Smart variable signage device for vehicle restraint systems

Abstract

The invention relates to a smart variable signage device for vehicle restraint systems that comprises a case (2) containing at least one circuit board (12). The case (2) comprises at least one rear surface (3) designed to be attached to a restraint barrier, and an opposite front surface (4) from which two oblique surfaces (5) extend, at least one of the oblique surfaces (5) comprising a passive safety element (6) and at least one active safety element (7). The passive safety element (6) is a reflective element and the active safety element (7) is selected from a light transmitter, a sensor or a camera.

Description

[0001] INTELLIGENT VARIABLE SIGNALING DEVICE FOR VEHICLE RESTRAINT SYSTEMS

[0002] DESCRIPTION

[0003] OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The object of the present invention falls within the technical field of signaling devices with reflectors and more specifically in signaling devices to be installed preferably in vehicle restraint systems and road equipment.

[0005] TECHNICAL PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The use of optical signaling devices known as reflectors is now widespread. These devices consist of a base and reflective elements designed to reflect the light from vehicle headlights. Therefore, they are passive devices that do not emit their own light (they only function when illuminated by a light from a vehicle, at which point they reflect it). This effect improves the visibility of the road and its verges.

[0007] Optical signaling devices can be classified as vertical, installed on vehicle restraint barriers (or vertical surfaces), and horizontal, installed in the pavement. They can also be classified as unidirectional or bidirectional, based on whether their effect is visible from one direction of traffic or from both.

[0008] These optical signaling devices have been used for years to mark roads with vehicular traffic, as their installation has proven highly effective in reducing accidents, especially on conventional roads. They are particularly useful in conditions of poor visibility, such as fog, nighttime, etc.

[0009] DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The invention relates to a variable and intelligent signaling device, configured for installation in vehicle restraint systems or any road equipment. The key feature of the device is that, in addition to incorporating passive optical signaling elements (reflectance), it also incorporates active optical signaling elements.

[0011] The device improves road visibility day and night, even in adverse conditions, and is easy to install and replace. It is designed for use with standard IP65-rated wiring and connectors.

[0012] The device comprises a main housing and at least one active security element installed within it. Preferably, there are at least two active security elements, which can operate independently, switching on and off in different ways. Furthermore, the power consumption of the emitters can be adjusted based on various factors such as time of day, battery status, ambient light, etc., all controlled by the device's own electronics and / or remotely. The active security elements can be LED emitters, sensors, or cameras. The use of other active security elements (either as replacements or in addition to these) could also be considered.

[0013] Preferably, the housing comprises an upper and a lower body joined together to form a hollow interior space. Also preferably, the housing is made of plastic. The housing's geometry is modular, allowing it to adapt to the needs of each location. It is manufactured from materials resistant to impacts, extreme temperatures, and vandalism, and is designed so that, with appropriate anchoring means, it can accommodate most equipment.

[0014] The device can operate with or without power and data cables. To achieve this, the device can utilize a CAN bus connection (which requires cabling) or an internal antenna to establish communications via mesh technology, enabling wireless communication between nodes.

[0015] The signaling device also includes, on the exterior of the housing, passive safety elements, preferably reflective elements, which may be adhesives, such as those used in prior art road studs. In Spain, these reflective adhesives are generally white and amber. However, other color combinations are commonly used in other countries. The signaling device of the present invention could use any type of reflective element with any kind of retroreflectivity and of any color.

[0016] Preferably, the signaling device comprises at least two reflective surfaces (with passive safety features) to allow it to be seen from both directions of traffic when installed on a vehicle restraint system or any road equipment system. Preferably, these at least two surfaces also comprise active safety features.

[0017] Therefore, the great advantage of the present invention is that, in addition to including passive safety elements (reflectance elements), it also includes active safety elements. Furthermore, the device can be remotely controlled, have self-response capabilities, be programmable, and have communication capabilities between nodes and / or with other devices, etc.

