Intelligent lighting system for expressway tunnel

Abstract

The invention belongs to the technical field of traffic lighting, and provides a highway tunnel intelligent lighting system which comprises a first vehicle monitoring device, a plurality of second vehicle monitoring devices, a plurality of lighting units and a central control unit. The plurality of lighting units are sequentially arranged on the top of a tunnel in the vehicle driving direction, and the plurality of second vehicle monitoring devices are arranged on a road below the plurality of lighting units in a one-to-one correspondence mode. The central control unit is respectively connected with the first vehicle monitoring device, the plurality of second vehicle monitoring devices and the plurality of lighting units. Tunnel lighting can be started according to whether a vehicle exists or not, lighting within the safe distance in front of the vehicle is dynamically started according to the position and speed of the vehicle in the tunnel, lighting of the road section where the vehicle passes is stopped, and electric energy is saved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of traffic lighting technology, and specifically relates to an intelligent lighting system for highway tunnels. Background Technology

[0002] When vehicles enter or exit tunnels, the light intensity inside the tunnel is inconsistent with that outside. Sudden changes in brightness or light intensity can easily irritate the driver's eyes and cause "glare," which is a temporary visual impairment. This can easily lead to safety hazards. Therefore, it is necessary to provide lighting inside the tunnel to avoid sudden changes in brightness or light intensity.

[0003] The current lighting system turns on when a vehicle enters the tunnel and turns off when it exits. However, when this system is installed in very long tunnels with low traffic volume and a length of more than 3,000 meters, there are situations where all the lighting in the entire tunnel is turned on even when only a few vehicles are passing through, resulting in unnecessary waste of electricity. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To address the aforementioned technical problems, this invention provides an intelligent lighting system for highway tunnels, which can turn on tunnel lighting based on whether there are vehicles present, and turn on lighting within a safe distance in front of vehicles and turn off lighting in sections of road already passed by vehicles based on their position and speed within the tunnel, thereby saving energy.

[0005] The technical solution of this invention includes a first vehicle monitoring device, several second vehicle monitoring devices, several lighting units, and a central control unit. The first vehicle monitoring device is located in front of the tunnel entrance to monitor whether a vehicle is entering the tunnel and the vehicle speed. Several lighting units are sequentially arranged on the top of the tunnel along the vehicle travel direction. Several second vehicle monitoring devices are arranged one-to-one on the road below the lighting units to detect whether a vehicle passes the corresponding lighting unit and to detect the speed of the vehicle passing through. The central control unit is connected to the first vehicle monitoring device, several second vehicle monitoring devices, and several lighting units respectively, and is used to receive monitoring information from the first vehicle monitoring device and several second vehicle monitoring devices, and to control at least one lighting unit to provide illumination. When the first vehicle monitoring device detects that a vehicle is passing through, the central control unit opens at least one lighting unit at the tunnel entrance in advance to provide illumination for the vehicle, so that the vehicle has illumination within a safe distance when entering the tunnel. After the vehicle enters the tunnel, whenever a second vehicle monitoring device detects that a vehicle has passed through and its speed, the central control unit opens the lighting units within a safe distance in front of the vehicle to provide illumination according to the vehicle's position and speed, and simultaneously closes the lighting units that the vehicle has already passed through, until the vehicle leaves the tunnel.

[0006] Furthermore, both the first vehicle monitoring device and the second vehicle monitoring device include a vehicle sensing device and a speed measuring device. The vehicle sensing device is used to monitor whether a vehicle is passing by, and the speed measuring device is used to measure the speed of the vehicle. The vehicle sensing device and the speed measuring device are set on one side of the road. The vehicle sensing device and the speed measuring device are both connected to the central control unit. The central control unit activates at least one of the lighting units within different safety distances according to the measured vehicle position and speed.

[0007] Furthermore, the number of lighting units controlled by the central control unit is L / D = (VS + d + 100) / D, where L is the safety distance, D is the illumination distance of the lighting unit, V is the vehicle speed, S is the driver's reaction time, and d is the braking distance.

