WO2002036887A1 - Moyens de signalisation - Google Patents

Moyens de signalisation Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2002036887A1
WO2002036887A1 PCT/GB2001/004787 GB0104787W WO0236887A1 WO 2002036887 A1 WO2002036887 A1 WO 2002036887A1 GB 0104787 W GB0104787 W GB 0104787W WO 0236887 A1 WO0236887 A1 WO 0236887A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
socket
lens
domed
road
signalling means
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB2001/004787
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Martin Edward Dicks
Original Assignee
Astucia (Uk) Ltd.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Astucia (Uk) Ltd. filed Critical Astucia (Uk) Ltd.
Priority to AU2002212445A priority Critical patent/AU2002212445A1/en
Publication of WO2002036887A1 publication Critical patent/WO2002036887A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E01—CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS, RAILWAYS, OR BRIDGES
    • E01F—ADDITIONAL WORK, SUCH AS EQUIPPING ROADS OR THE CONSTRUCTION OF PLATFORMS, HELICOPTER LANDING STAGES, SIGNS, SNOW FENCES, OR THE LIKE
    • E01F9/00—Arrangement of road signs or traffic signals; Arrangements for enforcing caution
    • E01F9/50—Road surface markings; Kerbs or road edgings, specially adapted for alerting road users
    • E01F9/553—Low discrete bodies, e.g. marking blocks, studs or flexible vehicle-striking members
    • E01F9/565—Low discrete bodies, e.g. marking blocks, studs or flexible vehicle-striking members having deflectable or displaceable parts
    • E01F9/571—Low discrete bodies, e.g. marking blocks, studs or flexible vehicle-striking members having deflectable or displaceable parts displaceable vertically under load, e.g. in combination with rotation
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E01—CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS, RAILWAYS, OR BRIDGES
    • E01F—ADDITIONAL WORK, SUCH AS EQUIPPING ROADS OR THE CONSTRUCTION OF PLATFORMS, HELICOPTER LANDING STAGES, SIGNS, SNOW FENCES, OR THE LIKE
    • E01F9/00—Arrangement of road signs or traffic signals; Arrangements for enforcing caution
    • E01F9/40—Arrangements responsive to adverse atmospheric conditions, e.g. to signal icy roads or to automatically illuminate in fog; Arrangements characterised by heating or drying means
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E01—CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS, RAILWAYS, OR BRIDGES
    • E01F—ADDITIONAL WORK, SUCH AS EQUIPPING ROADS OR THE CONSTRUCTION OF PLATFORMS, HELICOPTER LANDING STAGES, SIGNS, SNOW FENCES, OR THE LIKE
    • E01F9/00—Arrangement of road signs or traffic signals; Arrangements for enforcing caution
    • E01F9/50—Road surface markings; Kerbs or road edgings, specially adapted for alerting road users
    • E01F9/553—Low discrete bodies, e.g. marking blocks, studs or flexible vehicle-striking members
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E01—CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS, RAILWAYS, OR BRIDGES
    • E01F—ADDITIONAL WORK, SUCH AS EQUIPPING ROADS OR THE CONSTRUCTION OF PLATFORMS, HELICOPTER LANDING STAGES, SIGNS, SNOW FENCES, OR THE LIKE
    • E01F9/00—Arrangement of road signs or traffic signals; Arrangements for enforcing caution
    • E01F9/50—Road surface markings; Kerbs or road edgings, specially adapted for alerting road users
    • E01F9/553—Low discrete bodies, e.g. marking blocks, studs or flexible vehicle-striking members
    • E01F9/559—Low discrete bodies, e.g. marking blocks, studs or flexible vehicle-striking members illuminated

