POLE AND POLE UNIT

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a pole and a pole unit.

BACKGROUND ART

As the related art, Patent Literature 1 discloses a pole to which a device can be attached. The pole disclosed in Patent Literature 1 includes a cylindrical support pillar and one or more coupling poles. The coupling pole includes a cylindrical body. The cylindrical body includes a first connection part provided at one end thereof in the longitudinal direction, a second connection part provided at the other end thereof in the longitudinal direction, and a device attachment part to which a device is attached. The first connection part of each of the coupling poles is configured to be connectable to the second connection part of another coupling pole. The support pillar includes a fixed part provided at one end thereof in the longitudinal direction and a third connection part provided at the other end thereof in the longitudinal direction. The third connection part is configured to be connectable to the first connection part or the second connection part of the coupling pole.

In Patent Literature 1, the fixed part of the support pillar includes a base plate. The base plate is fixed to a foundation provided on the ground using a fixing bolt. For example, the second connection part of the coupling pole is connected to the third connection part of the support pillar, and the coupling pole is connected onto the support pillar. On the coupling pole connected to the support pillar, any number of coupling poles may be connected by connecting the first connection part of one coupling pole to the second connection part of another coupling pole. A device such as a lighting fixture, a security camera, a speaker, or an automatic flashing device is attached to the device attachment part of each coupling pole.

CITATION LIST

Patent Literature

• Patent Literature 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2019-190002

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Technical Problem

In Patent Literature 1, the coupling pole includes the device attachment part, and a device attached to the device attachment part of each coupling pole can be freely changed.

However, according to Patent Literature 1, the device is externally attached to the body of the coupling pole. In Patent Literature 1, in a case where various devices are provided on the pole, the total number of wirings required for the devices to execute processes increases, and the wirings become complicated.

In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a pole and a pole unit capable of simplifying wirings of devices mounted in the pole.

Solution to Problem

To achieve the above object, the present disclosure provides a pole as a first example aspect.

This pole includes:

• • a plurality of pole units coupled in a row.

Each of the pole units includes

• • a first shared line connected to a second shared line passing through another one of the pole units, and
  • a branching apparatus configured to perform branching of the first shared line to a device accommodated in each of the pole units through which the first shared line passes.

The pole is configured of, as one pole, the plurality of pole units coupled in a row.

Further, the present disclosure provides a pole unit as a second example aspect.

A pole unit includes:

• • a first shared line connected to a second shared line passing through another pole unit; and
  • a branching apparatus configured to perform branching of the first shared line to a device accommodated in the pole unit through which the first shared line passes.

The pole unit is coupled to the other pole unit in a row to be used as one pole.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

The pole or the pole unit according to the present disclosure enables wirings of devices mounted in the pole to be simplified.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of a pole according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 2A is a front view showing a multifunctional pole according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2B is an exploded perspective view showing a multifunctional pole according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing a configuration example of a unit for a traffic signal.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a unit that may be used in the multifunctional pole.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a unit that may be used in the multifunctional pole.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a wiring structure in a unit.

FIG. 7 is a schematic view showing attachment of a device to a housing.

FIG. 8 is a front view showing an example of a multifunctional pole according to a modified example.

FIG. 9 is a front view showing an example of a multifunctional pole according to another modified example.

EXAMPLE EMBODIMENT

Prior to describing example embodiments of the present disclosure, an outline of the present disclosure will be described.

FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of a pole according to the present disclosure. A pole 1 includes a plurality of pole units 2 coupled in a row. That is, the pole 1 is configured of, as one pole, the plurality of pole units 2 coupled in a row. Each of the pole units 2 includes a shared line 3 (first shared line) connected to a shared line 3 (second shared line) passing through another one of the pole units 2, and a branching apparatus 4 configured to perform branching of the first shared line to a device 9 accommodated in each of the pole units 2 through which the first shared line passes. Each pole unit 2 has a space inside, and the device 9 is accommodated in the space (internal space). In other words, the pole 1 itself is used as a housing for accommodating devices 9. Further, in this internal space, the shared line 3 extends from one end to the other end of the pole unit 2. Furthermore, the branching apparatus 4 is also accommodated in this internal space. The shared line 3 is a wiring required for each device 9 to execute a process, and specifically, for example, the shared line 3 is a wiring configured to transmit power or a signal. Note that the signal is, for example, an electric signal, and may be another type of signal such as an optical signal. With such a configuration, power or signal transmission for the device 9 is performed via a series of shared lines 3 and the branching apparatus 4. Note that the shared line 3 is connected to, for example, a main apparatus (such as a power supply apparatus or a network apparatus) provided in any one of the series of pole units 2 (for example, the lowermost pole unit 2).

As described above, the pole 1 can accommodate a device in each of the plurality of pole units 2 which are coupled. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the pole from having a cluttered appearance as compared with a case where a plurality of external devices are attached to the pole. Incidentally, for example, in a case where a device in a pole unit and an apparatus such as a main apparatus are directly connected by a cable, the following problem may arise. Here, as an example, a case where the main apparatus is present at the bottom of the pole will be described. In this case, cables of devices of all the pole units above a lower pole unit pass through the lower pole unit. Therefore, the lower the pole unit is positioned, the more cables need to pass through the pole unit. Hence, when the number of devices mounted in the pole increases, the number of cables becomes enormous, and there is a possibility that it is not possible to accommodate all the cables in the pole. In this manner, as the number of devices increases, the total number of wirings increases, and the wirings become intricate. Further, in a case where the cable that cannot be accommodated is exposed to the outside of the pole, the pole has a cluttered appearance.

On the other hand, according to the above-described configuration, the cable directly connected to the device 9 only needs to extend to the branching apparatus 4 present in the same pole unit 2 as the device 9. Hence, even when the number of pole units 2 to be coupled increases and the total number of devices 9 mounted in the pole 1 increases, it is possible to prevent the number of cables that need to be accommodated in each pole unit 2 from becoming enormous. Therefore, the wirings of the devices mounted in a pole can be simplified. Further, according to the above-described configuration, even when the total number of devices mounted in the pole increases, the wirings can be hidden in the pole, so that a cluttered appearance can be curbed.

The example embodiments according to the present disclosure will be described hereinafter in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that, for the clarification of the description, the following descriptions and the drawings are partially omitted and simplified as appropriate. Further, the same elements and similar elements are denoted by the same reference symbols throughout the drawings, and redundant descriptions are omitted as necessary.

Details of Example Embodiments

Each of FIGS. 2A and 2B shows a multifunctional pole 100 according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure. In the example embodiment, the multifunctional pole 100 constitutes a traffic signal. FIG. 2A is a front view of the multifunctional pole 100 as the traffic signal from the front thereof, while FIG. 2B is an exploded perspective view of the multifunctional pole 100 as the traffic signal in an oblique direction. The multifunctional pole 100 includes a plurality of units 101 to 109 coupled to each other. Each of the units 101 to 109 may also be referred to as a pole unit, a sub-pole, a unit, or an assembly (ASSY). The multifunctional pole 100 corresponds to the pole 1 of FIG. 1, and the units 101 to 109 correspond to the pole units 2 of FIG. 1.

The unit 101 is, for example, a unit constituting a shared unit. That is, the unit 101 has a device shared for various functions of the multifunctional pole 100. The unit 101 includes therein devices such as a power supply apparatus and a network apparatus. The power supply apparatus is connected to a power supply shared line 171 to be described below, and supplies power to the devices mounted in the units 101 to 109. The network apparatus is connected to a communication shared line 172 to be described below, and relays communication between an external network and the devices mounted in the units 101 to 109. The devices mounted in the units 102 to 109 may be configured so that the units can communicate with the external network through the network apparatus of the unit 101. Note that the power supply apparatus and the network apparatus may be mounted in other units. In this manner, the unit 101 accommodates one or more devices in the internal space of the unit 101. Note that the unit 101 may accommodate one or more devices for the same function in the internal space, or may accommodate a plurality of devices for a plurality of different functions in the internal space. The unit 101 may, for example, be at least partially embedded in the ground. However, it is not particularly limited thereto. Alternatively, the unit 101 may be coupled to a foundation disposed in the ground using a fastening bolt and the like. The unit 101 may be coupled to a support pillar embedded in the ground.

