JP2013175110A - Traffic signal system and traffic signal controller - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a traffic signal system and a traffic signal controller which are capable of suppressing traffic disruption when a remaining power storage amount of a power storage part is insufficient in a traffic signal comprising a display part which changes the signal display upon receiving power supply and keeps the changed signal display when there is no power supply.SOLUTION: A traffic signal system 1 comprises: a traffic signal 2 comprising a display part configured so as to be capable of changing the signal display and a mechanism by which the display part changes the signal display upon receiving power supply and keeps the changed signal display when there is no power supply; and a traffic signal controller 3 which comprises a signal control part 31 for controlling the change of the signal display of the traffic signal 2, a power storage part 33 as a main power supply or an auxiliary power supply for supplying power to the signal control part 31, and a detection part 35 for detecting a remaining power storage amount of the power storage part 33. The signal control part 31 switches from a normal control mode for changing the signal display of the traffic signal 2 to an emergency control mode for keeping a predetermined signal display when the remaining power storage amount becomes a first threshold value or less.

Description

  The present invention relates to a traffic signal system and a traffic signal controller.

At an intersection or a pedestrian crossing, a traffic signal controller is installed that controls lighting and extinguishing of signal indication (Signal Indication) of the traffic signal at predetermined time intervals.
Such a traffic signal controller includes a main power source as a main power source, a power storage unit charged by a solar battery as an auxiliary power source, and an auxiliary power source when power supply from the main power source is interrupted by a power failure or the like. A device that operates by receiving power supply from a power storage unit is known (see Patent Document 1).

  In addition, as a traffic signal controller that operates by receiving power supply from the power storage unit, it has a power storage unit as a main power source that is charged by a solar cell, operates in the daytime by the generated power of the solar cell and the stored power of the power storage unit, Is known as a so-called power-independent traffic signal controller that operates only by the power stored in the power storage unit (see Patent Document 2).

JP-A-4-334933 JP 2006-146295 A

  By the way, in order to suppress the power consumption of the traffic signal controlled by the traffic signal controller, it is considered to use a magnetic reversal display that changes the display color by reversing the magnetic reversal element. The traffic signal device using this magnetic reversal indicator changes the signal display upon receiving power supply and maintains the signal display changed without power supply, so that the power consumption of the traffic signal device can be greatly suppressed. it can.

  However, when the traffic signal controller using the magnetic reversal indicator is controlled by the traffic signal controller of Patent Documents 1 and 2, when the power is supplied and controlled only from the power storage unit, the remaining power storage amount of the power storage unit There may be a case where the signal display of the traffic signal cannot be changed due to the shortage of the traffic light. In this case, since the signal display of the magnetic reversal element of the traffic signal is held in the display state immediately before the remaining amount of power stored in the power storage unit is insufficient, traffic may be disrupted at an intersection or the like depending on the display of the signal display. There is.

  In view of such a situation, the present invention receives a power supply from a power storage unit for a traffic signal device including a display unit that receives a power supply to change a signal display and holds the signal display changed without power supply. It is an object of the present invention to provide a traffic signal system and a traffic signal controller that can suppress traffic disruption even when the remaining power of a power storage unit is insufficient.

  (1) The present invention includes a display unit configured to be able to change a signal display, and the display unit receives a power supply to change the signal display and holds the changed signal display without power supply. A traffic signal device, a signal control unit that controls a change in signal display of the traffic signal device, a power storage unit as a main power source or an auxiliary power source that supplies power to the signal control unit, and a remaining power storage amount of the power storage unit are detected A traffic signal controller including a detection unit that controls a change in the signal display of the traffic signal when the remaining amount of electricity detected by the detection unit falls below a first threshold value. The normal control mode is switched to the emergency control mode in which the traffic signal is kept at a predetermined signal display.

  According to the present invention, when the remaining amount of electricity stored in the electricity storage unit detected by the detection unit becomes equal to or less than the first threshold value, the traffic signal is switched to the emergency control mode in which the traffic signal is kept at a predetermined signal display. Even after the power supply to the signal control unit is cut off due to an insufficient amount or the like, the traffic signal can be kept in a state displayed with a predetermined signal display. Therefore, if the emergency control mode is set so that the signal display according to the traffic conditions such as the intersection where the traffic signal is installed is displayed, the traffic will be disrupted even if the power storage capacity of the power storage unit is insufficient. Can be suppressed.

(2) The signal control unit controls changes in signal display of the plurality of traffic signals in the normal control mode, and holds all of the plurality of traffic signals in the same color signal display in the emergency control mode. It is preferable to continue.
In this case, in the emergency control mode, all of the plurality of traffic lights continue to hold the same color signal display, so that it can be easily confirmed that the traffic lights are operating in the emergency control mode.

(3) It is preferable that the signal control unit keeps holding the signal display in a color that does not give the right to pass in the emergency control mode.
In this case, since the signal display of each traffic signal does not continue to be displayed in a color that gives the right to pass, it is possible to prevent vehicles and pedestrians from entering an intersection or the like without warning. Therefore, traffic disruption can be effectively suppressed.

(4) The display unit of the traffic signal device includes a magnetic reversal indicator having a magnetic reversal element, the signal display is formed on the magnetic reversal element, and the change of the signal display is performed by the magnetic reversal element. It is preferable that the reversal is performed.
In this case, if the signal display in the emergency control mode is set so that the signal display corresponding to the traffic situation such as the intersection where the traffic signal with the display unit having the magnetic reversing display is installed is displayed, Even if the remaining amount of electricity stored in the electricity storage unit is insufficient, traffic disruption can be suppressed.

(5) It is preferable that the signal control unit switches from the emergency control mode to the normal control mode when the remaining power level detected by the detection unit after switching to the emergency control mode is equal to or greater than a second threshold.
In this case, after the signal control unit is switched to the emergency control mode, the signal control unit can be returned to the normal control mode when the power storage unit is charged and the remaining power level becomes equal to or greater than the second threshold value. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the control in the emergency control mode from continuing for a long time although the control in the normal control mode is possible due to the increase in the remaining amount of power stored in the power storage unit.

(6) It is preferable that the second threshold value is set to a value larger than the first threshold value.
In this case, since the first threshold value and the second threshold value are set to different values, chattering at the time of switching between the normal control mode and the emergency control mode can be prevented.

  (7) The present invention from another viewpoint includes a display unit configured to be able to change the signal display, and the display unit receives the power supply to change the signal display and changes the signal display without power supply. A traffic control device having a mechanism for holding a signal, a signal control unit that controls a change in signal display, a power storage unit as a main power source or an auxiliary power source that supplies power to the signal control unit, and a remaining power storage amount of the power storage unit The signal control unit, from the normal control mode for controlling the change of the signal display of the traffic signal when the remaining amount of power detected by the detection unit is less than or equal to a first threshold, The traffic signal controller is characterized by switching to an emergency control mode in which the traffic signal is kept at a predetermined signal display.

  According to the present invention, when a traffic signal device having a display unit that receives a power supply and changes the signal display and holds the changed signal display without power supply is controlled by receiving the power supply from the power storage unit. Even if the remaining amount of electricity stored in the electricity storage unit is insufficient, traffic disruption can be suppressed.

