Handlebar-mounted turn signal system for two-wheelers

Abstract

The invention relates to a turn signal module (2) for increasing road safety, particularly for bicycles, pedelecs, e-bikes, and small electric vehicles such as e-scooters. The module (2) is mounted on the left and right of the handlebars (8) and comprises a turn signal light (1) integrated into the bar end (14), an activation sensor (4), a grip (5), a power supply in the form of a rechargeable battery (17) with a charging plug (18), a circuit board (15) with a control unit, and LED light sources (16, 19). The turn signal lights (1) are located at the widest points (20) of the two-wheeler and are therefore clearly visible from the front, side, and rear (6a). The activation sensor (4) is operated ergonomically via the side of the grip area (12a, 12b) facing the rider, thus enabling safe operation even when braking.The lights are positioned outside the driver's field of vision (9) (3) to prevent glare and allow the use of powerful light sources. An optional integrated transmitter module allows for the wireless control of additional turn signals (7a). Installation requires no additional wiring, making the module particularly suitable for retrofitting.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a direction indicator module for two-wheeled vehicles, in particular for bicycles with or without electric assistance, so-called pedelecs or e-bikes, as well as electric micro-vehicles such as e-scooters. The module is intended for both retrofitting and factory installation.

[0002] Changing direction on two-wheeled vehicles poses a high risk of accidents in road traffic. Cyclists signal changes of direction with an outstretched arm. This method requires taking one hand off the handlebars, which, especially when braking simultaneously, can lead to balance problems and potential accidents – particularly in darkness or twilight.

[0003] The known solutions of the last twenty years in this technical field have various shortcomings.

[0004] For example, in DE 19623068 A1, US 2004 / 0207520 A1, DE 202006002265 U1 and DE 202018101653 U1, the turn signals are very small and therefore barely visible from a distance. Furthermore, they usually shine to the rear or side and can thus be obscured by the driver's own body, especially when turning. In DE 202020001242 U1, the requirements for good visibility when turning and ergonomic operation during braking are also not met.

[0005] Direction indicators attached to the cyclist's body - e.g. by means of a strap (DE 4037475 A1), on a helmet (DE 102004001981 A1) or on a cap (DE 944291 C) - are difficult to see due to the constant movement of the head and therefore pose a safety risk.

[0006] A retractable device according to DE 202010004467 U1 does not solve the problems of visibility or ergonomic operation.

[0007] In documents EP 4035978 A1 and TW 201114642 A, the rearview mirror is not ergonomically positioned; rather, the mirror's viewing angle is severely restricted, which impairs road safety. Furthermore, there is a risk that the cyclist will be blinded by the light source in the dark.

[0008] In the solutions according to US 2016 / 0236742 A1 and GB 2458308 A, the turn signals are also poorly visible to other road users. In both cases, the light source can dazzle the user when looking in the rearview mirror.

[0009] It is essential to note that the flashing lights on the left and right should be positioned a considerable distance apart so that road users can recognize the cyclist's intentions even from a distance.

[0010] The invention is based on the objective of increasing the safety of two-wheeler riders in road traffic.

[0011] This task is accomplished by providing turn signal modules (2) mounted on the left and right sides of the handlebars (8), each containing a highly visible turn signal light (1). The turn signals (1) are positioned at the widest points (20) of the two-wheeled vehicles (19), namely in the bar ends (14) of the grips (5). This ensures good lateral, frontal, and rearward visibility of the turn signal (6, 6a) in road traffic. Positioning them outside the rider's field of vision (9) prevents glare and simultaneously allows the use of powerful LED light sources (16). The activation sensor (4) is positioned so that it can be activated by the rider without removing their hand from the handlebars (8), thus also allowing for simultaneous braking (12a, 12b).

[0012] The flashing signal can be deactivated at any time by pressing the power-on sensor (4) again.

[0013] The flashing duration can be individually adjusted by continuously pressing the on / off sensor (4) for more than one second.

[0014] To control additional indicator lights (7a, 7b, 7c) mounted on the bicycle or a trailer, a transmitter module for wireless signal transmission can be integrated into the direction indicator module (2).

[0015] The active flashing signal can also be supported by an acoustic signal, the volume of which is adjustable.

