Direction indicator device

Abstract

The invention relates to a direction indicator device for bicycles, comprising an actuating unit (13), a controller, at least two flashing elements (10, 11, 12), each with two lighting units, and at least two radio modules (10F, 11F, 12F, 13F), wherein the radio modules (10F, 11F, 12F, 13F) are designed as transmitting and / or receiving modules. The controller has an active signal propagation time measurement of the radio modules (10F, 11F, 12F, 13F).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a direction indicator device for bicycles comprising an actuating unit, a control unit, at least two flashing elements each with two lighting units and at least two radio modules, wherein the radio modules are designed as transmitting and / or receiving modules.

[0002] When cycling, indicating a change of direction, for example, to turn or change lanes, is usually done by extending the arm in the direction in which the cyclist wishes to change direction. To do this, the cyclist must remove one hand from the handlebars.

[0003] Generally, this approach poses no problem for experienced cyclists. However, in the dark or in poor visibility conditions, the cyclist's hand signals are difficult for other road users to recognize. In addition, having only one hand on the handlebars negatively impacts stability, for example, when braking with only one hand on the handlebars. Even with cargo bikes, turning with only one hand when fully loaded can be accident-prone. The same applies to heavy e-bikes or pedelecs (pedal electric cycles).

[0004] To avoid these problems, it is known that direction indicators are installed on bicycles, e-bikes, pedelecs, and also e-scooters (hereinafter collectively referred to as "bicycles"). Once switched on, the direction indicators must flash at a specified frequency between bright and dark, and in the same phase on the same side of the vehicle. They must be installed and designed in such a way that the indication of the intended change of direction can be clearly perceived by other road users for whom their visibility is important, under all lighting and operating conditions.

[0005] Direction indicators on bicycles are well known. They consist of an operating unit mounted on the handlebars and indicators whose light elements are positioned to the left and right of the bicycle's longitudinal centerline. They are either pre-assembled upon delivery or can be retrofitted. Pre-assembled versions use a wired version, with the cables routed through the frame tubes. This version is particularly suitable for bicycles equipped with electric auxiliary drives, as it allows connection to the auxiliary drive's battery. The wiring also controls the indicators.

[0006] In non-wired versions, both the control unit and the indicators are equipped with rechargeable batteries. They are also equipped with radio modules (see, for example, DE 20 2006 002 265 U1). These are implemented as transmitter modules in the control unit and as receiver modules in the indicators. The control unit sends signals to the indicators to turn them on and off. Since the indicators on the same side of the vehicle must flash in the same phase, the wireless indicators equipped with receiver modules are only retrofitted to the rear of the bicycle.

[0007] US 11 103 022 B2 discloses a lighting device in which a light source can be synchronously added to a number of other wirelessly connected light sources. WO 2019 / 010 440 A1 discloses a device in which the lighting devices of pedestrians, cyclists, etc., traveling in a group can be synchronized with each other.

[0008] Against this background, the invention is based on the object of creating a direction indicator device for bicycles that enables wireless communication between the indicator elements on the front and rear of the bicycle and synchronous flashing. According to the invention, this object is achieved with the features of patent claim 1.

[0009] The invention provides a direction indicator device for bicycles that enables wireless communication between the indicator elements on the front and rear of the bicycle and synchronized flashing. This is ensured by the active signal propagation time measurement of the radio modules. This allows each indicator element to be assigned a time-coordinated signal, enabling synchronous flashing despite different radio paths.

[0010] It is advantageous to measure the signal propagation time in an event-driven manner. This type of propagation time measurement is both reliable and energy-efficient.

[0011] In one embodiment of the invention, the indicator located on the rear of the bicycle is equipped with a repeater. The repeater can, for example, forward the signal emitted by the radio module of the operating unit to the radio element of the indicator of a trailer. This enables reliable transmission of the signals even to the indicator of a trailer located far away.

[0012] The radio modules preferably communicate with each other via a mesh radio connection. This allows the radio modules to receive and forward signals from other radio modules. For example, in the event of a radio interruption in some areas of the direction indicator system, another radio module that is still accessible via radio can receive the transmitted signal and forward it to the radio module selected for actual reception. Since each radio module is assigned a unique address, the signals can be identified at any time.

[0013] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the control unit is equipped with a learning function. This makes it possible to integrate other indicator elements into the direction indicator system, for example, if a trailer equipped with an indicator element is to be attached to the bicycle.

