Vehicle reporting device

Abstract

Vehicle reporting device (10) comprising: a base section (12); a mounting section (14, 60) provided on the base section (12) which can be attached to or detached from a rotating body (W) of a vehicle (BK) designed to be driven by a manual propulsion force; a radio transmitter (20) designed to send a radio signal reporting its presence to an external device (ED1) outside the vehicle (BK); and a current generator (22) which generates electrical current which is supplied to the radio transmitter (20).

Description

The present invention relates to a vehicle warning device. For example, a bell is used to announce the presence of a vehicle to its surroundings. However, since the sound of a bell is barely audible inside a car, the vehicle is difficult to detect, even when the bell rings. An example of a vehicle reporting device is disclosed in DE 10 2013 012 702 A1. The reporting device comprises a control unit for the position of the bicycle and a transmitting unit for transmitting the position of the bicycle to another road user via a communication link between the bicycle-side transmitting unit and the road user-side receiving unit. Another example of a vehicle alerting device is disclosed in US 2013 / 0127638A1. The alerting device comprises a cyclist transmitter unit and a driver warning device for other vehicles. Each transmitter unit is designed to send a signal indicating the location of the transmitter unit and the bicycle or motorcycle to which it is attached. Each driver warning system in the vehicle has a receiver designed to receive a cyclist approach warning signal indicating the presence of a cyclist near the vehicle and, in response to receiving the signal, to alert the driver to the presence of a cyclist near the vehicle. An object of the present invention is the provision of a vehicle warning device that enables others to easily perceive a vehicle. A vehicle reporting device according to the present invention comprises a base section, a mounting section provided on the base section which can be attached to or detached from a rotating body of a vehicle designed to be driven by a manual propulsion force; a radio transmitter designed to send a radio signal reporting the presence of the vehicle to a device outside the vehicle; and a current generator which generates electrical current which can be supplied to the radio transmitter. Since the vehicle can signal its presence via a radio transmitter, others can easily detect it. Furthermore, the inclusion of a generator reduces the need for battery replacement or even eliminates the need altogether. In a preferred aspect of the vehicle alarm device according to the present invention, the mounting section can be designed such that it can be attached to a rotating body in such a way that the base section is exposed to the outside of the rotating body. This prevents the radio signal transmitted from the radio transmitter from being interfered with by the rotating body. Furthermore, the vehicle alarm device can be easily attached to the rotating body. In a vehicle warning device according to a further preferred aspect of the present invention, the rotating body can have a spoke, and the mounting section can be designed to be attached to the spoke. Therefore, since no new element is required for attaching a vehicle warning device to the bicycle, the flexibility is high. In a vehicle warning device according to a further preferred aspect of the present invention, the rotating body can have a crank, and the mounting section can be attached to the crank. Therefore, since no new element is required for attaching a vehicle warning device to the bicycle, the flexibility is high. In a vehicle signaling device according to a further preferred aspect of the present invention, the current generator can have a rotor that rotates together with the rotation of the rotating body and a coil in which electromagnetic induction occurs due to the rotation of the rotor. Thus, the current generator can generate current with the rotating body. In a vehicle alarm device according to a further preferred aspect of the present invention, the current generator can include a piezoelectric element that generates current by vibration, which is supplied to the current generator. When the bicycle is in motion, vibration is generated in the rotating body. Therefore, an appropriate amount of electrical current is supplied to the radio transmitter when the bicycle is in motion. In a vehicle signaling device according to a further preferred aspect of the present invention, the current generator can include a photoelectric element that generates current from sunlight. This allows electrical current to be supplied to the radio transmitter even when the rotating body is not rotating. A vehicle warning device according to a further preferred aspect of the present invention can include a power storage device for storing electrical current generated by the power generator. This allows a stable supply of electrical current to the radio transmitter. A vehicle warning device according to a further preferred aspect of the present invention can be designed such that the power generator is provided at the base section. Since the power generator can be attached to the rotating body by attaching the mounting section to the rotating body, the vehicle warning device can thus be easily mounted. A vehicle reporting device according to a further preferred aspect of the present invention can further comprise a first sensor