Apparatus for indicating the formation of ice on a road

Abstract

Apparatus (2) for indicating the formation of ice on a road (4), which apparatus (2) comprises a plurality of road marker reflector devices (6) for reflecting light from vehicles, a temperature sensor (8) for sensing temperatures above and below those temperatures at which ice forms on the road, and a solar powered electricity providing device (10), and the apparatus (2) being such that: the road marker reflector devices (8) are of a first colour at temperatures above which the ice may form, and are of a second colour at temperatures below which the ice may form; the road marker reflector devices (6) change between the first and second colours in response to an electric current; and the road marker reflector devices (8) change from the first colour to the second colour and from the second colour to the first colour when the electric current is a non-continuous electric current, whereby a continuous electric current is not required to maintain the road marker reflector devices (6) in the first or second colour, and whereby consumption of electricity from the solar powered electricity providing device (10) is minimised.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]This invention relates to apparatus for indicating the formation of ice on a road.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Ice on roads is a danger to persons travelling on the roads. Often ice can form suddenly, and the ice can often form in local areas. Often motorists are taken by surprise when they encounter the ice, and accidents often occur. The ice may be normal ice, or what is known as black ice which is often difficult to see, especially by motorists travelling at speed.[0003]Temperature sensitive road marking devices are known which change from a first colour indicative of ice not being present on a road, to a second colour indicative of ice being present on the road.BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION[0004]It is an aim of the present invention to improve on the known devices for indicating the formation of ice on a road.[0005]Accordingly, in one non-limiting embodiment of the present invention there is provided apparatus for indicating the formation of ice ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention provides an improved apparatus for indicating the formation of ice on a road using road marker reflector devices. The apparatus includes a plurality of road marker reflector devices that change color to indicate the presence of ice. The devices have a first color at temperatures above which ice can form, and a second color at temperatures below which ice can form. The apparatus also includes solar powered electricity providing means for powering the devices. The solar powered electricity providing means may be a solar panel device or other construction. The apparatus can be used to prevent accidents due to vehicles sliding on ice. The road marker reflector devices may be electrochromic or light emitting diodes. The apparatus can be installed in various ways, such as being positioned in a hole in the road or stuck on the road surface. The invention is useful for motorists of cars, buses, lorries, vans, coaches, and motorcycles."

Problems solved by technology

Ice on roads is a danger to persons travelling on the roads.

Often motorists are taken by surprise when they encounter the ice, and accidents often occur.

The ice may be normal ice, or what is known as black ice which is often difficult to see, especially by motorists travelling at speed.

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