Signal request device for road traffic signal systems

Abstract

The invention relates to a signal request device (10) for road traffic signal systems, comprising a housing (12) and an operating element (18; 34) with which a signal can be requested, wherein the housing (12) has a feedback window (40) made of translucent material and a light source (42) is arranged within the housing (12) and is associated with the feedback window (40).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a signal request device for road traffic signal systems, comprising a housing and an operating element with which a signal can be requested.

[0002] The signal request device can, in particular, be assigned to a pedestrian "traffic light," so that a pedestrian can request a green signal. Signal request devices are known that have a pushbutton as the operating element, which must be actuated mechanically. Signal request devices are also known that have a contactless sensor as the operating element.

[0003] The object of the invention is to create a signal request device that can be used flexibly in different ways.

[0004] To achieve this object, the invention provides a signal request device for road traffic signal systems, comprising a housing and an operating element with which a signal can be requested. The housing has a feedback window made of translucent material, and a light source associated with the feedback window is arranged within the housing. The signal request device can therefore be operated in different functional modes, namely in an operating mode without feedback and in an operating mode with feedback, without requiring any design modifications. The signal request device can be delivered identically and only be configured for the respective operating state during installation.

[0005] According to one embodiment of the invention, the material of the feedback window has the same color as the sections of the housing surrounding the feedback window. Therefore, when the signal request device is operated in a non-feedback mode, the feedback window is not recognizable as a feedback window, but is perceived as a "normal" part of the housing.

[0006] The feedback window can be made of polycarbonate colored in RAL 1023 so that the housing has the same color throughout.

[0007] The feedback window can be made thinner than the enclosure wall thickness. This ensures that light emitted by the light source inside the enclosure is clearly visible on the outside of the feedback window.

[0008] According to one embodiment of the invention, the feedback window is reinforced on the inside by a reinforcing layer made of a transparent material. This increases the mechanical strength of the housing in the area of the feedback window without (significantly) reducing the visibility of light emitted by the light source inside the housing.

[0009] According to one embodiment, the feedback window can be formed integrally with the housing, resulting in low manufacturing costs.

[0010] According to an alternative embodiment, the feedback window can be a separate component mounted on the housing. This allows the housing and the feedback window to be manufactured from different materials that optimally meet the respective requirements.

[0011] The light source can generate light with different wavelengths so that different signals can be emitted via the feedback window.

[0012] At least one shielding wall can be provided within the housing, positioned between the light source and areas of the housing outside the feedback window. The shielding wall ensures a clear demarcation of the optical illumination within the housing.

[0013] According to one embodiment, a brightness sensor can be provided inside the housing. The brightness sensor can detect the light intensity outside the housing. If, for example, it is very bright there, the light source is controlled at a higher brightness when a light signal is to be emitted than, for example, at night.

[0014] A text can be assigned to the feedback window so that in addition to a colored signal, a message in the form of text can also be generated, for example “Signal coming”.

[0015] A projection device can be provided within the housing, with a projection window assigned to it. The projection device can project a message onto the ground near the signal request device, for example, the remaining waiting time until a traffic light changes from red to green.

[0016] The invention is described below with reference to an embodiment illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which: - Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a signal request device according to the invention, wherein the device is in the electronic operating state; - Fig. 2 a schematic section through the signal request device of Fig. 1; - Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of a signal request device according to the invention, wherein the device is in the mechanical operating state; - Fig. 4 is a sectional perspective view of the signal request device of Fig. 3; and - Fig. 5 in a perspective view the signal request device of the Fig. 1 to 4 in assembled state.

[0017] In the Fig. 1 to 5 show a signal request device 10 with which a road user can request a signal (“green”) that allows him to cross a road.

[0018] The signal request device 10 has a housing 12 containing a lower shell 14 and an upper shell 16. A push button 18 is inserted into the upper shell 16.

[0019] The upper shell 16 has an abutment 20 to which the push button 18 is mechanically attached. For this purpose, guides with projections 22 and receptacles 24 as well as mutually engaging hooks 26 can be provided.

