Bicycle lighting device and bicycle

Abstract

Bicycle lighting device (20) for mounting in a frame (4) of a bicycle (2), comprising a housing (26) and an arrangement of LED lighting elements (22) as well as an electrical connection (24) for powering the LED lighting elements (22), wherein the electrical connection (22) is designed for connection to a dynamo (5) of the bicycle and / or a battery (9) of the bicycle.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a bicycle lighting device and a bicycle.

[0002] Bicycles and electric bicycles, also known as e-bikes, are typically equipped with a front-facing light and a rear light, both containing an electric bulb, for use on public roads. Bicycles also have reflectors that reflect light back.

[0003] The aforementioned lighting on bicycles is particularly visible to oncoming or following traffic. Furthermore, this lighting is usually significantly less bright than on other types of bicycles.

[0004] There is a need to increase the visibility of bicycles and the often faster electric bicycles, thereby making cycling safer, especially at night and in poor visibility conditions.

[0005] The object of the invention is achieved by the bicycle lighting device according to claim 1 and the bicycle according to claim 7. Advantageous embodiments are described in the dependent claims.

[0006] The bicycle lighting device according to the invention, for mounting in a bicycle frame, comprises a housing and an arrangement of LED lighting elements, as well as an electrical connection for powering the LED lighting elements. The electrical connection is designed for connection to a bicycle dynamo and / or a bicycle battery. The housing can, in particular, extend along a longitudinal axis. The LED lighting elements are advantageously arranged along a line or as a 2D arrangement. The housing advantageously has a transparent or semi-transparent top surface through which the light from the LED lighting elements can be emitted.

[0007] In one embodiment, the housing is designed to be positioned laterally in a down tube, top tube, or seat tube of the frame. The bicycle lighting device is conveniently located in the down tube.

[0008] In one embodiment, the LED lighting element arrangement is rectangular, wherein the length of the LED lighting element arrangement is at least three times, and in particular at least five times, as large as the width of the LED lighting element arrangement.

[0009] In one embodiment, the bicycle lighting device further includes a reflector which extends partially or completely over an area of ​​the LED lighting element arrangement.

[0010] In one embodiment, the bicycle lighting device further includes fastening elements arranged on the housing to fix the bicycle lighting device to the bicycle frame. These can be, for example, locking elements, hooks, screws or rivets, so that the bicycle lighting device is attached to the frame either detachably or permanently.

[0011] In one embodiment, the bicycle lighting device is designed such that the housing is recessed into the frame. This means that the top surface of the bicycle lighting device, from which the light from the LED lighting elements is emitted outwards, is expediently flush with the surrounding surface of the frame, or the surfaces have only a slight step between them.

[0012] The bicycle according to the invention comprises a frame, wherein a bicycle lighting device as described above is arranged on the frame. The bicycle further comprises the usual parts of a bicycle, in particular a front and a rear wheel, a pedal unit for transmitting pedaling energy via a chain to the rear wheel, handlebars and a saddle.

[0013] In one configuration, the bicycle is an electric bicycle or e-bike with a battery. An electric bicycle has an electric motor that assists the pedaling power. The electric motor draws its electrical energy from the battery, which is a rechargeable battery.

[0014] In one design, the bicycle lighting device is electrically connected to the battery. Thus, the battery also supplies power to the bicycle lighting device.

[0015] In one embodiment, the bicycle further includes a dynamo, with the bicycle lighting device being electrically connected to the dynamo. Advantageously, in this case, the bicycle lighting device also includes an energy storage element in the form of a separate rechargeable battery or a capacitor to enable a standlight function. The energy storage element is, in particular, housed within the casing of the bicycle lighting device.

[0016] In one embodiment, a bicycle lighting device is arranged in the down tube of the frame, in particular, wherein two bicycle lighting devices are arranged opposite each other in the down tube of the frame in such a way as to shine from the frame in a lateral direction.

[0017] In one embodiment, the bicycle further includes a rear light and a front-facing headlight. Advantageously, the rear light, the front-facing headlight, and the one or more bicycle lighting devices are connected to the same power source, i.e., the e-bike battery or dynamo.

[0018] The invention will now be illustrated by means of an example. The illustration is schematic and not to scale. Fig. Figure 1 shows an initial design of a bicycle with a bicycle lighting device. Fig. Figure 2 shows a second design of a bicycle with a bicycle lighting device. Fig. Figures 3 a, b show a bicycle lighting device in top view and in cross-section.

