EP1344200A1 - Led-signal device for traffic lights - Google Patents
Led-signal device for traffic lightsInfo
- Publication number
- EP1344200A1 EP1344200A1 EP00991113A EP00991113A EP1344200A1 EP 1344200 A1 EP1344200 A1 EP 1344200A1 EP 00991113 A EP00991113 A EP 00991113A EP 00991113 A EP00991113 A EP 00991113A EP 1344200 A1 EP1344200 A1 EP 1344200A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- lighting elements
- signaling device
- optical
- condenser
- base plate
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F21—LIGHTING
- F21V—FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F21V5/00—Refractors for light sources
- F21V5/04—Refractors for light sources of lens shape
- F21V5/045—Refractors for light sources of lens shape the lens having discontinuous faces, e.g. Fresnel lenses
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G08—SIGNALLING
- G08G—TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEMS
- G08G1/00—Traffic control systems for road vehicles
- G08G1/09—Arrangements for giving variable traffic instructions
- G08G1/095—Traffic lights
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F21—LIGHTING
- F21W—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES F21K, F21L, F21S and F21V, RELATING TO USES OR APPLICATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS
- F21W2111/00—Use or application of lighting devices or systems for signalling, marking or indicating, not provided for in codes F21W2102/00 – F21W2107/00
- F21W2111/02—Use or application of lighting devices or systems for signalling, marking or indicating, not provided for in codes F21W2102/00 – F21W2107/00 for roads, paths or the like
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F21—LIGHTING
- F21Y—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES F21K, F21L, F21S and F21V, RELATING TO THE FORM OR THE KIND OF THE LIGHT SOURCES OR OF THE COLOUR OF THE LIGHT EMITTED
- F21Y2105/00—Planar light sources
- F21Y2105/10—Planar light sources comprising a two-dimensional array of point-like light-generating elements
- F21Y2105/12—Planar light sources comprising a two-dimensional array of point-like light-generating elements characterised by the geometrical disposition of the light-generating elements, e.g. arranging light-generating elements in differing patterns or densities
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F21—LIGHTING
- F21Y—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES F21K, F21L, F21S and F21V, RELATING TO THE FORM OR THE KIND OF THE LIGHT SOURCES OR OF THE COLOUR OF THE LIGHT EMITTED
- F21Y2115/00—Light-generating elements of semiconductor light sources
- F21Y2115/10—Light-emitting diodes [LED]
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B27/00—Optical systems or apparatus not provided for by any of the groups G02B1/00 - G02B26/00, G02B30/00
- G02B27/09—Beam shaping, e.g. changing the cross-sectional area, not otherwise provided for
- G02B27/0938—Using specific optical elements
- G02B27/095—Refractive optical elements
- G02B27/0955—Lenses
Definitions
- the invention relates to an optical signaling device, in particular for traffic signal systems, according to the preamble of claims 1 and 2 respectively.
- Light source with small dimensions such as the filament of an incandescent lamp, placed in the focus of an optical condenser and projected into infinity. Due to the high luminance of the light source, a very large light intensity is generated within a relatively small and standardized radiation angle range, so that the signal can still be easily recognized even from a great distance.
- incandescent lamps have a limited lifespan, and the failure of the incandescent lamp used for a signal device is always associated with a total failure of the entire signal device. For this reason, the light bulbs used, for example, in warning signal devices must be replaced as a precaution at regular intervals. These time intervals are much shorter than the average life of the lamp, so that the replacements involve a considerable amount of material and time.
- LEDs semiconductor light-emitting diodes
- optics are required which are suitable for bundling the light emitted by the individual LEDs in such a way that it is also relative long distance is perceived as an extensive and brightly shining light source. Precise and standardized optical requirements with regard to radiation characteristics, luminance distribution and phantom light are placed on signal generators in road traffic. The latter means the pretense of a switched on signal light by incident sunlight and reflected by an internal reflector.
- EP 0 860 805 describes a signaling device optics in which a multiplicity of lighting elements are arranged in the interior of a signal chamber and thus form an essentially flat lighting element instead of the previously conventional incandescent lamps, which, even without the use of a reflector, is directed directly towards a scattering lens emits directed light.
- the light source is composed of at least three individual lighting elements, which emit at least a large part of their light into the lens system, where it is detected and bundled by a common condenser and distributed by the scattering lens according to selected specifications.
- order has the disadvantage that a diffusing lens with optical properties must be used to determine a radiation characteristic.
- the production of such a diffusing screen with optical properties and its installation in the two-stage optical structure are relatively complicated and consequently cost-intensive.
