FR2776104A1 - Traffic signal with flashing warning and numeric countdown display - Google Patents

Abstract

The traffic signal uses the conventional three lights stacked vertically, but replaces the green light (7) with a seven-segment display which shows a numeral that is counted down to indicate how long the green light will remain. The red light (3) flashes when it is active to increase its visibility.

Description

DESCRIPTION

  The present invention relates to the installation of a flashing system and a digital counting device in traffic signals. Traditionally, the operation of these road traffic lights is based on color changes (green then yellow and finally red) but no information is given as to the time of these changes, which often creates the risk of accidents for Road users. Indeed, road users are confronted with problems with the three-color traffic signaling lights: LeJo moment of switching to the yellow light is not predictable, and the red light sometimes masked or dazzling This generates too many crossings in yellow and red lights on the part of road users; and for some of them, the confusion of colors is an additional risk. The devices of the present invention make it possible to remedy all or part of these problems. In fact, the invention implements

  a digital display system to replace the green lights in the road signs and a flashing red system in the two-color and three-color road lights.vo In a more specific case, it is formed as follows: A support provided with a box comprising three superimposed circular lights.

  At the top, a circular flashing red light. This flashing red system will allow better visibility, attracting the eye of the road user. Placed in the center, the circular yellow fixed light 2S which traditionally remains identical to the state of the prior art; this fixed yellow light retains the same functions. At the base of these two lights, a circular light in which there is a digital display in green color which will allow a count to be made; numerical count starting at the maximum number nine30 but can also start at a lower figure with a count down to the number zero which then prevents the passage to fire of

  fixed yellow color. This system then makes it possible to precisely inform the user of the arrival of the fixed yellow light. The digital countdown associated with the fire timer can have a variable duration35 depending on the desired passage time for a light.

  -2- These devices according to the invention make it possible to distinguish the three lights from their operation: The red light being flashing, the yellow light being fixed and the green light being in the form of digital display, this allows people with color blindness to better identify them because

  until then the colors were often confused.

  A variant of these tricolor traffic signal lights is the device of tricolor lights in the form of directional arrows. The system consists of a support provided at the top with a circular light comprising a directional arrow of flashing red color. Placed o below, a circular light with a fixed yellow arrow. At the base of these two circular lights, a rectangular block is placed in which the green arrow is located; fixed arrow located on the left side of the block. To the right of this green arrow, there is the same numerical tally of green color as previously mentioned which warns the user of the passage to the traffic light comprising the fixed arrow of yellow color. This traffic light device in the shape of

  directional arrows then keep the same properties of the invention.

  The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention: FIG. 1 represents a three-color traffic signal light comprising the devices of the invention; Figure 2 shows a traffic light with arrows

  directional integrating the invention.

  The device comprises a support (1) fixed to the ground on which is attached at its end a circular light (2) of flashing red color ES (3). Placed under the latter, another circular light (4) of fixed yellow color (5). Under these two lights, there is a third circular block (6) in which there is a digital display of green color (7) In the variant of the traffic light provided with directional arrows is the support fixed to the ground (1); fixed at the top of the support, the circular block (2) in which the red flashing arrow (3) is located. Under this latter one finds the circular block (4) containing the fixed arrow of yellow color (5). Under these two lights, a rectangular block (6) having in its left part the fixed arrow of green color (8) and at its

  right, the digital display also in green (7).

  -3- According to embodiments In the housing part of the three-color signaling lights, we will try to keep the current block of the green light by adapting the new system according to the invention. In the traffic lights with three separate blocks, the lower block (green light block) (6) is replaced by a similar block by the shape and size adapted to the device whose interior will be fitted out to accommodate the new signaling system. In the variant of lights in the form of directional arrows, the lower block will be replaced by a rectangular de.o block (6) of larger area for better visibility. In three-color lights formed of a monobloc housing, a

  first possibility is the removal of the entire green light unit (6) which frees up sufficient space for installation of the device subject to minor modifications.

  In the event that the removal is impossible or frees up insufficient space for the installation of the device, it will be necessary to carry out a complete change of the housing (the three traffic lights) to proceed to

  a version capable of receiving the device.

  In the fire display part, a digital display io seven segments is used which will represent all the digits from nine to zero by operating on the different lit segments. Two display techniques can be used depending on the space available, production costs, power consumption and visibility. A first solution consists in manufacturing a display using 2-5 light-emitting diodes (LEDs) (7) which can be in the form of round diodes with a standard diameter of five millimeters arranged according to the required visibility in two or three rows per segment. A second solution is based on the use of seven filament lamps each having their reflector which can be controlled separately and positioned according to the seven-segment display. As a non-limiting indication, the display of the digital count can have a dimension of twenty centimeters. In the control part of the traffic lights, a first possibility is to mount a completely autonomous light: In the green light block is placed an electronic downcounting device using an integrated circuit controlled by the system already in place with a duration of -4- countdown pre-programmed adjustable for mounting thanks to a potentiometer. The integrated circuit has the following components: a NE 555, a CD 4029 (counter - decimal binary decimal with rocker JK) a BCD decoder seven segments, an amplifier based on transistors. The S circuit is connected to the display. Another possibility is to mount a semi-autonomous light; in cases where the need to adapt the speed of the countdown (duration of the green light) to traffic is necessary, the aforementioned electronic device can either be controlled remotely by the central, or be modified by changing one of its components, namely ,

  o40 replace the NE 555 with an oscillator assembly based on integrators controlled by digital signal.

  According to an operating mode for the flashing red light, the same principle is used as the flashing yellow light, controlled in the central office, an electronic chip (rocker) makes the light flash at a determined frequency. A thumb wheel placed in the tricolor light case can also be used to place the light in operation

  steady or flashing. The device according to the invention is particularly intended for road traffic lanes for improving road safety.

Claims (1)

  l) Device for road traffic lights, the known characteristics of which are three lights of red, green and yellow color, characterized by the modification of the color fixed red to flashing red (3) in the particular case of two-color and three-color signal lights, and characterized by the replacement of the fixed light of green color by the installation of a digital countdown of green color; countdown starting at the maximum number nine and going up to the number zero (7) 2) Device according to claim I characterized in that the flashing red light -A0 can have the shape of a directional arrow of color flashing red (3).   3) Device according to claim I or 2 characterized in that the green light can have the shape of a directional arrow and characterized in that it is formed of a rectangular block (6) having AS5 in the left part said arrow fixed directional green color (8) and provided in its right part with the green digital countdown (7).   4) Device according to claims 1 and 3 characterized in that the   digital counting can have a variable duration by the speed of 2o its scrolling or by its beginning figure; figure that can be less than the number nine.   ) Device according to claims 1.3 and 4 characterized in that   the digital count can be invariable by being pre-programmed during assembly.   6) Device according to claims 1.3 and4 characterized in that   the digital account will be controlled remotely by the central office and may thus vary according to traffic.   7) Device according to claims 1.3 and 4 characterized in that   digital counting will be done by a seven-segment digital display (7).   8) Device according to any one of claims 1 to 7   characterized in that the display will consist of diodes   electroluminescent (LED) in round shape (7).   9) Device according to claim 7 characterized in that the display can consist of seven controlled filament lamps separately (7).