FI13100Y1 - Traffic sign and arrangement in connection with traffic sign - Google Patents

Abstract

Traffic sign, characterized in that the traffic sign (1) comprises a lighting means (4) for illuminating the traffic sign and a control unit (5), the control unit (5) comprising a control device (6) for controlling the lighting means and a command unit (7) adapted to give the control device (6) a command to turn on the lighting means (4) at a certain time of the day for a certain time. In addition, protection requirements 2-10.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to a traffic sign and in particular to an arrangement in connection with a traffic sign.

Brief description of the invention The object of the invention is to develop a new type of traffic sign and arrangement in connection with a traffic sign. The solution according to the invention is characterized by what is stated in the independent protection claims. Some embodiments of the invention are the subject of dependent claims.

In the solution shown, the traffic sign comprises a lighting means for illuminating the traffic sign and a control unit. The control unit comprises a control device for controlling the lighting means and an command unit adapted to instruct the control device to switch on the lighting means at a certain time of the day for a certain time. In this way, the attention of the road user can be focused on the traffic sign when it is very important to get the message given by the traffic sign to the road user. Typically, traffic signs are completely static, allowing the road user to get bogged down in the message they give and not adapt their behavior in any way. For example, deer typically move at a certain time of day, for example at dusk. With the presented solution, the traffic sign can be illuminated - when, for example, the deer danger is at its highest and the traffic sign is kept illuminated at other times. This draws the attention of the road user to the sign at a time when the message given by the sign is particularly important.

According to one embodiment, the instruction unit comprises a timer unit for generating an instruction to be given to the control device. With the timer unit N 25, the lighting means can be switched on and off at desired times in a simple N manner. 3 According to one embodiment, the control unit comprises an input N for receiving an external control command. In this way, the traffic sign lighting means = can be controlled on and off by remote control, i.e. the operation of the traffic sign can be controlled, for example, from a traffic center. 2 According to an embodiment, the lighting means is arranged to flash when guided. In this way, the road user's attention is drawn to the traffic sign N efficiently and reliably.

According to an embodiment, the traffic sign further comprises an additional signaling unit adapted to give an additional attention signal while the lighting means is guided on. With the additional signaling unit, the visibility of the traffic sign can be further increased, for example during daylight hours.

Further in this connection, an arrangement is presented in connection with a traffic sign. The arrangement comprises a traffic sign, a lighting means for illuminating the traffic sign, a control device for controlling the lighting means, and a command unit adapted to instruct the control device to turn on the lighting means at a certain time of the day for a certain time. Such an arrangement provides similar effects and advantages as described above when describing a traffic sign.

According to one embodiment, the arrangement comprises a motion sensor adapted to instruct the control device to turn on the lighting means in response to the motion detection. In this case, for example, the movement of a deer in the vicinity of a traffic sign can be detected. In such a situation, it is very important to get the attention of the road user. The presented solution can be used to switch on the illumination device of a traffic sign when a dangerous situation is selectively probable.

According to one embodiment, the arrangement comprises a control unit to which the motion sensor information is adapted to be transmitted and which control unit is adapted to transmit the motion sensor information to an external server. In this way, information on, for example, the movement of a deer at a certain destination can be transmitted, for example, to the server of a traffic center. Through this, a warning to road users can still be issued, for example through the media.

According to an embodiment, the arrangement further comprises an additional signaling unit adapted to give an additional attention signal while the lighting means is guided on. With the additional signaling unit, the visibility of the traffic sign can be further increased, for example in bright weather.

According to one embodiment, the arrangement further comprises a variable speed speed limit traffic signal adapted to indicate a lower speed limit while the illumination means is turned on. In this way, road users = can be instructed to behave in a safer way in traffic when there is a risk of an accident.

