TRAFFIC SIGN DEVICE AND TRAFFIC SIGN SYSTEM FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE

Abstract

A traffic sign device (1) is provided, comprising a ground tank (2) that can be lowered or is lowered into the ground (20), and a traffic sign (3, 4) that has a mast (3) and a traffic sign (4) attached to one end of the mast (3). The traffic sign (3, 4) is stored in the ground tank (2) in a retractable manner.

Description

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a traffic sign device, a traffic sign system comprising the traffic sign device, and / or a test track for testing a traffic sign recognition system of a motor vehicle, wherein the test track comprises the traffic sign system.

[0002] Driver assistance systems are increasingly being installed in modern motor vehicles, especially automobiles.

[0003] Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) are electronic, particularly mechatronic, devices in motor vehicles that support the driver in certain driving situations. These often focus on safety aspects, but also on increasing driving comfort.

[0004] A well-known driver assistance system is traffic sign recognition, which is designed to identify traffic signs on the road the vehicle is traveling on, for example, using a camera directed in the forward direction of travel and an image recognition process. These identified traffic signs can, for example, be displayed in the vehicle as information and / or used for adaptive cruise control (ACC).

[0005] In the case of homologation or development-related tests for a traffic sign recognition system, it is necessary to test various traffic signs for their recognition. This is usually done on a test track, e.g., a circuit. Continuous driving on this test track makes it possible to realize a continuous test with reproducible and precisely controlled traffic restrictions or approvals while dynamically changing the traffic signs. This requires the prompt and, if possible, fully automated positioning and removal of conventional traffic signs during runtime.

[0006] Against the background of this prior art, the object of the present disclosure is to provide a device and / or a method which are each suitable for enriching the prior art.

[0007] The problem is solved by the features of the independent claims. The subordinate claims and the dependent claims each contain optional developments of the disclosure.

[0008] The task is then solved by an (optionally mobile and / or controllable) traffic sign device.

[0009] The traffic sign device comprises a ground tank that is submersible or sunk into a ground.

[0010] The traffic sign device comprises a traffic sign with a mast and a traffic sign mounted at one end of the mast (optionally replaceable and / or removable). The traffic sign is mounted in the ground box so that it can be retracted and extended (optionally controllable or semi- or fully automatically). The fact that the mat can optionally extend beyond the traffic sign does not preclude the placement of the traffic sign at the end of the mast.

[0011] The traffic sign device described above offers a number of advantages. Among other things, it provides a device that enables dynamic positioning of the traffic sign, for example, for testing purposes of a motor vehicle's traffic sign recognition system, through the controllable (and thus automatic or non-manual) retraction and extension of the traffic sign.

[0012] Possible further developments of the traffic sign device described above are explained in detail below.

[0013] The traffic sign can be retractable and extendable (optionally controllable) between a stowed position in which the traffic sign is arranged completely in the floor tank and at least one extended position in which the traffic sign is arranged at least partially outside the floor tank through an opening in the floor tank.

[0014] The floor tank can have a mechanical cover to conceal the opening when the traffic sign is in the stowed position. Alternatively, or additionally, the floor tank can have a drainage system and / or a water pump. This can advantageously at least significantly reduce the amount of water penetrating, e.g., rainwater, and effectively drain the incoming water away.

[0015] The traffic sign device can comprise a controllable (e.g., mechanical, hydraulic, and / or pneumatic) linear drive for extending and retracting the traffic sign. The linear drive can be arranged in the floor tank and mechanically connected to the mast, e.g., via at least one actuator for extending and retracting the mast. The linear drive can have at least one sensor, e.g., a distance sensor, for determining the extended position. The controllable or actuatable linear drive allows the traffic sign to be positioned in an advantageous, reproducible manner and as promptly as possible, i.e., brought into the stowed position or the extended position (or into one of several possible extended positions).

[0016] The traffic sign device may comprise a controllable rotation mechanism for rotating the traffic sign around a longitudinal axis of the mast. The rotation mechanism may be arranged in the base box and mechanically connected to the mast, e.g., via at least one actuator for rotating the mast. The traffic sign may, for example, be rotatable by 180°.

[0017] It is conceivable that the traffic sign has two traffic signs attached to the end of the mast (each optionally interchangeable and / or removable). The two traffic signs can, for example, have the same sign shape and / or different prints, displayed or arranged in opposite directions. Using the two traffic signs, the traffic sign can display two variants, which can be selected, for example, by rotating the mast (by 180°).

[0018] The traffic sign device can be mobile and / or designed as a module (or as a structural unit).

