DE3225981A1 - Method and device for synchronising signal stations - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and a device for synchronising at least two independent signal stations, particularly spatially separate traffic lights at roadworks. At the location of one station (e.g. 12A), signalling from another station (12B) is visually observed in order to manually operate the setting device (18) of the first station (12A) when the signal changes. For this purpose, control modules (14) are used which in each case have a particularly redundant timing control (36) and a synchronisation input (22). Each control module (14) preferably has a synchronisation control (24) for the corresponding opposite state of at least one further station. The control modules (14) are of uniform construction and can have devices for manual control, for cable operation and for standby operation with auxiliary power sources. <IMAGE>

Description

Method and apparatus for manufacturing

of the synchronous operation of signal stations Description of the present The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for producing the Synchronous operation of at least two independent, spatially separated signal stations a traffic light system, in particular construction site traffic lights, according to the generic terms of claims 1 and 7.

Should the operation of such a facility be set up at certain intervals Devices are brought into synchronism, so you can use a cable connection Supply control signals. At greater distances, such as with traffic lights Not infrequent in road traffic and on construction sites, however, are the necessary long cables both uneconomical and prone to failure.

Therefore, radio traffic light systems were designed, about what, for example in the article W. Specht, "Lichtzeichen radiogesteuert", Baupraxis 1977 / H. 10, p. 10 ... 13 is reported.

A power supply that is dependent on the public grid is always necessary, since wiring should be avoided. The radio connection can, however, be disturbed and mutual influences can occur; also are a Government approval and fee payments required.

In particular, one has to regulate single-lane construction site traffic also developed signaling systems that manage without radio or cable connections. Each control unit has a quartz-controlled clock generator or control module built-in.

These clock generators have to be put together for each time setting be synchronized with each other. One hand control is ruled out, and different ones Green times and different clearing times are no longer possible. For catching Such systems are therefore poorly suited to traffic peaks.

Furthermore, methods and devices have already been proposed at each signal station there is a control transmitter that controls the periodic Controls the operational sequence and should be removable according to DE-PS 26 32 641 so that the phase position is set at the location of a synchronizing device by connecting it to this will. If all control transmitters are set to synchronous operation one after the other in this way, so they are used again in the relevant signal stations (traffic lights). According to the DE-PS 26 58 555 you can alternatively a synchronizer one after the other to the Spend the operating location of each individual signal light and to the control unit available there to read synchronization signals into its memory. In both cases is the required expenditure in terms of circuitry and operating time not small. There must be 3 possible connections - especially in the form of plug-in connections -all devices are provided, and for the setting of the individual control transmitter phase positions A common synchronization device is essential. Moreover, with transportation at least one device to another location only for Purposes this setting, possibly with subsequent return and reinstallation, In particular, an unreasonable amount of time is consumed when covering long distances are.

The object of the invention is to overcome the disadvantages of Prior art a simplification of both the structure and the handling to achieve by signal systems of the type mentioned. It should be the security the generally automatic operation must be guaranteed as well as the possibility manual operation if necessary.

The main features of the method according to the invention are in the characterizing part Part of claim 1 specified. The basic structure of a device according to the invention is the content of the characterizing part of claim 7. Further developments of the invention are the subject of claims 2 to 6 and claims 8 to 21.

Without the need for a radio or cable connection, you can the traffic light control transmitter according to the invention in a very simple manner quickly to synchronous operation bring. Only one and the same values need to be set on each control transmitter to become something that does not have to happen in one place or at the same time. As soon All control transmitters are set to the same values, it is sufficient to observe the The operating status of a traffic light that is already running or the time it was started, to - to be on the safe side after a blocking period has expired - the other or each additional one Set traffic lights to synchronous operation. The invention also provides that at each Station also the operating status of the or each other station is displayed or is at least verifiable. Relatively simple means are required for the construction. In particular, each control transmitter contains a redundant timing control, so that high operational safety is guaranteed. The status of two of the same kind is continuously becoming Ring counter compared so that when a time difference occurs one Error detection gets going. If there is synchronization, a signal distributor outputs the Control signals to both or all control transmitters in parallel, on the one hand to a yellow time generator, on the other hand to a synchronous test display. In addition to the Synchronization control, each control module has a setting and starting device that can be charged with the input values of one or the other control transmitter and at the activation of which can be actuated. A hand switch connection can also be provided in order to be able to switch from automatic operation to manual control if necessary. An important advantage of the ore in manure is that there are different green times and have precisely adapted clearing times set.

