FI122000B - Lighting fixtures and systems for improving safety at a crossroads in a traffic lane - Google Patents

Description

LIGHTING DEVICE AND SYSTEM FOR IMPROVING THE SAFETY OF A TRAFFIC Junction

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to traffic lighting solutions. The invention relates to a lighting device and a system of lighting devices for illuminating a traffic lane. In particular, the invention relates to a lighting device for applications where the visibility of pedestrians or pedestrians comparable thereto is impaired due to general lighting conditions 10.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Various solutions are known in the art, for example, to improve the safety of pedestrian routes such as lighting. 15 Lighting devices can be roughly divided into two categories: (1) lighting devices which illuminate a larger area from the top on a pedestrian passage and (2) lighting devices which function essentially only as daylight. In addition, safety is sought by placing pedestrian protection, for example, in passive concrete, possibly partially or completely, reflective concrete or metal piles designed to reflect the light of the vehicles and mechanically prevent vehicles from entering the pedestrian area.

A typical type of luminaire used for lighting is a general luminaire type luminaire located high, for example over 3 meters, the sole purpose of which is to provide lighting to the target area. Typically, the lighting has been carried out over a long distance before the pedestrian and vehicle encounter area, leaving little attention. In addition, the problem is the relatively inefficient use of light, since the light beam is distributed over a relatively large area. Therefore, high-position lighting 30 is best suited for increasing general lighting.

A problem with prior art solutions is e.g. the fact that the illumination of general-purpose illuminators over a larger area is negligible, 2 whereas the illumination-type illuminators do not illuminate the passageway. In addition, the problem with many daylight-type solutions is, for example, the glare of the driver's field of vision, in which case the daylight does not increase the safety of the intersection.

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SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide a solution in which the above-mentioned disadvantages of the prior art can be eliminated or at least reduced. In particular, the invention seeks to solve how the safety of at least two different intersections of traffic lanes can be comprehensively improved so that the intersection can be illuminated and road users are effectively warned without any risk of glare and, at the same time, the risk of pedestrians getting drowned is minimized.

The objects of the invention are achieved by a lighting device and / or lighting system according to the independent claim.

The lighting device according to the invention for improving the safety of the intersection of at least two different traffic lanes is characterized in what is stated in the characterizing part of claim 20 concerning the lighting device.

The lighting system according to the invention for improving the safety of at least two different traffic lane intersections is characterized in what is stated in the characterizing part of claim 10 concerning the lighting system.

According to one embodiment, the illumination device comprises at least a frame portion that provides a mechanical barrier for vehicles traveling on a first traffic lane, such as a motorway, to access a second traffic lane, such as a sidewalk or bike lane. The frame member is preferably, for example, a concrete and / or metal frame member which substantially blocks e.g. the passage of cars past the body section to the area defined by the body section, or at least withstands low-speed collision without being damaged. The submergible part of the body part may be, for example, concrete and the surface part of a metal, such as steel or other similar mechanical material of sufficient strength. According to a preferred embodiment, the lower part of the body part consists of a concrete part and the upper part is made of a metal part such as a steel part.

Further, the illumination device also comprises a first light emitting part, which is preferably arranged in the lower part of said body part. Said first light-emitting portion is arranged to illuminate a second, substantially light traffic, traffic lane at least in the direction of the intersection of said first and second lanes. Arranged at the lower part of the body part, said first light emitting part 10 effectively illuminates e.g. a pedestrian crossing so that a pedestrian can safely cross the road. Most preferably, the first light emitting portion emits substantially continuous light, which may be white light, for example. Arranging the first light emitting portion in the lower portion is e.g. Advantage in bad weather conditions (fog, rain, snow) as the downward and downward direction of the light can minimize the potential glare.

Still further, the illumination device also comprises a second light-emitting portion disposed in a body member substantially above said first light-emitting portion. A second light-emitting portion is provided to alert vehicles traveling on said first traffic lane to light traffic substantially along the second traffic lane, such as a pedestrian or a cyclist. Most preferably, the second light emitting portion emits substantially flashing light, which may be, for example, yellow light. It should be noted that the light emitted by the second light emitting portion 25 may also be continuous and of a color other than that shown herein.