- the present invention describes an optical signaling device with a plurality of lighting elements which are arranged on a base plate, and a condenser which is arranged at a fixed distance from the lighting elements on an optical axis, around that of the lighting elements to project emitted light to infinity.
- a radiation direction is assigned to each luminous element, so that the luminance in a specific radiation direction is largely decoupled from the luminance distribution for other radiation directions.
- a certain, predetermined radiation characteristic or luminance distribution can advantageously be used. zig be achieved by the arrangement of the lighting elements on the base plate.
- the invention has the great advantage that the achievement of a specific, required radiation characteristic or luminance distribution in an optical signal transmitter device can be achieved by a considerably simplified optical structure. It is namely possible to dispense with the diffusing screen absolutely necessary in the prior art for generating the light distribution.
- a standard Fresnel lens can be used as the condenser.
- the Fresnel lens projects the light source to infinity.
- the condenser can be spaced from the plane of the lighting elements in such a way that the lighting elements lie slightly outside the focal plane of the condenser.
- the focus condition can also be met exactly, but optical structures for targeted defocusing, in particular spherical lenses, can be arranged on the condenser, in particular on its surface facing the lighting elements.
- the invention describes an optical signaling device with a plurality of lighting elements, which are arranged on a base plate, and a condenser, which is arranged at a fixed distance from the lighting elements on an optical axis, to the light emitted by the lighting elements ins
- a specific, predetermined radiation characteristic or luminance distribution being achieved by the arrangement of the luminous elements on the base plate and / or by the optical properties of a scatter lens, if any, according to selected specifications, and the condenser being curved outwards.
- the condenser preferably consists of a Fresnel lens. Since Fresnel lenses for such purposes can be produced particularly advantageously from plastic by injection molding, curved Fresnel lenses according to the invention can also be produced relatively easily.
- LEDs in particular SMT-capable LEDs, are preferably used as lighting elements.
- An LED design is preferably used, as described in the article "SIEMENS SMT-TOP-LED for surface mounting” by F. Möllmer and G. Waitl in the magazine “SIEMENS Components” 29 (1991), No. 4, p. 147 and described there in FIGS. 1A, B.
- the base plate according to the present invention is preferably a circuit board, in particular a metal core circuit board, which can be additionally applied to a suitable heat sink in order to further improve the heat dissipation.
- LED semiconductor bodies which are applied directly to the base plate can also be used as lighting elements.
- Chip-on-board technology is preferably used for the direct application of the LED semiconductor bodies.
- the LED semiconductor bodies can be soldered onto the base plate or glued on using an electrically conductive adhesive.
- the optical signaling device does not transmit any light in an obliquely upward direction, so that, conversely, incident sunlight from obliquely above cannot strike the luminous elements, so that the latter does not produce a phantom. can generate light.
- the base plate can be colored black outside the lighting elements.
- the lighting elements are electrically connected in parallel or in series.
- a parallel connection has the advantage that the signal transmitter device remains functional even if individual lighting elements fail.
- the signaling circuit can be supplied with higher operating voltages with a reduced operating current.
- the voltages and currents required for this can advantageously be provided more easily from the usual supply networks.
- a grouping of the lighting elements into a plurality of parallel connections, which in turn are connected in series is particularly preferred.
- the lighting elements can be combined to form a plurality of series circuits, which in turn are connected in parallel.
- FIG. 1 shows a schematic illustration of an exemplary embodiment of an optical signal transmitter device according to the invention
- FIG. 2 shows a sectional illustration of a further exemplary embodiment of an optical signal transmitter device according to the invention
- Figure 3 is a perspective view of another
- Figure 4 is a plan view of a board containing one
- Conductor structure for receiving light elements
- FIG 5 shows two electrical circuit variants of the light elements of an optical signal transmitter device according to the invention.
- a plurality of light-emitting elements 2 such as light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are arranged in a predetermined distribution on a base plate 1, preferably a circuit board such as a metal core board or the like. This distribution determines the radiation characteristic or luminance distribution of the optical signaling device.
- the base plate 1 can be applied to an additional metallic heat sink in order to additionally improve the heat dissipation from the LEDs, so that they can be operated with a higher current and the luminous efficacy can thus be increased.
- the base plate 1 can be received in a plug-in device with a slot-shaped opening, which also serves as a voltage supply for the LEDs.
- a condenser 3 preferably a Fresnel lens, is arranged on an optical axis A at a predetermined distance from the base plate 1 such that the optical axis A runs through its center.
- a standard Fresnel lens can be used as the Fresnel lens, which is usually produced from plastic by injection molding and has the shape of a circular disk with a standard diameter of 200 mm.
- the condenser 3 has the task of the LEDs project light emitted into infinity.
