RU2795941C1 - Traffic light module for unregulated pedestrian crossing - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: road safety.

SUBSTANCE: traffic light module contains a dust and moisture-proof housing with a control unit, a wireless transceiver, an active detector system, a secondary power source, a sound annunciator, a LED spotlight, a traffic light and external LED overlays. The control unit is interconnected with the wireless transceiver and active detector system, while the sounder, LED spotlight, traffic light, external LED strips and secondary power supply are connected to the control unit. The traffic light module is installed on the existing or newly installed support/pipe/profile/metal frame/wall for fastening signs 5.19.1-5.19.2. The wireless transceiver of the control unit allows you to synchronize the operation of the traffic light module with similar devices via a radio channel.

EFFECT: increase in the safety of pedestrians and a decrease in the likelihood of injury and the number of traffic accidents.

4 cl, 3 dwg

Description

The utility model relates to signal traffic lights used in the field of traffic management at unregulated pedestrian crossings to improve the safety of pedestrians and drivers by attracting the attention of road users in order to take appropriate measures to prevent accidents.

A device for prompt notification of drivers about the presence of people at a pedestrian crossing is known [RF Patent No. 109152 Safe pedestrian crossing / T.I. Zaitov, N.T. Zaitova, publ. 10.10.2011], containing an informational sign "Pedestrian crossing" on a supporting tubular pole, a signal lighting element placed above the crossing on a crossbar resting on a pole, a motion sensor, a power source, a control unit, connecting nodes and a means for placing of these blocks, characterized in that the signal lighting element is made in the form of a lighting cord of series-connected diodes, located along the perimeter of the information and indication sign, the motion sensor is made in the form of a presence relay, and the power source is in the form of solar panels on the area of the information and indication sign , while all connecting nodes are mounted in the cavity of the supporting tubular column.

The disadvantage of this device is that the power source is made in the form of solar panels located on the area of the information sign, and that all connecting nodes are mounted in the cavity of the supporting tubular column. Thus, the device will not receive enough electricity to function due to the orientation of the batteries relative to the vector of incidence of the sun's rays, as well as the limitation of the battery life due to the lack of sufficient thermal insulation. There is no synchronization with opposite sign.

Known device "Pedestrian Lighthouse" [RF Patent No. 2482548 Pedestrian Lighthouse / S.G. Bykov, B.C. Zakalinsky, V.Ya. Shimanovich, publ. 05/20/2013], containing a rack-mount with a base for ground mounting and elements for switching on a light signal in the form of a button / lever / pedal, on a separately installed pedestrian crossing sign.

The disadvantage of this device is the need for a separate installation of the beacon in the asphalt and the need to touch the switching elements with your hands. If there is a pedal, it may not function in snowy conditions.

Known information system for drivers and pedestrians at an unregulated pedestrian crossing [RF Patent No. 150330 Information system for drivers and pedestrians at an unregulated pedestrian crossing / V.M. Gaifullin, Yu.V. Voitelev, I.V. Belyashov, publ. February 10, 2015], containing road signs made with light animation of the image of a pedestrian and light indication along the perimeter, and the light indication along the perimeter of the road signs is made with a stroboscopic effect. Motion sensors, a communication device, lighting devices, solar panels are fixed on the supports. Rechargeable batteries are located in an underground recess under the base of the sign.

The disadvantages of the information system are the lack of a sound warning for pedestrians, which, as a result, does not motivate pedestrians to comply with traffic rules, and the need to install batteries in an underground recess complicates the maintainability and installation of the system, not allowing it to be performed in regions with a cold climate.

A warning device for an unregulated pedestrian crossing is known [RF Patent No. 135829 A warning device for an unregulated pedestrian crossing / O.G. Tashirov, A.A. Khryakov, E.A. Monastery, publ. 12/20/2013], containing at least one information board, made of two arrays of identical yellow LEDs to form a stylized image of a person and a background, installed on a crossbar or stretch above a vehicle traffic lane, a motion sensor, a call button, a source power supply, the control unit of the specified information board with a built-in means of radio communication for interaction with the control unit of a similar device installed on the side of the carriageway of oncoming traffic. At the same time, the control unit allows you to control the LED lamp located above the pedestrian crossing in places of insufficient illumination of the roadway.

The disadvantages of this device are the lack of sound warning of pedestrians and the lack of control of the movement of pedestrians on a pedestrian crossing, in addition, the presence of stretch marks over the roadway limits the height of the vehicle.