that detects the vehicle's speed, and the radio transmitter is configured to send a radio signal containing information corresponding to a detection result of the first sensor to the external device. In this way, information regarding the vehicle's speed can be transmitted to a device located outside the vehicle. In a vehicle signaling device according to a further preferred aspect of the present invention, the first sensor can be configured to include an accelerometer. This allows limitations on the mounting position of the first sensor to be minimized by using an accelerometer. A vehicle reporting device according to a further preferred aspect of the present invention can further comprise a second sensor that detects position information about the vehicle, and the radio transmitter is configured to send the radio signal, which contains information corresponding to an output from the second sensor, to the external device. In this way, information regarding the vehicle's position can be sent to a device located outside the vehicle. In a vehicle monitoring device according to a further preferred aspect of the present invention, the second sensor can be configured to include a GPS receiver. This allows the vehicle's position to be accurately determined. A vehicle reporting device according to a further preferred aspect of the present invention can further comprise a storage device that stores information regarding the type of vehicle, and the radio transmitter is configured to send the radio signal containing information regarding the type of vehicle to the external device. In this way, information regarding the type of vehicle can be sent to a device located outside the vehicle. In a vehicle alerting device according to a further preferred aspect of the present invention, the storage device can be configured to update the type of vehicle stored in the storage device. In this way, appropriate information regarding the type of vehicle, corresponding to the type of vehicle on which the vehicle alerting device is mounted, can be sent to a device located outside the vehicle. A vehicle warning device according to a further preferred aspect of the present invention can further comprise a radio receiver, and the storage device is configured to update information stored in the storage device in accordance with an external signal fed into the radio receiver. Thus, information in the storage device can be easily updated by a device located outside the vehicle warning device. In a vehicle warning device according to a further preferred aspect of the present invention, the radio transmitter can be provided on the base section. Since the radio transmitter can be attached to the rotating body by attaching the mounting section to the rotating body, the vehicle warning device can therefore be easily mounted. In a vehicle alarm device according to a further preferred aspect of the present invention, the base section can have a housing that accommodates the radio transmitter and the power generator. In this way, the radio transmitter and the power generator are protected by the housing. In a vehicle warning device according to a further preferred aspect of the present invention, at least one section of the housing can be designed such that it can be formed from a material that is configured to transmit radio waves. In this way, a radio signal from the radio transmitter can be sent to a device located outside the vehicle. In a vehicle warning device according to a further preferred aspect of the present invention, the base section can have a light-reflecting reflective layer. This increases the visibility of the base section. In a vehicle warning device according to a further preferred aspect of the present invention, the transmission frequency of the radio transmitter can be configured to be in the 700-900 MHz band, the 1700-3500 MHz band, or the 5900 MHz band. This makes the vehicle warning device suitable for communication with an IoT (Internet of Things). The vehicle detection device of the present invention allows others to easily detect a vehicle. Selected embodiments of the vehicle alarm device according to the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which form part of this original disclosure, wherein: Fig. 1 is a side view of a bicycle equipped with the vehicle alarm device of the present embodiment; Fig. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of a bicycle spoke and a vehicle alarm device; Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing the electrical structure of the vehicle alarm device; Fig. 4 is a perspective exploded view of the vehicle alarm device of the present embodiment; Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the vehicle alarm device; and Fig. 6 is a side view of a crank to which a vehicle alarm device according to a modified embodiment is attached. The person skilled in the art in bicycles will understand from this disclosure that the following descriptions of the embodiments are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the invention as defined by the attached claims and their equivalents. As shown in Fig. 1, the vehicle detection device 10 is mounted on a vehicle BK, which is designed to be driven by manual propulsion (hereinafter simply referred to as "vehicle BK"). Vehicle BK can be a bicycle, scooter, skateboard, roller skate, balance bike, wheelchair, cart, sports car, or trailer. In Fig. 1, a bicycle is shown as an example of a vehicle BK. Vehicle BK can travel on a road, etc., just like