[0018] Furthermore, the active security elements can be easily replaced and / or various electronic devices such as LED emitters, video surveillance cameras, sensors of any type, etc. can be added.

[0019] Preferably, the connection between the device and the vehicle restraint system or road equipment in which it is installed is made using tamper-proof screws to make theft more difficult.

[0020] Both the installation and connection of the device are done quickly.

[0021] In one example of implementation, the device may also include at least one machine vision camera, with artificial intelligence, to identify different situations.

[0022] Another advantage of the device of the invention is its versatility since it can act as a node for communication with base centers or with other devices also installed on the same vehicle containment barrier, and it can act as an LED lighting system.

[0023] Thus, the signaling device of the present invention is adaptable to any geometry or type of vehicle restraint system or road equipment and, when installed on one of them, it allows for improved road traffic safety and, therefore, the integrity of drivers thanks to its ability to operate intelligently by warning of real-time alerts and possible risk situations.

[0024] In this sense, it allows the signaling, detection and transmission of information in real time of any incident and event on the road, depending on the solution developed and adapted to each user and, therefore, allows improving road traffic safety and preventing possible accidents, increasing the safety of drivers and pedestrians.

[0025] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0026] To complete the description and to aid in a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, this descriptive document is accompanied, as an integral part thereof, by a set of drawings in which, for illustrative and non-limiting purposes, the following has been represented:

[0027] Figure 1 represents an exploded view of a preferred embodiment of the device.

[0028] Figure 2 represents a sectioned profile view of the device installed in a type A profile guardrail containment system.

[0029] Figure 3 represents a sectioned profile view of the device installed in a B-type profile, guardrail-type containment system.

[0030] Figure 4 represents a sectioned profile view of the device installed in an omega-type profile containment system.

[0031] Figure 5 shows a sectioned profile view of the device installed in a tri-wave type containment system. Figure 6 shows a sectioned profile view of the device installed in a concrete module in which the casing has been concealed.

[0032] Figure 7 represents the back of a containment barrier in which an example of cable routing can be seen for embodiments in which the device comprises wiring.

[0033] Figures 8A-B represent a first guide and a second guide respectively.

[0034] The following is a list of the various elements represented in the figures that comprise the invention:

[0035] 1: Device; 2: Housing; 3: Rear surface; 4: Front surface; 5: Oblique surfaces; 6: Passive safety element; 7: Active safety element; 8: Top surface; 9: Bottom surface; 10: Inclined surface; 11: Side surface; 12: Electronic board; 13: Heat sink; 14: Recess; 15: Mounting nut; 16: Mounting screw; 17: First bracket; 18: Second bracket; 19: Containment system with type A guardrail profile; 20: Containment system with type B guardrail profile; 21: Containment system with omega-type profile; 22: Containment system with tri-wave-type profile; 23: Concrete containment system; 24: Cable; 25: First guide piece; 26: Second guide piece; A: First secondary plate; B: Second secondary plate

[0036] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described herein. Other configurations may be realized by those skilled in the art in light of this description. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is defined by the following claims.

[0038] Figure 1 shows an exploded view of the optical signaling device (1) for containment barriers of the present invention. As can be seen in Figure 1, the device (1) of the invention comprises a housing (2). In a preferred embodiment, this housing (2) comprises an upper body and a lower body, joined together, forming a hollow interior space. In one exemplary embodiment, this housing (2) is made of plastic. The housing (2) of the device has a configuration such that it comprises at least a rear surface (3) (or joining surface) configured to be attached to a containment barrier, and a front surface (4) opposite it, from which two oblique surfaces (5) extend.At least one of said oblique surfaces (5) comprises a passive optical signaling element (6) and an active optical signaling element (7) wherein the passive optical signaling element (6) is a reflective element and the active optical signaling element (7) is a light emitter that is connected to the electronic board (8) arranged inside the housing (2).