1 is an overall view of a traffic signal system according to an embodiment of the present invention. (A) is a perspective view which shows a traffic signal, (b) is a principal part enlarged view of (a). It is a block diagram of a magnetic inversion display. It is a time sequence regarding signal display. It is a road top view of intersection C which shows an example of emergency control mode. It is a road top view of intersection C which shows an example of emergency control mode. It is a flowchart which shows the control procedure of a traffic signal controller. It is a schematic diagram which shows the display part of the traffic signal in the traffic signal system which concerns on other embodiment of this invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is an overall view showing a traffic signal system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The traffic signal system 1 of the present embodiment includes a plurality of traffic signals 2 installed at an intersection C, and a traffic signal controller 3 that controls changes in signal display of these traffic signals 2. The traffic signal device 2 is attached to a support and displays a signal to the vehicle. In addition, the traffic signal apparatus 2 may display a signal with respect to a pedestrian. The traffic signal controller 3 is installed at or near a support column that supports the traffic signal 2. The traffic signal device 2 and the traffic signal control device 3 are communicably connected by an electric cable. The traffic signal controller 3 may control a change in signal display of the single traffic signal 2.

[Traffic signal]
FIG. 2A is a perspective view showing the traffic signal 2, and FIG. 2B is an enlarged view of a main part of the traffic signal 2. As shown to Fig.2 (a), the traffic signal apparatus 2 is provided with the display part 5 which displays a signal. The signal display (signal color) by the display unit 5 includes green (called blue in Japan), yellow, and red. According to Japanese statutory definitions, green indicates that the vehicle is moving, can turn left or turn right. Yellow indicates that the vehicle must not travel beyond the stop position (unless it cannot be safely stopped at the stop position). Red indicates that the vehicle must not go beyond the stop position. That is, green is a signal display that gives a right of passage to the vehicle, and yellow and red are signal displays that do not give the right of passage to the vehicle.

The display unit 5 includes a first display unit 51a that displays green, a second display unit 51b that displays yellow, and a third display unit 51c that displays red.
As shown in FIG. 2B, each of the first to third display portions 51a, 51b, 51c includes a magnetic reversal display 52. The first to third display parts 51a, 51b, 51c are provided with a light emitting part 53.

  As shown in FIG. 2 (b), the magnetic reversal display 52 constituting the first to third display portions 51 a, 51 b, 51 c includes a plurality of magnetic reversal elements 10. In each display part 51a, 51b, 51c, the plurality of magnetic reversal elements 10 are arranged so as to form a circle as a whole.

  The light emitting unit 53 includes a plurality of LEDs 20 and is turned on when the magnetic reversal element 10 is difficult to see, such as at night. As shown in FIG.2 (b), in each display part 51a, 51b, 51c, several LED20 is arrange | positioned in the space between several magnetic inversion elements 10, and forms circular as a whole. Are arranged to be. In addition, although the display parts 51a, 51b, and 51c are comprised with the magnetic inversion display 52 and the light emission part 53, you may be comprised only with the magnetic inversion display 52.

  As shown in FIG. 3, each of the plurality of magnetic reversal elements 10 constituting the magnetic reversal display 52 is formed in a plate shape. The magnetic reversal element 10 has display surfaces 10a and 10b on both sides. On one display surface 10a, a color as a signal display is formed. On the other display surface 10b, a color indicating non-display of the signal display (a color corresponding to a light-off state in the lighting type signal display) is formed.

  That is, one display surface 10a of the magnetic reversal element 10 constituting the first display unit 51a is green, and one display surface 10b of the magnetic reversal element 10 constituting the second display unit 51b is yellow, One display surface 10a of the magnetic reversal element 10 constituting the third display unit 51c is red. Further, the other display surface 10b of the magnetic reversal element 10 constituting the first to third display portions 51a, 51b, 51c is black.

As shown in FIG. 3, each magnetic reversal element 10 is rotatably supported by a rotating shaft 11, and either one of the display surfaces 10 a and 10 b can be directed to the front. The magnetic reversal display 52 includes a stator pin 12 for reversing the magnetic reversal element 10. The stator pin 12 is made of a magnetic material and is formed in a U shape as a whole. A coil 13 is wound around the base 12 a of the stator pin 12. The stator pin 12 and the coil 13 constitute a circuit that generates a magnetic field that reverses the magnetic reversal element 10.
Each of the plurality of magnetic reversal elements 10 shown in FIG. 2B is also provided with a stator pin 12 (not shown in FIG. 2B). Note that a notch for avoiding interference with the stator pin 12 is formed in the magnetic reversal element 10 shown in FIG.

