AT16572U1 - Device and method for monitoring surface condition data of a traffic route - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (1) for detecting surface condition data of a traffic route, in particular a roadway, comprising a surface temperature sensor (2) for detecting a surface temperature of the traffic area and a plurality of electrodes (3), the electrodes (3) being positioned at a distance from one another and the first Ends of the electrodes (3) are arranged such that an electrical connection between the electrodes (3) can be established by wetting an upper side of the device (1) with an electrolyte solution. In order to determine the surface condition, the invention provides that the electrodes (3) can be charged in pairs with an electrical voltage in order to record a conductivity between the respective electrodes (3), a data logger (7) being provided for the temporary storage of the recorded data ,

Description

DEVICE AND METHOD FOR MONITORING SURFACE STATUS DATA OF A TRAFFIC PATH The invention relates to a device for acquiring surface condition data of a traffic route, in particular a carriageway, comprising a surface temperature sensor for detecting a surface temperature of the traffic area and a plurality of electrodes, the electrodes being positioned spaced apart from one another and first Ends of the electrodes are arranged such that an electrical connection between the electrodes can be established by wetting an upper side of the device with an electrolyte solution.

[0002] The invention further relates to the use of such a device.

In addition, the invention relates to a further use of such a device.

Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for monitoring a surface condition of traffic areas, preferably lanes, wherein a surface temperature of the traffic area is measured.

From the prior art, a device for detecting surface condition data of a traffic route is known, wherein a plurality of electrodes are arranged on the top of the device, so that a degree of coverage of the roadway by a liquid and possibly a salt concentration can be measured. However, such measuring devices generally lead to inaccurate and therefore also unreliable results.

The object of the invention is therefore to provide a device of the type mentioned, with which a surface condition of a traffic route can be precisely determined.

Another object of the invention is to provide a first use for such a device.

In addition, it is an object of the invention to provide a further use for such a device.

Furthermore, it is an object of the invention to provide a method of the type mentioned, with which a surface condition of a traffic route can be determined precisely.

The object is achieved in that, in a device of the type mentioned, the electrodes can be charged in pairs with an electrical voltage in order to detect a conductivity between the respective electrodes, a data logger being provided for the temporary storage of recorded data.

An advantage achieved with the invention can be seen in particular in the fact that any two electrodes can be combined with one another, so that a conductivity can be measured between a large number of different electrode pairs. This increases the accuracy or precision of the measurement, since a large number of measurements can be carried out with different pairs of electrodes. In addition, the surface temperature of the traffic area can be recorded simultaneously. To apply an electrical voltage to the pair of electrodes, a first electrode of the pair of electrodes can be connected or connected with an electrical positive pole and a second electrode of the pair of electrodes with an electrical negative pole or vice versa. For example, with four electrodes there are twelve different pairs of electrodes or pairs of electrodes. In order to ensure a precise measurement, the device preferably has at least two, four, six, eight or more electrodes. As a rule, four electrodes are provided. Of course, the conductivity measurement for each pair of electrodes can be carried out as often as desired and in short time intervals in order to generate as much data as possible for the essentially identical surface condition. The data logger is used for temporary storage

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Advantageously, second ends of the electrodes are connected to a circuit board, which is preferably cast in a, in particular waterproof, resin. Thus, on the one hand, a compact and, on the other hand, protection of the required electronics against seepage water or soil moisture is made possible. The circuit board can have one or more electrical resistors, each of which can optionally be connected in front of an electrode.

A floor temperature sensor is expediently provided for detecting a subsurface temperature. For precise analysis of the surface condition and, if necessary, prediction of a future surface condition of the traffic route, it is useful to measure the substrate temperature, in particular a few centimeters, usually 2 cm to 5 cm, below the surface of the traffic route. The recorded data can also include the background temperature.

Advantageously, the top of the device has a recess, preferably up to 1 mm, in which the first end of the electrodes is arranged. As a rule, the recess serves to collect a liquid, so that the conductivity of the liquid can be measured over a longer period and / or more precisely. In this way, a salt concentration in the liquid can optionally be determined precisely. Optionally, the depression can also be formed deeper than 1 mm, in particular approximately 2 mm to 5 mm.

