FIELD OF INVENTION This invention relates generally to traffic barrier control system for use in car park. More particularly, the invention relates to a modulated gate barrier control system for allowing vehicles to enter and exit parking through a designated passage.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Traffic barrier control systems have been widely used for commercial parking lot and garages, the systems have also been heavily used in the operation of a traffic toll station on high ways for toll collection. In general, a typical traffic barrier control system has some form of movable barrier arm, which is pivotally attached to an automated motorized mechanism for lifting the barrier arm for allowing access.

The main challenges faced by a traffic barrier control system that is used in a busy commercial building are known to be system failure prevention and the down time management during maintenance. Damages on the traffic barrier system used under such a busy circumstances can either be induced externally by the user or sometimes the system may malfunction or refuse to authorize the access or due payment issue. Therefore, in case of busy commercial car park or a highway toll collection station where the traffic flows is at a substantially high volume, the failure of the barrier control system may result in a major traffic disruption not to mention cost damage.

Many commercial car parks are now operating on 24-hour basis; such car parks are sometimes being operated without any car park attendants. In the event when the system has a malfunction or damage by the user unintentionally. Therefore, in order to avoid delay, a system must be designed such that the malfunctioned system can be easily and quickly removed and replaced by a new system while the malfunctioned one are being taken for repair. Such system enables the vehicle access control to be back in operation in a short time. It is even more desirable if the failure can be easil - managed and rectify by a non-technical personnel such as a regular motorist. Additionally, some conventional traffic barrier control system mechanism may consist of an integration of some complex output control circuitry for providing different motor output for lifting the gate barrier of different sizes and weigh, and may also include the application of a counterbalance spring arrangement to counteract the weight of the gate arm. The major drawback of such design is that such system may involve complicated design and more inclined to electrical and mechanical failure. Additionally, in-situ repair or maintenance operation can sometimes be a challenge in case of system failure for such a complex system.

There are few patented technologies relating to the traffic barrier control system. One such patent is U.S. Patent No. US5895169 which relates to a collapsible and removable barricade post assembly. The post assembly is removably attached to a permanent platform. The post assembly is not covered by any housing to protect it from environmental corrosion. A man-portable temporary traffic control is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. US20090279948. The invention relates to a temporary traffic control device which can be used to temporarily control the traffic access at a certain path or area. The whole device can be retracted together with the boom so as to ease transportation. It is a temporary traffic control device and not designed for long term usage in a particular area.

Another similar patent disclosed is U.S. Patent No. US 7062879 which relates to a DC motor powered security gate. The invention has an actuating and linkage mechanism but certain electrical parts of the security gate are assembled separately in the housing. Hence this invention lacks of the mobility feature as installation or dismantling of the security gate requires more effort to install or dismantle the different parts of the security gate.

Those prior arts have their flaws and application. As a result, a new and efficient system is needed to provide a cost effective and easy to be maintained traffic barrier control system for allowing access into a car park.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION Embodiments of a traffic barrier control system are described. In one embodiment, the traffic barrier control system is a modular system which can be detachably disposed in a housing of a barrier control system.

The traffic barrier control system includes a housing, a moveable barrier arm and a modular control unit. The movable barrier arm is coupled to the modular control unit. The modular control unit is configured to move the barrier arm in between an open and a closed position for allowing traffic access. The modular control unit includes a motor for providing an output, a drive shaft, and a gear mechanism operatively connecting the motor to the drive shaft. The modular control unit may also include a clutch mechanism, an absorber system and a limit switch for adjusting the opening angle of the barrier arm.

In one embodiment, the modular control unit provides a solution for a rapid installation process and a one step repair or maintenance process, which has a low operation down time and a low repair cost. The modular control unit facilitates a rapid installation solution for a traffic barrier control system as such that the modular control unit can be easily disposed in the housing of the system by a plurality of fastening means via its platform. Hence, for carrying out maintenance work or repair, one need only to remove the modular control unit from the system and replace it with the new one with a minimal effort. In another embodiment, the barrier control system includes an absorber system which is fixably attached to the platform of the modular control unit for absorbing the force imposed on the system by the barrier arm during closing, thus provides a smooth and soft landing while improving the overall performance of the system.

The barrier control system also include a limit switch for adjusting the operational angle of the barrier arm in relative to its vertical position when opened, in accordance to the maximum allowable height or ceiling at the entrance of the car park gate.

In another embodiment, the barrier control system has an adjustable clutch mechanism which is coupled with the motor and the gear mechanism to allow a manual movement of the barrier arm in case there is no power supply or the motor malfunctioned.

