WO2018156050A1

WO2018156050A1 - Signal device and beacon

Info

Publication number: WO2018156050A1
Application number: PCT/RU2017/000862
Authority: WO
Inventors: Михаил Дмитриевич КОСТКИН
Original assignee: Михаил Дмитриевич КОСТКИН
Priority date: 2017-02-27
Filing date: 2017-11-20
Publication date: 2018-08-30
Also published as: RU2017106412A; RU2017106412A3

Abstract

A signal device includes at least two light-emitting devices mounted on a common base. Each light-emitting device comprises an emission source capable of emitting monochromic light in a previously determined sector and is equipped with a canopy for forming a solid angle of emitted light in a vertical plane and shutters for forming a solid angle of emitted light in a horizontal plane. Moreover, each light-emitting device is rotatable relative to the base at least in the vertical plane. A beacon comprises two signal devices, wherein the signal devices are mounted on an elevation relative to the surface on which the beacon is mounted and at a specific previously known distance from one another. The inventions ensure reliable distinguishability and identification of the signal device and of the optical beacon on the whole, which is detected in the operating area of an optical system mounted on a transport vehicle.

Description

ALARM DEVICE AND BEACON

FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY

The inventions relate to signaling devices of an optical navigation complex designed to organize the movement of ground transport in an autonomous mode.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are many known designs of signaling devices for traffic management, in particular in the field of shipping, for example, the design of optical beacons. However, in the field of organizing the movement of ground transport, already known constructions are used, which in all cases can not provide specific requirements for the movement of ground vehicles, especially in conditions of curved paths and a variable elevation. These requirements are such that, in particular, optical beacons installed along the track in the far zone should not interfere with their radiation to the optical system mounted on the vehicle and that reacts to the light of the beacons in the near zone.

The patent of the European Office EP-962911, publication date, 12/08/1999, IPC G09F-009/33, in which the design of an electronic display with a plurality of optical emitters having devices for protecting radiation from sunlight in the form of visors, made in cross section in the form of circle segment. These devices are for other purposes, however, it provides for the use, in particular, of LEDs as light sources and a light-shading visor on each LED.

Known Russian patent RU2536586 (according to international application WO2011047739), publication 12/27/2014, IPC F21S8 / 00, which discloses the design of a signal device containing at least one light-emitting device for demonstrating a signal or warning an observer. The light emitting device comprises a transparent body, a reflector and a light emitting part located inside the body, the reflector and the light emitting part being configured to generate radiation with a specified light distribution. The signal device also contains blocking means, which are configured to individual blocking during operation of at least a portion of the radiation emitted by the light-emitting device in a direction substantially parallel to the optical axis. The locking means is performed by coating the surface of the LED. The invention provides increased contrast in the case of the setting or rising sun relative to the optical axis.

The closest analogue is the invention according to international application WO2013066180, publication 05/10/2013, IPC B64D-2203/00, in which the design of an optical beacon is disclosed. It includes several light emitting devices arranged on a common basis for emitting light in a predetermined sector.

All considered signaling devices and beacons are not intended for the organization of ground transport movement in an autonomous mode, therefore they do not have the necessary characteristics that would ensure the reliable signaling of ground vehicles in the near field and create as little interference as possible in the zone in which others operate lighthouses.

DISCLOSURE OF DECISION

The technical result achieved in the claimed group of inventions is to ensure reliable distinguishability and identification of the light-signaling device, and in general, the optical beacon, which are detected using the optical system mounted on the vehicle. On the other hand, the radiation of the light-signaling device and the beacon as a whole should have the least impact on the optical system mounted on the vehicle if they are outside the working area of this optical system.

The first invention, a light signal device, includes at least two light emitting devices mounted on a common base. Each light-emitting device contains a radiation source with the possibility of emitting monochrome light in a predetermined sector, equipped with a visor for forming a solid angle of the emitted light in the vertical plane and shutters for forming a solid angle of the emitted light in the horizontal plane. In addition, each light emitting device is rotatable relative to the base, at least in the vertical plane.

Reliable distinguishability and identification of the light emitting device is ensured by the presence of at least two light emitting devices mounted on a common basis. Two or more light emitting devices provide the necessary sector of radiation, which will make it possible to confidently operate the receiving optical system on the vehicle. This will be explained in detail in the example device implementation section. Reliable distinguishability and identification is also ensured by the emission of monochrome light, which is clearly distinguishable against the background of natural radiation, which, as a rule, has a broadband spectrum. For the same purpose, elements that form radiation in a solid angle, both horizontally and vertically, a visor and curtains work for the same purpose. Each light emitting device is rotatable relative to the base, at least in a vertical plane, which also provides optical radiation in the desired direction, for example, if the light signal device is installed in a terrain depression, on a hill or on a slope.

