Signal control system and step-up method

By integrating the wireless communication device within the signal control device's housing and using a mounting member, the installation and inspection of signal control systems are simplified, reducing complexity and ensuring stable device attachment.

JP2026013204APending Publication Date: 2026-01-28OMRON CORP
View PDF 1 Cites 0 Cited by

Patent Information

Application Number
JP2024113490
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2024-07-16
Publication Date
2026-01-28

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

The installation and inspection of wireless communication devices for signal control systems at intersections are cumbersome due to the need for piping and complex cable connections between signal control devices and wireless communication devices.

Method used

The wireless communication device is housed inside the signal control device's housing, with a mounting member attached to the door panel, allowing for easy installation and inspection without the need for external piping.

Benefits of technology

This configuration simplifies installation and inspection processes by eliminating the need for complex cable connections, ensuring stable device attachment and preventing interference with document storage.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

Smart Images

  • Figure 2026013204000001_ABST
    Figure 2026013204000001_ABST
Patent Text Reader

Abstract

To provide a technique capable of easily performing installation work, inspection work or the like of a system in which data communication between a signal controller and a control center is performed by radio.SOLUTION: A housing of the signal control device is provided with a door panel provided so as to be freely opened and closed, and an attachment member attached to a back surface of the door panel. The mounting member includes a first portion having a mounting surface that is mounted in contact with the back surface of the door panel, and a second portion that is separated from the back surface of the door panel when the mounting surface of the first portion is mounted in contact with the back surface of the door panel, and has a shape in which the second portion is provided on both sides of the first portion. The wireless communication device is held by the second portion of the attachment member.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2
Need to check novelty before this filing date? Find Prior Art

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a technique for controlling switching of light color signals of traffic lights installed at intersections. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, the light colors (red, yellow, green, etc.) of traffic lights installed at intersections are switched by a traffic light control device. As disclosed in Patent Document 1, for example, the traffic light control device is connected to a control center and switches the light colors of the traffic light based on signal control parameters acquired from the control center.

[0003] In recent signal control systems, wireless data communication, rather than wired communication, between a signal control device and a control center is becoming mainstream. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-129327 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, to wirelessly communicate data between a signal control device and a control center, a wireless communication device must be connected to the signal control device. Because the signal control device is an outdoor device, installation (burial, etc.) of a pipe through which a cable connecting the signal control device and the wireless communication device can be passed is required, which creates a problem of cumbersome installation work. Another problem is that inspection work related to the connection between the signal control device and the wireless communication device is also cumbersome.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a technique that allows easy installation and inspection of a system in which data communication with a control center is performed wirelessly. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, the signal control system of the present invention is configured as follows.

[0008] The signal control device switches the light color of the signal lamps installed at the intersection based on the signal control parameters stored in the memory unit. The wireless communication device is installed inside the housing of the signal control device and performs data communication with the control center via wireless communication.

[0009] In this configuration, the wireless communication device is mounted inside the housing of the signal control device, so the connection between the signal control device and the wireless communication device can be made inside the housing of the signal control device, without using piping to pass a cable connecting the signal control device and the wireless communication device.

[0010] The housing of the signal control device is provided with a door panel that can be opened and closed, and a mounting member attached to the back surface of the door panel. The back surface of the door panel is the surface that is located inside the housing when the door panel is closed. The surface that is located outside the housing when the door panel is closed is the front surface of the door panel.

[0011] The mounting member has a first portion having a mounting surface that contacts the rear surface of the door panel, and a second portion that is spaced apart from the rear surface of the door panel when the mounting surface of the first portion is in contact with the rear surface of the door panel. The second portions are provided on both sides of the first portion. The direction in which the second portions are arranged with the first portion between them may be, for example, the width direction or the height direction of the housing of the signal control device.

[0012] The mounting member may be attached, for example, by attaching the mounting surface of the first part to the back surface of the door panel with adhesive, by attaching the mounting surface of the first part to the back surface of the door panel with double-sided tape, by attaching the mounting surface of the first part to the back surface of the door panel with screws, or by other methods.

[0013] The wireless communication device is held by two second parts provided on both sides of the first part. For example, the wireless communication device may be attached to the second parts with adhesive, double-sided tape, magnetic attraction, or screws, or may be held by other methods.

[0014] Signal control devices may have documents (hereinafter referred to as stored documents) on the back of the door panel that workers refer to and fill out during inspection work. These stored documents include, for example, a document showing the display steps of the signal lights installed at the intersection, an instruction manual for the signal control device, inspection items to be checked during inspection work, and check sheets on which inspection results for each inspection item are written. These stored documents are stored together in a clear file placed on the back of the door panel, for example.

[0015] In this configuration, the second portion of the mounting member and the rear surface of the door panel are spaced apart. In other words, there is a gap between the second portion of the mounting member and the rear surface of the door panel. The mounting member can be attached to the rear surface of the door panel so that the document storage attached to the rear surface of the door panel is located in the gap between the second portion of the mounting member and the rear surface of the door panel. Therefore, the mounting member attached to the rear surface of the door panel does not interfere with the removal or storage of the document storage attached to the rear surface of the door panel.

[0016] In other words, with this configuration, even in a signal control device in which the storage document is attached to the back surface of the door panel, the storage document can be removed and stored without being hindered by the mounting member attached to the back surface of the door panel or the wireless communication device.

[0017] Furthermore, the two second portions provided on both sides of the first portion may have the same shape or different shapes.

[0018] The attachment member may also be shaped so that at least one of the first and second parts has a receiving portion for receiving the bottom surface of the wireless communication device being held.

[0019] With this configuration, the wireless communication device can be prevented from falling off the mounting member due to gravity, in other words, the wireless communication device can be stably held on the mounting member.

