A highway tunnel lighting system and a lighting method

Abstract

This invention discloses a highway tunnel lighting system and method, relating to the field of tunnels. It includes several lighting devices arranged along the tunnel's travel direction. Each lighting device has a surface light source plate and a projection light source plate. The surface light source plate has several surface light sources, and the projection light source plate has several projection light sources. The projection direction of the surface light sources faces the tunnel entrance, and the projection direction of the projection light sources faces the tunnel exit. This invention combines surface light sources and projection light sources to achieve daytime and nighttime light direction conversion at the entrance and exit, and also effectively achieves energy saving, consumption reduction, and emission reduction effects.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of tunnels, and more specifically to a highway tunnel lighting system and lighting method. Background Technology

[0002] While highway tunnels provide fast and convenient travel, their "white hole effect" and its impact on driving safety are increasingly becoming a focus of attention. Because highway tunnels are semi-enclosed spaces, their lighting differs significantly from ordinary road lighting. Drivers entering and exiting tunnels experience a stark contrast in lighting levels, resulting in a visual "white hole effect" or "black hole effect." This visual discomfort caused by the "white hole" and "black hole effect" impacts driving safety and, in severe cases, can lead to traffic accidents, causing loss of life and property. To ensure drivers have a smooth visual transition when entering and exiting tunnels, existing technologies include:

[0003] 1. Increase the degree of human intervention in tunnel lighting brightness; turn on most of the tunnel lights during the day to make the tunnel bright, reduce the brightness difference between the inside and outside of the tunnel, and shorten the time for drivers' eyes to adapt when entering and exiting the tunnel. At night, turn off more than half of the tunnel lights at intervals, which can also reduce the brightness difference between the inside and outside of the tunnel.

[0004] 2. The tunnel entrance lighting is divided into an introduction section, an adaptation section, and a transition section. The introduction section uses different brightness standards for day and night, allowing drivers to accurately identify obstacles at the tunnel entrance and mitigating the effects of "black holes" and "white holes." The adaptation and transition sections gradually adjust the lighting brightness, ensuring a smooth transition so that drivers can adapt to the appropriate lighting environment inside the tunnel. The lighting design at the exit is the opposite.

[0005] 3. An extension section of a certain length is added between the tunnel entrance and the ordinary road; and corresponding light-reducing devices are installed in this extension section to improve the strong contrast in light intensity outside the tunnel. A visual transition section is created by changing the layout of the tunnel lighting, with a high density of LED lights at the entrance, followed by a gradual decrease in density. This approach has the following disadvantages: the abrupt change in lighting brightness in the transition section is difficult for drivers to adapt to; it lacks flexibility, as the lighting brightness and length of the transition section are determined when the tunnel is completed, making it difficult to adapt to various weather conditions; and the lighting brightness in the transition section is often too high, resulting in poor energy efficiency. Summary of the Invention

[0006] One objective of this invention is to provide a highway tunnel lighting system and method that combines surface light sources and floodlight sources to achieve the conversion of light direction at entrances and exits during the day and at night.

[0007] This objective is achieved using the following technical solution:

[0008] A highway tunnel lighting system and method includes several lighting devices arranged along the tunnel's travel direction. Each lighting device has a surface light source panel and a projection light source panel. The surface light source panel has several surface light sources, and the projection light source panel has several projection light sources. The projection direction of the surface light sources faces the tunnel entrance, and the projection direction of the projection light sources faces the tunnel exit. Here, "surface light source" refers to the light emission pattern. Compared to LED point light sources and ordinary lamps, existing surface light sources, such as flat panel light sources and LED surface light sources, have characteristics such as soft light emission, eye-friendly illumination, energy saving, and natural light. "Projection light source" refers to a lamp whose illuminance on the illuminated surface is higher than the surrounding environment; it is also called a spotlight. Typically, it can be aimed in any direction and has a structure unaffected by weather conditions.