Brief Description of the Figures = The invention will now be described in more detail in connection with some embodiments, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: N Figure 1 schematically shows a traffic sign and an arrangement in connection with a traffic sign.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Fig. 1 shows a traffic sign 1. The traffic sign 1 comprises a sign part 2. The traffic sign 1 may also comprise all other parts shown in Fig. 1 which are mechanically in contact either directly or via another part with the sign part 2, i.e. the parts or devices shown in Fig. 1. everything other than the external server and motion sensor. On the other hand, the traffic sign 1 may comprise only the sign part 2, and the arrangement in connection with the traffic sign may then comprise one, several or even all other parts or devices shown in Fig. 1.

In Fig. 1, the character part 2 is triangular. The character part 2 can also have other shapes such as round, rectangular or polygonal. The marking part 2 can thus be a warning sign, a prohibition and restriction sign, a regulatory sign, an instruction sign, etc.

The marking part 2 is attached to the post 3. A lighting means 4 is arranged to illuminate the marking part 2. The lighting means 4 can be, for example, an LED light or another light suitable for illuminating the sign part 2. If the front surface of the marking part 2 is light-transmitting, the lighting means 4 can be arranged inside the marking part. If necessary, the illuminating space can also be arranged outside the marking part 2, for example at its edge or in front of it, to illuminate the front surface of the marking part 2. Furthermore, the lighting means 4 may form a pattern on the front surface of the marking part 2 or a part thereof.

In connection with the signal part 2 there is a control unit 5. The control unit 5 comprises a control device 6 for controlling the lighting means 4 and a command unit 7 which gives control commands to the control device 6. The command unit 7 is adapted to instruct the control device 6 to for a certain period of time. For example, the lighting means 4 can be switched on at dusk and switched off after 1-3 hours. The lighting means 4 can be adapted to produce uniform illumination or the lighting means 4 can be adapted to flash when controlled. o A power supply is fitted to the control unit 5. If, for example, there is a luminaire in connection with the column 3, the power supply N 30 can be arranged for the control unit 5 from the same connection as the power supply of the luminaire. If the traffic sign E is located, for example, far from the electricity grid, the power supply N can be generated, for example, by utilizing a battery 17 and / or a solar cell 18. & The control unit 5 does not necessarily have to be a physical unit, in which case it N only consists of the control device 6 and the command unit 7. On the other hand, the control device 6 and the S 35 command unit 7 can be integrated in the same unit. The control unit 5, the control device 6 and the command unit 7 can thus all be functional units, which can be physically integrated or separate. The control unit 5, the control device 6 and the command unit 7 may individually or together comprise memory, processors, etc.

The command unit 7 may comprise a timer unit 8. The timer unit 8 can be programmed in advance, for example for six months or a year, for the lighting means 4 to be switched on and off at desired times of the day.

The control command of the lighting means 4 on and off can also be generated by the external server 9. The external server 9 can be connected to the first input 10 of the control unit 5, for example, by a wired or wireless communication link 11. In this case, the lighting means 4 can be controlled remotely.

An additional signaling unit is arranged around the column 3 around it

12. The auxiliary signaling unit 12 may comprise a lighting means such as an LED lamp or another suitable lamp. The additional signaling unit 12 can be connected to the control unit 5 to the control device 6, whereby the additional signaling unit 12 can be adapted to give an additional attention signal while the lighting means 4 is guided on. The additional attention signal of the auxiliary signaling unit 12 can be given, for example, by lighting the lighting means of the auxiliary signaling unit 12.

The arrangement shown in Fig. 1 further comprises a motion sensor 13. The motion sensor 13 may be, for example, an IR sensor or a thermal imager or some other suitable motion detection sensor. The motion sensor 13 can be connected via a wired or wireless - communication link 14 to the second input 19 of the control unit 5. When the motion sensor 13 detects movement, it can instruct the control device 6 to turn on the lighting means 4. In addition to detecting movement, the motion sensor 13 may be adapted to detect a moving object. In this case, the motion sensor 13 can be adapted to operate, for example, that if the motion sensor 13 recognizes a moving object as a human being, the motion sensor 13 does not give a control command to turn on the lighting means 4. Instead, if the motion sensor N 13 detects a moving object as a deer, it issues a control command to turn on the lighting means 4. = The control unit 5 can transmit the data from the motion sensor 13 to the external server 9 via the data transmission connection 11. The data transmission connection 11 is thus also connected to the output of the control unit 5. From the external server 9, the detection information of the motion sensor 13 can be forwarded to the media, for example. = In addition to or instead of being connected to the control unit 5 via the communication link 14, the motion sensor 13 can be connected to the auxiliary signaling unit 12 via a landline or wireless communication link 15. In this case, the auxiliary signaling unit 12 can the auxiliary signaling unit 12 can give an attention signal independently of the control of the lighting means 4 in response only to detecting the movement of the motion sensor 13 only.

