Signal request device

Abstract

Signal request device (10) for a road traffic signal system, comprising a housing (14) in which a request device for a pedestrian release signal is arranged, wherein the request device is at least one short-range radar sensor (22), wherein the housing (14) has a housing top (18) which is transparent in at least one partial area (26), with an optical display device (24) arranged therein behind the transparent partial area (26), and in which the at least one short-range radar sensor (22) is arranged behind a further partial area (36) such that its radar beam penetrates the housing top (18), characterized in that a row (40L, 40R) of light-emitting diodes (42) is arranged on both sides of the further partial area (36).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a radar-controlled signal request device, in particular for requesting a green time at a road traffic signal system.

[0002] Particularly in traffic signal systems installed at busy intersections, a pedestrian green phase is only activated upon pressing a request button. Such a request button is located in a push-button housing alongside other devices, such as a vibration sensor for visually impaired pedestrians. Signal request devices with various types of actuation sensors are already known, such as capacitive touch sensors, piezoelectric sensors, or mechanical switching contacts.

[0003] From DE 201 10 887 U1, a control device for a road traffic signal system is known, comprising an approximately wedge-shaped housing, the upper part of which is divided into two sections. In the area near the tip of the wedge, the upper part of the housing has a transparent cover, behind which an LCD display is arranged. The part of the front face below the cover conceals an actuation sensor.

[0004] Document KR101861208B1 describes a pedestrian crossing safety system to ensure safe passage for pedestrians, waiting persons, and vehicles. The system detects a hazardous situation by shortening or lengthening the current green light time of a pedestrian crossing depending on the pedestrian's walking speed.

[0005] Document KR101683012B1 describes a pedestrian safety system for pedestrian crossings using voice output. The pedestrian safety system for pedestrian crossings comprises: a first sensor device that detects a pedestrian entering or remaining on a sidewalk by emitting laser or radar towards the sidewalk adjacent to a pedestrian crossing on one side of a pedestrian traffic signal located on the sidewalk; a second sensor device that detects a pedestrian entering or remaining on a roadway by emitting laser or radar towards the roadway adjacent to the sidewalk from the pedestrian crossing on one side of the pedestrian traffic signal; a control device that is coupled to the signal of the pedestrian traffic signal and generates voice output information to inform the pedestrian of a hazardous situation;as well as a speech output device that is mounted on a mast of the pedestrian traffic light system and performs a speech output for the pedestrian according to the speech output information;

[0006] Document GB2453369A discloses a RADAR detection device for detecting the presence of a person or object within a detection zone, in particular - but not exclusively - for controlling a traffic signal system.

[0007] Patent application DE102020006608A1 describes a road traffic signal system equipped with a proximity sensor as a request device for pedestrian clearance signals and with a control unit capable of wireless communication with a communication device. Upon activation of the request device, communication between the communication device and the control unit is enabled.

[0008] For hygienic reasons, it is a disadvantage to have to touch the surface of the request button.

[0009] The object of the invention is to propose a request device for a pedestrian release signal on a road traffic signal system, which provides the user with clear orientation assistance and meets modern hygiene requirements.

[0010] The problem is solved by the features of claim 1.

[0011] The signal request device according to the invention for a road traffic signal system comprises a housing in which a request device for a pedestrian release signal is arranged, wherein the request device is at least a short-range radar sensor.

[0012] The request device for a pedestrian release signal comprises a housing, the upper part of which is transparent in at least one partial area, with an optical display device arranged therein behind the transparent partial area, and in which at least one short-range radar sensor is arranged behind a further partial area of ​​the upper part of the housing such that its radar beams penetrate the upper part of the housing.

[0013] According to a preferred embodiment of the signal request device according to the invention, when an object, for example a hand, approaches the housing in which the short-range radar sensor is arranged at a predefinable, i.e. adjustable, distance, the pedestrian release signal is requested before contact with the housing.

[0014] Advantageously, the sensitive surface of the signal request device does not need to be touched to request the pedestrian clearance signal. Simply approaching the device is sufficient. This has the further advantage that a blind pedestrian, who has been guided to the location of the request device by acoustic orientation signals, does not have to feel for its exact location.

[0015] According to a further development of the invention, the at least one radar sensor emits two radar beams overlapping each other in a horizontal direction, by which, depending on the sequence and / or direction of their response to an object, the mode of a display device is controlled and, when the object moves substantially perpendicularly towards the signal request device, a request signal is triggered.

[0016] In an advantageous further development, the signal request device is equipped with an optical and / or an acoustic signaling device that indicates the degree of approach of the object to the short-range radar sensor. For example, as the object approaches, the color or brightness of the display device can change, and / or the frequency of a signal tone or the clock frequency of a pulsed tone signal can change. Upon reaching a response threshold, an optical indicator "Signal received" may then be activated, and / or an acoustic signal, e.g., the click of a switch being flipped, may be emitted in a manner known per se.

[0017] According to a preferred embodiment of the signal request device according to the invention, the pedestrian clearance signal is requested depending on the direction of movement of the object relative to the emitter normal of the short-range radar sensor. If the object moves in the direction of the emitter normal, this is interpreted as an intention to request clearance. Movements perpendicular to this direction are ignored, however, since they are not directed towards the short-range radar sensor. This prevents the unintentional request of a pedestrian clearance signal by a passing person (object approaches and then moves away again).

