25 Jul 2012

EnOcean switches activate Olympics bus signals

Wireless energy harvesting switches from Germany-based EnOcean will be used on London Olympic buses to activate stop signals.

London Eco-Routemaster hybrid buses, set to transport thousands of sports fans across the capital, now contain energy-harvesting wireless converters that allow passengers to activate stop signals with their bodies as a source of energy.

The very act of pressing the bell push generates enough electrical power for a wireless module to activate the stop display and audible stop signal.

The wireless bell push system is manufactured by electronic control system manufacturer, BMAC, UK. While other push-buttons need to be connected to the signal receiver at the bus driver’s position via metres of cable, this stop button functions with the EnOcean miniaturised energy converter ECO 200 which offers more than 300,000 switching cycles and a small batteryless wireless module.

The radio signal is unique to each stop button, ensuring no interference with other buttons in this bus or other buses nearby.

The receiver module is connected to the bus’ electrical system and the bell pushes are then fitted into place.

After installation, each stop button in a bus is programmed for its own logic circuit – for example, front, middle, rear or wheelchair users. The energy harvesting wireless solution is said to save up to 100m of cabling in the bus, saving installation effort and avoiding the need to replace defective cables.

“The concept of a wireless bell push system has been an aspiration for bus manufacturers for years. It takes many hours on the production line to wire up to 25 bell pushes into a vehicle. Battery powered push buttons also prove inadequate as they require routine replacement, regular maintenance and have a negative impact on the environment, especially in their waste cycle,” says Andy Overend, sales manager, BMAC.

“Thanks to EnOcean’s batteryless wireless technology we have developed a totally electro mechanical Wireless Bell Push system – solving all these problems,” he adds.

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