The coil 13 wound around the stator pin 12 includes a first coil 13a and a second coil 13b. When a current (set current) flows from the first terminal (common terminal) 13c of the first coil 13a to the second terminal 13d, one tip side 12b of the stator pin 12 becomes the S pole, and the other tip side 12c becomes the N pole. Become.
When a current (reset current) is passed from the first terminal (common terminal) 13c of the second coil 13b to the second terminal 13e, one tip 12b of the stator pin 12 becomes the N pole and the other tip 12c becomes the S pole.

The magnetic reversal element 10 includes a permanent magnet. As shown in FIG. 3, the display surfaces 10 a and 10 b facing the front direction of the magnetic reversal element 10 are changed according to the change of the magnetic poles of the stator pins 12. The display surfaces 10a and 10b are changed by reversing the magnetic reversal element 10 around the rotation shaft 11 so that the magnetic reversal elements 10 facing the magnetic poles at both ends 12b and 12c of the stator pin 12 have different polarities. Done.
As shown in FIG. 3A, when the set current flows, one display surface 10a faces the front. When the reset current flows as shown in FIG. 3B, the other display surface 10b faces the front. Turn to.

Once the magnetic reversal element 10 is reversed, the magnetic reversal element 10 can maintain the display state without rotating. That is, since the magnetic reversal element 10 has a permanent magnet, an attractive force due to magnetic force is generated between the magnetic reversal element 10 and the stator pin 12 that is a magnetic body, and unless a set current or a reset current flows again, the magnetic reversal element 10 shown in FIG. The display state shown in a) or FIG. 3B is maintained.
As described above, the magnetic reversal display 52 has a mechanism that requires power supply to change the signal display, but does not need to supply power when the changed signal display is held.

  LED20 which comprises each display part 51a, 51b, 51c emits the light of the color corresponding to the signal display in each display part 51a, 51b, 51c. The LED 20 configuring the first display unit 51a is a green LED, the LED 20 configuring the second display unit 51b is a yellow LED, and the LED 20 configuring the third display unit 51c is a red LED. . Therefore, the traffic signal device 2 of the present embodiment can display the signal display also by the emission color of the LED 20.

[Traffic signal controller]
In FIG. 1, the traffic signal controller 3 includes a signal control unit 31 that controls changes in signal display of the first to third display units 51 a, 51 b, 51 c of each traffic signal device 2, and the first to first signals of each traffic signal device 2. The signal drive unit 32 that changes the signal display of the third display units 51a, 51b, and 51c, the power storage unit 33 as an auxiliary power source, the power control unit 34 that controls switching of the power supply source, and the remaining power storage amount of the power storage unit 33 And a detecting unit 35 for detecting.

  The signal control unit 31 is operated by a DC voltage supplied from the power supply control unit 34. In addition, the signal control unit 31 performs control related to signal display such as controlling the switching timing of signal display of each traffic signal device 2. The signal control unit 31 outputs, to the signal drive unit 32, instructions for reversing the magnetic reversal element 10 in each of the display units 51a, 51b, and 51c, and turning on / off the LED 20 in each of the display units 51a, 51b, and 51c. Thus, the state which controls the change of the signal display of each traffic signal apparatus 2 is called a normal control mode.

  The signal drive unit 32 has a circuit that generates a drive current (the set current or the reset current described above) for inverting the magnetic reversal element 10 in each of the display units 51a, 51b, and 51c. In response to the command from the signal control unit 31, the signal driving unit 32 outputs a set current or a reset current to the display units 51 a, 51 b, 51 c that should invert the magnetic reversal element 10. The output set current or reset current is applied to the first coil 13 a or the second coil 13 b of the stator pin 12 to invert the magnetic reversal element 10.