It is expedient if a control unit is provided for the automated application of an electrical voltage to the electrodes in pairs. The control unit can, for example, be arranged on the circuit board or be electrically connected to it. The control unit can be used to control the application of the electrical voltage to the electrodes and / or a coupling of the electrodes. In this context, coupling of the electrodes is understood to mean pair-wise electrical interconnection or the application of an electrical voltage to two electrodes.

[0016] A transmitting device is expediently provided for, in particular wireless, transmission of data temporarily stored in the data logger. This ensures that the acquired data can be read out from the device at least in part and, if appropriate, possibly determined from a plurality of acquired data and / or transmitted to a central server. It is particularly preferably provided that the transmission device is designed as a Bluetooth, radio and / or GSM transmitter. A wireless transmission makes it possible for the recorded data and / or the mean values to be processed further from a central location without physically contacting each device or having to actively visit them.

A USB connection is preferably provided, which is in particular designed to be watertight. Acquired data can also be read out via the USB connection. On the other hand, the device can be powered via the USB port. Alternatively, any other power connection can be provided. The floor temperature sensor can optionally be integrated in the USB connection.

It is expediently provided that the device has a housing, in particular at least partially made of concrete. In particular, the circuit board, the electrodes, the data logger and / or the transmission device and, if appropriate, further functional components can be cast with a resilient material, for example with concrete, the resilient material representing the housing. The functional components, for example the circuit board and / or the electrodes, are preferably first cast with a resin and the components cast with the resin are cast with concrete. The housing ensures a high load-bearing capacity of the device, so that it can also be used in or on a heavily used traffic route, in particular on a road.

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A form of housing can be selected depending on the requirement or area of application. Alternatively, the housing can be formed from a plastic or comprise a plastic. The housing particularly preferably comprises a concrete core which is surrounded by a frame. Depending on the area of application, the housing can be made from different materials or material combinations. For example, the housing can be at least partially made of wood, plastic, metal, concrete, stone or the like or comprise such a material. The housing is expediently designed such that it corresponds in each case to the required common load classes A 15, B 125, C 250, D 400, E 600 and F 900 or the corresponding test loads of 1.5 t, 12.5 t, 25 t , 40t, 60t and 90 t withstands.

The device is advantageously designed as a manhole cover of roadways. The device can thus be inserted into an already existing opening or depression in the traffic route. The device can be designed, for example, as a cast concrete manhole cover, comprising the concrete core and the frame. The frame is preferably made from a metal, for example from a cast iron, or from a plastic.

[0020] As a rule, the data recorded here comprise those data which are recorded using measuring devices, sensors and the like of the device or in a method for monitoring a surface condition of traffic areas. In particular, the recorded data include the surface temperature, the conductivity values recorded during the conductivity measurement or measurements and the background temperature.

In the sense of the invention, the terms conductivity and resistance are to be regarded as equivalent, since the conductivity results directly from the resistance. For the purposes of the invention, a detection of the conductivity thus includes, in addition to a direct detection of the conductivity, the detection of the resistance to the same extent.

[0022] The further object is achieved by using such a device for the automated setting of a variable speed limit in danger areas of a roadway. As a rule, the device is used on dangerous curves that tend to form ice at cold temperatures. The device can be used to monitor the surface condition of the road and, in particular, ice formation, the device automatically transmitting a signal to a controllable, preferably digital, speed limiter, where appropriate, after which the speed is adapted to the surface condition. The same can also be done in the case of a wet or dirty roadway determined by the device.

In addition, a further object is achieved by using such a device for early warning on icy and / or wet roads. Analogous to the regulation of the speed, the device can transmit a signal to a digital display device on the roadside, on which a corresponding warning sign can be displayed.

The procedural object is achieved according to the invention in that several measurements are carried out in a method of the type mentioned at the outset, in each case two electrodes are subjected to an electrical voltage and a conductivity value between the electrodes is detected, after which an average conductivity value from the detected conductivity values is calculated, after which the surface condition is determined on the basis of the average conductivity.

An advantage achieved with the invention can be seen in particular in the fact that in such a method a large number of conductivity values are measured at short time intervals, from which an average value can be calculated, whereby an increased accuracy of the measurement is achieved.

It is expedient if different voltage pairs are applied to the electrical voltage during the measurement processes, the measurement processes preferably being repeated at least as often until with all possible pairwise combinations of

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Electrodes was measured. By using as many different electrode pairs as possible, a further increased measuring accuracy can be achieved. In addition, the fact that the electrodes can be combined in pairs means that just a few electrodes lead to many possible combinations. For example, twelve possible electrode pairs result from four electrodes. It is taken into account here that the electrodes are not only combinable with one another as desired, but moreover each electrode can be connected to the electrical positive pole or to the electrical negative pole. With predetermined pairs of electrodes with a predetermined voltage, 24 individual electrodes would be required for this.

Usually, at least 50, preferably 75 to 150, particularly preferably about 100 measurement processes are carried out. The measuring accuracy can also be further increased as a result. It is advantageous if the measurement processes are carried out several times for all possible pairs of electrodes.

[0028] The electrodes are advantageously automated in pairs, in particular by means of a control unit, with the electrical voltage. This enables the measurement to be carried out fully automatically. For this purpose, the control unit can comprise, for example, a chip on which a measurement program is stored. The measurement program can prescribe, for example, which electrode pairs and how often they should be measured.

A floor temperature in an underground beneath a surface of the traffic area is advantageously measured.

Acquired data are preferably transmitted wirelessly, preferably by radio, to an evaluation unit in which the surface state is determined from the acquired data. This means that a distance that must be covered by a service team can be reduced, since the data does not have to be fetched from every measuring device or device. In addition, no complex cable system is required, so that the device can be installed or used quickly.

[0031] A prediction model for the surface condition is expediently calculated from the acquired data. For this purpose, the data, in particular the surface temperature, the conductance values and the substrate temperature, can be combined. Self-learning software can be provided, for example, for evaluating the data and / or for calculating the prediction model. In addition, it can be provided that the recorded data are supplemented with weather data in order to generate a reliable forecast model.

[0032] It is advantageous if a multiplicity of measurement processes are carried out essentially simultaneously at different positions in order to determine the surface condition of a traffic area network. For example, on the basis of the conductance, a salinity, a moisture content of the road or a degree of coverage with ice in a large area, preferably in a municipality, town or city area, can be determined. In this way, an operational plan for necessary work, such as salt spreading, can be drawn up.

Further features, advantages and effects of the invention result from the exemplary embodiments presented below. In the drawings, to which reference is made, show:

1 shows an apparatus according to the invention;

[0035] FIG. 2 shows a device designed as a manhole cover;

Figure 3 is a diagram of a test measurement of an electrical resistance;

4 is a diagram of a test measurement of a surface temperature.

1, a device 1 according to the invention for detecting surfaces is closed

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Status data of a traffic route is shown. The device 1 in this case comprises a surface temperature sensor 2, which is arranged on the top of the device 1. This surface temperature sensor 2 is generally used to detect a temperature of the traffic area, in particular a street.

In addition, the device 1 has a plurality of electrodes 3, which can be charged in pairs with an electrical voltage, so that a conductivity or a resistance between the electrodes 3 can be detected. For this purpose, the electrodes 3 are arranged with a first end of the respective electrodes 3 spaced apart from one another. For example, the conductivity of a liquid film that forms between the electrodes 3 can be measured. The device 1 shown has four electrodes 3, but any number of electrodes 3 can be provided, preferably at least two, six, eight or ten. Furthermore, a recess 4 is provided on the top of the device 1, in which first ends of the electrodes 3 are arranged. A liquid can accumulate in this recess 4, so that a precise measurement can take place. For this purpose, the recess 4 is at least 0.1 mm deep, in particular from 0.2 mm to 2 mm, particularly preferably 1 mm.