[0009] This solution combines surface light sources and spotlights. When vehicles enter the tunnel, they are greeted by a surface light source, avoiding glare caused by intense light. Simultaneously, the spotlight projects light from behind the vehicle, further increasing brightness and preventing direct eye contact with strong light, thus improving comfort. Therefore, this combined approach effectively enhances the brightness at the tunnel entrance and the visibility of objects inside the tunnel, extending the light direction at the tunnel entrance and exit.

[0010] Furthermore, an adjustment mechanism is provided on the projection light panel to adjust the projection direction of the light source. When a vehicle enters the tunnel, the adjustment mechanism rotates the projection light panel, ensuring that the light source always projects towards the tunnel exit from behind the vehicle, thus improving the lighting effect.

[0011] The lighting system also includes a vehicle detection component for acquiring vehicle movement position information. The adjusting component adjusts the direction of the projection light plate according to the vehicle movement position information, ensuring the projection light shines from behind the vehicle towards the tunnel exit. The vehicle detection component can be a speed sensor, used to detect the speed at which the vehicle enters the tunnel. Based on the vehicle's speed, the projection light plate rotates accordingly, ensuring the projection light always shines from behind the vehicle towards the tunnel exit, guaranteeing sufficient brightness during travel.

[0012] Based on this, the lighting system also includes an image acquisition component, which is used to acquire images of the target vehicle. The image acquisition component acquires images of the vehicle, identifies the target vehicle, and the target vehicle corresponds to a target projection light panel among several projection light panels. The adjustment component adjusts the projection direction of the target projection light panel according to the moving position information of the target vehicle, so that the target projection light panel projects from the rear of the target vehicle toward the tunnel exit.

[0013] For long tunnels, the rotation angle of the light source plate of the lighting device is limited. Therefore, the present invention uses an image acquisition component to lock onto the target vehicle, and the target vehicle matches the target light source plate. As the vehicle moves, the rotation angle of the target light source plate is adjusted, and the information of the target light source plate is adjusted at the same time. Different target light source plates are matched to different positions of the vehicle in the tunnel, thereby improving the lighting effect.

[0014] Preferably, the lighting system also includes a color temperature component, which adjusts the color temperature at the tunnel entrance and inside the tunnel based on the color temperature information outside the tunnel. This synchronizes the color temperature of natural light with the color temperature of the lighting source, improving the driver's ability to distinguish objects and increasing travel speed, thus ensuring driving safety.

[0015] The lighting system also includes a light intensity component, which is used to adjust the light intensity at the tunnel entrance and inside the tunnel based on the light intensity information outside the tunnel.

[0016] Preferably, the tunnel entrance adopts a trumpet-shaped tunnel entrance / exit structure. This maximizes the entry of natural light into the tunnel, achieving synchronous connection between natural light and artificial light, solving the problem of momentary blindness for drivers, and completely eliminating the tunnel's "black hole effect." It also effectively alleviates aerodynamic effects at the tunnel entrance, reduces wind resistance at the vehicle entrance, and lowers vehicle energy consumption. Because existing tunnel entrances are all straight-tube structures, high-speed vehicles entering the tunnel induce a series of aerodynamic effects at the tunnel entrance, the most important of which are transient pressure changes at the tunnel entrance and micro-pressure waves at the tunnel exit. The instantaneous pressure changes increase wind resistance, increase vehicle energy consumption, and create pressure differences in the eardrums of drivers and passengers, directly affecting their comfort and health. Micro-pressure waves also cause serious noise pollution and have adverse psychological effects on surrounding residents, posing a significant threat to the environment. Secondly, the trumpet-shaped tunnel entrance / exit structure allows for a gradual visual transition between the road surface and the tunnel entrance, alleviating driver stress and improving passenger comfort.

[0017] On the other hand, a lighting method for a highway tunnel lighting system includes:

[0018] Vehicle movement location information is obtained through vehicle detection components;

[0019] Adjust the projection direction of the light source according to the vehicle's movement position information, so that the light source projects from behind the vehicle toward the tunnel exit.

[0020] The vehicle's position information includes its average speed. The rotation speed of the projection light source is adjusted based on the vehicle's average speed so that the projection light source shines from behind the vehicle toward the tunnel exit.

