Traffic cone and non-stop automatic safety arrangement device thereof
By designing retractable and automatically deployable traffic cones and an automatic deployment device, the problems of high labor intensity and safety risks associated with traditional traffic cone deployment have been solved. This enables fast, safe, and efficient deployment of traffic cones during vehicle travel, effectively guiding and blocking traffic.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- NANJING TIANAN AUTOMOTIVE ELECTRONICS TECH
- Filing Date
- 2026-05-27
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-30
AI Technical Summary
Traditional methods of setting up traffic cones are labor-intensive, time-consuming, and pose safety risks, especially on highways and expressways where the safety of workers is difficult to guarantee.
Design a traffic cone consisting of a main pipe and an auxiliary pipe. The auxiliary pipe is connected by a bracket and a torsion spring to form a retractable and automatically deployable structure. It is equipped with a non-stop automatic safety deployment device and uses an STM32F407VG microprocessor to control an electromagnetic lock to achieve automatic deployment of the traffic cone.
It enables the rapid, safe, and efficient deployment of traffic cones while vehicles are in motion, forming a safety barrier and reducing the labor intensity and safety risks associated with manual deployment.
Smart Images
Figure CN122304301A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention relates to a traffic cone and its non-stop automatic safety deployment device, belonging to the field of road safety operation technology. Background Technology
[0002] When carrying out various road operations (such as accident handling, clearing obstacles, road rescue, maintenance and construction, etc.), traffic cones must be placed at a certain distance in front of the oncoming traffic lane in accordance with regulations to guide traffic flow, prevent vehicles from entering the work lane, and ensure the safety of the workers.
[0003] Traditional methods of placing traffic cones mostly involve manual placement, which is not only labor-intensive and time-consuming with low efficiency, but also poses a significant safety risk, especially on highways and expressways, because the traffic flow in the lane where the traffic cones are to be placed has not been blocked and no safety barriers have been established in the working lane.
[0004] Therefore, it would be particularly necessary to invent an intelligent device that can be installed at the rear of small work vehicles to quickly establish a safety barrier to guide and block traffic flow. Summary of the Invention
[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide a traffic cone and a safety device for its automatic, non-stop deployment, so as to overcome the safety risks associated with the current deployment of traffic cones.
[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is as follows:
[0007] A traffic cone includes a main pipe and three auxiliary pipes. The three auxiliary pipes are evenly distributed around the lower end of the main pipe. The three auxiliary pipes are connected to the main pipe by a bracket, a pivot pin and a torsion spring, respectively. When unrestrained, the torsion springs are extended, the three auxiliary pipes open, and the line connecting the outer ends of the main pipe and the three auxiliary pipes forms a regular tetrahedron.
[0008] Furthermore, each of the three auxiliary pipes has a through hole at one end, through which a pin passes. A torsion spring passes through the middle of the pin. One end of the torsion spring is fixed to the main pipe and the other end is fixed to the auxiliary pipe. The pin also passes through the bracket on the main pipe, combining the main pipe, auxiliary pipe and torsion spring into a retractable and automatically deployable traffic cone.
[0009] Furthermore, after the three auxiliary pipes are folded, the traffic cone as a whole takes the shape of a triangular prism, with each round pipe parallel to the others, the main pipe in the center, and the three auxiliary pipes distributed at 120 degrees around the outside of the main pipe.
[0010] Furthermore, the main pipe and the three auxiliary pipes are all wrapped with a highly reflective red and white reflective film.
[0011] A non-stop automatic safety deployment device is disclosed, which is used to automatically deploy traffic cones. The device includes an equipment box, a suspension mechanism, and a control module. The equipment box includes two storage compartments for placing traffic cones. A launching spring is installed on the inner end of each storage compartment, and a flip cover is installed on the outer end. The flip cover is connected to a flip cover electromagnetic lock via a flip cover latch to achieve closure and opening. The suspension mechanism is located below or outside the equipment box and includes a restraint strap, a restraint latch, and a restraint electromagnetic lock. One end of the restraint strap is fixed to the equipment box body, and the other end is connected to the restraint latch. After the restraint strap restrains the traffic cone, the restraint latch inserts into the restraint electromagnetic lock to restrain the traffic cone below or outside the equipment box. The control module is used to control the opening and closing of the flip cover electromagnetic lock and the restraint electromagnetic lock.
[0012] Furthermore, the suspension mechanism is provided in three sets, which are respectively arranged at intervals on the left, center and right below or on the outside of the equipment box.
