Information exchange street pole

Abstract

The information exchange street (1) comprises: a protection module (100) extending in a main direction of extension (X), a first cavity (101) formed inside the protection module (102) and extending in the main direction of extension (X), and a bidirectional antenna configured to communicate with an external device and to generate a signal within a certain frequency range. The information exchange street is characterized in that the protection module (100) is radio-transparent for this frequency range and that the antenna is located in the first cavity (101) in the protection module (102).

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a street pole for information exchange. This device is generally used in the field of traffic, especially in the vicinity of roads and highways. [Background technology]

[0002] Light poles featuring modular assemblies configured to communicate with external devices are known in the art.

[0003] EP 3685158 A1 describes a lamppost equipped with a module for checking the air quality. In particular, the lamppost comprises a number of modules, including a lighting module, a module equipped with a loudspeaker and a module equipped with a camera. Furthermore, the lamppost also comprises a signal transmission module. These modules are supported by a support pole. The support pole comprises a removable door that provides access to the inner part of the support pole. Furthermore, the lamppost comprises an antenna arranged to receive and transmit mobile phone data.

[0004] EP 3770488 A1 shows a lamppost comprising a support pole with a sensor for monitoring a surrounding sensing area and a communication device arranged to wirelessly communicate with vehicles in the vicinity of the sensing area, the lamppost further in signal communication with a controller, which turns the lamppost on to send a visual warning signal.

[0005] Unfortunately, the lamppost antenna according to EP 3 685 158 A1 is exposed to the outside environment, which means it requires more maintenance work or more frequent replacement due to damage caused by the surrounding environment.

[0006] Disadvantages of the lamppost according to EP 3770488 A1 are limited in their communication with vehicles in the vicinity of the surrounding sensing area and do not record any monitoring data or emit any signals. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] European Patent Application Publication No. 3685158 [Patent Document 2] European Patent Application Publication No. 3770488 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] In this context, the technical problem underlying the present invention is to propose an information exchange street pole that overcomes the above-mentioned drawbacks of the known technology.

[0009] Specifically, it is an object of the present invention to make available an information exchange street pole that allows automobile users and other remote external devices to send and receive information using a transceiver that is protected from the external environment. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] The defined technical problem and the stated object are substantially achieved by a street pole for information exchange having the technical features set out in one or more of the attached claims.

[0011] Specifically, the information exchange street pole comprises a protection module extending in a main extension direction, and a first cavity formed inside the protection module and extending in the main extension direction.

[0012] The information exchange pole comprises a bidirectional antenna configured to communicate signals with an external device and to generate signals within a certain frequency range.

[0013] The protection module of the information exchange street pole is radio-transparent to this frequency range, and the antenna is located in a first cavity in the protection module.

[0014] Such an information exchange pole solves the technical problem since the antenna is protected by a radio-transparent housing which protects it from the external environment without interfering with the signal itself.

[0015] Additionally, the information exchange poles also communicate signals with remote external devices for analyzing and storing the collected data.

[0016] Other features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the non-limiting description of preferred, but not exclusive, embodiments of a street pole for information exchange, as illustrated in the following drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of an information exchange street pole according to the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a protection module for an information exchange street pole. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 shows an orthogonal cross-section at the top of a protection module for an information exchange street pole. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the top module of an information exchange street pole. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the top module of the information exchange street pole. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a front elevational view of an alternative embodiment of an information exchange street pole. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0018] With reference to the accompanying drawings, the reference number 1 designates an information exchange street pole 1 according to the invention.

[0019] The information exchange pole 1 comprises a protection module 100 extending in a main direction of extension X, as shown in Fig. 2. The protection module 100 comprises a first cavity 101 extending therein in the main direction of extension X. The protection module 100 is made of a composite material. In particular, the protection module 100 is made of a composite material of polyester and fiberglass.

[0020] More specifically, the protective module 100 comprises openings 102 providing access to a first cavity 101 of the protective module 100. The openings 102 are located on a side surface 103 of the protective module 100. In a preferred embodiment, there are three openings 102, located in a main direction of extension X. Each access opening 102 is closable by a respective door 105 having a lock, as shown in Figure 1. Preferably, each door 105 is formed from thermoformed polycarbonate.