[0021] Vehicle movement location information can also be other information, such as vehicle position information, and the angle of the floodlight panel can be adjusted according to the vehicle's position in the tunnel.

[0022] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following advantages and beneficial effects:

[0023] This invention discloses a highway tunnel lighting system and method. By modifying the entrance and exit structure, it maximizes the entry of natural light into the tunnel, achieving synchronous connection between natural light and artificial light, thus solving the problem of momentary blindness and completely eliminating the "black and white hole" phenomenon in tunnels. Synchronizing the color temperature of natural light with that of the artificial light source improves the driver's ability to distinguish objects and increases travel speed, ensuring driving safety. Simultaneously, it reduces wind resistance at vehicle entrances, lowering vehicle energy consumption.

[0024] This invention combines surface light sources and floodlight sources to achieve the conversion of light direction at entrances and exits during the day and at night, and can also effectively achieve the effects of energy saving, consumption reduction and emission reduction. Attached Figure Description

[0025] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of embodiments of the invention and form part of this application, do not constitute a limitation thereof. In the drawings:

[0026] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the vehicle, surface light source plate, and projection light source plate in Example 1;

[0027] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the lighting device structure in Example 1;

[0028] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the light source plate of the lighting device after rotation in Example 2;

[0029] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the horn-shaped structure of the tunnel entrance / exit in Example 4.

[0030] The attached diagram shows the markings and corresponding component names:

[0031] 1-Connecting base, 2-Connecting plate, 3-Adjusting rod, 4-Surface light source plate, 5-Projection light source plate. Detailed Implementation

[0032] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the present invention clearer, the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the embodiments and accompanying drawings. The illustrative embodiments and descriptions of the present invention are only used to explain the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention.

[0033] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms "front", "rear", "left", "right", "up", "down", "vertical", "horizontal", "high", "low", "inner", "outer", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of this invention.

[0034] Example 1

[0035] like Figure 1 As shown, the system includes several lighting devices arranged along the tunnel travel direction. Each lighting device is equipped with a surface light source plate 4 and a projection light source plate 5. The surface light source plate 4 is equipped with several surface light sources, and the projection light source plate 5 is equipped with several projection light sources. The projection direction of the surface light sources is towards the tunnel entrance, and the projection direction of the projection light sources is towards the tunnel exit.

[0036] In this scheme, "facing the tunnel entrance" means that the surface light source panel 4 corresponds to the tunnel entrance, and "facing the tunnel exit" means that the projection light source panel 5 corresponds to the tunnel exit. "Corresponding" does not mean "directly aligned." Figure 2 As shown, the lighting device includes a rotating connector, which includes a connecting seat 1 and a connecting plate 2 disposed on the connecting seat 1. The connecting seat 1 is disposed inside the tunnel. The surface light source plate 4 and the projection light source plate 5 are both connected to the connecting plate 2. The surface light source plate 4 faces the tunnel entrance, and the projection light source plate 5 faces the tunnel exit.

[0037] In this embodiment, the included angles between the surface light source plate 4 and the projection light source plate 5 and the connecting plate 2 are both 45 degrees. When the vehicle enters the tunnel, the soft light from the surface light source provides initial illumination, while the projection light source illuminates the vehicle from behind, further improving the lighting effect without being glaring. Moreover, this solution can effectively achieve the effects of energy saving, consumption reduction, and emission reduction.

[0038] Example 2

[0039] Based on the above embodiment, an adjusting component is provided on the projection light source plate 5, which is used to adjust the projection direction of the projection light source. The adjusting component includes a rotating assembly and a rotating control center. The rotating control center is connected to the rotating assembly and controls the operation of the rotating assembly. The rotating assembly includes a rotating connector, a lead screw, a stepper motor, a lead screw nut, and an adjusting rod 3. The rotating connector includes a connecting seat 1 and a connecting plate 2 disposed on the connecting seat 1. The connecting plate 2 is perpendicular to the connecting seat 1. One end of the projection light source plate 5 is hinged to the connecting seat 1. The stepper motor is disposed on the connecting plate 2 and is connected to both the rotating control center and the lead screw. The rotating control center controls the rotation of the stepper motor, and the stepper motor controls the rotation of the lead screw. The lead screw nut is engaged with the lead screw and slides along the extension direction of the lead screw. One end of the adjusting rod 3 is connected to the lead screw nut, and the other end of the adjusting rod 3 is connected to the projection light source plate 5. When the projection light source plate 5 rotates, as... Figure 3 As shown, the lead screw nut slides along the extension direction of the lead screw, causing the adjusting rod 3 to move and rotate the projection light source plate 5.

