DE3218581A1 - Method and device for operating a traffic-light system - Google Patents

Abstract

In a traffic-light system, which consists, for example, of two traffic lights set up at both ends of a building site in order to control alternating single-file traffic, the problem exists of setting the two lights in a mutually dependent fashion to a prescribed phase sequence and phase length. The traffic lights are equipped with in each case one clock-pulse generator, one programmed control sensor and one such operating current source. The aim of such a light system is to simplify and improve the synchronisation of the lights and make it less susceptible to faults without a relatively large outlay on equipment. This is achieved when the control sensors of all the lights are programmed for their phase sequence and phase length relative to the other lights individually and independently of one another, and the programmed but not yet switched-on control sensors are put into operation by a central radio signal. A central transmitter, which can be arranged either independently of the lights or else in one of the lights, is provided for transmitting the switch-on pulse.

Description

Method and device for operating a

Traffic light system The invention relates to a method of operation of at least two transportable traffic lights belonging to a system, the each with a clock pulse generator, a programmable control transmitter and a Equipped with its own operating power source and set up spatially separated from each other are, as well as a device for performing the method.

With a traffic light system, for example, consisting of two at both ends There are traffic lights set up at a construction site to ensure two-way one-way traffic To control, there is the problem of the two traffic lights depending on each other to set a specified phase sequence and phase length.

A well-known method of the type mentioned is the tax giver can be removed from the traffic lights and also independent of Make the traffic light operable, with the control transmitter to a synchronizing device brought and there become true.

It is also known with the aid of a separate synchronizing device to go from traffic light to traffic light and the control transmitter by connection with the synchronizing device to bring into synchronization. Both known methods are relatively complex and cumbersome.

It is also known to have a control transmitter only in one traffic light of the system and to transmit its signals to the other traffic lights by radio. the Use of radio traffic lights is limited, however, as the radio signals only one only carrier frequency is assigned and which is due to official regulations have to be relatively weak and have difficulty bridging long distances and are exposed to significant disruptions.

The invention is based on the object of the aforementioned method and to develop the device to the effect that the operation and synchronization is simplified, improved and less susceptible to failure and only a little more technical Effort is required.

According to the invention this object is achieved in that the control transmitter of all traffic lights individually and independently of each other for their phase sequence and phase position programmed relative to the other traffic lights and that the programmed ones Not yet switched on control transmitter in operation via a central radio signal be set. The radio signal, which can be extremely short, is needed for commissioning of the traffic light system only one to be sent out only once, like that that the disadvantages occurring with traffic lights in the method according to the invention are negligibly small.

In principle, the radio signal can be transmitted by any transmitter in the reception area of the traffic lights. Preferably the radio signal but emitted from one of the system's traffic lights, by switching it on this traffic light.

To prevent the Traffic lights can still be adjusted later by commissioning of the traffic lights by radio signal, except for their programming control units Function can be set.

This ensures that the set synchronization does not go through subsequent intentional or accidental manipulations is disturbed, 'according to the invention Traffic light system for carrying out the procedure is characterized by a central one Transmitter for sending out a switch-on impulse as well as one provided at every traffic light Receiver to receive this impulse and to forward it to the respective control unit.

The central transmitter is preferably in at least one of the traffic lights arranged, the button for actuating the transmitter at the same time for commissioning of the control unit provided in this traffic light is connected to it.

In such a traffic light system, the green times throughout the day and if necessary to vary the week in line with the time-related traffic flow, can An adjustable counter for 24-hour selection and, if necessary, in each traffic light Day of the week selection can be arranged. With the help of such a counter, a program-compliant Change of the cycle times for a switching cycle varies as required and the respective time-dependent traffic flow are assigned.

Furthermore, an enable circuit can be provided that controls the counter for the 24-hour and weekday selection only after a switching cycle time releases.

Furthermore, a lock can be provided that the radio signal only after complete programming of the control transmitter can respond to this. Without programming or if the programming is incomplete, the traffic light cannot be put into operation will.

At least for safety reasons, each traffic light can have two clock pulse generators be assigned, both of which are connected to a comparator. If one of the Clock pulse generators do not work or no longer work properly or the two clock pulse generators diverge in time, the disturbance is transmitted to one Logic circuit reported. A changeover switch can be used in the logic circuit be provided that in the event of a fault in one or both clock pulse generators "Yellow flashing" of the respective traffic light toggles.

Quartz timers are preferably used as clock pulse generators, which work precisely and reliably over a relatively long period of time.

The invention is illustrated in the drawing, for example and described in detail below with reference to the drawing.

In the drawing is the block diagram of a programmable control transmitter for a traffic light 1 represented by one of another traffic light or a central one Transmitter incoming radio signal is set in motion.

The control transmitter includes a controller 2, for example from a Read / write memory, addressing for the read / write memory and a presettable counter exists. The controller 2, which via a data line with a logic circuit 3 is connected, is provided with a control panel 4, via which the control transmitter can be programmed. On a display panel 5 can the programmed values are made visible.

From a clock pulse generator 6 which is a quartz timer the controller 2 continuously receives a time reference signal which is very accurate and also over can be kept very precisely for a longer period of time. In parallel with the clock pulse generator 6, a second clock pulse generator 7 is connected, which is also a quartz timer is. Both clock pulse generators 6 and 7 are connected to a comparator 8, which detects when the two clock pulse generators 6 and 7 differ from one another or if one of the two generators fails. Malfunctions in the clock pulse generators are reported by the comparator 8 directly to the logic circuit 3, see above that there can be switched to "yellow flashing". If one of the two clock pulse generators fails, the still functional clock pulse generator can set the clock of the hazard warning lights take over.

