ACTIVE LIGHTING DEVICE ATTACHED TO A BICYCLE

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to a lighting device for placement on a bicycle. Each lighting device has a first optic with at least one first light source, and a second optic with at least one second light source, which are configured to be placed partially on the bicycle. STATE OF THE ART

[0002] To adequately illuminate a path or road used by a vehicle, it is known to use a lighting system with adjustable intensity settings for the light generated by headlights or other light sources. Such a lighting system can also be adapted to direct the beam of light when navigating turns in the dark or to avoid dazzling oncoming drivers.

[0003] Patent application WO 2017 / 023293 A1 describes an intelligent lighting system for a two-wheeled vehicle, such as a bicycle. It includes an arrangement of LEDs, which can be independently selected to define a desired light intensity. It also includes motors to orient the light according to the height or tilt of the bicycle, motion and light intensity sensors, and a light arrangement that adjusts based on the bicycle's speed. However, all the LEDs are oriented simultaneously by the motors, not independently. Furthermore, nothing is specified regarding the orientation of each individual LED beam to adapt the beam distance and intensity of each LED according to the speed or detected light intensity, which could be a drawback.

[0004] US patent application 2018 / 0020528 A1 describes an intelligent lighting system for a bicycle. A light arrangement can be provided on the front fork of the bicycle or on the cyclist's helmet. It includes a motion detector to measure acceleration and speed, and means to rotate the light source according to a turn, speed, and the movement of the cyclist's head so that the beam of light is always aligned with the direction of the cyclist's eyes facing the road. However, it does not provide for the ability to orient two light sources differently to illuminate the road according to speed or ambient light, which could be a drawback.

[0005] Patent EP 3 036 149 B1 describes a lighting device for a bicycle with several available LEDs. A light sensor is also included. A control element is provided to compare the cyclist's acceleration, orientation, and speed against reference data. A selection of LEDs is also provided, but not to differentiate between at least two light sources to illuminate the road ahead, which is a drawback.

[0006] It is also known by patent FR 2 844 759 B1, a gyrostable headlight for a motorcycle. Means are provided to orient the light according to the turns made, among other things. However, nothing is described for orienting at least two light sources differently to illuminate the road ahead, taking into account the speed and intensity of the detected light, which is a drawback.

[0007] We also know from document JP2018062260 an arrangement of lights for a bicycle in order to direct the light when passing a curve on the road.

[0008] We also know from document CN205716835 of a bicycle lighting device including in particular a module to detect the current position of the bicycle.

[0009] It is also known from document WO2018 / 112656 an adaptive light beam unit used especially for vehicle headlights.

[0010] We also know of documents JP2011201382 and WO201817455 of intelligent lighting systems for a bicycle. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The invention therefore aims to overcome the aforementioned disadvantages in order to produce a portable active lighting device or one placed on a bicycle with at least two wheels, which is easy to use and uncomplicated, to allow good lighting that takes into account the speed or inclination of the vehicle.

[0012] For this purpose, the invention relates to a portable active lighting device or one placed on a bicycle with at least two wheels, which includes the features of independent claim 1.

[0013] Specific embodiments of the lighting device are defined in dependent claims 2 to 9.

[0014] One advantage of the lighting device according to the invention lies in the fact that a light sensor of the device detects the intensity of the ambient light so as to activate the light source(s) of optics A and B if the ambient light intensity is below a predetermined light threshold. The activation of the light sources can be automatic, controlled by a control unit powered by a supply voltage source, such as a battery.

[0015] Advantageously, the light intensity of the activated light sources is managed by the control unit in inverse proportion to the intensity of the ambient light.

[0016] Advantageously, a speed sensor is integrated into the lighting system to activate the light source of optic A only if the speed of the bicycle in use exceeds a predetermined speed threshold. The light source of optic B can be activated as soon as the ambient light intensity falls below the predetermined light threshold, regardless of the bicycle's speed.