In that, according to the invention, the design of all control modules is uniform is, the handling is greatly simplified and the service is much easier. Each station can be battery-powered and for buffer operation with an auxiliary accumulator and / or be set up on a power supply network. The Control transmitter according to the invention, a battery warning display, which in a predetermined time interval of e.g. three days to the imminent lighting up of a battery fault indicator indicates. The accumulators can easily be accommodated in the lower parts of the traffic lights, which can also contain removable power supply units. In addition, at least can a station have a slot that has a simplified setting and display field for the operating conditions of another station and, so to speak, a built-in stop watch, which can also be observed to run synchronously the one (own) station can be set.

Further features, details and advantages of the invention result from the claims and from the following description of exemplary embodiments based on the drawing.

1 shows a schematic arrangement of a traffic signal system with control devices according to the invention, Fig. 2 is a schematic Top view of setting and display fields of a control module, FIG. 3 is a block diagram a device according to the invention and FIG. 4 shows a block diagram of a timing control.

The one shown schematically in Fig. 1, generally designated 10 The traffic light system (LSA) has two stations, in particular construction site traffic lights 12A, 12B. These have control modules 14A and 14B and in their sub-parts 16A, 16B, respectively Battery parts 76A, 76B.

The control modules 14 have a uniform structure and are therefore among one another interchangeable as required. For the purpose of explanation only, the individual stations are included and the facilities on it with different appendix letters AWAY, ...

marked, depending on the location.

As can be seen from FIG. 2, each control module 14 has a Setting part or input field 18 and a display field 20.

The setting part 18 has a synchronous input or start button 22 as well a function switch 26, a station switch (A / B) 28, a time factor switch 30 and time buttons 32. The display field 20 contains a synchronous display 24 and fault displays 80, 90. Cable connections 84, 86 can also be present.

How the operation is carried out is illustrated by arrows in FIG. 2. First, the function switch 26 is operated to switch on the battery voltage and to get the device ready for operation. Then the A / B station switch is used first 28 defines which traffic light is assigned the next time entry will. To do this, the digits are selected using setting wheels 31 and the time factor switch 30 can be time ranges, for example with one-second steps between 1 and 99 s or can be switched in 10-second steps between 10 and 990 s.

Three times are set, namely the clearance time R, the green time GA of traffic light A and the green time Gg of traffic light B. The input is made by pressing the corresponding key in field 32. The set values become appropriate noted in order to make the same setting on each individual control module 14. The yellow and yellow / red times are set internally to fixed values that are stored in the relevant positions of the function switch 26 checked and if necessary can be adjusted. In the automatic switching position, the system is started and the operation.

For this purpose, by pressing the start button 22 for the one traffic light 12A their operation started. Starting with a green phase the duration GA runs through the traffic light 12A its cycle from yellow to red. After the clearance time R, the green phase G3 and the clearance time R take place with the red / yellow transition to the beginning of the next Cycle with the green phase GA.

To start and operate the traffic light 12B out of phase, the Color change observed at traffic light 12A from red / yellow to green and at this point in time the start button 223 is pressed. Whenever despite the preferred viewing distance to be maintained If there is no visual contact between the two traffic lights 12A, 12B, there is also an indirect one Synchronization possible. The cycle duration results from the input values Sum of GA + G3 + 2 * R, 2.

so that when you start the traffic light 12A you e.g. also have a stopwatch actuated, with the help of which one at a time interval of the simple or multiple Cycle time the traffic light 12B starts.

According to a further development of the invention, for this purpose at least a station (e.g. B / 12B) have a removable insert, if necessary, which has such a "stop watch" in the form of a simplified setting and display field. This means that another station (e.g. 12A) can be operated even if there is no more direct Visible, so that one (own) station (e.g. 12B) starts synchronously can be.