[0040] In some embodiments, the rotation speed of the light source plate 5 is constant because the speed in the tunnel is limited, for example, to 30 yards or 60 yards. The rotation speed of the light source plate is adjusted according to this speed and the distance between two adjacent light source plates. The light source plate can rotate 5-10 degrees per second. The specific settings can be adjusted according to the specific situation to meet the effect of the light source illuminating the vehicle from behind.

[0041] In some embodiments, the vehicle movement position information includes the vehicle's average speed. The tunnel has a vehicle speed sensor to detect the vehicle's speed. The rotation speed of the light source plate 5 corresponds to the vehicle speed. When the vehicle speed is within a first threshold range, the rotation speed of the light source plate is the first threshold. The rotation speed of the light source is adjusted according to the vehicle's average speed so that the light source projects light from behind the vehicle toward the tunnel exit.

[0042] Example 3

[0043] Based on the above embodiments, the lighting system further includes a vehicle detection component for acquiring vehicle movement position information. The adjusting component adjusts the direction of the light source plate 5 according to the vehicle movement position information, so that the light source is projected from behind the vehicle toward the tunnel exit. The vehicle detection component includes uniformly distributed vehicle position detection sensors, such as infrared sensors and pressure sensors, which are evenly distributed within the tunnel. When a vehicle is traveling in the tunnel, it acquires its position information when it passes one of the vehicle position detection sensors, and adjusts the position of the light source plate according to the vehicle position information.

[0044] In some embodiments, the distance between two adjacent light source plates 5 is 2 meters. Several lighting devices correspond one-to-one with several vehicle position detection sensors. In the original state, the angle between the light source plate 5 and the connecting plate 2 is 45 degrees. When a vehicle passes a vehicle position detection sensor, the light source plate 5 in the lighting device corresponding to the vehicle position detection sensor rotates at a speed of 5 degrees per second. After rotating 45 degrees, the light source plate is perpendicular to the connecting seat 1 and returns to the original state, that is, the angle between the light source plate 5 and the connecting plate 2 is 45 degrees, and it is reused.

[0045] In some embodiments, not every vehicle needs to be projected with a light source. The lighting system also includes an image acquisition component, which is used to acquire images of the target vehicle. For three consecutive vehicles, the image of the first vehicle is acquired as the target vehicle, and the other two vehicles are considered to be traveling in the same direction. When the target vehicle passes a vehicle position detection sensor, the projection light source plate 5 in the lighting device corresponding to the vehicle position detection sensor rotates at a speed of 5 degrees per second. After rotating 45 degrees, the projection light source plate is perpendicular to the connecting seat 1 and returns to its original state for reuse. When the other two vehicles travel in the same direction pass the vehicle position detection sensor, no new triggering command is generated for the lighting device corresponding to the vehicle position detection sensor.

[0046] Example 4

[0047] Based on the above embodiments, the lighting system further includes a color temperature component, which is used to adjust the color temperature at the tunnel entrance and inside the tunnel according to the color temperature information outside the tunnel. The lighting system also includes a light intensity component, which is used to adjust the light intensity at the tunnel entrance and inside the tunnel according to the light intensity information outside the tunnel.

[0048] like Figure 4 As shown, the tunnel entrance and exit are funnel-shaped. At the tunnel entrance, the inner diameter gradually decreases along the direction of vehicle travel, while at the tunnel exit, it gradually increases along the same direction. This funnel shape allows natural light to enter the tunnel to the maximum extent, achieving synchronous connection between natural light and artificial light, solving the problem of momentary driver blindness, and completely eliminating the tunnel's black-and-white hole effect.

