A bicycle powered by muscle power and / or an electric motor

Abstract

A bicycle (1) powered by muscle power and / or electrically with - a pedal unit (3) to drive a wheel (5a or 5b) via a chain or a belt, - an electric drive (7) which provides motor support to the pedal unit (3), - a common housing (13) for the pedal unit (3) and the electric drive (7), characterized in that a lighting device (17) directed towards the ground (15) is mounted in or on the housing (13), which produces a light spot (19) on the ground (15) which protrudes laterally at least on one side of the bicycle (1) and wider than the width of the pedal in order to improve the visibility of the bicycle (1) with respect to other road users, in particular motor vehicles with camera-supporting driver assistance systems.

Description

Technical area

[0001] The invention relates to the field of bicycles that can be powered by muscle power and / or an electric motor and, in particular, to the safety of such vehicles in everyday road traffic, especially in the dark. background

[0002] Cyclists are often seen too late or not at all by other road users (especially car drivers). Dark clothing further exacerbates the problem. According to accident statistics, many serious bicycle accidents occur at dusk or at night. Unlit intersections and poorly lit country roads are particularly dangerous.

[0003] In order to increase the safety of cyclists, there are regulations in the Road Traffic Licensing Regulations (StVZO), particularly in Section 67, which prescribe a minimum level of lighting, in particular a red rear light that radiates backwards.

[0004] However, this appears to be insufficient, as cyclists are often overtaken by motor vehicles at dangerously close distances in traffic, especially at night. Studies show that failure to comply with the recommended overtaking distance (1.5 m in urban areas) contributes significantly to the frequency of accidents. The danger is further increased by the speed difference between bicycles (≈ 20 km / h) and motor vehicles (≥ 50 km / h).

[0005] Conventional solutions (such as reflectors or side LED strips) emphasize the bicycle itself, but do not mark a safety area next to the bicycle.

[0006] There are plastic side arms equipped with reflectors, which can be attached to the luggage rack, for example, and extend outwards from the side of the bike to ensure a better safety distance. However, this solution is unsightly and therefore not accepted by most cyclists, especially when it comes to higher-priced e-bikes.

[0007] The present invention aims to provide a bicycle that makes a lateral safety distance visible to other road users. As an additional independent objective, it also aims to facilitate the bicycle's location and optionally enable marketing or status displays.

[0008] The present invention proposes the following technical solution to at least partially eliminate the disadvantages indicated above: A bicycle that can be driven by muscle power and / or electrically with - a pedal unit to drive a wheel via a chain or belt, - an electric drive that provides motor support for the pedal unit, - a common housing for the pedal unit and the electric drive, characterized in that in or on the housing (13) there is mounted a lighting device (17) directed towards the ground (15), which produces a luminous spot on the ground which protrudes laterally at least on one side of the bicycle and further than the width of the pedal in order to increase the visibility of the bicycle to other road users, especially motor vehicles with camera-supporting driver assistance systems.

[0009] The lighting device directed towards the ground creates a visible marking of the recommended overtaking distance, as drivers instinctively avoid the illuminated area.

[0010] Camera-based driver assistance systems can also enable earlier detection, allowing timely lane changes or braking maneuvers to be initiated. This can be particularly advantageous for motor vehicles approved for autonomous driving and can also prevent the occupants of such vehicles from making abrupt maneuvers to avoid the cyclist.

[0011] Such a bicycle may have one or more of the following aspects individually or in combination.

[0012] The lighting device can comprise at least one LED as a light source. This allows for high luminous efficiency with low power consumption and a long service life.

[0013] The lighting device can, for example, comprise an optical system with at least one lens, so that the light spot projects laterally at least 30 cm, preferably 40 cm, beyond the extremity of a pedal on at least one side of the bicycle.

[0014] This visually ensures that a safety distance of at least 1.5m is maintained.

[0015] As a variant, the optics feature an insert so that the light spot projected onto the floor represents a pattern or logo. The pattern could, for example, be a warning signal or a status indicator such as the battery charge level.

[0016] The light spot projected onto the floor has, for example, an oval shape or a circular shape.

[0017] The electric motor is preferably attached to the bicycle frame in the pedal area.

