Electronic identification carrier system

Abstract

Electronic identification carrier system (1), in particular for digitally linking vehicle-related data, in particular for bicycles, pedelecs, S-pedelecs, e-bikes, cargo bikes, recumbent bikes, velomobiles, motorcycles, hereinafter referred to as vehicle, wherein the electronic identification carrier system (1) has at least one passive NFC / or RFID tag, hereinafter referred to as electronic tag (5), wherein the electronic identification carrier system (1) comprises a carrier unit (7) which covers the electronic tag (5) on at least one side and is designed to be attached to the vehicle (3), wherein the carrier unit (7) is optionally designed so that that it takes over the function of an existing vehicle component, wherein the electronic tag (5) is configured to be independently coded and managed by the initiator.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an electronic identification carrier system for the digital linking of vehicle-related information by means of a passive NFC or RFID tag, hereinafter referred to as electronic tag, in combination with a protective device, hereinafter referred to as carrier unit, which is attached to a vehicle, in particular a bicycle, pedelec, S-pedelec, e-bike, cargo bike, recumbent bike, velomobile, motorcycle, hereinafter referred to as vehicle.

[0002] Vehicles typically don't have a central electronic interface for the permanent, robust linking of vehicle-specific data such as invoices, maintenance history, setup information, customer data, or proof of ownership. This information is usually stored in paper form or in inventory management systems, without the possibility of rapid access regardless of location or operation.

[0003] While linking via QR codes is fundamentally possible, it has significant disadvantages: QR codes are optically readable and therefore susceptible to mechanical damage, UV radiation, dirt, or abrasion. QR codes require direct line of sight, and the camera must maintain a certain minimum distance to read the QR code, making it impractical to attach them to hidden or narrow spaces. Furthermore, they often visually detract from the design of high-quality bicycles and are therefore rejected or removed by customers. Furthermore, the stored data sets or links cannot be subsequently adjusted.

[0004] The object of the invention is therefore to provide a system that enables a robust, permanent, and visually non-disruptive linking of digital information on a specific vehicle. This system should be applicable both during the assembly process and subsequently in workshops or by end users, without requiring special knowledge or tools.

[0005] This object is achieved by a system according to claim 1. Further advantageous embodiments and developments are specified in the dependent claims.

[0006] A system is proposed for electronically linking vehicle-related data by means of data records directly encoded on an electronic tag (5) in combination with a carrier unit (7), encoded links to a cloud storage containing vehicle-related documents, or encoded links to a domain such as a website or vCard. The system comprises a passive electronic tag (5) which is integrated into a carrier unit (7). This carrier unit (7) is designed to mechanically protect the electronic tag (5) and is configured for attachment to the vehicle so that it can be attached to the vehicle inconspicuously and at the same time does not impair the vehicle's functionality or appearance.

[0007] In a preferred embodiment, the electronic tag is embedded in a flexible carrier unit in the form of a plate, with a double-sided adhesive strip (10) located beneath the electronic tag (5). Both the electronic tag (5) and the adhesive strip are embedded in specially provided recesses, ensuring a flat adhesive surface. The flexible base plate is dimensioned such that its edge at least seals off the adhesive surface, preferably protruding beyond the adhesive strip (10), thus forming a type of seal on the substrate to prevent the penetration of moisture or dirt.

[0008] Alternatively or additionally, the carrier unit can be designed to function as a typical vehicle component, such as a handlebar end plug. The end plug can be designed to be secured inside the steering tube either by a positive fit through press-fitting or by a force-locking connection using a screw-operated expansion element. The flange at the end of the handlebar end plug can extend beyond the outer diameter of the handlebar tube to protect the handlebar end, or it can be flush with the outside diameter to allow the installation of closed-end grips, such as the SQlab 711. This allows for a particularly aesthetically pleasing placement of the electronic tag.

[0009] A further advantageous embodiment provides for the carrier unit to be designed as a functional replacement component, for example, as a top cap, a component protection device (2) or dirt protection device, a crank bolt (6), a brake caliper cover, or a bottle cage segment. This integration enables a particularly elegant, unobtrusive, and durable attachment of the electronic tag (5), especially on high-quality bicycles.

[0010] The electronic tag (5) can be encoded to optionally display data records, such as the frame number, model name, and customer number, a link to a cloud storage with vehicle-specific documents, or commands such as opening a specific customer file in an inventory management program. Initialization can be performed by the end user, a dealer, or the vehicle manufacturer. Access rights for modifying, adding to, or viewing the stored information can be technically controlled by the initiator.