Definitions

  • This invention relates to signalling means, and is particularly concerned with signalling means for roads.
  • a reflector or e.g. an LED has a lens in a part of the signalling means standing proud of the road surface, to face an oncoming vehicle and either allow light from a vehicle headlight to be reflected back to the driver of the vehicle or allow the driver to see the illuminated e.g. LED.
  • a reflector or e.g. an LED By standing proud of the road surface, it constitutes a hazard to cyclists and motorcyclists, and it is susceptible to damage from all traffic.
  • the upper part of the signalling means bearing reflectors or lenses to be compressible, or to mount it in a socket sunk into the road and be depressible into the socket, on contact by road vehicles.
  • the object of the present invention is to provide road signalling means that avoids the above referred to disadvantages.
  • a road signalling means comprises a socket, a domed lens mounted on the socket and a reflective means mounted in the socket, said domed lens being of a material able to cause light to refract and be directed to the reflective means, from where it is reflected back through the lens and refracts to return towards its source.
  • a road signalling means comprises a socket, a domed lens mounted on the socket and illuminatable means mounted in the socket, said domed lens being of a material to cause light from the illuminatable means to refract and be directed in a required direction, such as towards and in the line of sight of a driver of an oncoming vehicle.
  • a road signalling means comprises a socket, a domed lens mounted on the socket, a reflective means mounted in the socket and illuminatable means also mounted in the socket, said domed lens being of a material to cause light or reflected light to refract and be directed in a required direction, such as towards and in the line of sight of a driver of an oncoming vehicle.
  • the material of the dome and the curvature of its domed surface is such as to allow light of different angles of approach to be refracted onto the reflector, and returned along substantially the same path as its approach, the degree of refraction is such as to take into account the difference in height of a vehicle headlight and the line of sight of the driver, such that light from a headlight is reflected at an angle towards the driver's eyes.
  • the material of the domed lens and the curvature of its domed surface is such as to cause light emitted by the illuminatable means to refract in divergent manner to provide a spread of emitted light.
  • the material of the lens is a so-called "self-healing" plastics material, i.e. a material with a memory that results in scratches being self-eliminated.
  • the lens may be mounted in the socket, with an intervening resilient seal, that allows the lens to be depressed on contact by road wheels or a plough blade.
  • the lens may be a solid block of an appropriate transparent, self-healing plastics material mounted for movement in the socket, and the reflective means or illuminatable means may be located on a mounting plate within the socket, the lower face of the lens being appropriately recessed to receive the reflective or illuminatable means.
  • the result is that the lens remains relatively clean, with dry dust tending to fall from the crown down to the periphery, and in wet weather, rain effectively washes the lens surface.
  • an angled reflector may be the reflective means mounted in the socket, it is preferred that the reflective means is a corner-cube reflector, able to reflect light back to the lens at a higher intensity than a simple mirror, or a prismatic lens, and the illuminatable means may be a bulb, but is preferably an LED.
  • the lens as a whole may be such as to ensure that light is turned through the correct angle to be directed at the reflective means
  • an insert may be incorporated in the lens to guarantee that light is turned through the required angle, to the reflective means from the vehicle and from the reflective means back to the vehicle.
  • a similar insert in the lens can be employed.
  • illuminatable means When illuminatable means are in the socket, also present can be such as light sensitive cells and associated capacitors or batteries, plus circuitry to be driven by power from the cells and capacitors, or batteries, and associated sensors to enable the signalling means to serve a variety of other functions.
  • LED's when provided may serve as simple illumination means or can provide a trail and tailgate facility such as is described and claimed in British Patent No. 0578413.
  • a detection means for ice and standing water with the illumination of LED's of an appropriate colour to warn oncoming drivers, and the detection of stationery vehicles, with again the illumination of LED's of an appropriate colour.
  • light sensitive switches can be provided to cause the illumination of LED's to provide a delineated path to be followed by a driver, and in foggy conditions, sensors may be provided on the lens surface to sense the build-up of moisture, and complete a circuit to light up the illuminatable means.
  • transceiver means can be fitted in the socket, to signal and switch on LED's in sockets in advance of a hazard in the direction of oncoming traffic.
  • the signalling means of the invention can readily be adapted for such as runway signalling means, by incorporating an upwardly focussing diamond shaped reflector to allow the lights of airborne vehicles to illuminate the signalling means, or be provided with upwardly directed light from illuminatable means
  • the invention constitutes a significant advance on conventional road mounted signalling means, by its ability to avoid damage by oncoming vehicles and particularly snow ploughs, and by the provision of self-healing lens.
  • Figure 1 is a perspective view of a signalling means in accordance with the invention
  • Figure 2 is a schematic sectional view of the signalling means of Figure 1 , indicating the light paths through the lens to the reflective means;
  • Figure 3 corresponds to Figure 2 but shows a prismatic reflector
  • Figure 4 corresponds to Figure 2 but shows the presence of illuminatable means
  • Figure 5 corresponds to Figure 4, but shows a probe extending to the surface of the signalling means
  • FIG. 6 corresponds to Figure 5 but shows an alternative form of moisture detector.
  • a road signalling means 1 has a domed lens 2 mounted in a socket 3 able to be located in an appropriate recess in a road surface 4.
  • the domed lens is of a transparent plastics material able to refract light from, e.g. the headlight of oncoming vehicles and direct it to a reflector 5 located in the socket.
  • the degree of refraction of received and reflected light is indicated by the arrows 6 and 7, and which is such as to take into account differences in headlight heights above the road.
  • the reflector 5 may be a simple angled reflector, it is desirably so that it takes the form of a corner cube reflector.
  • a number of signalling means can be provided, strategically positioned along a length of road, able to reflect light received from a vehicle headlight back to the driver, to confirm to the driver where the line of the road, or edge of the road, is.
  • the reflector 8 is a prismatic reflector, to reflect part of received light back towards its source, and to project part of the light in the opposite direction.
  • Incoming light is refracted by the domed lens 2 and gathered by a first semi-spherical prism 9 at one side of the reflector 8, to further refract incoming light and direct it to the multiple prism structure 10 at the base of the reflector 8.
  • Part of the incoming light is reflected by the prismatic structure 10 and returned towards its source, and another part of the incoming light is oppositely reflected, refracted by a second semi-spherical prism 11 , further refracted by the domed lens 2, to direct light to the opposite side of the signalling means, as a warning to drivers travelling in the opposite direction that there is oncoming traffic.
  • the signalling means may be provided with illuminatable means such as LED's 12, and an accompanying circuit 13 comprising a solar panel 14, a capacitor 15 and a battery 16, as is shown in Figure 4.
  • illuminatable means such as LED's 12, and an accompanying circuit 13 comprising a solar panel 14, a capacitor 15 and a battery 16, as is shown in Figure 4.
  • the solar panel 14 charges the battery 16 during the hours of daylight, which in turn charges the capacitor 15, and at dusk, the LED's are switched on.
  • light from the LED's is refracted by the domed lens 2 to be directed towards and be in the line of sight of drivers of vehicles approaching the signalling means from both directions.
  • two probes 17 may be provided, connected in the circuit, and extending to the surface of the domed lens.
  • moisture gathers on the lens, and completes a circuit containing the probes, to switch on LED's to signal the presence of fog.
  • the probes could sense the presence of standing water or ice, and cause the switch on of appropriate LED's to signal the sensed road condition.
  • a multiple light sensor 17 is provided. In the presence of fog, moisture gathered on the outer surface of the dome causes part of the light reflected by the reflector 5 or emitted by the LED 12 to be reflected internally of the domed lens 2, to be received by the multiple light sensor 17, to cause the illumination of a second LED 12 of a colour selected to signal foggy conditions.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Architecture (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Atmospheric Sciences (AREA)
  • Road Signs Or Road Markings (AREA)

