WO2016139440A1 - Lighting systems - Google Patents

Lighting systems Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2016139440A1
WO2016139440A1 PCT/GB2015/052755 GB2015052755W WO2016139440A1 WO 2016139440 A1 WO2016139440 A1 WO 2016139440A1 GB 2015052755 W GB2015052755 W GB 2015052755W WO 2016139440 A1 WO2016139440 A1 WO 2016139440A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
illumination system
illuminating
light
housing
article
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB2015/052755
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Christopher Mouzouris
Original Assignee
Christopher Mouzouris
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 Christopher Mouzouris filed Critical Christopher Mouzouris
Publication of WO2016139440A1 publication Critical patent/WO2016139440A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21LIGHTING
    • F21VFUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F21V23/00Arrangement of electric circuit elements in or on lighting devices
    • F21V23/04Arrangement of electric circuit elements in or on lighting devices the elements being switches
    • F21V23/0442Arrangement of electric circuit elements in or on lighting devices the elements being switches activated by means of a sensor, e.g. motion or photodetectors
    • EFIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E01CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS, RAILWAYS, OR BRIDGES
    • E01FADDITIONAL WORK, SUCH AS EQUIPPING ROADS OR THE CONSTRUCTION OF PLATFORMS, HELICOPTER LANDING STAGES, SIGNS, SNOW FENCES, OR THE LIKE
    • E01F9/00Arrangement of road signs or traffic signals; Arrangements for enforcing caution
    • E01F9/20Use of light guides, e.g. fibre-optic devices
    • EFIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E01CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS, RAILWAYS, OR BRIDGES
    • E01FADDITIONAL WORK, SUCH AS EQUIPPING ROADS OR THE CONSTRUCTION OF PLATFORMS, HELICOPTER LANDING STAGES, SIGNS, SNOW FENCES, OR THE LIKE
    • E01F9/00Arrangement of road signs or traffic signals; Arrangements for enforcing caution
    • E01F9/50Road surface markings; Kerbs or road edgings, specially adapted for alerting road users
    • E01F9/553Low discrete bodies, e.g. marking blocks, studs or flexible vehicle-striking members
    • EFIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E01CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS, RAILWAYS, OR BRIDGES
    • E01FADDITIONAL WORK, SUCH AS EQUIPPING ROADS OR THE CONSTRUCTION OF PLATFORMS, HELICOPTER LANDING STAGES, SIGNS, SNOW FENCES, OR THE LIKE
    • E01F9/00Arrangement of road signs or traffic signals; Arrangements for enforcing caution
    • E01F9/50Road surface markings; Kerbs or road edgings, specially adapted for alerting road users
    • E01F9/553Low discrete bodies, e.g. marking blocks, studs or flexible vehicle-striking members
    • E01F9/565Low discrete bodies, e.g. marking blocks, studs or flexible vehicle-striking members having deflectable or displaceable parts
    • E01F9/571Low 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
    • EFIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E01CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS, RAILWAYS, OR BRIDGES
    • E01FADDITIONAL WORK, SUCH AS EQUIPPING ROADS OR THE CONSTRUCTION OF PLATFORMS, HELICOPTER LANDING STAGES, SIGNS, SNOW FENCES, OR THE LIKE
    • E01F9/00Arrangement of road signs or traffic signals; Arrangements for enforcing caution
    • E01F9/60Upright bodies, e.g. marker posts or bollards; Supports for road signs
    • E01F9/604Upright bodies, e.g. marker posts or bollards; Supports for road signs specially adapted for particular signalling purposes, e.g. for indicating curves, road works or pedestrian crossings
    • E01F9/615Upright bodies, e.g. marker posts or bollards; Supports for road signs specially adapted for particular signalling purposes, e.g. for indicating curves, road works or pedestrian crossings illuminated
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21LIGHTING
    • F21WINDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES F21K, F21L, F21S and F21V, RELATING TO USES OR APPLICATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS
    • F21W2131/00Use or application of lighting devices or systems not provided for in codes F21W2102/00-F21W2121/00
    • F21W2131/10Outdoor lighting
    • F21W2131/103Outdoor lighting of streets or roads