Known pedestrian crossing [RF Patent No. 176588 Pedestrian crossing / Yu.S. Andrianov, I.A. Kudryavtsev, M.D. Solovieva, D.Yu. Andrianov, publ. 01/23/2018], containing four or more columns, each of which has several generators of laser visible beams, operating in the same direction, but in different planes and at different angles, regulated by a control system that blocks the movement of pedestrians or vehicles in the area transition, contains motion sensors that provide timely switching to a mode that prohibits movement. The laser keys of which are switched on, forming a three-dimensional image of a conditional obstacle in the form of overlapping lines.

The disadvantages of this utility model is that laser generators have a limited operating temperature range, which will require an additional thermal control system. The need to supply power under the pavement. The impossibility of forming a three-dimensional laser image without additional refraction in the medium (gas, fog). The presence of a danger to the eyes of children or animals in case of visual contact with laser radiation.

A known traffic control system at an unregulated pedestrian crossing [RF Patent No. 122514 Traffic control system at an unregulated pedestrian crossing / V.M. Gaifullin, O.N. Larin, A.L. Feoktistov, publ. November 27, 2012], which contains road signs 5.19.1, 5.19.2 “Pedestrian crossing”, LED indication panels, pedestrian movement sensors, communication device, solar panels, batteries placed on supports.

The disadvantage of this system is that the orientation of low-lying floodlights can lead to blinding of pedestrians who will cross the roadway. In addition, the need to install batteries in an underground recess under the base of the sign complicates the maintainability and installation of the system, not allowing it to be performed in regions with a cold climate.

Known universal high-security pedestrian crossing [Application for invention No. 2012116284 Universal high-security pedestrian crossing / A.A. Kasyanov, publ. 10/27/2013) using additional signal lights built into the roadway.

The disadvantage of such a system is that in the winter season there will be no visible effect, and snowplows, studded tires and deformation of the roadway will render this transition unusable.

Closest to the claimed technical solution in terms of technical essence and the achieved technical result (prototype) is an LED signal device [RF Patent No. 108875 LED signal device / N.A. Tsybulsky, publ. 09/27/2011], containing an LED signal board, a passive detector, a sound emitter, a control unit, an LED spotlight, a photovoltaic solar module, an L-shaped metal support, the peculiarity of which is that the LED signal board is made in the form of two oppositely oriented boards, on the front surface of which light-emitting diodes of yellow light are installed in such a way that they form a graphic image of the text in the form of the inscription “ATTENTION! A PEDESTRIAN".

The disadvantages of the known device are that its installation requires a specialized L-shaped support, which can impede the passage of large-sized vehicles, and there is no synchronization with a similar opposing device.

The technical problem to be solved by the utility model is the development of a wireless radio frequency traffic light module for early warning of road users about the presence of a pedestrian at an unregulated pedestrian crossing and the creation of a dynamic light and sound signaling system to improve the safety of pedestrians at an unregulated pedestrian crossing.

The technical result of the invention is to increase the audiovisual interaction between pedestrians and drivers at unregulated pedestrian crossings by installing a compact monoblock traffic light module on any type of both existing and jointly installed support element for signs 5.19.1 and 5.19.2, including a combination of light and sound signaling elements and an additional lighting that allows you to attract the attention of all road users planning to cross a pedestrian crossing at one time and in all weather conditions.

The specified technical result is achieved in a traffic light module consisting of a dust and moisture-proof housing with a control unit, a wireless transceiver, an active detector system, a secondary power source, a sound annunciator, an LED spotlight, a traffic light and external LED overlays. In this case, the control unit is interconnected with the wireless transceiver and the system of active detectors, and the sounder, LED spotlight, traffic light, external LED strips and the secondary power source are connected with the control unit. The system of active detectors of the traffic light module consists of ultrasonic and radar sensors that allow you to accurately adjust the zone for detecting the presence of pedestrians on the sidewalk and control their movement at the pedestrian crossing, and the control unit is based on a microcontroller. The wireless transceiver of the control unit allows you to adaptively configure and synchronize the operation of the traffic light module with similar devices via a radio channel, depending on the operating conditions.

The traffic light works in stroboscopic and continuous mode, and the sound annunciator at the moment of detecting a pedestrian repeats at least 1 time, separated by short high-frequency sounds and adjustable in volume, the phrase "MAKE SURE YOU ARE LETTED".