[0020] Furthermore, the mounting member may be configured, for example, such that each of the two second parts provided on both sides of the first part has a restricting portion that protrudes on the opposite side of the first part, and the length between the restricting portions is the widthwise length of the wireless communication device.

[0021] With this configuration, the wireless communication device held by the mounting member is clamped by the restricting portion, so that the wireless communication device can be stably held by the mounting member. [Effects of the Invention]

[0022] According to this invention, it is possible to prevent installation work from becoming complicated, and it is also possible to prevent inspection work relating to the connection between the signal control device and the wireless communication device from becoming complicated. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0023] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic block diagram showing the configuration of a signal control system according to this example. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing the appearance of the signal control system of this example, where Figure 2(A) shows the state in which the door panel of the housing is closed, and Figure 2(B) shows the state in which the door panel of the housing is open. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a plan view of the rear surface of the door panel. [Figure 4] 4(A) is a cross-sectional view taken along the AA direction in FIG. 3, FIG. 4(B) is a cross-sectional view taken along the BB direction in FIG. 3, and FIG. 4(C) is a cross-sectional view taken along the CC direction in FIG. [Figure 5]Figures 5(A) to (D) are diagrams showing the mounting member, where Figure 5(A) is a plan view in the same direction as Figure 3, Figure 5(B) is a plan view in the direction A shown in Figure 5(A), Figure 5(C) is a plan view in the direction B shown in Figure 5(A), and Figure 5(D) is a plan view in the direction C shown in Figure 5(A). [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a step-up process. [Figure 7] Figure 7 shows the mounting member of variant example 1, where Figure 7(A) is a plan view in the same direction as Figure 3 (the direction facing the back surface of the door panel 12), Figure 7(B) is a plan view in direction A shown in Figure 7(A), Figure 7(C) is a plan view in direction B shown in Figure 7(A), and Figure 7(D) is a plan view in direction C shown in Figure 7(A). [Figure 8] Figures 8(A) and (B) are diagrams showing the state in which a wireless communication device is attached to the mounting member of variant example 1, where Figure 8(A) is a plan view in the same direction as Figure 7(A) (the direction facing the back surface of the door panel 12), and Figure 8(B) is a plan view in the direction B shown in Figure 7(A). [Figure 9] Figure 7 is a diagram showing the mounting member of variant example 2, Figure 9(A) is a plan view in the same direction as Figure 3 (the direction facing the back surface of the door panel 12), Figure 9(B) is a plan view in direction A shown in Figure 9(A), Figure 9(C) is a plan view in direction B shown in Figure 9(A), and Figure 9(D) is a plan view in direction C shown in Figure 9(A). [Figure 10] Figure 10 shows the state in which a wireless communication device is attached to the mounting member of variant example 2, where Figure 10(A) is a plan view in the same direction as Figure 9(A) (the direction facing the back surface of the door panel 12), Figure 10(B) is a plan view in direction B shown in Figure 9(A), and Figure 10(C) is a plan view in direction C shown in Figure 9(A). [Figure 11] Figure 11 shows the mounting member of variant example 3, where Figure 11(A) is a plan view in the same direction as Figure 3 (the direction facing the back surface of the door panel 12), Figure 11(B) is a plan view in direction A shown in Figure 11(A), Figure 11(C) is a plan view in direction B shown in Figure 11(A), and Figure 11(D) is a plan view in direction C shown in Figure 11(A). [Figure 12]Figure 12 shows the state in which a wireless communication device is attached to the mounting member of variant example 3, where Figure 12(A) is a plan view in the same direction as Figure 11(A) (the direction facing the back surface of door panel 12), Figure 12(B) is a plan view in direction B shown in Figure 11(A), and Figure 12(C) is a plan view in direction C shown in Figure 11(A). DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0025] <1. Application Examples> 1 is a schematic block diagram showing the configuration of a signal control system of this example. The signal control system 1 of this example has a signal control device 20 and a wireless communication device 30. The signal control system 1 of this example controls the switching on / off of light colors (green, yellow, red, etc.) of signal lamps 50 (50-1 to 50-n) installed at intersections.

[0026] The wireless communication device 30 performs data communication with the control center via wireless communication. The wireless communication device 30 receives, for example, signal control parameters transmitted from the control center. The signal control device 20 switches the light color signals of the signal lamps 50 installed at the intersection on and off based on the signal control parameters received by the wireless communication device 30 from the control center.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 1, the signal control device 20 includes a signal control unit 21, a storage unit 22, an input / output unit 23, and a mode switching operation unit 24.

[0028] The input / output unit 23 is connected to the wireless communication device 30 and performs input and output of data to and from the wireless communication device 30 .

[0029] The storage unit 22 stores, for example, signal control parameters. As is well known, signal control parameters are parameters used by the signal control device 20 to control the on / off switching of the light color signal of the signal lamp device 50, and are parameters that specify the cycle, split, offset, etc. For example, the wireless communication device 30 receives the signal control parameters from the control center and outputs them to the signal control device 20. The signal control device 20 stores the signal control parameters input from the wireless communication device 30 in the storage unit 22.

[0030] The signal control unit 21 controls the switching on / off of the light color signals of the signal lamps 50 based on the signal control parameters stored in the memory unit 22. The signal control device 20 controls the signal lamps 50 to supply power to the lighting circuits of the light color signals that are to be turned on and not to supply power to the lighting circuits of the light color signals that are not to be turned on, thereby switching on / off the light color signals of the signal lamps 50.

