Traffic signal controller

Abstract

To provide a traffic signal controller that is less likely to have its power supply to the entire device interrupted even if water enters the lower part of the casing. [Solution] The traffic signal controller 100 comprises a control board 20 that controls the signal lamps 6 of the traffic signal, a power supply device 50 that supplies power to the control board 20, a power receiving device 170 that connects either a commercial power supply S1 or an external power supply S2 to the power supply device 50, and a housing 11 that houses the control board 20, the power supply device 50, and the power receiving device 170. The power receiving device 170 is located in a region above the central height CT in the height direction of the housing 11, and is positioned at a height equal to or greater than that of the control board 20 or the power supply device 50.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a traffic signal controller that controls traffic signals, and particularly to a traffic signal controller that operates by receiving power supply from either commercial power or an external power source.

Background Art

[0002] As a traffic signal controller, it is driven by power supplied from either a first power supply path corresponding to commercial power or a second power supply path connected to a terminal portion for an external power source, and controls a signal lamp of a traffic signal. It is a signal controller including a control unit, a manual changeover switch that connects either one of the first and second power supply paths to the control unit, and a housing that houses these components. The terminal portion and the manual changeover switch are arranged below the center in the height direction of the housing, and the control unit is arranged above the terminal portion and the manual changeover switch, which is known (Patent Document 1).

[0003] When the terminal portion or the manual changeover switch is arranged below the center in the height direction of the housing and below the control unit as in the traffic signal controller of Patent Document 1 above, if water intrusion occurs in the lower part of the housing of the signal controller due to water damage or the like, the circuit portion including the terminal portion and the manual changeover switch may be damaged, and there is a possibility that the power supply to the entire signal controller including the control unit and the like may be cut off, resulting in a large initial damage.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above background art, and an object thereof is to provide a traffic signal controller in which power supply to the entire device is less likely to be cut off even if water intrusion occurs in the lower part of the housing.

[0006] To achieve the above objective, the traffic signal controller according to the present invention comprises a control board for controlling the signal lamps of a traffic signal, a power supply device for supplying power to the control board, a power receiving device for connecting either a commercial power supply or an external power supply to the power supply device, and a housing for housing the control board, power supply device and power receiving device, wherein the power receiving device is located in a region above the center in the height direction of the housing, at a height equal to or greater than that of the control board or power supply device.

[0007] In the above-described traffic signal controller, the power receiving device is located in an area above the center of the housing in the height direction, at a height equal to or greater than that of the control board or power supply unit. Therefore, even if water enters the lower part of the traffic signal controller housing, it is possible to prevent the power supply to the entire device from being cut off, thus preventing it from hindering recovery. In other words, the basic operation of the signal lights can be maintained until the power receiving device, power supply unit, control board, etc. are submerged in water. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a front view showing the internal structure of a traffic signal control unit. [Figure 2] (A) and (B) are a side cross-sectional view and an internal front view of the traffic signal controller. [Figure 3] This is a block diagram illustrating the circuit configuration of a traffic signal controller. [Figure 4] This is a conceptual block diagram illustrating the power wiring around a power distributor. [Figure 5] (A) to (D) are left side view, top view, front view, and right side view of the power receiving device. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The following describes one embodiment of the traffic signal controller according to the present invention. Figure 1 is a front view showing the specific internal structure of the traffic signal controller with the main door open, Figure 2(A) is a conceptual side cross-sectional view illustrating the traffic signal controller shown in Figure 1, and Figure 2(B) is a conceptual front view illustrating the interior of the traffic signal controller shown in Figure 1.

[0010] Referring to the drawing, the traffic signal controller 100 comprises a housing 11 and an inner opening / closing plate 12 as support structural members, and a control board 20, a lamp drive unit 30, an external terminal board 40, a power supply unit 50, a power distributor 60, an AC external input unit 70, and a power switch 80 as circuit element members. The control board 20, lamp drive unit 30, external terminal board 40, power supply unit 50, power distributor 60, AC external input unit 70, and power switch 80 are housed in the closed housing 11. Here, the control board 20 is fixed to the inside of the inner opening / closing plate 12. The lamp drive unit 30, external terminal board 40, power supply unit 50, power distributor 60, and AC external input unit 70 are fixed to a sheet metal member 14 provided on the rear side of the housing 11. The sheet metal member 14 is positioned so as to extend parallel to and spaced apart from the back plate 11f, i.e., the back surface 11g, of the housing 11, and is detachably fixed to the back plate 11f. The power switch 80 is fixed to the right side panel 11j of the housing 11 via fasteners, etc. (not shown).