Furthermore, the controller 2 with an additional counter 9 for one 24-hour selection connected, so that the green times during the day in each case Temporal traffic flow can be assigned to a construction site in which the traffic light system is used to control two-way traffic, normal green is required in the morning from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. a long green in both directions from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. long green out of town.

Between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. there is a short green in both Directions set.

In addition, the counter 9 can also contain a weekday selection, so that the variation of the green periods, for example on weekends, is chosen differently can be considered on working days.

To ensure that the program changes in the cycle times takes place at the right time, namely when both traffic lights are red, is one separate release circuit is provided, which is integrated into the logic circuit 3 is. The counter 9 receives it from the logic circuit 3 via a data line then in each case its release, so that the switchover occurs precisely with the cycle of the circulation time can be coordinated.

In order to facilitate the setting of the counter 9, this is a display field 10 assigned, on which the respectively set switching intervals can be read can be.

The logic circuit 3 is connected to a radio receiver 11, which is connected to an antenna 12 provided, for example, on top of the traffic light 1 is. The amplified in the radio receiver 11 radio signal, for example from a Another traffic light or a central transmitter comes up, the logic circuit 3 supplied.

In the logic circuit 3, a lock is provided that the Radio signal only lets through when the control transmitter is fully programmed. Traffic light 1 cannot be used before programming or during programming can be put into operation, creating an additional security against a wrong Operation of the traffic light is guaranteed.

The second traffic light, not shown in the drawing, which are common forms a system with the traffic light 1, has a transmitter instead of the radio receiver 11 which sends out the radio signal when this traffic light is switched on.

In this way, the first traffic light can be switched on at the same time the second traffic light will also be put into operation. By putting the traffic lights into operation the control units used for programming become inoperative at the same time set so that during the operation of the traffic light system no longer at the specified Program can be manipulated.

Instead of the radio receiver 11 in the traffic light 1 and the transmitter in the other traffic lights, both traffic lights can of course also have a device in which a transmitter is combined with a receiver. That way it could The traffic light system can be put into operation from both traffic lights.

In another embodiment of the invention, all traffic lights have only a radio receiver, as shown in the drawing, while the transmitter is designed as a separate transportable unit, so that the traffic light system can be put into operation from any location.

In all exemplary embodiments of the system, transmitters switch themselves and receiver after sending or receiving the to start up the system serving radio signal automatically.

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Claims (11)

Claims 1. Method of operating at least two too transportable traffic lights belonging to a system, each with a clock pulse generator, equipped with a programmable control unit and its own operating power source and are set up spatially separated from each other, so d u r c h e k e n n z E i c hn e t that the controllers of all traffic lights individually and independently of each other can be programmed to their phase sequence and phase position relative to the other traffic lights and that the programmed but not yet switched on control unit has a central radio signal can be put into operation. 2. The method according to claim 1, d a d u r c h g ek e n n z e i c h n e t that the radio signal from one of the traffic lights of the system by switching on this traffic light is sent out. 3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, d a d u r c h g e k e n n z e i c h n e t that the commissioning enforce the traffic lights the radio signal of the operating units used for programming are out of order be set. 4. Traffic light system for performing the method according to one of the claims 1 to 3, consisting of at least two spatially separated transportable traffic lights, each of which has its own clock pulse generator, a programmable one Has control transmitter and its own operating power source, g e k e n nz e i c h n e t d u r c h a central transmitter for sending out a switch-on pulse as well a receiver (11) provided at each traffic light for receiving this pulse and for forwarding to the respective tax provider. 5. Traffic light system according to claim 4, d a d u r c h g ek e n n z e i c h n e t that the central transmitter is arranged in at least one of the traffic lights and that the button to operate the transmitter is simultaneously used to start up the in This traffic light provided control transmitter is connected to this. 6. Traffic light system according to claim 4 or 5, d a d u r c -h gek e n n z I do not want an adjustable counter (9) for 24-hour selection in every traffic light and, if necessary, weekday selection is arranged. 7. traffic light system according to claim 6, gek e n n z ei c hn e t d u r c h a release circuit that controls the counter (9) for the 24-hour and weekday selection only releases after one switching cycle time. 8. Traffic light system according to one of claims 4 to 7, g ek e n n z e i C h n e t d u r c h a lock that the radio signal only after complete programming the controller can respond to this. 9. Traffic light system according to one of claims 4 to 8, d ad u r c h g e It is not possible to say that there are at least two clock pulse generators in every traffic light (6, 7) are arranged that both clock pulse generators with a comparator (8) are connected, the malfunctions to a logic circuit (3) reports, and that a changeover switch is provided which, in the event of a fault, switches to 'yellow flashing' of the respective Traffic light switches. 10. Traffic light system according to one of claims 4 to 9, d ad u r c h g e k e n n n z e i c h n e t that quartz timers (6, 7) are provided as clock pulse generators are. 11. Traffic light system according to one of claims 4 to 10, d a d u r c h g It is not noted that the sender and receiver after sending or receiving The radio signal that ends when the system is put into operation can be switched off automatically are.