The traffic light module can be installed on the existing or newly installed support/pipe/profile/metal frame/wall for fastening signs 5.19.1-5.19.2, and the LED strips are installed on the road sign/signs 5.19.1-5.19.2 and connected to the traffic light module by wire.

The essence of the proposed utility model is illustrated by the figures:

Fig. 1 - diagram of the interaction of the functional blocks of the traffic light module. The module device is a set of elements (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10) located in a dust and moisture-proof housing (11) with LED strips (7) connected to it. An essential feature of the module is the possibility of its installation at any time of the year on most of the sign supports (pipes, profiles, walls, metal structures) already existing in the road infrastructure of unregulated pedestrian crossings without capital costs and road works.

Detection of pedestrians in the area of the exit to the pedestrian crossing is achieved by adjusting the detection zone by ultrasonic sensors (4,5) installed according to the principle of a linear antenna array with two or more elements operating according to the “AND” scheme, which minimizes false alarm errors.

The control of pedestrians at a pedestrian crossing ("zebra crossing") is provided by a high-frequency radar sensor (3), which distinguishes cars from pedestrians by estimating amplitude values and Doppler frequency shift.

The wireless transceiver (2) of the traffic light module transmits or receives data for control and synchronization with the second (paired) traffic light module, if any, which duplicates the operation of the first module, or is controlled by it depending on the sequence of commands received from the sensors. The wireless transceiver also allows you to select pre-recorded triggering algorithms, the duration of the light and the volume of the sound alarm.

Data processing and control of the component parts of the module is carried out in the control unit (1). The data from the sensors (2, 3, 4, 5) enter the control unit (1) and, according to the “OR” scheme, start a light and sound alert.

The LED spotlight (9) illuminates the pedestrian detection zone with white light near the sign, which is not possible with lighting installed at a height of more than five meters at dusk and / or during precipitation, and also does not allow lamps that illuminate the roadway, creating at the same time light curtain in the pedestrian exit area. The LED floodlight can be permanently switched on at night, adjusted according to a predetermined schedule, or switched on using the control unit only when a pedestrian is detected.

Also, at the moment of detecting a pedestrian, the integrated sounder (10) repeats the phrase "MAKE SURE YOU ARE LEFT" separated by short high-frequency sounds necessary to attract the attention of pedestrians. High-frequency sounds are necessary to attract the attention of pedestrians wearing headphones. The sound signal is repeated at least 1 time, or while pedestrians are present in the detection zone of ultrasonic sensors (3, 4). The importance of audible warnings lies in the fact that a pedestrian with increased attention is more likely to avoid an accident, in contrast to a motor vehicle driver.

When a command is issued from the control unit (1), in the combined stroboscopic and continuous mode, the yellow traffic light (8) is switched on, the flickering of which is duplicated by LED strips (7) with yellow LEDs installed along the contour of signs 5.19.1-5.19.2 of any of overall dimensions and connected to the traffic light module in a detachable way, signaling the driver to prepare for a probable braking (combined mode means the following: when the traffic light (8) is in continuous mode, the LED overlays of signs 5.19.1 and 5.19.2 (7) work in flickering (flickering period 0.5 s, duty cycle 50%), after a one-second half-cycle, the operating modes change from blocks (7) to (8) and from (8) to (7).At the end of the period, the operation mode resumes. operation of the light signaling is regulated when setting up the module). This way of turning on the light signaling will allow the driver to show increased attention to the pedestrian crossing, in contrast to the constantly flashing traffic light T7. As an addition to the LED overlays, the module can additionally be connected to the LED display “ATTENTION, PEDESTRIAN!”.

The supply voltage is supplied to the module from an external 220 V power supply, and then it is converted into a constant low voltage using a secondary power source (6).

The traffic light module and light overlays have a climatic version U, HL or UHL1 and resistance to wind load in accordance with GOST 32945.

The supply voltage can also be supplied to a separate power input from third-party DC voltage sources: solar panels or batteries.

Fig. 2 - a possible version of the execution and design of the utility model of the traffic light module.

Fig. 3 - an example of installing traffic light modules at a pedestrian crossing.

An example of practical implementation.

At the pedestrian crossing, two traffic light modules (Fig. 3, traffic light modules are designated A and B) are installed, forming a pair using wireless synchronization. Each of these modules is a combination of elements (A1 - A11) and (B1 - B11). After installing the traffic light module or, if necessary, changing the traffic light module, the detection zone of ultrasonic sensors (A3, B4, B3, B4) is manually configured and the following parameters are recorded in the memory of the control unit (A1, B1) using a wireless transceiver (A2, B2): height the location of the traffic light module, the identifier of the paired traffic light module (if any) and the length of the carriageway L required to calculate the maximum duration of the audiovisual signaling (A7, A8, A9, A10, B7, B8, B9, B10).

