SUPPLIED BY ENERGY OBTAINED FROM SOLAR PANELS

TECHNICAL FIELD

Technical field, to which the invention relates, in general terms, belongs to the field of electrical engineering applied in traffic, and more specifically relates to a device for easy and safe use of pedestrian crossings, particularly these near schools and kindergartens.

According to the International Patent Classification (IPC, Int. CI. ⁸ ) the object of the invention is classified and labeled by classification symbol E 01 F 9/04 which relates to arrangements of road signs or traffic signals, particularly to road surface markings; specially adapted for informing road users, e.g. illuminated.

TEHNICAL PROBLEM

The technical problem which has to be solved by this invention consists in the following: how to make the structure of pedestrian zebra crossing, which will be illuminated when pedestrians are going across them or intend to enter into them, whereby such zebra crossings has to be located near schools or kindergartens, or in risky traffic areas allowing much higher safety degree for pedestrians effectively increasing attention and alertness of drivers and which will be particularly useful in conditions of poor visibility and at night, regardless of lighted road by the lights of the car and that at the same time power supply of lights embedded in the zebras white areas, which are emitting light, is performed by using solar panels, but that their work does not depend on the AC power supply network, and that the light is on only when there are pedestrians on the crossing, as well that there exist a backup power supply in the event of a prolonged lack of solar energy which causes work of the solar power supply, as well that the structure of lighting elements is consistent and resistant to mechanical damages and various weather conditions, with the ability to work in temperature extremes.

BACKGROUND ART

Methods of safe use of roads, especially the design of measures and procedures to ensure safety in sensitive pedestrian crossings, particularly near schools, represent a serious multidisciplinary problem in which solving participate the traffic and construction experts, educators and population, because its proper addressing achieve important goals in preserving children life.

For this purpose, today are most commonly used clearly marked pedestrian crossings with previously placed a variety of technical means for traffic calming: artificial bumps - speed bumps, plateau, rustling lanes, vibrating lanes and the like. With the development of fluorescent strips and fluorescent coatings pedestrian crossings have been made significantly more noticeable. Today there are a number of technical solutions based on enhanced lighting of pedestrian crossings or intensified visibility of white surfaces on zebra crossings based on a combination of fluorescent white strips with supplementary lighting focused on them, on flashing lights positioned at the level of road, directly in front of and behind the crossing, whereby is achieved increased carefulness from the driver and pedestrians made more easily visible.

The development of Light Emitting Diodes - LEDs, their application is extended to traffic signalization. A growing number of constructors' start using the new LED technology, because it effectively replacing incandescent light bulbs coated by filters and reflective glass lenses, and also have a shorter lifespan and require much more work for maintain.

New types of lamps based on LED and OLED technology offer great possibilities for application in solving problem of better traffic crossing illumination. Benefits they enable in application of the traffic signs are based on the following:

- LED produces significantly more light at the same power (W) in relation to the known and classic means of illumination,

- Brightness obtained with LED can be pointed directly at the target,

- LED has a long life (approximately 50,000 hours, the emission intensity decreases by about 20%).

An example of this way of solving the problem of safety at pedestrian crossings can be seen through a Chinese utility model CN201241312 (Y) 2009.05.20 entitled "Novel zebra crossing" showing the pedestrian zebra crossing with plurality of white lines and yellow lines with a certain distance, and fluorescent powder arranged on the surface of the line body; an outer surface of the line with fluorescent powder is fixedly connected with a consistent transparent plastic protection sleeve. This pedestrian crossing is much more visible than the widely used pedestrian crossings in which wide strips of bright colored mostly white or yellow waterproof paint, which, however, during time is losing its glow, becomes matted, and therefore harder visible in terms of deterioration of visibility.

Significantly better technical solution is shown in Chinese utility model CN 202787120 (U) 2013.03.13 entitled "Road-occupation prevention zebra stripes ". According to this technical solution a pedestrian zebra crossing is shown on whose bright surfaces is applied a fluorescent coating that significantly enhances the attention of the driver. Characteristic for the invention is that part of the pedestrian crossing consists of two oppositely derived convex surfaces, arranged so that they are on the side of the road from which the vehicle encounters a pedestrian crossing, which further affects the vehicle deceleration and therefore greater pedestrian safety. These stripes contain under angle of 45 ° fluorescent colored white and yellow narrow lines making that such zebra seems increasingly visible. Disadvantage of this solution also, is reflected in the fact that after some time, especially in winter and in rainy periods painted surfaces assume a matte finish which is why these are less visible. As in the previous case, it should be noted that the effect of such crossings caused by lighting system that comes from the headlights of cars, but when there is no light that they create, fluorescent effect can not be manifested.

Japanese patent application JP H1046529 A1 1998.02.17 shows the invention entitled "Zebra crossing" which includes the crosswalk with broad white stripes lined with phosphorescent coating, over which is applied at least one fluorescent layer and which is containing a main pillar on which solar panels are secured by means of which is powered a reflecting light so that the light is directed to pedestrian crosswalk. The lamp is activated when on the surface of the stripes with sensors, positioned on the end of the zebra crossing, enter one or more persons, so that the pedestrians crossing are illuminated as long as pedestrians are moving over crossing. Power supply of lamps is effected by energy received from the solar panels. This solution has also as major shortcoming the fact that the over time strip become dirty, resulting in significantly reduced light effect of the fluorescent strips.

