ES2678269A1 - Conflict point alert system and improvement of pedestrian visibility in zebra crossings (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding) - Google Patents

Abstract

Conflict point warning system and improvement of the visibility of pedestrians in zebra crossings by projecting one or more laser light beams at the dangerous point when the presence or approach of a vehicle to said potentially conflicting points is detected. (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding)

Description

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Conflict point alert system and improved visibility of pedestrians in zebra crossings

Object of the invention.

The present invention relates to a device for making certain conflicting points that are located on streets and roads that pose a special danger more visible if they are not respected, by projecting at the dangerous point of one or several laser light beams, as appropriate, when the presence of a vehicle is detected. Its use is both day and night.

Background of the invention.

In the market there are various lighting systems of a pedestrian crossing to be perceived by the driver of a vehicle as in the case of the invention ES1072526 (U) that detect the entry and exit of a pedestrian in that step, or that warn of the presence of a pedestrian in a zebra crossing such as the inventions ES1083729 (U) with sequential signaling with warning warning points on the road, the JPH1181256 by means of a staff flown over the road as a traffic light or the KR20150017579 (A) that detects The speed by ultrasound.

There are many inventions aimed at improving the safety of pedestrians, illuminating the crosswalk or the road such as the invention KR101631245, which uses the projection on the spotlight spotlight on high staff and projections from four lower posts in its corners, but its operation is continuous without detection of the approaching vehicle and requiring electrical energy, unlike the system that we propose that it starts when it detects a vehicle.

Other systems, such as the one proposed in the invention K.R20080048114 are activated when the green light of a traffic light comes on or when the pedestrian accesses one end of the passage, covering an illuminated protection zone.

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All existing inventions are valid for signaling a pedestrian crossing, but none for signaling, to older, other potentially dangerous points due to mandatory stop or transfer of passage on the road, being able to be located indistinctly at any point of the urban network or interurban, even in the open field, without being conditioned by the existence and supply of electricity.

Description of the invention

The invention proposes a conflict point warning system and improved visibility of pedestrians in zebra crossings or at any other point on the road where the stop is necessary or the passage to third parties has to be assigned.

The proposed system comes into operation when the presence of a vehicle is detected in the area near the potentially dangerous place and that requires better signaling such as road crossings, street intersections or where stopping is necessary or yielding to third parties.

The system draws a laser line on the ground, near the stop or stop point, using a laser system or, where appropriate, spotlights of LEDs, at low altitude to avoid the curtain effect by fog, water or similar, which prevent seeing clearly the area after this line.

In the case of pedestrian crossing, it contemplates a second display system by projecting the laser beam lines in the form of fans delimited to the area to be treated. These projections are made at the level of the lower extremities of pedestrians who use the zebra crossing. The projection points are placed at a low height on the road and with the projection beam slightly descending, located on the posts located on both sides of the street; being of different color to the line that serves as a vehicle stop.

In addition to the indicated systems, you can add luminous signals of LED technology or similar, adjusted to the traffic code, for vehicles in advance, in all cases provided, and of pushbuttons or presence or signaling detectors for users of the passage of pedestrians, only applicable to crosswalks and pedestrians.

All this has been treated under the premise of total safety for all human and animal organs, especially the eyes, and for the environment.

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In the same way we have thought about the conservation of the systems, which do not require manipulation or cuts on the road or street, avoiding works, retentions, traffic cuts, etc. for repair or replacement of damaged items. Achieving considerable economic savings and a zero impact on road safety.

In general, the device is composed of the following elements indicated below, which although they could work continuously, will only work when the presence of vehicles and / or pedestrians is detected, that is, when it is really necessary. This means energy savings, which in case there is no electricity supply from the network, it is very important:

• Laser beam projector device (2), whose shape on the floor is a linear projection (4) in the form of a straight line normally. Its straight linear projection (4) will be distributed from the laser beam projector device (2), in a substantially vertical or perpendicular beam on the road and in the form of a fan. It will be located at low ground level. Whenever possible, since it is optional, the laser beam projector device (2), will be housed in the mast where a spotlight projection luminaire is supported (5), adjusting especially to the area occupied by the pedestrian crossing or bike ride. Otherwise, it will be located on a stand (1) independent of small height.

• Support (1) in which the laser beam projector device (2) will be housed. You can wear side shields to hide the direct vision of the laser beam projector device (2) and you will be properly protected against acts of vandalism that can move, subtract, etc. As many supports (1) can be placed as necessary to signal the desired area, depending on the type of rays to be projected and the lanes to be covered.

• Vehicle detector (11) of the type considered convenient (presence or movement, magnetic induction turns, infrared laser, pressure detection, etc.). This vehicle detector (11) will be located a sufficient distance so that the driver of the vehicle can react and realize the point of potential danger. When detecting the presence of a vehicle, it will operate the laser beam projector device (2), of the lane or lanes of the direction in which it is traveling, located at the height of the dangerous point of possible stop obligation. This activation of the laser signaling will be carried out during a programming time and by means of an electronic reset timer.