[0031] The mode switching operation unit 24 accepts a selection operation by an operator to switch the operation mode (automatic mode or manual mode) of the signal control device 20 main body. The automatic mode is a mode in which the on / off switching of the light color signals of the signal lamps 50 (50-1 to 50n) is controlled based on signal control parameters. The manual mode is a mode in which the on / off switching of the light color signals of the signal lamps 50 (50-1 to 50n) is switched in response to an operator's operation (or an input instruction from an external device). When in the manual mode, the mode switching operation unit 24 has either an operation button for instructing the switching of the light color signals of the signal lamps 50 (50-1 to 50n) or a connector for connecting an external device, or both.

[0032] Furthermore, sensors such as vehicle detectors may be connected to the signal control device 20. The signal control device 20 acquires the traffic volume around the intersection based on, for example, a vehicle detection signal from the connected vehicle detector. In this case, the wireless communication device 30 transmits, for example, the traffic volume around the intersection acquired by the signal control device 20 to a control center.

[0033] At many intersections, the signal control device 20 and the signal lamps 50 are connected via a signal junction box (not shown) or the like. The signal junction box is a terminal block box for relaying. The connection between the signal control device 20 and the signal lamps 50 is well known, so a description thereof will be omitted here. Also, in this example, the power cable connecting the signal control device 20 and the signal junction box (a cable that supplies power to the lighting circuits of each light color signal in the signal lamps 50) is not shown.

[0034] The wireless communication device 30 includes a communication control unit 31 and an input / output unit 32 .

[0035] The communication control unit 31 controls data communication with the control center. Data communication between the wireless communication device 30 and the control center is performed wirelessly.

[0036] The input / output unit 32 is connected to the signal control device 20 and performs input and output of data between the signal control device 20 and the signal control device 20 .

[0037] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the appearance of the signal control system of this example. FIG. 2(A) shows the state in which the door panel of the housing is closed, and FIG. 2(B) shows the state in which the door panel of the housing is open. The signal control system 1 of this example is configured such that a wireless communication device 30 is housed in a housing 10 of a signal control device 20. That is, the signal control system 1 of this example differs from conventional signal control devices in that the wireless communication device 30 is housed in the housing 10 of the signal control device 20. The wireless communication device 30 is attached inside the housing 10 of the signal control device 20 as described below.

[0038] As shown in Figures 2(A) and (B), the housing 10 of the signal control device 20 has a main body 11 and a door panel 12. The door panel 12 is a door that opens and closes the storage space formed by the main body 11 of the housing 10. As shown in Figures 2(A) and (B), the door panel 12 opens and closes the storage space formed by the main body 11 by rotating it on a rotation axis provided in the main body 11. Here, the side on which the door panel 12 is provided will be described as the front.

[0039] For example, in the signal control system 1 of this example, the front of the main body 11 is covered with an operation panel 25 on which a display and operation buttons are arranged. Electrical components such as circuit boards that constitute the signal control device 20 are arranged on the back side of this operation panel 25. When an operator operates the operation panel 25 of the signal control system 1, he or she opens the door panel 12. In addition, a mode switching operation unit 24 is attached to the back side of the door panel 12.

[0040] Furthermore, the signal control system 1 of this example is provided with an auxiliary door 12a on the door panel 12. The auxiliary door 12a is attached to the door panel 12 so as to be able to open and close freely. The auxiliary door 12a is provided in a position facing a mode switching operation unit 24 attached to the rear surface of the door panel 12. When an operator operates the mode switching operation unit 24 of the signal control system 1, the operator opens the auxiliary door 12a. At this time, the door panel 12 may be closed or open.

[0041] Additionally, documents 100 (hereinafter referred to as document storage 100) that workers refer to and fill out during inspection work are stored on the back of the door panel 12. These documents storage 100 are, for example, a document showing the transition of the display steps of the signal lamps 50 installed at the intersection, an instruction manual for the signal control device 20, inspection items to be inspected during inspection work, and check sheets on which inspection results for each inspection item are written. These documents storage 100 are stored together in a clear file attached to the back of the door panel 12, for example.

[0042] Furthermore, a wireless communication device 30 is attached to the back surface of the door panel 12. The wireless communication device 30 is held by a mounting member 40 attached to the back surface of the door panel 12. The mounting member 40 is located behind the wireless communication device 30 and is therefore not shown in FIG. 2(B). The mounting member 40 and the wireless communication device 30 are attached so as not to interfere with the removal and storage of the document storage 100. In other words, the mounting member 40 and the wireless communication device 30 are attached to the back surface of the door panel 12 so as not to hinder the removal and storage of the document storage 100 by an operator. Furthermore, the mounting member 40 and the wireless communication device 30 are attached to the back surface of the door panel 12 so as not to hinder the opening and closing of the door panel 12.

[0043] As described above, in the signal control system 1 of this example, the wireless communication device 30 is attached inside the housing 10 of the signal control device 20, and the signal control device 20 and the wireless communication device 30 are connected inside the housing 10. Therefore, the signal control system 1 of this example does not require work such as installing (burying, etc.) pipes through which cables connecting the signal control device 20 and the wireless communication device 30 pass. In other words, this prevents the installation work of the signal control system 1 from becoming complicated, and also prevents the inspection work related to the connection between the signal control device 20 and the wireless communication device 30 from becoming complicated. Therefore, in the signal control system 1 of this example, data communication with the control center is performed wirelessly, and installation work, inspection work, etc. can be easily performed.

[0044] <2.Configuration example> 2, in the signal control system 1 of this example, the wireless communication device 30 is attached to the back surface of the door panel 12 of the housing 10 of the signal control device 20. In addition, on the back surface of the door panel 12 of the housing 10 of the signal control device 20 of this example, a mode switching operation unit 24 is arranged, and a clear file is provided for storing all of the storage documents 100 that the worker refers to and fills out during inspection work.

