Expansion box for traffic signal controllers

Abstract

To provide an expansion box for traffic signal controllers which is integrated with a housing by using a column body mounting hole which is previously provided for a traffic signal controller.SOLUTION: An expansion box 10 for traffic signal controllers is additionally mountable to an existing traffic signal controller S and consists of a first box body 11, a second box body 12 which suspends from a corner part 11a of the first box body 11 and of which the inside communicates with the first box body 11, and a plate part 13 for fixture which is flush with an inner side face part of the second box body 12 and continued to a bottom face part 11b of the first box body 11 and the inner side face part of the second box body 12. The bottom face part 11b of the first box body 11 is placed on a top face S14 of the traffic signal controller S, and a mounting hole S12 of the traffic signal controller S and a through hole 13a of the plate part 13 for fixture are then fixed by bolts. An inside apparatus within the first box body 11 is connected with a transmission section within the traffic signal controller S via a communication cable which is inserted through the second box body 12.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an extension box for a traffic signal controller that can be retrofitted and attached to an existing traffic signal controller installed on a column or the like at an intersection.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a signal control system including a traffic signal controller that controls a signal device such as a signal lamp in a signal control system, and a wireless device connected to the traffic signal controller. This wireless device is installed above the column on which the traffic signal controller is installed via a cable.

[0003] Since various devices are already arranged in an existing traffic signal controller, there may not be enough space inside the housing to install a wireless device or the like, and since the inside of the housing is sealed with metal, even if an antenna or the like is installed inside, it is not possible to receive radio waves with sufficient strength.

[0004] Therefore, in order to retrofit a traffic signal controller with a wireless function, there has been a case of installing a separate wireless device as in the signal control system of Patent Document 1 at a position away from the traffic signal.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] However, as shown in the signal control system of Patent Document 1, when an independent wireless device is installed at a position away from the traffic signal controller, it is necessary to lay power and communication cables along the column. Even if these cables are protected with a protective material or the like, they may be damaged due to aging or the like. And when the cables are damaged and disconnected or there is leakage of electricity, problems such as the inability to use the wireless communication function will occur.

[0007] Also, when other devices are already installed on the column, there may be cases where a space for installing the wireless device cannot be secured, or where the existing other devices hinder the laying of cables to the wireless device.

[0008] An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems and provide an extension box for a traffic signal controller that is integrated with a housing by using mounting holes for column mounting provided in advance for the traffic signal controller.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0009] The extension box for a traffic signal controller according to the present invention for achieving the above object includes a horizontally long rectangular first box body, a vertically long rectangular second box body hanging from a corner of the first box body and having an interior communicating with the first box body, and a rectangular fixing plate portion flush with an inner side surface of the second box body and continuous with a bottom surface portion and the inner side surface of the first box body. It is an extension box for a traffic signal controller that can be attached so as to be integrated with a traffic signal controller, and is characterized in that through holes communicating with mounting holes for column mounting provided on left and right side surfaces of the traffic signal controller are provided in the fixing plate portion.

Effects of the Invention

[0010] According to the extension box for a traffic signal controller according to the present invention, by using the unused mounting holes on the left and right for the column provided in the existing traffic signal controller and attaching it so as to be integrated with the housing, it is possible to internally install and protect the cables extending from the traffic signal controller, and it becomes difficult for the cables to be damaged.

[0011] Even if there are already other devices attached to the column, if there is some space outside the traffic signal controller, an extension box for the traffic signal controller can be installed, and since it is integrated with the traffic signal controller, it looks good.

[0012] Furthermore, even if the traffic signal controller is attached to either the left or right side of the column, it is possible to easily attach and fix the extension box for the traffic signal controller from the right or left side, which is the outside of the traffic signal controller.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0013]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0014] The present invention will be described in detail based on the illustrated embodiments. FIG. 1 is a perspective view before attaching the extension box for the traffic signal controller to the traffic signal controller, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the state where the extension box for the traffic signal controller is attached to the right side of the traffic signal controller, FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the extension box for the traffic signal controller when viewed from the opposite side, and FIG. 4 is a block configuration diagram of the state where the extension box for the traffic signal controller is attached to the left side of the traffic signal controller.

[0015] The extension box 10 for a traffic signal controller is not made of metal but is made of a synthetic resin material such as polycarbonate, which has durability and rigidity, and constitutes a housing composed of the main body S10 and the main door S20 of the traffic signal controller S. By adopting such a synthetic resin material that is difficult to shield radio waves, it becomes possible to ensure sufficient reception strength when the internally installed device is, for example, an antenna.

[0016] The extension box 10 for a traffic signal controller is a device that can be retrofitted and attached to an existing traffic signal controller S installed on a pillar or the like at an intersection. It includes a horizontally long rectangular first box body 11, a vertically long rectangular second box body 12 that hangs down from a corner 11a of the first box body 11 and whose interior communicates with the first box body 11, and a rectangular fixing plate portion 13 that is flush with the inner side surface 12a of the second box body 12 and is continuous with the bottom surface 11b of the first box body 11 and the inner side surface 12a of the second box body 12.