For this invention, it is important not only to ensure reliable distinguishability and identification of the radiation of the light-emitting device, but also to reduce the effect of radiation on the optical system mounted on the vehicle, if it, the device, is outside the working area of this optical system. In this case, the same features of the invention achieve the same goal. Adjusting the position of the light-emitting device in the direction, the presence of a visor and curtains, the number of light-emitting devices on the base allows you to configure a specific light-emitting device so that it has the least effect on the radiation of neighboring and more distant light-emitting devices and on the operation of receiving optical systems in vehicles.

In particular, the base of the light-signaling device can be fixed on the bar with the possibility of moving up and down.

In addition, the light-signal device containing two light-emitting devices can be designed so that the radiation sources of the light-emitting devices are directed in opposite directions. In this case, the optical system of the vehicle can receive radiation from the light-signaling device, both by the front receiver and the receiver mounted at the rear.

In addition, the radiation source can be made in the form of an LED.

Mentioned visor can be made removable, in addition, it can be performed as a single part together with the curtains. The radiation source can be made with a specific radiation characteristic, for example, a certain frequency modulation of light radiation.

In addition, the radiation source can be performed with a radiation wavelength corresponding to the red or blue spectrum.

The second invention from the group, a lighthouse, includes two light-signaling devices made according to claims 1 to 8, while the light-signaling devices are installed at an elevation relative to the installation surface of the beacon and at a certain, predetermined distance, relative to each other.

This embodiment of the lighthouse also works for the same technical result that is indicated: Reliable distinguishability and identification of the lighthouse and reduce the effect of radiation of the beacon on the optical system mounted on the vehicle, if it, the device, is outside the working area of this lighthouse. The presence of two light-signaling devices in the lighthouse, and the installation of their specific, predetermined distance, relative to each other, make it easier to distinguish and identify the lighthouse, since its light-emitting devices can operate on different monochrome radiation and different frequency characteristics. Other advantages will be apparent from the description below.

Both light-signaling devices can be mounted on a common bar and spaced relative to each other at a certain vertical distance.

In addition, light-signaling devices can be installed relative to each other at a certain horizontal distance.

In particular, the radiation source can be made with a specific radiation characteristic, for example, a certain frequency modulation of light radiation.

In addition, the radiation source can be made with a wavelength of radiation corresponding to the red or blue spectrum.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In FIG. 1 shows the design of the light signal device in one position of the light emitting devices, and FIG. 2 shows the construction of a light signal device in a different position of the light emitting devices.

In FIG. 3 is a side view of a sectional view of a light emitting device.

In FIG. 4 shows the fastening of the light-emitting device to the base. In FIG. 5 shows a light emitting device without a visor.

In FIG. 6 shows the design of the visor. In FIG. 7 shows the design of a beacon with a vertical spacing of light-signaling devices.

In FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the determination of a distance to a lighthouse with two light signal devices spaced vertically.

Figure 9 presents a General view of the track with optical beacons located near the trajectory.

MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The light signal device 1 (Fig. 1 - Fig. 6) includes at least two light emitting devices 3 mounted on a common base 4. Each light emitting device 3 (in this embodiment) is rotatable in a vertical plane relative to the base 4. Examples of the position of the light emitting devices 3 with different rotation angles are shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. The light-signaling device can be made with the possibility of rotation of the light-emitting devices, both in the vertical and in the horizontal plane. In this example (Fig. 3), the rotation mechanism is made mechanical, with fixing by spring-loaded balls. Swing mechanisms can be performed with automatic control from a single control panel for each of the light-emitting devices of the light-signaling device.

The light-emitting device 3 contains a radiation source 5 (Fig. 3 - Fig. 5), which, in particular, is an LED with a radiation length corresponding to the red or blue spectrum, which allows more detuning from the background colors in the signal receivers of the light-signaling device, such as in the daytime and at night.

The light emitting device 3 is provided with a visor b for forming a solid angle of light in the vertical plane and shutters 7 for forming a solid angle of light in the horizontal plane. In this case, the visor and the curtains are made as a single unit. The visor 6 may be removable, as shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. b. Visor b not only solves the problem of forming the solid angle of the emitted light in the vertical plane, but also is a reflective visor during the day, especially on sunny days.

A light-emitting device can operate as a separate device, or as part of an optical beacon, designed to organize the movement of ground transport in an autonomous mode.