[0011] The system, consisting of an electronic tag (5) and carrier unit (7), is designed so that at least one version can be retrofitted and attached without the need for special tools. The versions are available in various shapes and colors to enable aesthetically unobtrusive integration into a wide variety of bicycle types.

[0012] The invention thus enables simple and rapid access to vehicle-related information by means of an electronic tag (5) protected by a carrier unit (7) which does not impair the design of the vehicle. Fig. 1 shows a variant of the electronic identification carrier system (1), in which the carrier unit (7) is designed as a functional component protection device (2) with an integrated electronic tag (5) and is shown as an example mounted on a suspension fork. Fig. 2 shows a variant of the electronic identification carrier system (1), in which the carrier unit (7) is designed as a functional component protection device (2) with an integrated electronic tag (5), from 2 perspectives. Fig. 3 shows a variant of the electronic identification carrier system (1), in which the carrier unit (7) is designed as a functional crank screw (6) with an integrated electronic tag (5) and is schematically shown on a shaft and crank arm (8). Fig. 4 shows a variant of the electronic identification carrier system (1), in which the carrier unit (7) is designed as a functional crank screw (6) with an integrated electronic tag (5), from 2 perspectives. Fig. 5 shows the preferred variant of the electronic identification carrier system (1), which is attached to a substrate (9) by means of an adhesive strip (10). Fig. Figure 6 shows the preferred embodiment of the electronic identification carrier system (1), from 4 perspectives. Fig. 7 shows a variant of the electronic identification carrier system (1), in which the carrier unit (7) is designed as a functional handlebar end plug for closed handle ends (14), on the front side of which the electronic tag (5) is applied and then the handle is mounted closed (12) and pushed over the handle end (11). Fig. 8 shows a variant of the electronic identification carrier system (1), in which the carrier unit (7) is designed as a functional handlebar end plug for closed handle ends (14), on the front side of which the electronic tag (5) is applied. Fig. 9 shows a variant of the electronic identification carrier system (1), on which the carrier unit (7) is designed and mounted as a functional handlebar end plug for handle ends (14) with integrated electronic tag (5). List of reference symbols: 1 electronic identification carrier system 2 Component protection device 3 vehicles 4 component 5 electronic day 6 crank screw 7 Carrier unit 8 Crank arm 9 Underground 10 adhesive strips 11 Handlebar end 12 Handle end closed 13 Handle end 14 handlebar end plugs for closed grips 15 handlebar end plugs

Claims

[1] Electronic identification carrier system (1), in particular for the digital linking of vehicle-related data, in particular for bicycles, pedelecs, S-pedelecs, e-bikes, cargo bikes, recumbent bikes, velomobiles, motorcycles, hereinafter referred to as vehicle, wherein the electronic identification carrier system (1) has at least one passive NFC / or RFID tag, hereinafter referred to as electronic tag (5), wherein the electronic identification carrier system (1) comprises a carrier unit (7) which covers the electronic tag (5) on at least one side and is designed to be attached to the vehicle (3), wherein the carrier unit (7) is optionally designed so that that it takes over the function of an existing vehicle component, wherein the electronic tag (5) is configured to be independently coded and managed by the initiator. [2] Electronic identification carrier system (1) according to claim 1, characterized by that the carrier unit (7) consists of flexible polymer and in the preferred embodiment has a sealing lip which is final relative to the adhesive surface and preferably protrudes. [3] Electronic identification carrier system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by in that the carrier unit in one embodiment is shaped as a handlebar end plug for closed handles (14) and is pressed into the handlebar end (11), the flange diameter preferably corresponds to the outer diameter of the handlebar, is optionally smaller and provides the frontal mounting surface for the electronic tag (5) insofar as the handle used is closed at the outer end. [4] Electronic identification carrier system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the carrier unit (7) is designed in various embodiments as a component of a functional component of the vehicle (3), in particular as a top cap, handlebar end plug (15), bottle holder segment, brake calliper cover, component protection device (2), dirt protection device or a crank screw (6). [5] Electronic identification carrier system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the initiator such as the user, dealer or manufacturer of the vehicle has the possibility to configure and manage the electronic tag independently, so that the tag (5) provides coded data sets, links or digital commands. [6] Electronic identification carrier system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the system is designed in at least one embodiment for subsequent installation, whereby the fastening is carried out without special tools or specialist knowledge.

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