[0039] Preferably, the two oblique surfaces (5) comprise a passive signaling element (6) and an active signaling element (7). This makes it visible from both directions of traffic (bidirectional). Preferably, it also comprises passive (reflective) signaling elements on lateral surfaces (11) of the housing (2).

[0040] Also preferably, the active optical signaling element (7) is an LED light emitter or similar.

[0041] As can be seen in the figures, the housing (2) also comprises an upper surface (8) and a lower surface (9), joined to the rear surface (3) by inclined surfaces (10). These inclined surfaces (10) are sufficiently inclined to allow the device (1) to be positioned between two waves of a type A guardrail (19), a type B guardrail (20), or a containment barrier (21). These inclined surfaces (10) thus improve the adaptation and stability of the device's installation on the guardrails, particularly those of the types described.

[0042] Furthermore, the housing (2) preferably comprises side surfaces (11) that connect the oblique surfaces (5) to the rear surface (3). Also preferably, the side surfaces (11) connect the oblique surfaces (5) to the inclined surfaces (10) at their upper and lower points. The figures show that the side surfaces (11) are equipped with passive safety features (reflective elements).

[0043] In one possible embodiment of the invention, the housing (2) comprises, on its rear surface (3), a through-hole with a recess (14) in which a mounting nut (15) is housed. These elements can be seen, for example, in Figure 1. They form a tamper-proof connection to prevent theft of the device. These elements can also be seen in Figures 2, 3, 5, and 6.

[0044] In one embodiment, the device (1) comprises an electronic board (12) housed inside the casing (2). In this embodiment, the device comprises, as an active safety element (7), at least one light emitter (preferably an LED). That is, in embodiments where the device comprises an LED, it can act as a node. Preferably, in this embodiment, the active signaling elements (7) are connected to a first secondary board (A) or a second secondary board (B), as shown in the figures. Also in this embodiment, the electronic board (12) is connected to the secondary boards (A, B) available in the device.

[0045] That is, in one embodiment, the device comprises an electronic board (12) housed inside the casing (2) and comprises at least one active safety element (7) that is a light emitter, and the electronic board (12) is connected to said light emitter through at least a first secondary board (A) or a second secondary board (B) connected to said light emitter.

[0046] In another embodiment, the device comprises, inside the housing (2), a complementary electronic board (12) connected to a first secondary board (A) and a second secondary board (B) where said secondary boards (A, B) are in turn connected to light emitters.

[0047] In embodiments where the device is wired, the housing (2) comprises at least one wiring hole for the passage of the corresponding cable (24). Preferably, this hole is located on the rear surface (3).

[0048] As can be seen in Figure 1, the device (1) may also comprise a heat sink (13), housed inside the casing (2) on which at least one active optical signaling element (7) is mounted.

[0049] The device of the present invention is intended to be installed in containment systems and any road equipment, for example, in containment barriers with type A guardrail profiles (19), with type B guardrail profiles (20), omega-type profiles (21), with a tube-shaped profile (22), and concrete barriers (23). Examples of this type of joint are shown in Figures 2 to 6 respectively.

[0050] In cases where the device (1) is to be installed on omega-type barrier containment systems (21), as shown in Figure 4, it includes a first support (17) configured to allow the device (1) to be attached to this type of vehicle containment barrier. More specifically, as can be seen in Figure 4, the first support (17) can be a plate with: a first flat side configured to attach to a rear face of the containment barrier with an omega-type profile (21), and a second flat side oriented at a 90° angle. e with respect to the first flat side and configured to be in contact with a lower face of the containment barrier (21), and a third flat side, parallel to the first flat side, connectable to the housing (2) via the mounting screw (16).