The lighting device also comprises a light source comprising, for example, at least one glow diode for producing light. The lighting device also comprises an optical means, such as a light guide, for directing light emitted by the light source 30 to said first and / or second light emitting portion and further out from said lighting device. According to one embodiment, the light guide is a three-dimensional body, for example, molded or machined. The light guide may be shaped such that the light emitted by one or more glow diodes is deflected out of the body at a predetermined angle such that, for example, most of the light is directed downwards from the horizontal, thereby avoiding glare 4 for the traffic users. Preferably, the light guide is arranged such that the light to be transmitted propagates through the light guide through internal reflections, i.e., the optical properties and e.g. It is also possible to shape the light guide at a suitable point in the lighting device so that total reflection does not occur and at least part of the light is emitted from the light guide. Thus, according to one embodiment, for example, at least some of the other light emitting portions can be realized.

According to one embodiment, said second light emitting portion 10 is arranged in the illumination device at a viewing height substantially lower than about 50 to 130 cm above the ground for drivers of vehicles passing through the first traffic lane, whereby the effect of said light emitting portion on the driver. The alignment of said light emitting part may be effected, for example, by a 15 light guide and / or by an associated optical device such as a prism, mirror or lens so that the light beam emitted by it is oriented substantially downwards from the horizontal. In this case, the possible glare of the driver can be minimized without diminishing the effect of light.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the illumination device may further comprise means for activating the operation of the illumination device, such as, for example, a twilight switch, wherein, for example, the first and / or second light emitting portions can be arranged to emit light only when there is enough light. Alternatively, the twilight switch can be used to control the brightness of the light emitting portions of the light emitting parts 25 according to the lighting conditions. By means of a twilight switch, for example, the operation of a light-producing light source, such as the operation of glow diodes, can be controlled on said light-emitting parts. Further, the illumination device or system may comprise a motion detector illuminating device for detecting an object approaching the first and / or second traffic lanes 30, whereby also the motion detector output can control the operation of a light source such as glow diodes, e.g. In this case, the attention effect of the illuminator can be maximized when the light emitting parts of the illuminator are only active when there is either low light and / or when motion is detected in the vicinity of the illuminator 5, such as an approaching pedestrian or cyclist.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the motion detector may be implemented, for example, by means of a passive infrared detector, an infrared or microwave barrier, a camera such as a CCD or CMOS camera, or other similar motion or approach detecting means. The illumination device may also comprise a manually operated switch, such as a pushbutton, whereby, for example, a light traffic path may manually activate the operation of the first and / or second light emitting portion 10 of the illumination device.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the light wedge emitted by the first light emitting part is preferably arranged, for example by means of a light guide and / or lens, into a narrow light wedge substantially horizontal downward to enhance illumination and minimize glare. Preferably, the width of said luminous beam is 5 to 45 degrees, whereby the power density of the luminous beam, for example in the area of the crossing over the intersection area, is high. It should be noted that the wedge-shaped shape of the light can also be achieved by other optical means known to those skilled in the art, such as a prism, lens and / or mirror.

The lighting device according to the invention may comprise one or more light sources. According to one embodiment, the light is conducted from the light source to the light guide and further from the light guide to the outside of the body by means of an optical device such as a prism, a mirror and / or a lens. It should be noted that the light source 25 may be located, for example, within the body portion of its base portion, from which light is transmitted by optical means such as prism, mirror and / or lenses to the light guide and further through the light emitting portion by optical means known to one skilled in the art. According to one embodiment, in particular, the second light-emitting part may be at least partially implemented, for example, from a fiber-optic light guide so that the light guide is arranged in an arc, thereby lowering its total reflection angle and deflecting the light beam transmitted by the light guide. Such a solution easily obtains a uniform daylight effect at a desired angle between 0 ° and 360 °.