[0014] In a further development of the invention, the actuating unit is provided with at least one indicator. The indicator makes error messages visible to the cyclist.

[0015] In another embodiment of the invention, the indicator elements and the actuating unit are each equipped with a rechargeable battery. This design makes the direction indicator device according to the invention energy-independent and therefore also suitable for use on bicycles that do not have an electric auxiliary drive and therefore do not have a power supply.

[0016] Further developments and refinements of the invention are specified in the remaining subclaims. An embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the drawings and described in detail below. They show: Fig. 1 the schematic representation of a bicycle with trailer; Fig. 2 shows a schematic representation of a direction indicator device; Fig. 3 shows a schematic representation of a direction indicator device in another embodiment; Fig. 4 shows a schematic representation of a direction indicator device in a further embodiment.

[0017] The direction indicator device chosen as an example is described below using the Fig. 1. The bicycle shown in the exemplary embodiment has two front wheels 1 and a rear wheel 2. It has a frame 3 which includes a seat post with a saddle 4. A pedal crank 5 is attached to the frame, as well as a steering rod with a handlebar 6. The bicycle chosen as the exemplary embodiment has an electric auxiliary drive which can be operated using a battery 7. Between the two front wheels 1 is the loading area of the cargo bike, which is provided with a tray 8 for the load. In the exemplary embodiment, the bicycle is equipped with a trailer 9 which has two wheels and is attached to the bicycle in a known manner via a drawbar.

[0018] The bicycle is equipped with a direction indicator device, and in this embodiment, the trailer is also equipped with one. The device according to the invention comprises indicator elements 10, 11, 12, of which indicator element 10 is mounted on the (front) side of the bicycle facing in the direction of travel, and indicator element 11 is mounted on the (rear) side of the bicycle facing against the direction of travel. Indicator element 12 is mounted on the (rear) side of the trailer facing against the direction of travel.

[0019] All indicator elements 10, 11, 12 each consist of two light units, of which the light units marked with "L" are arranged on the left side of the longitudinal center line of the bicycle, and the light units marked with "R" are arranged on the right side of the longitudinal center line of the bicycle. The light units of the indicator elements 10, 11, 12 can be combined into one assembly, as in the embodiments according to the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 is the case, or they can be installed separately and provided with a separate power supply, as in the embodiment according to Fig. 4 is the case.

[0020] The direction indicator device comprises an actuating unit 13, which in the exemplary embodiment is arranged on the handlebar 6. The actuating unit 13 is preferably designed as a push-button. Other designs, such as a sliding element, touchpad, or the like, are also possible.

[0021] In the embodiment according to Fig. 2, the bicycle's battery 7 simultaneously serves to power the bicycle's direction indicator. For this reason, both the indicator elements 10 and 11 and the actuation unit 13 are connected to the battery 7 via cables 14. In contrast, the indicator element 12 on the trailer in the exemplary embodiment comprises a separate battery 12A to avoid wiring along the trailer's drawbar. In a modification of the exemplary embodiment, wiring and a corresponding connection to the bicycle's battery 7 is of course possible.

[0022] In the embodiment according to Fig. 3, all the flashing elements 10, 11 and 12 are each provided with a battery 10A, 11A and 12A, which supplies the flashing elements, each consisting of two light units, with power. In the embodiment according to Fig. 4, however, the lighting units themselves are each provided with a battery. The actuating unit 13 is also provided with a battery 13A in these embodiments. Since the Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 do not depend on a central accumulator of an e-bike or pedelec, these versions can also be used on conventional bicycles that do not have an electrically powered auxiliary drive.

[0023] The flashing elements 10, 11, and 12 as well as the actuating unit 13 are each equipped with a radio module 10F, 11F, 12F, and 13F. The radio modules enable communication between the flashing elements 10, 11, and 12 and the actuating unit 13. The radio modules 10F, 11F, 12F, and 13F are designed as transmitting and / or receiving modules.

[0024] In the simplest embodiment, the radio module 13F of the actuating unit 13 is an active radio module, whereas the radio modules 10F, 11F, and 12F are merely passive radio modules, which can therefore only receive radio signals emitted by the radio module 13F of the actuating unit 13, but cannot emit signals themselves. This embodiment is sufficient for the operation of the direction indicator device.