The unit 102 is, for example, a unit having a function of digital signage. The unit 102 includes, for example, a display and a control unit (controller). The unit 102 may include a speaker and a microphone. The unit 102 may further include an edge computer (Multi-access/Mobile Edge Computing (MEC) server). The unit 102 accommodates one or more devices in the internal space of the unit 102. Note that, in the unit 102, one or more devices for the same function (for example, the function of the digital signage) may be accommodated in the internal space, or a plurality of devices for a plurality of different functions may be accommodated in the internal space.

The units 103 and 104 are units each having a function of a traffic signal. The unit 103 is a unit having a function of a traffic signal for pedestrians. The unit 104 is a unit having a function of a traffic signal for vehicles. A configuration of the unit 103 having the function of a traffic signal for pedestrians is similar to a configuration of the unit 104 except that a traffic signal lighting device is used for pedestrians. Therefore, the unit 104 will be described, and the description of the unit 103 will be omitted.

FIG. 3 shows a configuration example of the unit 104. In the unit 104, a traffic signal lighting device 192 is attached to a body 191. The traffic signal lighting device 192 includes green (blue), yellow, and red lamps. The body 191 includes an attachment to which an attachment tool 194 is attached. An arm of the traffic signal lighting device 192 is attached to the body 191 with the attachment tool 194 interposed therebetween. The body 191 may include therein a camera that is used to control the traffic signal lighting device. A transparent cover 193 for protecting the camera may be attached to the body 191. The unit 103 accommodates one or more devices in an internal space of the unit 103. Note that, in the unit 103, one or more devices for the same function (for example, the function of the traffic signal) may be accommodated in the internal space, or a plurality of devices for a plurality of different functions may be accommodated in the internal space.

The unit 104 may include a control device for controlling a signal lighting device in the internal space (inside the body 191) of the unit 104, the control device controlling the traffic signal lighting device 192. Note that this control device is not necessarily disposed in the unit 104, and may be disposed in another unit. Further, a signal lighting device control circuit is not necessarily disposed in one of units of the multifunctional pole 100. For example, the signal lighting device control circuit may be disposed outside the multifunctional pole 100. In this case, the signal lighting device control circuit may communicate with the unit 104 through a network and control the traffic signal lighting device 192 through the network.

The unit 105 is a unit having a function of a security camera. The unit 105 includes, for example, a camera that captures an image of an area near the multifunctional pole 100 and a camera control circuit. The unit 105 accommodates one or more devices in an internal space of the unit 105. Note that, in the unit 105, one or more devices for the same function (for example, the function of the security camera) may be accommodated in the internal space, or a plurality of devices for a plurality of different functions may be accommodated in the internal space.

The units 106 to 108 are units for adjusting a height or a length of the pole. Therefore, the units 106 to 108 may not accommodate the devices, but may accommodate one or more devices as with other units.

The unit 109 is a unit having a function of a base station. The unit 109 may have a function of a public WiFi (registered trademark) base station, or may be a unit having a function of a 5th Generation (5G) antenna base station. Therefore, the unit 109 may have, for example, a radio communication device (transceiver). Note that a communication system of a radio communication function included in the multifunctional pole 100 is not limited to 5G and public WiFi. The multifunctional pole 100 may have a unit including a radio communication device of a communication system such as Multi-Channel Access (MCA) Advance or Cellular V2X (Vehicle to X) (C-V2X). Further, the radio communication is not limited to 5G, and may instead be radio communication conforming to a next generation communication standard. The unit 109 accommodates one or more devices in an internal space of the unit 109. Note that the unit 109 may accommodate one or more devices for the same function (for example, a function of a base station in one communication system) in the internal space. Further, the unit 109 may accommodate a plurality of devices for a plurality of different functions (for example, functions of a plurality of base stations for a plurality of different communication systems) in the internal space.

