent contact
between the opening/closing bar and the vehicle. Even if the
vehicle and the opening/closing bar contact each other, the
opening/closing bar performs the opening/retreating operations by
itself, and accordingly, it becomes possible to suppress the damage
of the opening/closing bar and the vehicle to the minimum.
[0034] In the fourth one of the present invention, the
opening/closing bar is adapted to perform the opening operation
when the predetermined load or more is applied to the
opening/closing bar.
[0035] In such a way, when the vehicle collides with the
opening/closing bar, the opening/closing bar can perform the
opening operation, and on the other hand, even if the predetermined
load or less is applied to the opening/closing bar by a strong wind
of a typhoon or the like, it is made possible to prevent the
opening/closing bar from causing a malfunction and opening.
[0036] In the fifth one of the present invention, in the vehicle
passage control devices in which the right and left pair of
opening/closing bars are provided, setting is made so that, in the
case where one in the pair fails, the one can automatically perform
the opening operation and maintain the open state, whereby the
vehicle passage control is configured to be enabled only by
opening/closing bar of other of the devices.
[0037] In the sixth one of the present invention, on the surface of
the opening/closing bar, two types of paint different in color are
alternately applied in the spiral fashion in order to maintain the
visibility of the opening/closing bar. In such a way, even in the
case where the opening/closing bar rotationally moves obliquely
upward, such a zebra pattern of the two colors becomes
satisfactorily visible from the driver.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0038] FIGS. 1(A) and 1(B) illustrate an embodiment according to
vehicle passage control devices of the present invention: FIG. 1(A)
is a plan view thereof; and FIG. 1(B) is a front view thereof.
[0039] FIGS. 2(A) and 2(B) illustrate an opening/closing bar as a
main portion of the embodiment according to the present invention:
FIG. 2(A) is a partially cutaway side view thereof; and FIG. 2(B)
is an enlarged view of an operating unit of the opening/closing
bar.
[0040] FIGS. 3(A) and 3(B) illustrate an opening/closing bar
according to another embodiment of the present invention: FIG. 3(A)
is a perspective side view thereof; and FIG. 3(B) is a perspective
enlarged view of an operating unit of the opening/closing bar.
[0041] FIGS. 4(A) and 4(B) illustrate vehicle passage control
devices according to the embodiment of the present invention, in
which vehicle sensing sensors sensing a position of an entering
vehicle are provided: FIG. 4(A) is a plan view thereof; and FIG.
4(B) is a front view thereof.
[0042] FIG. 5 is a plan view of vehicle passage control devices
according to the embodiment of the present invention, in which
sensing positions of the entering vehicle are different from those
of FIG. 4(A).
EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0043] A description is made below of an embodiment of the present
invention with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0044] FIGS. 1(A) and 1(B) illustrate an embodiment of vehicle
passage control devices according to the present invention: FIG.
1(A) is a plan view thereof; and FIG. 1(B) is a front view
thereof.
[0045] The vehicle passage control devices 10 according to this
embodiment include a right and left pair of devices, and each of
the vehicle passage control devices 10 is formed of a body section
11, and an opening/closing bar 12 that has a rotational spindle
thereof on an upper front side of this body section 11.
[0046] The pair of vehicle passage control devices 10 and 10 are
installed on both sides of a road surface R that passes through a
passage gate installed at an entrance or exit of an expressway or
the like. Each of the opening/closing bars 12 rotationally moves
within an inclined plane inclined in front in a vehicle traveling
direction with respect to the road surface R, and rotationally
moves and upsprings obliquely upward by 90 degrees.
[0047] In other words, a rotationally moving unit 14 located at a
basal portion of each of the opening/closing bars 12 is provided on
an inclined surface 13 formed by chamfering a front surface-side
corner portion of an upper surface of the body section 11.
[0048] Hence, unlike the conventional one that up springs
vertically upward, each of the opening/closing bars 12 rotationally
moves and upsprings upward in a state of being inclined obliquely
with respect to the traveling direction where the vehicle
passes.
[0049] In each of the opening/closing bars 12, spiral-like red
paint 12r is applied on a white base thereof, and the
opening/closing bar 12 is configured so that a driver can visually
recognize a zebra pattern of such two colors of red and white
satisfactorily at any rotation angle even if the opening/closing
bar 12 rotationally moves upward.
[0050] As means for rotationally moving the opening/closing bar 12,
any means such as an electric motor and a hydraulic motor may be
used.
[0051] Note that the opening/closing bar can not only be
rotationally moved linearly within the inclined plane inclined in
front in the vehicle traveling direction but also rotationally
moved curvedly within the inclined plane concerned.
[0052] That is to say, a connection portion between the rotational
spindle that rotationally moves the opening/closing bar and the
opening/closing bar concerned is made movable by a universal joint
or the like, and the basal portion of the opening/closing bar is
guided by a guide rail or the like, thus also making it possible to
rotationally move the opening/closing bar curvedly (along a curved
surface in which an upper side is protruded, or a lower side is
protruded).
[0053] When the opening/closing bar is rotationally moved curvedly
along a curved surface in which a lower side is protruded, an
initial operation of the opening/closing bar becomes substantially
horizontal. Accordingly, an upward opening operation of the
opening/closing bar is visually recognized to be slow by the
driver, and an effect that a vehicle driving speed can be
restricted at the time when the vehicle enters the passage gate is
exerted.
[0054] FIGS. 2(A) and 2(B) illustrate the opening/closing bar as a
main portion of the embodiment according to the present invention:
FIG. 2(A) is a partially cutaway side view thereof; and FIG. 2(B)
is an enlarged view of an operating unit of the opening/closing
bar.
[0055] In this embodiment, an electric servo motor 20 is used as
such driving means for the opening/closing bar 12.
[0056] On an ETC (registered trademark) lane, when a roadside radio
device and an on-board machine of the passing vehicle properly
communicate with each other, and an instruction on passage
permission is issued, the above-described servo motor 20 is
energized, and the servo motor 20 rotates. Following this, the
opening/closing bar 12 rotationally moves obliquely upward, and the
opening/closing bar 12 is opened.
[0057] When the vehicle passes through such a vehicle passage
control device 10, a vehicle passage sensing sensor (not shown)
senses this passage, and controls the servo motor 20 to rotate
reversely.
[0058] In the event where the vehicle collides with the
opening/closing bar 12 at a high speed, and this situation cannot
be dealt with by the servo motor 20, then in an inside of the
rotationally moving unit 14, a bearing pressed by a return spring
21 wound around an outer circumference of the spindle for the
opening/closing bar 12 is detached, and the opening/closing bar 12
is released, whereby the opening/closing bar 12 and the servo motor
20 are prevented from being damaged. A structure is adopted, in
which such a bearing portion is locked again in a state where the
opening/closing bar 12 completely turns to an open state, and a
return owing to the collision is prevented.
[0059] In this embodiment, an inclined angle .theta. of the
rotational movement of the opening/closing bar 12 with respect to
the road surface is set at 40 degrees. This is because .+-.15
degrees of this angle are an angle range at which the driver of the
vehicle can visually recognize such a rotational movement operation
of the opening/closing bar most satisfactorily. It is necessary to
adjust the angle range in consideration also of a gradient and line
shape of the entire road.
[0060] Note that any problem does not occur if this inclined angle
.theta. of the rotational movement remains within a range from
approximately 25 degrees to approximately 55 degrees, and in this
case, the inclined angle .theta. of the rotational movement becomes
suitable; however, is appropriately settable according to
needs.
[0061] In the case where the inclined angle is smaller than this
angle range, visibility from the driver is deteriorated, and when
this inclined angle becomes larger than this range, there occurs an
apprehension that the damage and the like of the opening/closing
bar and the vehicle may be increased when the vehicle collides with
the opening/closing bar.
[0062] Moreover, in this embodiment, though not shown, a torque
sensor is provided on the spindle that rotationally supports the
opening/closing bar 12, and when this torque sensor is loaded with
a load equal to or larger than a load, for example, when a wind
speed is 40 m/s, this sensor is set to be activated, and then to
allow the opening operation of the opening/closing bar.
[0063] In such a way, the opening/closing bar can be prevented from
opening by wind up to the wind speed of 40 m/s, and in addition,
when the passing vehicle collides with the opening/closing bar, the
opening/closing bar can automatically perform the opening operation
by a load of the collision concerned. However, as described above,
the configuration is adopted, in which the opening/closing bar 12
is released by the function of the return spring 21 at the time of
the hard collision.
[0064] As a matter of course, it is made possible to deal with such
a problem of a collision of the passing vehicle by separately
providing a vehicle sensing sensor as will be described later.
[0065] In a similar way to the above-described drawings, FIGS. 3(A)
and 3(B) illustrate an opening/closing bar according to another
embodiment of the present invention: FIG. 3(A) is a perspective
side view thereof; and FIG. 3(B) is a perspective enlarged view of
an operating unit of the opening/closing bar.