The system 10 works automatically in the "automatic" switch position and continue in sync. With the function selector switch 26, the operating states can alternatively Continuous red, yellow flashing and Off can be set. By plugging in a (not shown) hand switch e.g. in the connection 86 of each control module 14 is a Manual operation possible, with the traffic lights turning green by pressing the button be switched after the route to be controlled has been cleared.

The warning display 78 is preferably designed in such a way that it is already approx h lights up before fault indicator 80 takes effect.

The display 90 reports a red lamp defect in which the light signal system 10 also changes to the warning status flashing yellow. The same thing happens for security reasons when changing the setting of A / B station selection, time factor and times synchronized start. Also a battery powered traffic light 12 that has not yet started, initially shows a yellow flashing light. So that is the safety regulations of DIN 57 832 / VDE 0832 and the "Guidelines for traffic light systems" RiLSA (1981), Section 8./8.63, fully taken into account.

From Fig. 3 and 4, the circuitry structure of an inventive Control module 14 emerges. The setting part 18 is followed by a timing control 36 (FIG. 4), which is controlled by a crystal clock generator 34. This mediates preferably a 1 Hz cycle also to a yellow time generator 64 and to gate circuits 56, 58, which are provided for the detection of phase and timing errors.

The timing controller 36 has a redundant structure. She shows you Main ring counter 40, which acted on one of the setting part 18 on 3. 8 = 24 lines Signal distributor 38 contains. The clearance time R, green phase is given to him on every 8 lines GA and green phase G3 supplied. The output is via 8 lines to a time counter / 2, the output of which is reduced to a divider 44 will, namely at your choice with the time factor switch 30 in a ratio of either 1:10 or from 1: 1. A subsequent phase counter 46 supplies 2-bit signals to a decoder 48, from which the phase signals TA, T13 proceed.

Via a buffer that can also be acted upon by the synchronous input 22 52, a secondary ring counter 50 is parallel to the main ring counter 40. He is the same constructed and provides redundant phase signals TA (R), TB (R). A downstream Time comparator 54 checks that the phase signals match. When a Difference he determines a phase error. An OR link 53 reports one Time error to the error detection 60, which then stops the traffic light operation.

If the phase signals match, a multiplexer 62 is activated, which supplies an A / B signal to the yellow time generator 64 and to a decoder 66 and at the same time a B / A signal to the synchronous display 24 and to the error detection 60 makes. In addition, the multiplexer 62 is for external operation by a decoder driver 68 set up, on the one hand with the function switch 26, on the other hand with the decoder 66 is connected. If cable operation is possible, the decoder driver is used 68 also for cable monitoring at the error detection 60, which in turn has the battery monitor 78 is connected to the battery fault indicator 80.

The traffic lights 12 are controlled by the decoder 66, with one of a sensor 72 influenced brightness control 70 applied to a lamp driver 74, which switches the individual lamps: red / yellow / green on or off. Consists of the red lamp a connection to the red defect indicator 90. The green lamp is via a green interlock 88 connected to the error detection 60.

Here, the respective input of the lamp driver 74 becomes continuous compared with the associated anti-phase signal.

K each with their redundant phase signals All Signals are defined and decoded in such a way that there is no traffic hazard Signal pattern in the system 10 can occur, even if there are defects such as interruptions or short circuits should occur.

The timing is controlled by the quartz clock generator 34, the the preferred 1 Hz cycle with a stability of + 2 10 in the operating temperature range supplies. This means that during a two-week operation - i.e. before a possibly required battery change - a synchronicity error of at most 2 s can occur. The close-tolerance circuits also protect against component failures 56, 54 A (not shown) continuously can be added to the buffer power supply A rechargeable nickel-cadmium battery should be available, e.g. in the event of a power failure to save the existing operating conditions. As a result, it is before especially no readjustment required when changing the battery, and the operation can be continued undisturbed with the previous data.

All of the claims, the description and the drawing Features and advantages, including structural details, spatial arrangements and procedural steps, can both in themselves and in the most varied Combinations are essential to the invention.