[0011] An additional storage space 11p is provided between the lamp drive unit 30 and the power supply unit 50, allowing for the insertion of additional lamp switches having a similar structure to the lamp switch 31 that constitutes the lamp drive unit 30.

[0012] The housing 11 comprises a main body 11a, which has an open front and is shown by a solid line in Figure 1, and a main door 11b, which is provided on the main body 11a so as to be openable and closable and is shown by a dashed line in Figure 1. A manual operation unit 92 is fixed to the inside near the bottom of the main door 11b, and an opening 11d is formed at a corresponding position. The opening 11d is covered by a sub-door 16 so as to be openable and closable, and the manual operation unit 92 can be operated by opening the sub-door 16. The inner opening / closing plate 12 is supported by the main body 11a via a hinge 17, supports a control board 20 on the inside, and has an operation panel 91 on its front side. The operation panel 91 can be operated by opening the main door 11b.

[0013] Considering the vertical width H of the housing 11, the control board 20, the power supply unit 50, and the AC external input unit 70 are positioned higher than the central height CT, which is at a distance H / 2 from the bottom edge of the housing 11, so that they are submerged as slowly as possible when the housing 11 is flooded. Here, the central height CT corresponds to the center in the height direction of the housing 11. In particular, the power supply unit 50 and the AC external input unit 70 are positioned in the upper end region A1, close to the top plate 11m, within the housing 11. The external line terminal board 40 and the power switch 80 are positioned lower than the central height CT, specifically in the lower end region A2, close to the bottom plate 11n, within the housing 11. The light drive unit 30 and the power distributor 60 are positioned in an intermediate position within the housing 11, lower than the power supply unit 50 and the AC external input unit 70, but higher than the external line terminal board 40 and the power switch 80. As a result, the power receiving device 170, which is the AC external input unit 70, is positioned at a height equal to or greater than that of the control board 20 or the power supply unit 50 within the housing 11. Here, equal or greater height is determined by the lower end position of the comparison object. In other words, the lower end position of the power receiving device 170 is either the same as the lower end position of the control board 20 or the power supply unit 50, or higher than the lower end position of the control board 20 or the power supply unit 50. Strictly speaking, the lower end of the power receiving device 170 is slightly lower than the lower end of the power supply unit 50, but in practice, it can be said that the power receiving device 170 is positioned at approximately the same height as the power supply unit 50. In addition, the power distributor 60 is accompanied by a lamp power switch 94, which is positioned at approximately the same height as the power distributor 60. In other words, the lamp power switch 94 is positioned at an intermediate position lower than the power supply unit 50 and the AC external input unit 70. As described above, the external line terminal board 40 and the power switch 80 are located lower within the housing 11 than the control board 20, the light drive unit 30 (including the light switch 31), the power supply unit 50, the power receiving unit 170, and the power distributor 60. In other words, the external line terminal board 40 and the power switch 80 are located at the lowest position within the housing 11, and will be submerged first if the housing 11 is flooded. However, even if the external line terminal board 40 or the power switch 80 are submerged and malfunction, if the other components are not submerged, for example, when operating with an external power supply, the traffic signal controller 100 can still perform minimal basic operations without replacing the circuits.In other words, this avoids the situation where the basic functions of the traffic signal controller 100 are lost and recovery becomes difficult in cases of minor flooding.

[0014] In specific manufacturing examples, the upper ends of the external terminal board 40 and the power switch 80 are set at a height of, for example, 20 cm or more above the bottom surface of the housing 11, but this is not the only example.

