ES1263169U - ROAD SIGNALING ELEMENTS PLACEMENT SYSTEM (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding) - Google Patents

Abstract

System for the placement of signaling elements on the road, attachable to the back of a vehicle (1), comprising a container structure (3) configured to house a plurality of signaling elements (2) stacked in various columns, characterized because you understand - a depositing system (4) configured to take the signaling elements (2) from the container structure (3) and deposit them from a deposit area (7) on the road, - a steerable guidance system (5) configured to guide and position the signaling elements (2) on the road, and - a control system (6) configured to control the depositing system (4). (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding)

Description

DESCRIPTION

ROAD SIGNALING ELEMENTS PLACEMENT SYSTEM

Field of the invention

The present invention belongs to the sector of signaling and support of road operations, specifically that of vehicles and systems intended to carry out said signaling and support of operations, and more specifically to systems for placing cones and beacons for separation and signaling of operations carried out on the road. The present invention refers to a system for placing road marking elements that independently arranges them with the necessary separation and with the required orientation and final positioning.

Background of the invention

At present, when works or other actions are carried out for the information, improvement or management of traffic on the road or road, it is sometimes necessary to place signs, such as beacons or cones, along a certain route. These signaling objects can be placed manually, either directly by operators on foot, or from a vehicle that carries the objects and the operator picks them up and places them as the vehicle advances. The operator in these operations is usually positioned behind or to the side of the vehicle. This operation has the drawbacks that said elements are placed irregularly, that they do not remain standing, etc. This same system is also used later for the collection of the signaling elements. All this represents a risk for the operator who is placing or collecting said elements, since he has to get close to the ground in each operation.

There are some solutions that seek to improve this situation, such as the use of a frame or cylinder to locate the cones in the truck or van, as shown in document US7306398B2. There are also systems for moving the cones inside the vehicle by means of rollers, as shown in the EP500474B1. Documents GB2493762A and US9056572B2, or ES1211163U on the other hand, propose the use of a specific cabin located in the vehicle where the operator goes to carry out his work of placement and collection. None of these solutions offers a complete and sufficiently safe vision for the operator, and that also implies the use of an adapted vehicle, such as a van or similar.

In other cases as in document FR2580008A, a type of beacon is described that can be positioned and collected automatically with the help of a suitably equipped vehicle. This type of beacon is not used in practice since it is not stable.

Documents EP0145625A, ES2346126A, EP0501106B1, WO2005071167A1, EP1112411B1, ES2492765A1, ES2669268T3, describe other devices for placing and collecting beacons or cones, but they are complex, and some of them very bulky.

It is therefore desirable to have a system of signaling elements, such as cones or beacons, on the road, automatically, simply and efficiently, complying with the required parameters in terms of distance between elements and their location on the road without involving a risk for the operators, avoiding the existing drawbacks in existing systems of the state of the art.

Description of the invention

The present invention solves the existing problems in the state of the art by means of a system for placing road marking elements, such as cones or beacons, although it can be any other that can be stacked. The system can be attached to the back of a vehicle of any type.

The system has a container structure to house signaling elements in various columns, and a depositing system to take the signaling elements from the container structure and deposit them from a deposition area on the road. The container structure therefore functions as a warehouse for cones or beacons, where they are located to be transported to the deposition area. In said container structure a sufficient number of signaling elements, in order to be able to cover the distances estimated as necessary during the operation of the vehicle that transports the system. The depositing system, by means of a set of actuators. Mobile platforms and controlled locks will be arranged on the road surface as the vehicle advances, the cones / beacons, all of them equidistant and according to the signaling needs at all times.

In addition, the system presents a steerable guidance system configured to guide and position the signaling elements on the road, in a way that facilitates their placement in a vertical position, and also makes it possible to place the signaling elements in different positions along the the road, for example, on one side of the road or on the other, or on one of the shoulders or on the other.

Additionally, the system has a control system in charge of governing the depository system so that it deposits the signaling elements according to certain established parameters. This control system is intended for such use only, and is powered by a battery. The control system directly controls the drivers of each of the actuators that make up the depositing system.

