Abstract
An emergency traffic signal device is provided including a bracket adapted to mount a battery, photovoltaic cell, and one or more LED lights to a traffic light. The battery, photovoltaic cell, and one or more LED lights may all be enclosed in a housing to protect the components for external elements. The emergency traffic signal device is wired such that a loss of power to the traffic light activates the LED lights, which flashes intermittently to alert drivers of their approach to an intersection. The LED lights are powered by the battery, which may be charged via the photovoltaic cell and also by power supplied to the traffic light.
Claims
1. A traffic signal device comprising: a bracket adapted to mount a photovoltaic cell, a battery, and one or more LED lights to a traffic light, the traffic light connected to an electric grid; the battery adapted to store electric current from the photovoltaic cell and to store electric current supplied to the traffic light by the electric grid; the one or more LED lights adapted to receive an electric current from the battery and to intermittently flash when the traffic light is not supplied an electric current by the electric grid; the one or more LED lights adapted to cease flashing when the traffic light is supplied an electric current by the electric grid.
2. The traffic signal device of claim 1, wherein the photovoltaic cell may be positioned at various angles relative to the bracket to maximize sunlight received.
3. The traffic signal device of claim 1, wherein the battery and the one or more LED lights enclosed within a housing.
4. The traffic signal device of claim 3, wherein the photovoltaic cell is integrated in an upper surface of the housing.
5. A traffic signal device comprising: one or more traffic lights; a photovoltaic cell attached to the traffic light; a battery attached to the traffic light and adapted to store electric current from the photovoltaic cell and to store electric current supplied by an electric grid; one or more LED lights attached to the traffic light and configured to receive an electric current from the battery and to intermittently flash when the traffic light is not supplied an electric current by the electric grid; the one or more LED lights adapted to cease flashing when the traffic light is supplied an electric current by the electric grid.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the device according to the present invention in which the battery, photovoltaic cell and emergency LED are housed in a bracket that is separate from the traffic light.
[0016] FIG. 2 is a front view of the first embodiment of the device according to the present invention.
[0017] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the device according to the present invention in which the battery, photovoltaic cell and emergency LED are housed inside the traffic light.
[0018] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of the operations of an embodiment of the device according to the present invention.
[0019] FIG. 5 is an electrical wiring diagram of the device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0020] While the present invention will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which one or more embodiments of the present invention are shown, it is to be understood at the outset of the description which follows that persons of skill in the appropriate arts may modify the invention herein described while still achieving the favorable results of this invention. Accordingly, the description which follows is to be understood as being a broad, teaching disclosure directed to persons of skill in the appropriate arts, and not as limiting upon the present invention.
[0021] Referring initially to FIG. 1, an example implementation of an emergency traffic signal device 10 is disclosed. The emergency traffic signal device 10 comprises a photovoltaic cell 17, one or more LED lights 13, and a battery (not shown). The battery and the one or more LED lights 13 may be enclosed in a housing 11 to protect the components from external elements. The housing 11 may be constructed of a rigid, weather-proof or weather-resistant material such as metal, plastic, or the like. This embodiment of the invention is a bolt-on configuration suitable for retrofitting traditional traffic lights with an emergency LED signal, while retaining the original traffic light housing.
[0022] The photovoltaic cell 17 is capable of converting the energy of light into an electrical current. This electrical current is supplied to the battery and stored as electrical energy therein. The photovoltaic cell 17 may be an integrated component of the housing 11, situated on an upper face of the housing 11 so as to receive maximum sunlight. Alternatively, the photovoltaic cell 17 may be configured as a separate unit apart from the housing 11. In an embodiment of the device 10, the photovoltaic cell 17 may be located on an adjustable surface, whereby the angular position of the photovoltaic cell 17 relative the ground may be adjusted to an optimal position to receive maximum sunlight.
[0023] The emergency traffic signal device 10 may further consist of a bracket 18 for attachment to a primary traffic light 20. The bracket 18 may feature one or more bracket fasteners 19 to secure the bracket 18 to the primary traffic light 20. As shown in FIG. 1, the bracket 18 may be partially circular in shape as to mimic the contour of a typical primary traffic light 20 and enable proper attachment. However the bracket 18 may be designed in any shape known in the art so to best attach to the primary traffic light.