[0017] A first side surface 11c on the side of the first box body 11 facing the second box body 12 and parallel to the fixing plate portion 13, and an outer side surface 12b parallel to the inner side surface 12a of the second box body 12 are flush and continuous, forming an inverted L shape as shown in FIG. 1. Note that this inverted L-shaped first main body side surface 10a is parallel to the short side 11d of the bottom surface 11b of the first box body 11.

[0018] On a pair of sides of the first box body 11 perpendicular to the first side surface 11c, openings (not shown) are provided, and opening and closing doors 11e, 11f that can seal these openings are respectively provided. Note that these opening and closing doors 11e, 11f in the closed state are parallel to the long side 11g of the bottom surface 11b of the first box body 11.

[0019] On these opening and closing doors 11e, 11f, hinges 11h are vertically attached on the right side when viewed from the front. Also, on the opening and closing door 11e, a locking portion 11j is provided in the mounting hole 11i.

[0020] This locking part 11j is attached only to the mounting hole 11i of the opening / closing door 11e disposed directly above the main door part S20 of the traffic signal controller S when the extension box 10 for traffic signal controllers is attached to the traffic signal controller S. A sealing part for sealing the mounting hole 11i is attached to the mounting hole 11i of the opening / closing door 11f on the back side. Therefore, the opening / closing door 11f on the back side has no keyhole and cannot be opened or closed.

[0021] Further, the opening / closing door 11f on the back side and the second side surface 12c orthogonal to the outer surface part 12b of the second box body 12 are flush and in an inverted L shape, forming the second main body side surface part 10b.

[0022] A plurality of through holes 13a communicable with mounting holes S12 for attachment to columns provided on the left and right side surfaces S11 of the main body part S10 of the traffic signal controller S are provided along the vertical direction in the fixing plate part 13.

[0023] The fixing plate part 13 fixed to the traffic signal controller S via the through holes 13a may be made of metal because a certain degree of strength is required. Also, the second box body 12 may be made of metal. In such a case, at least the first box body 11 is made of a material difficult to shield radio waves.

[0024] The traffic signal controller S is a metal box body composed of a main body part S10 having an opening with one side open and a main door part S20 that seals this opening and is openable and closable via a hinge part S13.

[0025] A window part (not shown) communicating with the inside of the main body part S10 is provided at the lower center of the main door part S20, and a rectangular sub-door part S21 that opens and closes around a vertical axis part (not shown) is provided so as to cover this window part.

[0026] Locking parts S22 that can be locked and unlocked with a common key are provided on the main door part S20 and the sub-door part S21. The locking part 11j of the extension box 10 for traffic signal controllers may be locked and unlocked with the common key for these locking parts S22.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 4, inside the traffic signal controller S, there are provided a control unit S30 for controlling the lighting of the signal lamps L installed at the intersection, a transmission unit S40 connected to the control unit S30 and communicating with a wireless communication unit 14 installed inside the first box body 11, and a power supply unit S50 that is powered by an external power supply P which is alternating current and outputs direct current power to the control unit S30, the transmission unit S40, and the wireless communication unit 14. Note that the control unit S30 has a processing unit for performing the lighting process of each signal lamp L and a storage unit for storing constants of the time schedule of the signal lamp L and the like.

[0028] Also, although not shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, as shown in FIG. 4, a wireless communication unit 14 is provided inside the first box body 11. The wireless communication unit 14 is composed of, for example, a GPS communication unit 14a, a mobile communication unit 14b, and a BLE communication unit 14c for Bluetooth (registered trademark). In addition to the wireless communication unit 14, it is also possible to arrange a battery unit or the like for supplying backup power to the traffic signal controller S inside the first box body 11, and these appropriate devices can be installed in combination as appropriate.

[0029] The GPS communication unit 14a, the mobile communication unit 14b, and the BLE communication unit 14c installed in the first box body 11 are respectively connected to the transmission unit S40 inside the traffic signal controller S via communication cables C1, C2, and C3. Also, the GPS communication unit 14a, the mobile communication unit 14b, and the BLE communication unit 14c are connected to the power supply unit S50 via a power cable C4.

[0030] These communication cables C1, C2, C3, and the power cable C4 are wired from the lower end of the traffic signal controller S and are wired inside the second box body 12. Also, when the wireless communication unit 14 is an antenna, such as a GPS antenna, a BLE antenna, a mobile communication antenna, etc., it is not necessary to wire the power cable C4.

[0031] When attaching the extension box 10 for the traffic signal controller to the existing traffic signal controller S, place the bottom surface portion 11b of the first box body 11 that can be placed on the top surface S14 of the traffic signal controller on the top surface S14, then align the positions, and fix the mounting hole S12 on the side surface S11 of the traffic signal controller S and the through hole 13a of the fixing plate portion 13 with bolts B as shown in FIG. 2.