[0045] In addition, the signal control system 1 in this example may be configured so that the mode switching operation unit 24 is not located on the back of the door panel 12, and may not be provided with a clear file for storing the storage documents 100 that workers refer to and fill out during inspection work.

[0046] Fig. 3 is a plan view of the back surface of the door panel, Fig. 4(A) is a cross-sectional view in the AA direction shown in Fig. 3, Fig. 4(B) is a cross-sectional view in the BB direction shown in Fig. 3, and Fig. 4(C) is a cross-sectional view in the CC direction shown in Fig. 3. Also, Fig. 5 is a diagram showing the mounting member, Fig. 5(A) is a plan view in the same direction as Fig. 3 (the direction facing the back surface of the door panel 12), Fig. 5(B) is a plan view in the A direction shown in Fig. 5(A), Fig. 5(C) is a plan view in the B direction shown in Fig. 5(A), and Fig. 5(D) is a plan view in the C direction shown in Fig. 5(A).

[0047] In the signal control system 1 of this example, the mounting member 40 and the wireless communication device 30 are attached in a position that does not overlap with the mode switching operation unit 24 in the direction facing the back surface of the door panel 12 (a direction perpendicular to the paper surface in FIG. 3). If the mounting member 40 and the wireless communication device 30 are attached in a position that overlaps with the mode switching operation unit 24, the wireless communication device 30 may hit the operation panel 25, hindering the opening and closing of the door panel 12. Furthermore, in the signal control system 1 of this example, the mounting member 40 and the wireless communication device 30 are attached in a position that overlaps with the clear file in which the documents 100 are collectively stored, in the direction facing the back surface of the door panel 12.

[0048] As shown in Figures 5(A) to 5(D), the mounting member 40 has wireless communication device mounting portions 42A and 42B on either side of a door mounting portion 41. In this example, direction A shown in Figure 5(A) is referred to as the height direction of the mounting member 40. Also, in this example, directions B and C shown in Figure 5(A) are referred to as the longitudinal directions of the mounting member 40. Furthermore, in this example, the direction perpendicular to the paper surface in Figure 5(A) is referred to as the depth direction of the mounting member 40.

[0049] The door mounting portion 41 corresponds to the first portion of the present invention, and the wireless communication device mounting portions 42A and 42B correspond to the second portion of the present invention.

[0050] The door mounting portion 41 has a door mounting surface that is attached by abutting against the back surface of the door panel 12. The door mounting surface of the door mounting portion 41 is the surface opposite to the side on which the wireless communication device mounting portions 42A and 42B are provided. The wireless communication device mounting portions 42A and 42B have wireless communication device mounting surfaces on which the wireless communication device 30 is attached and held. The wireless communication device mounting surfaces of the wireless communication device mounting portions 42A and 42B are the surfaces opposite to the side on which the door mounting portion 41 is provided. The door mounting surface of the door mounting portion 41 and the wireless communication device mounting surfaces of the wireless communication device mounting portions 42A and 42B are flat surfaces that are approximately parallel to the longitudinal direction of the mounting member 40.

[0051] The mounting member 40 has a shape including upright portions 43A and 43B. The upright portion 43A is located between the door mounting portion 41 and the wireless communication device mounting portion 42A, and the upright portion 43B is located between the door mounting portion 41 and the wireless communication device mounting portion 42B. The upright portions 43A and 43B are planar surfaces that are approximately perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the mounting member 40. The upright portion 43A is continuous with one side of the door mounting portion 41 in the height direction, and the upright portion 43B is continuous with the other side of the door mounting portion 41 in the height direction. In other words, the side of the door mounting portion 41 to which the upright portion 43A is continuous and the side of the door mounting portion 41 to which the upright portion 43B is continuous face each other in the longitudinal direction of the mounting member 40.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 5B, the mounting member 40 has erected portions 43A and 43B, so that the wireless communication device mounting portions 42A and 42B are spaced apart in the depth direction from the door mounting surface of the door mounting portion 41. The distance by which the wireless communication device mounting portions 42A and 42B are spaced apart in the depth direction from the door mounting surface of the door mounting portion 41 is H. When the mounting member 40 having this shape is attached with the door mounting surface of the door mounting portion 41 abutting against the back surface of the door panel 12, a gap of length H is formed in the depth direction between the wireless communication device mounting portions 42A and 42B and the back surface of the door panel 12. The mounting member 40 is attached with the door mounting surface of the door mounting portion 41 abutting against the back surface of the door panel 12 at a position that does not overlap with the clear file in which the document storage 100 is collectively stored. In this example, the mounting member 40 is attached with its longitudinal direction aligned with the width direction of the door panel 12 (the left-right direction in FIG. 3). In this case, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a part of the wireless communication device attachment portion 42B may overlap the clear file storing the document storage 100 in the depth direction.

[0053] The mounting member 40 may be attached to the rear surface of the door panel 12 so that a part of the wireless communication device mounting portion 42B overlaps with the clear file that stores the document storage 100 in a group in the depth direction.

[0054] The mounting member 40 in this example may be, for example, a member formed by bending a metal plate, or may be a resin molded product.

[0055] Furthermore, the longitudinal length of the mounting member 40 in this example (the sum (L1+L2+L3) of the longitudinal length L1 of the door mounting portion 41, the longitudinal length L2 of the wireless communication device mounting portion 42A, and the longitudinal length L3 of the wireless communication device mounting portion 42B) is less than or equal to the longitudinal length of the wireless communication device 30. Furthermore, the height D of the mounting member is less than or equal to the height of the wireless communication device 30. The longitudinal length L1 of the door mounting portion 41, the longitudinal length L2 of the wireless communication device mounting portion 42A, and the longitudinal length L3 of the wireless communication device mounting portion 42B may be the same or different. However, the mounting member 40 is long enough so that the wireless communication device mounting portions 42A and 42B do not protrude outside the door panel 12 when the mounting surface of the door mounting portion 41 is attached to the back surface of the door panel 12 in a position that does not overlap with the clear file in which the document storage 100 is collectively stored.