[0015] Referring to Figure 3, the circuit configuration of the traffic signal controller 100 will be described. In the traffic signal controller 100, the control board 20 controls the overall operation of the traffic signal controller 100. In addition to the manual operation unit 92, the external terminal board 40, the lamp drive unit 30, and the power distributor 60, an optional interlocking receiver board 95 is also electrically connected to the control board 20. Although not shown in the figure, a door opening / closing determination switch is electrically connected to the control board 20, which can detect the opening and closing of the main door 11b and the sub-door 16.

[0016] The control panel 91 is the part that accepts operations from users (for example, police officers, etc.). For example, by operating this control panel 91 as appropriate, users can set and change the lighting time, date and time, and various functions.

[0017] The manual operation unit 92 is provided for manually controlling the lighting operation of the signal lamp 6 by the control board 20. The manual operation unit 92 receives manual operation input from the user and outputs instructions corresponding to the input to the control board 20, thereby enabling the lighting and switching of the display state of the signal lamp 6.

[0018] The lamp driver unit 30 operates under the control of the control board 20 and drives the signal lamp unit 6 to the lit or extinguished state. The lamp driver unit 30 includes a plurality of lamp switches 31. Each lamp switch 31 is a part that outputs a lamp color signal to each signal lamp 6 constituting a signal machine (not shown), and receives a control signal from the control board 20 via the opening / closing drive board 32. The opening / closing drive board 32 is located behind the lamp switch 31 and is disposed at a height position equal to or higher than that of a group of lamp switches 31. The combination of the lamp switch 31 and the opening / closing drive board 32 is called the lamp driver unit 30.

[0019] The outside line terminal board 40 is provided between the external device 3 and the control board 20 to enable data transmission and reception. The outside line terminal board 40 is connected to an antenna (not shown), an aggregation line, a terminal line, etc. installed outside the housing 11, exchanges transmission and reception data with the external device 3 via these, and transfers the transmission and reception data to the control board 20. Specifically, the outside line terminal board 40 receives a sensing input from a sensor and a contact input from a push button box, and exchanges interlock signals with an interlock master unit and an interlock slave unit.

[0020] The power supply device 50 has an electric circuit, receives a 100V AC voltage, that is, an alternating voltage, from the power distributor 60, and generates a DC voltage, that is, a direct current voltage, for operating the control board 20 and the opening / closing drive board 32. That is, the power supply device 50 generates electric power for supplying to the control board 20 and the opening / closing drive board 32. A circuit for suppressing the flow of an overcurrent on the output side can be incorporated in the power supply device 50.

[0021] The power distributor 60 mainly has a function of distributing the electric power from the power supply device 50 to the control board 20 and the lamp driver unit 30. Specifically, the power distributor 60 supplies an alternating voltage to the power supply device 50 and receives a direct current voltage supply from the power supply device 50. The power distributor 60 supplies a direct current voltage to the control board 20, supplies a direct current voltage to the opening / closing drive board 32, and supplies an alternating voltage to the lamp power switch 94. The power distributor 60 has a noise filter 61 for AC power, and removes noise components from the alternating voltage received from the commercial power supply S1 or the external power supply S2.

[0022] The AC external input unit 70 is a part that receives power supply from an external power source S2 (specifically, a generator), and is also called a power receiving device 170. The AC external input unit 70, that is, the power receiving device 170, has a function of connecting either the commercial power source S1 or the external power source S2 to the power supply device 50. The AC external input unit 70 indirectly supplies an AC voltage from the commercial power source S1 or the external power source S2 to the power supply device 50 via the power distributor 60. The AC external input unit 70 has an AC inlet 72a to which the output of the generator is connected, and a manual changeover switch 72b that selectively connects the power switch 80 and the AC inlet 72a to the power supply device 50.

[0023] The AC external input unit 70 is arranged so as to cover the right end portion of the power supply device 50. That is, the AC external input unit 70 is arranged so as to partially overlap the power supply device 50 in the front-rear direction, that is, the X direction. Thereby, it becomes easy to arrange the AC external input unit 70 at the height position of the power supply device 50, and the power receiving device 170 and the power supply device 50 can be efficiently incorporated into the upper end region A1 in the housing 11.

