Automatic barrier boom detection method

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for detecting a boom (1), which method comprises the steps of: a)- providing an automatic barrier (2) for controlling access to a traffic lane (3), the automatic barrier (2) comprising: a boom (1) capable of pivoting between a closed position in which the boom (1) prevents the flow of traffic and an open position in which the boom (1) allows traffic to flow, and a heating device configured to heat at least a portion of the boom (1), b)- operating the heating device so as to heat at least a portion of the boom (1), c)- detecting (4) infrared radiation emitted by the boom (1) during the heating process in step b).

Description

Automatic barrier arm detection method

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of automatic barriers of access control devices, configured to control the access of pedestrians or vehicles to a traffic lane. In particular, the invention proposes a method for detecting the arm of automatic barriers. According to a second aspect, the invention proposes a arm detection kit.

[0002] Automatic barriers may not be detected by the naked eye in the dark, or in adverse weather conditions, such as fog or thick smoke from a fire, for example. However, if the arm of an automatic barrier is not visible to users, particularly in the case of a toll barrier or a barrier in a car park, tunnel, etc., a vehicle may hit the arm in the closed position, break it and be slowed down. There are some solutions consisting of placing class 2 reflective strips on the arm or lights that can be flashing, so as to facilitate their detection, but when the environment is truly dark, in situations of zero visibility, particularly in tunnels where a fire has broken out, these solutions are not sufficient to allow effective detection of the arm.For safety reasons, barriers regularly placed in the tunnels are activated in the closed position so as to prevent vehicles from advancing towards the fire. In the presence of thick smoke, emergency vehicles traveling in the tunnel risk hitting them, despite the above-mentioned solutions, slowing down the emergency services and breaking the rails.

[0003] There is thus a need to make the stringers visible even under adverse conditions. To this end, the present invention proposes a stringer detection method comprising the steps of:

[0004] a)- provision of an automatic barrier for controlling access to a traffic lane, the automatic barrier comprising: a movable rail pivoting between a closed position in which the rail prohibits traffic and an open position in which the rail allows traffic, a heating device configured to heat at least part of the rail,

[0005] b)- starting the heating device so as to heat at least part of the rail, c)- detecting infrared radiation emitted by the rail during heating according to step b).

[0006] This process makes it possible to easily detect the beam by the difference in infrared radiation from the beam and the ambient air, even in an environment that is opaque to the naked eye, for example in fog or thick smoke.

[0007] According to one arrangement, the method comprises, after step c, a step d of transmitting the information on detecting a rail and at least one position occupied by the rail to a user.

[0008] According to one configuration, the heating device is an electrical device.

[0009] Concretely, the heating device is connected to a power supply of the automatic barrier.

[0010] According to one possibility, the automatic barrier includes a central unit configured to control the operation of the heating device. It is thus possible to condition the operation of the heating device according to specific instructions which may depend on the external conditions, the temperature, the visibility, etc. Thus, in addition to becoming visible by difference of infrared radiation with the ambient air, the barrier can be defrosted and its operation improved when the external temperature is very low.

[0011] According to one arrangement, step b) comprises the operation of the heating device by the central unit when the rail is in the closed position, and step c) comprises the detection of infrared radiation emitted by the rail in the closed position.

[0012] According to a particular embodiment, the operating command of the heating device is only given when the rail is in the closed position. Thus, the rail is only detected in the closed position, when it blocks the access route. The rail is therefore not detected in the open position.

[0013] Advantageously, the central unit is programmed to control the pivoting of the beam between the closed position and the open position.

[0014] According to one feature, the heating device comprises a heating cable.

[0015] Concretely, the heating cable includes an electrical resistance.

[0016] According to one embodiment, one possibility, the heating device is configured to heat the entire length of the rail.

[0017] According to one arrangement, the heating device is configured to at least partially heat the rail to a temperature Tl 15°C higher than a temperature Ta of the ambient air.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the heating device is configured to at least partially heat the rail to a temperature Tl 15°C to 30°C higher than the temperature Ta of the ambient air, in particular 18 and 25°C higher, and in particular approximately 20°C higher.