The design of the beacon 2 in a variant of the vertical installation of light-signaling devices is shown in FIG. 7 and consists of two light-signaling devices, mounted on a common rod 9 and spaced relative to each other at a certain vertical distance. The term "defined distance" should be understood hereinafter as known in advance, defined in the process of creating or installing a beacon. It is necessary to install light-signaling devices in a vertical or horizontal plane at a certain distance because this design of the beacon involves not only determining the direction of the beacon by the optical system of the vehicle, but also the distance to it. The design of the lighthouse may include a horizontal arrangement of light-signaling devices (not shown in the figures)

In FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a distance determination principle. The lighthouse 2 with two light-signaling devices 1 is schematically shown in the figure. It is based on the well-known formula for the height of the object, fixed on the digital photosensitive matrix 10 of the receiving optical device mounted on the vehicle 12:

h2 / hl = F / L

Where:

hi is the known distance between the optical radiation sources of the beacon; B2 is the distance between the sources of optical radiation of the beacon in the frame of the photosensitive matrix;

F is the focal length of the receiver of optical radiation, in particular, its lens;

L is the distance from the receiving optical device to the beacon.

Based on this dependence, it is easy to calculate the distance L to a particular beacon, since the other three parameters are known.

Light-signal device and a beacon based on it work as follows. Beacons 2 are installed along the route And alternately on different sides of the route along which the vehicle 12 moves automatically. The optical system of the vehicle can determine its coordinates based on the radiation of beacons 2, because it is enough to determine the distance to three beacons 2 and then from using simple calculations to determine their position in space, since the coordinates of the beacons are known. As noted earlier, each light-signal device 1 of the beacon 2 is made with a certain radiation characteristic, for example, a certain frequency modulation of the light radiation, which makes it possible to determine which beacon is in the reception zone of the vehicle system 11. If the vehicle system 12 can determine and direction to the lighthouse, fewer beacons may be required in the optical system visibility range. Since the receiving optical system of the vehicle 12 may have cameras directed both forward along the path of movement and rearward, the design of the light-signal device 1 provides for the option when it contains two light-emitting devices 3 located so that the radiation sources 5 of the light-emitting devices 3 were directed in opposite directions.

A situation may arise that the radiation of distant beacons, due to the characteristics of route 11, may interfere with the operation of the receiving optical system of the vehicle. To prevent this from happening, and structural elements of the light-signaling device, a turning device 8 of the light-emitting device 3, a visor b and curtains 7 are necessary. All this allows you to adjust each light-signaling device so that the signals of the distant beacons 2 relative to the vehicle do not interfere with the system generally. INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The design of the light-signaling device and the beacon, made on the basis of this light-signaling device, allows you to create effective systems for organizing the movement of ground transport in an autonomous mode.

Claims

CLAIM

1. A light signal device comprising at least two

light-emitting devices mounted on a common basis, wherein each light-emitting device contains a radiation source with the possibility of emitting monochrome light in a predetermined sector, is provided with a visor for forming a solid angle of the emitted light in the vertical plane and shutters for forming a solid angle of the emitted light in the horizontal plane, and is made with the possibility of rotation relative to the base, at least in a vertical plane.

2. The lighting device according to claim 1, characterized in that the base

the light-signal device is fixed on the bar with the possibility of moving up and down.

3. The lighting device according to claim 1, characterized in that the device,

containing two light-emitting devices, is designed so that the radiation sources of the light-emitting devices are directed in opposite directions.

4. The lighting device according to claim 1, characterized in that the radiation source is made in the form of an LED.

5. The lighting device according to claim 1, characterized in that said visor is removable.

6. The lighting device according to claim 1, characterized in that said visor is made as a single part together with the curtains.

7. The lighting device according to claim 1, characterized in that the radiation source is made with a specific radiation characteristic, for example, a certain frequency modulation of light radiation.

8. The lighting device according to claim 1, characterized in that the radiation source is made with a radiation wavelength corresponding to the red or blue spectrum.

9. A lighthouse, including two light-signaling devices made according to p. 1 - 6, while the light-signaling devices are mounted on an elevation relative to the installation surface of the lighthouse and at a certain, predetermined distance, relative to each other.

10. The beacon according to claim 9, characterized in that both light-signaling devices are mounted on a common rod and spaced apart relative to each other by a certain vertical distance.

11. The lighthouse according to claim 9, characterized in that the light-signal devices are installed relative to each other at a certain horizontal distance.

12. The lighthouse under item 9, characterized in that the radiation source is made with

a specific radiation characteristic, for example, a certain frequency modulation of light radiation.

13. The lighthouse according to claim 9, characterized in that the radiation source is made with a radiation wavelength corresponding to the red or blue spectrum.