  The signal driving unit 32 includes a circuit that generates a driving current (lighting signal) for causing the LEDs 20 constituting the light emitting unit 53 in each display unit 51a, 51b, 51c to emit light. The signal drive unit 32 receives a command from the signal control unit 31 and outputs a drive current (lighting signal) to the display units 51 a, 51 b, 51 c to turn on the light emitting unit 53.

FIG. 4 shows an electrical signal given from the traffic signal controller 3 to the traffic signal 2 in order to display a signal display. In a conventional traffic signal device that uses an incandescent lamp or LED as a display unit, signal power is always given to any of the display units corresponding to green, yellow, and red, and power consumption increases.
On the other hand, when displaying a signal display using only the magnetic reversal display 52, the traffic signal controller 3 may flow a pulsed set current or reset current when the signal display changes. Therefore, the traffic signal controller 3 does not need to supply the traffic signal 2 with power for holding each signal display, and can save power.

  However, like the conventional traffic signal, the LED 20 needs power to hold each signal display. However, when the signal display can be displayed by the magnetic reversal display 52 alone, such as in the daytime, the LED 20 is turned on. Therefore, it is possible to save power as a whole.

  In FIG. 1, the power storage unit 33 is made of, for example, a storage battery (secondary battery) and is charged with power supplied from the commercial power supply 4. The power storage unit 33 supplies power to the signal control unit 31 via the power supply control unit 34 only when the commercial power supply 4 as the main power supply cannot supply voltage due to a power failure or the like. In addition, the electrical storage part 33 may be comprised with the capacitor other than the storage battery. Further, the power storage unit 33 may be charged by the generated power of the solar battery other than the commercial power supply 4.

  The detection unit 35 calculates the remaining amount of power storage based on the discharge current and the discharge time of the power storage unit 33 when the power storage unit 33 is supplying power. Then, when the remaining amount of electricity stored in the electricity storage unit 33 becomes equal to or less than the first threshold, a first detection signal to that effect is output to the power supply control unit 34. The first threshold value is set to an arbitrary value as appropriate. For example, the remaining power amount of the power storage unit 33 is set by the signal control unit 31 to the first to third display units 51a, 51b, The value is set such that the magnetic reversal element 10 and the LED 20 constituting the 51c can be changed only once to a predetermined signal display.

  Further, after the output of the first detection signal, the detection unit 35, when the power storage unit 33 is charged so that the remaining amount of power storage becomes equal to or greater than the second threshold value, the power detection unit 34 sends a second detection signal to that effect. Output to. The second threshold value is set to a value greater than or equal to the first threshold value, and is set to a value larger than the first threshold value in the present embodiment.

  The power control unit 34 controls the power supply source to be switched between the commercial power source 4 as the main power source and the power storage unit 33 as the auxiliary power source. Further, when receiving power supply from the commercial power source 4, the power source control unit 34 converts the AC voltage (AC 100 V) from the commercial power source 4 into a predetermined DC voltage and supplies the DC voltage to the signal control unit 31. Further, when receiving power supply from the power storage unit 33, the power supply control unit 34 converts the DC voltage from the power storage unit 33 into a predetermined DC voltage and supplies the DC voltage to the signal control unit 31. Furthermore, the power supply control unit 34 includes a charging circuit (not shown) for charging the power storage unit 33.

  The power supply control unit 34 performs emergency control to change the control mode with respect to the signal control unit 31 when the remaining power storage amount of the power storage unit 33 becomes equal to or less than the first threshold and receives the first detection signal from the detection unit 35. Output a signal. In addition, after outputting the emergency control signal, the power supply control unit 34 receives the second detection signal from the detection unit 35 when the remaining amount of power storage in the power storage unit 33 is equal to or greater than the second threshold value. On the other hand, a normal control signal is output to change the control mode.