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It will be appreciated that the light source may be located elsewhere than the body portion and that, for example, according to one embodiment, each light emitting portion may be provided with its own light producing glow diode. Further, it should be noted that the first and / or second light emitting portion 5 may be formed by said light guide and an optical device such as a prism arranged in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, and that the pattern emitted by the light emitting portion may be formed by said optical device such as prism.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the shape and / or size of the illumination pattern, such as 10 wedges, can be changed during use. According to one embodiment, for example, a plurality of light-producing glow diodes may be provided in the illumination device such that the light produced by the first glow diode is guided by a light guide and / or other optical means so as to obtain the first illumination pattern. to obtain a second illumination pattern different from the first illumination pattern, etc., whereby the shape and / or size of the illumination pattern can be altered, for example, by lighting, deactivating and / or dimming the appropriate glow diodes.

According to one embodiment, the illumination device and / or system may comprise means for changing the illumination pattern, which may be adapted to control the illumination pattern change, for example, according to information received from motion detectors, such as a wedge shape changing from a wide narrower approach to minimized.

The illumination device may further comprise light blocking means for preventing light from propagating outwardly from the body, in the direction in which light is not desired, such as toward nearby buildings.

The light blocking means may consist of mechanical means such as closures, reversible optical means such as lenses, light guides and / or prisms, or alternatively, the propagation of light may be prevented, for example, by deactivating or dimming the luminous diodes whose light would otherwise be directed in an embodiment where the illumination pattern can be adjusted). Hereby, for example, the illumination pattern of the second light emitting part of the illumination device (Attention light) can be adjusted from 0 ° to 360 °.

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The lighting device typically also comprises a power source, which may be, for example, a battery, a solar cell or a wind generator or a combination thereof. In addition (or alternatively only) the lighting device can also be connected to the mains.

According to an embodiment of the invention, a plurality of lighting devices may be arranged as a lighting system. The system may comprise, for example, control means for centrally controlling the functions of the lighting devices in the system, such as turning the lights on / off according to general environmental conditions (e.g., weather, lighting conditions, rain, gliding, fog, visibility, traffic) and

According to one embodiment, the lighting system may also include means for collecting and reporting status information of the lighting devices, such as power consumption and burn time of the diodes, to a party responsible for the lighting system, for example, replacing the new diodes with end-of-life.

Some preferred embodiments of the invention are set forth in the dependent claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following section, preferred embodiments of the invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figures 1A-1B illustrate an exemplary lighting device according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, Figure 2A shows a sectional view of an exemplary lighting device; light guide according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, FIG. according to a preferred embodiment and Fig. 10 shows an exemplary block diagram of a lighting system in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1A is a side view of an exemplary lighting device 100 and Figure 1B is a perspective view of the same lighting device 100 according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. The lighting device comprises at least a frame part 101, the above-ground part 101a of which may be, for example, an elongated metal part, such as a steel part, and the submerged part 20 101b may be for example a concrete part holding the lighting device upright or the like.

In addition, the illumination device 100 comprises at least one first light emitting portion 102 and at least one second light emitting portion 103, wherein said second light emitting portion serves as a warning light, for example to motorists, warning a pedestrian in the vicinity of the lighting device. In addition, the illumination device 100 may be provided with passive reflective means 104, such as a reflective ribbon, in particular in connection with other light emitting parts which serve as warning light. Further, said first light emitting portion (and possibly associated optical means) is preferably arranged such that the emitted light beam is narrow and substantially horizontal downward.

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According to one embodiment, the lighting device further comprises means for activating the operation of the lighting device, such as, for example, a twilight switch or motion detector 105. The motion detector 105 is adapted to detect, for example, pedestrians in the vicinity of the lighting device. In addition, the illumination device 5 may also comprise a manually operated switch 106 for activating the illumination device.

Figure 2A is a sectional view of a body portion 101 of an exemplary lighting device 100 according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. The exemplary illumination device 100 shown in Fig. 2 comprises a light source 10 201, for example a glow diode 205, arranged for example with another light emitting part 103 such that light emitted by the light source 201 is directed to the light emitting part and further out to optical devices such as prisms, mirrors and / or lenses. 202, 206, and light guide 208 (Fig. 2B). It should be noted that the light source may also be located in the illumination device 100 at a position other than that shown in Fig. 2A, for example at the base of the illuminator.