other vehicles. Examples of other vehicles include automobiles and bicycles. An external device ED1 outside of vehicle BK (see Fig. 3) for detecting vehicle BK is known as a device mounted on other vehicles. The vehicle detection device 10 is designed to report the presence of vehicle BK to the external device ED1 outside of vehicle BK (see Fig. 3).A vehicle containing the external device ED1 outside the vehicle BK (see Fig. 3) is designed to receive a signal sent by the vehicle alarm device 10 to detect the presence of the vehicle BK. The external device ED1 outside the vehicle BK contains at least one display unit and one sound output unit and is designed to be mounted on a vehicle. The external device ED1 outside the vehicle BK is, for example, a vehicle navigation device. The vehicle BK has a rotating body W. Examples of a rotating body W include a front wheel WF, a rear wheel WR, a crank CR, and a pedal. In the present embodiment, the rotating body W includes a spoke SP. The vehicle signaling device 10 is attached to a section of the vehicle BK from which a signal can be appropriately transmitted to another vehicle. In one example, the vehicle signaling device 10 is attached to the rotating body W. The vehicle signaling device 10 is attached to at least one spoke SP of the front wheel WF and one spoke SP of the rear wheel WR. In the first example shown in Fig. 1, the vehicle signaling device 10 is attached to the spoke SP of the front wheel WF. In a second example, the vehicle signaling device 10 is attached to the spoke SP of the rear wheel WR.In a third example, the vehicle reporting device 10 is attached to the spoke SP of the front wheel WF and the spoke SP of the rear wheel WR. As shown in Fig. 2, the vehicle warning device 10 has a base section 12 and a mounting section 14. The mounting section 14 is connected to the base section 12. The mounting section 14 can be attached to or detached from the rotating body W of the vehicle BK. The mounting section 14 is designed so that it can be attached to the rotating body W in such a way that the base section 12 is exposed outside the rotating body W. In one example, the mounting section 14 is designed so that it can be attached to the spoke SP of the rotating body W. One or more bores 12A are formed in the base section 12. In the example shown in Fig. 2, two bores 12A are formed in the base section 12. An internal thread 12B is formed in the bore 12A. The mounting section 14 has a mounting plate 16 and screws 18. The mounting plate 16 is formed separately from the base section 12.Each screw 18 is inserted into the mounting plate 16 and the base section 12. In a preferred embodiment, a sealing material 18A (see Fig. 5) is provided on the external thread of the screw 18. One or more grooves 16A and one or more bores 16B are formed in the mounting plate 16. In the example shown in Fig. 2, two grooves 16A and two bores 16B are formed in the mounting plate 16. The groove 16A is designed to partially receive the spoke SP. In one example, the vehicle warning device 10 is attached to the spoke SP as follows. First, the mounting plate 16 is attached to the spoke SP such that the spoke SP is partially engaged in the groove 16A. Next, the base section 12 is aligned with the mounting plate 16 so that the spoke SP is positioned between the mounting plate 16 and the base section. Next, the screw 18 is inserted into the bore 16B of the mounting plate 16 and the bore 12A of the base section 12, and the screw 18 engages with the internal thread 12B of the base section 12. Rotating the vehicle warning device 10 about the axis of the spoke SP can be prevented by engaging one spoke SP in each of the two grooves 16A. As shown in Fig. 3, the vehicle warning device 10 includes a radio transmitter 20 and a power generator 22. The radio transmitter 20 is configured to send a radio signal, indicating its presence, to the external device ED1 located outside the vehicle BK. The power generator 22 produces electrical current that can be supplied to the radio transmitter 20. In a preferred embodiment, the vehicle warning device 10 further comprises a radio receiver 24, a power storage device 26, a control unit 28, a first sensor 30, and a second sensor 32. The control unit 28 is electrically connected to the radio transmitter 20, the power generator 22, the radio receiver 24, the power storage device 26, the first sensor 30, and the second sensor 32. Information received by the radio receiver 24 and the readings from the sensors 30 and 32 are sent to the control unit 28. The first sensor 30 detects the vehicle speed of BK. The first sensor 30 contains a sensor configured to detect the vehicle speed of BK. In one example, the first sensor 30 contains an accelerometer. The first sensor 30 detects the vehicle speed of BK by integrating the values ​​detected by the accelerometer. The second sensor 32 detects position information of the vehicle BK. In one example, the second sensor 32 contains a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver. The controller 28 comprises one or more arithmetic processors 28A and a memory device 28B. In the first example, the arithmetic processor 28A is a CPU (central processing unit) or an MPU (microprocessor). In the second example, the arithmetic processor 28A includes, in addition to the CPU or MPU, common circuits such as an input interface circuit and an output interface circuit. The storage device 28B stores information regarding the type of vehicle BK. Types of vehicles BK include a