[0017] Advantageously, at least one orientation or tilt detector can also be provided in the lighting device to orient the light sources according to a turn made by the bicycle. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0018] The purposes, advantages, and characteristics of a lighting device fitted to a bicycle with at least two wheels will become clearer from the following description, based on at least one non-limiting embodiment illustrated by the drawings in which: there figure 1represents a simplified block diagram of the components of the active lighting device according to the invention, the figure 2 represents a block diagram of an embodiment of the active lighting device for activating the light sources of the two optics A and B as a function of the vehicle's speed on a road or path according to the invention, the figure 3 represents a block diagram of another embodiment of the active lighting device for orienting the light sources of optics A and B when turning on a road or path according to the invention, the figure 4 schematically represents a vehicle on a road or path with the light sources activated from the two optics A and B of the active lighting device, taking into account the light intensity and the measured speed to direct the beam of light from optic A according to the invention, and the figures 5a, 5b and 5cschematically show a bicycle on a road or path taking a turn to orient the light sources of optics A and B of the active lighting device according to the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] The following description refers to a lighting device mounted on a bicycle with at least two wheels. All electronic components, which are well known to someone skilled in this technical field, are described only in simplified terms.

[0020] There figure 1This simplified diagram represents the various components of an active lighting device 1 mounted on a bicycle with at least two wheels. The lighting device 1 comprises two optics, referenced A and B. The first optic A includes at least one first light source 16, while the second optic B includes at least one second light source 17. The first light source 16 is designed for long-distance illumination and preferably with variable intensity. The second light source 17 is designed for short-distance illumination and preferably with variable intensity.

[0021] Each light source 16, 17 is a light-emitting diode or a group of light-emitting diodes selectable by a control unit 2 or all activatable at the same time.

[0022] Generally, each optical system A and B also includes, in addition to the light sources 16, 17, an arrangement of lenses and mirrors (not shown) for providing a beam of light, as well as a drive mechanism 6, 7 consisting of one or two electric motors, or even two pistons or two cylinders. In the case shown in the figure 1 A first drive means 6, forming part of the first optic A, and a second drive means 7, forming part of the second optic B, are shown. Preferably, each drive means 6, 7 is controlled by a control unit 2 connected to a DC power supply Vdd. This power supply is preferably a DC voltage source, derived from a rechargeable or primary battery, or extracted and rectified from received electromagnetic radiation.

[0023] Each drive means 6, 7 can act on the arrangement of lenses and mirrors of optics A or B, or directly on each light source 16, 17 to orient the beam of light generated by each activated light source. To allow, for example, the direct orientation of the light sources 16, 17 of optics A, B, each drive means 6, 7 can include two motors. Thus, the light sources 16, 17 can be driven in rotation by each drive means 6, 7 controlled by the control unit 2 around two axes of rotation X, Y perpendicular to each other. The beam of light generated in each optic A, B is oriented or directed along a direction Z perpendicular to the axes X, Y.

[0024] The lighting device 1 further includes one or more sensors 3, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 5c connected to the control unit 2 to enable the activation of each light source 16, 17 according to a measured parameter. Preferably, the control unit 2, powered by the DC voltage source Vdd, is configured, from the moment the vehicle is in use, to automatically control the lighting of the light source(s) 16, 17 of the first and second optics A, B.

[0025] The control unit 2 may also include a low-frequency oscillator, which can be a quartz crystal oscillator or MEMS, and at least one volatile or non-volatile memory. The volatile or non-volatile memory (not shown) allows for the storage of measurements taken by the sensor(s) and at least one calculation algorithm for managing and calculating the measurements taken by sensors 3, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, and 5c. The control unit 2 may be a processing unit, such as a processor or microcontroller, to handle all the signals received from the measurement sensor(s).

[0026] The lighting device 1 includes a light intensity sensor or light sensor 3, which may consist of a solar cell or an array of solar cells. Based on a light intensity threshold detected by the light intensity sensor 3, the control unit 2 activates at least the second light source 17 of the second optical unit B for short-range illumination. The light intensity threshold may depend directly on the ambient light level where the vehicle is located. Furthermore, the light intensity of the activated second light source 17 is variable and inversely proportional to the change in ambient light intensity.

[0027] The lighting device 1 includes at least one speed sensor 4a, 4b connected to the control unit 2. When the bicycle is in use, the speed sensor 4a, 4b determines the bicycle's speed and, upon exceeding a predetermined speed threshold, activates the first light source 16 of the first optic A. The first light source 16 emits light if the ambient light intensity detected by the light sensor 3 is below a predetermined light threshold. The second light source 17 of the second optic B is activated independently of the calculated bicycle speed, i.e., as soon as the ambient light intensity detected by the light sensor 3 falls below the predetermined light threshold.

[0028] The speed sensor can be a GPS receiver or equivalent 4a, or preferably a magnetic sensor 4b to detect the passage of at least one permanent magnet placed on a spoke or the rim of a bicycle wheel. Each magnetic pulse from the passage of the permanent magnet near the magnetic sensor 4b, and according to a time cadence generated by the low-frequency oscillator, allows the control unit 2 to calculate the speed and the moment the predetermined speed threshold is exceeded.

[0029] The lighting device 1 may include or receive a calendar 3' of the dates and times (ephemeris) for each month of the year at a location where the device is used, from which point the ambient light is deemed insufficient. The control unit 2 may store this calendar 3' for the specified location of use to control the activation of the light sources 16, 17 of the optics A, B, if, for example, the specified speed threshold is exceeded. This specified speed threshold may be set at 15 km / h or 25 km / h, but may be defined at another value and stored.

[0030] To achieve this, a first dimmer 10 is connected to the supply voltage source Vdd, which is connected to a first switch 8, which is itself connected to the first light source 16. The first switch 8 is controlled by the control unit 2 to activate the first light source 16 if the ambient light intensity is insufficient. A second dimmer 11, which is also connected to the supply voltage source Vdd, is connected to a second switch 9, which is itself connected to the second light source 17 of the second optic B. This second switch 9 is controlled by the control unit 2 to activate the second light source 17 if the ambient light intensity is insufficient.

[0031] The first and second switches 8, 9 are preferably MOS transistors, such as PMOS transistors as shown, but NMOS transistors can also be considered. The source of the first PMOS transistor 8 is connected to the first dimmer 10, while the source of the second PMOS transistor 9 is connected to the second dimmer 11. The gate of the first PMOS transistor 8 is connected to the control unit 2 to make it conductive when the first light source 16 is activated, or non-conductive to prevent the first light source 16 from being activated. The gate of the second PMOS transistor 9 is connected to the control unit 2 to make it conductive when the second light source 17 is activated, or non-conductive to prevent the second light source 17 from being activated.

[0032] It should be noted that each dimmer 10, 11 can be a current source, the current of which is variable and increases when the ambient light intensity falls below the predetermined light threshold. The variation of the current in each dimmer is controlled directly by the control unit 2.

[0033] In one embodiment of device 1, the lighting device 1 includes at least one orientation or tilt sensor 5a, 5b, 5c connected to the control unit 2. When the bicycle is in use, the orientation or tilt sensor 5a, 5b, 5c determines, for example, a curve followed by the bicycle while riding on a path or road. The orientation or tilt sensor 5a, 5b, 5c provides an orientation signal to the control unit 2, which controls the first and second drive means 6, 7. These first and second drive means 6, 7 enable the orientation of the light beam(s) generated by the light source(s) 16, 17 of the first optic A and / or the second optic B according to a curve followed by the bicycle while riding on a path or road.The orientation of the beams from the light sources 16, 17 is such that, when turning right, the light beams are oriented to the right, and conversely when turning left.

[0034] In this variant, both light sources 16 and 17 can be activated as soon as the ambient light intensity falls below a predetermined threshold. However, it is also possible to activate only the second light source 17 if the speed detected by the speed sensor 4a, 4b does not exceed the predetermined speed threshold. Furthermore, the first and second drive means 6 and 7 can be configured to directly orient the first and second light sources 16 and 17 of optics A and B.

[0035] The orientation detector may consist of a potentiometer 5a and / or a magnetometer 5b and / or an inclinometer 5c and / or an accelerometer 5c and / or a gyroscope 5c as will be further explained below with reference to figures 5a to 5c .

[0036] There figure 2 represents the first variant of the embodiment of the active lighting device for activating the light sources 16, 17 of the two optics A and B as a function of the speed of the bicycle on a road or path according to the invention.

[0037] To simplify, a light sensor 3 is provided, which supplies a signal to a first regulator 21 and a second regulator 22 of the control unit in a light intensity loop. A speed sensor 4 is also provided, which supplies a speed signal to a speed threshold comparator 23 and a third regulator 24 of the control unit. The comparator 23 provides a comparison signal to a fourth regulator 25 of the control unit. The state of the comparison signal is either in a first state to control the activation of the first light source 16 of optics A, or in a second state to control the non-activation of the first light source 16 of optics A.A first adder 26 is provided to add the output signal of the first regulator 21 and the output signal of the fourth regulator 25, and a second adder 27 is provided to add the output signal of the second regulator 22 and the output signal of the third regulator 24. The output signal of the first adder 26 controls a first dimmer 28 to vary the light intensity of the first light source 16 of the first optic A when activated. The output signal of the second adder 27 controls a second dimmer 29 to vary the light intensity of the second light source 17 of the second optic B when always activated, if the ambient light intensity is below a predetermined light threshold.

[0038] The light intensity of the first light source 16 is therefore determined as the sum of the first regulator 21, inversely proportional to the ambient light, and the fourth regulator 25, proportional to the bicycle's speed. However, the first light source 16 is only activated when a user-defined speed threshold is exceeded, for example, 25 km / h, with hysteresis.

[0039] The light intensity of the second light source 17 is therefore determined as the sum of the second regulator 22, inversely proportional to the ambient light, and the third regulator 24, proportional to the bicycle's speed. In this scenario, the second light source 27 is always activated, regardless of the measured speed, if the ambient light intensity is below a predetermined light threshold.

[0040] Of course, when the bicycle is not in use, a manual switch can also be fitted to deactivate the lighting system and all light sources. These light sources can also be deactivated after a period of inactivity, i.e., after a specified time without movement, for example, after 5 minutes.

[0041] In comparison to what has been described with reference to the figure 1 , we can consider that the variators 28, 29 of the figure 2 are similar to those of the figure 1 , but each dimmer can be connected to each light source 16, 17 by a respective switch controlled by the control unit.

[0042] There figure 3represents a variant embodiment of the active lighting device for orienting the light sources 16, 17 of optics A and B when turning on a road or path according to the invention. Naturally, it also includes parallel control of ambient light by a light sensor to vary the light intensity of the activated light sources 16, 17, inversely proportional to the ambient light intensity.

[0043] To simplify this trajectory loop, at least one orientation or tilt detector 5 is provided, which supplies a signal to a first regulator 31 and a second regulator 32. The first regulator 31 supplies an output signal to a first voltage regulator 33, and the second regulator 32 supplies an output signal to a second voltage regulator 34. The first voltage regulator 33 controls a first actuator 35, which is at least one electric motor. This first actuator 35 receives control signals from the first regulator 33, such as pulse-width modulation (PWM) signals, to move or orient, for example, the first light source 16 of the first optic A. The second voltage regulator 34 controls a second actuator 36, which is at least one electric motor.This second actuator 36 receives control signals from the second drive 34, such as pulse width modulation (PWM) signals to move or orient, for example, the second light source 17 of the second optic B.

[0044] There figure 4This schematically represents a bicycle 100 on a road 50 or path with the light sources of both optics A and B of the active lighting device 1 activated. Both light sources are activated if the bicycle's speed is above a predetermined speed threshold and if the ambient light intensity is insufficient; otherwise, only the second light source of optic B is activated. Thus, the light intensity ILUM(V, IAMB) of the first light source of optic A depends on the speed v of the bicycle 100 and the ambient light intensity IAMB. The light intensity ILUM(IAMB) of the second light source of optic B depends only on the ambient light intensity IAMB.

[0045] As shown in the figure 4It can also be predicted that as the bicycle's speed increases, the beam of light from the first light source of optics A will become more intense. Furthermore, the first drive mechanism of optics A orients this light source to illuminate further, up to a vertical azimuth that approaches 0. The intensity of each light source can vary inversely with the ambient light intensity, or even in steps.

[0046] THE figures 5a, 5b, 5cThe diagram schematically shows a bicycle 100 on a road 50 or a path taking a turn to orient the light sources of optics A and B of the active lighting device 1. Each optic A, B can be mounted, for example, on the handlebars of the bicycle 100. The orientation or tilt detector(s) are, for example, a magnetometer 5b, an inclinometer 5c, an accelerometer 5c, a gyroscope 5c, a potentiometer 5a, or a combination of these detectors as previously mentioned.

[0047] The orientation or tilt detector can be mounted on a support, such as a helmet of user E of the bicycle 100 and to provide an orientation signal via two-way wireless communication to the control unit located on the handlebars of the bicycle 100. This allows the orientation of the light source(s) to be controlled by a movement of the head of user E of the bicycle 100.

[0048] To the figure 5a, the two light sources of optics A and B of lighting device 1 are activated, and must be oriented by the drive means on control of the control unit according to an angle β depending on the turn made on road 50.

[0049] To the figure 5b , the control unit takes into account a rotation angle γ of the front wheel D of the bicycle and also the angular movement ε of the user's head E of the bicycle relative to the direction of the rear wheel F.

[0050] To the figure 5c , it can also be taken into account the inclination of the bicycle with the user E at an angle δ relative to the road 50 to orient the light sources.

[0051] From the description just given, several variants of the embodiment of an active lighting device to be placed on a bicycle with at least two wheels are possible without departing from the scope of the invention defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. An active lighting device (1) for installation on a bicycle (100), the device comprising: - at least one electric power source (Vdd), - a first lens (A) with at least a first variable-intensity light source (16) for long-distance illumination, the said first light source (16) being controlled by a control unit (2) connected to the electric power supply (Vdd), - a second lens (B) with at least a second variable-intensity light source (17) for short-distance illumination, the said second light source (17) being controlled by the control unit (2) connected to the electric power supply (Vdd), - a light sensor (3) for determining the luminous intensity of a place in which the lighting device (1) is located and for providing a measurement signal to the control unit (2), which is designed to automatically activate at least the second lens (B) if the ambient light intensity is below a determined light threshold, and to adapt the luminous intensity of the light source(s) (16, 17) in the first lens (A), if activated, and / or in the second lens (B), and - a velocity sensor (4a, 4b) for determining the velocity of the device (1) when used on a path or road, and for providing a measurement signal to the control unit (2) to control the activation of the first light source (16) in the first lens (A) based on at least one determined velocity threshold, characterised in that to activate the light sources (16, 17) in the two lenses (A, B) according to the velocity of the device on a road or path, the light sensor (3) is designed to provide a signal to a first regulator (21) and to a second regulator (22) in the control unit (2) in a luminous intensity loop, in that the velocity sensor (4) is designed to provide a velocity signal to a velocity threshold comparator (23) and to a third regulator (24) in the control unit (2), the comparator (23) providing a comparison signal to a fourth regulator (25) in the control unit (2), the state of the comparison signal being either in a first state to control the activation of the first light source (16) in the lens (A) or in a second state to control the non-activation of the first light source (16) in the lens (A), and in that a first adder (26) is provided to add the output signal from the first regulator (21) and the output signal from the fourth regulator (25), in that a second adder (27) is provided to add the output signal from the second regulator (22) and the output signal from the third regulator (24), in that the output signal from the first adder (26) is provided to control a first dimmer (28) to vary the luminous intensity of the first light source (16) in the first lens (A) if activated, in that the output signal from the second adder (27) is provided to control a second dimmer (29) to vary the luminous intensity of the second light source (17) in the second lens (B), which is always activated, if the ambient light intensity is below a predetermined light threshold.

2. The device (1) according to the preceding claim, characterised in that the control unit (2) is designed to automatically control the illumination of the light source(s) (16, 17) in the first and second lenses (A, B) as soon as the device is in use.

3. The device (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that a first drive means (6) is provided for the first lens (A) to direct a light beam generated by the first light source (16).

4. The device (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that a second drive means (7) is provided for the second lens (B) to direct a light beam generated by the second light source (17).

5. The device (1) according to any of claims 3 and 4, characterised in that the device comprises a direction detector (5a, 5b, 5c) to provide a direction signal to the control unit (2) to direct light beams generated by the light source(s) (16, 17) in the first lens (A) and / or in the second lens (B) according to a curve taken by the device (1) when used on a path or road.

6. The device (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the control unit (2) is designed to gradually adapt the luminous intensity of the light source(s) (16, 17) in the first lens (A) and / or in the second lens (B) by being inversely proportional to the ambient light intensity detected by the light sensor (3).

7. The device (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the control unit (2) is designed to adapt the luminous intensity of the light source(s) (16, 17) in the first lens (A) and / or in the second lens (B) in stages relative to the ambient light intensity detected by the light sensor (3).

8. The device (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the control unit (2) is a microcontroller with a memory in which dates and times of day of the place in which the lighting device (1) is located are stored to enable the light source or sources (16, 17) in the first and second lenses (A, B) to function from a certain time of day on a given date.

9. The device (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the velocity sensor (4a, 4b) consists of a GPS receiver (4a) or a magnetic sensor (4b) mounted on a fork of a wheel on the bicycle (100) to detect the passage of a permanent magnet mounted on a spoke or rim of the wheel to determine the velocity of the bicycle (100).