[0018] This achieves a compact integration so that no additional attachment is necessary.

[0019] Preferably, the lighting device is supplied with electrical energy and controlled via the motor control of the electric drive.

[0020] The bicycle can also be equipped with a rear-facing proximity sensor that, when a vehicle approaches from behind, influences the control of the lighting device so that the light spot is switched on or the brightness of the light spot produced by the lighting device is increased. This can further improve safety. Short description of the drawings

[0021] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which only some embodiments of the present invention are shown. Fig. 1 is a schematic side view of a bicycle with a lighting device according to the invention. Fig. 2 is a schematic top view of the bicycle of Fig. 1 with marked light spot. Fig. Figure 3 is a simplified perspective view of the bicycle's electric motor with integrated lighting device. Detailed description of exemplary embodiments

[0022] In order to better understand the present invention, a detailed description of specific embodiments follows with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that when an element is described as being "attached" to another element, this may be a direct attachment to the other element or an attachment via the interposition of one or more other elements. When an element is described as being "connected" to another element, this may be a direct connection to the other element or a connection via the interposition of one or more other elements. The terms "vertical", "horizontal", "left", "right" and the like in this description are for purposes of illustration only.

[0023] Unless otherwise specified, all technical and scientific terms used in this specification have the common meaning commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention pertains. Furthermore, the terms used in this specification are for the purpose of describing specific embodiments only and are not limiting of the invention. The term "and / or" in this specification encompasses all combinations of one or more of the listed elements.

[0024] In the description, the same elements, parts or components have the same reference symbols.

[0025] The Fig. 1 shows a bicycle 1 driven by muscle power and / or electrically with a pedal unit 3 to drive a wheel 5a or 5b, in this example the rear wheel 5b, via a chain or a belt.

[0026] The bicycle is equipped with an electric drive 7, which can provide motor support to the pedal unit 3.

[0027] The electric drive 7 is constructed as a so-called mid-engine and is attached to the bicycle frame 9 in the pedal area 11. Such a mid-engine comprises, in particular, an electric motor and a downstream transmission, the output of which is connected to the pedal unit to support the drive of the chain or belt and thus the rear wheel 5b.

[0028] The pedal unit 3 and the electric drive 7 are in a common housing 13 (see Fig. 3) installed.

[0029] A battery (not shown) mounted in or on the frame supplies the electric drive with the necessary electrical energy.

[0030] The common housing 13 also houses, among other things, the motor control (not shown).

[0031] According to the invention, the common housing 13 has a lighting device 17 directed towards the floor 15, which is mainly Fig. 3 is shown in more detail. The lighting device 17 is installed in the lower part of the housing, i.e., the part closest to the ground when installed.

[0032] As in the Fig. 1 to 3 visible, this lighting device 17 (see Fig. 3) a luminous spot 19 on the ground 15, which protrudes laterally at least on one side of the bicycle and extends wider than the width of the pedal, to improve the bicycle's visibility to other road users, particularly motor vehicles with camera-assisted driver assistance systems. This allows a safe distance to be clearly marked.

[0033] On Fig. 2, the direction of travel is marked with an arrow 21 and assuming that the bicycle is registered for right-hand traffic, the largest part of the light spot 19 is on the left side of the bicycle, since other road users overtake the bicycle 1 on the left in traffic.

[0034] In the case of a bicycle 3 which is approved for left-hand traffic, the lighting device 17 is arranged so that the largest part of the light spot 19 is on the right side of the bicycle 1, since other road users overtake the bicycle 1 on the right in traffic.

[0035] The lighting device 17 comprises at least one LED (light-emitting diode) 23 as a light source. This is advantageous in that such an LED consumes only little energy while providing maximum luminosity.

[0036] The lighting device 17 is advantageously supplied with energy and controlled via the motor control of the electric drive 7.

[0037] In Fig. 3, it can be seen that the lighting device 17 comprises an optical system 25 with at least one lens 27. This lens 27 is selected with its focal point and orientation such that the light spot 19 extends laterally beyond the extremity of a pedal over a width B of at least 30 cm, preferably 40 cm, at least on one side of the bicycle 1.