bicycle, a scooter, a skateboard, a roller skate, a balance bike, a wheelchair, a cart, a sports car, and a trailer. In a preferred embodiment, the storage device 28B further stores one or more different control programs, information used for various control processes, information regarding the speed of the vehicle BK, and position information about the vehicle BK. The storage device 28B is configured to update the stored information using a predefined update procedure. In a first update procedure, information stored in the storage device 28B is updated using an external device ED2.The external device ED2 is a device separate from the vehicle alarm device 10 and the external device ED1 located outside the vehicle BK. The external device ED2 comprises a radio transmitter configured to send a radio signal externally and a radio receiver configured to receive a radio signal emitted by the vehicle alarm device. Examples of an external device ED2 include portable devices such as a smartphone, a tablet computer, and a laptop, and a control unit for the vehicle BK. The storage device 28B is configured to update information stored in the storage device 28B according to an external signal fed into the radio receiver 24.In a second update procedure, information stored in the memory device 28B is updated using an operating unit (not shown) provided on the vehicle message device 10. In a preferred example, the radio transmitter 20 and the radio receiver 24 are integrated into a single assembly (not shown). In a first example, the radio transmitter 20 and the radio receiver 24 are integrated into separate assemblies. In a second example, the radio transmitter 20 and the radio receiver 24 are integrated into a single assembly. Fig. 4 shows the first example. The external device ED2 is designed to verify whether the vehicle alarm device 10 is functioning normally. For example, when a user holds a smartphone (which is an external device ED2) over the vehicle alarm device 10, the radio receiver of the external device ED2 receives a radio signal emitted by the vehicle alarm device 10. Based on the received radio signal, the external device ED2 determines that the vehicle alarm device 10 is functioning normally and provides this result to the user. According to one example of a delivery method, information indicating that the vehicle alarm device 10 is functioning normally is displayed on a display unit of the external device ED2. The radio transmitter 20 is configured to send radio signals containing various pieces of information about the external device ED1 outside the vehicle BK. In a first example, the radio transmitter 20 is configured to send radio signals containing information corresponding to the detection result of the first sensor 30 to the external device ED1 outside the vehicle BK. In a second example, the radio transmitter 20 is configured to send radio signals containing information corresponding to the detection result of the second sensor 32 to the external device ED1 outside the vehicle BK. In a third example, the radio transmitter 20 is configured to send radio signals containing information regarding the type of vehicle BK to the external device ED1 outside the vehicle BK. The one shown in Fig.The radio transmitter 20 shown in section 3 is designed to send radio signals containing all the information from the first to third examples to the external device ED1 outside the vehicle BK. The radio transmitter 20 sends a radio signal with a transmission frequency in a predefined frequency band to the external device ED1 outside the vehicle BK. The transmission frequency is a frequency band suitable, for example, for communication with an IoT (Internet of Things). In one example, the transmission frequency is in the 700–900 MHz band. In a second example, the transmission frequency is in the 1700–3500 MHz band. In a third example, the transmission frequency is in the 5900 MHz band. The transmission frequency can include multiple frequencies; for example, it can contain two or more frequencies from the 700–900 MHz band, the 1700–3500 MHz band, and the 5900 MHz band. The radio receiver 24 is configured to receive the radio signal emitted by the external device ED2. The controller 28 updates the information stored in the memory device 28B based on the radio signal received by the radio receiver 24. The radio signal emitted by the external device ED2 contains information for updating the information stored in the memory device 28B. An example of such information includes details regarding the type of vehicle BK. The power generator 22 is configured to supply electrical current to the control unit 28. The power generator 22 is configured to supply electrical current to the radio transmitter 20, the radio receiver 24, the first sensor 30, and the second sensor 32 via the control unit 28. The power generator 22 comprises at least one of a three-phase generator 22X, a vibration generator 22Y, and a solar generator 22Z. The power generator 22 illustrated in Fig. 3 comprises a three-phase generator 22X, a vibration generator 22Y, and a solar generator 22Z. An example of a three-phase generator 22X is an automatic winding generator. The three-phase generator 22X has a rotor 22A, which rotates along with the rotation of the vehicle BK's rotating body, and a coil 22B in which electromagnetic induction occurs due to the rotation of the rotor 22A. The rotor 22A contains a permanent magnet.In the present embodiment, the rotor 22A is rotated by the centrifugal force and the