Both traffic light modules are in standby mode and exchange data on the absence of pedestrians via wireless transceivers (A2, B2). Vehicles crossing pedestrian crossings do not cause false alarms from radar sensors (A3 and B3). Audiovisual alarms (A7, A8, A9, A10, B7, B8, B9, B10) are disabled and are waiting for an activation signal. At the same time, radar sensors (A4, A5, B4, B5) and ultrasonic rangefinders (A3, B3) always continuously monitor the areas where pedestrians appear.

When pedestrians appear in the detection zone of the traffic light module "A", ultrasonic sensors (A3, A4) send data to the control unit (A1) only according to the "AND" scheme, which activates the sound annunciator (A 10), reproducing the phrase "MAKE SURE THAT YOU ARE LETTED”, separated by short high-frequency sounds, until the ultrasonic sensors (A3, A4) send data to the control unit (A1) according to the “AND” scheme. An audible alarm urges the pedestrian/pedestrians to make sure that the vehicles start to slow down in order to pass.

In this case, the control unit (A1) starts the LED spotlight (A9) for a time t _spotlight equal to t ₂ (the moment when data is sent according to the “AND” scheme from ultrasonic sensors (A3, A4)) - t ₁ (the moment when data is sent according to the scheme "And" from ultrasonic sensors (A3, A4)) + 3 s.

At the same time, the control unit (A1) starts in the combined mode the yellow traffic light (A8) and the redundant LED overlays of signs 5.19.1-5.19.2 (A7) for the time 2*t _{of the passage} , at t _{of the passage} =t ₂ +L/S _cp , where S _cp is the average pedestrian speed, set by default to 0.6 m/s.

At the same time, the control unit (A1) using the wireless transceiver (A2) sends a command to the transceiver (B2) of the paired module, on the basis of which the control unit (B1) starts the yellow traffic light (A8) and the redundant LED signs overlays in antiphase mode 5.19.1 -5.19.2 (A7) for the time 2*t _{of the passage} from the moment t ₁ .

In the absence of data according to the "I" scheme on the detection of pedestrians on the roadway by radar sensors (A3, B3), the system considers that pedestrians did not enter the roadway. Each control unit (A1, B1), having received data about this, turns off the light alarm (A7, A8, A9, B7, B8, B9) and (A1, B1) goes into standby mode, otherwise the light alarm continues to work until the end 2*t _pass .

Claims (4)

1. A traffic light module for an unregulated pedestrian crossing, containing a control unit, one or more sound annunciators and an LED spotlight, while the sound annunciator and the LED spotlight are connected to the control unit, characterized in that it additionally contains a dust and moisture-proof housing, a system of active detectors - ultrasonic rangefinders and radar sensor - installed with the ability to adjust the detection zone of pedestrians on the sidewalk, a secondary power source operating from an external AC network, an orange or non-orange traffic light operating in stroboscopic and continuous modes, a wireless transceiver as part of the control unit, which allows synchronization of operation with similar devices via a radio channel, as well as to configure parameters using a laptop computer or smartphone, one or more external LED strip installed on the road sign / signs 5.19.1-5.19.2 and connected to the traffic light module by wire, while the control unit is made on the basis of a microcontroller and is interconnected with a secondary power source and a system of active detectors, and the sound annunciator repeats at least 1 time isolated or not isolated with short high-frequency sounds and volume-adjustable phrase "MAKE SURE YOU ARE LETTED", in addition, the traffic light module is made with the possibility of installing signs 5.19.1-5.19.2 on a newly installed or operated support/pipe/profile/metal frame/wall. 2. A traffic light module for an unregulated pedestrian crossing according to claim 1, characterized in that, in addition to LED overlays, one / two LED informative displays with the inscription "ATTENTION, PEDESTRIAN!" are used. 3. A traffic light module for an unregulated pedestrian crossing according to claim 2, characterized in that, in addition to external LED overlays, one or two LED informative displays with the inscription "ATTENTION, PEDESTRIAN!" and / or additional lighting above the pedestrian crossing, actuated by a wired / wireless method on command from the control unit. 4. A traffic light module for an unregulated pedestrian crossing according to claim 1, characterized in that the design of the device provides for additional sources of constant voltage - solar and / or batteries.

Images