US 2014/0197955 A1 · ROAD MARKER OR LIGHT BASED WARNING DEVICE

Abstract

A road marker and related light based warning device are described. The road marker or device includes a thermal sensor that triggers the illumination of at least one light-emitting diode at a predetermined temperature. The temperature may be associated with ice formation. The light-emitting diode(s) may flash to alert motorists to hazardous road conditions. The road marker or device utilise simple components to increase reliability, particularly when the device is subjected to high heat such as when the device is mounted into hot tar seal. The device further includes a switching element that prevents rapid on/off cycling.

Claims17

Dependent claims

A road marker including a metal housing with at least one surface of the housing being transparent, the housing enclosing passive electrical components including:

(a) a circuit board;
(b) a thermal sensor coupled to an input terminal on the circuit board wherein the thermal sensor has at least 0.5° C. of hysteresis to prevent rapid on/off cycling of the at least one light-emitting diode;
(c) a photovoltaic (PV) module coupled to an input terminal on the circuit board;
(d) at least one energy storage element coupled to an input terminal on the circuit board;
and
(e) at least one light-emitting diode coupled to an output terminal of the circuit board;
wherein the at least one light-emitting diode illuminate when the thermal sensor detects a predetermined temperature.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Road marker or light based warning device

Life of this patent

Road marker or light based warning device

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims17