Two-wheeler and method for operating such a two-wheeler

Abstract

The present invention comprises a two-wheeler and a method for operating a two-wheeler. The two-wheeler 100 comprises an emitter 200, which is arranged in a front region of the two-wheeler 100 such that rays can be emitted at least partially into a front region 201, and a reflector 300 with a reflective surface 301 designed to reflect emitted rays from the emitter 200. Characteristically, the reflector 300 is further arranged on the two-wheeler such that the reflective surface 301 is located in a beam path of the emitter 200, and that waves emitted by the emitter 200 can be reflected at least partially through the reflective surface 301 of the reflector 300 into a lateral and / or rearward area 202, 203 of the two-wheeler 100.

Description

State of the art

[0001] The present invention relates to a two-wheeled vehicle with an emitter and a reflector according to the independent claim. The present invention also relates to a method for operating such a two-wheeled vehicle.

[0002] Modern two-wheelers can be equipped with assistance systems based on the emission of electromagnetic radiation, such as distance control systems. For this purpose, radiation is emitted by an emitter in the direction from which the relevant information is to be obtained, and reflected radiation is analyzed. A distance control system would, for example, emit radiation forward, in the direction of travel of the two-wheeler, while a rear collision warning system would emit radiation backward, in the opposite direction of travel. An emitter is required for each of these directions, covering the respective areas. Disclosure of the invention

[0003] According to the invention, a two-wheeler with an emitter and a reflector, having the characterizing features of the independent claim, is provided. This two-wheeler offers the advantage that emitted beams from the emitter can also be reflected into areas that are not in the emitter's direction of emission. In other words, for example, beams that are initially emitted in the direction of travel, i.e., into a front area, can also be reflected into an area behind and / or to the side of the two-wheeler. Thus, at least two directions, each with its corresponding area, can be covered by a single emitter, thereby also saving the cost of additional emitters.

[0004] The two-wheeler according to the invention comprises an emitter arranged in a front region of the two-wheeler such that rays can be emitted at least partially into a front region, and a reflector with a reflective surface designed to reflect rays emitted by the emitter. A characteristic feature is that the reflector is further arranged on the two-wheeler such that the reflective surface is located in a beam path of the emitter, and that waves emitted by the emitter can be reflected at least partially into a lateral and / or rear region of the two-wheeler by the reflective surface of the reflector.

[0005] Further advantageous embodiments of the present invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0006] It should be noted that the front section of the two-wheeler refers to an area in the front part of the two-wheeler. This can be, in particular, a part of the two-wheeler that provides an emitter mounted there with at least a partially unobstructed view in the direction of travel. For example, the bodywork between the front wheel and the handlebars of the two-wheeler, or even the handlebars themselves, are located in the front part of the two-wheeler.

[0007] The reflector can be attached to the two-wheeler by means of a mounting element that positions the reflective surface in the beam path. This can be a separate element such as a rod, or a corresponding shape of the bodywork itself, to which the reflector can be screwed, glued, or otherwise mounted.

[0008] It should further be noted that the term "radiation" is used here because it is more intuitive, particularly in connection with a reflected beam path; the corresponding associated waves, especially electromagnetic waves, are included here. According to the invention, the reflecting surface is designed to reflect both waves and rays.

[0009] It is advantageous if the reflecting surface of the reflector is curved along at least one axis. This can be, for example, a convex or concave shape, and it can also be curved along more than one axis. This has the advantage that the emitter's rays can be reflected into predetermined areas by appropriate geometric shapes, or focused in a specific area, or dispersed more broadly in a specific area.

[0010] In another embodiment, it is advantageous if the emitter emits radar waves and the reflector is configured to reflect radar waves. In particular, well-known distance and proximity warning systems for two-wheelers are often based on radar waves. Therefore, it is advantageous if these waves could be reflected into appropriate areas.

[0011] It is also advantageous if the emitter emits lidar or ultrasonic waves and the reflector is designed to reflect lidar or ultrasonic waves. Well-known systems for environmental perception and the detection of other road users are often based on lidar or ultrasonic waves. Therefore, it is beneficial if these waves can be reflected into the relevant areas.

[0012] In a further embodiment, it is advantageous if at least two emitters are mounted on the two-wheeler, emitting different types of waves, such as, in particular, radar, lidar, or ultrasonic waves. By using different emitters and wave types, different functions can be implemented using associated assistance systems.

[0013] It is particularly advantageous if at least two reflectors are fitted to the two-wheeler, designed to reflect different types of waves, such as radar, lidar, or ultrasound waves. It is also conceivable to have more than one reflector on each side to reflect beams of the same or different types into different areas and thus achieve greater coverage.

[0014] It is further advantageous if the reflecting surface of the reflector is divided into at least two areas designed to reflect different wave types. This design saves space and material.

[0015] The present invention also relates to a method for operating a two-wheeled vehicle as described above. This method comprises emitting beams at least partially into a front area of ​​the two-wheeled vehicle and reflecting emitted beams at least partially into a side and / or rear area of ​​the two-wheeled vehicle. This embodiment allows the method to be transferred to various two-wheeled vehicles with corresponding emitters and reflectors, in particular different types of two-wheeled vehicles, such as motorcycles or scooters, for which different combinations of emitters and reflectors may be advantageous. Brief description of the drawings

[0016] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings and explained in more detail in the following description. Fig. 1 The schematic representation of a two-wheeler with emitter and reflector according to an embodiment of the invention. Fig. 2 the schematic representation of a two-wheeler with emitter and reflector according to a further embodiment of the invention

[0017] Fig. Figure 1 schematically shows a top view of a two-wheeler 100 traveling forward in the direction of travel 2001, with an emitter 200 and two reflectors 300. The emitter 200 is configured to emit electromagnetic waves, for example, radar waves. These are initially emitted by the emitter 200 towards a front area 201 of the two-wheeler 100, in this case, an area that is directed forward in the direction of travel 2001. In this configuration, the reflectors 300 with their reflective surfaces 301 are mounted on the front of the two-wheeler 100 such that a portion of the emitted rays 211 are reflected by these surfaces 301 in a direction opposite to the direction of travel 2001. In this embodiment, the rays 211 are reflected into an area 202 opposite to the direction of travel 2001 and an area 203 located to the side of the two-wheeler, for example to be available for functions such as a blind spot assistant.

[0018] Fig. Figure 2 shows a side view of a two-wheeler 100 with an emitter 200 and a reflector 300 in another possible embodiment. The emitter 200 emits radar waves 210, 211 in the direction of a front area 201 located in front of the two-wheeler 100. The reflector 300 is positioned such that parts of the emitted radiation 211 are reflected by the reflecting surface 301 into a rear area 202 located behind the two-wheeler 100.

[0019] Both figures show that the emitter 200 emits radar waves in a direction ahead of the two-wheeler 100. A portion of these emitted beams 210 reaches an area 201 in front of the two-wheeler 100, as schematically shown by the beams 210. This area can be used, for example, by an assistance system to represent driving functions that require information ahead, such as a distance warning system. A portion of the beams 211 emitted by the emitter 200 is reflected by the reflectors 300 with their reflective surfaces 301 into a rear area 202 and a side area 203, as shown by the schematic beams 211. These reflected beams can then be used by a corresponding assistance system, such as a blind spot monitor or collision warning system.The distribution of how many rays reach the preceding area and how many are reflected depends on the shape of the reflector 300 and its reflective surface 301. Depending on the curvature of the reflective surface 301, either very narrow or very wide areas can be covered by reflected rays. Since the rays are typically emitted and reflected in multiple spatial directions and not just in a single plane, corresponding three-dimensional volumes are covered by the reflected rays.

Claims

[1] Two-wheeler 100 with an emitter 200, which is arranged in a front area of ​​the two-wheeler 100 in such a way that rays 210,211 can be emitted at least partially into a front area 201, and a reflector 300 with a reflective surface 301 which is designed to reflect emitted rays from the emitter 200, characterized by , that the reflector 300 is further arranged on the two-wheeler in such a way that the reflective surface 301 is arranged in a beam path of the emitter 200, and that Rays emitted by the emitter 200 can be reflected at least partially through the reflecting surface 301 of the reflector 300 into a lateral and / or rear area 202,203 of the two-wheeler 100. [2] Two-wheeler 100 according to claim 1, wherein the reflective surface 301 of the reflector 300 is curved along at least one axis. [3] Two-wheeler 100 according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the emitter 300 emits radar waves and the reflector 300 is arranged to reflect radar waves. [4] Two-wheeler 100 according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the emitter 200 emits lidar or ultrasonic waves and the reflector 300 is configured to reflect lidar waves or ultrasonic waves. [5] Two-wheeler 100 according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least two emitters 200 are attached to the two-wheeler 100 which emit different types of waves, in particular radar, lidar or ultrasonic waves. [6] Two-wheeler 100 according to claim 5, wherein at least two reflectors 300 are attached to the two-wheeler 100, which are designed to reflect different types of waves from each other, in particular radar, lidar or ultrasonic waves. [7] Two-wheeler according to claim 5, wherein the reflecting surface 301 of the reflector 300 is divided into at least two areas which are designed to reflect different types of waves from each other. [8] Method for operating a two-wheeler 100 according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 7 comprising • Emitting rays 210,211 at least partially into a front region 201 by means of the emitter 200, • Reflecting the emitted rays 210, 211 by means of the reflective surface 301 of the reflector 300 at least partially into a lateral and / or rear area 202,203 of the two-wheeler 100.

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