In the multifunctional pole 100, a device that generates power from renewable energy, for example, a solar panel 110, is attached onto the unit 109. The solar panel 110 may be connected to the power supply shared line 171 as the power supply apparatus.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show perspective views of a unit that may be used as the units 101 to 109. Hereinafter, when these units are referred to without being particularly distinguished, these units are referred to as units 120. Note that FIG. 4 shows a state in which the door 124 provided in the unit 120 is open, and FIG. 5 shows a state in which the door 124 provided in the unit 120 is closed. A unit 120 includes a cylindrical body 123. The body 123 is formed of a material such as metal. The body 123 may be formed of various types of materials depending on the strength required for the unit and the weight allowed for the unit. For example, a unit that is expected to be installed at a high position in the multifunctional pole 100 may be formed of a light material such as carbon fiber.

Further, the unit 120 includes a housing 150 in which the devices 90 (for example, devices for providing the above-described predetermined functions) are accommodated inside the body 123. Further, the unit 120 includes, inside the body 123, a wiring management apparatus 160 for managing connection between the shared lines wired to the plurality of coupled units 120 and the devices 90 accommodated in the housing 150 in the unit 120. The door 124 provided in the unit 120 covers a front surface of the housing 150. A user such as a manager can open the door 124, for example, thereby accommodating the device 90 in the housing 150 and taking out the device 90 from the housing 150. The cross-sectional shape of the unit 120 in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction may be elliptical or oblong. However, it is not limited to a particular shape. When the cross-sectional shape is elliptical or oblong, a device can be accommodated more efficiently than when the cross-sectional shape is circular. Further, an impression of the appearance can be improved. Lengths of the respective units (lengths of the pole in the longitudinal direction) may be different from each other or the same as each other.

The unit 120 includes a first connection part 121 at one end thereof in the longitudinal direction and a second connection part 122 at the other end thereof in the longitudinal direction. A plurality of units may be coupled by connecting the first connection part 121 of one unit (a first unit) 120 to the second connection part 122 of another unit (a second unit) 120.

The first unit (its first connection part) may be directly connected to the second unit (its second connection part). Alternatively, the first connection part may be connected to the second connection part with a connection member therebetween, the connection member being provided for connecting the connection parts to each other.

Note that the order of the units 101 to 109 shown in FIG. 2B is an example, and the order of the units in the multifunctional pole 100 is not limited to a particular order. Each of the units includes the first connection part 121 and the second connection part 122, and an arrangement order of the units in the multifunctional pole 100 can be freely changed. Further, in the multifunctional pole 100, the unit disposed at the lowest position only needs to have the second connection part 122 and may not have the first connection part 121. In this manner, one pole is configured of the plurality of units 120 coupled in a row.

In the present example embodiment, a pole of the multifunctional pole 100 is formed by appropriately combining the plurality of units 101 to 109 with each other. Each of the units has a predetermined function, and various types of functions can be added to the multifunctional pole 100 by appropriately selecting units to be used as the pole of the multifunctional pole 100. In the present example embodiment, the units 101 to 109 that form the pole have functions provided by the multifunctional pole 100. Therefore, as compared to a case where various types of devices are externally attached to the pole, the multifunctional pole 100 can prevent a cluttered appearance.

Next, a wiring structure in the unit 120 will be described. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the wiring structure in the unit 120. Each of the units 120 has the power supply shared line 171 and the communication shared line 172. The power supply shared line 171 and the communication shared line 172 correspond to the shared line 3 shown in FIG. 1. The power supply shared line 171 is a wiring through which power is transmitted, and the communication shared line 172 is a wiring through which a signal is transmitted. The power supply shared line 171 is connected to a power supply apparatus that is provided at any position of the multifunctional pole 100 and supplies power to the power supply shared line 171. Further, the communication shared line 172 is connected to a network apparatus that is provided at any position of the multifunctional pole 100 and relays communication between the communication shared line 172 and an external network.

