Monitoring device and method for monitoring

Abstract

The invention relates to a monitoring device (9) of a vehicle (1) for monitoring a driver of the vehicle (1), comprising a steering device (5) for steering the vehicle (1), a handle (6) for the driver to grip the steering device (5) of the vehicle (1) with a hand, a brake (7) for braking the vehicle (1), a brake actuation element (8) for actuating a brake (7) of a vehicle (1) is provided in or on the brake actuation element (8), a monitoring sensor (10) monitoring whether a handle (6) is held by a hand. The invention also relates to a vehicle (1) and to a method for operating a monitoring device (9) of a vehicle (1).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a monitoring device, a vehicle having the monitoring device, and a method for monitoring.

[0002] In the prior art, vehicles are known, such as two-wheeled vehicles, in particular bicycles, electrically assisted bicycles, electrically driven bicycles, also known as e-bikes, electric motorcycles, electric-assisted bicycles or high-speed electric-assisted bicycles, etc., in which the driver sits on the vehicle while driving, and in the event of an accident the driver usually leaves the vehicle (for example in the event of a fall). It may happen that a fall has more than a minor impact on the health of the driver or possible passengers, so that it may be extremely desirable to make an automated emergency call in some accident situations.

[0003] DE 10 2006 040 389 B4 discloses a collision detection sensor for a motorcycle, which detects a collision when an accident occurs and triggers an airbag based on the detected motorcycle collision to protect the driver of the motorcycle. The collision detection sensor is arranged on both sides of the rear part of the front wheel fork and acts as an acceleration sensor to detect the acceleration when a collision occurs. Then, a control device evaluates the collision signal and determines whether the generated collision signal originates from a collision. Such a system is relatively expensive and also relatively unsuitable for bicycles, because collisions that occur when riding a bicycle (especially when driving off-road) may be relatively severe and therefore difficult to distinguish from accidents.

[0004] DE 10 2016 225 489 B4 discloses an electric bicycle, in which an acceleration sensor and a radar sensor are provided. The radar sensor monitors the distance to an object, while the acceleration sensor monitors possible accelerations, which affect the electric bicycle, and thus detects dangerous situations or accidents when the distance to the object is below a suitable distance and the acceleration is above a suitable acceleration. In this case, the use of radar sensors is considered to be expensive and permanently maintenance-intensive, and the reliability of the radar signal for accident detection is also unsatisfactory.

[0005] DE 10 202 201 221 1 discloses a method for testing the credibility of an accident situation of a two-wheeled vehicle or an electric bicycle, in which the sensor parameters of a first sensor that detects the accident situation are checked by means of the sensor parameters of a second sensor. It is not permitted to output the accident situation depending on the sensor parameters of the second sensor. In this case, a second sensor parameter is detected, which monitors the movement, operation or state of the two-wheeled vehicle or the electric bicycle, wherein the second sensor parameter is only derived when there is accident information from the first sensor. As a result, essentially only data related to the two-wheeled vehicle are concerned, which are used to cause an automated emergency call, which can also lead to erroneous conclusions.

[0006] The object is to provide a monitoring device, a vehicle having a monitoring device, and a method for monitoring which are improved compared to the prior art and allow a more reliable generation of an automated emergency call signal.

[0007] The object with regard to the monitoring device is achieved by the features of claim 1 .

[0008] An embodiment of the present invention relates to a monitoring device for a vehicle, the monitoring device is used to monitor the driver of the vehicle, the monitoring device has: a steering device for steering the vehicle, a handle for the driver to grasp the steering device of the vehicle with his hand, a brake for braking the vehicle, and a brake actuating element for actuating the brake of the vehicle, wherein a monitoring sensor is provided in or on the brake actuating element, and the monitoring sensor monitors whether the handle is held by the hand. The vehicle is preferably a two-wheeled vehicle, a three-wheeled vehicle or a four-wheeled vehicle, in particular a bicycle, an electric bicycle, an electric-assisted bicycle, a high-speed electric-assisted bicycle, a motor cycle, etc. Here, preferably the monitoring is performed in the following manner, that is, it is assumed that the driver always or in short-term exceptions basically grasps the handle in his hand so that he can grasp the handle and can steer and brake. Usually, gear shifting and / or operating additional functions are also performed on or near the handle. Therefore, it is monitored whether the hand is on the handle, so that it can be assumed that the operating situation is normal in this case. However, if the hand is not on the handle for a long period of time and there may be other information and / or sensor signals, an accident or fall can be inferred, so an emergency signal can be generated and sent.

[0009] In another embodiment, it is convenient that the monitoring sensor generates a sensor signal which indicates whether the handle is held by a hand. This is done, for example, in the following way: the sensor compares data acquired with a hand on the handle with data acquired without a hand on the handle, or the sensor can directly recognize a handle without a hand and a hand on the handle based on the three-dimensional resolution. In this case, for example, the measurement results of the handle without a hand can be used as a calibration, which can be done, for example, when installing the handle or when replacing the handle.