According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the depositing system is formed by a plurality of mobile platforms that are arranged in the container structure for the movement of the columns of signaling elements from the place where they are arranged to the area deposition, and by a system of actuators arranged in the deposition area to deposit a single signaling element of a column in each operation and retain the rest of the column on the container structure, repeating this process continuously to deposit on the road marking elements one by one and with a specified distance between them.

Preferably, the mobile platforms are movable on rolling guides arranged in the container structure by means of actuating means. Thus, these driving means or actuators move the mobile platforms on which the columns of signaling elements are arranged along the rolling guides until they reach the deposition area, where the elements remain. of signaling retained by means of the system of actuators for their deposition and the system of bolts, which prevent the return of the signaling elements, only returning the mobile platforms to their initial place by means of the actuating means. Subsequently, other actuating means will place other stacks or columns of signaling elements on the mobile platforms and the operation will be repeated. According to this embodiment, the actuating means are connected to the control system, which governs their movement to achieve the appropriate movement of the columns of signaling elements at all times.

According to a preferred embodiment, the actuator system has at least one primary latch actuator having a free end to be arranged under the column of marker elements, and at least one secondary latch actuator arranged under the primary latch actuator, and having a free end to be arranged under the column of signaling elements. The joint operation of both actuators releases in each operation only the lower signaling element of the column, retaining the rest of the column, repeating this operation continuously to deposit the signaling elements on the road one by one and with a distance between them. determined.

Thus, the actuator system acts on the signaling elements stacked one on top of the other, in such a way that it separates them individually to position them on the road. The actuator system therefore fulfills a double function: on the one hand, it retains the column of cones on the containing structure, so that no more cones than those indicated are deposited, and on the other hand it performs the discretization of cones, so that only one unit is placed on the road for each operation.

According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the deposition zone is transversely centered on the vehicle and the actuator system comprises a primary retention actuator and a secondary retention actuator arranged on each side of the deposition zone, arranged symmetrically with respect to said deposition zone, so that both primary retention actuators are facing each other, and under these both secondary retention actuators are also facing each other, each pair of actuators collaborating in the retention and subsequent release of the signaling elements.

In particular, the guidance system has a pair of adjustable longitudinal guides, between which the signaling elements are positioned, and guide them to their final position on the road, also helping to place the element in a vertical position, avoiding so some of them fall flat as it happens in the systems of the state of the art.

Preferably, these longitudinal guides can be foldable, such that when they are not necessary they are folded and collected in the container structure itself, unfolding and extending only when they are used to guide the signaling elements.

In addition, these guides in particular can carry wheels, or rolling elements of any type to facilitate their rolling on the road, avoiding their dragging and wear over time due to use.

Therefore, the present system provides technology for the signaling of all types of operations carried out on the road, in a semi-autonomous and safe way for both operators and road users.

For this reason, the system object of the invention presents a high degree of innovation from the point of view that supposes the integration of an autonomous robotic system in a sector that in many aspects continues to be very traditional such as construction and maintenance, specifically of roads, in order to eliminate or at least reduce the risk of accidents in certain signaling operations, and at the same time facilitate said operations. Likewise, the system is open to new applications, for the future, which may mean important improvements for the production processes in the sector. This is a groundbreaking change with respect to the way of doing some operations that are carried out today, changing a totally rudimentary and manual system, with a high risk for both operators and drivers who circulate on the roads, by a semi-autonomous technology that eliminates the risk for the operator and also achieves adequate and adapted signaling to each case by varying the necessary parameters.

By means of the present invention, it is possible to program the type of operation that is needed, that is, the separation and orientation that the cones must have on the road. These operations are carried out autonomously, and without the need for workers to carry them out, by means of a programmable mechanism formed by actuators that discretizes the placement in a unitary manner for each element.

Another advantage of the present invention is that it allows the manipulation of commercial cones or beacons already on the market, while in other systems of the state of the art the signaling elements have to be adapted to said specific system.

