CN1325473A - Illuminated traffic unit and its transparent plastic elements with lighting - Google Patents

Abstract

A traffic element with illumination, comprising at least an element body (5) with a transparent plastic element (3) comprising an illumination device (4) encapsulated by the plastic of the element, the transparent plastic element being cast from a multicomponent plastic in a closed mould. Examples of traffic cells are curbs, islands, roundabout cells, road surfaces, etc. The traffic element according to the invention is perceived as a light emitting element.

Description

Illuminated traffic unit and its transparent plastic elements with lighting

The invention relates to an illuminated traffic unit comprising at least a unit body with a transparent plastic element comprising a lighting device encapsulated by the plastic of the element.

Such a traffic unit is disclosed in EP-A-0658655. For example, the traffic unit comprises a curb in which the transparent plastic element is housed in a recess. The transparent plastic element comprises a tray-shaped container of aluminum sheet material, wherein the bottom of the container rises slightly from the wall of the container. Fitted in said bottom are lighting means in the form of LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes), and the container is filled with plastic comprising light-refracting particles. Optionally, the space below the bottom can be filled as well.

The main disadvantages of such plastic elements are, firstly, that the shape of the element is limited. The element can be made of plastic provided with granules poured in a container on top of the LED. This means that its illuminated surface in contact with the environment is always flat. In particular many traffic units have various shapes, so that these traffic units cannot be illuminated in the form of transparent plastic elements with lighting means, or can only be illuminated with smaller elements. Second, pouring plastic in this type of open container is an unreliable and non-recyclable process, since air bubbles and irregularities are easily poured into the container. The prior art therefore does not allow for the reliable and reproducible production of luminescent transparent plastic elements of various shapes and designs for use in traffic units.

The object of the present invention is to provide a solution to the above-mentioned disadvantages and at the same time provide a comprehensively improved traffic unit. Therefore, in the present invention, the transparent plastic element is cast from multi-component plastic in a closed mold.

For the purposes of the present invention, casting may include both standard injection molding and transfer molding (where the encapsulated material is forced into the mold cavity by movement of the mold cavity).

Preferably, a vacuum multi-component casting process is used. The advantage of the vacuum multi-component casting process is that, due to the lower process temperature, transparent plastic components can include some components that are sensitive to high temperature, such as LEDs and optical plastic cables.

Traffic units, as well as their transparent plastic elements, are often subject to aging and, in particular, to a yellowing effect when exposed to sunlight, especially ultraviolet light. Therefore, multi-component plastics are preferably selected from polyurethane and bioresin systems, since these materials basically do not turn yellow or cloudy, thereby ensuring long-term transparency.

Traffic elements must be able to withstand frequent loads and deformations caused by traffic, for example, vehicles passing through them. Therefore, the multicomponent plastics used should have permanent elasticity and toughness. Ordinary transparent multicomponent plastics are often either hard and brittle or elastic through the addition of plasticizers, but decompose under the action of sunlight and lose their elasticity as a result. Transparent multicomponent plastics are therefore preferably elastic multicomponent plastics.

By utilizing the casting process in a closed mould, it is possible to reliably and reproducibly impart a realistic and arbitrary shape to the transparent plastic element without any constraints. The traffic unit according to the invention can thus have any shape.

Preferably, the transparent plastic element includes reinforcements in order to increase its strength and load-bearing capacity. More preferably, the reinforcement portion comprises one or more polymeric nonwoven panels.

In particular, the unit body comprises a recess in which at least a portion of the transparent plastic element is housed. It is also possible for transparent plastic elements to be placed on the unit body.

Preferably, the outer surface of the transparent plastic element substantially matches the shape of the unit body.

In current traffic, passive traffic lanes are often used, for example, in the form of white lines on the path to mark various lanes, and various instructions are also displayed in the lanes. Possible applications are lane indications, boxes within lanes and speed indications. Similarly, there are various forms of proximity indicators such as lines or bumps on the pavement. Traffic obstacles such as curbs, islands, etc. include passive warning indicators and warning signs in the form of colored lines or large lighting devices such as light boxes.