[0066] In this embodiment, an electric cylinder 30 is used as
operating means for the opening/closing bar 12.
[0067] By actuation of the electric cylinder 30 equipped in an
upper portion of an inside of the body section 11, a reciprocating
operation of the cylinder rod 31 is converted into a rotating
operation, and the spindle for the opening/closing bar 12 is
rotated, whereby the opening operation of the opening/closing bar
can be performed.
[0068] That is to say, on the ETC (registered trademark) lane, when
the roadside radio device and the on-board machine of the passing
vehicle properly communicate with each other, and the instruction
on the passage permission is issued, the above-described electric
cylinder 30 is energized, the cylinder rod 31 is extended, and the
spindle is rotationally moved. Following this, the opening/closing
bar 12 rotationally moves obliquely upward, and the opening/closing
bar 12 is opened.
[0069] When the vehicle passes through such a vehicle passage
control device, the vehicle passage sensing sensor (not shown)
senses this passage, and controls the electric cylinder 30 to
rotate reversely.
[0070] In the event where the vehicle collides with the
opening/closing bar at a high speed, the bearing pressed by the
return spring 21 wound around the outer circumference of the
spindle for the opening/closing bar 12 is detached, and the
opening/closing bar 12 is released, whereby the opening/closing bar
12 and the electric cylinder 30 are prevented from being damaged. A
structure is adopted, in which such a bearing portion is locked
again in a state where the opening/closing bar 12 completely turns
to an open state, and a return owing to the collision is
prevented.
[0071] As described above, in the present invention, the structure
is adopted, in which the opening/closing bar 12 rotationally moves
and upsprings obliquely upward in front in the traveling direction
of the passing vehicle.
[0072] Therefore, on the ETC (registered trademark) lane or the
like, in the case where there occur such unforeseen circumstances
that the communication between the roadside radio device and the
on-board machine is not properly performed, and that the vehicle
enters the passage gate in a state where the opening/closing bar is
left closed, the vehicle collides with the opening/closing bar;
however, the opening/closing bar itself is configured so as to move
to open also in a forward direction in terms of the structure
thereof, and accordingly, impact resistance at the time of the
collision is further reduced.
[0073] FIGS. 4(A) and 4(B) illustrate vehicle passage control
devices according to the present invention, in which vehicle
sensing sensors sensing a position of an entering vehicle are
provided: FIG. 4(A) is a plan view thereof; and FIG. 4(B) is a
front view thereof.
[0074] Vehicle sensing sensors 18 are individually provided on a
front side of the body sections 11 of the vehicle passage control
devices 10, that is, on a vehicle entrance side, and a sensing
direction S thereof is parallel to the opening/closing bars 12
which are in a closed state.
[0075] That is to say, each of the vehicle sensing sensors 18 is
provided so as to sense a state immediately in front of a vehicle V
collides with the opening/closing bar 12. An optical sensor is used
as this sensor.
[0076] Hence, each of the vehicle passage control devices is
configured so as, when the vehicle sensing sensor 18 senses the
presence of the vehicle, to issue an instruction to perform the
opening operation of the opening/closing bar 12, to energize the
servo motor, and to instantaneously open the opening/closing bar
12.
[0077] In such a way, the impact owing to the collision between the
opening/closing bar 12 and the vehicle V is further reduced, and
the damage and the like of the opening/closing bar 12 and the
vehicle V can be minimized.
[0078] As a matter of course, for a vehicle that has passed through
the vehicle passage control devices in such a state, display/notice
of abnormal passage or illegal passage is performed by a signboard,
an alarm and the like after the vehicle passes through the vehicle
passage control devices, whereby the vehicle is urged to stop, and
appropriate post-processing is performed.
[0079] FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment in which vehicle sensing
sensors are provided in the vehicle passage control devices
according to the present invention in a similar way to the
embodiment in FIGS. 4(A) and 4(B); however, sensing positions of
the sensors concerned are differentiated from those in FIG.
4(A).
[0080] Specifically, the vehicle sensing sensors 18 are provided on
the front side of the body sections 11 of the respective vehicle
passage control devices 10, that is, on the vehicle entrance side.
Unlike the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 4(A) and 4(B), the
vehicle sensing sensors 18 concerned are installed so as to be
capable of sensing the entering vehicle when the entering vehicle
is located not immediately in front of the opening/closing bars 12
but a little on the front side thereof.