[0051] In cases where the device (1) is to be installed on concrete barrier containment systems (23), as shown in Figure 6, it includes a second support (18) configured to allow the device (1) to be attached to this type of vehicle containment barrier. More specifically, this second support (18) is a plate similar to the first support (17), with a flat first side, connectable to the housing (2) via the mounting screw (16), and a second flat side oriented at a 90° angle. e with respect to the first flat side configured to be in contact with an upper face of the concrete containment barrier (23), and a third flat side configured to join a rear face of the concrete containment barrier (23), inclined with respect to the second flat side with an inclination corresponding to the inclination of the rear face of the concrete containment barrier (23) on which it is to be installed.

[0052] Figure 7 shows a rear view of a restraint system in which the cable (24) is guided. Figures 8A and 8B show a first guide piece (25) and a second guide piece (26). As can be seen, these are folded plates such that a first section of the plate is configured to join the rear of the restraint system or road safety equipment on which the device is to be installed, and a second section of the plate includes a hole for the passage of the cable (24).

[0053] The device of the present invention has particular application in the field of intelligent signaling systems to be installed on roads, although it could also be installed in any other road equipment, or even in urban infrastructures that require this type of device.

[0054] Its ease of installation makes it particularly suitable for distributing both the communication nodes necessary to deploy a network associated with said signaling devices, as well as simply LED lighting points for conventional road signage, or as conventional headlights since the same device of the present invention can be used without any electronic element inside or can integrate additional functionalities by inserting the corresponding electronic cards in the locations designed for it.

[0055] In short, it is an intelligent road safety system, which in addition to its main function can house microcontrollers, integrated sensors and connectivity with other external electronic components capable of analyzing the environment (for example, vehicle speed, its capacity, traffic jams, certain atmospheric conditions such as temperature, presence of fog, ice patches, visibility, etc., as well as vibrations or the presence of any obstacle on the road), which the intelligent system, acting on the signaling device, translates into different types of fixed and / or flashing light signals to visually alert other drivers / pedestrians about risk situations adapted to each situation.

[0056] In one particular embodiment, the device comprises at least one vision camera (not shown), connected to the internal electronics, which allows not only the display of real-time images but also functionalities such as machine vision, incorporating image analysis software to which the images captured by the device are transmitted. The different situations that warrant alerting road users are determined by specific sensors that identify risk scenarios, such as accelerometers (usually integrated into the device), visibility sensors, noise sensors / microphones, temperature / humidity sensors, pedestrian sensors, and CO2 and air quality sensors.Thus, by interpreting the information collected by the sensors, an accident scenario is determined (by detecting an impact via the accelerometers), along with low visibility, risk of ice, imminent traffic jams, or the presence of pedestrians. Each of these scenarios is accompanied by a specific light pattern to warn drivers. In one particular implementation, it is also possible to determine these alert situations using wind speed sensors, such as anemometers; noise intensity sensors, such as sound level meters and / or audiometers; presence and / or motion sensors; or security cameras, including photography and / or video.

[0057] In a more specific implementation, the communications of the external or internal sensors and the nodes are carried out through a gateway, which is the Gateway that controls the entire system and coordinates communications to / from the outside, where a management system based on front end (user interface) and back end (database) allows its governance, configuration and access to information on the status of the nodes in real time, historical data, alarms, etc.

[0058] Therefore, the gateway's primary function is to serve as a communication channel for the system's nodes. Given these requirements, several options exist, the main one being wireless communication based on 3G / 4G / 5G / LTE-M, NB-IoT, or similar infrastructure, as previously mentioned regarding this device's IoT functionality. An LTE-M modem will be used to communicate with third-party systems, connecting the gateway to the internet, preferably via Wi-Fi. Specifically, Wi-Fi communication allows gateways to connect and link across different continuous segments, thus avoiding the need for routing connections between segments and enabling coordination and information exchange between these gateways. The protocol used for remote, fast communication without high-power devices is MQTT.A central node, the broker, manages the network and transmits messages. The MQTT 33 broker is software that runs on a computer. Knowing the IP address and port on which the broker starts, the gateway connects to it and publishes data for monitoring. With MQTT Explorer connected to the broker on a computer, the published data can be viewed. Simultaneously, data can be published to a topic so that the gateway subscribes to it, allowing for remote system configuration, for example, regarding speed thresholds or time slots. In this way, the entire management of the system configured by these innovative signaling devices can be performed from a web platform created in the cloud for remote operation from a computer, mobile phone, tablet, or any other electronic device with internet access, enabling control of element statuses, statistics, and more.