[0019] Furthermore, a traffic sign system is provided which comprises at least one of the traffic sign devices described above and a control system for controlling a retraction or extension of the respective traffic sign of the at least one traffic sign device (optionally at runtime).

[0020] The control system can be configured for dynamically changing and / or reproducibly selecting the sequence of the at least one traffic sign device. The at least one traffic sign device and the control system can be configured for bidirectional communication.

[0021] The respective traffic sign of the at least one traffic sign device can be extendable to multiple extension positions (or extension heights). Each of the multiple extension positions can correspond to a traffic sign height prescribed in a country and / or according to a country-specific road traffic regulation. Each of the multiple extension positions can be assigned a country-specific coding.

[0022] The control system can be designed to control the at least one traffic sign device to extend the respective traffic sign into a desired extension position of the plurality of extension positions by selecting the associated country-dependent coding.

[0023] The at least one traffic sign device can be configured to extend the respective traffic sign in response to the control to the desired extension position and to provide feedback to the control system as soon as the respective traffic sign has been extended to the desired extension position. The feedback can, for example, indicate that the desired extension position has been reached or that the respective traffic sign has been extended to the desired extension position.

[0024] The control system may comprise a remote control center for wirelessly issuing control commands for controlling the at least one traffic sign device. The control system may comprise a radio control unit for wirelessly receiving the control commands from the remote control center. The control unit may be signal-connected to the at least one traffic sign device for forwarding the control commands.

[0025] The traffic sign system can comprise an (optionally self-sufficient) electrical power supply. The electrical power supply can be configured to supply electrical components of the traffic sign system, e.g., the radio control unit and the respective linear drive of the at least one traffic sign device, with electrical power. The electrical power supply can, for example, comprise a solar system or be designed as a solar system.

[0026] What has been described above with reference to the traffic sign device also applies analogously to the traffic sign system and vice versa.

[0027] Furthermore, a test track is provided for testing (or verifying) traffic sign recognition (of a driver assistance system or driver assistance functions) of a motor vehicle. The test track comprises a roadway and the traffic sign system described above. The respective floor tank of the at least one traffic sign device is recessed into the ground along the roadway in such a way that the respective traffic sign can be extended upwards out of the ground.

[0028] The test track can be a circuit and / or designed for a motor vehicle to run continuously.

[0029] What has been described above with reference to the traffic sign device and the traffic sign system also applies analogously to the test track and vice versa.

[0030] The above description can be summarized in other words and in a possible more concrete embodiment of the disclosure as described below, whereby the following description is not to be interpreted as limiting the disclosure.

[0031] According to the present disclosure, floor tanks can be provided with extendable static traffic signs, which can be designed to be fully automatically extendable or retractable at different heights.

[0032] A submerged or retractable (and, for example, lockable) floor tank can be equipped with a linear drive (mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic) which, in conjunction with a control device and corresponding actuators as well as distance sensors, can raise a traffic sign from the floor tank.

[0033] Optionally, the traffic sign can also be rotated by 180 degrees, for example, using a rotation mechanism to alternately display two different traffic sign variants. For this purpose, identical traffic signs with different prints can be used on the front and back of the retractable mast. The flexibility regarding traffic sign changes can thus be limited to traffic sign 1 active / inactive and traffic sign 2 active / inactive.

[0034] The pre-assembly of the traffic signs can be carried out manually before the start of a test cycle by means of flexible holders for the signs on the mast.

[0035] The various sign states can be controlled by a test center. The height of the sign positioning can be coded and selected according to the respective country or legal requirements and can be ensured by monitoring the linear drive and its sensors.

[0036] The system may include a water pump and drainage system, as well as a mechanical automatic cover to drain or pump out any rainwater that enters.

[0037] A bidirectional control line and power supply can be provided. The system can also be operated independently using batteries and radio control, e.g., in conjunction with solar systems. During operation, feedback can be sent to the control center regarding safe operation.

[0038] Furthermore, a method for controlling at least one traffic sign device, optionally at least one of the traffic sign devices described above, is provided. The method can be executed, for example, by the traffic sign system described above.

[0039] The method comprises controlling a (respective) traffic sign of the at least one traffic sign device to retract or extend the traffic sign, optionally to extend the traffic sign into a desired extension position from a plurality of extension positions (of the traffic sign) by selecting an associated country-dependent coding.

[0040] The method comprises moving the (respective) traffic sign of the at least one traffic sign device in or out, optionally moving it into the desired extension position, in response to the control.

[0041] The method includes providing feedback as soon as the (respective) traffic sign has been retracted or extended, optionally to the desired extension position.