THE ESSENCE OF THE INVENTION

The essence of the invention is in the fact that the construction of the zebra crossing is made in such a way that it contains at least one solar panel that is over the console placed near the pavement directly to the pedestrian crossing, and is connected to the housing which contain an electronic set that consists of a control box, charge controller, rechargeable battery, charger connector, supplying cables that connect a pressure activated plate in which are embedded sensors with LED drivers and LED strips placed in boxes inserted in the hollow trays, in form of shallow cuboids buried in the crosswalk, where the boxes are closed with a lids consistent enough to withstand the loads created by pedestrians and vehicles , and thereby fully protect the LEDs from being damaged.

The essence of the invention lies also in the fact that the illuminated zebra is made in such a way that is illuminated only while the pedestrians are on the crossing, or are moving during crossing, which is realized by a pressure-activated panel placed on the ends of zebra crossing in which are situated sensors connected with the corresponding electric microcontroller that regulates the activation and deactivation of LED drivers and duration of power supply of LEDs, depending on time needed to get across a pedestrian crossing, thus avoiding unnecessary, continuous illumination of the crossing, as well achieved energy savings.

The essence of the invention is also the fact that the device, allowing illumination of zebra crossing, is autonomous and does not require additional cabling, i.e. it is independent from the AC power supply, as well of other power supplies (for whose work is used gasoline, oil, etc.). Since the device according to the subject invention, in its work uses exclusively solar energy, therewith it meets the highest criteria for environmental friendly devices i.e. represent a clean energy source. The essence of the invention is the fact that this kind of illumination of pedestrian crossings is easily noticeable from the larger distance and therefore it provides a higher level of protection for pedestrians and because of that is its use especially important for sensitive categories, such as children, noting that such a zebra crossing achieves a double effect: increase the visibility of pedestrians and perform additional distraction to the driver that a pedestrian is on the crossing, or is wanted to cross the street.

The essence of the invention is also the fact that a pedestrian crossing carried out of a such way is much more economical in the work, because for the same quality of classic illumination consumes significantly less energy, which is by the way environmentally renewable and thereby requires minimal maintenance.

In addition to the foregoing the present invention has the following advantages compared to the known technical solutions, the most important of which are cited as follows:

- No interruption of power supply because there is an alternative source of supply in the absence of sunlight;

- The possibility of setting up the device is not limited by temperature conditions, because the device operates in the range -40°C to + 85°C with high resistance to moisture;

- Compatibility for connection of additional warning signs based on the use of

LEDs;

- Easy to move and set up a new location;

- The ability to design the supporting console so that these carry the housing in whose interior is placed a battery and associated electronics that allows operation of the respective device, while the outer walls of the housing can be used as an advertising space.

SHORT DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

In order to facilitate understanding of the invention, by way of example only, reference is made to the accompanying drawings where:

Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of connections between solar panels, consoles with stand and housing and the zebra crossing with pressure-activated surfaces and illuminating strips with LEDs;

Figure 2 shows a block diagram of connections from solar panel to electronic circuitry which enables work of respective devices;

Figure 3 is a longitudinal cross-section of the cavity with a transparent lid, containing strips with LEDs;

Figure 4 is a longitudinal cross-section of the cavity with a transparent lid in pamplex variant with inserted LED. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has completely solved pre-defined technical problem.

As it easy may be seen by observing the accompanying drawing illuminated zebra crossing supplied by energy provided from solar panels consists of at least one solar panel 1 , console 2, stand 3, a housing 4, control box 5, supplying cables 6, pressure activated plate 7 with sensors 8 connected with LED strips 9, LEDs 10 inserted in boxes 24 placed into a prismatic channels 1 made on the white segments of the zebra crossings, which boxes 24 are closed with transparent protective covers 12.

Solar panels 1 are of the standard preparation and number of them is determined by the anticipated capacity of the solar charger. Since these are well-known in the art, and as technology of their manufacture constantly changes, it will be in the present specification, only presented in order to evidence the feasibility of the invention, without unnecessary explanation related to the way they work. Solar panels 1 are fastened to the top of the console 2, which may be of different shape and design adapted to the surrounding area, whereas it is important that these are not hidden from the effects of the sun, or that their location and orientation is chosen so as to allow a longer exposure to solar energy. Therefore the care should be taken that these are less blocked by surrounding buildings, trees, etc. Console 2 is made of material strong enough to provide protection from mechanical damage and that it is safe to attach solar panels 1 to them.