[0024] The power switch 80 is provided between the AC external input unit 70 and the input unit 2 (see FIG. 1) of the commercial power source S1, and supplies power from the commercial power source S1 to the AC external input unit 70. The power switch 80 includes a breaker, operates when an overcurrent is supplied from the commercial power source S1 to the power distributor 60 or the like, and cuts off the first power supply path PL1.

[0025] By the AC external input unit 70 and the power switch 80, the control board 20 is driven by DC power supplied via the power supply device 50 and derived from either the first power supply path PL1 or the second power supply path PL2, and controls the lighting state of the signal lamp 6 which is the display state or the indication state of the signal device.

[0026] Referring to FIG. 4, the power-related wiring around the power distributor 60 will be described. The power distributor 60 is a part that distributes power, and the power supply device 50 and the power distributor 60 are electrically connected via an AC power supply cable C2 and a DC power supply cable C3.

[0027] More specifically, the main power cable C1 from the AC external input unit 70 is connected to the first terminal T1 of the power distributor 60. In other words, the power distributor 60 receives AC power (specifically, 100V AC voltage, i.e., alternating current voltage) from the AC external input unit 70 via the main power cable C1. This alternating current voltage corresponds to the commercial power supply S1 and external power supply S2 shown in Figure 3, and contains high-frequency noise. Due to degradation effects such as waveform distortion and voltage fluctuations, it may not meet the standards as a power source that provides voltage to the power supply unit 50, etc. Therefore, the power distributor 60 passes the alternating current voltage input via the main power cable C1 through a noise filter 61 to remove noise superimposed on the alternating current voltage from the commercial power supply S1 and external power supply S2. The alternating current voltage from which noise has been removed by the noise filter 61 is output to the second terminal T2 and supplied to the power supply unit 50 via the AC power supply cable C2. The power supply unit 50 generates a predetermined DC voltage from the alternating current voltage from which the noise has been removed. The DC power supply cable C3 from the power supply unit 50 is connected to the third terminal T3 of the power distributor 60. In other words, the power distributor 60 receives DC power (specifically DC voltage) from the power supply unit 50 via the DC power supply cable C3. The power distributor 60 supplies the DC voltage input via the third terminal T3 to the control board 20 via the fourth terminal T4 and to the switching drive board 32 via the fifth terminal T5. To summarize, the AC power supplied from the power receiving device 170 to the power distributor 60 is filtered by the power distributor 60 before being supplied to the power supply unit 50, and the DC power obtained from the AC power by the power supply unit 50 is supplied to the power distributor 60, etc.

[0028] Returning to Figure 2, the main power cable C1 extending from the AC external input unit 70 to the power distributor 60 is a shielded cable to suppress the emission of noise into the surroundings. The commercial power cable C0 extending from the power switch 80 to the AC external input unit 70 is also a shielded cable to suppress the emission of noise into the surroundings.

[0029] Referring to Figures 5(A) to 5(D), in the AC external input section 70, an AC inlet 72a is fixed to the left side member 75a of the case-shaped frame member 75, and a manual changeover switch 72b is fixed to the front member 75b of the frame member 75. The manual changeover switch 72b is a toggle switch and connects either the first power supply path PL1 or the second power supply path PL2 shown in Figure 3 to the power distributor 60. The AC inlet 72a is a terminal section for external power supply, and is the part to which a plug or socket provided on the end of a cable extending from a commercially available external power supply S2 with an external power supply function, such as a generator, is connected in the event of a power outage due to a disaster. The manual changeover switch 72b is a switch that can be switched by manual operation, and specifically, the wiring connection path is switched by moving the operating lever 73a to one of two switching positions (for example, up and down in Figure 5(A)). The first power supply path PL1 and the second power supply path PL2, shown in Figure 3, are connected to a pair of contacts on the manual changeover switch 72b. The manual changeover switch 72b selects one of these power supply paths PL1 or PL2, and the power is supplied to the control board 20 via the power distributor 60 and the power supply unit 50. Specifically, when the operating lever 73a is moved to the upper second position P2 shown by the solid line, the second power supply path PL2 shown in Figure 3 is selected, and external power is supplied from the AC inlet 72a. When the operating lever 73a is moved to the lower first position P1 shown by the dashed line, the first power supply path PL1 shown in Figure 3 is selected, and commercial power is supplied from the power switch 80. The orientation and operation of the manual changeover switch 72b are set so that the side that falls due to gravity, i.e., the stable lower position, is the "commercial AC" side used during normal operation.