The power supply shared line 171 shown in FIG. 6 is connected to a power supply shared line 171 passing through another unit 120 coupled to the unit 120 shown in FIG. 6. Specifically, the power supply shared lines 171 of the adjacent units 120 are connected to each other by connecting connectors 173a to each other, the connectors being used as power supply interfaces. The power supply shared line 171 extends from one end to the other end of the unit 120 and is connected to the connectors 173a in the internal space of the unit 120. Note that the connectors 173a are terminals provided at both ends of the unit 120, that is, at end portions connected to other units 120. Note that, in a case where the unit 120 is connected to the other unit 120 only at one of both ends as the lowermost unit 120, the connector 173a only needs to be provided at the end portion to which the other unit 120 is connected.

Similarly, the communication shared line 172 shown in FIG. 6 is connected to a communication shared line 172 passing through another unit 120 coupled to the unit 120 shown in FIG. 6. Specifically, the communication shared lines 172 of the adjacent units 120 are connected to each other by connecting connectors 173b to each other, the connectors being used as communication interfaces. The communication shared line 172 extends from one end to the other end of the unit 120 and is connected to the connectors 173b in the internal space of the unit 120. Note that the connectors 173b are terminals provided at both ends of the unit 120, that is, at end portions connected to other units 120. Note that, in a case where the unit 120 is connected to the other unit 120 only at one of both ends as the lowermost unit 120, the connector 173b only needs to be provided at the end portion to which the other unit 120 is connected.

As described above, the multifunctional pole 100 is configured by coupling any number of units 120. Hence, it is also possible to add, replace, or remove a unit 120 that is coupled. Therefore, it is preferable that the connector 173a and the connector 173b included in the unit 120 be standardized. In the present example embodiment, a shape of the connector 173a is standardized, and each unit 120 has the connectors 173a configured of respective terminals having a uniform shape. Further, an installation position of the connector 173a is standardized in the unit 120, and each unit 120 has the connectors 173a (terminals) arranged at uniform positions. Specifically, the installation position of the connector 173a is standardized such that the position of the connector 173a of one of the coupled units 120 corresponds to the position of the connector 173a of the other unit. Consequently, the power supply shared lines 171 of the adjacent units 120 can be easily connected to each other.

Similarly, in the present example embodiment, a shape of the connector 173b is standardized, and each unit 120 has the connectors 173b configured of respective terminals having a uniform shape. Further, an installation position of the connector 173b is standardized in the unit 120, and each unit 120 has the connectors 173b (terminals) arranged at uniform positions. Specifically, the installation position of the connector 173b is standardized such that the position of the connector 173b of one of the coupled units 120 corresponds to the position of the connector 173b of the other unit. Consequently, the communication shared lines 172 of the adjacent units 120 can be easily connected to each other.

In this manner, in the present example embodiment, the unit 120 has the terminal having both the standardized shape and the standardized installation position as the terminal for connecting the shared lines. However, at least one of the shape and the installation position may be standardized. Note that, although there is a possibility that an advantage of ease of connection cannot be obtained, neither the shape nor the installation position may be standardized.

The wiring management apparatus 160 is an apparatus that is accommodated in the internal space of the unit 120 and manages connection between the shared line and the device 90 accommodated in the housing 150 in the unit 120. In the present example embodiment, the wiring management apparatus 160 includes a distribution board 161 and a power meter 162 as apparatuses related to the power supply shared line 171. Further, the wiring management apparatus 160 includes a switch 163 as an apparatus related to the communication shared line 172.