[0025] In a variation of this embodiment, the radio modules 10F, 11F, and 12F can also be designed as active radio modules capable of transmitting signals, and the radio module 13F of the actuating unit 13 can also be capable of receiving signals. In this embodiment, the radio modules 10F, 11F, and 12F can not only receive signals from the radio module 13F of the actuating unit 13, but can also send signals to the radio module 13F of the actuating unit 13, for example, an error message if a lighting unit is defective or if the charge level of a battery falls below a preset value. It is also possible to send a message if, for example, the radio connection is faulty or interrupted.

[0026] To reduce the risk of a radio connection being interrupted, the direction indicator device according to the invention is equipped with a mesh radio connection. With this type of radio connection, the radio modules can communicate with each other, as each radio module generates its own signal. In this way, for example, a signal from the trailer's radio module 12F can be forwarded via the radio module 11F on the rear of the bicycle to the control unit in the actuation unit 13, and vice versa.

[0027] Particularly in the case where the radio modules 10F, 11F, and 12F of the indicator elements are passive radio modules, the indicator element 11 located on the rear of the bicycle can be equipped with a repeater or regenerator. A repeater is an electrical signal amplifier for increasing the range of a signal. In such an embodiment, the repeater located in the indicator element 11 forwards the signal emitted by the radio module 13F of the actuating unit 13 to the radio element 12F of the indicator element 12 of the trailer. This reduces the risk of an interruption in the radio connection between the actuating unit 13 and the indicator element 12.

[0028] To indicate an error message to the bicycle user, the operating unit 13 is provided with an indicator 13I. This can be formed, for example, by an LED (light-emitting diode). In the event of an error message, this can light up continuously or flash at a predetermined frequency. In this way, various error messages can be displayed with just one LED. The use of multiple LEDs, even in different colors, is also possible. The indicator 13I can also be a backlit symbol that makes the type of error immediately recognizable. Error messages indicated by the indicator 13I can include an interrupted radio connection, the charge level of one or more batteries, a defective lighting unit, etc.

[0029] The actuating unit 13 is equipped with a controller. The controller processes outgoing and incoming radio signals. According to the invention, an essential function of the controller is to ensure that the light units of the flashing elements 10, 11, and 12 flash synchronously. For this purpose, the controller has an active signal propagation time measurement for all radio modules. Due to the different distances between the radio modules and possibly different shielding of the radio modules, there is a risk of delays in signal transmission, which is why the flashing elements do not always receive the respective signal at the same time. The signal propagation time measurement enables the transmission of a time-coordinated signal to each individual flashing element 10, 11, and 12. This ensures that the respective light units flash synchronously.

[0030] The controller also processes error messages received from the radio modules 10F, 11F, and 12F to display them on indicator 13I. At the same time, the controller can also take action when certain error messages occur. For example, if a failure of a lighting unit is reported, the controller can double the flashing frequency to make the error visible to the user.

[0031] In addition, the control unit can be equipped with a teach-in function. This can be activated, for example, via a preset key combination to add an additional flashing element to the direction indicator when, for example, a trailer is attached to the bicycle.

Claims

[1] Direction indicator device for bicycles comprising an actuating unit (13), a control unit, at least two flashing elements (10, 11, 12) each with two lighting units and at least two radio modules (10F, 11F, 12F, 13F), wherein the radio modules (10F, 11F, 12F, 13F) are designed as transmitting and / or receiving modules, characterized by that the controller has an active signal propagation time measurement of the radio modules (10F, 11F, 12F, 13F). [2] Direction indicator device according to claim 1, characterized by that the signal propagation time measurement is carried out continuously. [3] Direction indicator device according to claim 1, characterized by that the signal propagation time measurement is event-oriented. [4] Direction indicator device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by that the indicator element (11) arranged on the rear of the bicycle is provided with a repeater. [5] Direction indicator device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by that the radio modules (10F, 11F, 12F, 13F) communicate with each other via mesh radio connection. [6] Direction indicator device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the control is equipped with a learning function. [7] Direction indicator device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the actuating unit (13) is provided with at least one indicator (13I). [8] Direction indicator device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the flashing elements (10, 11, 12) and the actuating unit (13) are each provided with an accumulator (10A, 11A, 12A, 13A). [9] Bicycle with a direction indicator device according to one of the preceding claims.

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