Fig. 2B illustrates an exemplary light source 210 and light guide 208 of a lighting device 100 according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, wherein the light source comprises at least one glow diode 205 for producing light 20, and wherein the glow diodes are provided on a carrier means 207. per sector 211; and a light guide 208 for conducting light from the sector outside the illumination means. Thereby, by illuminating, deactivating and / or dimming the appropriate glow diodes, the desired illumination pattern is achieved, since essentially only the sectors outside of the illumination device whose sectors the glow diodes are illuminated. It should be noted that between the sectors there may be a light barrier means 209 which prevents light propagation therefrom at the point of illumination, and particularly between sectors. The light barrier means 209 may be implemented in accordance with an embodiment of the invention with, for example, air gap or some other opaque material, such as Polycarbonate Acrylonitrite Butadiene Styrene Black PC ABS. According to an embodiment of the invention, the lighting element element 210 shown in Fig. 2B may itself form another light emitting part 35 of the illumination device, which is denoted, for example, with reference numeral 103 in Figures 1A and 1B.

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Preferably, the second light emitting portion (and any optical means associated therewith) illustrated in Figures 2A and 2B is suitably aligned with the illumination angle 203, limited to the driver's viewing height, and substantially oriented horizontally downwards 5204 to minimize driver glare.

Figure 3A shows an exemplary horizontal illumination pattern 301 of the illumination device 100 in a preferred embodiment of the invention.

Figure 3B is a sectional view of an exemplary lighting device 10 100 according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, wherein the section is illustrated at the top of the body of the lighting device at a substantially different light emitting portion (e.g., Ref. 1A and 1B). In the embodiment of Figure 3B, the glow diodes 205 are shown with dashed lines and are substantially under the light guide 208. The light barrier means is illustrated by reference numeral 209 and the illumination pattern 301. It is to be noted that the illumination pattern may be resized and shaped, for example, by lighting, deactivating and / or dimming the desired glow diodes, as shown in connection with Fig. 2B.

Figure 4A illustrates an exemplary multiple lighting device 100 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, wherein the lighting device 100 is arranged at two intersections of two traffic lanes, namely, the first 401 and the second 402 to enhance safety. The lighting devices 100 are preferably arranged in the lighting system 400 such that their bodies provide a mechanical barrier for vehicles 403 traveling on the first traffic lane 401 to access the second traffic lane 402.

According to one embodiment, the lighting system 400 may also comprise 30 separate means 404 for detecting a vehicle traveling on the first traffic lane. System 400 may also comprise a separate means 405 for detecting a pedestrian approaching a second traffic lane. The means 404, 405 may be any of the prior art motion detection means comprising a power source such as a battery, a wind power generator 35, a solar panel and / or means for connecting to a fixed electrical network 11. However, it should be noted that the illumination devices 100 may also comprise motion detecting means, whereby separate motion detecting means 404 and / or 405 may not be required.

Figure 4B is an enlarged view of the lighting system 400 shown in Figure 4A, wherein the lighting devices 100 comprising the lighting system 400 are arranged at a crossing so that they mechanically prevent vehicles from entering the sidewalk.

The first light emitting portion 102 disposed on the lower part of the lighting device 100 is preferably arranged to emit light 406 along a guard path 10 in the direction of the intersection and is intended to illuminate the pedestrian way over the intersection. Further, the illumination device 100 comprises at least one second light emitting portion 103, preferably arranged above said first light emitting portion 102 in the illumination device. The light 407, 15 most preferably the flashing light emitted by the second light emitting portion 103, is intended to attract the attention of the pedestrian in the intersection area of the motorist 403 traveling along the first traffic lane 401.

Further, the lighting devices 100 may comprise motion detecting means 105 for detecting a pedestrian approaching the intersection area. Motion detecting means 20 105 may be implemented, for example, by a technique described in this document, such as infrared barrier 105a.

Fig. 5 illustrates an exemplary functional block diagram 500 of a lighting system 400 and associated lighting devices 100 according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, wherein the lighting system 400 comprises a system control center 501. The control center 501 comprises at least communication means 502 for communicating with 503, a third party, for example, of systems for communicating with the party. In addition, the control center 30 may include means for monitoring environmental conditions, such as weather and lighting measuring devices 504, and various motion sensor information gathering means 505, as well as data processing means 506 for processing collected, received and / or transmitted information, and to turn on / off and 12 to synchronize the flashing of the lights and adjust the brightness of the lights. The control center may also comprise its own power supply 507a and / or an external power supply 507b.