  When the signal control unit 31 receives an emergency control signal from the power supply control unit 34, that is, when the remaining amount of power stored in the power storage unit 33 becomes equal to or less than the first threshold value, the normal control mode controls each change in signal display of each traffic signal device 2. From this point, the traffic signal 2 is switched to the emergency control mode in which the traffic signal 2 is kept in a predetermined signal display. Specifically, the signal control unit 31 displays the signal display of the magnetic reversal element 10 and the LED 20 constituting any one of the first to third display units 51a, 51b, 51c in each traffic signal device 2. A command signal for continuing to hold is output to the signal driving unit 32. After the output of this command signal, the signal display switching timing signal of each traffic signal device 2 is not output to the signal driving unit 32 until the normal control signal is received from the power supply control unit 34.

  Of the magnetic reversing element 10 and the LED 20 constituting the first to third display parts 51a, 51b, 51c of each traffic signal device 2, the signal display of the LED 20 is extinguished due to insufficient power supply. However, the signal display of the magnetic reversal element 10 is maintained even when the power supply is insufficient. For this reason, depending on the signal display of the magnetic reversal element 10, there is a risk of traffic disruption such as a traffic accident occurring at the intersection C. The emergency control mode performed by the signal control unit 31 is used for the purpose of suppressing such traffic disruption.

  The reason why the LED 20 is changed to the predetermined signal display in the emergency control mode is that the signal display of the same color as that of the magnetic reversing element 10 constituting the display unit together with the LED 20 is performed until the LED 20 is turned off due to insufficient power supply. Is to display. Therefore, in this embodiment, the magnetic reversal element 10 and the LED 20 are displayed with a predetermined signal display in the emergency control mode. However, when the signal display is displayed with only the magnetic reversal element 10, the magnetic reversal element 10 is displayed. Only a predetermined signal display may be used.

  The signal display of the traffic signal device 2 in the emergency control mode is set to be displayed in a color according to the traffic situation of the intersection C. For example, as shown in FIG. 5 (a), when the main roads RM1 and RM2 with a large amount of traffic and the subways RS1 and RS2 with a small amount of traffic intersect at an intersection C, the main roads RM1 and RM2 In order to prioritize the traffic, the traffic lights 2a and 2c displayed on the vehicles traveling on the main roads RM1 and RM2 are set to yellow and displayed on the vehicles traveling on the slave roads RS1 and RS2. It is conceivable to set the signal display of the traffic signals 2b and 2d to red.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 5B, at the intersection C, when the main roads RM1 and RM2 having a large amount of traffic intersect with the main roads RM3 and RM4 having a large amount of traffic, avoid a traffic accident. In order to give priority, it is conceivable that the signal displays of the traffic signals 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d displayed on the vehicles traveling on the main roads RM1, RM2, RM3, RM4 are all set to the same color red. .
Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 6, at the intersection C, when the secondary roads RS1 and RS2 with low traffic volume and the secondary roads RS3 and RS4 with low traffic volume intersect, there is a low risk of traffic disruption. For this reason, it is conceivable that the signal displays of the traffic signals 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d displayed for the vehicles traveling on the slave roads RS1, RS2, RS3, and RS4 are all set to the same color yellow.
In FIGS. 5B and 6, the signal display color is set to red or yellow, but the signal display non-display color (black in this embodiment) may be set. In this case, since it can be implied to the driver of the vehicle that the traffic light 2 has become abnormal, traffic confusion can be suppressed by determining that the driver is about to drive at the intersection C.