[0081] Specifically, though it is necessary to differentiate the
sensing positions concerned depending on an entering speed of the
vehicle V, the entering speed of the vehicle V is assumed to be 60
km/h in this drawing, and a linear distance from centerlines of the
opening/closing bars 12 to the sensing positions is set at 2145
mm.
[0082] In such a way, the above-described vehicle sensing sensors
18 sense the vehicle V that has entered at the speed of 60 km/h in
a state where the issuance of the instruction to open the
opening/closing bars 12 is left undone, whereby a configuration is
adopted so that the opening operation of the opening/closing bars
12 can be instantaneously performed. In such a way, before the
entering vehicle V collides with the opening/closing bars 12, the
opening/closing bars 12 perform the opening operation, whereby
collision between the opening/closing bars 12 and a front portion
of the vehicle V can be avoided, and the damage of both thereof can
be prevented.
[0083] Such optical sensors 18 are columnar sensors. These optical
sensors are installed at several spots at a height of a vehicle tip
end portion (ground clearance: 500 mm to 1000 mm), and are set so
as to allow the opening operation when one or more thereof senses
the vehicle tip end portion.
[0084] As described above, in consideration of the speed and the
like of the entering vehicle, the optical sensors are installed on
the front side of the opening/closing bars by a fixed distance, and
are adjusted so that the opening/closing bars cannot open too
quickly. Moreover, the optical sensors are installed at a height of
approximately 500 mm from the ground, whereby erroneous opening
owing to fallen leaves and the like is prevented.
[0085] Note that there are footboard-type sensors besides the
optical sensors, and in ETC (registered trademark), there are also
those using sensors which count the number of axles. However, the
footboard-type sensors and the like are inferior in lifetime and
ease of maintenance since a vehicle weight is applied thereto.
Accordingly, it is conceived that the optical sensors are
advantageous.
[0086] The description has been made above of the embodiments of
the present invention; however, the present invention can be
embodied by changing a form thereof variously in the following
manner.
[0087] First, the right and left pair of vehicle passage control
devices are used in each of the above-described embodiments;
however, these can be embodied by either one of the right and left
vehicle passage control devices, that is, as a vehicle passage
control device by one opening/closing bar.
[0088] Actuating means and mechanism for rotationally moving each
of the opening/closing bars can also be appropriately and freely
selected and used.
[0089] Each of the opening/closing bars can also be embodied by
coating thereon a cover for preventing the damage.
[0090] In each of the above-described embodiments, the optical
sensors are used as the vehicle sensing sensors; however, other
sensing means can be used.
[0091] Moreover, the positions at which the vehicle is sensed can
also be appropriately set according to needs.
[0092] In the case where the right and left pair of vehicle passage
control devices are installed, the right and left control devices
concerned can also be configured so as to be capable of being
actuated independently of each other, and even in the case where
either one thereof fails, the right and left control devices
concerned can also be configured so that the other control device
can be normally actuated.
[0093] In the case where an electric drive device is used as the
actuating means for each of the opening/closing bars, the electric
drive device can also be configured so as to automatically leave
the opening/closing bar in an open state or a close state by using
a battery at the time of the power failure.
[0094] Moreover, at the time when such a power failure state as
described above is released, the electric drive device can also be
configured so as to be remotely operable in order to return the
vehicle passage control device to a normal state. For example, it
is also possible, by a wireless communication, to allow the
electric drive device to perform an operation of shutting off
activation of the battery, and to return the vehicle passage
control device to the normal state.
[0095] In a similar way, in the case where either one of the pair
of devices fails, the opening/closing bar of the failed device as
one in the pair is opened and is left opened, whereby it becomes
possible to perform the passage control for the vehicle only by the
opening/closing operation of the opening/closing bar of the other
device. In this case, in the case where it becomes impossible to
drive one of the devices by the motor owing to the failure thereof,
the bearing of the opening/closing bar of the failed one of the
devices is electrically released, whereby the opening operation is
performed by a spring and the like.
[0096] It is also possible to compose each of the vehicle passage
control devices so that the opening/closing bar, actuator and
control board thereof can be easily replaced, and that only a
failed portion of these constituent components can be easily
replaced at the time of such a failure.
[0097] As described above, the present invention has been able to
provide a vehicle passage control device that exerts extremely
significant effects by means of the simple configuration.
DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
[0098] 10 Vehicle passage control device [0099] 11 Body section
[0100] 12 Opening/closing bar [0101] 13 Inclined surface [0102] 14
Rotationally moving unit [0103] 18 Vehicle sensing sensor [0104] 20
Servo motor [0105] 21 Return spring [0106] 30 Electric cylinder
* * * * *