SYSTEM FOR DETECTING AND SIGNALING AN OBSTACLE NEAR OR ON A PEDESTRIAN CROSSING

Abstract

System for detecting and signaling an obstacle located near or on a pedestrian crossing The present invention relates to a system (1) for detecting and signaling an obstacle located near or on a pedestrian crossing (2) arranged on a traffic lane (3), remarkable in that it comprises at least two first terminals (4) arranged on either side of the pedestrian crossing (2) and each on one of the edges of the traffic lane (3), and two second terminals (5) each arranged opposite one of said first terminals (4) and on the opposite edge of said traffic lane (3), said first and second terminals (4, 5) comprising at least one high lighting element (10) configured to, in a "deactivated" mode, delimit the contours of the pedestrian crossing (2), and to, in an "activated" mode, attract the attention in particular of road users,and activation means for switching the upper lighting element (10) from its deactivated mode to its activated mode. Fig 1,

Description

Title of the invention: SYSTEM FOR DETECTING AND SIGNALING AN OBSTACLE NEAR OR ON A PEDESTRIAN CROSSING Technical field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to the general field of road traffic. More specifically, it relates to a system arranged on the roadway to make crossing a pedestrian crossing safer. State of the art

[0002] In the field of securing a pedestrian crossing, it is known to use traffic signs using light signals to alert road users of the presence of a pedestrian crossing.

[0003] Furthermore, it is also known to implement, near a pedestrian crossing, a terminal generating light and sound messages to encourage pedestrians to be vigilant before crossing and to indicate to them whether or not to cross the road at the pedestrian crossing.

[0004] These various devices for signaling a pedestrian crossing are more or less effective, but they do not allow road users to be alerted when the pedestrian crossing is poorly lit, particularly at night, and to be warned of the presence of an obstacle located near or on the pedestrian crossing. Summary of the invention

[0005] The aim of the present invention is therefore to propose a device intended both for securing pedestrians crossing a pedestrian crossing and for securing the crossing of said pedestrian crossing by road users, said device being effective, easy to implement, and making it possible in particular to guarantee the safety of pedestrians, whatever the visibility conditions, by warning road users of the presence of an obstacle located near or on the pedestrian crossing.

[0006] According to the invention, there is therefore proposed a system for detecting and signaling an obstacle located near or on a pedestrian crossing arranged on a traffic lane, remarkable in that it advantageously comprises at least two first terminals arranged on either side of the pedestrian crossing and each on one of the edges of the traffic lane, and two second terminals each arranged opposite one of said first terminals and on the opposite edge of said traffic lane, said first and second terminals comprising at least one vertical hollow tubular body receiving: - signaling means comprising at least one low lighting element configured to illuminate at least partially the pedestrian crossing and the traffic lane so as to mark said pedestrian crossing, and a high lighting element configured to, in a "deactivated" mode, delimit the contours of the pedestrian crossing, and to, in an "activated" mode, attract the attention of road users in particular and warn them that an object is near or on the pedestrian crossing, and - activation means for switching the upper lighting element from its deactivated mode to its activated mode.

[0007] According to one embodiment, said activation means comprise an activation button arranged on the upper end of the body of each of said first and second terminals and advantageously associated with a light ring.

[0008] According to another embodiment, said activation means comprise elements of a photoelectric barrier arranged between the first and second terminals arranged along each lateral edge of the pedestrian crossing and emitting an activation signal when it is crossed by an object entering said pedestrian crossing by passing between said first and second terminals.

[0009] The lower lighting element of each of the first and second terminals is preferably movable in vertical translation.

[0010] The lower lighting element of each of the first and second terminals is advantageously a spotlight with reduced focal length light-emitting diodes.

[0011] Advantageously, the upper lighting element of each of the first and second terminals is of the backlight type and consists of at least: - a cutout crossing the entire thickness of the body, - a translucent or transparent hollow barrel inserted in a fitted manner inside said body so as to cover the entire cutout, and - an internal lighting member arranged at least partly inside said barrel and shaped to emit light successively through the barrel and the cutout.

[0012] The body of each of the first and second terminals advantageously contains a control box making it possible to configure the operation of their signaling means according to predetermined settings and the state of the activation means.

[0013] Said control box also makes it possible to synchronize said first and second terminals with each other and, if necessary, to adjust the alignment of the elements of each photoelectric barrier.

[0014] Advantageously, said control box is associated with a remote control operating by radio frequency or "Bluetooth®", and / or with an internet interface operating on a terminal and according to a wireless communication protocol, allowing the exchange of data over a short distance.