Abstract

L"invention concerne des moyens de signalisation, en particulier destinés aux routes. Les avantages procurés par la présence de plots réfléchissants ou illuminés sont bien connus. Les plots réfléchissants classiques dépassent de la surface de la route afin de permettre au réflecteur ou au moyens d"éclairage d"être vu, et sont sujets à détérioration en raison du trafic, et en particulier à cause des lames de chasse-neige. Le but de l"invention est de réduire sensiblement, ou d"éliminer ce désavantage, un objectif réalisé par une construction comprenant une emboîture, une lentille bombée montée sur l"emboîture et des moyens réfléchissant et/ou d"illumination montés dans l"emboîture, la lentille bombée étant constituée d"un matériau pouvant réfracter un rayonnement lumineux réfléchi, ou un rayonnement lumineux provenant des moyens d"illumination, afin de le rendre visible aux conducteurs de véhicules qui approchent.
PCT/GB2001/004787 2000-11-01 2001-10-29 Moyens de signalisation WO2002036887A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2002212445A AU2002212445A1 (en) 2000-11-01 2001-10-29 Signalling means

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0026677.5 2000-11-01
GBGB0026677.5A GB0026677D0 (en) 2000-11-01 2000-11-01 Signalling means

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2002036887A1 true WO2002036887A1 (fr) 2002-05-10

Family

ID=9902348

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB2001/004787 WO2002036887A1 (fr) 2000-11-01 2001-10-29 Moyens de signalisation

Country Status (5)

Country Link
AU (1) AU2002212445A1 (fr)
GB (1) GB0026677D0 (fr)
MY (1) MY129230A (fr)
TW (1) TWI225115B (fr)
WO (1) WO2002036887A1 (fr)

Cited By (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2414260A (en) * 2004-05-18 2005-11-23 3M Innovative Properties Co Reflector assembly for use in road marking
WO2006011064A1 (fr) * 2004-07-23 2006-02-02 Stuart John Hume Plot routier
KR100667668B1 (ko) 2006-05-11 2007-01-12 주식회사 용마엔지니어링 매립형 표지병
US7429919B2 (en) 2003-09-18 2008-09-30 Silicon Constellations, Inc. Multi-purpose wireless communication device
EP2105904A1 (fr) 2008-03-26 2009-09-30 Software System Solutions FC-LLC Système de guidage et de gestion de parking automatique
WO2009117755A2 (fr) * 2008-03-26 2009-10-01 Software System Solutions Fc-Llc Système automatisé de guidage et de gestion de stationnement
GB2478560A (en) * 2010-03-09 2011-09-14 Clearview Traffic Group Ltd Road studs with optical input and a microprocessor to control the output of the input light.
EP2753762A4 (fr) * 2011-09-22 2015-07-15 Solar Bright Ltd Balise de signalisation ou dispositif d'avertissement lumineux
CN109235309A (zh) * 2018-09-17 2019-01-18 合肥通路光学科技有限公司 路面反光装置
CN109267508A (zh) * 2018-09-17 2019-01-25 合肥通路光学科技有限公司 荧光路面反光装置
WO2024038299A1 (fr) * 2022-08-15 2024-02-22 Clearview Intelligence Ltd. Balise active fournissant une lumière omnidirectionnelle