In addition, while in other systems of the state of the art the positioning of the cones is carried out in line with the point of release thereof, the present system, thanks to the help of the guidance system, allows the cones to be separated from the vehicle and take them to the correct position, on one side or the other of the road. In addition, the guiding system also helps to place the cones in a totally vertical position, while other systems do not guarantee their correct placement, and can sometimes end up in a lying position on the road, which can cause, in addition to a deficient signaling, accidents of user vehicles.

Additionally, the actuator system can be programmed to separate the cones from each other on the road according to the needs imposed by the regulations, which in other systems is only achieved by modifying the speed of the vehicles to achieve this end, (sometimes difficult to maintain always the same speed) and others have to rely on the expertise of the personnel who have the cones in the advance of the vehicle that stores them.

Brief description of the drawings

An embodiment of the invention will be described below, to facilitate understanding of the invention, by way of illustration, but not limiting, referring to a series of figures.

Figure 1 shows a system for placing signaling elements, specifically cones, object of the present invention, arranged at the rear of a vehicle.

Figure 2 is an enlarged view of the system of Figure 1, showing its elements in detail.

Figure 3 shows an embodiment of a container structure of the system of the present invention.

Figure 4 shows the container structure of Figure 3 arranged on a vehicle.

Figure 5 shows an embodiment of mobile platforms of the cone depositing system arranged on the container structure of Figures 3 and 4.

Figure 6a is an elevation showing in detail the mobile platforms, their actuating means and the bolt system: Figure 6b is the plan of the platforms, their actuating means and the bolt system of Figure 6a.

Figure 7 shows an embodiment of rolling guides for the mobile platforms arranged in the container structure.

Figure 8 shows in detail an embodiment of the actuating means (an actuator) that move the mobile platforms, as well as the system of locks that prevent the cone columns from falling back.

Figure 9 schematically shows an embodiment of the actuator system having a primary hold actuator and a secondary hold actuator on either side of the deposition zone.

Figure 10 shows in detail the primary and secondary retention actuators arranged to the right of the deposition zone in Figure 9.

Figure 11 shows in detail a primary retention actuator.

Figure 12 shows in detail a secondary retention actuator.

Figure 13 shows in detail the retention actuators arranged in figure 9.

Figures 14a-14e show a sequence of joint operation of the actuators of Figures 9 to 13 to achieve the release of a single cone and the retention of the rest of the column in each operation.

Figure 15 schematically shows the connection of the actuators of the depositor system with the control system, including both primary retention and secondary retention actuators, the mobile platform and the bolts.

Figure 16 shows a particular embodiment of the guiding system, which is folded over the container structure.

Figure 17 shows a plan view of the guide system of Figure 16, in this case deployed for use.

Figure 18 shows a perspective view of the guiding system of Figures 16 and 17 deployed and guiding a cone for placement on the road.

In these figures, reference is made to a set of elements that are:

1. vehicle

2. signaling elements

3. Container structure for signage elements

4. depositing system for signaling elements

5. Guidance system for signaling elements

6. control system

7. area of deposition of signaling elements

8. mobile platforms of the depository system

9 '. depositor system primary retention actuators

9 ''. secondary retention actuators of the depositor system

10. actuating means of mobile platforms

11. Rolling guides of mobile platforms

12. longitudinal guides of the guide system

13. actuator clamping claw

14. longitudinal guide wheels

15. bolts

Detailed description of the invention

The object of the present invention is a system for placing signaling elements 2 on the road. These signaling elements 2 are mainly cones, although they can also be beacons, or any other that can be stacked and deposited vertically on the road. The system is attachable to the rear of a vehicle 1 of any type.

As can be seen in the figures, specifically in Figures 1 and 2, the system has a container structure 3, which houses the signaling elements 2 stacked in various columns, and a depositor system 4 that takes the signaling elements 2 of the container structure 3 and deposits them from a deposition zone 7 on the road. Figures 3 and 4 show in detail a particular embodiment of the container structure 3 of the system.

In addition, the system presents an adjustable guiding system 5 to guide and position the signaling elements 2 on the road, in such a way that it facilitates their placement in a vertical position, and also makes it possible to place the signaling elements in different positions along from the road, for example, on one side of the road or the other, or on any of the shoulders.