[0019] This temperature difference ensures a difference in infrared radiation that can be easily detected by an infrared detector, particularly an infrared detector on board an emergency vehicle. This prevents impact with the rail and its breakage. When the heating device is an electrical resistor, this temperature difference can be modified by changing the resistance power or the supply voltage.

[0020] According to one possibility, the heating device comprises an electrical resistance with a power of between 3 and 10W / m, in particular between 4 and 8W / m and for example approximately 5W / m.

[0021] According to a particular embodiment, the rail is flexible and the heating device extends in a non-tensioned manner, along and inside the rail, and has a sufficient length to allow the flexion of the rail. The latter can thus deform without breaking, under the effect of an impact with an external element, in particular with a vehicle. Thus, the rail can be flexed without hindrance linked to the presence of the heating cable, and the latter is also not damaged during a deformation even of an angle of 90° of the rail.

[0022] According to another aspect, the invention provides a stringer detection kit comprising:

[0023] - an automatic barrier for a traffic lane, the automatic barrier comprising:

[0024] - a movable rail pivoting between a closed position in which the rail prohibits movement and an open position in which the rail allows movement,

[0025] - a heating device configured to heat at least a portion of the rail, and

[0026] - an infrared detector configured to detect infrared radiation emitted by the rail when it is heated.

[0027] According to other features, the present invention comprises one or more of the following optional features considered alone or in combination:

[0028] - The method comprises a step of providing an infrared detector.

[0029] - The infrared detector is configured to detect a beam and at least one position occupied by the beam, in particular a closing position occupied by the beam in step c).

[0030] - Step c) of detecting infrared radiation is carried out by an infrared detector.

[0031] - The rail is formed of at least one substantially flat blade.

[0032] - The heating device is placed along at least one part of the rail or at least one blade.

[0033] - The heating device is placed inside the rail.

[0034] - The infrared detector is an infrared camera.

[0035] - The infrared camera is a thermal camera.

[0036] - The thermal camera is integrated into a vehicle, particularly an emergency vehicle.

[0037] - The heating cable is integrated into all or part of the rail.

[0038] - The electrical resistance is in the form of a loop extended by an electrical connection cable for connection to the power supply of the automatic barrier.

[0039] - The heating device is powered by the automatic barrier.

[0040] - The heating device is connected to a power supply in a device supporting the automatic barrier.

[0041] - The heating device is connected to the automatic barrier's power supply by a waterproof connector.

[0042] - The heating device incorporates a thermostat.

[0043] - The heating device incorporates a thermostat communicating with the central unit.

[0044] - The heating device is configured to heat at least a continuous portion of the rail.

[0045] - The heating device is configured to heat at least half the length of the rail.

[0046] The heating device is configured to heat at least 80% of the length of the rail.

[0047] - The heating device is configured to provide a plurality of heating zones so as to at least partially heat the rail, relative to the ambient air.

[0048] - The plurality of heating zones comprises at least three heating zones.

[0049] - The plurality of heating zones is distributed so as to space the heating zones along the length of the rail.

[0050] The plurality of heating zones is distributed so as to regularly space the heating zones along the length of the rail.

[0051] The plurality of heating zones are distributed so as to irregularly space the heating zones along the length of the rail.

[0052] The plurality of heating zones is distributed over at least one half of the end of the rail on the side opposite the end of the rail near the pivot axis.

[0053] The plurality of heating zones covers 80% of the length of the rail.

[0054] - The plurality of heating zones covers the entire length of the rail.

[0055] - The automatic barrier includes a brightness sensor configured to measure and communicate to the central unit brightness values ​​of the environment of the automatic barrier.

[0056] - The automatic barrier includes a temperature sensor configured to measure and communicate to the central unit ambient air temperature values ​​of the automatic barrier.

[0057] - The central unit is programmed to control the operation of the heating device according to the values ​​measured and transmitted by the sensor(s).

[0058] - The rail includes a grid integrating the heating device.

[0059] - The rail includes at least one blade made of composite material incorporating the heating device.

