DE10032201B4 - Method for operating a freely writable, glare-free and energy-saving traffic light system in the traffic area and device system for its realization - Google Patents

Abstract

method to operate a freely writable, glare-free and energy-saving Traffic light system in the traffic area where software commands control the traffic light system over make a driver circuit and write the software commands the traffic light system in a microcomputer-based drive unit (8) of liquid crystal displays (2, 3, 4) are fed as part of the traffic light system, characterized in that light from the surroundings of the traffic light system in a housing (1) Any geometrical figure passes, the light through support plates of the liquid crystal displays (2, 3, 4) of color-structured dichroic polarization glass occurs or by utilizing the reflective / transflekriven effect the liquid crystal displays (2, 3, 4) the light penetrates into the front (E) of the displays and the light by switching in freely selectable spectral ranges in Form of color and structure the displays (2, 3, 4) over the the viewer facing front (E) leaves.

Description

The The invention relates to a method for operating glare-free and energy-saving Traffic lights in the traffic sector, with the representable Information of the traffic lights be virtually unlimited can. There are proposals according to the invention for the realization of the method by a device system submitted.

The Field of application of the invention extends e.g. on traffic lights to Traffic control or on traffic lights of motor vehicles.

As known, there are traffic lights in the traffic essentially from mechanical structures of metal or plastics or the combinations of both, suitably conventional electric bulbs individually or in structured groups record such that through individual or groupwise control of the lamps corresponding Information is transmitted to road users. All of these Display is common that the information about active bulbs take place and that of the bulbs luminosity to be dispensed higher than which must be the environment.

The DIN 67 527 leads to that the Detecting colored signal lights from the surrounding luminance (background luminance) depends.

To the light levels is noticed that at the Determination of the light intensities it was assumed that the advancement a liquid Procedure in the traffic even with the largest occurring Background luminosity by day (white clouds in the sky) one possible high conspicuousness of Signal light is generated and on the other hand at night and low Backlight densities avoided glare as much as possible becomes. In sunny weather leads this leads to the well-known problem of glare, i. the information the traffic light system are not unique or difficult to recognize.

One Another problem is the so-called phantom light. The DIN 67527 leads to from: "phantom light is reflected by the signal light Ambient light (most common Sunlight), through which a light signal is generated without the light source the signal light is on. "

hereby creates an unwanted, possibly ambiguous information that can be dangerous for traffic.

you distinguishes filament phantom light, Reflex phantom light and mirror phantom light, depending on whether the extraneous light from the light source, from the front pane of the light box or from the mirror of the signal light (the bulb) thrown back becomes. Phantom light can occur especially with signal lights, the (in the northern hemisphere of the earth) to the cardinal directions East over South to West are aligned. Especially affected by this effect are in middle latitudes in the months of highest sunshine in the morning in the east / south-east direction and in the afternoon in the west / south-west direction aligned signal lights.

One Another problem with the currently used, self-luminous Traffic lights are the representation of symbols (e.g., arrows Etc.). To this end, DIN 67527 notes the following: "Through the symbols, the light intensities are approximated in the ratio of glowing surfaces smaller."

The Power consumption of the bulbs is always according to the above reason chosen so that the emitted luminosity higher and higher is the maximum background luminance in the corresponding region.

Of the Energy consumption of conventional Traffic light systems is thus very high.

to Avoiding the glare or the phantom light are complex mechanical shading devices necessary.

Under Others are needed by the high power consumption of the bulbs and necessary shading devices conventional Traffic light systems in the purchase, in the enterprise and in their Maintenance very expensive.

It is according to DE 44 09 777 A1 a traffic light system is known, which has a display as display device and is controlled by a microcomputer, wherein brightness sensors measure the ambient brightness and give this information to the drive unit. The brightness sensor detects the light of actively lit signal sources, which - as previously stated - in sunny weather can lead to the appearance of phantom light or at night to dazzle the traffic lights.