[0013] Furthermore, the control module is installed inside the equipment box and is connected to the electromagnetic lock, control switch and vehicle power supply via cables.
[0014] Furthermore, the control module has two switch inputs for controlling the left and right switch inputs, and also has five switch output ports to control the opening and closing of five electromagnetic locks.
[0015] Furthermore, the control module adopts the STM32F407VG high-performance microprocessor.
[0016] Furthermore, the device is installed at the rear of the work vehicle.
[0017] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows:
[0018] The traffic cone of the present invention can be retracted and automatically deployed. After being deployed, the traffic cone forms a "roly-poly" similar to a regular tetrahedron. No matter how it is placed, it can stand firmly on the road surface, thus providing a basic condition for non-stop deployment.
[0019] The deployment device of this invention can be installed at the rear of a small work vehicle. It can be triggered with one button while the vehicle is in motion, quickly release, automatically deploy, and intelligently deploy multiple traffic cones, automatically forming an oblique arrangement to cover the entire lane's guidance transition zone, quickly establishing guidance, and forming a blocking safety barrier without stopping the vehicle.
[0020] Additional aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. Attached Figure Description
[0021] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a regular tetrahedron formed by connecting the outer ends of the traffic cones.
[0022] Figure 2 The diagram shows the results of the traffic cone auxiliary pipes in the deployed and folded states; (a) shows the auxiliary pipe in the deployed state, and (b) shows the auxiliary pipe in the folded state.
[0023] Figure 3 These are front views of the traffic cones in their open and folded states; (a) shows the open state, and (b) shows the folded state.
[0024] Figure 4 These are top views of the traffic cones in their open and folded states; (a) shows the open state, and (b) shows the folded state.
[0025] Figure 5 These are structural diagrams of the under-mounted installation device; (a) is the front view of the under-mounted device, (b) is the top view of the under-mounted device, and (c) is the side view of the under-mounted device.
[0026] Figure 6 These are structural diagrams of the side-mounted installation device; (a) is the front view of the side-mounted device, (b) is the top view of the side-mounted device, and (c) is the side view of the side-mounted device.
[0027] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the latch and electromagnetic lock working together.
[0028] Figure 8 These are schematic diagrams of the installation device on the vehicle; (a) is a schematic diagram of the under-mounted installation, and (b) is a schematic diagram of the side-mounted installation.
[0029] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the traffic cone auxiliary tube folding inward to store spring energy.
[0030] Figure 10 This is a diagram illustrating the automatic opening of traffic cones.
[0031] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the guide diagonal lines automatically arranged after the traffic cones land in sequence; (a) is the guide diagonal line from left to right, and (b) is the guide diagonal line from right to left.
[0032] Figure 12 This is the circuit schematic of the control module.
[0033] The diagram is labeled as follows: 1-Traffic cone, 101-Main pipe, 102-Auxiliary pipe, 103-Bracket, 104-Torsion spring, 105-Shaft pin, 106-Torsion spring embedded in the main pipe end, 107-Torsion spring embedded in the auxiliary pipe end; 2-Deployment device, 201-Equipment box, 202-Left storage compartment, 203-Right storage compartment, 204-Left launching spring, 205-Right launching spring, 206-Left flip cover, 207-Right flip cover, 208-Left flip cover electromagnetic lock, 209-Right flip cover electromagnetic lock, 210-First restraint belt, 211-Second restraint belt, 212-Third restraint belt, 213-First restraint electromagnetic lock, 214-Second restraint electromagnetic lock, 215-Third restraint electromagnetic lock, 216-Contact surface between equipment box and vehicle rear, 217-Traffic cone inside the compartment, 218-Traffic cone outside the compartment. Detailed Implementation
[0034] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.
[0035] Example 1
[0036] like Figures 1 to 4 A traffic cone 1 includes a main pipe 101 and three auxiliary pipes 102. The three auxiliary pipes 102 are evenly distributed around the lower end of the main pipe 101. The three auxiliary pipes 102 are connected to the main pipe through a bracket 103 and a torsion spring 104, respectively. When unrestrained, the torsion spring 104 is extended, the three auxiliary pipes 102 open, and the line connecting the outer ends of the main pipe 101 and the three auxiliary pipes 102 forms a regular tetrahedron. Therefore, no matter how it rolls, after stopping, one side is facing down (the outer ends of the three pipes are on the ground) and one corner is facing up (one pipe is vertically upward).