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB438328A (en) * 1934-04-30 1935-11-14 Saint Gobain Improved road marking means and method of use thereof
FR853597A (fr) * 1938-08-10 1940-03-22 Réflecteur placé dans le sol
DE1226460B (de) * 1955-08-22 1966-10-06 Ernest Leubaz Vorrichtung zum Reflektieren flach zur Fahrbahn gerichteter Lichtstrahlen in geringem Winkel zu den Lichtstrahlen
DE1497339A1 (de) * 1966-09-30 1969-07-10 Siemens Ag Rundstrahlender Linsenkoerper fuer Flugplatz-Unterflurfeuer
US3901614A (en) * 1974-05-31 1975-08-26 James L Overacker Refractive spherical roadway marker
DE8514222U1 (de) * 1985-05-14 1985-06-27 H. Debuschewitz GmbH & Co KG, 5000 Köln Bodenrückstrahler
US5703719A (en) * 1997-01-17 1997-12-30 Chen; Judy Reflector road sign with self-provided light means

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB438328A (en) * 1934-04-30 1935-11-14 Saint Gobain Improved road marking means and method of use thereof
FR853597A (fr) * 1938-08-10 1940-03-22 Réflecteur placé dans le sol
DE1226460B (de) * 1955-08-22 1966-10-06 Ernest Leubaz Vorrichtung zum Reflektieren flach zur Fahrbahn gerichteter Lichtstrahlen in geringem Winkel zu den Lichtstrahlen
DE1497339A1 (de) * 1966-09-30 1969-07-10 Siemens Ag Rundstrahlender Linsenkoerper fuer Flugplatz-Unterflurfeuer
US3901614A (en) * 1974-05-31 1975-08-26 James L Overacker Refractive spherical roadway marker
DE8514222U1 (de) * 1985-05-14 1985-06-27 H. Debuschewitz GmbH & Co KG, 5000 Köln Bodenrückstrahler
US5703719A (en) * 1997-01-17 1997-12-30 Chen; Judy Reflector road sign with self-provided light means

Cited By (16)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7429919B2 (en) 2003-09-18 2008-09-30 Silicon Constellations, Inc. Multi-purpose wireless communication device
GB2414260A (en) * 2004-05-18 2005-11-23 3M Innovative Properties Co Reflector assembly for use in road marking
GB2414260B (en) * 2004-05-18 2009-04-29 3M Innovative Properties Co Reflector assembly for use in road marking
WO2006011064A1 (fr) * 2004-07-23 2006-02-02 Stuart John Hume Plot routier
KR100667668B1 (ko) 2006-05-11 2007-01-12 주식회사 용마엔지니어링 매립형 표지병
EP2105904A1 (fr) 2008-03-26 2009-09-30 Software System Solutions FC-LLC Système de guidage et de gestion de parking automatique
WO2009117755A2 (fr) * 2008-03-26 2009-10-01 Software System Solutions Fc-Llc Système automatisé de guidage et de gestion de stationnement
WO2009117755A3 (fr) * 2008-03-26 2010-01-21 Software System Solutions Fc-Llc Système automatisé de guidage et de gestion de stationnement
GB2478560A (en) * 2010-03-09 2011-09-14 Clearview Traffic Group Ltd Road studs with optical input and a microprocessor to control the output of the input light.
GB2478560B (en) * 2010-03-09 2012-10-31 Clearview Traffic Group Ltd Improved road studs
EP3029201A3 (fr) * 2010-03-09 2016-11-23 Clearview Intelligence Group Limited Plots routiers améliorés
EP2753762A4 (fr) * 2011-09-22 2015-07-15 Solar Bright Ltd Balise de signalisation ou dispositif d'avertissement lumineux
CN109235309A (zh) * 2018-09-17 2019-01-18 合肥通路光学科技有限公司 路面反光装置
CN109267508A (zh) * 2018-09-17 2019-01-25 合肥通路光学科技有限公司 荧光路面反光装置
CN109235309B (zh) * 2018-09-17 2021-03-30 合肥通路光学科技有限公司 路面反光装置
WO2024038299A1 (fr) * 2022-08-15 2024-02-22 Clearview Intelligence Ltd. Balise active fournissant une lumière omnidirectionnelle

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU2002212445A1 (en) 2002-05-15
TWI225115B (en) 2004-12-11
GB0026677D0 (en) 2000-12-13
MY129230A (en) 2007-03-30

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