[0060] - The rail includes at least one aluminum blade integrating the heating device.

[0061] - The flexible rail is a rail which comprises a plurality of substantially planar blades, kept spaced apart, substantially facing each other and each extending in a respective extension plane, the extension planes being parallel to each other, the blades being configured so as to allow elastic deformation of the rail in a plane perpendicular to the extension planes, between a closed position in which the rail prohibits movement and a deformed position in which at least a portion of the rail is oblique relative to the direction of movement.

[0062] - The flexible rail comprises a spacing system, configured to fix in pairs all the adjacent slats of the plurality of slats, keeping them spaced apart and facing each other, the spacing system comprising spacers inserted between the adjacent slats and spaced along the rail.

[0063] - The automatic barrier is intended to be integrated into an access control device, chosen from light or heavy devices for the purpose of controlling vehicle traffic, particularly on traffic lanes.

[0064] - The access control device is integrated into toll devices, access devices to sensitive sites (hospitals, administrations, etc.), access devices to parking lots, etc.

[0065] Other aspects, aims and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading the following description of an embodiment thereof, given by way of non-limiting example and with reference to the appended drawings. The figures do not necessarily respect the scale of all the elements represented so as to improve their readability. In the remainder of the description, for the sake of simplification, identical, similar or equivalent elements of the different embodiments bear the same numerical references in which:

[0066] represents a schematic view of an automatic barrier and an infrared detector according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0067] represents a schematic view of the rail of an automatic barrier according to the embodiment of the.

[0068] Illustrates the method for detecting a boom 1 according to the present invention using a boom detection kit comprising an automatic barrier 2 for controlling access to a traffic lane 3, as well as an infrared detector 4 in particular integrated into an emergency vehicle 5 on approach. The automatic barrier 2 comprises a boom 1 and a device for heating the boom 1. The boom 1 is pivotally mounted between a closed position () in which the boom 1 prohibits access to the traffic lane 3 and an open position (not illustrated) in which the boom 1 authorizes access to the traffic lane 3. The heating device and the pivoting of the boom 1 are controlled by a central unit of the automatic barrier 2 (not illustrated). The central unit is programmed so that the heating device heats the boom 1 at least when the latter is in the closed position.The heated rail 1 then has a temperature Tl higher than that Ta of the ambient air and its infrared radiation, different from that of the air, is detected by the infrared detector 4. It thus detects the rail 1 and at least its closed position. Other conditions can also be taken into consideration for the activation of the heating, for example a very low outside temperature, the heating advantageously leads to the thawing of the rail 1 and its operation is ensured. The brightness is also a parameter which can be taken into account because if it is low, it becomes necessary to heat the rail 1 to make it clearly visible, its infrared radiation is captured by the infrared detector 4 despite the opacity of the environment to the naked eye. The infrared detector 4 transmits to a user 5 the information of the presence of a rail 1 and the position occupied by the rail 1, here the closed position.In the case illustrated in, the infrared detector 4 is a thermal camera integrated into an emergency vehicle 5. It thus informs the driver of the vehicle 5 of the presence of a barrier 1 obstructing his passage. The driver can slow down to stop or go around the identified barrier 1 to continue his journey, in particular if he is a driver of an emergency vehicle 5, to be able to intervene as quickly as possible on the site concerned. Thus the barrier 1 is not struck, it is therefore not broken and the vehicle 5 is not damaged or slowed down in its journey. This method is particularly interesting in a tunnel filled with smoke due to a fire, for example. Indeed, automatic barriers 2 are regularly arranged in the tunnel and the central unit activates the pivoting of each of the barrier 1 to the closed position in the event of detection of opaque smoke, by means of a brightness sensor communicating with the central unit, for example.This configuration makes it possible in particular to stop the movement of vehicles at the entrance and in the tunnel, which facilitates the arrival of emergency services and / or firefighters on site. However, in the presence of thick smoke, the rail 1 in the closed position also hinders the movement of emergency vehicles 5. The central unit is then programmed to activate the heating of the rails 1 which in turn emit infrared radiation, capable of being detected by the thermal camera 4 integrated in the vehicles 5.

