Expansion box for traffic signal control system

Abstract

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

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

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

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

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

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] However, as shown in the signal control system of Patent Document 1, when a separate wireless device is installed at a location away from the traffic signal controller, it is necessary to route power and communication cables along the pole, and these cables may be damaged due to deterioration over time even if protected with protective materials. If the cables are damaged and break or short-circuit, problems such as the inability to use wireless communication functions may occur.

[0007] Furthermore, if other devices are already installed on the pole, it may not be possible to secure space for installing the wireless device, or the existing devices may obstruct the laying of cables to the wireless device.

[0008] The object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems and to provide an expansion box for a traffic signal controller that integrates with the housing of the traffic signal controller using mounting holes for pole mounting that are provided in advance. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] To achieve the above objective, the present invention provides an expansion box for a traffic signal controller comprising a horizontally elongated rectangular first box body, a vertically elongated rectangular second box body hanging down from the corner of the first box body and communicating internally with the first box body, and a rectangular fixing plate portion flush with the inner surface portion of the second box body and continuous with the bottom portion and inner surface portion of the first box body, and an expansion box for a traffic signal controller that can be attached to be integrated with a traffic signal controller, characterized in that the fixing plate portion is provided with through holes that can communicate with mounting holes for column mounting provided on the left and right sides of the traffic signal controller. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the expansion box for traffic signal controllers of the present invention, by using the unused mounting hole on the left and right mounting holes for the pole body provided on the existing traffic signal controller, it becomes possible to install and protect cables extending from the traffic signal controller internally, making the cables less susceptible to damage.

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

[0012] Furthermore, even if the traffic signal controller is mounted on either the left or right side of the pole, the extension box for the traffic signal controller can be easily attached and secured from the right or left side, which are outside the traffic signal controller. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0013] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of the traffic signal controller before the expansion box for the traffic signal controller is attached. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view of a traffic signal controller with an expansion box for the traffic signal controller attached. [Figure 3] This is a perspective view of the expansion box for the traffic signal controller, as seen from the opposite side. [Figure 4] This is a block diagram showing the traffic signal controller with an expansion box for the traffic signal controller attached. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0014] The present invention will be described in detail based on the illustrated embodiments. Figure 1 is a perspective view of the traffic signal controller before the expansion box for the traffic signal controller is attached, Figure 2 is a perspective view of the traffic signal controller with the expansion box attached to the right side of the traffic signal controller, Figure 3 is a perspective view of the expansion box for the traffic signal controller as seen from the opposite side, and Figure 4 is a block diagram of the traffic signal controller with the expansion box attached to the left side of the traffic signal controller.

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

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

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

[0018] Openings (not shown) are provided on a pair of sides of the first box body 11 perpendicular to the first side surface 11c, and opening and closing doors 11e, 11f for sealing these openings are provided respectively. The opening and closing doors 11e, 11f in their closed states are parallel to the long side 11g of the bottom surface 11b of the first box body 11.

[0019] On these opening and closing doors 11e, 11f, hinges 11h are vertically attached on the right side when viewed from the front. Also, on the opening and closing door 11e, a locking portion 11j is provided in the mounting hole 11i. <​​This locking part 11j is attached only to the mounting hole 11i of the opening / closing door 11e disposed directly above the main door part S20 of the traffic signal controller S when the extension box 10 for traffic signal controllers is attached to the traffic signal controller S. A sealing part for sealing the mounting hole 11i is attached to the mounting hole 11i of the opening / closing door 11f on the back side. Therefore, there is no keyhole on the opening / closing door 11f on the back side and it cannot be opened or closed.

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

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

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

[0024] The traffic signal controller S is a metal box body composed of a main body part S10 having an opening on one side surface and a main door part S20 that seals this opening and can be opened and closed via a hinge part S13.

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

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

[0027] As shown in Figure 4, the traffic signal controller S contains a control unit S30 that controls the lighting of the signal lights L installed at the intersection, a transmission unit S40 connected to the control unit S30 and communicating with a wireless communication unit 14 housed in the first enclosure 11, and a power supply unit S50 that is powered by an external AC power supply P and outputs DC power to the control unit S30, the transmission unit S40, and the wireless communication unit 14. The control unit S30 has a processing unit that performs the lighting process for each signal light L and a storage unit that stores constants for the timetable of the signal lights L.

[0028] Furthermore, although not shown in Figures 1 to 3, a wireless communication unit 14 is provided inside the first box 11, as shown in Figure 4. The wireless communication unit 14 consists of, for example, a GPS communication unit 14a, a mobile communication unit 14b, and a BLE communication unit 14c for Bluetooth®. In addition to the wireless communication unit 14, other internal equipment such as a battery unit that supplies backup power to the traffic signal controller S can also be placed inside the first box 11, and these appropriate devices can be installed in combination.

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

[0030] These communication cables C1, C2, C3 and power cable C4 are wired from the lower end of the traffic signal controller S and routed inside the second enclosure 12. Furthermore, if the wireless communication unit 14 is an antenna, such as a GPS antenna, BLE antenna, or mobile communication antenna, then the power cable C4 does not need to be wired.