Solar panels 1 are through the console 2 connected to the housing 4 designed as a hollow body with different shapes, conditioned by designers and their architectural requirements, in order to functionally and aesthetically more optimally fit in the space provided. The lower part of the console 2 is fixed to the ground via the stand 3, which is in Figure 1 shown as the round plate, but can be of different shape and size, and which stand 3 is fixed to the ground by the long steel bolts 13, which enable its full stability. Console 2, in the example shown on the drawing illustrated the invention, is made of steel or consistent plastic, strong enough to safely carries solar panels 1 and provides protection against mechanical damage. As it can be seen in Figure 1, where is shown a variant embodiment of the present invention according to which the console 2 has three hollow arms that are curved at the bottom and at the top and symmetrically spaced at 120° and bent so that near the bottom allow mounting of the of the housing 4, which is most preferably made of steel and which serves for acceptance of the rechargeable battery pack 16 and of control box 5 containing: a timer 21 , electronic unit 22 for regulating the pedestrian crossings intervals, a microcontroller 5, a charging controller 14 and electronic LED power regulator driver 17 with a switch 20. Console 2 serves as a carrier of solar panels 1 and simultaneously through console 2 are routed a power cables 6 for the transmission of electrical energy converted from solar panels 1 to the charging controller 14. It should be noted that the console 2 can be designed in other ways, such as hollow vertical pillar of different sections but which are wide enough to enable power cables 6 routed through it. By observing Figure 3 it can be seen that the zebra crosswalk is designed so that is made of alternately, perpendicular with respect to road, parallel, evenly spaced, rectangular bright and dark surfaces 18, 19, whereby bright surfaces 18 represent prismatic shallow channels 11 in which are placed boxes 24 of rectangular cross-section and in which are inserted LED strips 9 with LEDs 10 arranged to form an illuminating line, in series connection and connected to the control box 5. At the beginning of zebra crossing is placed a rectangular pressure activated plate 7 equally long as bright surfaces 18, in which are embedded sensors 8 and which is designed such that under the step pressure caused by a pedestrian when crossing activates the switch 20 to turn on the supply of LEDs 10.

By observing Figure 2 it can be seen that the solar energy which is in solar panels 1 is converted into electricity through the controller 14 of charging is supplying a battery pack 16, a timer 21 , an electrical unit 22 regulating the pedestrian crossings intervals and current voltage regulator, LED driver 17 connected to the microcontroller 15 which controls the operation of the switch 20 by actuation of LED diodes 10 when pedestrians step on the pressure activation plate 7 or when the pedestrians are located on the crossings.

Prismatic channels 11 are covered with transparent covers 12 which provide full mechanical protection of LEDs 10 and likewise a protection against water and moisture penetration, and thereby enabling a full transmission of light generated by LEDs 10. The covers 12 are rectangular in shape, and their edges fit the upper edges 24 sealing the boxes which are fixed to the floor by steel screws 23. Process of switching on and off of LEDs 10 is controlled by a microcontroller 15 via a switch 20. Pedestrians moving over crossings are easily visible from a great distance, and a light emitted from the bright surfaces 18 additionally warn drivers, so that the crossing pedestrian crossing becomes much safer and more secure. As long as pedestrians are on the zebra crossing illuminating surface 18 are active. After a while, if no more pedestrians are on a pedestrian crossing, the timer 21 in the control box 5 turn off the power so that the pedestrian crossing unlit, until a new pedestrian or a group of pedestrians step on some of the pressure activated plates 7, thus the process of crosswalk lighting is repeated. Timer 21 in addition to functions of turning on and off of LEDs 10 has also the role of determining the operation mode of control box 5, so that coordinates the day-night operation mode and performs turning on and disconnection of LEDs 10 depending on the frequency of the zebra crossing for the entire school year (arrival of students and starting the classes, completion of classes, work during school holidays, etc.), which significantly rationalize the length of lighting transitions over the crossing and achieve energy savings.

Within the description of the present invention, also is described a variant solution for making a covers 25 for covering the bright surfaces 18 in the zebra crosswalk according to which covers 25 of rectangular surfaces close the boxes 24 inserted in prismatic channels 32 so that the lateral side edges of the covers 25 fit the top edges of the box 24, whereby the sealing is done so that do not allow the passage of water and moisture into the channels 32. The covers 25, according to this variant solution, are designed as laminated (pamplex) transparent plates consistent enough to withstand the weight of pedestrians and vehicles, and are made such a way that between transparent panels 26, 27, into the layer 31 of adhesive is inserted a LED strip 28 with LEDs 29 that are connected to control box 5 and powered in the same way as strips in the basic embodiment of the invention. Fastening of covers 25 to the ground is realized by means of long screws 30.

INDUSTRIAL OR OTHER APPLICATIONS OF THE INVENTION

Industrial production of the present invention, is absolutely possible in the factories for the production of electronic equipment and devices, and even in well-equipped workshops for manufacture of components and assemblies of electronic devices according to the working documentation which may be easily done by experts in the subject area using the description and drawings of this application.

The invention is suitable for mass production and is fully applicable in urban areas, in regions that provide maximum supply of solar panels by solar energy providing so the protection of pedestrian crossings also in those places where there is no AC mains power supply.

Application of the invention is particularly recommended nearby of schools, kindergartens and other places where of children gathering, as well near hospitals, sports facilities and the like.