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time (12), according to the expected travel time of the vehicle detected and the danger point indicated.

• Management cabinet (15), of small dimensions provided with door and lock, located in the masts or independent accommodation in the margins of streets or roads. The control elements of the system, which can be the following elements, will be housed in this management cabinet (15):

o Electronic time reset timer (12) provided for the arrival of the vehicle at the point of conflict or danger to be signaled, when a new vehicle is detected.

o Vehicle presence sensor (17) which is the one that receives the signal from the vehicle detector (11) and will activate the rest of the system elements, or Electric accumulator (10) for the power supply of systems located on roads or where there is no possibility of hooking to the power grid. The charging of this electric accumulator can be carried out by photovoltaic panels or wind turbines (6) in which case it will be necessary to have an energy input regulator (8).

o Hook to the power supply (7), for streets or places where it is possible to connect the system to the power grid, where an electrical transformer (9) will be needed.

o Projection intensity regulators (13). Optional element that according to the parameters detected, usually by means of a photoelectric visibility cell (16), for the day and night periods, as well as those of low visibility; and / or by means of a weather station (20) (rain gauge, viscometer, etc.), will automatically adjust the intensity of the emitted laser beam. It can also be regulated through a clock adapted to the hours of sunlight, but it is less advisable, or Power output for activation of the signaling circuit (14), to which the laser beam projectors (2) will be connected.

In the case of pedestrian crossing and / or bicycle crossing, the system may also have installed:

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• Nearly horizontal projection laser (3) of reduced height. Its double installation is advisable, that is to say in both margins, for the complete sweeping of the pedestrian area. This fan beam will be limited to the area to be covered. The projection of the beam will be carried out on the lower extremities of people, animals or other elements that pass through the crosswalk drawing the movement of its path.

Other optional elements that the system can carry will be:

• LED light signal (18) at the point of location or near the point of potential danger normalized to the traffic code.

For indication of the status of a crosswalk (S-13); STOP stop point (R-2) or transfer of pass CEDA PASS (R-l); etc. These LED light signals (18) may or may not be located on the support (1) of the laser beam projector device (2).

• Light code signal warning of danger or stop (19) standardized to the traffic code, before the dangerous point that signals it to the driver of the vehicle. (Pedestrian crossings, crossings without priority, etc.).

Signs according to the cases of: Danger PEDESTRIAN PASS (P-20); Danger step frequented by children (P-21); Bicycle pass danger (P-22); CEDA signal the STEP (R-l); Danger STEP-BY-LEVEL with or without Barriers (P-7 / P-8); etc.

• Spotlight overhead projection luminaire (5) on elevated support, adjusting especially to the area occupied by the cross-checking or crosswalk.

Description of the drawings.

To complement the description that is being made and in order to help a better understanding of the features of the invention, according to a preferred example of practical realization thereof, an illustrative series is attached as an integral part of said description. and not limiting:

Figure 1 Shows the basic scheme of all possible laser and light projections of the system in operation in a crosswalk.

Figure 2.- Shows an example of arrangement of the laser emitting devices in a support.

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Figure 3.- Shows the scheme of the system operating regulating elements that constitute the management cabinet.

Figure 4.- It shows a laser beam emitter support of linear projection on the road.

Figure 5.- Shows the location of the elements of the system in a pedestrian crossing of a lane in the direction of movement with near-horizontal laser projection.

Figure 6.- Shows the location of the system elements in a two-lane pedestrian crossing in the direction of movement with a quasi-horizontal laser projection.

Figure 7.- Shows the location of the system elements in a potentially dangerous intersection with a stop or transfer assignment obligation.

Figure 8 shows the projections of the laser beams in quasi-horizontal projection fans on the limbs of the pedestrians in a crosswalk.

Figure 9.- Shows all possible laser and light projections in a double lane road.

Description of a preferred embodiment.

The following explains the overall operation of the dangerous point warning system and improved pedestrian visibility in zebra crossings.

Projectors of laser beam (2) of linear emission and lasers of almost horizontal projection (3) placed in a support (1), either independent or that is integrated in another element of the road such as a traffic light, can be programmed to operate continuously, but normally they only project light signals when the vehicle detector (11) located at points before the point to be protected, emits a signal to the vehicle presence sensor (17) located in the management cabinet (15) of the system and activates the electrical circuit that supplies:

- to the electronic time reset timer (12),

- to the projection devices that exist, which can be projectors of laser beam (2) on the ground and almost horizontal projection laser (3),

- to the spotlight projection luminaire (5), desirable but at the same time optional, if it were not constantly in operation or supplied by power supply.

- to the LED signal (18) of the pedestrian crossing location, of STOP, yield the pass or any other,

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- to the light code signal warning of danger or stop (19).