  When the signal control unit 31 receives the normal control signal from the power supply control unit 34 after switching to the emergency control mode, that is, when the remaining power level of the power storage unit 33 recovers to the second threshold value or more, the signal control unit 31 switches from the emergency control mode to the normal control mode. Switch to. Thereby, the signal display of each traffic signal apparatus 2 returns to a normal state and is changed according to the signal display switching timing signal output from the signal control unit 31 to the signal driving unit 32.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a control procedure of the traffic signal controller 3. Hereinafter, the control procedure will be described with reference to FIG.
First, when the signal control unit 31 receives power supply from the commercial power supply 4 via the power supply control unit 34 and executes the normal control mode, the power supply control unit 34 receives power from the commercial power supply 4 due to a power failure or the like. It is checked whether or not it has been shut off (step S1). When power supply from the commercial power supply 4 is interrupted, the power supply control unit 34 starts power supply from the power storage unit 33 (step S2). At this time, the detection unit 35 starts detecting the remaining amount of power stored in the power storage unit 33 and checks whether or not the remaining power stored in the power storage unit 33 is equal to or less than the first threshold (step S3).

  When the remaining amount of electricity stored in the electricity storage unit 33 detected by the detection unit 35 is equal to or less than the first threshold, the detection unit 35 outputs a first detection signal to the power supply control unit 34, and the power supply control unit 34 that receives this signal. Outputs an emergency control signal to the signal control unit 31. Upon receiving the emergency control signal, the signal control unit 31 switches from the normal control mode to the emergency control mode (step S4).

  After switching to the emergency control mode, the detection unit 35 checks whether or not the power storage unit 33 is charged and the remaining power storage amount is equal to or greater than the second threshold (step S5). When the remaining amount of electricity detected by the detection unit 35 is equal to or greater than the second threshold, the detection unit 35 outputs a second detection signal to the power supply control unit 34, and the power supply control unit 34 that has received this signal A normal control signal is output to the signal control unit 31. When receiving the normal control signal, the signal control unit 31 switches from the emergency control mode to the normal control mode (step S6). After switching to the communication control mode, the process returns to step S3 to check again whether or not the remaining amount of electricity stored in the electricity storage unit 33 has become equal to or less than the first threshold value.

  As mentioned above, according to the traffic signal system 1 and the traffic signal controller 3 which concern on embodiment of this invention, if the electrical storage residual amount of the electrical storage part 33 detected by the detection part 35 becomes below a 1st threshold value, each traffic signal apparatus 2 will be set. Since the emergency control mode continues to be held with a predetermined signal display, even if the power supply to the signal control unit 31 is insufficient due to a decrease in the remaining amount of power stored in the power storage unit 33, each traffic signal 2 is set to a predetermined signal. The display state can be maintained. Therefore, if the emergency control mode signal display is set so that the signal display in accordance with traffic conditions such as the intersection C where the traffic signal 2 is installed is displayed, the remaining power storage capacity of the power storage unit 33 is insufficient. Even can suppress traffic disruption.

  Moreover, when the signal display of all the traffic signals 2 in the emergency control mode is set to the same color, it can be easily confirmed that the signal control unit 31 is operating in the emergency control mode.

  Further, when the signal display of all traffic signals 2 in the emergency control mode is set to yellow or red (color that does not give the right of traffic), the signal display of each traffic signal 2 is green (gives the right of traffic). Color), the vehicle or pedestrian can be prevented from entering an intersection or the like without warning. Therefore, traffic disruption can be effectively suppressed.

  In addition, after switching to the emergency control mode, the signal control unit 31 returns to the normal control mode when the power storage unit 33 is charged and the remaining power level exceeds the second threshold value. Although the control in the normal control mode is possible by increasing, it is possible to prevent the control in the emergency control mode from continuing for a long time.

  In addition, since the second threshold detected by the detection unit 35 is set to a value larger than the first threshold, chattering at the time of switching between the normal control mode and the emergency control mode can be prevented.

