EP1193653A1 - Device for controlling access used by motor vehicles - Google Patents

Abstract

Equipment has control unit (7) that receives signals from buried vehicle position loops (8,11), a card reader (6) and a pencil light beam transmitter/receiver set (9,10). In normal operation, barrier (2) raises fully to allow a single vehicle through but if a vehicle is detected by position loop to be adjacent to the card reader when leading car is signaled by the light beam the barrier takes an intermediate deterring position as soon as safe.

Description

The present invention relates to an access control device borrowed by motor vehicles and, more particularly, to such a device comprising a heald movable between at least first and second positions in which it bars and releases, respectively, said access, a reading terminal of a access authorization title placed in front of said beam, first and second means for detecting the presence of a vehicle at said terminal and for said beam, respectively, and means supplied by signals emitted by said terminal and said detection means, for controlling the movements of said terminal smooth.

Motor vehicle parking lots are commonly equipped with such devices, to control the entry and / or exit of vehicles. As shown schematically in Figure 1 (plan view) and Figure 2 (view in elevation) of the accompanying drawing, an access control device commonly comprises a barrier consisting of a box 1 for supporting a heddle 2, the box comprising a motor 3 making it possible to selectively rotate the arm 2 around one of its ends. In a first position, shown in solid lines in FIG. 2, the other end of the arm rests on a support 4, in a horizontal position, so that block an access road 5 constituting an entry or exit from a parking. In a second position, shown in broken lines at the Figure 2, the rail 2 is vertical and clears the access path 5 to allow passage of a vehicle.

The opening of the barrier is controlled by reading, in a terminal 6, a ticket (card, ticket, etc.) presented by the driver parking in front of this terminal to present this title to the terminal. A control logic 7, arranged for example in box 1, organizes the reading of the title and the control of the motor 3 actuation of the arm 2.

To do this, logic 7 receives (see Figure 2) a logic signal B emitted by the terminal 6, representative of the valid or invalid character of the title presented, a D1 signal emitted by first detection means 8 of the presence or absence of a vehicle at terminal 6 and another signal emitted by second means of detection of the presence or absence of a vehicle under the arm.

These first and second detection means are commonly constituted each by an inductive "loop" consisting of one or more turns of a metallic conductor embedded under the surface of the access path 5. The loop is supplied by a high current frequency (19 kHz for example). A variation of this frequency, induced by the presence of a metallic mass (that of a motor vehicle) above said loop, is detected by the suitable electronic means forming the signal D ₁ sent to the control logic 7.

This is how when this logic is informed by this signal of the presence of a vehicle in front of the title reading terminal 6, logic 7 authorizes reading of this title via terminal 6 and, if the title is valid, orders the lifting of the boom 2 to allow the passage of the vehicle under this beam. As soon as the means of detection placed under the arm indicate that the vehicle has passed it, logic 7 controls the return of the arm to the closed position.

It has been observed that the device described above authorizes fraud. Indeed, if, during the passage under the arm of a first vehicle, a second vehicle follows closely the first, this second vehicle can benefit from the authorization of passage given to the first vehicle to pass under the arm immediately at its continued without having previously presented a valid access ticket to the terminal. When this title is chargeable, this results in obvious damage to the operator of the fleet of parking.

The present invention therefore aims to achieve a device for controlling a access by motor vehicles, designed to prohibit fraudulent passage of vehicles in this access, in "little train", to use the expression devoted.

This object of the invention is achieved with a device of the type described in the preamble of this description, comprising in particular first and second means for detecting the presence of a vehicle at the bollard and the boom respectively, and means supplied by signals emitted by said terminal and said detection means for controlling the movements of said beam, this device being remarkable in that said second detection means are photosensitive means illuminated by a beam of light passing through the access to control and in that said control means pass the beam from its second position at an intermediate position between it and its first position, when said photosensitive detection means stop signaling the presence of a vehicle at said beam while said first detection means signal the presence of another vehicle at said terminal.

As will be seen later, in its intermediate position, the beam closes sufficient access to prohibit the passage of a next vehicle in a "little train", a first vehicle normally allowed to pass, unlike the driver of the next vehicle.

According to another characteristic of the device according to the invention, it further comprises third detection means for forming a signal representative of the passage of a vehicle beyond the arm, the control means triggering the return of the arm to its first position in response to this signal.

According to yet another characteristic of the device according to the invention, it further includes means for alarming the driver of the vehicle signaled at the level of the terminal, actuated by the control means. Alarm means display a message ordering the stop of this vehicle.

• les figures 1 et 2 représentent schématiquement, en plan et en élévation respectivement, un mode de réalisation préféré d'un dispositif suivant la présente invention, déjà partiellement décrit en préambule de la présente description, et
• les figures 3 et 4 représentent des chronogrammes utiles à l'explication du fonctionnement du dispositif suivant la présente invention.