[0056] In this example, the signal control system 1 has the mounting member 40 attached to the back surface of the door panel 12, as shown in Figures 3 and 4. Specifically, in this example, the signal control system 1 uses double-sided tape to attach the door mounting portion 41 of the mounting member 40 to the back surface of the door panel 12. As described above, the attachment surface (door mounting surface) of the door mounting portion 41 is the surface opposite the wireless communication device mounting portions 42A and 42B. In addition, the door mounting portion 41 is attached in a position that does not overlap the clear file in which the documents 100 are collectively stored.

[0057] In this example, the signal control system 1 is configured such that the door mounting portion 41 is attached (pasted) to the back surface of the door panel 12 with double-sided tape, but the door mounting portion 41 may also be attached to the back surface of the door panel 12 with adhesive, or may be attached to the back surface of the door panel 12 with screws, or may be attached to the back surface of the door panel 12 by some other method (for example, welding, etc.).

[0058] When the mounting member 40 is attached to the back surface of the door panel 12, a gap of length H is formed between the back surface of the door panel 12 and the wireless communication device mounting portions 42A, 42B. In this example, when the mounting member 40 attached to the back surface of the door panel 12 is viewed from the direction facing the back surface of the door panel 12, a portion of the wireless communication device mounting portion 42B overlaps the clear file in which the document storage 100 is collectively stored. However, as described above, when the mounting member 40 attached to the back surface of the door panel 12 is attached to the back surface of the door panel 12, a gap of length H is formed between the back surface of the door panel 12 and the wireless communication device mounting portion 42B, and therefore the clear file in which the document storage 100 is collectively stored is located in the gap between the back surface of the door panel 12 and the wireless communication device mounting portion 42B. Therefore, the mounting member 40 can be attached to the back surface of the door panel 12 without interfering with the document storage attached to the back surface of the door panel 12.

[0059] 3 and 4, in the signal control system 1 of this example, the wireless communication device 30 is held by the wireless communication device mounting portions 42A and 42B of the mounting member 40. Specifically, in the signal control system 1 of this example, the wireless communication device 30 is held by the wireless communication device mounting portions 42A and 42B of the mounting member 40 by the attractive force of a magnet. The wireless communication device 30 is located on the surface of the wireless communication device mounting portions 42A and 42B opposite to the door mounting portion 41 side.

[0060] In this example, the wireless communication device 30 is held to the wireless communication device mounting portions 42A, 42B by the magnetic attraction, but the wireless communication device 30 may also be held to the wireless communication device mounting portions 42A, 42B with double-sided tape, adhesive, screws, or other methods.

[0061] As described above, the signal control system 1 of this example has a configuration in which the signal control device 20 and the wireless communication device 30 are housed in the housing 10. In other words, the signal control system 1 of this example does not require piping to pass a cable connecting the signal control device 20 and the wireless communication device 30, and there is no need to bury a pipe to pass a cable connecting the signal control device 20 and the wireless communication device 30, as in the conventional case.

[0062] Furthermore, even in the case of a signal control device in which stored documents are all mounted on the rear surface of the door panel 12, the stored documents can be taken out and stored without being hindered by the mounting member 40 attached to the rear surface of the door panel 12 and the wireless communication device 30.

[0063] Therefore, the signal control system 1 of this example can easily perform installation work, inspection work, etc. of the system in which data communication with the control center is performed wirelessly.

[0064] <3. How to step up> This step-up method involves installing a wireless communication device 30 inside the housing of an already installed signal control device, and stepping it up to the signal control system 1 of the example described above or the modified example described below. The already installed signal control device does not have the wireless communication device 30 installed inside the housing 10, which performs data communication with the control center via wireless communication. However, the already installed signal control device may have a communication device installed inside the housing 10, which performs data communication with the control center via a wired connection. The step-up process involved in this step-up method will now be described. Figure 6 is a flowchart illustrating this step-up process.

[0065] The worker opens the door panel 12 of the signal control device 20 installed around the intersection, and attaches the mounting member 40 to the back surface of the door panel 12 (s1). As described above, the worker attaches, for example, the door mounting surface of the door mounting portion 41 of the mounting member 40 to the back surface of the door panel 12 with double-sided tape.

[0066] The mounting member 40 attached to the rear surface of the door panel 12 at s1 may be any of the mounting members 40A to 40C shown in modified examples described later.

[0067] The worker also holds the wireless communication device 30 on the wireless communication device mounting portions 42A and 42B of the mounting member 40 attached to the rear surface of the door panel 12 (s2). As described above, the worker uses the magnetic attraction force to hold the wireless communication device 30 on the wireless communication device mounting portions 42A and 42B of the mounting member 40.

[0068] The worker connects the signal control device 20 and the wireless communication device 30 with a cable inside the housing 10 of the signal control device 20 (s3). By performing the steps s1 to s3, the worker can upgrade the already installed signal control device to the signal control system 1 of the above example.

[0069] The order of performing s1 to s3 in the step-up process is not limited to the order shown in Fig. 6, and may be any order. For example, the order may be s2, s1, s3, s3, s1, s2, s1, s3, s2, or any other order.

[0070] <4. Modifications> Variation 1 Figure 7 shows the mounting member of variant example 1, where Figure 7(A) is a plan view in the same direction as Figure 3 (the direction facing the back surface of the door panel 12), Figure 7(B) is a plan view in direction A shown in Figure 7(A), Figure 7(C) is a plan view in direction B shown in Figure 7(A), and Figure 7(D) is a plan view in direction C shown in Figure 7(A).