[Other Embodiments]
FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing the display units 51a, 51b, 51c of the traffic signal device 2 in the traffic signal system 1 according to another embodiment of the present invention. The magnetic reversal element 10 constituting each display unit 51 a, 51 b, 51 c in FIG. 8 includes a rotor pin 14 and a reversal plate 15 connected to the rotor pin 14. The rotor pin 14 includes a permanent magnet and is reversed by a change in the magnetic pole at the tip of the stator pin 12. By reversing the rotor pin 14, the reversing plate 15 is also reversed. The reversing plate 15 is rotatable around the rotation shaft 11.

  In FIG. 8, one circular signal display 16 is displayed by the three reversing plates 15. That is, one circular signal display 16 is divided and drawn on one display surface 10 a of the three reversing plates 15. The circular signal display 16 is formed in a color (green, yellow, or red) to be displayed by the display units 51a, 51b, 51c. The other display surface 10b which is the back surface of the three reversing plates 15 is black, indicating that the signal display is not displayed.

[Other variations]
The above-mentioned embodiment is an illustration and does not limit the scope of the present invention. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the scope of claims for patent, and all modifications within the scope equivalent to the structure of the claims for patent are included in the present invention.
For example, the traffic signal controller 3 in the above embodiment has been described for the case where the power storage unit 33 is used as an auxiliary power source, but is also applicable to the case where the power storage unit 33 charged by an external power source or a solar battery is used as a main power source. can do.
Moreover, although the signal control part 31 in the said embodiment demonstrated the case where the signal display of each traffic signal apparatus 2 was set to yellow or red in emergency control mode, if the traffic confusion can be suppressed, it will be part or all The signal display of the traffic signal 2 may be set to green.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Traffic signal system 2 (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) Traffic signal machine 3 Traffic signal controller 5 Display part 10 Magnetic inversion element 31 Signal control part 33 Power storage part 35 Detection part 52 Magnetic inversion display

Claims (7)

A traffic signal device including a display unit configured to be able to change the signal display, the display unit receiving a power supply to change the signal display and a mechanism for holding the signal display changed without power supply;
A signal control unit that controls a change in signal display of the traffic signal, a power storage unit as a main power source or an auxiliary power source that supplies power to the signal control unit, and a detection unit that detects a remaining power level of the power storage unit. With a traffic signal controller
The signal control unit holds the traffic signal with a predetermined signal display from the normal control mode that controls the change of the signal display of the traffic signal when the remaining amount of electricity detected by the detection unit is equal to or less than a first threshold value. A traffic signal system characterized by switching to an emergency control mode.   The signal control unit controls each change in signal display of the plurality of traffic signals in the normal control mode, and continues to hold all of the plurality of traffic signals in the same color signal display in the emergency control mode. Item 4. The traffic signal system according to Item 1.   3. The traffic signal system according to claim 1, wherein the signal control unit continues to hold the signal display in a color that does not give the right to pass in the emergency control mode. The traffic signal display unit comprises a magnetic reversal indicator comprising a magnetic reversal element,
The signal display is formed on a magnetic reversal element,
The traffic signal system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the signal display is changed by reversing the magnetic reversal element.   5. The signal control unit according to claim 1, wherein the signal control unit switches from the emergency control mode to the normal control mode when the remaining amount of power detected by the detection unit after switching to the emergency control mode is equal to or greater than a second threshold value. The traffic signal system according to claim 1.   The traffic signal system according to claim 5, wherein the second threshold is set to a value larger than the first threshold. A traffic signal device including a display unit configured to be able to change signal display, the display unit receiving power supply to change the signal display, and having a mechanism for holding the signal display changed without power supply. A signal control unit for controlling the change of the signal display;
A power storage unit as a main power supply or an auxiliary power supply for supplying power to the signal control unit;
A detection unit for detecting the remaining amount of electricity stored in the electricity storage unit,
The signal control unit holds the traffic signal with a predetermined signal display from the normal control mode that controls the change of the signal display of the traffic signal when the remaining amount of electricity detected by the detection unit is equal to or less than a first threshold value. A traffic signal controller characterized by switching to an emergency control mode.

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