The main disadvantage of passive traffic corridors is that they often need to be illuminated by external lighting sources. This can lead to poor visibility. Even during the day, visibility can be greatly restricted in bad weather, sun setting, rain, near dusk, snow, and snow, fog, etc.

An important advantage of the traffic unit according to the invention is that it acts as a luminous object for observers on the traffic route and thus remains clearly visible.

Preferably, the part of the outer surface of the transparent plastic element which is in contact with the unit body, and/or the part of the unit body which is in contact with the transparent plastic element comprises a light absorbing material. For example, a layer of adhesive or other adhesive to which light absorbing material is attached may be used. The presence of light-absorbing material has the advantage that if the lighting means are switched off, the traffic unit becomes almost invisible. In other words, when closed, the transparent plastic element will take on the color of the light-absorbing material, especially the black material. This embodiment is particularly important if the traffic unit is a road surface. If the road surface comprises various transparent plastic elements, eg for road surfaces with both two and three lanes which serve to mark the dividing line on the road surface, it is important that the transparent plastic elements are not visible to road users when not in use.

Preferably, the portion of the outer surface of the transparent plastic element that is in contact with the unit body, and/or the portion of the surface of the unit body that is in contact with the transparent plastic element, includes a light reflective material, of an optional colour, and the one or more lighting devices face the reflective material. For example, it is also possible in this case to use a layer of adhesive or other adhesive layers which are provided with dyes or light-reflecting substances with optional colours.

In the manner that will be explained in detail below in the accompanying drawings, for example, an option is provided to give a visual effect of a particular color to the transparent plastic element, since the whole element is illuminated uniformly by it, without the presence of light, for example by LEDs etc. The visual effect of lighting up bit by bit.

Of course, the transparent plastic element can also be given a particular color by choosing a suitable plastic or subsequently coloring it in a suitable manner. Besides the use of colored plastics or the use of light-reflecting materials, it is also possible to use luminescent, phosphorescent or fluorescent materials or elements.

The transparent plastic element must have connection means for connecting the lighting device to an energy source for powering the lighting device. The term energy source refers not only to a power source, but also to a light source in the case of optical cables.

The connection means for the power supply can, for example, comprise suitable connection terminals.

This type of power supply can also be co-moulded into the plastic element, for example if solar cells with accumulators are used. This battery can be charged by sunlight during the day and power the lighting device at night.

It is also possible to combine a powered lighting device with a light guide cable.

Preferably, the unit body is provided with a continuous groove designed to accommodate wires connecting the lighting means to the energy source. Alternatives for the power supply include, for example, commonly used connection terminals which can be connected to a power supply.

In a particular embodiment, the unit body is provided with coupling means designed to connect the unit body to the coupling means of another unit body. These coupling means may take, for example, the form of a tongue-and-groove or a tongue, dovetail connection or the like.

Preferably, the coupling means also comprise connection means for connecting lighting means, so that the lighting means of unit bodies coupled together can be powered (illuminated) by an energy source via one connection.

The traffic unit according to the present invention is not limited, for example, can be selected from curbs, traffic islands, roundabout elements, turn marking blocks, public road triangles and the like. In particular, a traffic unit may be a road surface or a part thereof. The traffic unit according to the invention offers particular advantages when used as a road surface, for example for a road boundary, direction indication, or speed indication, etc.

In the case of a pavement, preferably one or more power supply leads are included for the unit body and, for the transparent plastic element, connection terminals to which said leads can be connected are preferably included. This connection will be explained in detail in the description of the drawings. It is thus possible for the supply conductors to be firstly laid in the road surface and the plastic elements to be electrically connected in turn to them in a simple manner.

In particular, in this embodiment, the power supply wire is an insulated cable insulated by an insulating layer, and the connecting terminal includes a connecting terminal of a sharp conductive material that pierces the insulating layer of the cable to form an electrical connection. This embodiment will also be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

In particular, the lighting device in a traffic unit according to the invention comprises one or more substantially planar lighting elements. A flat lighting element has the advantage that the transparent plastic element according to the invention can be made very thin. The lighting element can be easily encapsulated during the casting process in the mould. Before the casting process, the lighting device can be introduced into the mold cavity of the desired shape.

For example, the lighting elements are chosen from LEDs, electroluminescent foil segments, and preferably from light-conducting cables or elements illuminated by light-conducting cables. According to the invention, the lighting device can thus be a lighting device activated electrically from the outside of the transparent plastic element, although the lighting device can also be a device in the form of radiation by means of an external light source. The latter case may, for example, involve light-conducting cables. Also possible is a combination of both systems, ie the lighting device inside the transparent plastic element is powered by a power source located outside the transparent plastic element, the lighting device in turn forming the light source for the light guide cables etc. present inside the transparent plastic element.

The term fiber optic cable refers in particular to fiber optic quartz cables or fiber optic glass cables.

Preferably, however, a plastic optical cable having both high light output rate and low light absorption rate and low cost is used. These plastic light-conducting cables can be chosen from, for example, PMMA or polyurethane cables.

Preferably, the lighting device comprises a light-conducting cable which can be illuminated, in particular the light-exit end of the light-conducting cable is within the outer boundary of the transparent plastic element. This embodiment is particularly preferred in the case of road surfaces and will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In this document, reference is made to FR-A-2,686,104, which discloses a traffic unit comprising an optical cable. However, it does not relate to a transparent traffic unit, moreover, the outlet ends of the light-conducting cables protrude beyond the surface of the plastic elements, which means that they can easily be damaged and/or soiled. This has a negative effect on the light output ratio of the light-guide cable.

Preferably, the transparent plastic element has a substantially T-shaped cross-section. Thereby, the transparent plastic element can be fixed simply by means of a groove which has been introduced into a traffic element such as a pavement, and the vertical legs of the T-shaped cross-section are positioned in the groove. The top, which in this case is located on a traffic unit in such a structure, is preferably chamfered at its periphery towards the unit. In particular, the slots in the traffic unit are structured in such a way that the loads applied to the traffic unit, for example by vehicles, are substantially not spread in said slots, so that sensitive electronic components for the lighting device, such as A power source or light source may be accommodated therein.

The T-shaped cross-section ensures that the transparent plastic elements cannot move laterally in the traffic unit. Longitudinal movement can be adequately and reliably eliminated by a transparent plastic element partially provided with wing ribs. Such ribs are, in particular, located partly inside the transparent plastic element and partly outside it. In order to fix the transparent plastic element within the traffic unit, it is possible to arrange not only elongated grooves, but also a plurality of transverse attachment means for receiving the ribs. This embodiment will also be described in detail below.

The traffic unit preferably has positioning means for the light-conducting cable near the exit end of the light-conducting cable. This thus provides the benefit that the positioning means can hold the light-conducting cable in place when the transparent plastic element is cast-manufactured in the closed mould. The fixing means of such a rib is, for example, a protruding lug with a hole in which the end of the light-conducting cable is fastened. This is clearly possible in the case of casting in a closed mould, for the light-conducting cable to be positioned in a suitable manner.

In a preferred embodiment of the traffic unit according to the invention, the transparent plastic element comprises one or more optical elements close to the outlet end of the light-conducting cable, said optical elements being preferably made of the same material as the transparent plastic element. These optical elements are not limited in any way, but can be selected from lenses, prisms, diffusion elements, and the like.

In a specific embodiment, a plurality of LEDs are housed in an LED assembly of transparent plastic elements to illuminate the light guide cable. This is made possible by the light-conducting cables of the traffic units all leading towards the assembly. This has the advantage that, after the transparent plastic element has been manufactured, the LED assembly can be accommodated therein exchangeably and likewise easily replaced in the event of damage or other faults.

Illumination of the light-guide cable can also be achieved in some other way besides the LED assembly in the transparent plastic element. In particular, the light-guide cable can be illuminated by a light source located outside the traffic unit. In the case of inexpensive plastic light-conducting cables, there is the advantage that the transparent element can be replaced simply and cost-effectively, while the more expensive light source does not have to be replaced.

Preferably, the light-conducting cable for this purpose is connected to the first connector for connecting the light source. The light source can be chosen from many different light sources. Preferably, however, the light source comprises an LED assembly, which is present in a second connector adapted to be connected to the first connector.

