Direction indicator device for bicycles

Abstract

The invention relates to a direction indicator device for bicycles in the form of a handlebar-end indicator, comprising a housing (1), a lighting unit (3), an operating unit (8), and a control unit (7). The operating unit (8) is formed by actuating means (9) arranged on the outside of the housing (1).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a direction indicator device for bicycles in the form of a handlebar end indicator comprising a housing, a lighting unit, an operating unit and a control unit.

[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. Furthermore, 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 hazardous. This also 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"). When switched on, the direction indicators must flash between bright and dark at a specified frequency. They must be mounted 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 at least one operating unit mounted on the handlebars, as well as indicators whose light elements are mounted to the left and right of the bicycle's longitudinal centerline. The operating units are usually equipped with a button or slider.

[0006] In the direction indicators of the type considered here, the light elements emitting the turn signal are located at the ends of the handlebars. This type of direction indicator is also known as "bar-end indicators" or "bull's-eye" indicators.

[0007] The familiar direction indicators in the form of handlebar-end indicators meet the requirements placed on them. However, the control units generally cannot be operated without removing the hand from the handlebar grips. This is due to the fact that the familiar control units are located on the (inside) side of the grips, away from the handlebar ends. Particularly in cases where the direction indicators are retrofitted, other control elements, e.g., for the brakes, gearshift, etc., prevent the controls from being positioned directly adjacent to the grips. This further reduces operating comfort.

[0008] To avoid this disadvantage, WO 2016 / 203 224 A1 discloses a turn signal device for vehicles with handlebars. An actuating device is formed directly on the indicator, which is attached to the outside of the handlebar grip. The actuating device is designed to be comparatively small.

[0009] Against this background, the invention is based on the object of creating a direction indicator device for bicycles in the form of a handlebar-end indicator, which can be operated without having to remove the hand from the handlebar grip while simultaneously ensuring reliable operation. According to the invention, this object is achieved with the features of patent claim 1.

[0010] The invention creates a direction indicator device for bicycles in the form of a handlebar-end indicator that allows operation without having to remove the hand from the handlebar grip, while ensuring reliable operation. Furthermore, the actuation means are mounted on the outside of the housing, eliminating the need for separate mounting of the control unit.

[0011] The actuating means can be formed by a ring surrounding the housing. This design has the advantage that the direction indicator can be actuated not only at one location, but at any location around the housing.

[0012] In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the means for actuating can instead be formed by at least one ring segment which surrounds the housing at least in part.

[0013] In a further development of the invention, the actuating means are mounted floatingly on the housing. This allows the direction indicator to be triggered in the axial direction of the bicycle handlebar.

[0014] Advantageously, the means for actuating correspond to at least one sensor, which enables reliable triggering and deactivation of the direction indicator device.

[0015] In another embodiment of the invention, the actuating means interact with at least one return element. This increases the ease of use of the direction indicator device, as the user always finds the means in the same position regardless of the current operating state, thus reducing the risk of incorrect operation.

[0016] In another embodiment of the invention, at least one rechargeable battery is arranged in the housing. This ensures the supply of electrical energy for the function of the direction indicator, so that the direction indicator according to the invention does not have to be connected to the rechargeable battery of a bicycle equipped with an electrically powered auxiliary motor. Furthermore, the direction indicator according to the invention can thus also be used on bicycles that do not have an electrically powered auxiliary motor and therefore do not have a power supply.

[0017] At least one radio module can be arranged in the housing. Using the radio module, the direction indicator device according to the invention can communicate with other components on the bicycle, for example, with other direction indicator devices.

[0018] It is highly preferred that at least one indicator be located in the housing. This indicator makes error messages, for example, visible to the user.

[0019] The control unit can be equipped with a learning function. This makes it possible to integrate other direction indicators into the control system, for example, if direction indicators are arranged separately at both ends of the bicycle handlebar. This allows both direction indicators to flash synchronously, for example, to provide a hazard warning function.