[0020] Furthermore, a fastening means is provided which serves to connect the push button 18 to the housing 12, specifically to the abutment 20. The fastening means is formed here by screws 28 which are screwed from the inside of the housing 12 through the abutment 20 into a corresponding bore 30 of the push button 18.

[0021] A mechanical switch 32 and an electronic sensor 34 are also arranged within the housing (see Fig. 4).

[0022] The mechanical switch 32 serves to detect a mechanical actuation of the push button 18, i.e. a pressing towards the interior of the housing 12.

[0023] The electronic sensor 34 serves to detect the actuation of the push button 18 without the push button 18 having to be adjusted relative to the housing 12. The electronic sensor can in principle be any type of proximity sensor, in particular a capacitive sensor, a radar sensor, or an infrared sensor.

[0024] Inside the housing 12, in particular in the lower shell 14, a printed circuit board 36 is arranged, on which various electromechanical, electrical and / or electronic components are arranged, which serve to operate the signal request device 10. One of these components is a schematically shown in Fig. 4 indicated operating mode selector switch 38, with which it is possible to switch between operation with mechanical actuation and operation with electronic actuation.

[0025] In the electronic operating state, the push button 18 is firmly locked to the housing 12 in a state that corresponds to a maximum depressed state of the push button 18. This state is shown in the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 and is maintained by firmly tightening the screws 28. This pulls the push button 18 against the abutment 20, so that it fits flush with the outer contour of the upper shell 16. In this state (selected by the operating mode selector switch 38), the electronic sensor 34 is active, so that an approach or touch of the push button 18 can be detected as a signal request.

[0026] In the electronic operating state, the sensor 34 acts as a control element with which a signal can be requested.

[0027] In the mechanical operating state, the screws 28 are screwed less far into the push button 18 than in the electronic operating state. This allows the push button 18 to be moved relative to the housing and in particular to the upper shell, and it is in an initial position (see the Fig. 3 and Fig. 4) protrudes slightly beyond the contour of the upper shell 16. From this initial position, the push button can be moved toward the interior of the housing into an actuated position. Springs (not shown here) can be provided to return the push button 18 to its initial position. When the push button 18 is moved to the actuated position, the mechanical switch 32 is simultaneously actuated, thus requesting a signal.

[0028] In the mechanical operating state, the push button 18 acts as a control element with which a signal can be requested.

[0029] The signal request device 10 can therefore be mounted with minimal effort in a mechanical operating mode or an electronic operating mode, depending on the customer's requirements. To do this, the screws 28 simply need to be screwed more or less deeply into the corresponding holes 30 of the push button 18, and the desired operating mode must be set on the operating mode selector switch 38.

[0030] It is also conceivable that the operating mode selector switch 38 is eliminated by the fact that a continuous actuation of the mechanical switch 32 is interpreted by an electronic system to mean that the signal request device 10 is in the electronic operating state.

[0031] The push button 18 can be assigned a module for generating haptic feedback. This module can contain a vibration motor or a snap disc, so that when a user requests a signal, they receive a haptic signal that the signal request has been recognized. If a snap disc ("clicker principle") is used, it can be simulated in the electronic operating state that the push button 18 has been mechanically actuated, since the snap disc can also generate an acoustic signal in addition to the haptic signal, which corresponds to the actuation of a mechanical switch.

[0032] A feedback window 40 is integrated into the housing 12, and in particular into the upper shell 16, which can be used to display visual feedback when the push button 18 has been pressed. The feedback window 40 is translucent, allowing light to pass through it. However, the feedback window 40 is not transparent.

[0033] In one embodiment, the feedback window is made of polycarbonate, colored RAL 1023. The upper shell can be made of a different material, but also in RAL 1023. This makes the feedback window invisible; it appears as part of the upper shell.

[0034] A light source 42 is located inside the housing and associated with the feedback window 40. Light generated by the light source 42 is visible in the feedback window. When the light source is activated, the feedback window illuminates.

[0035] The feedback window 40 is designed with a wall thickness that is less than the wall thickness of the upper shell 16. This reduces the transmission losses and ensures that the light from the light source 42 can be clearly perceived on the outside of the feedback window 40.