[0021] As shown in Fig. 1, the protection module 100 comprises recesses 108 on the side surface 103. The recesses 108 are circular and arranged such that the main direction of extension X passes through its centre. Preferably there are three recesses. The recesses 108 are configured to accommodate light rings. In a preferred embodiment the light rings are LED rings, more preferably each LED ring comprises an RGB LED stripe and two lenses moulded from opal polycarbonate.

[0022] It should be noted that the protection module 100 comprises a first lower end 110 and a first upper end 120 as shown in FIG. 2. At the first lower end 110, the protection module 100 comprises a first lower connection ring 111. Preferably, the first lower connection ring 111 is made of steel. At the first upper end 120, the protection module 100 comprises a first upper connection ring 121. Preferably, the first upper connection ring 121 is made of Kestamid. Both the first lower connection ring 111 and the first upper connection ring 121 comprise a first hole 112 and a second hole 122, respectively, and are configured to receive first and second connection means for connecting the protection module 100 to another module. In particular, the first lower connection ring 111 is configured to receive an M16 thread, and the first upper connection ring 121 is configured to receive an M16.

[0023] The information exchange pole 1 comprises a support module 200 extending in a main direction of extension X, as shown in FIG.

[0024] Preferably, the support module 200 is made of a composite material, preferably a composite material of polyester and fiberglass. The support module 200 comprises a second cavity extending in a main direction of extension X. In particular, the support module 200 is connected to the protection module 100 with the first cavity 101 and the second cavity aligned in the main direction of extension X.

[0025] More specifically, the support module 200 comprises a second lower end 210. It should be noted that in the second cavity, at the second lower end 210, the support module 200 comprises a steel core, which is fixed with screws and is configured to strengthen the information exchange street pole 1.

[0026] The support module 200 further comprises a fixing ring 211, which is located at a second lower end 210 on the outside of the support module 200. The fixing ring 211 comprises third holes 212, which are equiangularly spaced apart and configured to receive a second connection means for positioning and fixing the information exchange pole 1 near the road.

[0027] The support module 200 comprises a second upper end 220 and a second upper connection ring, preferably made of steel, as shown in FIG. 1. Furthermore, the second upper connection ring is inserted into a second cavity in the support module 200 by a screw at the second upper end 220. As shown in FIG. 3, the second upper connection ring comprises fourth holes 222, which are equiangularly spaced apart. Furthermore, the third hole 212 and the fourth hole 222 are positioned such that, when viewed in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 3, an angle α of preferably 30° is formed between each of the third holes 212 and the nearest fourth hole 222. It is noted that the fourth hole 222 is configured to receive a first connection means for connecting the support module 200 to the protection module 100. The first connection means can be further connected, preferably using an M16 bolt, to fix the support module 200 and the protection module 100.

[0028] The information exchange pole 1 comprises a top module 300 extending in a main direction of extension X, as shown in Fig. 4. The top module 300 comprises a third cavity 301 extending in the main direction of extension X. The top module 300 is connected to the protection module 100 such that the first cavity 101 and the third cavity 301 are aligned in the main direction of extension X. The top module 300 is preferably made of polycarbonate.

[0029] It should be noted that the top module 300 comprises a third lower end 306 and a second lower connection ring. The second lower connection ring is preferably made of polyurethane. Furthermore, the second lower connection ring comprises a fifth hole, which is configured to receive a second connection means for connecting the top module 300 to the protection module 100. Furthermore, the second connection means is preferably connectable using an M12 bolt to secure the top module 300 and the protection module 100 together.

[0030] More specifically, the top module comprises a third upper end 307, which comprises an opening 305 and a cover 302 arranged to cover the opening 305, as shown in Fig. 5. The cover 302 is preferably made of polyurethane. The cover 302 comprises at least one hole 303 to ensure the dispersion of heat that may be generated inside the information exchange pole 1.

[0031] Finally, the top module 300 comprises a support rod 304, which is disposed in the third cavity 305, secured to the cover 302 and the second lower connecting ring, and configured to support the cover 302. The support rod 304 is preferably formed from aluminum.

[0032] According to another embodiment, the information exchange street pole 1 comprises an intermediate module 400, as shown in Fig. 6. The intermediate module 400 comprises a fourth cavity extending in the main direction of extension X. The intermediate module 400 is located between the protection module 100 and the support module 200, the first cavity 101, the second cavity and the fourth cavity being aligned in the main direction of extension X. Furthermore, the support module 200 and the intermediate module 400 are preferably made of steel.