[0010] It is also advantageous if the monitoring sensor is an optical sensor, in particular an optical sensor based on the time-of-flight principle. For example, an image can be recorded with the optical sensor, which can be compared with a reference image, for example. The time-of-flight sensor can generate a three-dimensional image that can detect the hand on the handle or only the handle directly or by comparison with a reference image.

[0011] It is also particularly advantageous if the steering device is a handlebar and the brake actuating element is a brake lever. Thus, for example, it can be provided for a bicycle.

[0012] The object with regard to the vehicle is achieved by the features of claim 5 .

[0013] An embodiment of the invention relates to a vehicle having at least two wheels, a steering device for steering the vehicle, at least one handle for the driver to grasp the steering device of the vehicle with his hands, at least one brake for braking the vehicle, at least one brake actuating element for actuating the brakes of the vehicle, wherein at least one monitoring device according to the invention is provided for monitoring the driver of the vehicle. Thus, the driver can be monitored in a safe manner.

[0014] It is particularly advantageous if two handles are provided for the driver to grasp the steering device of the vehicle with each hand, at least two brake actuating elements are provided for actuating at least one brake of the vehicle, and at least one monitoring device, preferably two monitoring devices, are provided for monitoring the driver of the vehicle. This can provide a higher monitoring safety.

[0015] It is also convenient that the vehicle is a two-wheeled vehicle, a three-wheeled vehicle or a four-wheeled vehicle, in particular a bicycle, an electric bicycle, an electric-assisted bicycle, a high-speed electric-assisted bicycle, an electric motorcycle, etc. The monitoring of the driver can be performed in a correspondingly very diverse manner.

[0016] With regard to the method, this object is achieved by the features of claim 8 .

[0017] An embodiment of the invention relates to a method for operating a monitoring device according to the invention of a vehicle according to the invention, wherein the sensor signal of the at least one monitoring sensor is repeatedly, in particular periodically, queried or checked in order to monitor whether at least one hand of the driver is on the handlebar. This ensures that the driver is present in what can be called normal operating conditions. If this is the case, the generation and output of an emergency signal can be omitted.

[0018] In another embodiment, it is also convenient to send an emergency signal when at least one hand of the driver or any hand of the driver is no longer on the handle. If the driver cannot be detected on the handle according to the monitoring of the handle, an emergency signal can be generated and sent.

[0019] Advantageously, the emergency signal is only sent when a predeterminable waiting time has also elapsed and / or another sensor signal of another sensor has detected an accident and / or a fall, and also when there is no manual deactivation of the emergency signal. This makes it possible to prevent the emergency signal from being accidentally or unintentionally sent out.

[0020] The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings using an embodiment. In the accompanying drawings:

[0021] Figure 1 A schematic illustration of an embodiment of a vehicle according to the invention, in particular a bicycle, with an electric drive auxiliary device, and

[0022] Figure 2 Schematic perspective illustration of an exemplary embodiment of a steering device having a handle and a brake actuating element having a monitoring sensor.

[0023] Figure 1 A vehicle 1 is shown schematically. The vehicle 1 is typically shown as a two-wheeled vehicle with two wheels 2. However, the vehicle can also be designed as a three-wheeled vehicle, a four-wheeled vehicle, etc., for example, wherein in the design according to the invention this does not depend on the number of wheels 2, the size of the wheels, etc.

[0024] The vehicle 1 is shown as a bicycle, which, for example, also has an electric drive auxiliary device, which has an electric motor 3 and an electric energy storage 4 (such as an accumulator). Therefore, the bicycle can be an electric bicycle, an electric assist bicycle, a high-speed electric assist bicycle, an electric motorcycle, etc. The bicycle can also be designed without such an electric drive auxiliary device.

[0025] The vehicle 1 shown has at least two wheels 2. The vehicle also has a steering device 5 for steering the vehicle 1. The steering device 5 is designed with at least one handle 6, preferably two handles 6, for the driver of the vehicle to grasp the steering device 5 of the vehicle 1 with his hands.

[0026] Furthermore, the vehicle 1 is designed with at least one brake 7 for braking the vehicle 1, wherein at least one brake actuating element 8 is provided for actuating the brake 7 of the vehicle 1. The brake actuating element 8 is preferably a brake lever, such as in Figure 2 As can be seen in .

[0027] Furthermore, at least one monitoring device 9 with a monitoring sensor 10 is provided for monitoring the driver of the vehicle 1 .

[0028] Advantageously, at least one monitoring device 9, preferably two monitoring devices 9, are provided, thus for example one monitoring sensor 10 or two or more monitoring sensors. Preferably, a monitoring sensor 10 is provided for each brake actuating element 8, or a monitoring sensor 10 is provided for each handle 6 for each brake actuating element 8.