[0036] In order to ensure the mechanical stability of the housing in the area of the feedback window 40, the feedback window 40 is reinforced on the inside with a reinforcing layer 43 made of a transparent material.

[0037] The feedback window 40, together with the reinforcement layer 43, is inserted into a recess in the upper shell 16. A hook-like edge 41 on the reinforcement layer 43 can ensure a mechanically stable connection.

[0038] A brightness sensor 44 is provided within the housing near the feedback window 40, which can be used to detect the brightness in the environment of the signal request device 10. This allows a higher brightness to be used when, for example, the sun is shining and a lower brightness at night.

[0039] The area of the light source 42 and the brightness sensor 44 are shielded from other areas within the housing 12 by a shielding wall 46, so that light generated by the light source 42 cannot reach other areas of the signal request device 10 and is visible, for example, around the push button 18.

[0040] The signal request device can operate in two different operating modes with respect to the light source 42. These can be set using the operating mode selector switch 38.

[0041] In a first operating state, the signal request device 10 is operated as a blind device without feedback. The light source 42 is inactive in this operating state, and the feedback window 40 is perceived by a user as merely a "normal" part of the housing 12.

[0042] In a second operating state, the signal request device 10 is operated with feedback. In this operating state, a feedback signal is generated via the light source, which is visible from the outside due to the translucent nature of the feedback window. For example, the feedback window can appear white backlit to signal that a change in the state of the associated traffic light has been requested (by a gesture detected by the sensor 34 or by pressing the push button 18).

[0043] The light source 42 can also emit different light, for example, by superimposing light with different wavelengths or by the light source containing LEDs with different wavelengths. For example, the feedback window can be backlit red while waiting for a green phase, and the feedback window can be backlit green when the traffic light associated with the signal request device 10 indicates a green signal.

[0044] It is also conceivable that the different states of the traffic light system are coded by special light pulses.

[0045] As an alternative to these operating modes, which do not require text or speech, it is conceivable to assign lettering to the feedback window. For example, lettering can be printed on the inside of the feedback window or on the reinforcement layer, which accordingly only becomes visible when the light source 42 is operating.

[0046] The signal request device 10 can be designed in such a way that it projects onto the ground below the signal request device 10 information about the remaining waiting time until the next green phase is switched on. This is Fig. 5 shown.

[0047] The signal request device 10 is shown here mounted on a mast 50. Projected information 52 can be seen on the ground below the signal request device 10.

[0048] Green information may also be visible here after the traffic light has turned green.

[0049] The information 52 is generated by means of a projection device 54 (see Fig. 4), which is arranged within the housing 12. The projection device is arranged behind a projection window in the housing 12, which is received in a receiving groove 56 between the upper shell 16 and the lower shell 14.

Claims

[1] Signal request device (10) for road traffic signal systems, with a housing (12) and an operating element (18; 34) with which a signal can be requested, wherein the housing (12) has a feedback window (40) made of translucent material and a light source (42) is arranged within the housing (12) and is associated with the feedback window (40). [2] Signal request device (10) according to claim 1, characterized by that the material of the feedback window (40) has the same color as the sections of the housing (12) surrounding the feedback window (40). [3] Signal request device (10) according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized by that the feedback window (40) is made of polycarbonate colored in RAL 1023. [4] Signal request device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the feedback window (40) has a wall thickness which is less than the wall thickness of the housing (12). [5] Signal request device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the feedback window (40) is reinforced on the inside by a reinforcing layer (43) made of a transparent material. [6] Signal request device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the feedback window (40) is formed integrally with the housing (12). [7] Signal request device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by that the feedback window (40) is a separate component mounted on the housing (12). [8] Signal request device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the light source (42) can generate light with different wavelengths. [9] Signal request device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat at least one shielding wall (46) is provided within the housing (12), which is arranged between the light source (42) and areas of the housing (12) outside the feedback window (40). [10] Signal request device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that a brightness sensor (44) is provided within the housing (12). [11] Signal request device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that a lettering is assigned to the feedback window (40). [12] Signal request device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that a projection device (54) is provided within the housing (12), to which a projection window in the housing (12) is assigned.

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