The distribution board 161 corresponds to the branching apparatus 4 of FIG. 1, and is a control circuit that causes the power supply shared line 171 to branch to the device 90 accommodated in the housing 150. The distribution board 161 relays power transmission between the power supply shared line 171 and a connector 166a to be described below. The power supply shared line 171 and a power supply branch line 164 connected to the connector 166a are connected to the distribution board 161, and the distribution board 161 distributes power flowing in the power supply shared line 171 to the devices 90 in the unit 120 in which the distribution board 161 is present. For example, the distribution board 161 includes a switch for cutting off power transmission to each connector 166a, and when this switch is operated, power transmission to any connector 166a is cut off or permitted. The operation of the switch of the distribution board 161 may be performed in accordance with an instruction transmitted from an apparatus outside the multifunctional pole 100. Note that the distribution board 161 may include a safety circuit such as a leakage breaker. In this manner, in the present example embodiment, power transmission for the device 90 is performed via the series of power supply shared lines 171 and the distribution board 161.

Further, the power meter 162 measures the amount of power branched by the distribution board 161. That is, the power meter 162 measures the amount of power consumed by the device 90 in the unit 120. The power meter 162 may be a smart meter. That is, the power meter 162 may automatically transmit a measured value to an apparatus outside the multifunctional pole 100. Further, the power meter 162 may measure the amount of consumed power for each device 90. Since the unit 120 includes the power meter 162 as described above, the amount of power used by each user can be identified even when different users use respective units 120. Therefore, for example, power rates to be charged to respective users can be easily identified.

Next, the switch 163, which is an apparatus related to the communication shared line 172, will be described. The switch 163 corresponds to the branching apparatus 4 of FIG. 1, and is a control circuit that causes the communication shared line 172 to branch to the device 90 accommodated in the housing 150. The switch 163 relays signal transmission for communication between the communication shared line 172 and a connector 166b to be described below. The switch 163 is connected to a communication shared line 172 and a communication branch line 165 connected to the connector 166b. For example, the switch 163 is, for example, a Layer 2 switch (L2 switch), but may be another apparatus such as a router. An operation of the switch 163 may be performed in accordance with an instruction transmitted from an apparatus outside the multifunctional pole 100. In this manner, in the present example embodiment, the signal transmission for the device 90 is performed via the series of communication shared lines 172 and the switch 163.

Further, in the present example embodiment, devices which are accommodated in the housing 150 can be added, replaced, and removed. Therefore, it is preferable that a shape of the device accommodated in the housing 150 be standardized. That is, in the present example embodiment, the housing 150 accommodates the device 90 having a standardized shape. Consequently, it is possible to easily add or replace the device accommodated in the housing 150. FIG. 7 is a schematic view showing attachment of the device 90 to the housing 150. Note that, although FIG. 7 shows a configuration example for accommodating one device 90, the housing 150 may accommodate a plurality of devices 90 by including a plurality of configurations with the configuration shown in FIG. 7 as one unit. In the present example embodiment, the device 90 is attached to the housing 150 by inserting the device 90 having a predetermined standardized shape into the housing 150 that accommodates the device 90 having the predetermined shape. Note that a guide mechanism such as a rail 151 for assisting the device 90 in moving in the housing 150 may be provided on an inner side of an accommodation space of the housing 150 so that the device 90 is easily inserted into or taken out from the housing 150.