[0015] According to a particular embodiment, said system comprises at least one third terminal similar to said first and second terminals and comprising a vertical hollow tubular body receiving signaling means comprising at least: - a low lighting element configured to at least partially illuminate an access path to the pedestrian crossing so as to mark access to said pedestrian crossing, and - a high lighting element configured to signal, in particular to road users, the presence of the access path and therefore of the pedestrian crossing. Brief description of the figures

[0016] Other advantages and characteristics will emerge more clearly from the following description of an embodiment of the invention with reference to the appended figures in which:

[0017] [Fig-1] is a perspective view of a system for detecting and signaling an obstacle located near or on a pedestrian crossing according to the invention,

[0018] [Fig.2] is a perspective view of a terminal of the security system of [Fig.l],

[0019] [Fig.3] is a front view of the terminal of [Fig.2],

[0020] [Fig.4] is a side view of the terminal of [Fig.2], Description of the embodiments

[0021] In [Fig.l], there is shown, in accordance with the invention, a system 1 for detecting and signaling an obstacle located near or on a pedestrian crossing 2 arranged on a traffic lane 3 to allow pedestrians to cross more safely.

[0022] Said system 1 advantageously comprises at least two first terminals 4 arranged on either side of the pedestrian crossing 2 and each on one of the edges of the traffic lane 3, and two second terminals 5 each arranged opposite one of said first terminals 4 and on the opposite edge of said traffic lane 3. Thus, the first and second terminals 4, 5 are arranged so that the intersections of their longitudinal axis with a horizontal plane form the vertices of a rectangle shown in [Fig.l] in broken lines and surrounding said pedestrian crossing 2, the first and second terminals 4, 5 being respectively arranged in line with one and the other of the diagonals of said rectangle.

[0023] Said first and second terminals 4, 5 are similar and comprise at least one vertical hollow tubular body 6, 7 receiving signaling means 8 comprising at least: - a low lighting element 9 configured to at least partially illuminate the pedestrian crossing 2 and the traffic lane 3 so as to mark said pedestrian crossing 2 to facilitate crossing the traffic lane 3, and - a high lighting element 10 configured to, in a "deactivated" mode, delimit the contours of pedestrian crossing 2, and to, in an "activated" mode, attract the attention of road users in particular and warn them that an object (pedestrian, cyclist, or even animal) is near or on pedestrian crossing 2.

[0024] Said body 6, 7 also receives activation means making it possible to switch the upper lighting element 10 from its deactivated mode to its activated mode. Said activation means comprise either an activation button 11 arranged on the upper end of said body 6, 7 and advantageously associated with a light ring 12 to allow its location, or elements 13, 14 of a photoelectric barrier arranged between the first and second terminals 4, 5 arranged along each lateral edge of the pedestrian crossing 2 and emitting an activation signal when it is crossed by an object (pedestrian, bicycle, animal, etc.) entering said pedestrian crossing 2 by passing between said first and second terminals 4, 5.

[0025] Here, the term "longitudinal edges" of the pedestrian crossing 2 refers to the edges extending transversely to the traffic lane 3, and the term "lateral edges" of the pedestrian crossing 2 refers to the edges extending parallel to said traffic lane 3.

[0026] Said activation button 11 is advantageously flush in order to limit the risks of vandalism.

[0027] In the case of the photoelectric barrier, it is understood that the first and second terminals 4, 5 differ in that they are symmetrical with respect to a vertical plane P containing the longitudinal axis of their body 6, 7 and passing through the center of the lower lighting element 9, since the elements 13, 14 of the photoelectric barrier must be opposite each other. The photoelectric barrier is advantageously of the simple type with separate emitters and receivers, thus one of the elements 13, 14 comprises a light radiation emitter, preferably of the infrared type while the other of the elements 13, 14 comprises a receiver configured to receive the emitted light radiation. If the light radiation is interrupted by an object, then the photoelectric barrier sends an activation signal.

[0028] However, without departing from the scope of the present invention, the photoelectric barrier may be of a completely different type such as, for example, of the reflex type, one of the elements 13, 14 comprising a transmitter and a receiver of light radiation, and the other of the elements 13, 14 comprises a prismatic reflector or a reflection sheet. Similarly, the light radiation may be of a completely different type such as, for example, a laser beam.

[0029] As described above, the first and second terminals 4, 5 each comprise a low lighting element 9, the latter being movable in vertical translation to be able to adapt the lighting to the width of the pedestrian crossing 2 and the traffic lane 3, and can be of any type of lighting (filament bulb, halogen bulb, etc.). However, for reasons of energy saving, the low lighting element 9 is advantageously a spotlight with light-emitting diodes. In addition, in order to precisely mark the pedestrian crossing 2, said low lighting element 9 is preferably a spotlight with light-emitting diodes with reduced focal length.