[0038] Visibly marking the recommended overtaking distance increases road safety, as drivers instinctively avoid the illuminated area. It also enables earlier detection by camera-based driver assistance systems, allowing for timely lane changes or braking maneuvers.

[0039] The optics 25 may additionally have an insert 29 so that the light spot projected onto the floor represents a pattern or a logo.

[0040] The light spot 19 projected onto the floor 15 by the optics 25 advantageously has an oval shape or a circular shape.

[0041] The LED 23 and the optics 25 are advantageously housed in a protected manner within the housing 13. For this purpose, an opening closed by a window 30 is provided in the housing 13. The window (e.g., made of polycarbonate) is provided with a dirt-repellent coating. Alternatively, the lighting device 17 can also be mounted on the outside of the housing 13.

[0042] In a possible, also on Fig.1, a rear-facing proximity sensor 31 is provided on the bicycle 1. This is attached, for example, to the luggage rack 31 in order to monitor a monitoring area of ​​at least 25-30 m behind the bicycle 1, which corresponds approximately to the braking distance of a motor vehicle at 50 km / h. The proximity sensor 31 is connected in terms of control technology, e.g. via electrical wires, to the engine control and thus to the control of the lighting device 17. When a vehicle approaches from behind, a signal from the proximity sensor 31 affects the control of the lighting device 17 in such a way that the brightness of the light spot 19 generated by the lighting device 17 is increased, thus making the bicycle even more visible. Alternatively, the light spot 19 can be switched on.

[0043] Optionally, an additional function of the lighting device can be achieved if the control unit can communicate with a remote control (e.g., a mobile phone). Upon activation of a control signal via the remote control, the lighting device 17 can be switched on, making it easier to locate the bicycle. This is particularly advantageous in the dark and / or in large bicycle sheds.

[0044] Optionally, a further function can be achieved with the lighting device, wherein the control signal controls the lighting device 17 in such a way that a status, e.g. a battery charge level, is displayed. Reference list of reference symbols: 1 bicycle 3 Pedal unit 5a, 5b bike 7 Electric drive 9 bicycle frames 11 Pedal area 13 housings 15 Floor 17 Lighting device 19 luminous spot 21 Arrow (direction of travel) 23 LED 25 Optics 27 lens 29 deployment 31 Proximity sensor

Claims

[1] A bicycle (1) powered by muscle power and / or electrically with - a pedal unit (3) to drive a wheel (5a or 5b) via a chain or a belt, - an electric drive (7) which provides motor support to the pedal unit (3), - a common housing (13) for the pedal unit (3) and the electric drive (7), characterized by in that a lighting device (17) directed towards the ground (15) is mounted in or on the housing (13), which produces a luminous spot (19) on the ground (15) which protrudes laterally at least on one side of the bicycle (1) and further than the width of the pedal in order to improve the visibility of the bicycle (1) with respect to other road users, in particular motor vehicles with camera-supporting driver assistance systems. [2] Bicycle (1) according to claim 1, characterized by that the lighting device (17) comprises at least one LED (23) as a light source. [3] Bicycle (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the lighting device (17) comprises an optical system (25) with at least one lens (27), so that the light spot (19) projects laterally at least 30 cm, preferably 40 cm, beyond the extremity of a pedal on at least one side of the bicycle (1). [4] Bicycle (1) according to claim 3, characterized by that the optics (25) has an insert (29) so that the luminous spot (19) projected onto the floor represents a pattern or a logo. [5] Bicycle (1) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized by that the light spot (19) projected onto the floor (15) by the optics (25) has an oval or circular shape. [6] Bicycle (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by that the electric drive (7) comprises an electric motor attached to the bicycle frame (9) in the pedal area (11). [7] Bicycle (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized bythat the lighting device (17) is supplied with energy and controlled via the motor control of the electric drive (7). [8] Bicycle (1) according to claim 7, characterized by that a rearward-facing proximity sensor (31) is provided which, when a vehicle approaches from behind, acts on the control of the lighting device (17) in such a way that the light spot is switched on or the brightness of the light spot (19) generated by the lighting device (17) is increased.

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