The DE 42 10 967 A1 deals with a preferred mobile photof lighting system to control the change in direction of road traffic The display panels can be designed as a liquid crystal display, so that alpha-numeric characters or Soder special characters can be displayed with appropriate switching of the display fields.

The previously known traffic light systems in the transport sector is peculiar that they hardware dingt with a small, fixed default character set are equipped.

It is therefore the object of the invention, a method of control a freely writable, glare-free and energy-saving traffic light system to propose in the transport sector. Through a corresponding procedure should be ensured in the control of the traffic light system that at low Energy consumption "glare-free" is achieved, i. that too in sunny weather the information of the traffic light system is good can be seen. Furthermore, this should potentially endanger traffic Phantom light, i. the reflected by the traffic light system Ambient light, no longer visible. Next is an arbitrary character set for the Traffic light system available stand so that in In any case, the just needed Information with good visibility can be switched on. With the corresponding device system become suggestions submitted for the realization of the method.

According to the invention Task solved as follows, being with regard to the fundamental inventive thought up Reference is made to claim 1. The further embodiment of Invention results from the claims 2 to 12.

to Presentation of the invention will be made further embodiments.

It is intended here briefly to the patent application DE 198 07 121 A1 To be received. In this patent application liquid crystal displays are described, which are characterized in that the support plates of the liquid crystal displays consist of color structured dichroic polarization glass in which dichroic color filters are embossed, the dichroic color filter in the sense of color filter layers within an orthogonal matrix and the color filter layers of the support plate (support plates) ranging from their surface to a depth of a few um rich. The support plates are in turn by a special process (see the DE 196 42 116 A1 ) structured.

According to here present Patent application consist of the traffic lights from a free to be described liquid crystal display uniform structure, which as a color filter and polarizers contains dichroic inorganic color polarizers. By the combination of liquid crystal substances and dichroic color polarizer colored flat displays are produced. These colored flat displays can both reflective and transmissive or in both states (transflective) operate. These flat displays with dichroic color polarizer and suitably adjusted liquid crystal substances can be used in the temperature range from minus approx. 50 ° C to plus 130 ° C.

On Due to low energy consumption, it is possible to use power electronics and thus to avoid costly investments. Therefore, done because of the low energy consumption, the control of the bulbs microcomputer-based and is feasible by means of known control techniques of display technology.

On Due to the low energy consumption, it is also possible to use the Control information for the traffic light system over Provide radio from a central computer.

in the Composite with one or more liquid crystal displays as optical active component is any needed Information can be displayed optionally. The information presented are software controlled. Your stock is practically inexhaustible.

in the Interaction of brightness sensors and the microcomputer-aided drive unit for the liquid crystal displays and by the structure of the liquid crystal displays will it be possible that under sufficient contrast is given to all brightness conditions and no phantom light bothers anymore. The information is generated by switching extraneous light (e.g. Sunlight) in the form of color and texture.

The Invention will now be explained with reference to two embodiments. The individual figures show a schematic diagram:

1 - Front view of liquid crystal displays with housing

2 - Side view according to 1

3 - Front view accordingly 1 , Arrangement in an outer housing

4 - Section XX according to 3 (partially)

1

casing

2

liquid crystal displays with dichroic color polarizers

3

liquid crystal displays with dichroic color polarizers

4

liquid crystal displays with dichroic color polarizers

5

display ports

6

fasteners

7

radio system

 8th

microcomputer-aided drive unit

9

power adapter (if necessary)

10

power supply

11

outer casing

12

light source

13

screw

A, B, C, D

Side surfaces of housing 1

e

front the displays

F

Front surface of the housing

1st embodiment:

There are three liquid crystal displays 2 . 3 . 4 (It may also be only one), both reflective and transmissive work and can be used in a temperature range of about minus 50 ° C to plus 130 ° C, in a housing 1 cast in transparent synthetic resin. The side surfaces A, B, C and D and the rear wall of the housing 1 are coated in such a way that light can penetrate from the outside, but inside can escape in the first place only via the front side E of the display facing the viewer.