[0030] Furthermore, the first and second terminals 4, 5 each comprise a top lighting element 10, the latter can be of any type such as, for example, a spotlight or a light strip. However, according to an advantageous embodiment, each top lighting element 10 is of the backlight type, and then consists of at least one cutout 15 passing entirely through the thickness of the body 6, 7, of a translucent or transparent hollow barrel 16 inserted in a fitted manner inside said first body 6, 7 so as to cover the entire cutout 15, and an internal lighting member, not shown in the figures, arranged at least partly inside said barrel 16 and shaped to emit light successively through the barrel 16 and the cutout 15.

[0031] Here, the term "fittedly inserted" means that the barrel 16 is shaped so that, when it is inserted into the body 6, 7, its outer wall is pressed as closely as possible against the inner wall of said body 6, 7 so as to minimize the space between its outer wall and the inner wall of said body 6, 7, while allowing light to pass through the cutout 15 of the latter.

[0032] The cutout(s) 9 are advantageously arranged around the entire periphery of the body 6, 7 and may be any type of decoration and / or advertising or informative messages relating, for example, to road safety.

[0033] Said internal lighting member may be of any type such as, for example, a filament bulb or a halogen bulb, but for reasons of energy saving, said internal lighting member advantageously comprises a light-emitting diode bulb.

[0034] The fact of using light-emitting diodes for the lower lighting element 9 and for the internal lighting member of the upper lighting element 10 also makes it possible to easily configure the power and the color of the lighting used, but also the duration and the flashing frequency.

[0035] Said first and second terminals 4, 5 are either directly buried in the ground by the lower end of their body 6, 7, or fixed to the ground, preferably on a concrete block, by suitable means such as chemical or self-expanding anchors, their body 6, 7 then comprising a sole 17 fixed to its lower end.

[0036] Furthermore, the body 6, 7 of each of the first and second terminals 4, 5 contains a control box making it possible to configure the operation of their signaling means 8 according to predetermined settings and the state of the activation means, i.e. pressing the activation button 11 or sending a activation signal by the photoelectric barrier when it is crossed by an object. Said control box also makes it possible to synchronize said first and second terminals 4, 5 with each other and, if necessary, to adjust the alignment of the elements 13, 14 of each photoelectric barrier.

[0037] For the implementation of the predetermined settings, said control box is advantageously associated with a remote control operating, for example, by radio frequency or "Bluetooth®", and / or with an internet interface operating on a terminal such as, for example, a smartphone or a computer, and preferably with a wireless communication protocol, for obvious reasons of ease of use, said wireless communication protocol used being advantageously a protocol allowing the exchange of data over a short distance using radio waves such as, for example, "Wi-Fi", "Bluetooth®" or even "Zigbee".

[0038] For its operation, the system 1 for detecting and signaling an obstacle located near or on a pedestrian crossing 2 is associated with an electrical power source not shown in the figures, the latter consisting either of a connection to the domestic electrical network, or of an accumulator preferably connected to at least one photovoltaic panel.

[0039] With the configuration previously described, to implement and operate the system 1 for detecting and signaling an obstacle located near or on a pedestrian crossing 2, the procedure is as described below.

[0040] Thus, first of all, an operator adjusts, for example with a laser, the vertical alignment of the lower lighting elements 9 of the first and second terminals 4, 5 arranged opposite each other along each of the longitudinal edges of the pedestrian crossing 2. Said operator also checks, if necessary, the alignment of the elements 13, 14 of the photoelectric barrier of the first and second terminals 4, 5 arranged opposite each other along each of the lateral edges of the pedestrian crossing 2. If necessary, the operator must adjust the alignment of the elements 13, 14 of the photoelectric barrier, in particular by slightly pivoting at least one of the first and second terminals 4, 5 around its longitudinal axis, the control box and the upper lighting element 10 of the latter being advantageously configured to indicate the correct alignment, for example by a change in color of said upper lighting elements 10.

[0041] Then, using the remote control and / or the internet interface, the operator adjusts the parameters of the lighting of the lower lighting element 9 and of the internal lighting member of the upper lighting element 10 such as, for example, the power, the color, the duration, or even the type (fixed or flashing), depending on the state of the activation means, i.e. the pressing of the activation button 11 or the sending of a activation signal by the photoelectric barrier.

[0042] Thus, for example, when no object is nearby or on the pedestrian crossing 2, the system 1 is in "deactivated" mode and each lower lighting element 9 emits a fixed blue light so as to mark the pedestrian crossing 2 and each upper lighting element 10 is in deactivated mode, its internal lighting member emitting a fixed blue light of low power.

[0043] As soon as a pedestrian presses one of the activation buttons 11 or an object crosses one of the photoelectric barriers, each upper lighting element 10 switches to activated mode and its internal lighting member emits a full-power red flashing light to attract the attention of road users and warn them that an object is near or on the pedestrian crossing 2, and thus enable the latter to be secured.

[0044] Then, after a predetermined period of time, each upper lighting element 10 returns to the "deactivated" mode described above.