[0037] Each of the three auxiliary pipes has a through hole at one end, through which a pin 105 passes. A torsion spring 104 passes through the middle of the pin 105. One end of the torsion spring 104 is fixed to the main pipe and the other end is fixed to the auxiliary pipe. The pin 105 also passes through the bracket 103 on the main pipe, combining the main pipe, auxiliary pipe and torsion spring into a retractable and automatically deployable traffic cone.
[0038] After the three auxiliary tubes 102 are folded, the traffic cone takes the shape of a triangular prism, with each tube parallel to the others. The main tube is in the center, and the three auxiliary tubes 102 are distributed at 120 degrees around the outside of the main tube 101. The main tube 101 and the three auxiliary tubes 102 are all wrapped with a highly reflective red and white reflective film.
[0039] Example 2
[0040] like Figure 5An automatic safety deployment device without stopping is disclosed. This device is used to automatically deploy traffic cones according to an embodiment. The deployment device 2 includes an equipment box 201, a suspension mechanism, and a control module. The equipment box 201 includes two storage compartments (left and right) for holding traffic cones. A launching spring is installed on the inner end of each storage compartment, and a flip cover is installed on the outer end. The flip cover is connected to a flip cover electromagnetic lock via a flip cover latch to achieve closure and opening. The suspension mechanism is located below the equipment box and includes a restraint strap, a restraint latch, and a restraint electromagnetic lock. One end of the restraint strap is fixed to the equipment box body, and the other end is connected to the restraint latch. After the restraint strap restrains the traffic cone, the restraint latch inserts into the restraint electromagnetic lock, securing the traffic cone below the equipment box. The control module is used to control the opening and closing of the flip cover electromagnetic lock and the restraint electromagnetic lock.
[0041] Example 3
[0042] like Figure 6 The difference between this embodiment and Embodiment 3 is that the suspension mechanism is located on the outside of the equipment box. One end of the restraint strap is fixed to the lower part of the outside of the box, and the other end is connected to a buckle. After the restraint strap restrains the traffic cone, the buckle is inserted into the electromagnetic lock on the upper part of the outside of the box, thus restraining the traffic cone to the outside of the equipment box. The restraint strap is locked or released by the electromagnetic lock.
[0043] In embodiments two and three, three sets of suspension mechanisms are provided, and they are respectively arranged at intervals on the left, center and right below or on the outside of the equipment box.
[0044] The control module is installed inside the equipment box and connected to the electromagnetic locks, control switches, and vehicle power supply via cables. The entire device can draw power from the vehicle's cigarette lighter or ACC (Adaptive Cruise Control). The control module uses a high-performance STM32F407VG microprocessor and has two digital inputs for controlling the left and right positions of the switches. It also has five digital output ports to control the opening and closing of the five electromagnetic locks.
[0045] In Examples 2 and 3, commercially available solenoid valves and latches can be used, such as the XG4031 small intelligent electric lock.
[0046] The specific installation process of the installation device of the present invention is as follows:
[0047] 1. Securely install the equipment box at the rear of the small work vehicle (car, SUV, MPV, pickup truck, etc.). Figure 8 );
[0048] 2. After the control switch and control module are connected by a cable, install them in a convenient location inside the vehicle;
[0049] 3. Draw power from the vehicle's cigarette lighter or ACC and connect it to the power input port of the control module using a cable;
[0050] 4. Fold up the three auxiliary tubes of each traffic cone. At this time, the torsion spring is compressed and rotates to store energy (e.g., Figure 9 );
[0051] 5. Place the folded traffic cones into the left and right storage compartments in sequence. After placement, the springs in the storage compartments are pressed and stored by the traffic cones. The flip-tops on the outside of the storage compartments are closed, the latches are inserted into the electromagnetic locks, and the electromagnetic locks are locked, thus securing the traffic cones inside the compartments.
[0052] 6. Next, suspend the folded traffic cones in the suspension mechanism outside the equipment box, insert the buckle of the restraint strap into the electromagnetic lock, lock the electromagnetic lock, and restrain the traffic cones to the suspension device.
[0053] 7. When a vehicle equipped with this intelligent deployment device travels to the vicinity of the road where traffic cones need to be deployed, the vehicle speed should be controlled within the specified range to ensure that the spacing of the deployed traffic cones meets the standards.