In the case 1 are suitable fasteners 6 brought in.

From the side surface B protrude the display connections 5 for the liquid crystal displays 2 . 3 and 4 out.

At the fasteners 6 is about a screw connection 13 the outer casing 11 attached. This can consist of different materials (metal, plastics), in the embodiment of glass fiber reinforced plastic (GRP).

• – Empfangen und Umsetzen von Steuerungsbefehlen bzw. Befehlsstrukturen von zentraler Steuereinheit (Dispatcherstelle)
• – Empfangen und Umsetzen von Steuerungsbefehlen bzw. Befehlsstrukturen. von anderen Ampeln oder geeigneten Sensoren im Ampelvorfeld (intelligente Verkehrssteuerung). Gleichzeitig kann sie Angaben über Betriebszustände als auch Störungen der Lichtzeichenanlage zu einer Dispatcherstelle senden.

In the outer housing 11 is the radio system 7 attached, which allows the following control modes:

• - Receive and implement control commands or command structures from central control unit (dispatcher)
• - Receive and implement control commands or command structures. from other traffic lights or suitable sensors in the traffic light apron (intelligent traffic control). At the same time, it can send information about operating states as well as disturbances of the traffic light system to a dispatcher.

When Radio medium can usual GSM networks or, where already available, the new European radio standard TETRA.

The radio information is transferred to the microcomputer-based control unit 8th the liquid crystal displays 2 . 3 and 4 fed. Here they are converted into control commands for control.

At the same time, the control unit monitors 8th All important operating conditions and can this (especially interference) via the radio system 7 to a dispatcher.

The supply of the radio system 7 as well as the drive unit 8th with electrical energy via the power supply 10 , In the embodiment, a suitable buffer battery set is used in a voltage supply from an externally connected photovoltaic system. For a normal supply with 230 V voltage would be here a suitable power supply 9 be used.

From the power supply 10 relates a suitably dimensioned light source 12 in the housing 11 is attached, their supply voltage. About brightness sensors controls the control unit 8th that from the light source 12 luminosity to be dispensed. That from the light source 12 Outgoing light passes over the side surface A of the housing 1 into this, is by appropriately driven liquid crystal displays 2 . 3 . 4 changed in the desired manner and leaves the display on the front facing the viewer E. In contrast to the known traffic light systems, the information is no longer represented by actively lit signal sources, but by switching extraneous light (eg sunlight) and own light (light source 12 ) in the form of color and structure.

The information of the traffic light system is no longer realized by hardware with a small, fixed default character set, but by software commands that arrive in a suitable form to the traffic light system and the control of the traffic light system via a microcomputer-based drive unit 8th make.

It is useful if in the outer housing 11 the traffic light system the light source 12 , the microcomputer-based control unit 8th and for data transfer, the radio system 7 are arranged.

2nd embodiment:

In the first embodiment, it was assumed that the side surfaces A, B, C and D and the rear wall of the housing are coated such that light can penetrate from the outside, but this light exits primarily only via the front E of the displays. In contrast to the 1 to 4 It is possible that the light enters a coated housing, which - as far as appropriate - can have any geometric shape. Of course, the front surface F of the housing 1 also be coated. On the other hand, it is possible for the liquid crystal displays to be separate from the housing 1 are arranged, if by known per se measures the support plates of the liquid crystal displays, the light is supplied from the housing.