[0049] The tunnel's inner walls utilize 3D landscape imaging technology, extending natural scenery into the tunnel walls to achieve a perfect integration of nature and the tunnel walls, relieving driver stress and improving passenger comfort.

[0050] This embodiment employs a synchronous control technology for natural light and artificial light. A first, second, and third light sensor are located outside the tunnel entrance, inside the tunnel entrance, and within each section, respectively. These sensors monitor the light intensity information outside the tunnel entrance, inside the tunnel entrance, and within each section. Based on the difference between the light intensity information outside and inside the tunnel entrance, a set value for the light intensity in each section is set. Then, based on the set value and the measured value of the light intensity in each section, the tunnel lights are controlled by a section controller, achieving synchronization of the light intensity and color temperature within the tunnel extension with the natural light intensity and color temperature.

[0051] Example 5

[0052] During the day, before vehicles enter a tunnel, the extreme difference in brightness between the inside and outside can cause the tunnel entrance to appear as a giant "black hole" if the tunnel lights are insufficient. Once inside, it can take several seconds, even tens of seconds, for the driver's vision to adjust, posing a safety hazard. Conversely, at night, the tunnel entrance appears as a giant "white hole," causing glare upon entry. Drivers need time to adjust to the tunnel lighting before they can clearly see the road after traveling a certain distance; this phenomenon is known as "adaptation lag." During the day, as vehicles exit a tunnel, the bright light at the exit makes the tunnel exit appear like a giant "white hole" with blinding glare. At night, if the streetlights on connecting roads are insufficient, the tunnel entrance will appear as a "black hole."

[0053] When entering a tunnel, black hole, or white hole, the human eye needs to undergo dark adaptation and light adaptation processes, respectively. As the light changes, the pupil of the human eye adapts accordingly, and the light sensitivity of the sensory cells distributed on the retina changes accordingly. This allows the human eye to adapt to changes in light within a certain range, ensuring that the human eye can normally obtain visual information. The process of human vision adapting to a dim to a bright lighting environment is called light adaptation, and the reverse is called dark adaptation.

[0054] Studies have shown that visual adaptation time to light and dark is positively correlated with tunnel length. Taking a common tunnel less than 100 meters long as an example, the dark adaptation time will not exceed 15 seconds, and the light adaptation time will not exceed 10 seconds. According to the speed limit of 80 km / h on highways in most provinces, if a driver enters a tunnel in 15 seconds, the dark adaptation time of the human eye and the distance traveled by the vehicle are approximately 333 meters. In other words, the driver is driving under conditions where he cannot see the road ahead clearly, which maximizes the probability and danger of traffic accidents.

[0055] Analysis of data from hundreds of traffic accidents revealed a significantly denser distribution of accidents at tunnel entrances and exits. At the tunnel entrance, accidents were primarily concentrated between 100 meters outside the tunnel and 200 meters inside. Conversely, at the exit, accidents were mainly concentrated between 100 meters inside the tunnel and 200 meters outside. In terms of accident type, rear-end collisions were the most common, accounting for more than half of all tunnel accidents.

[0056] Based on the above embodiments, the following steps are taken: acquiring brightness information, meteorological information, and color temperature information outside the tunnel; determining the brightness reduction coefficient of the tunnel entrance section based on the brightness information, meteorological information, and color temperature information; calculating the target brightness of the tunnel entrance section based on the brightness information and the brightness reduction coefficient; determining the target color temperature of the tunnel entrance section based on the meteorological information and color temperature information; and adjusting the brightness and color temperature of the tunnel entrance section based on the target brightness and target color temperature of the tunnel entrance section.

[0057] An image acquisition component acquires a target image and sends it to the processing module. The target image includes an image within a preset range inside the tunnel. The processing module processes the target image according to a preset image processing algorithm to obtain driving status information of vehicles within the tunnel within the preset range, and sends the driving status information and preset lane information to the RSU. The RSU then sends the driving status information and lane information to a target vehicle, which is any vehicle about to enter the tunnel. The driving status information includes the vehicle's position information and lane change information within the tunnel. The processing module processes the target image according to a preset image processing algorithm to obtain the driving status information of vehicles within the tunnel within the preset range.