[0071] Mounting member 40A of this modified example 1 differs from the above examples in that it has a receiving portion 45. Receiving portion 45 is continuous with one side of door mounting portion 41 and has a rectangular receiving surface extending toward wireless communication device mounting portions 42A and 42B. The side of door mounting portion 41 to which receiving portion 45 is continuous is one longitudinal side of mounting member 40A. The receiving surface of receiving portion 45 protrudes outward beyond the wireless communication device mounting surfaces of wireless communication device mounting portions 42A and 42B (to the opposite side of door mounting portion 41).

[0072] The receiving surface of the receiving portion 45 is not limited to a rectangular shape, and may have other shapes.

[0073] Figures 8(A) and (B) show the state in which a wireless communication device is attached to the mounting member of this variant example 1, where Figure 8(A) is a plan view in the same direction as Figure 7(A) (the direction facing the back surface of the door panel 12), and Figure 8(B) is a plan view in the direction B shown in Figure 7(A).

[0074] In FIG. 8A, the portions of the mounting member 40A that are hidden by the wireless communication devices 30 attached to the wireless communication device attachment surfaces of the wireless communication device attachment portions 42A and 42B are indicated by dashed lines. In this first modification, the wireless communication devices 30 are also attached to the wireless communication device attachment surfaces of the wireless communication device attachment portions 42A and 42B of the mounting member 40A. However, the wireless communication devices 30 are attached to the wireless communication device attachment surfaces of the wireless communication device attachment portions 42A and 42B of the mounting member 40A with their bottom surfaces placed on the receiving surfaces of the receiving portions 45. This allows the receiving surfaces of the receiving portions 45 of the mounting member 40A to receive the bottom surfaces of the wireless communication devices 30 attached to the wireless communication device attachment surfaces of the wireless communication device attachment portions 42A and 42B. This prevents the wireless communication devices 30 held on the wireless communication device attachment surfaces of the wireless communication device attachment portions 42A and 42B from sliding down due to gravity or other factors.

[0075] In this way, in this first modification, the wireless communication device 30 attached to the wireless communication device attachment surfaces of the wireless communication device attachment portions 42A and 42B of the attachment member 40A can be stably held.

[0076] Variation 2 Figure 9 shows the mounting member of variant example 2, where Figure 9(A) is a plan view in the same direction as Figure 3 (the direction facing the back surface of the door panel 12), Figure 9(B) is a plan view in direction A shown in Figure 9(A), Figure 9(C) is a plan view in direction B shown in Figure 9(A), and Figure 9(D) is a plan view in direction C shown in Figure 9(A).

[0077] Mounting member 40B of this modified example 2 differs from mounting member 40A shown in modified example 1 above in that it has receiving portions 45A, 45B. Mounting member 40B of this modified example 2 also differs from mounting member 40A shown in modified example 1 above in that it does not have receiving portion 45 that mounting member 40A shown in modified example 1 above has.

[0078] The receiving portion 45A has a rectangular receiving surface that is continuous with one side of the wireless communication device mounting portion 42A and extends to the opposite side of the door mounting portion 41. The side of the wireless communication device mounting portion 42A to which the receiving portion 45A is continuous is one longitudinal side of the mounting member 40B. The receiving surface of the receiving portion 45A protrudes outward from the wireless communication device mounting surface of the wireless communication device mounting portion 42A (the opposite side of the door mounting portion 41).

[0079] The receiving portion 45B has a rectangular receiving surface that is continuous with one side of the wireless communication device mounting portion 42B and extends to the opposite side of the door mounting portion 41. The side of the wireless communication device mounting portion 42B to which the receiving portion 45B is continuous is one longitudinal side of the mounting member 40B. The receiving surface of the receiving portion 45B protrudes outward from the wireless communication device mounting surface of the wireless communication device mounting portion 42B (the opposite side of the door mounting portion 41).

[0080] Furthermore, one side of the wireless communication device attachment portion 42A to which the receiving portion 45A is continuous and one side of the wireless communication device attachment portion 42B to which the receiving portion 45B is continuous are aligned substantially on a straight line.

[0081] Figure 10 shows the state in which a wireless communication device is attached to the mounting member of variant example 2, where Figure 10(A) is a plan view in the same direction as Figure 9(A) (the direction facing the back surface of the door panel 12), Figure 10(B) is a plan view in direction B shown in Figure 9(A), and Figure 10(C) is a plan view in direction C shown in Figure 9(A).

[0082] In FIG. 10A, the portions of the mounting member 40B that are hidden by the wireless communication devices 30 attached to the wireless communication device mounting surfaces of the wireless communication device mounting portions 42A and 42B are indicated by dashed lines. In this second modification, the wireless communication devices 30 are also attached to the wireless communication device mounting surfaces of the wireless communication device mounting portions 42A and 42B of the mounting member 40A. However, the wireless communication devices 30 are attached to the wireless communication device mounting surfaces of the wireless communication device mounting portions 42A and 42B of the mounting member 40A with their bottom surfaces placed on the receiving surfaces of the receiving portions 45A and 45B. This allows the receiving surfaces of the receiving portions 45A and 45B of the mounting member 40A to receive the bottom surfaces of the wireless communication devices 30 attached to the wireless communication device mounting surfaces of the wireless communication device mounting portions 42A and 42B. This prevents the wireless communication devices 30 held on the wireless communication device mounting surfaces of the wireless communication device mounting portions 42A and 42B from sliding down due to gravity or other factors.

[0083] In this way, even in this second modification, the wireless communication device 30 attached to the wireless communication device attachment surfaces of the wireless communication device attachment portions 42A and 42B of the attachment member 40B can be stably held.