The connectors used may take the form, for example, of suitably designed plugs, the light-conducting cable being terminated in one plug and the light source in the other plug or connected to said light source. The plug at which the light-conducting cable is terminated can optionally be integrated into the plastic element.

It is obvious that the positioning of the light-guide cable can be achieved in various ways; however, preferably, the light-guide cable is positioned so that the light rays away from it are at an angle of about 20° to the road surface during operation, because at this angle, the lighting And thus the transparent plastic element can be spotted very easily by passers-by.

The invention also provides a transparent plastic element comprising a plastic-encapsulated lighting device and which is produced in a closed mold by pouring multi-component plastic, which obviously can be designed for a traffic unit according to the invention.

The transparent plastic element according to the invention can be housed in the groove of the unit body, but can likewise be arranged on the unit body, for example with glue or the like.

Finally, the invention provides a rib which can obviously be designed for the transparent plastic element according to the invention.

Figures 1a, b and c show some possible traffic units according to the invention;

Figure 2 shows the section of II/II of Figure 1a;

Figure 3 shows a cross-section of a curb comprising a transparent plastic element according to the invention;

Figures 4a, b and c show various steps in the construction process of a pavement comprising transparent plastic elements according to the invention;

Figure 5 shows a pavement as a traffic unit comprising transparent plastic elements;

Figure 6 shows a perspective view of the transparent plastic element corresponding to Figure 5;

Figure 7 shows a partial cross-sectional view of the transparent plastic element corresponding to Figure 6;

Figure 8 shows an enlarged view of the section corresponding to Figure 5;

Figure 9 shows a rib according to the invention;

Figure 10 shows a side view of the transparent plastic element corresponding to Figure 6;

Figure 11 shows a perspective view of a traffic unit according to the invention, including light guide cables and light sources on the outside of the traffic unit; and

Fig. 12 shows an example of a combination of plugs for connecting an optical cable and a light source.

Figure 1a shows a perspective view of a roundabout unit, Figure 1b shows a perspective view of a roadside marker block, and Figure 1c shows a perspective view of a traffic island block. The traffic unit is identified by 1 and comprises a recess 2 housing a transparent plastic element 3 comprising lighting means in the form of LEDs. As shown in these figures, the outer surface of the transparent plastic element substantially matches the outer shape of the traffic unit body 5 . Figure 1a clearly shows the cooperating means in the form of protrusions 6 on one side and correspondingly shaped grooves 7 on the other side. These cooperating means are likewise provided with suitable connecting means for electrically connecting the LED in one element 1 to the other element.

The transparent plastic element is preferably produced from a multicomponent plastic, in particular an elastic multicomponent plastic, using a vacuum casting process.

FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of a traffic unit taken from II/II of FIG. 1a. Here the individual components are clearly visible, and the channel 8 serving to accommodate the wire 9 connecting the LED 4 to an external circuit can also be seen from the figure.

Figure 3 shows a cross section of a curb, where it can be clearly seen that the transparent plastic element comprising the LED has a curved shape.

In the above figures, the transparent plastic element is in each case housed in a recess in the body of the element. And this is only preferred, not necessary. The plastic element can also be bonded to the unit body.

Figure 4a shows the first steps in paving a road with VOAC (very open asphalt concrete). On top of the foundation that will form the bottom of the recess, an insulated electrical cable 11 is laid, which will be used for electrical connection through connection terminals 12 in the transparent plastic element 13 to power the LEDs 14 in the plastic element 13 .

The connecting terminal 12 includes a sharp edge 15 of conductive material, such as metal, which acts to pierce the insulating material of the insulated cable 11 to contact the conductor therein.

Reference numeral 16 designates an adhesive layer, which serves to fix the luminescent plastic element 13 to the foundation 10 . Disposed on the plastic element 13 is a temporary protective film 17 which can be removed after the VOAC has been applied and flattened.

FIG. 4 b shows the state where the VOAC 18 has been applied and the sharpened connector 15 has been electrically connected to the conductors within the cable 11 . The longitudinal grooves 19 serve for good and durable containment in the VOAC concrete.

In Fig. 4b, the protective film 17 has been removed. For the sake of clarity, the connection between LED 14 and connection terminal 12 is not shown in detail.

Figure 4c shows a transparent plastic element 13 which has been placed in a laminated groove 20 in an existing VOAC pavement 21 and has been bonded therein by a layer of adhesive 22. The supply lead is here identified by 23 and it can be electrically connected to the lighting device by means of a suitable sharpened connector (not shown) in the same manner as above.

Reference numeral 24 identifies a non-slip surface pattern. This prevents the transparent plastic element from becoming slippery in wet weather conditions.

In Figures 4a and 4b and 4c the adhesive may be a black adhesive or alternatively a colored adhesive. As previously discussed, the black adhesive has the advantage that the unit body is not visible when the lighting device is not powered.

FIG. 5 again shows a pavement with a transparent plastic element 25 inside it, which has an approximately T-shaped cross-section. The transparent plastic element 25 is arranged in the groove 26 of the road surface 21 and is again fixed by means of the adhesive 16 . Reference numeral 27 identifies a rib extending transversely of the transparent plastic element 25 and will be described in detail below with reference to FIG. 9 .

The transparent plastic element 25 comprises rows of bosses 28 which are provided with a lenticular element 29 at the end of the light-conducting cable 30 . This is shown more clearly in an enlarged detail view in FIG. 5 . Such a boss with a lenticular element can be cast in one piece directly in a closed mold during the production of the transparent plastic element.

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the transparent plastic element 25 corresponding to FIG. 5 . It is evident that the rows of protrusions 28 have lens-shaped elements 29 each connected to a light-conducting cable 30 .

In FIG. 7 , a partial longitudinal sectional view of the plastic element 25 of the protrusion 28 is shown, wherein the light-conducting cable 30 is shown with its end close to the lens-shaped element 29 . It can also be clearly seen that the ribs 27 serve to position the light-conducting cables during the manufacture of the transparent plastic element. Of course, the ribs may have any suitable shape and in this case serve to position the light-conducting cable in the mold during casting of the transparent plastic element in the mold.

Preferably, the ends of the light guide cable 30 are at a small distance from the outer surface of the transparent plastic material. Between the exit end of the light-guide cable and the outer surface of the optical element there may be an optical element, preferably composed of the same material as the transparent plastic element.

The angle α is preferably approximately 20° in the case of transparent plastic materials used for road surfaces.

FIG. 8 shows an enlarged detail view of the section of FIG. 5 , wherein the groove 26 is visible, into which the legs of the T-shaped transparent plastic element are introduced. Also visible here is a light-conducting cable 30 which is connected to a schematically indicated LED 31 . By means of the supply lead 32, the LED 31 can be connected in the same manner as described with reference to FIG.

Thus, the transparent plastic element shown in the above figures and designed for road surfaces comprises, as lighting means, a light-conducting cable which can be illuminated by means of LEDs in the transparent plastic element. Yet additionally it is also possible to illuminate the light-conducting cable by means of a light source located outside the transparent plastic element, for example, the light-conducting cable can extend to a plug which in turn is connected to a second plug comprising a light source.

FIG. 9 shows an embodiment of a rib 27 having a protrusion 33 thereon with a positioning opening 34 for positioning the light-conducting cable 30 when the transparent plastic element is poured in the mould. The advantage of using such ribs 27 is that the ribs 27 not only accurately position the optical cable 30 when the transparent plastic element 25 is manufactured, but also when the transparent plastic element 25 is positioned to the road surface or some other traffic as described with reference to the above figures. Accurate positioning of the unit.

The vertical legs of the T-shaped cross-section of the transparent plastic element 25 provide good stability against the possible transverse stresses to which the transparent plastic element may be subjected. Longitudinal stresses are completely relieved by the ribs 27 protruding locally from the material of the transparent plastic element 25 . It is thus possible to provide not only longitudinal slots for the vertical legs of the T-shaped cross-section, but also various transverse slots for the ribs 27 before the transparent plastic element is positioned eg in the road surface.