acceleration in the direction of rotation that accompanies the rotation of the front wheel WF (see Fig. 1). The vibratory current generator 22Y has a piezoelectric element 22C that generates current by vibration exerted on the vibratory current generator 22Y. The solar current generator 22Z has a photoelectric element 22D that generates current by sunlight. The photoelectric element 22D is provided on the outer surface section of the base section 12. The power storage device 26 is configured to store electrical current generated by the power generator 22. The power storage device 26 is configured to supply electrical current to the controller 28. The power storage device 26 is configured to supply electrical current to the radio transmitter 20, the controller 28, the first sensor 30, and the second sensor 32 via the controller 28. Examples of the power storage device 26 include a capacitor and a secondary battery. The power storage device 26 has a charging capacity that allows the radio transmitter 20 to send signals from a fully charged state for a predetermined period when the power generator 22 is not generating current. The predetermined period is five minutes or more, and preferably one hour or more. As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the base section 12 has a housing 34. The housing 34 accommodates the radio transmitter 20 and the current generator 22. In a preferred example, the housing 34 further accommodates the radio receiver 24, the energy storage device 26, the control unit 28, the first sensor 30, and the second sensor 32. In another example, the housing 34 has a first housing section 40 and a second housing section 50. At least one section of the housing 34 is made of a material configured to transmit radio waves. In a first example, the first housing section 40 is made of a material configured to transmit radio waves. In a second example, the second housing section 50 is made of a material configured to transmit radio waves.In a third example, each of the housing sections 40, 50 is made of a material designed to transmit radio waves. At least one section of the housing is made of a resin material designed to transmit radio waves. The radio transmitter 20 and the power generator 22 are provided on the base section 12. In a preferred example, the radio receiver 24, the power storage device 26, the control unit 28, the first sensor 30, and the second sensor 32 are provided on the base section 12. The base section 12 has a printed circuit board 42 and a sealing element 44. The radio transmitter 20, the power generator 22, the radio receiver 24, the power storage device 26, the first sensor 30, and the second sensor 32 (hereinafter referred to as "radio transmitter 20, etc.") are installed on the printed circuit board 42. The printed circuit board 42 is attached to the top 40A of the first housing section 40. The sealing element 44 creates a seal between the first housing section 40 and the second housing section 50. The sealing element 44 is formed from an elastic body. In one example, the sealing component 44 is an O-ring. The first housing section 40 is disc-shaped. The first housing section 40 has an internal thread 12B, a mounting recess 46, and an external thread 48. The mounting recess 46 and the external thread 48 are formed on an outer circumferential section of the first housing section 40. The sealing element 44 is attached to the mounting recess 46. The bore 12A is designed to pass through the first housing section 40. A bore connected to bore 12A is formed in the printed circuit board 42. Bore 12A can be designed such that it does not pass through the first housing section 40. The second housing section 50 accommodates the circuit board 42 and the radio transmitter 20, etc. The second housing section 50 has a shape in which one end of a cylindrical component is closed. The second housing section 50 has an internal thread 52 (see Fig. 5) which is connected to the external thread 48. The internal thread 52 is formed on the inner circumferential section of the cylindrical portion of the second housing section 50. The second housing section 50 is attached to the first housing section 40. In one example, as shown in Fig. 5, the housing sections 40 and 50 are connected to each other by the external thread 48 of the first housing section 40 and the internal thread 52 of the second housing section 50. The means for connecting the housing sections 40 and 50 are not limited to an internal thread and an external thread.For example, the housing sections 40 and 50 can also be joined together using other methods, such as bonding, welding, press fit, or fastening with a screw or the like. Even though the housing 34 of the present embodiment is cylindrical, this does not imply any limitation, and various shapes can be used, such as a square prism or a spherical shape. The base section 12 has a light-reflecting reflective layer 54. The shape and mounting position of the reflective layer 54 can be freely chosen. In one example, as shown in Fig. 4, the reflective layer 54 is disk-shaped. As shown in Fig. 5, the reflective layer 54 is mounted on a wall section 56 opposite the circuit board 42 in the second housing section 50. Examples of means for mounting the reflective layer 54 to the wall section 56 include an adhesive or double-sided adhesive tape. In another example, the reflective layer 54 is formed integrally as part of the second housing section 50. As shown in Fig. 5, when the housing sections 40 and 50 are connected, the