[0069] According to an arrangement not visible in the figures, the heating device is connected to a power supply of the automatic barrier 2. The heating device is a heating cable 6 (electrical resistance - refer to the) arranged along a blade 7 constituting at least in part the beam 1. As illustrated in the figure, the heating cable 6 extends over the entire length of the beam 1 to heat its entire length. According to another arrangement, it is advantageous, in particular from an economic point of view, for the heating device to be configured to heat only a portion of the beam 1. However, it is preferable for a sufficient portion of the beam 1 to be heated so that the thermal camera 4 detects its elongated shape in a horizontal position for undoubted identification by a user.

[0070] According to an arrangement not visible in the figures, the heating device is configured to increase the temperature Tl of the beam 1 by approximately 20 °C more than the ambient air temperature Ta so that the difference in infrared radiation from the beam 1 and that of the ambient air is perfectly detected. To do this, a heating device having an electrical resistance power of approximately 5 W / m is sufficient.

[0071] According to a non-illustrated embodiment, the automatic barrier 2 comprises a rail 1 consisting of a plurality of blades 7 arranged so that it is flexible enough to allow deformation through an angle of 90°. The heating device is then designed to extend in a non-tensioned manner along the rail 1, which can thus deform under the effect of a significant impact without damaging the heating cable 6.

[0072] Thus, the present invention proposes a method for detecting a rail 1 in an automatic barrier 2 that is easy to implement and effective in enabling the rapid and unhindered arrival of emergency vehicles 5. In addition, the additional cost associated with the presence of the heating device is offset by the fact that the rails 1 are no longer broken when the environment is opaque. The heating device is also advantageously used when temperatures are very low and the rail 1 and its motor are frozen.

Claims

Method for detecting a rail (1) comprising the steps of: a) - providing an automatic barrier (2) for controlling access to a traffic lane (3), the automatic barrier (2) comprising: a rail (1) pivotably movable between a closed position in which the rail (1) prohibits traffic and an open position in which the rail (1) allows traffic, a heating device configured to heat at least a portion of the rail (1), b) - operating the heating device so as to heat at least a portion of the rail (1), c) - detecting infrared radiation emitted by the rail (1) during heating according to step b). A method of detecting a rail (1) according to claim 1, wherein the heating device is connected to a power supply of the automatic barrier (2). Method for detecting a rail (1) according to one of claims 1 to 2, in which the automatic barrier (2) comprises a central unit configured to control the operation of the heating device. Method for detecting a rail (1) according to claim 3, in which step b) comprises the operation of the heating device by the central unit when the rail (1) is in the closed position, and step c) comprises the detection (4) of infrared radiation emitted by the rail (1) in the closed position. Method for detecting a smooth surface (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4 in which the heating device comprises a heating cable (6). Method for detecting a smooth surface (1) according to claim 5, in which the heating cable (6) comprises an electrical resistance. Method for detecting a rail (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, in which the heating device is configured to heat the entire length of the rail (1). Method for detecting a rail (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, in which the heating device is configured to at least partially heat the rail (1) to a temperature (Tl) 15°C higher than a temperature (Ta) of the ambient air. Method for detecting a smooth surface (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, in which the heating device comprises an electrical resistance with a power of between 3 and 10W / m, in particular between 4 and 8W / m and for example approximately 5W / m. Method for detecting a rail (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, in which the rail (1) is flexible and the heating device extends in a non-tensioned manner along and inside the rail (1) and has a sufficient length to allow the flexion of the rail (1) which can thus deform without breaking. A beam detection kit (1) comprising:- an automatic barrier (2) for a traffic lane (3), the automatic barrier (2) comprising: a beam (1) pivotably movable between a closed position in which the beam (1) prohibits traffic and an open position in which the beam (1) allows traffic, the beam detection kit further comprising: a heating device configured to heat at least a portion of the beam (1), and- an infrared detector (4) configured to detect infrared radiation emitted by the beam (1) when it is heated, the beam detection kit being configured to implement the beam detection method according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

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