Definitions

  • This invention relates to an illuminating article.
  • the article may, for example, comprise a street light or sign.
  • Street lighting is an important road safety measure. However, on many roads, traffic is light at night and for the majority of time, street lights are lit in the absence of vehicles, with a corresponding waste of electrical energy.
  • CN 102497709 A describes a passive infra-red (PIR) sensor which detects the heat signature of the vehicle's engine.
  • PIR passive infra-red
  • the present invention provides an illumination system comprising a light collector arranged to be fixed with respect to a roadway to face an oncoming vehicle, an optical fibre cable having a first end connected to the light collector, and a second end connected to a photoelectric switch arranged to activate an illuminating article.
  • the photoelectric switch can be arranged to activate a plurality of illuminating articles.
  • a timer can be provided to deactivate the or each illuminating articles a certain time after activation thereof, said time optionally being programmable.
  • the light collector can be located in a housing optionally having a domed roof and being adapted for mounting on a roadway.
  • the light collector may comprise at least one fibre optic termination at the wall of the housing.
  • the housing can include a plurality of said light collectors, each for controlling a different illuminating article or set of illuminating articles.
  • said light collectors face in mutually opposite directions for detecting vehicles travelling towards the housing in opposite directions, each light collector being connected to one or illuminating articles arranged further along the roadway in the direction of travel of the respective vehicle.
  • the system includes a wireless transmitter for transmitting a signal from the photoelectric switch to the illuminating article.
  • the transmitter may in particular comprise a mesh network sensor.
  • the illuminating article may in particular be a street light or a sign and may comprise one or more light emitting diodes.
  • Figure 1 is a schematic plan of a system according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of a housing for use in the system of Figure 1;
  • Figure 3 is a schematic elevation of an alternative housing
  • FIG. 4 schematically shows elements of a system according to an alternative embodiment of the invention. Detailed Description of Particular Embodiments
  • Figure 1 schematically shows a roadway having a plurality of sensor housings 1 arranged along a centre line of the roadway.
  • the housings can be oblong in plan, with a domed roof, mounted in recesses in the road surface in a sprung manner similar to known cat's eyes.
  • Figure 2 shows a housing 1 in more detail. Such a housing is suitable for a two-way street and therefore has light collectors 2 facing in opposite directions. Where a housing is intended for a one-way street or for a dual carriageway where vehicles will be travelling in a single direction, light collectors are provided on one side of the housing only.
  • each light collector 2 is connected to a buried waterproof fibre optic cable 4 extending in a rodent-proof cage (not shown) from the housing 1 to an LED street light 5. Additional fibre optic cables, not shown for clarity, connect the light collectors facing in the opposite direction to street lights located lower down as viewed in Figure 1.
  • the fibre optic cable 4 terminates at a photoelectric switch 6.
  • the switch 6 is connected via appropriate circuitry to activate the street light 5.
  • Timing circuitry can be provided to keep the light illuminated for an appropriate period of time. This period can be dependent on the expected speed of vehicles: thus on an urban street, the illumination period will be longer than on a motorway.
  • Figure 3 is a front view of an alternative domed housing 11 having light collectors 12 on a front surface.
  • the housing 11 is supported on a spring 17 within a metallic casing 18 recessed in the road surface, so that it can be depressed into the casing when impacted by a vehicle.
  • FIG. 4 schematically shows an alternative system in which the fibre optic bundle 24 extends, for a distance equal to an average interval between street lights, e.g. approximately 20 m, to an end condenser 29 adjacent a photoelectric cell 26 in the centre of the roadway.
  • the photoelectric cell 26 When energised by light emitted from the end condenser, the photoelectric cell 26 generates an electric charge which causes one or more mesh network sensors 27 to transmit a wireless signal to one or more respective receivers 28, each in a street light 25.
  • the system of the invention is incorporated within a mesh network, such as a 6L0WPAN (IPv6 over Low Power Wireless Personal Area Network), e.g. using a standard such as ZigBee ®.
  • the wireless signal may be a Bluetooth ® signal or a WiFi ® signal.
  • the receiver 28 operates the street light 25 in the same manner as the street light 5 of Figure 1, except that the manner in which the street light 25 is illuminated when the receiver 28 receives a signal can be adjusted using the central management system.
  • the network can also monitor traffic flows during the hours of darkness, by counting the number of detections of vehicle headlights.
  • the illuminating object can be a sign instead of a street light. It can be any traffic sign, such as a "Give Way” sign, or a “Wrong Way” sign for warning vehicles travelling in the wrong direction on a dual carriageway.
  • the photoelectric switch will be activated by any vehicle having one or more headlights. Even a stationary vehicle, for example a parked vehicle being started, will activate the switch and the illuminating object.
  • CMS central management systems
  • control of lighting using CMS i.e. from a central management position, currently gives energy savings up to 20%
  • 'dynamic detection' of oncoming vehicles or traffic flow for the purpose of activating street lamps according to the invention is expected to give energy savings up to 60%, whilst itself, at least embodiments, being entirely passive and requiring no power.