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear on reading the description which follows and on examining the appended drawing in which:

• FIGS. 1 and 2 schematically represent, in plan and in elevation respectively, a preferred embodiment of a device according to the present invention, already partially described in the preamble to this description, and
• Figures 3 and 4 show timing diagrams useful for explaining the operation of the device according to the present invention.

Reference is made to FIG. 1 of the appended drawing to complete the description of the structure of the device according to the invention. Besides elements or organs 1 to 8 already described, the device comprises photosensitive detection means 9, 10 arranged, in plan view, at the rail 2 or in its immediate vicinity, these means comprising a transmitter 9 of a fine brush of electromagnetic radiation, fixed for example on the support 4 of the arm, and a receiver, or cell, photosensitive 10 mounted on the box 1 for example, on the axis of the brush emitted by the emitter 9, this brush cutting the access 5 transversely, as shown in broken lines at Figure 1.

The cell 10 delivers to the control logic a logic signal C which is at high state when the cell is not lit by the radiation brush (i.e. when a vehicle cuts this brush passing under the arm) and which is in the low state otherwise.

The device according to the invention also comprises third detection means 11, of the type of those of which the loop 8 is part, described above. The loops 8 and 11 thus deliver logic signals D ₁ and D ₂ respectively, to the control logic 7, these signals being in the high state when the corresponding loop detects the presence of a vehicle above it, and low otherwise.

We now refer to the timing diagrams of Figures 1 and 2 to describe the operation of the device according to the invention.

The timing diagrams in Figure 1 correspond to a normal crossing of the barrier by a motor vehicle, in the direction of arrow F (see Figure 1). Firstly, the driver stops his vehicle at time t _{1 in} front of terminal 6, in order to be able to present his pass for access. The signal D ₁ then goes high and the control logic activates the title reading means placed in the terminal 6. At the instant t ₂ , the driver presents his title to these means which read the title and emit , if the title is valid, a signal B delivered to the logic 7 which reacts to this signal by commanding the activation of the motor 3 to move the arm 2 from its first position (closing) to its second position (raised to 90 °) in which it authorizes the passage of the vehicle in the access.

The vehicle then starts and comes to cut, at time t ₃ , the radiation brush leaving the transmitter 9. The height of the brush above the ground should correspond to the average height of the underbody of motor vehicles. , so that this brush is cut as soon as the most advanced part of the vehicle is located to the right of the cell and the boom. For this purpose, it is possible to choose a height h of this brush such that h = 630 mm, this value being given by way of illustrative and nonlimiting example only.

The vehicle continuing to advance begins to pass to the right of the barrier and comes to be detected, from time t ₄ , by the loop 11 placed downstream of the barrier. The signal D ₂ emitted by this loop then goes high. Advantageously, a safety mechanism is then activated by logic 7 to block the heald 2 in its raised position for the entire duration of the passage of the vehicle under this heald.

At time t ₅ this vehicle, having completely crossed the barrier, ceases to be detected by cell 10, the output signal C of which then drops to the low state. At this instant t ₅ , the control logic 7 examines the level of the signal D ₁ emitted by the loop 8. If the latter has then returned to a low level, as shown in FIG. 3, the logic deduces that none no other vehicle overlooks loop 8.

The logic 7 then controls the return of the arm 2 to its low, horizontal position (marked 0 ° in FIG. 3) as soon as, at time t ₆ , the loop 11 ceases to detect the presence of the vehicle in front of the smooth 2 (D ₂ returns to the low state), the latter then being sufficiently spaced from the latter so that it can be folded down without risk of collision with the vehicle.

The device is then returned to its initial state, ready to process a new access request from the driver of another vehicle.

The vehicle passage scenario illustrated by the timing diagrams in Figure 4 repeats the initial steps of that illustrated by Figure 3, until time t ₂ .

At the instant t ₃ , where the cell 10 detects the arrival of a vehicle under the beam 2, the reading of the signal D ₁ by the control logic 7 reveals that at this instant another vehicle is at the right of terminal 6 (D ₁ in the high state), even though the first vehicle has barely left this terminal to pass under the arm 2.

In this case, according to the present invention, as soon as the signal C returns to the low state (instant t ₅ ), significant that the first vehicle has crossed the barrier, the logic 7 commands rapid passage of the arm 2 of its raised position at an intermediate position between the latter and its low position, intermediate position marked I in FIG. 2.

In this intermediate position I, the arm 2 sufficiently obstructs the access so that a vehicle driver attempting to pass the barrier fraudulently by "little train", immediately following a previous vehicle, be dissuaded from continuing its advance to avoid a collision between the barrier and its vehicle.