[0020] 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 shows a schematic representation of a direction indicator device according to the invention in a state mounted on a handlebar; Fig. 2 shows a schematic representation of a direction indicator device according to the invention in a different embodiment when mounted on the handlebar; Fig. 3 the schematic representation of an operating unit; Fig. 4 the schematic representation of a control unit in a different design; Fig. 5 the schematic representation of an operating unit in a further embodiment; Fig. 6 the schematic representation of an operating unit in an additional embodiment; Fig. 7 the schematic representation of a modified control unit; Fig. 8 the schematic representation of the Fig. 7 shown control unit in functional position.

[0021] The direction indicator device for bicycles chosen as an example is designed as a handlebar end indicator. It is Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 in a state installed on a handlebar L. The handlebar L is tubular and has two handles G, each enclosing the handlebar L. In the embodiment according to Fig. 1 two independently operating direction indicators are installed. In the example according to Fig. 2 the two direction indicator devices are connected to each other.

[0022] The direction indicator devices according to the invention comprise a housing 1, which partially protrudes into the tubular handlebar L. To reliably hold the direction indicator devices, each housing 1 is provided with a clamping element 2 in its area located in the handlebar L. In a modification of the exemplary embodiment, several clamping elements 2 can also be provided on a housing 1.

[0023] A lighting unit 3 is arranged in the end of the housing 1 facing away from the handlebar L, and thus outside the handlebar L. The housing 1 is transparent or at least translucent in this area. The lighting unit 3 is preferably formed by one or more LEDs (light-emitting diodes).

[0024] Furthermore, a battery 4 is arranged in the housing 1, which supplies the lighting unit 3 with electrical energy. In the exemplary embodiment, the battery is a rechargeable battery. For this reason, a charging socket 5 is arranged in the housing 1 at the end facing away from the lighting unit 3, which allows connection to a charger. In a modification of the exemplary embodiment, it is of course also possible to use non-rechargeable batteries instead of rechargeable batteries.

[0025] In the embodiment according to Fig. 2, however, only one of the two direction indicator devices has a rechargeable battery 4 and a charging socket 5. In this embodiment, the two direction indicator devices are electrically connected to one another by means of a connecting cable 6. In the event of a low charge level, with this embodiment, it is only necessary to remove the direction indicator device equipped with the rechargeable battery 4 from the handlebar L and connect it to a charging station after the electrical connection between the two direction indicator devices has been interrupted. For this purpose, the connecting cable 6 is provided at at least one of its two ends with a plug (not shown), which makes it easy to disconnect and reconnect the connection. In a modification of the exemplary embodiments, it is also possible to arrange the charging socket 5 outside the handlebar L.This makes it possible to connect the battery 4 to a charging cable and thus to a charging station when it is installed.

[0026] A control unit 7 is also located in the housing 1. Among other things, the control unit 7 monitors the function of the direction indicator. For example, the control unit 7 monitors the charge level of the battery 4. If the charge level falls below a predetermined level, the control unit 7 can then send a message to inform the user. For this purpose, an indicator, for example, one or more LEDs, can be provided on the direction indicator. An acoustic warning is also possible.

[0027] In the exemplary embodiment, the control unit 7 is also equipped with a radio module, e.g., via Bluetooth. The radio module is used to communicate with other direction indicators, e.g., to enable a hazard warning function, in which all direction indicators installed on a bicycle must flash synchronously. The radio module also enables communication between the direction indicator and a smartphone, which can be used, among other things, to configure the direction indicator. The radio module also enables the operation and adjustment of the direction indicator using a separate radio button.

[0028] In addition, control unit 7 is equipped with a learning function. This learning function allows other direction indicator devices installed on the respective bicycle to be linked to each other, for example, the direction indicator device of a trailer attached to the bicycle.

[0029] The direction indicator device according to the invention has an operating unit 8 formed by actuating means 9 arranged on the outside of the housing 1. The actuating means 9 can be designed in various ways.

[0030] In a first version, as shown in Fig. 3 is shown schematically, the means 9 for actuating are formed by a ring 91 which surrounds the housing 1. In the embodiment according to Fig. 4, the means 9 for actuating are formed by four ring segments 92 which surround the housing 1. In the embodiments according to the Fig. 5 and Fig. 6, the means 9 for actuating are formed by a ring segment 93 which surrounds the housing 1 only in some areas.