According to one embodiment, the aforementioned means may be used to collect the status information of the lighting devices and / or to detect environmental factors and to control the lighting devices within the system according to said status information and / or environmental factors.

For example, the illumination device may comprise communication means 508, data processing means 509, motion detector, twilight switch and / or mechanical switch control means 510, light source control means (possibly their own for both first and second light emitting portions) 511, 512. presented elsewhere in this document.

Only some embodiments of the solution according to the invention are shown above. Naturally, the principle of the invention can be modified within the scope of the claims, for example with respect to details of implementation and areas of use. In particular, the method can be applied at the intersections of automobile and light traffic lanes, but also at other intersections of two different traffic lanes 20, such as, for example, railroads and other types of traffic lanes. In addition, it should be noted that, although optical devices and lenses, for example, have been generally discussed above, lenses, for example, may be special reflective, Fresnel-type and diffractive lenses.

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Claims (10)

Luminaire device (100) for improving safety at the intersection of at least two different traffic lanes (401, 402), characterized in that the luminaire device (100) comprises a 5th frame member (101) which provides a mechanical barrier to vehicles passing through the first lane (401). for accessing a traffic lane (402), - illuminating a second light-emitting portion (406) provided at the lower portion of said body portion at least in the direction of said intersection for light traffic 10, and - substantially said first light-emitting portion (102, 406). a second light emitting portion (103, 407) disposed above the frame to warn vehicles 15 along said first traffic lane (401) of light traffic substantially along the second traffic lane (402), such as a pedestrian or a cyclist, and an ion source (201, 210) comprising, for example, at least one glow diode (205) for producing light, and a light guide (208) for directing light from the light source 20 to said first (102, 406) and / or second light emitting portion (103, 407). The lighting device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the second light-emitting part (103, 407) is arranged in the lighting device (100) at a viewing height 25 of drivers traveling substantially along the first traffic lane (401), preferably about 50-130 cm above ground level aligning said light emitting portion with a light guide (208) and / or associated optical means such as a prism, mirror and / or lens (202, 206) such that the light beam emitted by it is oriented substantially downward (204). The lighting device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lighting device further comprises means for activating the operation of the lighting device, such as a twilight switch, motion detector (105) for detecting an approaching object along the first and / or second traffic lane (401, 402) or a manually operated switch 35 ( 106). The lighting device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the light wedge emitted by the light emitting part is preferably arranged, for example, by a light guide (208) and / or lens to a light wedge 5 to 45 degrees broadly oriented downwardly to enhance illumination 5 and minimize glare. The lighting device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the light is led from the light source (201, 210) to the light guide (208) and further from the light guide (208) outside the body to an optical device such as prism, mirror and / or lens (202, 206). through. The lighting device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first (102, 406) and / or second light-emitting portion (103, 407) is formed by said light guide (208) and an optical device such as a prism, mirror and / or by means of a lens (202, 206), and wherein the emitting pattern of the light source (201, 210) is formed by said optical means, such as a prism, a mirror and / or a lens (202, 206). The lighting device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lighting device (100) further comprises light blocking means (209) for preventing light propagation from the body outwardly in a direction in which light is not desired and / or illuminated by the lighting device 20 action by simply turning on, off, and / or dimming certain light source glow diodes. The lighting device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the power source used by the light source (201, 210) comprises at least one of the following power supplies: a fixed power grid, a battery, a solar cell and / or a wind power. A lighting system (400) for improving safety at the intersection of at least two different traffic lanes, characterized in that said lighting system (400) comprises at least two lighting devices (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 30 and control means for controlling operation of said at least two lighting devices (100) for example, to turn the lights on / off and to synchronize the flashing of the lights. The lighting system (400) according to claim 9, wherein the lighting system (400) comprises means for collecting and reporting status information of the lighting devices (100) and / or means for detecting environmental factors and controlling means for lighting (5) within the system (400). according to environmental factors.