As shown in FIG. 7, the connector 166a for connecting the device 90 and the power supply branch line 164 branching from the power supply shared line 171 by the distribution board 161 is provided on a back surface (that is, a surface opposite to the surface on the opening side) of the accommodation space of the housing 150. The connector 166a is a unit-side terminal provided to connect the power supply branch line 164 and the device 90, and is connected to a connector 91a of the device 90. Similarly, a connector 166b for connecting the device 90 and the communication branch line 165 branching from the communication shared line 172 by the switch 163 is provided on the back surface of the accommodation space of the housing 150. The connector 166b is a unit-side terminal provided to connect the communication branch line 165 and the device 90, and is connected to a connector 91b of the device 90. On the other hand, the device 90 also has the connector 91a for connecting the power supply branch line 164 and the device 90 on a predetermined surface (surface in a direction in which the device is inserted into the housing 150) of the device. The connector 91a is a device-side terminal provided to connect the power supply branch line 164 and the device 90, and is connected to a connector 166a of the housing 150. Similarly, the connector 91b for connecting the communication branch line 165 and the device 90 is provided on a predetermined surface (surface in the direction in which the device is inserted into the housing 150) of the device 90. The connector 91b is a device-side terminal provided to connect the communication branch line 165 and the device 90, and is connected to the connector 166b of the housing 150. In the present example embodiment, a shape of the connector 166a of the housing 150 is standardized. Accordingly, a shape of the connector 91a of the device 90 is also standardized. Similarly, a shape of the connector 166b of the housing 150 is standardized, and accordingly, a shape of the connector 91b of the device 90 is also standardized. Furthermore, in the present example embodiment, an installation position (position in the back surface of the accommodation space) of the connector 166a of the housing 150 is also standardized, and accordingly, an installation position (position on the predetermined surface) of the connector 91a of the device 90 is also standardized. Similarly, an installation position (position in the back surface of the accommodation space) of the connector 166b of the housing 150 is also standardized, and accordingly, an installation position (position on the predetermined surface) of the connector 91b of the device 90 is also standardized. Hence, in the present example embodiment, the connectors are fitted to each other only by inserting the device 90 into the housing 150, and the connection between the connector 166a and the connector 91a and the connection between the connector 166b and the connector 91b are completed. Therefore, the device 90 can be easily introduced. In this manner, the housing 150 accommodates the device 90 in which the shape and the installation position of the terminals are standardized. Note that only one of the shape or the installation position may be standardized, or only one of the connector used for the connection of the power supply shared line 171 or the connector used for the connection of the communication shared line 172 may be standardized. Further, although there is a possibility that an advantage of ease of connection cannot be obtained, neither the shape nor the installation position may be standardized. Note that the housing 150 may have a keyed lid that covers the device 90 inserted into the housing 150, for waterproofing, dustproofing, or crime prevention. Further, in order to prevent the device 90 from falling, the housing 150 may have a latch.

The example embodiments have been described above. As described above, the multifunctional pole 100 can accommodate a device in each of the plurality of units 120 which are coupled. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the pole from having a cluttered appearance as compared with a case where a plurality of external devices are attached to the pole. The unit 120 includes the shared lines such as the power supply shared line 171 and the communication shared line 172, and the wiring management apparatus 160 configured to perform branching of the shared line to the devices 90 accommodated in the unit 120. Therefore, the cables (the power supply branch line 164 and the communication branch line 165) connected to the device 9 only need to extend to the wiring management apparatus 160 present in the same unit 120 as the device 90. The shared line is used for transmission across the plurality of units 120. Hence, even when the number of units 120 to be coupled increases and the total number of the devices 90 mounted in the multifunctional pole 100 increases, the number of cables that need to be accommodated in each unit 120 is prevented from becoming enormous. Therefore, the wirings of the devices mounted in a pole can be simplified. Further, according to the present example embodiment, even when the total number of the devices mounted in the pole increases, the wirings can be hidden in the pole, so that a cluttered appearance can be curbed. Furthermore, since the wirings are provided inside each unit 120, it is difficult to touch the wirings from the outside, and security is improved. Further, since the wirings are provided inside the unit 120, dustproofness, waterproofness, or the like are also secured.

Further, in the above-described example embodiment, the multifunctional pole 100 to which the traffic signal lighting device 192 is attached from the outside has been described as an example, but the devices or the like may not be externally attached to the multifunctional pole 100. Further, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, any device such as an illumination lamp 195 may be attached from the outside to the multifunctional pole 100, together with the traffic signal lighting device 192 or instead of the traffic signal lighting device 192.

Although the example embodiments according to the present disclosure have been described above in detail, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described example embodiments. The present disclosure also includes those that are obtained by making changes or modifications to the above-described example embodiments without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure.

For example, the whole or part of the example embodiments disclosed above can be described as, but not limited to, the following supplementary notes.