[0031] The actuating means 9 each correspond to at least one sensor 10. The sensors 10 are designed such that, upon contact with a ring 91 or ring segment 92, 93, they transmit a signal to the control unit 7, which then switches the respective lighting unit 3 on or off. In these embodiments, contact with the sensors 10 is achieved by a radial movement of the ring 91 or the ring segments 92, 93.

[0032] In the embodiment according to Fig. 6, the actuating means 9 cooperate with a return element 11. In the exemplary embodiment, the return element 11 is a spring which, for example, returns the ring segment 93 to its initial position after actuation.

[0033] In the example according to the Fig. 7 and Fig. 8, the actuating means 9 are mounted in a floating manner on the housing 1. A floating mounting in the sense of the present invention means that the actuating means 9 are designed in the form of a closed ring 91, which has axial play. In this embodiment, the sensors 10 are axially aligned and are contacted by an axial movement of the ring 91.

[0034] In the direction indicator device according to the invention, the operating element 8 with its actuating means 9 is arranged directly near the handle G on the handlebar L. Consequently, the user can easily reach the actuating means 9 with the ball of their hand. It is not necessary to remove their hand from the handle.

[0035] The direction indicator device is triggered by actuating the ring 91 or the ring segments 92, 93. As a result, the ring 91 or the respectively actuated ring segments 92, 93 come into contact with at least one sensor 10, whereby a signal is sent to the control unit 7, which then ensures that the respective lighting unit 3 is switched on or off.

[0036] Unless a return element is provided, the ring 91 or the respectively actuated ring segments 92, 93 remain in the position assumed by the actuation. After completing the turning maneuver or lane change, the user returns the ring 91 or the respectively actuated ring segments 92, 93 to their original position.

[0037] If one or more reset elements 10 are installed, the ring 91 or the respectively actuated ring segments 92, 93 return to their original position immediately after their actuation and thus the triggering of the signal. After completing the turning maneuver or lane change, the user actuates the ring 91 or the respectively actuated ring segments 92, 93 again, thereby sending a signal to deactivate the lighting unit 3. Even then, the ring 91 or the respectively actuated ring segments 92, 93 return immediately to their original position under the influence of the reset element(s) 10.

[0038] Additionally, the direction indicator device according to the invention can be equipped with a timer. This can, for example, monitor the duration of a direction indicator and thus automatically stop the process after a preset period. Alternatively, the number of times the respective lighting unit 3 is switched on or off can also be monitored, so that the process can be automatically stopped after a preset number of times.

[0039] In a modification of the exemplary embodiments shown in the figures, when using the direction indicator devices according to the invention on a bicycle provided with an electric auxiliary drive, it is also possible to connect them to the accumulator of the bicycle, so that the provision of the accumulator 4 or a battery can be dispensed with.

[0040] The invention provides a direction indicator that is easy to operate and at the same time highly visible. It is also very suitable for retrofitting. This applies in particular to the embodiment according to Fig. 1, in which both direction indicators have a rechargeable battery. This eliminates the need for wiring, so the direction indicators only need to be installed at the ends of the handlebar.

Claims

[1] Direction indicator device for bicycles in the form of a handlebar end indicator comprising a housing (1), a lighting unit (3), an operating unit (8) and a control unit (7), wherein the operating unit (8) is formed by means (9) for actuation which are arranged on the outside of the housing (1), characterized by that the means (9) for actuating are formed by a ring which surrounds the housing (1) or the means (9) for actuating are formed by at least one ring segment which surrounds the housing (1) at least in part. [2] Direction indicator device according to claim 1, characterized by that the means (9) for actuating are mounted floating on the housing (1). [3] Direction indicator device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the means (9) for actuating correspond to at least one sensor. [4] Direction indicator device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the actuating means (9) cooperate with at least one return element. [5] Direction indicator device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that at least one accumulator (4) is arranged in the housing (1). [6] Direction indicator device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that at least one radio module is arranged in the housing (1). [7] Direction indicator device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that at least one indicator is arranged in the housing (1). [8] Direction indicator device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the control unit (7) is provided with a learning function. [9] Direction indicator device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the control unit (7) is provided with a time measuring device.

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