The present invention consists of certain novel features and a combination of parts hereinafter fully described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings and particularly pointed out in the appended claims: it being understood that various changes in the details may be made without departing from the scope of the invention or sacrificing any of the advantages of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will be more fully understood when considered with respect to the following detailed description, appended claims and accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of one embodiment of a traffic barrier control system. FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of an exploded view of the traffic modular control unit.

FIG. 3 shows one embodiment of an absorber system.

FIG. 4 shows one embodiment of a sprocket with a stopper angle bar and screw stoppers.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of one embodiment of a traffic barrier control system (100). The present invention generally relates to a traffic barrier control systems (100) which is operable to control traffic access in and out of a parking lot or at a toll collection station. Although certain component parts are shown in conjunction with the traffic barrier control systems (100) of FIG. 1, other embodiments may implement fewer or more components, or any equivalent component, which is capable of providing a similar or even a more complex barrier controlling function. For example, some embodiments of the traffic barrier control system (100) may include an electronic system incorporated therein within the system to detect the arrival of a vehicle at a distance and subsequently authorizing the access without the need of slowing down or even stopping the vehicle.

As shown in FIG.l, the illustrated modular control unit (200) comprises a motor (202) for providing an output, a drive shaft (203) coupled to the barrier arm (105), and a gear mechanism (204) for operatively linking the motor (202) and the drive shaft (203) for moving the barrier arm (105) between an open and a closed position. The motor (202), the drive shaft (203), and the gear mechanism (204) being attached to a platform (201) and the whole modular control unit (200) is detachably disposed in the housing (101). The modular control unit (200) may also includes an absorber system (207) for absorbing forces imposed by the barrier arm (105) onto the platform (201 ) while closing and a limit switch (206) coupled with the drive shaft (203) for adjusting the opening angle of the barrier arm (105). A clutch mechanism (208) may also be incorporated to allow manual movement of the barrier arm (105) without damaging the gear mechanism (204).

In one embodiment, the modular control unit (200) is detachably disposed in the traffic barrier control system (100) by fastening means configured to provide rapid installation. The modular control unit (200) can be attached onto the housing (101) of the traffic barrier control system (100) by screws at the platform (201). Therefore, when carrying out a repair or maintenance on the system, the modular control unit (200) can be easily attached or detached onto the housing (101) of such traffic barrier control system (100) and one need only to remove the modular control unit (200) from the traffic barrier control system (100) and replace with a new one with minimal effort. This minimizes the down time because the maintenance or repair does not need to be carried out on site. With the present invention, the whole modular control unit (200) can be easily detached from the housing (101) and be replaced with another modular control unit (200) while the old one is being repaired or undergoes maintenance work.

In one embodiment, the traffic barrier control system (100) includes a housing (101) and a modular control unit (200) configured to move a barrier arm (105) between an open and a closed position for allowing traffic access. The modular control unit (100) can be operated using a manual switch by an operator stationed in a booth or by adapting an automatic activation system such as a card reader, a keypad, or another electronic reading device well known in the art.

In general, the housing (101) is an upright casing fixed permanently on the ground at the entrance and has a rectangular shape. The housing (101) is normally made from a durable and strong material such as galvanized steel. In one embodiment, the housing (101) may come in the form of two parts whereby both parts can be assembled on site to form the housing (101). These parts can be produced separately and subsequently assembled by fastening means such as rivet or nuts and bolts instead of being joined together utilizing a welding process. The elimination of the welding process may have advantageously reduced the manufacturing time and cost. In addition, the individual parts are easier to be transported compared to a fully assembled housing (101).

In the situation where there is a requirement for a heavy duty application, the side walls of the housing (101) may be further added with some reinforcement frames to further enhance the strength of the housing (101). The housing (101) may further include a panel access door (102) which is located on one of the side wall to allow access to the internal components of the system. For heat management, the housing (101) may also include multiple cut out vents (103) or even an internal electric fan (not shown) for dispersing the heat generated by the system during the operation, the heat may also be introduced into the system from the environment if the system is located under the hot sun.

FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of the modular control unit (200). The modular control unit (200) may include an arm holder (205). One end of the drive shaft (203) is configured to couple with the arm holder (205), whereby the arm holder (205) is coupled with the barrier arm (105). With the arm holder (205), the transportation and installation of the traffic barrier control system (100) becomes even more efficient. It would be easier to transport the modular control unit (200) separately with the barrier arm (105). and since the barrier arm (105) is more prone to be damaged by vehicles, it is hence more convenient to replace the barrier arm (105) which is coupled to the arm holder (205) without the need to replace the whole modular control unit (200).