[0084] Furthermore, mounting member 40B may have a shape further including receiving portion 45 (receiving portion 45 having a rectangular receiving surface that is continuous with one side of door mounting portion 41 and extends toward wireless communication device mounting portions 42A and 42B) as shown in Modification 1. In this case, when wireless communication device 30 is mounted on the wireless communication device mounting surfaces of wireless communication device mounting portions 42A and 42B of mounting member 40B, the bottom surface of wireless communication device 30 may be placed on the receiving surfaces of receiving portions 45, 45A, and 45B.

[0085] Variation 3 Figure 11 shows the mounting member of variant example 3, where Figure 11(A) is a plan view in the same direction as Figure 3 (the direction facing the back surface of the door panel 12), Figure 11(B) is a plan view in direction A shown in Figure 11(A), Figure 11(C) is a plan view in direction B shown in Figure 11(A), and Figure 11(D) is a plan view in direction C shown in Figure 11(A).

[0086] The mounting member 40C of this modification 3 differs from the above examples in that it includes position restriction portions 46A and 46B. The position restriction portions 46A and 46B correspond to the restriction portions referred to in this invention. The position restriction portion 46A has a rectangular clamping surface that is continuous with one side of the wireless communication device mounting portion 42A of the mounting member 40C and extends to the opposite side of the door mounting portion 41. The side of the wireless communication device mounting portion 42A to which the position restriction portion 46A is continuous is one side in the height direction of the mounting member 40C. The side of the wireless communication device mounting portion 42A to which the position restriction portion 46A is continuous is the side on the end side in the longitudinal direction of the mounting member 40C. The clamping surface of the position restriction portion 46A protrudes outward (to the opposite side of the door mounting portion 41) from the wireless communication device mounting surfaces of the wireless communication device mounting portions 42A and 42B.

[0087] The position restricting portion 46B has a rectangular clamping surface that is continuous with one side of the wireless communication device mounting portion 42B of the mounting member 40C and extends to the opposite side of the door mounting portion 41. The side of the wireless communication device mounting portion 42B to which the position restricting portion 46B is continuous is one side in the height direction of the mounting member 40C. The side of the wireless communication device mounting portion 42B to which the position restricting portion 46B is continuous is the side on the end side in the longitudinal direction of the mounting member 40C. The clamping surface of the position restricting portion 46B protrudes outward (to the opposite side of the door mounting portion 41) beyond the wireless communication device mounting surfaces of the wireless communication device mounting portions 42A and 42B.

[0088] Therefore, the clamping surface of the position restricting portion 46A and the clamping surface of the position restricting portion 46B face each other in the longitudinal direction of the mounting member 40C.

[0089] The clamping surfaces of the position regulating portions 46A and 46B are not limited to a rectangular shape and may have other shapes.

[0090] In this third modification, the distance between the opposing clamping surfaces of the position regulating portion 46A and the position regulating portion 46B (in this example, L1+L2+L3) is approximately the same as the length of the wireless communication device 30 in the longitudinal direction.

[0091] Figure 12 shows the state in which a wireless communication device is attached to the mounting member of variant example 3, where Figure 12(A) is a plan view in the same direction as Figure 11(A) (the direction facing the back surface of door panel 12), Figure 12(B) is a plan view in direction B shown in Figure 11(A), and Figure 12(C) is a plan view in direction C shown in Figure 11(A).

[0092] In FIG. 12A, the portions of the mounting member 40C that are hidden by the wireless communication device 30 mounted on the wireless communication device mounting surfaces of the wireless communication device mounting portions 42A and 42B are indicated by dashed lines. In this third modification, the wireless communication device 30 is inserted between the position restricting portion 46A and the position restricting portion 46B and mounted on the wireless communication device mounting surfaces of the wireless communication device mounting portions 42A and 42B of the mounting member 40B. As described above, the distance (L1 + L2 + L3) between the opposing clamping surfaces of the position restricting portion 46A and the position restricting portion 46B is approximately the same as the longitudinal length of the wireless communication device 30, so the wireless communication device 30 is clamped between the position restricting portions 46A and 46B. This prevents the wireless communication device 30 from coming off the wireless communication device mounting surfaces of the wireless communication device mounting portions 42A and 42B where it is held.

[0093] Furthermore, the mounting member 40C of the third modification may have a shape having the receiving portion 45 described in the first modification, or may have a shape having the receiving portions 45A and 45B described in the second modification.

[0094] Furthermore, in all of the above examples, the width direction of the door panel 12 is the longitudinal direction of the mounting members 40, 40A, 40B, 40C and the mounting members 40, 40A, 40B, 40C are attached to the back surface of the door panel 12, but the height direction of the door panel 12 may be the longitudinal direction of the mounting members 40, 40A, 40B, 40C and the mounting members 40, 40A, 40B, 40C are attached to the back surface of the door panel 12.

[0095] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and that the components can be modified and embodied in practice without departing from the spirit of the invention. Furthermore, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining multiple components disclosed in the above-described embodiments. For example, some components may be omitted from all the components shown in the embodiments. Furthermore, components from different embodiments may be appropriately combined.

[0096] Furthermore, the correspondence between the configuration according to the present invention and the configuration according to the above-described embodiment can be described as follows: <Additional Notes> [Appendix 1] a signal control device (20) that switches the light color of a signal lamp (50) installed at an intersection based on signal control parameters stored in a memory unit (22); a wireless communication device (30) attached inside the housing (10) of the signal control device (20) and performing data communication with a control center by wireless communication; The housing (10) of the signal control device (20) is provided with a door panel (12) that is provided so as to be freely opened and closed, and mounting members (40, 40A, 40B, 40C) attached to the back surface of the door panel (12), the mounting member (40, 40A, 40B, 40C) has a first portion (41) having a mounting surface that is attached by abutting against the back surface of the door panel (12), and a second portion (42A, 42B) that is spaced apart from the back surface of the door panel (12) when the mounting surface of the first portion (41) is attached by abutting against the back surface of the door panel (12), and the second portions (42A, 42B) are provided on both sides of the first portion (41), The signal control system (1) holds the wireless communication device (30) with two second parts (42A, 42B) provided on both sides of the first part (41).