[0030] The lamp 73d and fuse 73e are fixed to the left side member 75a of the frame member 75, which is common to the AC inlet 72a, etc. The lamp 73d lights up when the operating lever 73a of the manual changeover switch 72b is in the upper second position P2, that is, when an external power supply is provided.

[0031] A metal fitting 77a extending in the X direction from the lower right end of the front member 75b of the frame member 75 is provided to fix the AC external input unit 70 to the right side panel 11j of the housing 11 with bolts (not shown), and a metal fitting 77b extending in the -X direction from the center of the back of the frame member 75 is provided to fix the AC external input unit 70 to the sheet metal member 14 with bolts (not shown).

[0032] Returning to Figure 2, the DC power supply cable C3, one of the two power supply cables connecting the power supply unit 50 and the power distributor 60, is drawn out from the right end of the power supply unit 50, passes through the gap GA1 between the power receiving device 170 and the power supply unit 50, and extends to the rear of the power receiving device 170 through the gap GA2 provided between the upper end 70t of the power receiving device 170 and the top plate 11m of the housing 11. Here, the upper end 70t of the power receiving device 170 refers to the upper end surface of the main body of the frame member 75 of the power receiving device 170, excluding the fixing bracket 77b that does not interfere with the wiring. The DC power supply cable C3 extends through the first notch hole H1 of the sheet metal member 14 formed behind the power receiving device 170 to the gap GA3 between the sheet metal member 14 and the back surface 11g of the housing 11, and is drawn out to the front side through the second notch hole H2 of the sheet metal member 14 formed near the power distributor 60. By positioning the DC power supply cable C3 behind the sheet metal member 14, it becomes less susceptible to picking up noise from the surroundings, and the DC power supply cable C3 can be positioned using the gap GA2, making it easier to route the DC power supply cable C3.

[0033] The AC power supply cable C2, which is the other of the two power supply cables connecting the power supply unit 50 and the power distributor 60, extends through a third notch H3 in the sheet metal member 14 formed near the power supply unit 50 into the gap GA3 between the sheet metal member 14 and the back surface 11g of the housing 11, and is pulled out to the front side through a fourth notch H4 in the sheet metal member 14 formed near the power distributor 60. By positioning the AC power supply cable C2 behind the sheet metal member 14, it is possible to reduce the amount of noise picked up from the surroundings, and the placement, i.e., the routing, of the AC power supply cable C2 becomes easier.

[0034] The method of using the traffic signal controller 100 having an AC external input unit 70 will be explained. For example, in the event of a power outage during a disaster, the user opens the main door 11b and connects the plug of an external power supply S2 (not shown) to the AC inlet 72a. The user then connects the manual changeover switch 72b to the second power supply path PL2 (second position P2 shown in Figure 5(A)). This allows the traffic signal controller 100 to receive power from the external power supply S2. Here, for example, even if the water level reaches the upper end of the external terminal board 40 due to a flood, if AC power is supplied from the AC external input unit 70, etc., and the power supply unit 50 and control board 20 are functioning, the minimum functions of the traffic signal 200 will be performed, and the gradual display operation of sequentially lighting the signal lights 6 in blue, yellow, and red will be possible. In other words, even if the flooding is relatively minor, such as when only the lower part of the traffic signal controller 100 is submerged, it is possible to avoid the loss of the basic functions of the traffic signal controller 100.

[0035] The plug and cable of the external power supply S2 can be routed into the enclosure 11 through a specially provided openable and closable opening in the enclosure 11, even if it means temporarily opening the main door 11b.

[0036] The traffic signal controller 100 of the embodiment described above comprises a control board 20 for controlling the signal lamps 6 of the traffic signal 200, a power supply device 50 for supplying power to the control board 20, a power receiving device 170 for connecting either a commercial power supply S1 or an external power supply S2 to the power supply device 50, a power distributor 60, and a housing 11 that houses the control board 20, the power supply device 50, the power receiving device 170, and the power distributor 60. The power receiving device 170 is located in a region above the central height CT in the height direction of the housing 11, and is positioned at a height equal to or greater than that of the control board 20 or the power supply device 50.