sealing element 44 is compressed by the housing sections 40 and 50. Consequently, the watertightness is improved. The operation of the vehicle reporting device 10 will now be described with reference to Fig. 3. When electrical current is supplied to the radio transmitter 20 from the energy storage device 26, the radio transmitter 20 is activated. The radio transmitter 20 sends a radio signal to the external device ED1 outside the vehicle BK at predetermined time intervals. The radio signals contain information to report the presence of the vehicle BK, information regarding the type of vehicle BK, information regarding the speed of the vehicle BK, and information regarding the position of the vehicle BK. When an automobile (another vehicle) equipped with the external device ED1 outside the vehicle BK is traveling within the range of the radio signal, the external device ED1 outside the vehicle BK receives the radio signal.The external device ED1 outside the vehicle BK is configured to output information indicating the presence, type, and position of vehicle BK from the received radio signal, using at least one display unit and one audio output unit. The external device ED1 outside the vehicle BK is further configured to output, using at least one display unit and one audio output unit from the received radio signal, whether vehicle BK is moving or not, and if so, its speed and direction of travel. The vehicle's control system is configured to predict the behavior of vehicle BK based on the information obtained from the external device ED1 outside the vehicle BK, which can be used, for example, to control the vehicle's automatic transmission. The descriptions of the embodiment described above merely illustrate one mode that the vehicle alarm device of the present invention can assume and are not intended to limit its form. For example, the vehicle alarm device of the present invention can assume the forms of the modified examples of the embodiment described above shown below, as well as forms that combine at least two non-contradictory modified examples. The mounting position of the vehicle warning device 10 on the rotating body of the vehicle BK can be freely changed. In one example, the rotating body of the vehicle BK has a crank CR. In the example shown in Fig. 6, the vehicle warning device 10 is attached to the crank CR. Specifically, the vehicle warning device 10 is attached to the crank arm CA. The vehicle warning device 10 has a mounting section 60 instead of the mounting section 14. The mounting section 60 is designed so that it can be attached to the crank CR. In one example, the mounting section 60 has a first mounting section 62 and a second mounting section 64. The mounting section 60 projects outwards from a base body 34A of the housing 34. The mounting section 60 includes a projection that projects, for example, in a direction that separates from the base body 34A of the housing 34.Bores into which a screw 18 can be inserted are formed in the mounting section 60 and in the crank arm CA. An internal thread, which engages with the screw 18, is formed in the bore in the crank arm CA. The vehicle warning device 10 is attached to the crank arm CA by a first screw 18 inserted into the first mounting section 62 and the crank arm CA, and a second screw 18 inserted into the second mounting section 64 and the crank arm CA. The mounting section 60 can be designed so that it can be attached to the crank arm CA with an elastic band instead of a screw. In this case, the crank arm CA must be machined accordingly to attach the vehicle warning device 10.Furthermore, the fastening section 60 can have a bore into which a pedal shaft of a pedal can be inserted, and can be fastened by being positioned between a section of the pedal shaft and the crank arm CA when the pedal shaft is inserted through it. The elements forming the vehicle signaling device 10 can be freely modified. In one example, the vehicle signaling device 10 can be configured such that at least one of the radio receiver 24, the energy storage device 26, the first sensor 30, and the second sensor 32 is omitted. In a preferred example, the elements omitted from the vehicle signaling device 10 are provided on another device mounted on the vehicle BK. The fastening section 14 can be designed to be attached to the hub of a wheel. The design of the fastening section 14 can be modified into various forms, as long as it can be attached to a spoke SP or a hub. For example, the fastening section 14 can be designed to include an elastic band and be attached to or detached from the spoke SP by means of this band. Although only selected embodiments have been chosen to illustrate the present invention, the person skilled in the art will understand from this disclosure that various changes and modifications can be made without deviating from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. Not all advantages need be present in a particular embodiment. Each feature that is unique compared to the prior art, alone or in combination with other features, should also be regarded as a separate description of further inventions of the applicant, including the structural and / or functional concepts embodied by that feature(s). Therefore, the foregoing descriptions of the embodiments according to the present invention serve only to illustrate and not to limit the invention as defined by the attached claims and their equivalents. LIST OF REFERENCE MARKS 10 Vehicle alarm device 12 Base section 12A Holes 12B Internal