[0018] Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the description of an exemplary embodiment, which is described below with reference to a drawing. It shows Fig. 1. A signal request device for a road traffic signal system in perspective view, Fig. 2 the signal request device mounted on a signal mast Fig. 1 in a cutaway side view, Fig. 3 the signal request device Fig. 1 in front view, Fig. 4 the radar beams of the signal request device from Fig. 1 in a symbolic top view.

[0019] In Fig. Figure 1 shows a signal request device 10 in perspective view. The signal request device 10 comprises a housing 14, which consists of a lower housing part 16 to be attached to or already attached to a mounting surface and an upper housing part 18.

[0020] The upper part of the housing 18 has a transparent cover 26 in its upper area, behind which a video screen 24 ( Fig. 2) is arranged.

[0021] Fig. Figure 2 shows a sectional side view of the signal request device 10 mounted on a signal mast 32. The outer surface of the signal mast 32 forms the mounting surface for the signal request device 10. A radar sensor 22 is arranged behind the part of the front face 20 located below the cover 26. A central area of ​​the front face 20 is designed as a sensitive area 28.

[0022] Fig. Figure 3 shows the signal request device 10 in a front view. The sensitive area 28 is marked with a hand pictogram 38. A row 40L, 40R of light-emitting diodes 42 is arranged on both sides of the sensitive area 28.

[0023] Fig.Figure 4 shows two horizontally overlapping radar beams 44L, 44R of the signal request device 10 in a symbolic top view. A pedestrian clearance signal is requested relative to the normal 29 of the sensitive area 28, depending on the direction of movement of an object not shown – which will normally be the hand of a person 46 – such that if the object moves 30 in the direction of the radar sensor 22, this is interpreted as a request intention, and movements 34 of a person 46 perpendicular to this direction are ignored.

[0024] When person 46 enters the left radar beam 44L from the left side of the signal request device 10, for example, the LEDs 42 of the left row of LEDs 40L begin to flash or illuminate in a rotating sequence from top to bottom. When person 46 moves laterally to the right in the direction of the movement arrow 34, they leave the left radar beam 44L and enter the right radar beam 44R. This causes the LEDs 42 of the left row of LEDs 40L to go out, and the LEDs 42 of the right row of LEDs 40R begin to flash or illuminate in a rotating sequence from top to bottom. As soon as person 46 leaves the right radar beam 44R, the LEDs 42 of the right row of LEDs 40R also go out. If person 46 moves in the opposite direction, the process described above occurs in reverse order, i.e., from right to left.

[0025] When person 46 or object 46, for example person 46's hand, approaches the signal request device 10 perpendicularly, both radar beams 44L and 44R are activated essentially simultaneously, thereby requesting a pedestrian green phase. The LEDs 42 of both rows of LEDs 40L and 40R flash or illuminate in a rotating sequence from bottom to top and go out as soon as the pedestrian green phase ends. Reference symbol list 10 Signal request device 14 cases 16 Housing lower part 18 Housing top 20 Front 22 Short-range radar sensor 24" video screen 26 Transparent Cover 28 sensitive areas 29 normal out of 28 30 Movement arrow in direction 22 32 Signal mast 34 Movement arrow perpendicular to 29 36 Further sub-area of ​​18 38 Hand pictogram 40 rows of light-emitting diodes 42 42 light-emitting diodes 44 radar beam 46 people

Claims

[1] Signal request device (10) for a road traffic signal system, comprising a housing (14) in which a request device for a pedestrian release signal is arranged, wherein the request device is at least one short-range radar sensor (22), wherein the housing (14) has a housing top (18) which is transparent in at least one partial area (26), with an optical display device (24) arranged therein behind the transparent partial area (26), and in which the at least one short-range radar sensor (22) is arranged behind a further partial area (36) such that its radar beam penetrates the housing top (18), characterized by , that on both sides of the further sub-area (36) a row (40L, 40R) of light-emitting diodes (42) is arranged. [2] Signal request device (10) according to claim 1, wherein the pedestrian release signal is requested when an object or person (46) approaches the short-range radar sensor (22) at a predefinable distance, but before touching the housing (14). [3] Signal request device (10) according to claim 1 or 2 with two radar beams (44L, 44R) overlapping each other in a horizontal direction and penetrating the upper part of the housing (18), by which, depending on the sequence and / or direction of their response to an object, the mode of a display device (40L, 40R) is controlled and, when the object moves substantially perpendicular to the signal request device (10), a request signal is triggered. [4] Signal request device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 3 comprising an optical display device (24) and / or an acoustic signaling device which signals the degree of approach of the object to the short-range radar sensor (22). [5] Signal request device (10) according to claims 1 to 4, in which, when a person (46) enters a first radar beam (44L) from a first (left) side of the signal request device (10), the LEDs (42) of the first (left) row of LEDs (40L) begin to flash or to light up in a rolling sequence from top to bottom, when the person (46) moves laterally and enters the second radar beam (44R), the LEDs (42) on the first (left) row of LEDs (40L) go out, the LEDs (42) of the second (right) row of LEDs (40R) begin to flash or to light up in a rolling sequence from top to bottom, and as soon as the person (46) leaves the second radar beam (44R), these also go out. [6] Signal request device (10) according to claims 1 to 5, wherein when a person (46) approaches the signal request device (10) perpendicularly, both radar beams (44L, 44R) are entered, thereby requesting a green phase, and the light-emitting diodes (42) of both rows of light-emitting diodes (40L, 40R) flash or light up in a rolling sequence from bottom to top.

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