[0054] (Vehicle speed v * traffic cone placement time interval tx = longitudinal distance s after the traffic cone lands)
[0055] 8. Based on the direction of traffic flow required on site, choose to deploy traffic cones from the left (traffic cones in the order of 1-5) or from the right (traffic cones in the order of 5-1). Figure 10 );
[0056] 9. After receiving the switch start (left or right button) information, the control module, according to the deployment sequence (left button signal, deployment in order of 1-5; right button signal, deployment in order of 5-1) and time interval (the device determines the time interval tx based on the vehicle's limited driving speed v and the required longitudinal distance s after the traffic cones land. If the deployment time of the first traffic cone is t1, then the deployment time of the second traffic cone t2 = t1 + time interval tx, the deployment time of the third traffic cone t3 = t2 + time interval tx, and so on), controls the switch output port to drive the electromagnetic locks of the corresponding restrained traffic cones to unlock sequentially according to this sequence and time interval, thus deploying the traffic cones. After the traffic cones are deployed, the restraints on the auxiliary pipe are released, the torsion spring releases its stored energy and rotates, automatically opening the auxiliary pipe to form a tetrahedral traffic cone. After the traffic cones land sequentially, they automatically arrange themselves into a guide diagonal line from left to right or from right to left (e.g., ...). Figure 11 This enables rapid, safe, and efficient lane deployment, completing traffic guidance and lane blocking tasks, and establishing an effective protective barrier.
[0057] The foregoing has shown and described the basic principles, main features, and advantages of the present invention. Those skilled in the art should understand that the above embodiments do not limit the scope of protection of the present invention in any way, and all technical solutions obtained by equivalent substitution or other means fall within the scope of protection of the present invention. Parts not covered in this invention are the same as or can be implemented using existing technology.
Claims
1. A traffic cone, characterized in that, It includes a main pipe and three auxiliary pipes. The three auxiliary pipes are evenly distributed around the lower end of the main pipe. The three auxiliary pipes are connected to the main pipe by a bracket, a pivot pin and a torsion spring, respectively. When unrestrained, the torsion spring is extended and the three auxiliary pipes are opened. The outer ends of the main pipe and the three auxiliary pipes are connected to form a regular tetrahedron.
2. A traffic cone according to claim 1, characterized in that, Each of the three auxiliary pipes has a through hole at one end, through which a pin passes. A torsion spring passes through the middle of the pin. One end of the torsion spring is fixed to the main pipe and the other end is fixed to the auxiliary pipe. The pin also passes through the bracket on the main pipe, combining the main pipe, auxiliary pipe and torsion spring into a retractable and automatically deployable traffic cone.
3. A traffic cone according to claim 1, characterized in that, After the three auxiliary pipes are folded, the traffic cone takes the shape of a triangular prism, with each round pipe parallel to the others, the main pipe in the center, and the three auxiliary pipes distributed at 120 degrees around the outside of the main pipe.
4. A traffic cone according to claim 1, characterized in that, The main pipe and the three auxiliary pipes are all wrapped with a highly reflective red and white reflective film.
5. A non-stop automatic safety deployment device, characterized in that, The device is used to automatically deploy traffic cones as described in any one of claims 1 to 4. The device includes an equipment box, a suspension mechanism, and a control module. The equipment box includes two storage compartments, left and right, for placing traffic cones. A launching spring is installed on the inner end of each storage compartment, and a flip cover is installed on the outer end. The flip cover is connected to a flip cover electromagnetic lock via a flip cover latch to achieve closure and opening. The suspension mechanism is located below or outside the equipment box. The suspension mechanism includes a restraint strap, a restraint latch, and a restraint electromagnetic lock. One end of the restraint strap is fixed to the equipment box body, and the other end is connected to the restraint latch. After the restraint strap restrains the traffic cone, the restraint latch inserts into the restraint electromagnetic lock to restrain the traffic cone below or outside the equipment box. The control module is used to control the opening and closing of the flip cover electromagnetic lock and the restraint electromagnetic lock.
6. The non-stop automatic safety deployment device according to claim 5, characterized in that, The suspension mechanism is provided in three sets, which are respectively arranged at intervals on the left, middle and right below or on the outside of the equipment box.
7. The non-stop automatic safety deployment device according to claim 5, characterized in that, The control module is installed inside the equipment box and is connected to the electromagnetic lock, control switch and vehicle power supply via cables.
8. The non-stop automatic safety deployment device according to claim 6, characterized in that, The control module has two switch inputs for controlling the left and right switch inputs, and also has five switch output ports to control the opening and closing of five electromagnetic locks.
9. The non-stop automatic safety deployment device according to claim 5, characterized in that, The control module uses the STM32F407VG high-performance microprocessor.
10. The non-stop automatic safety deployment device according to claim 5, characterized in that, The device is installed at the rear of the work vehicle.