An embodiment is also possible in which the additional signaling unit 12 forms a traffic sign and the illuminating means of the additional signaling unit 12 is an illuminating means for illuminating the traffic sign. The illuminating means of the auxiliary signaling unit 12 can be controlled by the signal of the motion sensor 13 alone. However, the additional signaling unit 12 may also have a control device for controlling the lighting means and a command unit adapted to instruct the control device to switch on the lighting means at a certain time of the day for a certain time.

Furthermore, during the day, for example, the illuminating means of the additional signaling unit 12 may be the only traffic signal illuminating means to be switched on. The lighting means of the additional signaling unit 12 can be switched on during the day either on the basis of the information of the motion sensor 13 alone or on the basis of all the information to be entered in the control unit 5.

In Fig. 1, a variable speed limit traffic sign 16 is still schematically illustrated by a broken line. This speed limit traffic sign 16 is mounted in connection with a column 3. The speed limit traffic sign 16 can be connected to the control device 6. The speed limit traffic sign 16 can be adapted to indicate a lower speed limit while the lighting means 4 is turned on. When the illuminating means 4 is not turned on, it can be assumed to be a normal situation and the speed limit traffic sign 16 can indicate a higher speed limit.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that as technology advances, the basic idea of the invention may be practiced in many different ways. Thus, the invention and its embodiments are not limited to the examples described above, but may vary within the scope of the protection requirements.

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Claims (10)

Protection requirements Road sign, characterized in that the off-road sign (1) comprises a lighting means (4) for illuminating the road sign and a control unit (5), which control unit (5) comprises a control device (6) for controlling the lighting means and an instruction unit (7) which is arranged to give the control device (6) an instruction to control the lighting means (4) at a certain time of the day for a certain time. Road sign according to protection requirement 1, characterized in that the instruction unit (7) comprises a timer unit (8) for forming an instruction which is given to the control device (6). Road sign according to protection requirement 1 or 2, characterized in that the control unit (5) comprises an input (10, 19) for receiving an external control instruction. Road sign according to one of the preceding protection requirements, characterized in that the sign of the lighting fixture (4) is arranged to flash when it has been steered on. Road sign according to one of the preceding protection requirements, characterized in that the road sign (1) further comprises an additional signaling unit (12), which is arranged to emit an additional warning signal at the same time as the lighting means (4) has been controlled. Arrangement in connection with a road sign, characterized in that the arrangement comprises a road sign, a lighting means (4) for illuminating the road sign, - a control device (6) for controlling the lighting means and an instruction unit (7) arranged to provide the control device. (6) Ö an instruction to control the lighting means (4) at a certain time of the day = for a certain time. = 30 Arrangement according to protection claim 6, characterized in that the arrangement comprises a motion sensor (13), which is arranged to give the control device (6) an instruction on controlling the lighting & means (4) in response to motion detection (4). ) on. S Arrangement according to protection claim 7, characterized in that the arrangement comprises a control unit (5) to which the data of the motion sensor (13) is arranged to be led and which control unit (5) is arranged to transmit the data of the motion sensor (13) to an external server (9). Arrangement according to one of Claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the arrangement further comprises an additional signaling unit (12), which is arranged to emit an additional warning signal at the same time as the lighting means (4) has been controlled. Arrangement according to any one of the protection claims 6-9, characterized in that the arrangement further comprises a speed limitation road sign (16) with variable speed, which is arranged to show a lower speed limitation at the same time as the lighting means (4) has been controlled. N O N O 0 I a a N O 5 N O N> ”