Claims (21)

Method and device for producing synchronous operation of signals stations P a t e n t a n s p r ü c h e rz Process for establishing synchronous operation at least two independent, spatially separated signal stations of a traffic signal system, in particular construction site traffic lights, the devices for setting preselectable signal durations have, whereby the same signal durations are set in advance at all stations, in that the stations are arranged within sight and at the location of a station a signal is given visually at another station is observed to adjust the setting device of one station in the event of a signal change operated by hand. 2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that g e k e n n z e i c hn e t, that the signaling by the light signals of the activated other station he follows. 3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that g e k e n n z e i c hn e t, that the signaling by hand signals, by optical, electrical or acoustic Message or by time stops from the start of the other station. 4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized g e k e n n it is clear that the expiry of a blocking time has been waited for for a first setting becomes, namely a red phase, before the setting device of one station is operated. 5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized g e k e n n indicates that at every station the operation of the or every other station is shown. 6. The method according to at least one of claims 1 to 5, characterized It is not noted that each station can check synchronous operation at will the or each other station is set up. 7. Device for producing synchronous operation at least two independent, spatially separated signal stations of a traffic signal system (10), in particular construction site traffic lights (12A, 12B), each of which has a control module (14A, 14B) with quartz clock generator (34) and with a device (18A 18) for setting preselectable Signal durations and a display field (20A, 20B), thereby g e k e n n z e i c F n e t that each control module (14A, 14B) contains a timing controller (36) and in addition to the setting device (18A, 18B) a synchronous input (22A, 22B). 8. The device according to claim 7, characterized in that g e k e n n z e i c hn e t, that the timing control (36) is redundant. 9. Apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that g e k e n n z e i c hn e t, that the timing controller (36) in parallel with one of the setting means (18A, 18B) from directly controlled main ring counter (40) a secondary ring counter (50) which has a buffer (52) and the synchronous input (22A, 22B) can be influenced. 10. The device according to claim 9, characterized in that it is e t, that main and secondary ring counters (40; 50) control a time comparator (54), from which an error detection (60) can be applied when a time difference occurs is. 11. Device according to one of claims 7 to 10, characterized g e k e n n z e i c h n e t that the timing control (36) is followed by a signal distributor (38) is that the control signals for both or all control modules (14A, 14B) in parallel issues. 12. Apparatus according to claim 11, characterized in that it is e k e n n z e i c hn e t that the parallel control signals on the one hand a yellow time generator (64), on the other hand a synchronous test display (24A, 24B) can be fed. 13. The device according to at least one of claims 7 to 12, characterized it is noted that each control module (14A, 14B) has a display field (20A, 20B) on which the operating status of all stations (12A, 12B) of the system (10) is continuously recognizable. 14. The device at least according to claim 7 and 13, characterized g e k e n n z e i c h n e t that on each control module (14A, 14B) a synchronization control (24A, 24B) for the corresponding counter-state of the other control module (s) (14B, 14A) is present. 15. The device according to at least one of claims 7 to 14, characterized it is noted that on each control module (14A, 14B) a setting and start device (18A, 22A; 18B, 22B) is provided, which with the input values one or the other control module (14B, 14A) can be acted upon and when it is started up is actuatable. 16. The device according to at least one of claims 7 to 15, characterized it is not noted that each station (12A, 12B) is battery-powered and for Buffer operation with a continuously rechargeable Milfs accumulator and / or on one Power supply network is set up. 17. The device according to at least one of claims 7 to 16, characterized it is not indicated that the construction of all control modules (14A, 14B) is uniform. 18. Device according to at least one of claims 7 to 17, characterized it is not noted that a manual button connection is provided on the or each control module (14A, 14B) (86) is provided. 19. The device according to at least one of claims 7 to 18, characterized It is not noted that at least one station (e.g. 12A) has a synchronization tool in the form of an insert, the essential operating settings and conditions a spatially separated and in particular arranged out of direct view station (e.g. 12B) leads or displays. 20. Apparatus according to claim 19, characterized in that it is not e t that the plug-in unit has a selector switch, a time table control with time setting, contains a synchronous input (start button) and signaling devices, namely optical ones and / or acoustic indications. 21. Device according to at least one of claims 10 to 20, characterized it is not indicated that a monitoring device is present, which the system (10) can only be started up if the error detection (60) is free of findings.