The gear mechanism (204) may include a sprocket (305) and a chain (306) is operatively connecting the motor (202) and the drive shaft (203) to transfer the output from the motor (202) to rotate the drive shaft (203). hence moving the barrier arm (105). As shown in FIG. 2, the drive shaft (203), the gear mechanism (204) and the arm holder (205) are coupled rigidly together and rotate along the same axis of rotation, forming a mechanical linkage between the motor (202) and the barrier arm (105) and subsequently transferring the output from the motor (202) for moving the barrier arm (105).

In one embodiment, the drive shaft (203) can be secured rigidly onto the platform

(201) by a mounting mechanism (209). For example, the mounting mechanism (209) may include a pillow block bearing system which can secure the drive shaft (203) rigidly on the platform (201) and also allowing it to rotate. In another embodiment, the chain (306) is configured to provide a quiet and smooth movement of the barrier arm (105), which has minimum vibration. In addition, the adaptation of the chain (306) may also provide a controllable mechanism for moving the barrier arm (105) steadily at any desirable speed in accordance with the system requirement. The usage of a chain (306) is found to be more desirable than some of the known design that uses spring arrangement as a counterbalance mechanism to counteract the weight of the barrier when lowering down the barrier, which is prone to mechanical damages due to vibrations and heavy impact force as the barrier closes. The chain (306) is preferably made of metal to provide a strong and reliable linkage between the motor

(202) and the drive shaft (203) for lifting the barrier arm (105). As such, the selection of the type and mechanical strength of the chain (306) is dependent on the weight and length of the barrier arm (105) In another embodiment, the limit switch (206) is coupled to the drive shaft (203) for adjusting the operational angle of the barrier arm (105) in relative to its vertical position when opened. The operational angle or the opening angle of the barrier arm (105) in relative to its vertical position when open is depending on the length of the barrier arm (105), such operational angle may also be determined by the vertical height of the ceiling at the car park entrance. With the limit switch (206), the barrier arm (105) can be adjusted to have an operational angle which does not touch the ceiling at the car park entrance without the need of adjusting the length of the barrier arm (105). As shown in FIG. 3, an enlarged view of the absorber system (207), the absorber system (207) comprising a primary resilient means (301) and a secondary resilient means (302) for absorbing the force imposed on the platform (201) by the barrier arm (105) when closing. In one embodiment, the primary resilient means (301) is relatively stiffer than the secondary resilient means (302). The primary resilient means (301) receives the initial compressing force exerted by the barrier arm (105) towards the platform (201) while closing, and the secondary resilient means (302) receives the subsequent remaining compressing force before bringing the barrier arm (105) to a complete stop. In one embodiment, the primary resilient means (301) has a substantially higher resistance value than the secondary resilient means (302). For example, the primary resilient means (301) may include at least a spring, whereas the secondary resilient means (302) includes a compressible stopper formed from a material selected from the group consisting of rubbers, plastics and composites.

In another operational embodiment as shown in FIG. 4, the modular control unit (200) includes a stopper angle bar (403) which is attached to the sprocket (305) and is configured to rotate together with the sprocket (305) when it is driven by the drive shaft (203). A screw stopper (401) is disposed on each of the walls of the stopper angle bar (403) which are at substantially 90 degrees apart. In operation, when the barrier arm (105) is moving towards either the open or the closed position, one of the screw stopper (403) will contact the respective absorber system (207). The screw stopper (401) is actually contacting and pressing on the absorber system (207) when the barrier arm (105) moves towards the platform (201).

The secondary resilient means (302) may have a dimension which is smaller than the primary resilient means (301) and is inserted inside the primary resilient means (301). For example, when the barrier arm (105) is moving towards the platform (201). the primary resilient means (301) will first establish contact with the screw stopper (401), the primary resilient means (301) absorbs the initial compressing force exerted by the barrier arm (105) first. As the barrier arm (105) continues to move further downwards, both the primary resilient means (301) and the secondary resilient means (302) will concurrently absorb the remaining compressive force exerted by the barrier arm (105) before bringing the barrier arm (105) to a complete stop. Such a unique combination of the double absorber system provides a relatively smooth landing for the barrier arm (105) and resulted in generating a substantially low impact on the traffic barrier control system (100) hence improves the overall performance of the system.

Although specific embodiments of the invention have been described and illustrated, the invention is not to be limited to the specific forms or arrangements of parts so described and illustrated. The scope of the invention is to be defined by the claims appended hereto and their equivalents.