(Supplementary Note 1)

A pole including:

• • a plurality of pole units coupled in a row, wherein
  • each of the pole units includes
  • a first shared line connected to a second shared line passing through another one of the pole units, and
  • a branching apparatus configured to perform branching of the first shared line to a device accommodated in each of the pole units through which the first shared line passes, and
  • the pole is configured of, as one pole, the plurality of pole units coupled in a row.

(Supplementary Note 2)

The pole according to supplementary note 1, wherein

• • the first shared line and the second shared line are wirings configured to transmit power, and
  • power transmission for the device is performed via the second shared line, the first shared line, and the branching apparatus.

(Supplementary Note 3)

The pole according to supplementary note 1, wherein

• • the first shared line and the second shared line are wirings configured to transmit a signal, and
  • signal transmission for the device is performed via the second shared line, the first shared line, and the branching apparatus.

(Supplementary Note 4)

The pole according to any one of supplementary notes 1 to 3, wherein each of the pole units includes, as a terminal for connecting the first shared line and the second shared line, a terminal having at least one of a shape and an installation position standardized.

(Supplementary Note 5)

The pole according to any one of supplementary notes 1 to 4, wherein a terminal having at least one of a shape and an installation position standardized is provided as a pole unit-side terminal configured to connect the device and a branch line branching from the first shared line by the branching apparatus.

(Supplementary Note 6)

The pole according to any one of supplementary notes 1 to 5, including a housing that accommodates the device having a standardized shape.

(Supplementary Note 7)

The pole according to supplementary note 6, wherein the housing accommodates the device having a device-side terminal configured to be connected to a branch line branching from the first shared line by the branching apparatus, the device-side terminal having at least one of a shape and an installation position standardized.

(Supplementary Note 8)

The pole according to supplementary note 2, including a power meter configured to measure an amount of power branched by the branching apparatus.

(Supplementary Note 9)

A pole unit including:

• • a first shared line connected to a second shared line passing through another pole unit; and
  • a branching apparatus configured to perform branching of the first shared line to a device accommodated in the pole unit through which the first shared line passes,
  • wherein the pole unit is coupled to the other pole unit in a row to be used as one pole.

(Supplementary Note 10)

The pole unit according to supplementary note 9, wherein

• • the first shared line and the second shared line are wirings configured to transmit power, and
  • power transmission for the device is performed via the second shared line, the first shared line, and the branching apparatus.

(Supplementary Note 11)

The pole unit according to supplementary note 9, wherein

• • the first shared line and the second shared line are wirings configured to transmit a signal, and
  • signal transmission for the device is performed via the second shared line, the first shared line, and the branching apparatus.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

• • 1 POLE
  • 2 POLE UNIT
  • 3 SHARED LINE
  • 4 BRANCHING APPARATUS
  • 9 DEVICE
  • 90 DEVICE
  • 91a CONNECTOR
  • 91b CONNECTOR
  • 100 MULTIFUNCTIONAL POLE
  • 101-109, 120 UNIT
  • 110 SOLAR PANEL
  • 121 FIRST CONNECTION PART
  • 122 SECOND CONNECTION PART
  • 123 BODY
  • 124 DOOR
  • 150 HOUSING
  • 151 RAIL
  • 160 WIRING MANAGEMENT APPARATUS
  • 161 DISTRIBUTION BOARD
  • 162 POWER METER
  • 163 SWITCH
  • 164 POWER SUPPLY BRANCH LINE
  • 165 COMMUNICATION BRANCH LINE
  • 166a CONNECTOR
  • 166b CONNECTOR
  • 171 POWER SUPPLY SHARED LINE
  • 172 COMMUNICATION SHARED LINE
  • 173a CONNECTOR
  • 173b CONNECTOR
  • 191 BODY
  • 192 TRAFFIC SIGNAL LIGHTING DEVICE
  • 193 COVER
  • 194 ATTACHMENT TOOL
  • 195 ILLUMINATION LAMP