[0059] The system can be powered by the general electrical grid and AC / DC converters to provide 12V or 24-48V DC. However, for longer distances, a hybrid system is also being considered, utilizing the 220 / 50Hz electrical grid and external power supplies capable of providing 12V or 24-48V. Otherwise, the required cabling would create an impractical length. Furthermore, given the priority of continuous operation, and the often technical difficulty of connecting to the municipal public electricity grid due to the need to extend power to the parapet, a sustainable self-consumption option is also being considered. This system would only use electricity generated by a photovoltaic panel installation with batteries to power it during nighttime hours.

[0060] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described herein. Other configurations are within the reach of those skilled in the art, based on this description. Therefore, the scope of the invention is defined by the following claims.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Signaling device for vehicle restraint systems comprising a housing (2) inside which at least one electronic board (12) is housed, and said housing (2) comprising at least a rear surface (3) configured to be attached to a restraint barrier, and a front surface (4) opposite it, from which two oblique surfaces (5) originate, and at least one of said oblique surfaces (5) comprises a passive safety element (6) and at least one active safety element (7), wherein the passive safety element (6) is a reflective element and the active safety element (7) is selected from a light emitter, a sensor, or a camera;and the housing (2) also comprises an upper surface (8) and a lower surface (9), joined to the rear surface (3) by inclined surfaces (10) wherein said inclined surfaces (10) have a sufficient inclination to allow the positioning of the device (1) between two waves of a containment barrier with a type A guardrail profile (19), a containment barrier with a type B guardrail profile (20) or a containment barrier with a thong profile (21); and the housing (2) comprises side surfaces (11) extending between the oblique surfaces (5) and the rear surface (3) and at least one of said side surfaces (11) comprises a passive safety element. 2.- Device (1) according to claim 1 wherein the housing (2) comprises, on the rear surface (3) a through hole with recess (14) in which a mounting nut (15) is housed. 3.- Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims comprising an electronic board (12) housed inside the casing (2) and comprising at least one active safety element (7) which is a light emitter, and the electronic board (12) is connected to said light emitter through at least a first secondary board (A) or a second secondary board (B) connected to said light emitter. 4.- Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims comprising, inside the housing (2), a complementary electronic board (12) connected to a first secondary board (A) and a second secondary board (B) wherein said secondary boards (A, B) are in turn connected to light emitters. 5.- Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims comprising at least one heat sink (13), housed inside the casing (2) on which at least one active optical signaling element (7) is mounted. 6.- Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims comprising a passive optical signaling element (6) and an active optical signaling element (7) on each lateral oblique surface (5). 7.- Device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6 comprising a first support (17) comprising a plate with: a first flat side configured to join a rear face of a containment barrier with an omega-type profile (21), a second flat side oriented with a 90° inclination ewith respect to the first flat side and configured to be in contact with a lower face of the omega-type containment barrier (21), and a third flat side, parallel to the first flat side, connectable to the housing (2) via the mounting screw (16).

8. Device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6 comprising a second support (18) comprising a plate with: a first flat side, connectable to the housing (2) via the mounting screw (16), a second flat side oriented at an inclination of 90 ewith respect to the first flat side and configured to be in contact with an upper face of a concrete containment barrier (23), and a third flat side configured to join a rear face of the concrete containment barrier (23), inclined with respect to the second flat side with an inclination corresponding to the inclination of the rear face of a concrete containment barrier (23) and is configured to join it. 9.- Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims comprising an antenna.

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