[0008] Furthermore, the vehicle sensor of the second vehicle monitoring device is located at one end below the lighting unit, near the tunnel entrance.

[0009] Furthermore, the vehicle sensing device includes a pressure sensor and an infrared detector. The pressure sensor is deployed on the road, and the infrared detector is located next to the road on one side of the pressure sensor. Both the pressure sensor and the infrared detector are connected to the central control unit.

[0010] Furthermore, it also includes a first light sensor and a second light sensor. The first light sensor is located at the tunnel entrance, and the second light sensor is located at the tunnel exit. Both the first and second light sensors are connected to the central control unit so that the central control unit can adjust the brightness of each lighting unit in the tunnel according to the external light intensity.

[0011] Furthermore, the central control unit adjusts the brightness of each lighting unit as follows: the light intensity at the tunnel entrance and tunnel exit is detected by the first light sensor and the second light sensor; the central control unit controls the light intensity of the first lighting unit at the tunnel entrance to be close to the light intensity outside the tunnel entrance; then the central control unit controls the light intensity of the second to Nth lighting units to tend to 300 lux; finally, the central control unit controls the light intensity of the (N+1)th to 2Nth lighting units to tend to the light intensity at the tunnel exit, wherein the number of lighting units in the tunnel is 2N, where N is a positive integer and greater than or equal to 10.

[0012] Furthermore, both the first light sensor and the second light sensor are located in positions with good lighting conditions and / or without significant obstruction.

[0013] The technical solution provided by the embodiments of the present invention has the following advantages compared with the prior art:

[0014] When the first vehicle monitoring device detects a vehicle passing by, the central control unit activates at least one of the lighting units at the tunnel entrance in advance to provide illumination for the vehicle, ensuring that the vehicle is illuminated within a safe distance when entering the tunnel. After the vehicle enters the tunnel, whenever a second vehicle monitoring device detects a vehicle passing by and its speed, the central control unit activates the lighting units within a safe distance in front of the vehicle to provide illumination, based on the vehicle's position and speed, while simultaneously deactivating the lighting units that the vehicle has already passed, until the vehicle leaves the tunnel. Compared to existing technologies, this invention can activate different numbers of lighting units to provide illumination for the vehicle based on its location and speed. When there are no vehicles in certain locations within the tunnel, the lighting units do not need to be activated, achieving dynamic adjustment of the number of lighting units activated. This has the beneficial effects of energy saving and extending the service life of the lighting units.

[0015] Other advantages, objectives and features of the present invention will become apparent in part from the following description, and in part from those skilled in the art through study and practice of the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0016] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of one embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Figure label:

[0019] 1. First vehicle monitoring device; 2. Second vehicle monitoring device; 3. Lighting unit; 4. First light sensor; 5. Second light sensor. Detailed Implementation

[0020] The following detailed description of a specific embodiment of the present invention is provided in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, it should be understood that the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiment.

[0021] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms "center," "longitudinal," "lateral," "length," "width," "thickness," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "axial," "radial," and "circumferential" 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 the technical solution of 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 limitations on this invention.

[0022] In the description of the embodiments of the present invention, unless otherwise stated, "a plurality of" means two or more.