This attempt can generate a pulse C ₁ of the signal C, between the moment when the front of this second vehicle is detected by the cell 10 and the moment when this detection ceases because the second vehicle reverses towards terminal 6, after being dissuaded from continuing its advance by the inclined beam. Throughout the duration of C ₁ , the loop 11, close to the cell 10, detects the presence of the second vehicle, which keeps D ₂ in the high state until the loop 11 ceases to detect one and / or the other of the two vehicles.

Tests have shown that, in its intermediate position I, an inclined beam at 45 ° on the horizontal sufficiently obstructs the passage. This tilt is only given for information only and not limitative only.

The arm 2 should also reach this position very quickly obstruction intermediary, barely giving the driver enough time to fraud to pass under the stringer before it has reached this position.

Tests have shown that a passage time of the beam from its position raised to its intermediate position, about 0.6 seconds, suitable for application described above of the device according to the invention.

Such a fast passage time can be obtained with a geared motor of trade, the choice of which enters into the normal activities of those skilled in the art. The latter will thus be able to choose a reversible reduction gear with bevel gear mounted directly on the shaft which rotates the arm, and a three-phase asynchronous brake motor controlled by a programmable frequency converter.

To reinforce the deterrent effect provided by the partial lowering of the arm, the barrier can be fitted with a panel 11 (see FIG. 2) visual and / or audible alarm. This alarm can thus consist of a flashing of a message such as the word STOP, on the panel 11, ordering the stop of a fraudulent vehicle, before any risk of collision between this vehicle and the barrier beam of the device. according to the invention. The excitation of this alarm then occurs from time t ₃ , preferably.

It will be noted in FIG. 4 that at the instant t ₄ intermediate between the instants t ₃ and t ₁ , the vehicle lawfully crossing the barrier begins to be detected by the loop 11 (the signal D ₂ goes high) . As soon as this signal D ₂ returns to the low state, at the instant t ₆ after t ₅ , it can be considered that this vehicle, and a possible fraudulent vehicle as we have seen above, are sufficiently distant from the barrier so that the boom can be returned to its closed position (0 °) without risk of collision with these vehicles. The logic 7 then controls the return of the barrier to this position, from its intermediate position I. This return can take place less quickly, in about 1.2 seconds for example, than the passage of the arm to position I.

The choice of the distances I and L of the loops 11 and 8 to the heddle 2 (see FIG. 1) clearly falls within the normal activities of those skilled in the art. By way of illustrative and nonlimiting example only, one can choose I = 1m and L = 2.5m.

It will be noted that the use, in the device according to the invention, of an end radiation brush to detect the passage of a vehicle in front of the rail 2 in raised position, allows to detect the instant of the end of this passage with a large precision and therefore very quickly bring the arm to its intermediate position I. This is necessary given the proximity of the rear of this vehicle and the front of a another vehicle trying to pass the barrier in a "little train". Such precision is not not possible with an electromagnetic induction loop detector.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiment described and shown which has been given by way of example only. This is how the stringer could be consisting of two or more articulated arms, the intermediate position of such a heald articulated then being chosen so that these arms are sufficiently obstructing to a vehicle attempting to smuggle.

Similarly, the photosensitive detection means could include several transmitter / cell pairs arranged at different heights, to hold account for differences in geometry of the vehicle body sills automobiles.

Claims (8)

Device for controlling an access taken by motor vehicles, comprising a heald (2) movable between at least first and second positions in which it bars and releases, respectively, said access, a reading terminal (6) of a title of access authorization placed in front of said beam, first (8) and second means for detecting the presence of a vehicle at said terminal (6) and said beam, respectively, and means ( 7) supplied by signals emitted by said terminal (6) and said detection means, for controlling the movements of said beam (2), characterized in that said second detection means (9, 10) are photosensitive means illuminated by a light brush passing through the access to be controlled and in that said control means (7) pass the beam (2) from its second position to a position (I) intermediate between it and its first position, when said first m detection means (8) signal the presence of another vehicle at said terminal (6). Device according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises third detection means (11) for forming a signal (D ₂ ) representative of the passage of a vehicle beyond said beam (2), said means of control triggering the return of said beam (2) to its first position in response to said signal (D ₂ ). Device according to any one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that it comprises alarm means (11) of the driver of said other vehicle, actuated by said control means (7) when, upon detection of said first vehicle by said photosensitive means (9,10), said first detection means (8) signal the presence of said other vehicle at said terminal (6). Device according to claim 3, characterized in that said alarm means displays a message (STOP) ordering the stopping of said other vehicle. Device according to any one of Claims 2 to 4, characterized in that it comprises a safety mechanism for locking said beam (2) in its second position during the passage of said vehicle at the level of said third detection means (11) . Device according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that said first (8) and third (11) detection means are of the inductive loop type. Device according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the said heald (2) is actuated by an electric motor (3) capable of moving it from its second position to its intermediate position (I) at 0, About 6 seconds. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that in said intermediate position (I), said heddle (2) is oriented at 45 ° from the horizontal, approximately.

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