[0042] What has been described above with reference to the traffic sign device, the traffic sign system and the test track also applies analogously to the procedure and vice versa.

[0043] Below is an optional embodiment with reference to Fig. 1 described. Fig. 1 schematically shows a test track according to the disclosure for testing a traffic sign recognition system of a motor vehicle.

[0044] The Fig. 1, the test track 50, which is only schematically illustrated, comprises the roadway 30, e.g., a circular track, and the traffic sign system 10 with three traffic sign devices 1. The traffic sign system 10 may also have more or fewer than three traffic sign devices 1, ie, at least one traffic sign device 1.

[0045] For the purposes of the present disclosure, the traffic sign system 10 and the traffic sign device 1 may each represent independent objects independent of the test track 50.

[0046] Each traffic sign device 1 comprises a ground tank 2 which is submersible or sunk into a ground 20 or below a ground boundary, and a traffic sign 3, 4 which has a mast 3 and a traffic sign 4 attached to one end of the mast 3.

[0047] The traffic sign 3, 4 is mounted in the floor tank 2 so that it can be retracted and extended. The traffic sign 3, 4 can be retracted and extended, for example, between a stowed position in which the traffic sign 3, 4 is completely arranged in the floor tank 2, and at least one extended position in which the traffic sign 3, 4 is arranged at least partially outside the floor tank 2 through an opening in the floor tank 2.

[0048] In the arranged state or as part of the test track 50, each traffic sign device 1 is sunk into the ground 20 on the roadway 30 in such a way that the respective traffic sign 3, 4 can be extended upwards out of the ground 20.

[0049] Each traffic sign device 1 can further comprise a controllable linear drive 5 for extending and retracting the traffic sign 3, 4, wherein the linear drive 5 is arranged in the ground tank 2 and mechanically connected to the mast 3. To extend the traffic sign 3, 4 to a desired extended position (or extension height), the linear drive 5 can have at least one sensor 6, e.g., a distance sensor, for determining the extended position. The sensor 6 can, for example, detect how far the mast 3 is extended from the ground tank 2 in order to determine the extended position based on this.

[0050] Furthermore, the traffic sign device 1 can include a controllable rotation mechanism for rotating the traffic sign 3, 4 around a longitudinal axis of the mast 3, wherein the rotation mechanism is arranged in the base tank 2 and mechanically connected to the mast 3. The traffic sign 3, 4 can be rotatable, for example, by 180°.

[0051] The floor tank 2 may have a mechanical cover for covering the opening when the traffic sign 3, 4 is in the stowed position. Alternatively, or additionally, the floor tank 2 may have a drainage system and / or a water pump.

[0052] The traffic sign system 10 comprises, in addition to the at least one traffic sign device 1 (e.g. the three traffic sign devices 1, as in Fig. 1), a control system 11, 12 for controlling a retraction or extension of the respective traffic sign 3, 4 of the at least one traffic sign device 1. For this purpose, the control system 11, 12 can, for example, be connected for signaling purposes to the respective linear drive 5 of the at least one traffic sign device 1.

[0053] The control system 11, 12 can, as in Fig.1, a radio control unit 11 and a remote control center 12. The remote control center 12 is designed to wirelessly output control commands for controlling the at least one traffic sign device 1. The radio control unit 11 is designed to wirelessly receive the control commands from the remote control center 12, wherein the control unit 11 can be signal-connected to the at least one traffic sign device 1 for forwarding the control commands.

[0054] The respective traffic sign 3, 4 can be extendable into multiple extension positions, wherein each of the multiple extension positions can correspond to a traffic sign height prescribed in a country and / or according to a country-specific road traffic regulation, and each of the multiple extension positions can be assigned a corresponding country-specific coding. The control system 11, 12 can be configured accordingly to control the at least one traffic sign device 1 to extend the respective traffic sign 3, 4 into a desired one of the multiple extension positions by selecting the assigned country-specific coding.

[0055] The at least one traffic sign device 1 can be designed to extend the respective traffic sign 3, 4 in response to the control into the desired extension position and to provide feedback to the control system 11, 12 as soon as the respective traffic sign 3, 4 has been extended into the desired extension position.

[0056] With the described setup, the test track 50 can be used to test a motor vehicle's traffic sign recognition system. This can be done, for example, as follows.

[0057] First, a sign request (or also: a desired scene selection of the signage) according to a test order and a country coding can be implemented, for example, by a test manager from the radio control center 12, in which the test manager controls the at least one traffic sign device 1 wirelessly, for example via radio transmission.