[0016] The direction indicator module (2) essentially consists of the indicator light (1) which is installed in the handlebar horn (14) of the grip (5), a switch-on sensor (4), a battery (17) with charging plug (18), a circuit board (15) with control and switching logic as well as integrated LEDs (19) and a mounting device (13) for mounting on the handlebar.

[0017] The turn signal module (2) is mounted on the handlebar (8) without any modifications or additional wiring. Retrofitting is therefore as easy as fitting a grip with conventional bar ends without turn signals. List and brief description of the available drawings.

[0018] Further details can be found in the drawings of a preferred embodiment: Fig. Figure 1 shows a cyclist with mounted direction indicator modules (top view). Fig. 2a shows the left direction indicator module from the -X direction, see Fig. 1. Fig. 2b shows the left direction indicator module from the -Y direction, see Fig. 1 Fig. 2c shows the left direction indicator module from the X direction, see Fig. 1 Fig. Figure 2d shows the left turn signal module from the Y direction, see Fig. 1 Fig. Figure 3 shows a circuit diagram. Fig. 4a shows a hand on the handlebars, Fig. Figure 4b shows the activation of the sensor during the braking process. Reference symbol list 1 indicator light 2 Direction indicator module 3 cyclists 4 Switch-on sensor 5 bicycle grip 6 Flashing light of the direction indicator module 6a Flashing light with good visibility in road traffic 6b Flashing light of the auxiliary turn signal 7a Additional indicator, left 7b Additional indicator, right 7c bracket for additional indicators 8 handlebars 9 Flashing light outside the cyclist's field of vision 10 Handbrake 11 Shutdown sensor 12a Hand on the handlebars 12b Hand during an initiated or ongoing braking process when the switch-on sensor is activated 13 Mounting device for the direction indicator module on the handlebar 14 handlebar end caps 15 circuit boards with control elements, algorithms and LED-based light source 16 LEDs 17 Accumulator 18 charging plugs 19 bicycle 20 Widest point of the bicycle or two-wheeler QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 19623068 A1

[0004] US 2004 / 0207520 A1

[0004] DE 202006002265 U1

[0004] DE 202018101653 U1

[0004] DE 202020001242 U1

[0004] DE 4037475 A1

[0005] DE 102004001981 A1

[0005] DE 944291 C

[0005] DE 202010004467 U1

[0006] EP 4035978 A1

[0007] TW 201114642 A

[0007] US 2016 / 0236742 A1

[0008] GB 2458308 A

[0008]

Claims

[1] Direction indicator module (2) left and right for two-wheeled vehicles, in particular bicycles without or with electric assistance (pedelecs or e-bikes) and small electric vehicles (e.g. e-scooters), comprising - a flashing light (1), - a power-on sensor (4), - a bicycle handlebar grip (5) with a bar end (14), - a circuit board with control instruments (15), - LEDs (19) as light sources, characterized by , that a) the indicator light (1) is integrated into the handlebar end (14), b) the switch-on sensor (4) is positioned in the area of ​​the handlebar end (14), above the bicycle grip (5) on the side (12a) facing the hand. [2] Direction indicator module according to claim 1, characterized by , that LEDs (19) are used as light sources. [3] Direction indicator module according to claim 1, characterized by, that repeated activation of the switch-on sensor (4) will switch off the active direction indicator. [4] Direction indicator module according to claim 1, characterized by , that the module (2) is equipped with a battery (17) and a charging plug (18). [5] Direction indicator module according to claim 1, characterized by , that the switch-on sensor (4) is designed as an electrical push button. [6] Direction indicator module according to claim 1, characterized by , that a transmitter module for wireless transmission of signals to additional rear direction indicators (7a) is integrated in the module (2). [7] Direction indicator module according to claim 1, characterized by , that an additional shut-off sensor (11) is arranged in the area of ​​the handlebar end (14), above the grip (5) on the side (12a, 12b) facing the hand. [8] Direction indicator module according to claim 1, characterized by, that the shutdown sensor (11) is also designed as an electrical push button. [9] Direction indicator module according to claim 1, characterized by , that the direction indicator module (2) is provided with a mounting device (13) for mounting on the handlebar (8). [10] Direction indicator module according to claim 1, characterized by , that the indicator light (1) is located outside the driver's (3) field of vision (9) when installed, and is almost completely obscured from his view.

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