FIG. 10 shows a side view of the transparent plastic element corresponding to FIG. 5 . Reference numeral 35 denotes a replaceable LED assembly comprising a plurality of LEDs all connected to one or more light guide cables. The advantage of using an LED module is that the module 35 can be fitted, for example after the transparent plastic element has been manufactured, and can be easily replaced in case of damage or failure.

Fig. 11 shows a perspective view of a traffic unit as in Fig. 1b, however, the lighting element comprises a light-conducting cable 30, one end of which is close to the surface of the transparent plastic element 3, and is here capable of illuminating the traffic by means of diffusion unit. All of the optical cables 30 are incorporated into a first connector, shown here as a plug 36 . The plug 36 is matably connectable to a socket including a light source.

An example of such a plug assembly is shown in FIG. 12 . This plug assembly includes a first connector 37 and a second connector 38 of mating configuration. The connector 37 is a plug including a housing 39 from which the optical cable 30 extends. The second connection 38 comprises a plug with a housing 40 in which is located an LED which can be powered by means of a power supply cable 42 . The housing 40 fits into the housing 39 . Thereby, the light guide cable 30 can be illuminated by the LED 41 resulting in illumination of the traffic unit as shown in FIG. 11 . It is obvious that other lighting means can be used instead of LEDs.

Claims (19)

1. traffic unit that has illumination, at least comprise unit main body with transparent plastic element, this transparent plastic element comprises by the lighting device of the Plastic Package of element, it is characterized in that, the transparent plastic element is formed by the multi-component plastics cast in closed mould.

2. traffic unit as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, multi-component plastics is to choose from polyurethane series or transparent organism resin system.

3. traffic unit as claimed in claim 1 or 2 is characterized in that, multi-component plastics is the elasticity multi-component plastics.

4. as the described traffic unit of claim 1 to 3, it is characterized in that plastic components comprises the enhancing part.

5. traffic unit as claimed in claim 4 is characterized in that, strengthens part and comprises one or more non-woven polymer wallboards.

6. as each described traffic unit in the above-mentioned claim, it is characterized in that the external surface of transparent plastic element profile basic and unit main body is mated.

7. as each described traffic unit in the above-mentioned claim, it is characterized in that traffic unit is the part on road surface (18,21) or road surface.

8. as each described traffic unit in the above-mentioned claim, it is characterized in that lighting device comprises photoconduction cable (30), described cable can be illuminated.

9. traffic unit as claimed in claim 8 is characterized in that the photoconduction cable comprises the photoconduction plastic ca-ble.

10. traffic unit as claimed in claim 8 or 9 is characterized in that the light output end that is designed to luminous photoconduction cable (30) is positioned in the external boundary of transparent plastic element (25).

11., it is characterized in that transparent plastic element (25) has the roughly cross section of T shape as each described traffic unit in the above-mentioned claim.

12. as one or multinomial described traffic unit among the claim 8-11, it is characterized in that, the positioner that is used for the photoconduction cable be present in the photoconduction cable light output end near.

13., it is characterized in that the transparent plastic element comprises one or more optical elements that are used for photoconduction cable output as one or multinomial described traffic unit among the claim 8-12.

14. traffic unit as claimed in claim 13 is characterized in that, the optical element that is present in photoconduction cable output upstream is by making with transparent plastic element identical materials.

15. as one or multinomial described traffic unit among the claim 8-14, it is characterized in that, comprise a plurality of LED in the LED assembly (35) in transparent plastic element (25), to illuminate the photoconduction cable.

16., it is characterized in that photoconduction cable (30) can be illuminated by the light source that is positioned at the traffic unit outside as one or multinomial described traffic unit among the claim 8-15.

17. as one or multinomial described traffic unit among the claim 8-16, it is characterized in that, be that photoconduction cable (30) is oriented to form about 20 ° angle away from their light and the road surface that is illuminated (25) in use under the situation of a part on road surface or road surface at traffic unit.

18. transparent plastic element that comprises lighting device, described lighting device is by the Plastic Package of element, and described transparent plastic element is formed by the multi-component plastics cast in closed mould, and it obviously is designed to as one or multinomial described traffic unit among the claim 1-17.

19. a rib, it obviously is designed to transparent plastic element as claimed in claim 18.

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