[0058] At the tunnel entrance, in the section from 100 meters outside the tunnel to 200 meters inside the tunnel; and at the tunnel exit, in the section from 100 meters inside the tunnel to 200 meters outside the tunnel, a warning sound will be emitted inside the tunnel when the distance between two adjacent vehicles is less than a threshold, or when a vehicle illegally changes lanes.

[0059] The term “connection” as used herein, unless otherwise specified, can mean a direct connection or an indirect connection via other components.

[0060] The specific embodiments described above further illustrate the purpose, technical solution, and beneficial effects of the present invention. It should be understood that the above description is only a specific embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A highway tunnel lighting system, characterized in that, The system includes several lighting devices installed along the tunnel travel direction. Each lighting device has a surface light source plate (4) and a projection light source plate (5). The surface light source plate (4) has several surface light sources, and the projection light source plate (5) has several projection light sources. The projection direction of the surface light sources faces the tunnel entrance, and the projection direction of the projection light sources faces the tunnel exit. An adjusting component is installed on the projection light source plate (5) to adjust the projection direction of the projection light sources. The lighting system also includes a vehicle detection component for acquiring vehicle movement position information. The adjusting component adjusts the direction of the projection light source plate (5) according to the vehicle movement position information, so that the projection light sources project from behind the vehicle towards the tunnel exit. The lighting system also includes an image acquisition component. The image acquisition component is used to acquire images of the target vehicle. The target vehicle corresponds to the target projection light plate in several projection light plates (5). The vehicle detection component obtains the movement position information of the target vehicle. The adjustment component adjusts the projection direction of the target projection light plate according to the movement position information of the target vehicle, so that the target projection light plate projects from the rear of the target vehicle toward the tunnel exit. For three consecutive vehicles, the image of the first vehicle is acquired as the target vehicle, and the other two vehicles are the vehicles traveling together. When the target vehicle passes a vehicle position detection sensor, the adjustment is made in response to the movement position information of the target vehicle. When the vehicles traveling together pass, the current lighting state is reused and no new triggering command is generated.

2. The highway tunnel lighting system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The adjusting component includes a rotating assembly and a rotating control center. The rotating control center is connected to the rotating assembly and controls the operation of the rotating assembly. The rotating assembly includes a rotating connector, a lead screw, a stepper motor, a lead screw nut, and an adjusting rod (3). The rotating connector includes a connecting seat (1) and a connecting plate (2) set on the connecting seat (1). One end of the light source plate (5) is hinged to the connecting seat (1). The stepper motor is set on the connecting plate (2). The stepper motor is connected to the rotating control center and the lead screw respectively. The rotating control center controls the stepper motor to rotate, and the stepper motor controls the lead screw to rotate. The lead screw nut is connected to the lead screw and slides along the extension direction of the lead screw. One end of the adjusting rod (3) is connected to the lead screw nut, and the other end of the adjusting rod (3) is connected to the light source plate (5).

3. A highway tunnel lighting system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The vehicle movement position information includes vehicle speed information, and the adjusting component rotates the projection light source plate (5) according to the vehicle speed information.

4. A highway tunnel lighting system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The lighting system also includes a color temperature component, which is used to adjust the color temperature at the tunnel entrance and inside the tunnel based on the color temperature information outside the tunnel.

5. A highway tunnel lighting system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The tunnel entrances and exits are funnel-shaped.

6. A lighting method for a highway tunnel lighting system, characterized in that, The lighting system comprising any one of claims 1-5 includes: Vehicle movement location information is obtained through vehicle detection components; Adjust the projection direction of the light source according to the vehicle's movement position information, so that the light source projects from behind the vehicle toward the tunnel exit.

7. The lighting method for a highway tunnel lighting system according to claim 6, characterized in that, The vehicle's position information includes its average speed. The rotation speed of the projection light source is adjusted based on the vehicle's average speed so that the projection light source shines from behind the vehicle toward the tunnel exit.

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