Abstract

An illumination system includes a light collector (2) arranged to be fixed with respect to a roadway to face an oncoming vehicle (3). An optical fibre cable (4) has a first end connected to the light collector, and a second end connected to a photoelectric switch (6) arranged to activate an illuminating article (5), such as a street light. Thus, the illuminating article is activated when light from the vehicle's headlight is detected by the light collector (2).

Description

LIGHTING SYSTEMS
Background to the Invention
[0001] This invention relates to an illuminating article. The article may, for example, comprise a street light or sign.
[0002] Street lighting is an important road safety measure. However, on many roads, traffic is light at night and for the majority of time, street lights are lit in the absence of vehicles, with a corresponding waste of electrical energy.
[0003] Systems have therefore been proposed which can switch street lights on in response to the detection of a vehicle. For example, CN 102497709 A describes a passive infra-red (PIR) sensor which detects the heat signature of the vehicle's engine. However, where the vehicle is travelling at high speed, the response time of such sensors can be too slow. In addition, a PIR sensor does not detect an electric vehicle.
[0004] It is also known, particularly in the context of illuminated signs, to detect vehicles using a Doppler radar sensor. However this is relatively expensive, requires a power source, and only responds to a moving vehicle.
Summary of the Invention
[0005] The present invention provides an illumination system comprising a light collector arranged to be fixed with respect to a roadway to face an oncoming vehicle, an optical fibre cable having a first end connected to the light collector, and a second end connected to a photoelectric switch arranged to activate an illuminating article.
[0006] The photoelectric switch can be arranged to activate a plurality of illuminating articles. A timer can be provided to deactivate the or each illuminating articles a certain time after activation thereof, said time optionally being programmable. [0007] The light collector can be located in a housing optionally having a domed roof and being adapted for mounting on a roadway. The light collector may comprise at least one fibre optic termination at the wall of the housing.
[0008] The housing can include a plurality of said light collectors, each for controlling a different illuminating article or set of illuminating articles. In one embodiment, said light collectors face in mutually opposite directions for detecting vehicles travelling towards the housing in opposite directions, each light collector being connected to one or illuminating articles arranged further along the roadway in the direction of travel of the respective vehicle.
[0009] In one embodiment, the system includes a wireless transmitter for transmitting a signal from the photoelectric switch to the illuminating article. The transmitter may in particular comprise a mesh network sensor.
[0010] The illuminating article may in particular be a street light or a sign and may comprise one or more light emitting diodes.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0011] The invention will now be described in more detail, by way of example only, with respect to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0012] Figure 1 is a schematic plan of a system according to an embodiment of the invention;
[0013] Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of a housing for use in the system of Figure 1;
[0014] Figure 3 is a schematic elevation of an alternative housing; and
[0015] Figure 4 schematically shows elements of a system according to an alternative embodiment of the invention. Detailed Description of Particular Embodiments
[0016] Figure 1 schematically shows a roadway having a plurality of sensor housings 1 arranged along a centre line of the roadway. The housings can be oblong in plan, with a domed roof, mounted in recesses in the road surface in a sprung manner similar to known cat's eyes.
[0017] Figure 2 shows a housing 1 in more detail. Such a housing is suitable for a two-way street and therefore has light collectors 2 facing in opposite directions. Where a housing is intended for a one-way street or for a dual carriageway where vehicles will be travelling in a single direction, light collectors are provided on one side of the housing only.
[0018] As shown in Figure 1, each light collector 2 is connected to a buried waterproof fibre optic cable 4 extending in a rodent-proof cage (not shown) from the housing 1 to an LED street light 5. Additional fibre optic cables, not shown for clarity, connect the light collectors facing in the opposite direction to street lights located lower down as viewed in Figure 1.
[0019] At the base of the street light, the fibre optic cable 4 terminates at a photoelectric switch 6. The switch 6 is connected via appropriate circuitry to activate the street light 5. Timing circuitry can be provided to keep the light illuminated for an appropriate period of time. This period can be dependent on the expected speed of vehicles: thus on an urban street, the illumination period will be longer than on a motorway.
[0020] Figure 3 is a front view of an alternative domed housing 11 having light collectors 12 on a front surface. The housing 11 is supported on a spring 17 within a metallic casing 18 recessed in the road surface, so that it can be depressed into the casing when impacted by a vehicle.
[0021] Figure 4 schematically shows an alternative system in which the fibre optic bundle 24 extends, for a distance equal to an average interval between street lights, e.g. approximately 20 m, to an end condenser 29 adjacent a photoelectric cell 26 in the centre of the roadway. When energised by light emitted from the end condenser, the photoelectric cell 26 generates an electric charge which causes one or more mesh network sensors 27 to transmit a wireless signal to one or more respective receivers 28, each in a street light 25. Thus, the system of the invention is incorporated within a mesh network, such as a 6L0WPAN (IPv6 over Low Power Wireless Personal Area Network), e.g. using a standard such as ZigBee ®. In this regard, mesh network central management systems for operating street lights are offered by Silver Spring Networks, of Redwood, California, by Koninklijke Philips N.V. and by GE Lighting Solutions, LLC. Alternitavely, the wireless signal may be a Bluetooth ® signal or a WiFi ® signal.
[0022] The receiver 28 operates the street light 25 in the same manner as the street light 5 of Figure 1, except that the manner in which the street light 25 is illuminated when the receiver 28 receives a signal can be adjusted using the central management system.
[0023] If the invention is employed in a mesh network, then the network can also monitor traffic flows during the hours of darkness, by counting the number of detections of vehicle headlights.
[0024] The illuminating object can be a sign instead of a street light. It can be any traffic sign, such as a "Give Way" sign, or a "Wrong Way" sign for warning vehicles travelling in the wrong direction on a dual carriageway.
[0025] It will be appreciated that the photoelectric switch will be activated by any vehicle having one or more headlights. Even a stationary vehicle, for example a parked vehicle being started, will activate the switch and the illuminating object. According to CMS (central management systems) operators, control of lighting using CMS, i.e. from a central management position, currently gives energy savings up to 20%, whereas 'dynamic detection' of oncoming vehicles or traffic flow for the purpose of activating street lamps according to the invention is expected to give energy savings up to 60%, whilst itself, at least embodiments, being entirely passive and requiring no power.