In addition, a circuit board 5 is provided, which is connected to measuring devices of the device 1. The circuit board 5 is usually arranged in an interior of the device 1. The circuit board 5 is normally connected on the one hand to the electrodes 3 and / or to the surface temperature sensor 2 and on the other hand to a power source. As shown in FIG. 1, the current source can be designed as a USB connection 6, via which an electrical current can be supplied. Optionally, a floor temperature sensor can also be provided for detecting a subsurface temperature. A control unit is usually arranged on the circuit board 5 or connected to it, with which the application of the electrical voltage to the electrodes 3 can be regulated. The control unit is designed such that it is able to connect two electrodes 3 to one another, so that a first electrode 3 is connected to a positive pole and a second electrode 3 is connected to a negative pole. If necessary, the device 1 can have a rectifier for converting an alternating current into a direct current.

Furthermore, a data logger 7 is provided, in which acquired data, in particular data of a conductivity or resistance measurement and / or a temperature measurement, can be buffered. As a rule, the data logger 7 also comprises a transmission device 8 with which the temporarily stored data can be transmitted.

The device 1 also has a housing 9, which is shown in dashed lines in Fig. 1.

An embodiment of the device 1 is shown in FIG. 2, the device 1 being designed as a manhole cover. The housing 9 here comprises a core which is surrounded by a frame 10. The core is preferably made of concrete. In addition, the recess 4 is formed on the top of the core. As a rule, the functional components of the device 1 are arranged in the core or encapsulated with it, the first ends of the electrodes 3 each being flush with an upper side of the device 1 or a base area of the depression 4. Alternatively, it can be provided that the first ends of the electrodes 3 each protrude on the top of the device 1 or on the base of the recess 4. The frame 10 can be formed, for example, from a plastic or from a metal, for example from cast iron. The dimensions of the device 1, in particular the housing 9, are advantageously chosen such that the device 1 can be inserted into a shaft, for example into a rainwater drain or a sewer access shaft.

When acquiring surface condition data or monitoring a surface condition of traffic areas, the surface temperature of the traffic area is continuously recorded with the surface temperature sensor 2 and temporarily stored in the data logger 7 and / or directly to a receiving device, for example to a server,

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Such a measuring process initially comprises the application of an electrical voltage to two electrodes 3 and the detection of the electrical conductivity or the electrical resistance between the electrodes 3. The recorded conductivity is now temporarily stored in the data logger 7 and / or directly to the receiving device transfer. This measurement process is generally repeated with the electrodes 3 reversed in polarity. Furthermore, the measurement process is repeated for all possible combinations of two electrodes 3, in particular in both polarity variants, so that a large number of data are recorded, temporarily stored in the data logger 7 and / or transmitted to the receiving device. If necessary, several measurement processes can be carried out simultaneously.

An average value is calculated from the conductivity values temporarily stored in the data logger 7 or transmitted to the receiving device.

Since the conductivity or the resistance is essentially dependent on a medium between a pair of electrodes or the number of freely movable charge carriers in the medium, it is possible to infer the surface condition of the road surface from the measured conductivity values or resistance values and in particular from the calculated mean value ,

3 shows a test measurement of the electrical resistance between two electrodes 3 of a device 1 according to the invention, the time being plotted on the abscissa A and the electrical resistance on the ordinate O, the test measurement shown being shown over a period of extends for about four days. Essentially, the test measurement can be divided into three sections 11, 12 13, high resistance values being measured in a first section 11, low resistance values in a second section 12 and medium resistance values in a third section 13.

The high resistance values of the first section 11 of the test measurement of the electrical resistance correspond to a dry to moist road, since there are comparatively few freely movable charge carriers. The same applies to frozen water or an ice layer on the road. For example, an increase in the resistance value when the roadway temperature is measured at the same time, in particular when the roadway temperature is below 0 ° C., may indicate the formation of an ice layer on the roadway.

At the beginning of the second section 12 of the test measurement shown in FIG. 3, a salt or a salt solution was brought onto the device 1. The high salinity of the medium between the electrodes 3 corresponds to the low resistance values measured in the second section 12. This can be the case, for example, if salt is applied to a damp or wet road by a gritter in winter in order to avoid ice formation. At one end of the second section 12, the salt or salt solution was washed off with water. This leads to an increase in the resistance values at the transition to the third section 13.

In the third section 13, average resistance values were measured, which indicate a wet road.