[0032] In addition, inside the first box body 11, pre-installed devices are fixed in advance on the bottom surface portion 11b, the back surface of the unused opening / closing door 11e or opening / closing door 11f, and communication and power cables C connected to these pre-installed devices are inserted into the second box body 12.

[0033] Then, after fixing the extension box 10 for the traffic signal controller to the traffic signal controller S with bolts B, insert it into the second box body 12, and connect the communication and power cables C extending from the lower end of the second box body 12 to the transmission unit S40 and power supply unit S50 of the traffic signal controller S respectively. Thus, the installation work of the extension box 10 for the traffic signal controller to the traffic signal controller S is completed.

[0034] When the extension box 10 for the traffic signal controller is attached to the traffic signal controller S, the opening / closing door 11e and the second main body side surface portion 10b of the extension box 10 for the traffic signal controller created according to the outer dimensions of the traffic signal controller S are flush with the front side surface and the back side surface of the traffic signal controller S.

[0035] Also, FIGS. 1 and 2 are perspective views when the traffic signal controller S is viewed from the front where the main door portion S20 is visible and is attached to a column body (not shown) on the left side. Therefore, although an explanatory diagram of fixing the extension box 10 for the traffic signal controller to the right side of the traffic signal controller S is shown, it is possible to fix the extension box 10 for the traffic signal controller with the front and back reversed to the left side of the traffic signal controller S attached to the column body.

[0036] In this way, when the extension box 10 for the traffic signal controller is fixed to the left side of the traffic signal controller S, a locking portion 11j is attached to the mounting hole 11i of the opening / closing door 11f existing directly above the main door portion S20, and a sealing portion for sealing the mounting hole 11i is attached to the opening / closing door 11e on the back side.

[0037] In addition, the traffic signal controller S with the extension box 10 for the traffic signal controller fixed thereto can perform maintenance of internal devices such as the wireless communication unit 14 through the openable and closable opening / closing door 11e or opening / closing door 11f existing directly above the main door portion S20.

[0038] Thus, according to the extension box 10 for the traffic signal controller according to the present invention, by using the unused mounting holes S12 for the left and right column mounting provided on both side surfaces of the existing traffic signal controller S and mounting them integrally with the housing, it becomes possible to protect the cable C connecting the traffic signal controller S and the internal devices, and it becomes difficult for the cable C to be damaged. In addition, the length of the cable C can also be made shorter than before.

[0039] Also, even when another device is already mounted on the column, if there is a little space outside the traffic signal controller, the extension box 10 for the traffic signal controller can be installed.

[0040] Furthermore, even if the traffic signal controller S is mounted on either the left or right side with respect to the column, it is possible to easily mount and fix the extension box for the traffic signal controller from the right or left side which is the outside of the traffic signal controller S. In addition, the traffic signal controller S integrated with the extension box 10 for the traffic signal controller has a flush surface on the front side, the back side, and one of the side surfaces, so there is no sense of incongruity in appearance and it looks good.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0041] 10 Extension box for traffic signal controller 11 First box body 11a Corner portion 11b Bottom surface portion 11e, 11f Opening / closing door 12 Second box body 12a Inner side surface portion 13 Fixing plate portion 13a Through hole 14 Wireless communication unit S Traffic signal controller S11 Side S12 Mounting Hole S14 Top Surface S40 Transmission Unit

Claims

1. A horizontally long rectangular first box body, a vertically long rectangular second box body hanging down from a corner of the first box body and having its interior communicating with the first box body, a traffic signal controller extension box composed of a rectangular fixing plate portion flush with the inner side surface of the second box body and continuous with the bottom surface portion and the inner side surface of the first box body, and capable of being attached so as to be integrated with a traffic signal controller, wherein the fixing plate portion is provided with through holes that can communicate with mounting holes for column bodies provided on the left and right side surfaces of the traffic signal controller. The traffic signal controller extension box is characterized by this.

2. The first box body can be placed on the top surface of the traffic signal controller, and an internal device connected to the traffic signal controller is installed inside. The traffic signal controller extension box according to Claim 1 is characterized by this.

3. The internal device is a wireless communication unit. The traffic signal controller extension box according to Claim 2 is characterized by this.

4. The wireless communication unit includes at least one of a GPS antenna, a BLE antenna, and a mobile communication antenna. The traffic signal controller extension box according to Claim 3 is characterized by this.

5. A cable connected to the internal device is inserted into the second box body, and the cable extending from the lower end of the second box body is connected to the transmission unit of the traffic signal controller. The traffic signal controller extension box according to any one of Claims 2 to 4 is characterized by this.

6. Opening / closing doors are respectively provided on a pair of side surfaces along the longitudinal direction of the bottom surface portion of the first box body. The traffic signal controller extension box according to any one of Claims 1 to 4 is characterized by this.

7. At least the first box body is made of a material that is difficult to shield radio waves. The traffic signal controller extension box according to any one of Claims 1 to 4 is characterized by this.

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