[0031] When attaching the expansion box 10 for the traffic signal controller to an existing traffic signal controller S, the bottom portion 11b of the first box body 11, which can be placed on the top surface S14 of the traffic signal controller, is placed on the top surface S14, then the position is adjusted, and the mounting holes S12 on the side surface S11 of the traffic signal controller S and the through holes 13a of the fixing plate portion 13 are fixed with bolts B as shown in Figure 2.

[0032] Furthermore, internal equipment is pre-installed in the first enclosure 11 on the bottom surface 11b or on the back of unused opening / closing doors 11e or 11f, and communication and power cables C connected to these internal equipment are inserted into the second enclosure 12.

[0033] Then, after fixing the expansion box 10 for the traffic signal controller to the traffic signal controller S with bolts B, it is inserted into the second box body 12, and the communication and power cables C extending from the lower end of the second box body 12 are connected to the transmission unit S40 and power unit S50 of the traffic signal controller S, respectively, completing the installation of the expansion box 10 for the traffic signal controller to the traffic signal controller S.

[0034] When the expansion box 10 for the traffic signal controller is attached to the traffic signal controller S, the opening / closing door 11e and the second main body side portion 10b of the expansion box 10 for the traffic signal controller, which are made to match the external dimensions of the traffic signal controller S, become flush with the front side and rear side of the traffic signal controller S.

[0035] Furthermore, Figures 1 and 2 are perspective views of the traffic signal controller S when it is mounted on a column (not shown) on the left side, viewed from the front where the main door section S20 is visible. Therefore, although the diagrams show the expansion box 10 for the traffic signal controller fixed to the right side of the traffic signal controller S, it is possible to fix the expansion box 10 for the traffic signal controller, with its front and back reversed, to the left side of the traffic signal controller S that is mounted on a column on the right side.

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

[0037] Furthermore, the traffic signal controller S, to which the expansion box 10 for the traffic signal controller is fixed, allows for maintenance of internal equipment such as the wireless communication unit 14 through an openable / closable door 11e or door 11f located directly above the main door section S20.

[0038] Thus, with the expansion box 10 for traffic signal controllers according to the present invention, by using the unused mounting holes S12 on both sides of the existing traffic signal controller S to attach it to the housing, it is possible to protect the cable C connecting the traffic signal controller S and the internal equipment, making the cable C less susceptible to damage. In addition, the length of the cable C can be shorter than in the conventional method.

[0039] Furthermore, even if other devices are already attached to the column, the traffic signal control unit expansion box 10 can be installed if there is some space outside the traffic signal control unit.

[0040] Furthermore, even if the traffic signal controller S is mounted on either the left or right side of the column, the expansion box for the traffic signal controller can be easily attached and secured from the right or left side, which are the outside of the traffic signal controller S. In addition, the traffic signal controller S integrated with the expansion box 10 has a flush front side, rear side, and one side, resulting in a visually pleasing appearance without any sense of incongruity. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0041] 10. Expansion box for traffic signal controller 11. The first box 11a Corner 11b Bottom part 11e, 11f Opening and closing doors 12. Second Box 12a Inner side 13 Fixing plate 13a Through hole 14. Wireless Communication Section S Traffic signal controller S11 side S12 Mounting Hole S14 top surface S40 Transmission Unit

Claims

1. A first box-shaped structure that is horizontally elongated and rectangular, A second box, which is vertically elongated and rectangular in shape, hangs down from the corner of the first box and communicates with the interior of the first box, An extension box for a traffic signal controller, which is flush with the inner surface of the second box body and consists of a rectangular fixing plate portion that is continuous with the bottom surface and the inner surface of the first box body, and can be attached to the traffic signal controller so as to be integrated with the traffic signal controller, An expansion box for a traffic signal controller, characterized in that the fixing plate portion is provided with through holes that can communicate with mounting holes for attaching a column body, which are provided on the left and right sides of the traffic signal controller.

2. The expansion box for a traffic signal controller according to claim 1, characterized in that the first box can be placed on the top surface of the traffic signal controller and has internal equipment installed inside that connects to the traffic signal controller.

3. The expansion box for a traffic signal controller according to claim 2, characterized in that the internal equipment is a wireless communication unit.

4. The expansion box for a traffic signal controller according to claim 3, characterized in that the wireless communication unit includes at least one of a GPS antenna, a BLE antenna, and a mobile communication antenna.

5. The second box is characterized in that a cable connected to the internal equipment is inserted through it, and the cable extending from the lower end of the second box is connected to the transmission section of the traffic signal controller, as described in any one of claims 2 to 4.

6. The expansion box for a traffic signal controller according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that a pair of side surfaces along the longitudinal direction of the bottom surface of the first box body are each provided with an opening and closing door.

7. An expansion box for a traffic signal controller according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that at least the first box is made of a material that is difficult to shield from radio waves.

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