[0023] like Figure 1As shown, this invention provides an intelligent lighting system for highway tunnels, including a first vehicle monitoring device 1, several second vehicle monitoring devices 2, several lighting units 3, and a central control unit. The first vehicle monitoring device 1 is located in front of the tunnel entrance to monitor whether vehicles are entering the tunnel and their speed. The several lighting units 3 are sequentially arranged at the top of the tunnel along the vehicle travel direction. The several second vehicle monitoring devices 2 are correspondingly arranged on the road below the several lighting units 3 to detect whether vehicles are passing the corresponding lighting unit 3 and to detect the speed of the passing vehicles. The central control unit is connected to the first vehicle monitoring device 1, the several second vehicle monitoring devices 2, and the several lighting units 3. The lighting unit 3 is connected to receive monitoring information from the first vehicle monitoring device 1 and several second vehicle monitoring devices 2, and controls at least one of the lighting units 3 to provide lighting. When the first vehicle monitoring device 1 detects a vehicle passing by, the central control unit opens at least one of the lighting units 3 at the tunnel entrance in advance to provide lighting for the vehicle, so that the vehicle has lighting within a safe distance when entering the tunnel. After the vehicle enters the tunnel, whenever a second vehicle monitoring device 2 detects a vehicle passing by and its speed, the central control unit opens the lighting unit 3 within a safe distance in front of the vehicle to provide lighting according to the vehicle's position and speed, and at the same time closes the lighting unit 3 that the vehicle has already passed, until the vehicle leaves the tunnel.

[0024] When the first vehicle monitoring device 1 detects a vehicle passing by, the central control unit activates at least one of the lighting units 3 at the tunnel entrance in advance to provide illumination for the vehicle, ensuring that the vehicle is illuminated within a safe distance when entering the tunnel. After the vehicle enters the tunnel, whenever a second vehicle monitoring device 2 detects a vehicle passing by and its speed, the central control unit activates the lighting units 3 within a safe distance in front of the vehicle to provide illumination, based on the vehicle's position and speed, while simultaneously deactivating the lighting units 3 that the vehicle has already passed, until the vehicle leaves the tunnel. Compared to the prior art, this invention can activate different numbers of lighting units 3 to provide illumination for the vehicle based on its location and speed. When there are no vehicles in certain locations within the tunnel, the lighting units 3 do not need to be activated, achieving dynamic adjustment of the number of lighting units 3 activated, which has the beneficial effects of energy saving and extending the service life of the lighting units 3.

[0025] It is understandable that when the second vehicle monitoring device 2 detects a vehicle, the lighting unit 3 corresponding to the first vehicle monitoring device 2 is turned off.

[0026] Furthermore, the vehicle sensor of the second vehicle monitoring device 2 is located at one end below the lighting unit 3, near the tunnel entrance.

[0027] Furthermore, a second vehicle monitoring device 2 is installed outside the tunnel exit to detect whether a vehicle has left the tunnel. When a vehicle is detected to have left the tunnel, the central control unit turns off the lighting unit 3 at the tunnel exit.

[0028] It should be noted that the intelligent lighting device of the present invention is mainly suitable for extra-long one-way tunnels with few vehicles.

[0029] It should be noted that when two vehicles enter the tunnel one after the other, if multiple second vehicle monitoring devices 2 detect that the vehicle in front is within a safe distance of the vehicle behind, the central control unit does not need to turn off the lighting unit 3 of the section of road that the vehicle in front has passed after the vehicle in front has passed.

[0030] Furthermore, when the distance between the vehicle ahead and the vehicle behind is 150 meters greater than the safe distance, the central control unit does not need to turn off the lighting unit 3 in the section of road already traversed by the vehicle ahead. This avoids frequent on / off switching of the lighting unit 3 when the two vehicles are close together, thus preventing a reduction in its lifespan. The specific amount of the safety distance plus 150 meters can be set by those skilled in the art according to actual conditions; this invention does not impose any limitations on this.

[0031] In the embodiments provided by the present invention, the first vehicle monitoring device 1 and the second vehicle monitoring device 2 both include a vehicle sensing device and a speed measuring device. The vehicle sensing device is used to monitor whether a vehicle is passing by, and the speed measuring device is used to measure the speed of the vehicle. The vehicle sensing device and the speed measuring device are set on one side of the road. The vehicle sensing device and the speed measuring device are both connected to the central control unit. The central control unit activates at least one of the lighting units 3 within different safety distances according to the measured vehicle position and speed.

[0032] It is understandable that the vehicle sensor detects the location of the vehicle and the speed measuring device measures the vehicle speed so that the central control unit can control the number of lighting units 3 that are turned on.