[0037] In the above-described traffic signal controller 100, the power receiving device 170 is located in an area above the central height CT in the height direction of the housing 11, and is positioned at a height equal to or greater than that of the control board 20 or power supply unit 50. Therefore, even if water enters the lower part of the housing 11 of the traffic signal controller 100, for example, by connecting an external power supply S2, it is possible to prevent the power supply to the entire device from being cut off, which would hinder recovery. In other words, the basic operation of the signal lights 6 can be maintained until the power receiving device 170, power supply unit 50, control board 20, power distributor 60, etc. are submerged in water.

[0038] The above-described traffic signal controller 100 further includes a power switch 80 provided between the power receiving device 170 and the input section 2 of the commercial power supply S1. The power switch 80 is located within the housing 11 at a lower position than the control board 20, the power supply unit 50, and the power receiving device 170. If the power switch 80 is submerged in water first, the commercial power supply S1 may be cut off. However, the connection of the external power supply S2 to the power receiving device 170 can be avoided or delayed by preventing water from entering the power receiving device 170, thereby preventing interference with the switching to the external power supply S2.

[0039] This invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be implemented in various forms without departing from its spirit.

[0040] Power supply cables C2 and C3 are not shielded cables, but may be shielded cables covered with a conductive grounding sheath or tube.

[0041] The power supply cables C2 and C3 do not need to be routed behind the sheet metal member 14; they can be routed on the front surface of the sheet metal member 14 in a way that avoids components such as the lamp drive unit 30.

[0042] The power switch 80 does not necessarily have to be placed in the lower end area A2; for example, it can be placed at a height equal to or greater than that of the power distributor 60. In this case, the early occurrence of the effects of submersion when using commercial power S1 can be suppressed. [Explanation of symbols]

[0043] 2…Input section, 3…External device, 6…Signal lamp, 11…Housing, 11a…Main body, 11b…Main door, 11d…Opening, 11f…Rear panel, 11m…Top panel, 11n…Bottom panel, 12…Inner opening / closing panel, 14…Sheet metal component, 20…Control board, 30…Lamp drive unit, 31…Lamp switch, 32…Opening / closing drive board, 40…External line terminal board, 50…Power supply unit, 60…Power distributor, 61…Noise filter, 70…AC external input section, 170…Power receiving device, 70t…Top end, 72a…AC inlet, 72b…Manual changeover switch, 73a…Operating lever, 73d…Lamp, 75…Frame component, 75a…Left side component, 75b…Front component, 80…Power switch, 91...Operation panel, 92...Manual operation unit, 94...Light switch, 100...Traffic signal controller, 200...Traffic signal, A1...Upper end area, A2...Lower end area, C0...Commercial power cable, C1...Main power cable, C2...AC power supply cable, C3...DC power supply cable, GA1,GA2,GA3...Gap, PL1,PL2...Power supply path, S1...Commercial power supply, S2...External power supply

Claims

1. A control board that controls the signal lights of a traffic signal, A power supply device that supplies power to the control board, A power receiving device having an inlet for an external power supply, which connects either the commercial power supply or the external power supply to the power supply device, A power switch is provided between the power receiving device and the input section of the commercial power supply, A lamp switch that operates under the control of the control board and drives the signal lamp to a state of being turned on or off, An external terminal board is provided between the external device and the control board, A housing that houses the control board, the power supply unit, the power receiving unit, the power switch, the light switch, and the external line terminal board, Equipped with, The power receiving device is positioned at a height equal to or greater than that of the control board or the power supply unit, in a region above the center in the height direction of the housing, with respect to the lower end. The power switch is positioned lower than the control board, the power supply unit, and the power receiving device, with respect to its lower end. The external terminal board is positioned lower than the control board, the power supply unit, the power receiving unit, and the light switch, with respect to its lower end. The external terminal board and the power switch are located in the lower end region of the housing. Traffic signal controller.

2. Wiring is provided in the gap between the upper end of the power receiving device and the upper wall of the housing. The traffic signal controller according to claim 1.

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