thread 14 Mounting section 16 Mounting plate 16A Grooves 16B Holes 18 Screws 18A Sealing material 20 Radio transmitter 22 Power generator 22A Rotor 22B Coil 22C Piezoelectric element 22D Photoelectric element 22X Three-phase generator 22Y Vibration generator 22Z Solar generator 24 Radio receiver 26 Energy storage device 28 Control unit 28A Arithmetic processor(s) 28B Storage device 30 First sensor 32 Second sensor 34 Housing 34A Base body 40 First housing section 40A Top side 42 Circuit board 44 Sealing component 46 Mounting recess 48 External thread 50 Second housing section 52 Internal thread 54 Reflective layer 56 Wall section 60 Mounting section 62 First Mounting section 64 second mounting section BK vehicle CR crank CA crank arm ED1 external device outside the vehicle ED2 external device SP spoke W rotating body WF front wheel WR rear wheel

Claims

Vehicle reporting device (10) comprising: a base section (12); a mounting section (14, 60) provided on the base section (12) which can be attached to or detached from a rotating body (W) of a vehicle (BK) designed to be driven by a manual propulsion force; a radio transmitter (20) designed to send a radio signal reporting its presence to an external device (ED1) outside the vehicle (BK); and a current generator (22) which generates electrical current which is supplied to the radio transmitter (20). Vehicle reporting device (10) according to claim 1, wherein the fastening section (14, 60) is designed such that it can be attached to the rotating body (W) in such a way that the base section (12) is exposed to the outside of the rotating body (W). Vehicle reporting device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the rotating body (W) has a spoke (SP) and the fastening section (14) can be attached to the spoke (SP). Vehicle reporting device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the rotating body (W) has a crank (CR) and the fastening section (60) can be attached to the crank (CR). Vehicle signaling device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the current generator (22) has a rotor (22A) which is rotated together with the rotation of the rotating body (W); and a coil (22B) in which an electromagnetic induction takes place through the rotation of the rotor (22A). Vehicle signaling device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the current generator (22) has a piezoelectric element (22C) which oscillates while generating electric current which is supplied to the current generator (22). Vehicle signaling device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the current generator (22) has a photoelectric element (22D) that generates electric current by sunlight. Vehicle signaling device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a power storage device (28B) (26) which stores the electric current generated by the power generator (22). Vehicle signaling device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the power generator (22) is provided on the base section (12). Vehicle reporting device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a first sensor (30) which detects the vehicle speed (BK), wherein the radio transmitter (20) is configured to send radio signals containing information corresponding to a detection result of the first sensor (30) to the external device (ED1). Vehicle reporting device (10) according to claim 10, wherein the first measuring sensor (30) comprises an acceleration sensor. Vehicle reporting device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a second sensor (32) which detects position information about the vehicle (BK), wherein the radio transmitter (20) is configured to send radio signals containing information corresponding to an output of the second sensor (32) to the external device (ED1). Vehicle reporting device (10) according to claim 12, wherein the second sensor (32) has a GPS receiver. Vehicle reporting device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a storage device (28B) which stores information regarding the type of vehicle (BK), wherein the radio transmitter (20) is configured to send radio signals containing information regarding the type of vehicle (BK) to the external device (ED1). Vehicle reporting device (10) according to claim 14, wherein the storage device (28B) is configured to update the type of vehicle (BK) stored in the storage device (28B). Vehicle reporting device (10) according to one of claims 14 to 15, further comprising a radio receiver (24), wherein the storage device (28B) is configured to update the information stored in the storage device (28B) according to an external signal that is fed into the radio receiver (24). Vehicle reporting device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the radio transmitter (20) is provided on the base section (12). Vehicle reporting device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the base section (12) has a housing (34) that accommodates the radio transmitter (20) and the power generator (22). Vehicle reporting device (10) according to claim 18, wherein at least one section of the housing (34) is made of a material designed to transmit radio waves. Vehicle reporting device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the base section (12) has a light-reflecting reflective layer (54). Vehicle reporting device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the transmission frequency of the radio transmitter (20) is in the 700 - 900 MHz band, in the 1700 - 3500 MHz band or in the 5900 MHz band.

Images