Additionally, the system has a control system 6, which is in charge of governing the depositing system 4 so that it deposits the signaling elements 2 according to certain established parameters, with a specific orientation on the road, or a specific distance between them.

According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the depositing system 4 is formed by a plurality of mobile platforms 8 that are arranged in the container structure 3 for the movement of the columns of signaling elements 2 from the place where they are located. arranged up to the area of deposition 7, by a system of actuators 9 ', 9''arranged in the deposition zone 7 to deposit a single signaling element 2 of a column in each operation and retain the rest of the column on the container structure 3, and a lock system 15 to prevent the signaling elements 2 from moving back, repeating this process continuously to deposit the signaling elements 2 on the road one by one and with a certain distance between them.

Preferably, as shown in Figures 5 to 8, the mobile platforms 8 move along rolling guides 11 arranged in the container structure 3 by means of actuating means 10. Thus, these actuating means 10 or actuators, move the mobile platforms 8 on which the columns of signaling elements 2 are arranged along the rolling guides 11 until they reach the deposition zone 7, where the columns of signaling elements 2 are retained by the system of actuators 9 ', 9' 'for their deposition, only the mobile platforms 8 returning to their initial place by means of the actuating means 10, since the signaling elements 2 are retained by the bolt system 15, which prevent their backward movement. Subsequently, other actuating means 10 will place other stacks or columns of signaling elements 2 on the mobile platforms 8 and the operation will be repeated. According to this embodiment, the actuating means 10 are connected to the control system 6, which governs their movement to achieve the appropriate movement of the columns of signaling elements 2 at all times. Thus, the signaling elements 2 are stacked on the mobile platforms 8, which, being moved by means of actuating means 10, move towards the deposition area 7, through a closed cycle of interpretation of orders and logical sequences

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, as can be seen in Figures 9 to 13, the actuator system has at least one primary retention actuator 9 'that has a free end to be arranged under the column of elements indicators 2, and at least one secondary retention actuator 9 '' arranged under the primary retention actuator 9 ', and having a free end to be arranged under the column of signaling elements 2. The joint operation of both actuators 9', 9 '' frees in each operation only the element lower column marker 2 retaining the rest of the column, repeating this operation continuously to deposit the signaling elements 2 on the road one by one and with a determined distance between them.

Thus, the primary retention actuators 9 'are responsible for carrying out the first retention of the column of signaling elements 2, prior to its arrangement on the road. These primary retention actuators 9 'prevent the column of signaling elements 2 transferred to the deposition zone 7 from falling onto the road when it is not necessary. As for the secondary retention actuators 9 '', these are in charge of retaining a single signaling element 2, prior to its final arrangement on the road.

As can be seen in Figures 11 and 12, in particular the retention actuators 9 ', 9' 'may have a clamping claw 13 at their free ends, to optimally retain the signaling elements.

According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the deposition zone 7 is transversely centered on the vehicle 1, and thus the actuator system comprises a primary retention actuator 9 'and a secondary retention actuator 9' 'arranged on each side of the deposition zone 7, arranged symmetrically with respect to said deposition zone 7. In this way both primary retention actuators 9 'are facing each other, and under these both secondary retention actuators 9' 'are also facing each other, each pair of actuators 9 collaborating ', 9' 'in the retention and subsequent release of the signaling elements 2.

The actuators 9 ', 9' 'are connected to the control system 6, which governs their operation in the holding and releasing operation of the signaling elements. Figure 15 schematically shows this connection of the actuators 9 ', 9' 'to the control system 6.

Thus, as shown in figure 15, the mechanical system of actuators 9 ', 9''and mobile platforms moved by actuators 10, to execute the correct movement of the cones, during the signaling operation on the road, is governed by a Control PLC intended solely for such use - powered in turn with at least one specific 24V battery -. This same, directly controls the drivers of each of the actuators.

According to a particular embodiment with two primary retention actuators 9 ', two secondary retention actuators 9' 'and actuating means 10 of the mobile platforms 8, for said embodiment the control system 6 will govern four drivers intended for the actuators 9' , 9 '' and a fifth driver for the actuating means 10 responsible for the movement of the mobile platforms 8 with the columns of signaling elements 2.