4 shows a test measurement of the surface temperature which corresponds to the test measurement of the electrical resistance. The time is also plotted on the abscissa A and the surface temperature on the ordinate O. A low surface temperature, in particular a surface temperature of at most 4 ° C., with a corresponding increase in the electrical resistance can indicate the formation of an ice layer on the road.

Taking into account empirical values, regional climate data and, if appropriate, a measurement of a background temperature, a prognosis and / or a prediction model for the surface condition can be calculated from a measured surface temperature profile and a measured resistance or conductivity profile

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With a device 1 according to the invention and / or a method according to the invention, it is thus possible, for example, to monitor roads on an entire municipal area with regard to moisture. Since the conductivity can also be used to determine a salt concentration in a liquid on the road, it can be checked centrally on a cold winter day, for example, whether salt scattering is required in certain sections of the route or whether sufficient salt is available to prevent the formation of an ice layer. The device 1 according to the invention and the method according to the invention can thus make a significant contribution to reducing the costs of winter service for a traffic network.

Claims (20)

1. Device (1) for detecting surface condition data of a traffic route, in particular a roadway, comprising a surface temperature sensor (2) for detecting a surface temperature of the traffic area and a plurality of electrodes (3), the electrodes (3) being positioned at a distance from one another and first ends of the electrodes (3) are arranged in such a way that an electrical connection between the electrodes (3) can be established by wetting an upper surface of the device (1) with an electrolyte solution, characterized in that the electrodes (3) can be supplied with an electrical voltage in pairs, in order to record a conductivity between the respective electrodes (3), a data logger (7) being provided for the temporary storage of recorded data. 2. Device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that second ends of the electrodes (3) are connected to a circuit board (5) which is preferably cast in a, in particular waterproof, resin. 3. Device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a floor temperature sensor is provided for detecting a subsurface temperature. 4. Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the top of the device (1) has a recess (4), preferably of up to 1 mm, in which the first end of the electrodes (3) is arranged. 5. The device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that a control unit for the automated paired application of the electrodes (3) with an electrical voltage is provided. 6. Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that a transmitting device (8) for, in particular wireless, transmission of data temporarily stored in the data logger (7) is provided. 7. Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that a USB connection (6) is provided, which is in particular designed to be waterproof. 8. Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the device (1) has a housing (9), in particular at least partially made of concrete. 9. The device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the device (1) is designed as a manhole cover of roadways. 10. Use of a device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9 for the automated setting of a variable speed limit in danger areas of a road. 11. Use of a device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9 for early warning on icy and / or wet roads. 12. A method for monitoring a surface condition of traffic areas, preferably lanes, in particular with a device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein a surface temperature of the traffic area is measured, characterized in that several measurement processes are carried out, two electrodes in each case (3) an electrical voltage is applied and a conductivity value is detected between the electrodes (3), after which an average conductivity value is calculated from the recorded conductivity values, after which the surface condition is determined on the basis of the average conductivity value. 13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that in each case different electrode pairs are acted upon with the electrical voltage during the measurement processes, the measurement processes preferably being repeated at least as often until measurements have been made with all possible paired combinations of electrodes (3). 8/11 AT 16 572 U1 2020-01-15 Kterreichiiitiei palpriar.i 14. The method according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that at least 50, preferably 75 to 150, particularly preferably about 100 measurement processes are carried out. 15. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that the electrodes (3) are applied in pairs in an automated manner, in particular by means of a control unit, with the electrical voltage. 16. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 15, characterized in that a floor temperature is measured in a subsurface below a surface of the traffic area. 17. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 16, characterized in that recorded data are transmitted wirelessly, preferably by radio, to an evaluation unit, in which the surface state is determined from the recorded data. 18. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 17, characterized in that a prediction model for the surface condition is calculated from the acquired data. 19. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 18, characterized in that a plurality of measurement processes are carried out substantially simultaneously at different positions in order to determine the surface condition of a traffic area network. 20. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 19, characterized in that the measuring process is repeated with reversed polarity of the electrodes (3), wherein during the measuring processes recorded guide values in the data logger (7) are temporarily stored and / or transmitted directly to a receiving device and where appropriate, several measurement processes are carried out simultaneously.