[0033] In the embodiment provided by the present invention, the number of lighting units 3 controlled by the central control unit is L / D = (VS+d+100) / D, where L is the safety distance, D is the illumination distance of the lighting unit 3, V is the speed of the vehicle, S is the driver's reaction time, and d is the braking distance.

[0034] Understandably, the safe distance here is the distance that the driver can see within their reaction time, while the braking distance is the farthest braking distance determined based on the vehicle's speed.

[0035] It is important to note that adding 100 meters helps to prevent drivers from becoming drowsy or distracted, thus extending their reaction time. It also ensures that the driver's visibility is greater than the distance from reaction to stopping, thereby maximizing safety. The specific number of meters added can be determined by those skilled in the art based on actual circumstances; this invention does not impose any limitations on this.

[0036] In the embodiments provided by the present invention, the vehicle sensing device includes a pressure sensor and an infrared detector. The pressure sensor is installed on the road, and the infrared detector is installed next to the road on one side of the pressure sensor. Both the pressure sensor and the infrared detector are connected to the central control unit.

[0037] It is understandable that using two instruments to detect the vehicle is to avoid the situation where a faulty detection device cannot provide timely feedback to the central control unit, which could lead to the failure to activate the lighting unit 3 in time and pose a safety hazard.

[0038] Optionally, the vehicle sensing device may include many instruments and is not limited to the two instruments listed above.

[0039] In the embodiments provided by the present invention, a first light sensor 4 and a second light sensor 5 are also included. The first light sensor 4 is located at the tunnel entrance, and the second light sensor 5 is located at the tunnel exit. Both the first light sensor 4 and the second light sensor 5 are connected to the central control unit so that the central control unit adjusts the brightness of each lighting unit 3 in the tunnel according to the external light intensity. The method is as follows: the light intensity at the tunnel entrance and the tunnel exit is detected by the first light sensor 4 and the second light sensor 5. The central control unit controls the light intensity of the first lighting unit 3 at the tunnel entrance to be close to the light intensity outside the tunnel entrance. Then, the central control unit controls the light intensity of the second lighting unit 3 to the Nth lighting unit 3 to tend to 300 lux. Finally, the central control unit controls the light intensity of the (N+1)th lighting unit 3 to the 2Nth lighting unit 3 to tend to the light intensity at the tunnel exit. The number of lighting units 3 in the tunnel is 2N, where N is a positive integer and greater than or equal to 10.

[0040] It is understandable that by detecting the light intensity at the tunnel entrance and exit, the light intensity of the lighting unit 3 is adjusted to avoid "glare" when the driver enters or leaves the tunnel.

[0041] It is understandable that adjusting the light intensity of lighting unit 3, based on the light intensity at the tunnel entrance and exit, can save energy while ensuring lighting conditions.

[0042] It is important to note that 2N is determined based on the tunnel length and the illumination distance of each lighting unit 3, and is calculated as tunnel length / illumination distance of lighting unit 3. For example, if the tunnel is 3000 meters long and the illumination distance of lighting unit 3 is 30 meters, then there are 100 lighting units 3, meaning 2N equals 100 and N equals 50.

[0043] Furthermore, both the first light sensor 4 and the second light sensor 5 are located in positions with good lighting conditions and / or without obvious obstructions, enabling them to accurately detect the light intensity outside the tunnel.

[0044] It should be noted that, in this document, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. Unless otherwise specified, an element defined by the phrase "comprising one..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes that element.

[0045] Although embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed above, they are not limited to the applications listed in the specification and embodiments. It can be applied to various fields suitable for the present invention. Other modifications can be readily implemented by those skilled in the art. Therefore, without departing from the general concept defined by the claims and their equivalents, the present invention is not limited to the specific details and examples shown and described herein.