[0029] exist Figure 1 In the vehicle 1 shown, two handles 6 are preferably provided for grasping the steering device 5 of the vehicle 1 so that the two handles 6 can be grasped with one hand each, ie, the driver can grasp the steering device 5 with two hands.

[0030] Preferably, at least two brake actuating elements 8 are also provided for actuating at least one brake 7 of the vehicle 1 .

[0031] The monitoring device 9 is used to monitor the driver of the vehicle 1. The monitoring device has a monitoring sensor 10, which monitors whether the handle 6 is held by a hand.

[0032] Here, the monitoring sensor 10 generates a sensor signal, which indicates whether the handle 6 is held by a hand. This sensor signal is generated and transmitted to indicate a possible emergency situation.

[0033] The monitoring sensor 10 is an optical sensor. Preferably, the monitoring sensor 10 is an optical sensor based on the time-of-flight principle. Such an optical sensor based on the time-of-flight principle emits light, for example infrared light. The emitted light is incident on an object and is reflected there and returns to the monitoring sensor 10. The time required for the return is measured and evaluated. From this, the three-dimensional structure of the reflective object can be derived. When used as a monitoring sensor 10, an empty handle 6 or a handle 6 held by a hand can be identified accordingly, so that the presence of the driver can be inferred from this.

[0034] Here, the method for operating the monitoring device 9 of the vehicle 1, for example, provides for repeatedly, in particular periodically, querying or checking the sensor signal of the at least one monitoring sensor 10 in order to monitor whether at least one hand of the driver is on the handle 6. This can also detect that the hand is, for example, only temporarily away from the handle 6, in order to avoid false signals.

[0035] Correspondingly, an emergency signal can be sent when it is detected that at least one of the driver's hands or both of the driver's hands are no longer on the handle 6 .

[0036] In this case, for example, the emergency signal can only be sent if a predefinable waiting time has also elapsed and / or a further sensor signal of a further sensor has detected an accident and / or a fall and if there has also been no manual deactivation of the emergency signal.

[0037] Correspondingly, in the case where an emergency signal is not sent out, the sending out of the emergency signal can be prevented, for example, by pressing a button. Otherwise, under the necessary conditions, the emergency signal will be sent out, for example, by radio or telecommunication.

Claims

1. A monitoring device (9) for a vehicle (1), the monitoring device being used to monitor the driver of the vehicle (1), the monitoring device comprising: a steering device (5) for steering the vehicle (1), a handle (6) of the steering device (5) for enabling the driver to grasp the vehicle (1) with his hands, a brake (7) for braking the vehicle (1), and a brake actuating element (8) for actuating the brake (7) of the vehicle (1), wherein a monitoring sensor (10) is provided in or on the brake actuating element (8), the monitoring sensor monitoring whether the handle (6) is held by hand.

2. The monitoring device (9) according to claim 1, characterized in that The monitoring sensor (10) generates a sensor signal, which indicates whether the handle (6) is held by a hand.

3. The monitoring device (9) according to claim 1, characterized in that The monitoring sensor (10) is an optical sensor, in particular an optical sensor based on the time-of-flight principle.

4. The monitoring device (9) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The steering device (5) is a handlebar and the brake actuating element (8) is a brake lever.

5. A vehicle (1), comprising: at least two wheels (2), a steering device (5) for steering the vehicle (1), at least one handle (6) of the steering device (5) for allowing the driver to grasp the vehicle (1) with his hands, at least one brake (7) for braking the vehicle (1), and at least one brake actuating element (8) for actuating the brake (7) of the vehicle (1), wherein at least one monitoring device (9) according to any of the preceding claims is provided to monitor the driver of the vehicle (1).

6. The vehicle (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that Two handles (6) are provided for the driver to grasp the steering device (5) of the vehicle (1) with each hand; at least two brake actuating elements (8) are provided for actuating at least one brake (7) of the vehicle (1), wherein at least one monitoring device (9) according to any of the preceding claims, preferably two monitoring devices (9), are provided for monitoring the driver of the vehicle (1).

7. The vehicle (1) according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that: The vehicle (1) is a two-wheeled vehicle, a three-wheeled vehicle or a four-wheeled vehicle, in particular a bicycle, an electric bicycle, an electric-assisted bicycle, a high-speed electric-assisted bicycle, an electric motorcycle, etc.

8. A method for operating a monitoring device (9) according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 4 of a vehicle (1) according to any one of the preceding claims 5 to 7, wherein the sensor signal of the at least one monitoring sensor (10) is repeatedly queried or checked, in particular periodically in time, in order to monitor whether at least one hand of the driver is on the handle (6).

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that When it is detected that at least one hand of the driver or any hand of the driver is no longer on the handle (6), an emergency signal is sent.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that The emergency signal is only sent if a predefinable waiting time has also elapsed and / or a further sensor signal of a further sensor has detected an accident and / or a fall, and if there has also been no manual deactivation of the emergency signal.

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