[0024] As further shown in FIG. 1, the one or more LED lights 13 may be fixed within the housing 11. The one or more LED lights 13 are connected to the battery, located within the housing 11. The housing 11 may comprise of a translucent panel such that the LED lights 13 may be visible from outside the housing. The panel shall be positioned on the same side in which the primary traffic light 20 faces, whereas any light produced by the one or more LED lights 13 would be visible from a vantage point in which drivers see light from an operating primary traffic light 20. Alternatively, the LED lights 13 may be affixed to the exterior of the housing, whereby no translucent panel is required. Upon a loss of power to the primary traffic light 20, electronic circuitry, which is known to those in the art, automatically senses the power loss and activates the LED lights using the battery. The battery powers the one or more LED lights 13, which flash intermittently, so that drivers understand they are approaching an intersection. It is preferable that the LED lights 13 emit red light, but the LED lights 13 may be of any color or color combination used in the art.
[0025] Referring to FIG. 2, the emergency traffic signal device 10 is situated directly above the primary traffic light 20. The bracket 18 may encompass the primary traffic light 20 and partially rest on an upper area of the primary traffic light 20. The bracket fasteners 19 may be situated on opposite, peripheral sides of the bracket 18 on opposite sides of the primary traffic light 20. The bracket fasteners 19 may be designed as threaded rods, whereby they are fastened through a threaded hole in the bracket 18. As each bracket fastener 19 is tightened, a distal end of the bracket fastener 19 approaches the primary traffic light 20, until contact is made with an outer rim of the primary traffic light 20. As the bracket fasteners 19 are further tightened, the pressure of the distal ends of the bracket fasteners 19 upon the primary traffic light 20 is increased, and these opposing pressures on opposite sides of the primary traffic light 20 secure the bracket 18 in place. Alternatively, the bracket 18 of the emergency traffic signal device 10 may be attached to the primary traffic light 20 in any other method of attachment known in the art, such as nut-and-bolt fasteners, adhesives, straps, screws, or the like.
[0026] As detailed in FIG. 3, the emergency traffic signal device 10 may be integrated into a single unit with the primary traffic light 20. In this embodiment, the one or more LED lights 13 are similarly located above the primary traffic light 20. The housing 11 incorporates the one or more LED lights 13, the battery, and also any components of the primary traffic light 20. The photovoltaic cell may also be integrated within the housing 11 and located on an upper surface of the housing 11 to best capture sunlight. The incorporation of the emergency traffic signal device 10 and the primary traffic light 20 allow for a design that is less bulky and does not require additional installation of the bracket component.
[0027] Referring to FIG. 4, a flow diagram of an embodiment of the emergency traffic signal device 10 is shown. The device 10 is wired so that it may receive an electric current that is supplied to the primary traffic light 20. In step 110, the electric current from the primary traffic light may be used to charge the battery. In the event that the electric current from the primary traffic light 20 is cut off (step 120), the emergency traffic signal device 10 is activated (step 130). The stoppage of electric current supplied from the primary traffic light 20 triggers a switch, whereby current stored in the battery is used to power the LED lights 13 (step 140). The LED lights 13 are wired such that they optionally flash at intermittent intervals (step 150). The device monitors whether power has been restored to the primary traffic light (step 160). If the emergency traffic signal device detects that current is restored to the primary traffic light 20, the battery stops supplying power to the LED lights 13 (step 170). If electric current is not being supplied to the primary traffic light 20, the electric current from the battery is used to continually supply energy to the to the LED lights 13. The photovoltaic cell 17 converts light to electric current (180) which is then used to charge continually charge the battery (190) in the absence of the power supplied from the primary traffic light. The battery will supply power to the LED lights 13 until power to the primary traffic light 20 is restored, or until the battery is depleted and no longer capable of supplying the energy requirements of the LED lights, which may be seven days or longer.
[0028] Referring to FIG. 5, a circuit diagram for an embodiment of the emergency traffic signal device 10 is disclosed. As shown, the device 10 has the ability to receive current from an alternating current source, such as the primary traffic light 20, and to store the current in a battery. The device 10 also has the capability to detect when current from the alternating current source has ceased, the detection of which triggers the activation of the one or more LED lights 13 with power being supplied by the battery. Once current from the alternating current source is resupplied to the device, the LED lights are deactivated and the current from the alternating current source is used once again to charge the battery.
[0029] Accordingly, it will be understood that the various embodiments of the present invention has been disclosed by way of example and that other modifications and alterations may occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the appended claims.