- an end plate 4 can also be used behind the condenser 3.
- the lens already in use in conventional road traffic signals can be used as the lens 4, but this has no significant influence on the radiation characteristic.
- Dot matrix of the LEDs i.e. if the optical imaging is not carried out exactly. On the one hand, this can be achieved in that the base plate 1 is not arranged exactly in the focal plane of the condenser 3.
- FIG. 2 Another variant is shown in FIG. 2.
- the base plate 1 or the LEDs 2 are seated exactly in the focal plane of the condenser 3, but this also has small optical structures on its surface facing the LEDs 2, which lead to targeted defocusing.
- the optical structures are preferably formed by small spherical lenses, not assigned to the individual LEDs, with a small focal length relative to the distance between the base plate 1 and the condenser 3.
- ball lenses with a focal length of 1/6 of the distance between the base plate and the condenser can advantageously be used in a standard traffic signal system due to the dimensions given therein.
- the arrangements shown in Figures 1 and 2 can be achieved without complicated optical structures that a standardized light intensity and luminance distribution is given. Since the radiation area is almost exclusively limited to the spatial area below the optical axis A, no disturbing reflections are to be expected from phantom light sources (solar radiation) which shine onto the signaling device from above the optical axis A, since the radiation from a light source, which shines onto the signaling device from above, is focused by the Fresnel optics onto a point which lies outside the LED arrangement on the base plate 1.
- the base plate 1 can also be colored black for additional suppression of phantom light reflections at those locations where no LEDs are positioned.
- FIG. 4 shows an exemplary embodiment for a metallization structure on a circuit board for applying SMT-capable Power-TOPLEDs®.
- Such LEDs usually have one anode and three cathode connections, so that four connection pads are necessary for each LED. For each group of four illustrated connection pads, an LED is soldered using the SMT method.
- the resultant distribution of the LEDs achieves a standard-compliant emission characteristic of a signal transmitter device.
- the large electrical connection pads +/- make electrical contact with the entire electrical circuit in the connector. Due to the small size, the use of such small standard LED designs enables the use of many independent individual LEDs, which, with suitable current supply, guarantees the functionality of the signal despite a possible failure of individual LEDs. This aspect is primarily for use in areas of rail transport
- the radiation characteristic of the optical signaling device of the present invention can be adjusted more precisely via the arrangement of the lighting elements than via complicated optical structures. Only the arrangement of the LEDs on the base plate 1 and a standard Fresnel optics are necessary.
- the final diffusing screen which is usually already installed in traffic light and signal systems, can continue to be used since it no longer makes a significant contribution to the light distribution.
- 3 shows a further aspect of the present invention, which can be seen independently of the manner in which the radiation characteristic or luminance distribution is achieved.
- a signal transmitter device shown in FIG. 3 has a base plate 1 and a plurality of light elements 2 arranged thereon.
- a condenser 3 preferably a Fresnel lens, is arranged on an optical axis A, the task of which is to project the light emitted by the lighting elements 2 to infinity.
- the base plate 1 with the lighting elements 2 is arranged essentially in the focal plane of the Fresnel lens. In order to increase the light collecting characteristic of the Fresnel lens, it is curved outwards. In other words, the Fresnel lens is shaped such that lines running from the center to the edge describe an arc around the base plate 1, that is to say they are curved in the direction of the base plate 1.
- a curved condenser 3 - as described in FIG. 3 - can accordingly also be used in an embodiment of an optical signaling device as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4.
- FIG. 5 shows two advantageous circuit variants of a signal transmitter device according to the invention.
- 100 LEDs are combined in 20 series circuits each containing 5 LEDs. These 20 series connections are operated in parallel.
- 10 LEDs of 100 LEDs are connected in parallel. Five of these parallel connections are combined in two series connections, which in turn are controlled in parallel.
Landscapes
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Non-Portable Lighting Devices Or Systems Thereof (AREA)
- Traffic Control Systems (AREA)
- Optical Communication System (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/DE2000/004591 WO2002052524A1 (en) | 2000-12-22 | 2000-12-22 | Led-signal device for traffic lights |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP1344200A1 true EP1344200A1 (en) | 2003-09-17 |
Family
ID=5648108
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP00991113A Withdrawn EP1344200A1 (en) | 2000-12-22 | 2000-12-22 | Led-signal device for traffic lights |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (2) | US7101059B2 (en) |
EP (1) | EP1344200A1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2002052524A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (18)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
TWI281074B (en) * | 2005-06-27 | 2007-05-11 | Au Optronics Corp | A direct type backlight |
US20080029720A1 (en) * | 2006-08-03 | 2008-02-07 | Intematix Corporation | LED lighting arrangement including light emitting phosphor |
US7972030B2 (en) | 2007-03-05 | 2011-07-05 | Intematix Corporation | Light emitting diode (LED) based lighting systems |
US7883226B2 (en) * | 2007-03-05 | 2011-02-08 | Intematix Corporation | LED signal lamp |
US20090059336A1 (en) * | 2007-08-30 | 2009-03-05 | James Christopher Dunphy | System and Method for Display Illumination |
DE102007052745A1 (en) * | 2007-11-06 | 2009-05-07 | Hella Kgaa Hueck & Co. | Headlights for vehicles |
US8089374B2 (en) * | 2008-11-18 | 2012-01-03 | GE Lighting Solutions, LLC | LED signal light |
DE102009054840A1 (en) * | 2009-12-17 | 2011-06-22 | Poly-Tech Service GmbH, 67681 | Illuminant with a plurality of LEDs |
US9068704B2 (en) * | 2010-09-21 | 2015-06-30 | Dialight Corporation | Integrated signal light head |
US8610341B2 (en) | 2010-10-05 | 2013-12-17 | Intematix Corporation | Wavelength conversion component |
US8957585B2 (en) | 2010-10-05 | 2015-02-17 | Intermatix Corporation | Solid-state light emitting devices with photoluminescence wavelength conversion |
US9546765B2 (en) | 2010-10-05 | 2017-01-17 | Intematix Corporation | Diffuser component having scattering particles |
WO2012047937A1 (en) | 2010-10-05 | 2012-04-12 | Intematix Corporation | Solid-state light emitting devices and signage with photoluminescence wavelength conversion |
US8604678B2 (en) | 2010-10-05 | 2013-12-10 | Intematix Corporation | Wavelength conversion component with a diffusing layer |
US8614539B2 (en) | 2010-10-05 | 2013-12-24 | Intematix Corporation | Wavelength conversion component with scattering particles |
US20140185269A1 (en) | 2012-12-28 | 2014-07-03 | Intermatix Corporation | Solid-state lamps utilizing photoluminescence wavelength conversion components |
CN105121951A (en) | 2013-03-15 | 2015-12-02 | 英特曼帝克司公司 | Photoluminescence wavelength conversion components |
US10082252B2 (en) | 2015-10-28 | 2018-09-25 | GE Lighting Solutions, LLC | LED signal module with light-absorbing textured pattern |
Family Cites Families (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP0202335B1 (en) * | 1984-11-15 | 1989-10-25 | Japan Traffic Management Technology Association | Signal light unit having heat dissipating function |
WO1998016777A1 (en) * | 1996-10-16 | 1998-04-23 | Philips Electronics N.V. | SIGNAL LAMP WITH LEDs |
EP0860805A1 (en) * | 1997-02-24 | 1998-08-26 | SWARCO FUTURIT Verkehrssignalsysteme Ges.m.b.H. | Optical signal indicator with multiple light sources |
EP0905439A3 (en) * | 1997-09-24 | 1999-12-01 | SWARCO FUTURIT Verkehrssignalsysteme Ges.m.b.H. | Optical signal indicator with multiple light sources |
EP0935145A1 (en) * | 1998-02-04 | 1999-08-11 | IMS Industrial Micro System AG | Optical signal and display device |
US6283613B1 (en) * | 1999-07-29 | 2001-09-04 | Cooper Technologies Company | LED traffic light with individual LED reflectors |
US6290374B1 (en) * | 2000-06-24 | 2001-09-18 | Opto Tech Corp. | Traffic signal lamp illuminated by light emitting diodes |
US6616299B2 (en) * | 2001-02-02 | 2003-09-09 | Gelcore Llc | Single optical element LED signal |
WO2003016782A1 (en) * | 2001-08-09 | 2003-02-27 | Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. | Led illuminator and card type led illuminating light source |
-
2000
- 2000-12-22 WO PCT/DE2000/004591 patent/WO2002052524A1/en active Application Filing
- 2000-12-22 EP EP00991113A patent/EP1344200A1/en not_active Withdrawn
-
2003
- 2003-06-23 US US10/601,532 patent/US7101059B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
2006
- 2006-07-19 US US11/489,033 patent/US7390107B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Non-Patent Citations (1)
Title |
---|
See references of WO02052524A1 * |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US7101059B2 (en) | 2006-09-05 |
WO2002052524A1 (en) | 2002-07-04 |
US20060262532A1 (en) | 2006-11-23 |
US20040056777A1 (en) | 2004-03-25 |
US7390107B2 (en) | 2008-06-24 |
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