[0033] The intermediate module 400 comprises a fourth lower end 410 and a fourth lower connecting ring at the fourth lower end 410. The intermediate module 400 further comprises a fourth upper end 420 and a fourth upper connecting ring at the fourth upper end 420.

[0034] The fourth lower and upper rings each include holes configured to receive another connection means, preferably a screw, to connect the extension module 400 to the support module 200 and the protection module 100, respectively.

[0035] This further connection means can be further coupled, preferably using M16 bolts, to fasten intermediate module 400 to protection module 200 and protection module 100, respectively.

[0036] Additionally, the extension module 400 includes an opening and a door 430 that reversibly closes the opening and has a locking portion. Such an opening provides access to a fourth cavity of the extension module 400.

[0037] More specifically, the protection module 100 comprises a bidirectional antenna, not shown, which is configured to communicate signals with an external device and to generate signals within a certain frequency range. It should be noted that the protection module 100 is radio transparent to this frequency range, and that this antenna is located within a first cavity 101 in the protection module 100.

[0038] Specifically, the external device is equipped with a transceiver, for example, it is a mobile and a fixed external device, and the antenna of the information exchange street pole 1 is configured to signal communicate with the transceiver of the external device.

[0039] The movable external device is, for example, a smartphone and a vehicle. Furthermore, the movable external device passes near the information exchange street pole, preferably within a range of several meters. The antenna communicates signals with the movable external device via WiFi and with C-V2X and ITS-G5 signals while moving. Specifically, the antenna communicates signals with the smartphone via WiFi while moving, and with the vehicle via C-V2X and ITS-G5 signals while moving. The information exchange street pole is equipped with a conversion unit, which can convert C-V2X signals to ITS-G5 and vice versa, so as to communicate with vehicles using different signals.

[0040] The fixed external devices are data collection structures, including for example data analysis and control room services. The fixed external devices are preferably located farther away than the mobile external devices, within a range of a few meters. The fixed external devices are configured to transmit signals to the antenna of the street pole 1 for information exchange.

[0041] In a preferred embodiment, the information exchange pole 1 comprises a camera, not shown in the figures, located in the protection module 100. This camera is arranged to monitor the area close to the information exchange pole 1. In particular, the camera monitors, for example, weather conditions, traffic and the presence of vehicles on the road. Images detected by the camera are transmitted to a fixed external device for recording and processing. After processing the images, the fixed external device transmits a signal to the information exchange pole 1, for example to change the color of a light ring.

Claims

1. A street pole for information exchange (1), a protection module (100) extending in a main direction of extension (X), a first cavity (101) formed inside the protection module (100) and extending in the main direction of extension (X); a bidirectional antenna configured to communicate signals with an external device and to generate signals within a frequency range; Equipped with Here, the information exchange street pole (1) is the protection module (102) being radio-transparent in the frequency range; The antenna is located in a first cavity (101) of the protection module (100); A street pole for information exchange (1).

2. 2. The information exchange street pole (1) according to claim 1, wherein the protection module (100) is made of composite material.

3. 3. Information exchange street pole (1) according to claim 2, wherein said composite material is a composite material of polyester and fiberglass.

4. 4. The information exchange street pole (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising a support module (200) extending in said main direction of extension (X), said support module (200) comprising a second cavity extending in said main direction of extension (X), said support module (200) being connected to said protection module (100), said first cavity (101) and said second cavity being aligned in said main direction of extension (X).

5. 5. The information exchange street pole (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, comprising a top module (300) extending in said main direction of extension (X), said top module (300) comprising a third cavity (301) extending in said main direction of extension (X), said top module (300) being connected to said protection module (100), said first cavity (101) and said third cavity (301) being aligned in said main direction of extension (X).

6. Information exchange pole (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the antenna is in signal communication with a transceiver of an external device, for example a vehicle in the vicinity of the information exchange pole (1).

7. Information exchange pole (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the antenna is in signal communication with a transceiver of an external device, for example a data collection structure remote from the information exchange pole (1).

8. Information exchange street (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the protection module (2) comprises at least one recess (108), each recess being adapted to accommodate a light ring.

9. The information exchange street (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein said antenna is configured for signal communication with an external device using at least one signal type.

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