[0045] According to another embodiment, the system 1 for detecting and signaling an obstacle located near or on a pedestrian crossing 2 comprises first and second terminals 4, 5, but also at least one third terminal 18 similar to said first and second terminals 4, 5 and comprising a vertical hollow tubular body 19 receiving signaling means 20 comprising at least: - a low lighting element 21 configured to at least partially illuminate an access path 22 to the pedestrian crossing 2 so as to mark access to said pedestrian crossing 2, and - a high lighting element 23 configured to signal, in particular to road users, the presence of the access path 22 and therefore of the pedestrian crossing 2.

[0046] Said low lighting element 21 of the third terminal 18 is at least similar to the low lighting element 9 of the first and second terminals 4, 5 described previously. Said low lighting element 21 advantageously differs from the low lighting element 9 in that it has a wide asymmetrical focal length.

[0047] Said upper lighting element 23 of the third terminal 18 is preferably identical to the upper lighting element 10 of the first and second terminals 4, 5 described previously.

[0048] The system 1 according to the invention finds a particular application for securing the crossing of a road traffic lane 3 at a pedestrian crossing 2, but it goes without saying that it could be adapted to secure the crossing of other traffic lanes such as, for example, railway tracks.

[0049] Finally, it goes without saying that the examples of system 1 in accordance with the invention which have just been described are only particular illustrations, in no way limiting of the invention.

Claims

Claims

1. System (1) for detecting and signaling an obstacle located near or on a pedestrian crossing (2) arranged on a traffic lane (3), characterized in that it comprises at least two first terminals (4) arranged on either side of the pedestrian crossing (2) and each on one of the edges of the traffic lane (3), and two second terminals (5) each arranged opposite one of said first terminals (4) and on the opposite edge of said traffic lane (3), said first and second terminals (4, 5) comprising at least one vertical hollow tubular body (6, 7) receiving: - signaling means (8) comprising at least one low lighting element (9) configured to at least partially illuminate the pedestrian crossing (2) and the traffic lane (3) so as to mark said pedestrian crossing (2), and a high lighting element (10) configured to, in a "deactivated" mode, delimit the outlines of the pedestrian crossing (2), and for, in an "activated" mode,attract the attention of road users in particular and warn them that an object is nearby or on the pedestrian crossing (2), and - activation means for switching the upper lighting element (10) from its deactivated mode to its activated mode.,

2. System (1) according to claim 1 characterized in that said activation means comprise an activation button (11) arranged on the upper end of the body (6, 7) of each of said first and second terminals (4, 5) and advantageously associated with a luminous ring (12).

3. System (1) according to claim 1 characterized in that said activation means comprise elements (13, 14) of a photoelectric barrier arranged between the first and second terminals (4, 5) arranged along each lateral edge of the pedestrian crossing (2) and emitting an activation signal when it is crossed by an object entering said pedestrian crossing (2) by passing between said first and second terminals (4, 5).

4. System (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3 characterized in that the lower lighting element (9) of each of the first and second terminals (4, 5) is movable in vertical translation.

5. System (1) according to claim 4 characterized in that the low lighting element (9) of each of the first and second terminals (4, 5) is a spotlight with reduced focal length LEDs.

6. System (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5 characterized in that the upper lighting element (10) of each of the first and second terminals (4, 5) is of the backlighting type and is composed of at least: - a cutout (15) passing entirely through the thickness of the body (6, 7), - a translucent or transparent hollow barrel (16) inserted in a fitted manner inside said body (6, 7) so as to cover the entire cutout (15), and - an internal lighting member arranged at least partly inside said barrel (16) and shaped to emit light successively through the barrel (16) and the cutout (15).

7. System (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the body (6, 7) of each of the first and second terminals (4, 5) contains a control box making it possible to configure the operation of their signaling means (8) according to predetermined settings and the state of the activation means.

8. System (1) according to claim 7 characterized in that the control box also makes it possible to synchronize said first and second terminals (4, 5) with each other and, if necessary, to adjust the alignment of the elements (13, 14) of each photoelectric barrier.

9. System (1) according to any one of claims 7 or 8 characterized in that said control box is associated with a remote control operating by radio frequency or "Bluetooth®", and / or with an internet interface operating on a terminal and according to a wireless communication protocol, allowing the exchange of data over a short distance.

10. System (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9 characterized in that it comprises at least one third terminal (18) similar to said first and second terminals (4, 5) and comprising a vertical hollow tubular body (19) receiving signaling means (20) comprising at least: - a low lighting element (21) configured to at least partially illuminate an access path (22) to the pedestrian crossing (2) so as to mark access to said pedestrian crossing (2), and - a high lighting element (23) configured to signal, in particular to road users, the presence of the access path (22) and therefore of the pedestrian crossing (2).

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