Figures 14a 14e show the sequence of joint operation of the actuators 9 ', 9' 'to achieve the release of a single cone and the retention of the rest of the column in each operation. Thus, in step 1, shown in figure 14a, the two primary retention actuators 9 'and the two secondary retention actuators 9' 'are deployed in the waiting position, the column of cones retaining the primary retention actuators 9' . In step 2, shown in figure 14b, the primary retention actuators 9 'are removed, the column of cones falling on the two secondary retention actuators 9' ', which remain in the deployed position. In step 3, shown in figure 14c, the primary retention actuators 9 'are redeployed, again holding the column of cones except for the first one, the one in the lower position, which will be arranged between both pairs of cones. actuators 9 ', 9' '. In step 4, shown in figure 14d, the secondary retention actuators 9 '' are removed, dropping the lower cone, which they previously supported, on the road. Finally, figure 14e shows a return to initial step 1, repeating the process until the column of cones is completely consumed.

In particular, the guiding system 5 has a pair of adjustable longitudinal guides 12, between which the signaling elements 2 are positioned, and guide them to their final position on the road, also helping to place the element in position. vertical, thus avoiding that some of them fall flat as it happens in the systems of the state of the art.

These longitudinal guides 12 can preferably be foldable, such that when they are not necessary they are folded and collected in the container structure 3 itself, unfolding and extending only when they are used to guide the signaling elements 2.

Furthermore, in particular these longitudinal guides 12 can carry wheels 14, or rolling elements of any type to facilitate their rolling on the road, avoiding their dragging and wear over time due to use.

Figures 16 to 18 show in detail these particular embodiments of the guide system 5, with its main elements.

Claims (9)

1. System for the placement of signaling elements on the road, attachable to the back of a vehicle (1), comprising a container structure (3) configured to house a plurality of signaling elements (2) stacked in various columns, characterized why understand - a depositing system (4) configured to take the signaling elements (2) from the container structure (3) and deposit them from a deposit area (7) on the road, - a steerable guidance system (5) configured to guide and position the signaling elements (2) on the road, and - a control system (6) configured to control the depositing system (4). 2. System for placing road marking elements, according to claim 1, wherein the depositing system (4) comprises - a plurality of mobile platforms (8) arranged in the container structure (3) configured to move the columns of signaling elements (2) to the deposition area (7), - A system of actuators (9 ', 9' ') arranged in the deposition area (7) configured to deposit a single signaling element (2) of a column in each operation and retain the rest of the column on the container structure (3), and - a system of bolts (15) arranged in the deposition zone (7) configured to prevent the return of the signaling elements (2). 3. System for placing road marking elements, according to the preceding claim, in which the mobile platforms (8) are movable on rolling guides (11) arranged in the container structure (3) by means of actuating means (10). 4. System for placing road marking elements, according to any of claims 2 to 3, wherein the actuator system comprises - at least one primary retention actuator (9 ') comprising a free end configured to be arranged under the column of signaling elements (2), and - at least one secondary retention actuator (9'') arranged under the actuator primary retention (9 '), comprising a free end configured to be arranged under the column of signaling elements (2), both actuators (9 ', 9' ') being configured to, in each operation, release only the lower signaling element (2) from the column, retaining the rest of the column. 5. System for placing road marking elements, according to the preceding claim, in which the retention actuators (9 ', 9' ') comprise a clamping claw (13) at their free ends. 6. System for placing road marking elements, according to the preceding claim, in which the deposition zone (7) is transversely centered on the vehicle (1) and the actuator system comprises a primary retention actuator (9 ' ) and a secondary retention actuator (9 '') arranged on each side of the deposition zone. 7. System for placing road marking elements, according to any of the preceding claims, in which the guiding system (5) comprises a pair of adjustable longitudinal guides (12) configured to position the signaling elements (2) between them. ) and guide them to their final position on the road. 8. System for placing road marking elements, according to the preceding claim, in which the longitudinal guides (12) are foldable. 9. System for placing road marking elements, according to any of claims 7 to 8, in which the longitudinal guides (12) comprise wheels (14) configured to roll on the road.