[0019] Fig. Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of a bicycle 2. The bicycle has handlebars, wheels 3, a frame 4, and a pedal drive. Furthermore, the bicycle has a dynamo 5, which is designed here as a hub dynamo. Other dynamo designs are known to those skilled in the art. The frame 4 has a down tube 6, a seat tube 7, and a top tube 8. The bicycle lighting device 20 is arranged in the down tube 6. The down tube 6 is best suited for this purpose due to its typically relatively large diameter. The bicycle lighting device 20 extends partially along the down tube 6. Advantageously, the bicycle lighting devices 20 are arranged symmetrically as a pair, i.e., one bicycle lighting device is on the left side of the down tube in the bicycle's normal direction of travel, and the other is on the right side of the down tube 6 in the bicycle's normal direction of travel.

[0020] Fig. Figure 2 shows a second embodiment of a bicycle 2. The bicycle has handlebars, wheels 3, a frame 4, and a pedal drive, the pedal drive being connected to an electric motor (not shown separately) for power assistance. In this case, the bicycle is designed as an electric bicycle, which is equipped with a battery 9. The battery 9 is located in the down tube 6. However, an arrangement in the area of ​​the luggage carrier 10 is equally familiar to those skilled in the art. On this bicycle, a rear light 12 is arranged on the luggage carrier 10 and a forward-facing headlight 11 is located on the handlebars. The bicycle lighting device 20 is located below the battery 9 in the down tube 6, as with Fig. 1 describes a pair of bicycle lighting devices 20 conveniently arranged symmetrically on the left and right sides of the down tube 6 in the normal direction of travel.

[0021] Even though the bicycles have different components in Fig. 1 and Fig. As shown in Figure 2, individual components can be added to or omitted from each of the bicycles, as is known to the expert.

[0022] Fig. Figure 3a shows a top view of the bicycle lighting device 20. The bicycle lighting device 20 has a housing 26 and an electrical connection 24, which is represented here by the two cables. An arrangement of LED lighting elements 22 is housed in the casing. Fig. Figure 3b shows a cross-section of the bicycle lighting device 20 along section A-A'. A circuit board 21 is visible, on which the LED lighting elements 22 are arranged. Optionally, the bicycle lighting device 20 can have one or more reflectors 28, so that additional light from outside can be reflected back to further increase the visibility of the bicycle. Reference symbol list 2 bicycles 3-wheeler 4 frames 5 Dynamo 6 down tube 7 seat tube 8 Top tube 9 Battery 10 luggage racks 11 Driving lights 12 Rear light 20 bicycle lighting devices 21 circuit boards 22 LED lighting elements 24 electrical connection 26 cases 28 Reflector

Claims

Bicycle lighting device (20) for mounting in a frame (4) of a bicycle (2), comprising a housing (26) and an arrangement of LED lighting elements (22) as well as an electrical connection (24) for powering the LED lighting elements (22), wherein the electrical connection (22) is designed for connection to a dynamo (5) of the bicycle and / or a battery (9) of the bicycle. Bicycle lighting device (20) according to claim 1, wherein the housing (26) is designed to be arranged laterally in a down tube (6) or top tube (8) or seat tube (7) of the frame (4). Bicycle lighting device (20) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the LED lighting element arrangement is rectangular, wherein a length of the LED lighting element arrangement is at least three times, in particular at least five times, as large as a width of the LED lighting element arrangement. Bicycle lighting device (20) according to one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a reflector (28) which extends partially or completely over an area of ​​the LED lighting element arrangement. Bicycle lighting device (20) according to one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising fastening elements arranged on the housing (26) to fix the bicycle lighting device to the frame of the bicycle. Bicycle lighting device (20) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the bicycle lighting device is designed such that the housing (26) can be recessed into the frame (4) of the bicycle (2). Bicycle (2) comprising a frame (4), wherein a bicycle lighting device (20) according to one of claims 1 to 5 is arranged on the frame (4). Bicycle (2) according to claim 7, wherein the bicycle (2) is an electric bicycle with a battery (9). Bicycle (2) according to claim 8, wherein the bicycle lighting device (20) is electrically connected to the battery (9). Bicycle (2) according to one of claims 7 to 9, further comprising a dynamo (5), wherein the bicycle lighting device (20) is electrically connected to the dynamo (5). Bicycle (2) according to one of claims 7 to 10, wherein a bicycle lighting device (20) is arranged in the down tube (6) of the frame (4), in particular, wherein two bicycle lighting devices (20) are arranged opposite each other in the down tube (6) of the frame (4) in such a way as to shine from the frame (4) in a lateral direction. Bicycle (2) according to one of claims 7 to 11, wherein the bicycle (2) further comprises a rear light (12) and a forward-facing driving light (11).

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