Claims

1. A smart lighting system for highway tunnels, used for illuminating highway tunnels longer than 3,000 meters, characterized in that, It includes a first vehicle monitoring device (1), several second vehicle monitoring devices (2), several lighting units (3), and a central control unit; The first vehicle monitoring device (1) is set in front of the tunnel entrance to monitor whether a vehicle enters the tunnel and the vehicle speed. Several lighting units (3) are arranged sequentially on the top of the tunnel along the vehicle travel direction. Several second vehicle monitoring devices (2) are arranged one-to-one on the road below several lighting units (3) to detect whether a vehicle passes the corresponding lighting unit (3) and to detect the speed of the vehicle when it passes. The central control unit is connected to the first vehicle monitoring device (1), several second vehicle monitoring devices (2) and several lighting units (3) respectively, and is used to receive the monitoring information of the first vehicle monitoring device (1) and several second vehicle monitoring devices (2) and to control at least one lighting unit (3) to provide lighting. When the first vehicle monitoring device (1) detects a vehicle passing by, the central control unit opens at least one of the lighting units (3) at the tunnel entrance in advance to provide lighting for the vehicle so that there is lighting within a safe distance when the vehicle enters the tunnel. After the vehicle enters the tunnel, whenever a second vehicle monitoring device (2) detects a vehicle passing by and the speed of the vehicle passing by, the central control unit opens the lighting unit (3) within a safe distance in front of the vehicle to provide lighting according to the vehicle's position and speed, and at the same time closes the lighting unit (3) that the vehicle has already passed, until the vehicle leaves the tunnel.

2. The intelligent lighting system for highway tunnels as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The first vehicle monitoring device (1) and the second vehicle monitoring device (2) both include a vehicle sensing device and a speed measuring device. The vehicle sensing device is used to monitor whether a vehicle passes by, and the speed measuring device is used to measure the speed of the vehicle. The vehicle sensing device and the speed measuring device are located on one side of the road. Both the vehicle sensing device and the speed measuring device are connected to the central control unit. The central control unit activates at least one of the lighting units (3) within different safe distances according to the measured vehicle position and speed.

3. The intelligent lighting system for highway tunnels as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The number of lighting units (3) controlled by the central control unit = L / D = (VS+d+100) / D; Where L is the safety distance, D is the illumination distance of the lighting unit (3), V is the vehicle speed, S is the driver's reaction time, and d is the braking distance.

4. The intelligent lighting system for highway tunnels as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The vehicle sensor of the second vehicle monitoring device (2) is located at one end of the lighting unit (3) near the tunnel entrance.

5. The intelligent lighting system for highway tunnels as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The vehicle sensing device includes a pressure sensor and an infrared detector; The pressure sensor is installed on the highway, and the infrared detector is installed next to the highway on one side of the pressure sensor. Both the pressure sensor and the infrared detector are connected to the central control unit.

6. The intelligent lighting system for highway tunnels as described in claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a first light sensor (4) and a second light sensor (5), the first light sensor (4) being located at the tunnel entrance and the second light sensor (5) being located at the tunnel exit; The first light sensor (4) and the second light sensor (5) are both connected to the central control unit so that the central control unit adjusts the brightness of each of the lighting units (3) in the tunnel according to the external light intensity.

7. The intelligent lighting system for highway tunnels as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The method by which the central control unit adjusts the brightness of each of the lighting units (3) is as follows: The light intensity at the tunnel entrance and tunnel exit is detected by the first light sensor (4) and the second light sensor (5). The central control unit controls the light intensity of the first lighting unit (3) at the tunnel entrance to be close to the light intensity outside the tunnel entrance. Then, the central control unit controls the light intensity of the second lighting unit (3) to the Nth lighting unit (3) to tend to 300 lux. Finally, the central control unit controls the light intensity of the N+1th lighting unit (3) to the 2Nth lighting unit (3) to tend to the light intensity at the tunnel exit. The number of lighting units (3) in the tunnel is 2N, where N is a positive integer and greater than or equal to 10.

8. The intelligent lighting system for highway tunnels as described in claim 7, characterized in that, The first light sensor (4) and the second light sensor (5) are both located in positions with good lighting conditions and / or no obvious obstruction.

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