[0058] If the traffic sign system 10 comprises several traffic sign devices 1, then, for example, only those traffic sign devices 1 that display the desired traffic signs 4 can be extended according to the sign request. Depending on which country-specific test is to be performed, the traffic sign devices 1 can also be extended to the desired extension position and thus to the desired height by selecting the corresponding country-specific coding.

[0059] By means of appropriate feedback from the traffic sign devices 1, e.g. via radio transmission via the radio control unit 11 to the radio control center 12, it can be monitored automatically and optionally further by the test manager that the sign request, ie the desired traffic sign devices and the desired heights, have been correctly implemented.

[0060] During test operation, the signage, i.e. the set arrangement of the traffic sign devices 1, can be monitored and dynamically changed so that the sign request can be changed during runtime, for example when the motor vehicle is continuously driving on the roadway, and the test can thus be continued without any interruption or disturbances. List of reference symbols 1 traffic sign device 2 floor tanks 3 Mast of the traffic sign 4 Traffic sign of the traffic sign 5 Linear drive 6 Linear actuator sensor 10 Traffic sign system 11 Radio control unit of the control system 12 Remote control center of the control system 20 Soil or soil boundary 30 lane 50 test track

Claims

[1] Traffic sign device (1), characterized by that the traffic sign device (1) comprises: - a floor tank (2) which is submersible or sunk into a floor (20); and - a traffic sign (3, 4) comprising a mast (3) and a traffic sign (4) attached to one end of the mast (3), wherein the traffic sign (3, 4) is mounted in the ground tank (2) so as to be retractable and extendable. [2] Traffic sign device (1) according to claim 1, characterized by that the traffic sign (3, 4) can be moved in and out between a stowed position in which the traffic sign (3, 4) is arranged completely in the floor tank (2), and at least one extended position in which the traffic sign (3, 4) is arranged at least partially outside the floor tank (2) through an opening in the floor tank (2). [3] Traffic sign device (1) according to claim 2, characterized by that the floor tank (2) - has a mechanical cover for covering the opening when the traffic sign (3, 4) is in the stowed position, and / or - has a drainage and / or a water pump. [4] Traffic sign device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by that the traffic sign device (1) comprises: - a controllable linear drive (5) for extending and retracting the traffic sign (3, 4), wherein the linear drive (5) is arranged in the floor tank (2) and is mechanically connected to the mast (3). [5] Traffic sign device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by that the traffic sign device (1) comprises: - a controllable rotation mechanism for rotating the traffic sign (3, 4) about a longitudinal axis of the mast (3), wherein the rotation mechanism is arranged in the floor tank (2) and mechanically connected to the mast (3). [6] Traffic sign system (10), characterized bythat the traffic sign system (10) comprises: - at least one traffic sign device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5; and - a control system (11, 12) for controlling a retraction or extension of the respective traffic sign (3, 4) of the at least one traffic sign device (1). [7] Traffic sign system (10) according to claim 6, characterized by , that - the respective traffic sign (3, 4) of the at least one traffic sign device (1) can be extended into several extension positions, wherein - each of the several extension positions corresponds to a traffic sign height prescribed in a country and / or in accordance with a country-specific road traffic regulation, and - each of the several extension positions is assigned a country-specific code; and - the control system (11, 12) is designed to control the at least one traffic sign device (1) to extend the respective traffic sign (3, 4) into a desired extension position of the plurality of extension positions by selecting the associated country-dependent coding. [8] Traffic sign system (10) according to claim 7, characterized by that the at least one traffic sign device (1) is designed to: - to extend the respective traffic sign (3, 4) into the desired extension position in response to the control; and - to provide feedback to the control system (11, 12) as soon as the respective traffic sign (3, 4) has been extended to the desired extension position. [9] Traffic sign system (10) according to one of claims 6 to 8, characterized by that the control system (11, 12) comprises: - a remote control center (12) for wirelessly issuing control commands for controlling the at least one traffic sign device (1); and - a radio control unit (11) for wirelessly receiving the control commands from the remote control center (12), wherein the control unit (11) is signal-connected to the at least one traffic sign device (1) for forwarding the control commands. [10] Test track (50) for testing a traffic sign recognition system of a motor vehicle, characterized by that the test track (50) includes: - one carriageway (30); - the traffic sign system (10) according to one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the respective floor tank (2) of the at least one traffic sign device (1) is sunk into the ground (20) on the roadway (30) in such a way that the respective traffic sign (3, 4) can be extended upwards out of the ground (20). [11] Method for controlling at least one traffic sign device according to one of claims 1 to 5, comprising controlling the traffic sign of the at least one traffic sign device to retract or extend the traffic sign, in particular to extend the traffic sign into a desired extension position of a plurality of extension positions.

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