Claims

1. An illumination system comprising a light collector arranged to be fixed with respect to a roadway to face an oncoming vehicle, an optical fibre cable having a first end connected to the light collector, and a second end connected to a photoelectric switch arranged to activate an illuminating article.
2. An illumination system according to claim 1, wherein the photoelectric switch is arranged to activate a plurality of illuminating articles.
3. An illumination system according to claim 1 or 2, including a timer arranged to deactivate the or each illuminating articles a certain time after activation thereof.
4. An illumination system according to claim 3, wherein said time is programmable.
5. An illumination system according to any preceding claim, wherein the light collector is located in a housing.
6. An illumination system according to claim 5, wherein the housing has a domed roof.
7. An illumination system according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the housing is adapted for mounting on a roadway.
8. An illumination system according to claim 5, 6 or 7, wherein the light collector comprises at least one fibre optic termination at the wall of the housing.
9. An illumination system according to any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein the housing includes a plurality of said light collectors, each for controlling a different illuminating article or set of illuminating articles.
10. An illumination system according to claim 9, wherein said light collectors face in mutually opposite directions for detecting vehicles travelling towards the housing in opposite directions, each light collector being connected to one or illuminating articles arranged further along the roadway in the direction of travel of the respective vehicle.
11. An illumination system according to any preceding claim, including a wireless transmitter for transmitting a signal from the photoelectric switch to the illuminating article.
12. An illumination system according to claim 11, wherein the transmitter comprises a mesh network sensor.
13. An illumination system according to any preceding claim, wherein the illuminating article is a street light.
14. An illumination system according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the illuminating article is a sign.
15. An illumination system according to any preceding claim, wherein the illuminating article comprises one or more light emitting diodes.
PCT/GB2015/052755 2015-03-05 2015-09-23 Lighting systems WO2016139440A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB201503717A GB201503717D0 (en) 2015-03-05 2015-03-05 Lighting system
GB1503717.9 2015-03-05
GB1511025.7 2015-06-23
GBGB1511025.7A GB201511025D0 (en) 2015-03-05 2015-06-23 Lighting systems

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2016139440A1 true WO2016139440A1 (en) 2016-09-09

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB2015/052755 WO2016139440A1 (en) 2015-03-05 2015-09-23 Lighting systems

Country Status (2)

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GB (2) GB201503717D0 (en)
WO (1) WO2016139440A1 (en)

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2008093265A1 (en) * 2007-01-30 2008-08-07 Philips Intellectual Property & Standards Gmbh Apparatus
CN102497709A (en) 2011-12-27 2012-06-13 唐世福 Novel street lamp electricity-saving intelligent control system
GB2503414A (en) * 2012-04-04 2014-01-01 Paul Levitas Light based road marking indicator apparatus

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2008093265A1 (en) * 2007-01-30 2008-08-07 Philips Intellectual Property & Standards Gmbh Apparatus
CN102497709A (en) 2011-12-27 2012-06-13 唐世福 Novel street lamp electricity-saving intelligent control system
GB2503414A (en) * 2012-04-04 2014-01-01 Paul Levitas Light based road marking indicator apparatus

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB201503717D0 (en) 2015-04-22
GB201511025D0 (en) 2015-08-05

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