Claims (12)

Method for operating a freely writable, glare-free and energy-saving traffic light in the traffic area with software commands make the control of the traffic light system via a driver circuit and the software commands for describing the traffic light system in a microcomputer-based drive unit ( 8th ) of liquid crystal displays ( 2 . 3 . 4 ) are fed as part of the traffic light system, characterized in that light from the environment of the traffic light system in a housing ( 1 ) of any geometrical figure, the light passes through support plates of the liquid crystal displays ( 2 . 3 . 4 ) of color-structured dichroic polarization glass or by utilizing the reflective / transflekriven effect of liquid crystal displays ( 2 . 3 . 4 ) the light penetrates into the front (E) of the displays and the light by switching in freely selectable spectral ranges in the form of color and structure the displays ( 2 . 3 . 4 ) leaves the viewer facing the front (E). A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the light by switching in freely selectable spectral ranges in the form of color and structure in a luminous intensity, which stands out clearly distinguishable from the background luminance of the traffic light system and the environment, the displays ( 2 . 3 . 4 ) leaves the viewer facing the front (E). Method according to Claims 1 and 2, characterized in that light from the vicinity of the traffic light system is conveyed through coated surfaces (A, B, C, D) and the coated rear wall of a housing ( 1 ) penetrates and over the viewer facing front (E) of the displays ( 2 . 2 . 4 ) leaves. Process according to Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that sunlight is transmitted through the coated surfaces (A, B, C, D) and the coated rear wall and the coated front surface of the housing (A, B, C, D). 1 ) penetrates and over the viewer facing front (E) of the displays ( 2 . 3 . 4 ) leaves. Method according to Claims 1 and 2, characterized in that brightness sensors are an artificial light source ( 12 ), if, in insufficient brightness, the light emitted by the liquid crystal displays ( 2 . 3 . 4 ) leaves in its light strength no longer clearly distinguishable from the background luminance of the traffic light system, the light of the light source ( 12 ) by carrier plates of the liquid crystal displays ( 2 . 3 . 4 ) of color-structured dichroic polarization glass and the light of the light source ( 12 ) by switching in freely selectable spectral ranges in the form of color and structure the displays ( 2 . 3 . 4 ) leaves the viewer facing the front (E). A method according to claim 1 and / or one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that for the representation of information a switching of extraneous light (eg sunlight) and own light (eg light source 12 ) takes place in freely selectable spectral ranges in the form of color and structure. Method according to Claim 1 and / or one of Claims 2 to 6, characterized in that information is transmitted to the traffic light system and that these are transmitted as software commands to the microprocessor-based evaluation unit ( 8th ) are fed. Device system for implementing a freely writable, glare-free and energy-saving traffic signal system in the traffic area according to claim 1, wherein a microcomputer-aided evaluation unit ( 8th ), which are connected via display connections ( 5 ) is connected to the liquid crystal layer, furthermore brightness sensors are placed at or near the traffic light system and with the microcomputer-aided evaluation unit ( 8th ) are in contact, characterized in that the traffic light system in the sense of liquid crystal displays ( 2 . 3 . 4 ) consists of freely writable screens of uniform structure, the liquid crystal displays ( 2 . 3 . 4 ) as color filters and polarizers contain dichroic inorganic color polarizers, the housing ( 1 ) has any geometric shape and the housing ( 1 ) consists of transparent material and the housing ( 1 ) is expediently coated in such a way that light can penetrate from the outside, but inside it can mainly escape only via the front side (E) of the displays facing the observer. Device system according to claim 8, characterized in that a radio system ( 7 ) as an assembly of the traffic signal system for receiving and converting control commands with the microrechner-controlled evaluation unit ( 8th ) is in contact. Device system according to claim 8, characterized in that the liquid crystal displays ( 2 . 3 . 4 ) on the housing ( 1 ) or are arranged separately from this and in the case of a separate arrangement by measures known per se, the support plates of the liquid crystal displays ( 2 . 3 . 4 ) the light can be supplied from the housing. Device system according to claim 8, characterized in that the reflective, transmissive as well as transflective liquid crystal displays ( 2 . 3 . 4 ) can be used in the wide temperature range of about minus 50 ° C to plus 130 ° C. Device system according to claim 8, characterized ge indicates that the device system supplying photovoltaic system is given.