[0097] [Appendix 2] The signal control system (1) described in [Appendix 1], wherein the mounting member (40, 40A, 40B, 40C) has two second portions (42A, 42B) provided on both sides of the first portion (41) that have the same shape.

[0098] [Appendix 3] The signal control system (1) described in [Appendix 1] or [Appendix 2], wherein the mounting member (40A) has a shape having a receiving portion (45) that receives the bottom surface of the wireless communication device (30) held by the two second portions (42A, 42B) provided on both sides of the first portion (41).

[0099] [Appendix 4] The signal control system (1) described in any one of [Appendix 1] to [Appendix 3], wherein the mounting member (40C) has two second parts (42A, 42B) provided on both sides of the first part (41) each provided with a restricting portion (46A, 46B) that protrudes on the opposite side of the first part (41), and the length between the restricting portions (46A, 46B) is the width direction length of the wireless communication device (30).

[0100] [Appendix 5] The signal control system (1) described in any one of [Appendix 1] to [Appendix 4], wherein the mounting surface of the first part (41) of the mounting member (40, 40A, 40B, 40C) is attached to the back surface of the door panel (12).

[0101] [Appendix 6] The signal control system (1) described in any one of [Appendix 1] to [Appendix 5], wherein the wireless communication device (30) is held in the second part (42A, 42B) of the mounting member (40, 40A, 40B, 40C) by magnetic force.

[0102] [Appendix 7] A step-up method for stepping up a signal control system (1) by attaching a wireless communication device (30) that wirelessly communicates data with a control center to a signal control device (20) that switches the light color signals of a signal lamp (50) installed at an intersection based on signal control parameters stored in a memory unit (22), comprising: a step of attaching an attachment member (40, 40A, 40B, 40C) to the back surface of the door panel (12), the attachment member having a first portion (41) having an attachment surface that is attached by abutting against the back surface of the door panel (12) that is provided on the housing (10) of the signal control device (20) so as to be able to open and close freely, and second portions (42A, 42B) that are spaced apart from the back surface of the door panel (12) when the attachment surface of the first portion (41) is attached by abutting against the back surface of the door panel (12), and the second portions (42A, 42B) are provided on both sides of the first portion (41); a step of holding the wireless communication device (30) in two second parts (42A, 42B) provided on both sides of the first part (41); and a step of connecting the signal control device (20) and the wireless communication device (30) within the housing (10). [Explanation of symbols]

[0103] 1. Signal control system 10...Housing 11...Main body 12...Door panel 12a...Auxiliary door 20...Signal control device 21...Signal control section 22...Storage section 23…Input / output section 24...Mode switching operation section 25...Operation panel 30...Wireless communication device 31...Communication control unit 32…Input / output section 40, 40A, 40B, 40C...Mounting parts 41...Door mounting part 42A, 42B...Wireless communication device mounting section 43A, 43B...Vertical section 46A, 46B...Position regulation part 50...Signal lamp 100...Documents (documents received)

Claims

1. a signal control device that switches the light color of a signal lamp installed at an intersection based on the signal control parameters stored in a storage unit; a wireless communication device attached to the inside of a housing of the signal control device and performing data communication with a control center by wireless communication; The housing of the signal control device is provided with a door panel that can be opened and closed freely, and a mounting member that is attached to a back surface of the door panel, The mounting member has a first portion having a mounting surface that is attached by abutting against the rear surface of the door panel, and a second portion that is spaced apart from the rear surface of the door panel when the mounting surface of the first portion is attached by abutting against the rear surface of the door panel, and the second portion is provided on both sides of the first portion, The signal control system holds the wireless communication device with two second parts provided on both sides of the first part.

2. The signal control system according to claim 1 , wherein the two second portions provided on both sides of the first portion have the same shape.

3. 3. The signal control system according to claim 1, wherein the mounting member has a shape having a receiving portion that receives the bottom surface of the wireless communication device held by the two second portions provided on both sides of the first portion.

4. 3. The signal control system according to claim 1, wherein the mounting member has two second portions provided on both sides of the first portion, each of which has a restricting portion extending to the opposite side of the first portion, and the length between the restricting portions is the widthwise length of the wireless communication device.

5. The signal control system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the mounting member has the mounting surface of the first portion attached to a rear surface of the door panel.

6. The signal control system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the wireless communication device is held on the second part of the mounting member by magnetic force.

7. A step-up method for stepping up a signal control system by attaching a wireless communication device that wirelessly communicates data with a control center to a signal control device that switches the light color of a signal lamp installed at an intersection based on signal control parameters stored in a storage unit, comprising: a step of attaching an attachment member to the rear surface of a door panel provided on a housing of the signal control device so as to be able to open and close freely, the attachment member having a first portion having an attachment surface that is attached by abutting against the rear surface of the door panel, and a second portion that is spaced from the rear surface of the door panel when the attachment surface of the first portion is attached by abutting against the rear surface of the door panel, the second portion being provided on both sides of the first portion; holding the wireless communication device in two second parts provided on both sides of the first part; a step of connecting the signal control device and the wireless communication device within the housing.

Citation Information

Patent Citations

  • Sensing and controlling device, signal control system, sensing and controlling method, and sensing and controlling program

    JP2020129327A