When the vehicle presence sensor (17) emits a signal, all the elements of the same direction of movement indicating the dangerous point will be activated, regardless of the number of lanes that have that direction. The elements of the margin and the opposite direction of movement may be programmed to be activated at the same time or not, in the case of pedestrian crossing, being at the discretion of the infrastructure manager and its characteristics.

The connection of one margin with another will be made through cable, laser, radiofrequency, or any other existing system.

If during the period of time the system is in operation, the vehicle detector (11) informs of the arrival of another vehicle in the same direction as the previous one, or if its programming includes the one located in the opposite direction, always in the case of crosswalks, the electronic time reset timer (12) will start counting, from the beginning, the time period set for each case.

The system may have a photoelectric visibility cell (16) that will be connected to a projection intensity regulator (13) that will adjust the light intensity of the laser beam projection devices (2) and almost horizontal projection laser (3) depending whether it is day or night or the degree of visibility that exists at any time.

Normally the system will be connected to the mains through a hook to the power supply (7) and in the management cabinet (15) there will be an electric transformer (9) through which the entire system will be powered.

In places where there is no possibility of connection to the mains, the power supply will be done through photovoltaic panels or wind turbines (6) and in the management cabinet (15) there will be a power input regulator (8) connected to an electric accumulator (10).

The electric transformer (9) or the electric accumulator (10) will be connected to the vehicle presence sensor (17) which is the one that indicates the system start-up signal.

The placement height of the laser beam projector device (2) would be around 75 cm, but it can be modified according to the specific case.

The placement height of the almost horizontal projection laser (3), will be a little lower than the laser beam projector device (2) and would be around 30 cm, orientatively, but adjustable according to the case. This almost horizontal projection laser (3), with a substantially horizontal fan projection, is optional and only applicable for pedestrians 5 and / or bicycles; It is not applicable to other potentially conflicting points.

This almost horizontal projection laser (3) could be disconnected in case of exceeding certain levels of precipitation (rain, hail, snow, ...) in order not to cause projections on the precipitation particles (drops, hail, flakes , ...). This will require the installation of a weather station (20) (rain gauge, viscometer, 10 etc.) that will, according to the data recorded at any time, temporarily interrupt its operation.

The placement of both lasers will be carried out on support (1) aligned with the stop line, being able to take advantage of the support post of the Pedestrian Crossing Sign, Ceda el Paso, or the shaft of the spot zenith projection luminaire (5) or existing lamppost, 15 if any and its location is suitable.

Claims (10)

5 10 fifteen twenty 25 30 1. Conflict point alert system and improvement of the visibility of pedestrians in zebra crossings, comprising a laser projection device (2) with linear projection on the roadway placed on a support (1), which works when a Vehicle detector (11) sends an activation signal to a vehicle presence sensor (17) located in a management cabinet (15). 2. Conflict point alert system and improvement of the visibility of pedestrians in zebra crossings, according to the preceding claim, characterized by having an electronic programmable time reset timer (12) and automatic reset, to emit the laser signals, provided that the vehicle detector (11) emits an activation signal. 3. Conflict point alert system and improvement of pedestrian visibility in zebra crossings, according to previous claims comprising an almost horizontal projection laser (3) placed on a support (1), which works when a vehicle detector (11) sends a vehicle presence signal to the vehicle presence sensor (17). 4. Conflict point alert system and improvement of the visibility of pedestrians in zebra crossings, according to previous claims comprising a spotlight overhead projection luminaire (5), which works when the presence of a vehicle is detected. 5. Conflict point alert system and improvement of the visibility of pedestrians in zebra crossings, according to previous claims characterized by having the management cabinet (15) as the only power supply point, being able to consist of one or several collection systems of existing energy (photovoltaic, wind, electric, etc.). 6. Conflict point alert system and improvement of pedestrian visibility in zebra crossings, according to previous claims comprising a photoelectric visibility cell (16). 7. Conflict point alert system and improvement of the visibility of pedestrians in zebra crossings, according to previous claims comprising a projection intensity regulator (13) of the laser beams of the laser beam projector device (2) and / or of the almost horizontal projection laser beams (3) when the photoelectric visibility cell (16) emits certain values. 8. Conflict point alert system and improvement of the visibility of pedestrians in zebra crossings, according to previous claims comprising a light signal of pedestrian crossing location LEDs (18). 9. Conflict point alert system and improvement of the visibility of pedestrians in zebra crossings, according to previous claims comprising a light code signal warning of danger or stop (19). 10. Conflict point alert system and improvement of pedestrian visibility in zebra steps 5, according to previous claims comprising a weather station (20), which according to the especially adverse conditions and its duration, will emit a signal to the projection intensity regulator (13) that will temporarily deactivate the almost horizontal projection laser (3), until the weather conditions return to normal parameters .