Device for detecting road users for a single-track vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a device and to a method for detecting road users for a single-track vehicle (1), comprising a housing (2) which can be secured to the vehicle (1) and comprises an image-capturing unit (3) and a distance-measuring unit (6). In order to allow for precise distance measurement in relation to an overtaking vehicle while at the same time providing a simple design and easy assembly, it is proposed that the optical axis (4) of the image-capturing unit (3) is oriented in the direction of travel (5) and the sensor axis (7) of the distance-measuring unit (6) is oriented transversely to the direction of travel (5) in the housing (2).

Description

[0001] Device for detecting road users for a single-track vehicle

[0002] Technical field

[0003] The invention relates to a device for detecting road users for a single-track vehicle, in particular a bicycle, with a housing that can be attached to the vehicle and which includes an image capture unit and a distance detection unit.

[0004] State of the art

[0005] In road traffic, overtaking maneuvers by single-track vehicles pose one of the greatest risks for their drivers, especially cyclists. The main problem is that these maneuvers are often carried out with insufficient lateral clearance. Furthermore, in the event of an accident, the investigation is hampered by the fact that those involved often flee the scene.

[0006] It is known from the prior art to equip bicycles with image capture units and distance measurement units to enable the detection of road users. For example, US20150228066A1 discloses an image capture unit arranged in the direction of travel and one arranged against the direction of travel, each together with a distance measurement unit aligned parallel to the optical axis of the image capture unit in a housing. US20220126942A1 discloses a device for detecting road users which has a housing attached to the handlebars containing an image capture unit and a distance measurement unit.

[0007] US20230098779A1 discloses a vehicle with a camera-assisted warning system, which includes an image capture unit arranged against the direction of travel and two distance detection units attached to the respective ends of the steering rods.

[0008] A disadvantage of such devices is that accurate distance measurement to an overtaking vehicle is not possible with either distance detection units aligned in the direction of travel or mounted on the steering column, since the former can only detect an overtaking vehicle in their imprecise edge area and the latter are impaired in their detection by steering movements that cause an irregular change in the sensor axis.

[0009] Description of the invention

[0010] The invention is therefore based on the objective of proposing a device for detecting road users for a single-track vehicle, which enables accurate distance detection to an overtaking vehicle while simultaneously offering simple design and assembly.

[0011] The invention solves the stated problem by aligning the optical axis of the image acquisition unit in the direction of travel and the sensor axis of the distance detection unit transversely to the direction of travel within the housing. As a result of these measures, the sensor axis of the distance detection unit, which is used to measure the distance to the overtaking vehicle, is aligned directly with this vehicle, i.e., transversely to the direction of travel and in the direction of oncoming traffic. This direct alignment of the distance detection unit with the object to be detected increases the accuracy of the distance measurement. Furthermore, the optical axis of the image acquisition unit is aligned in the direction of travel, so that the rear of the overtaking vehicle can be imaged, enabling the identification of a hit-and-run driver after an accident, for example, by recording the license plate.The image acquisition unit can be activated either manually or by a command from a control unit located within the housing. The image acquisition unit can generate individual images, image sequences, and / or video recordings as image data. Activation of the image acquisition unit can be understood as starting a video recording and / or capturing individual images or image sequences. To improve resource efficiency, particularly storage space requirements, and to ensure effective data protection, the captured image data can be stored in a memory unit and automatically deleted after a predefined time interval. This predefined time interval can be, for example, between 3 and 14 days. The distance sensing unit can be, for example, a distance sensor based on ultrasound, laser technology, radar, or infrared.Although the detection cone of commercially available image or distance detection units is often wide, directly aligning the image or distance detection unit with the object to be detected increases the quality of the captured data and reduces the risk of misdetection or failure to detect. According to the invention, the optical axis of the image detection unit can be arranged in the direction of travel, and the sensor axis of the distance detection unit can be arranged perpendicular to the direction of travel, resulting in an angle between the optical axis and the sensor axis of between 60 and 120 degrees. Preferably, the angle between the optical axis and the sensor axis is between 80 and 100 degrees. The arrangement of the various units within a single housing according to the invention can simplify installation and maintenance, as only a single component needs to be mounted on the vehicle. The housing can, for example, be centrally located on the bicycle handlebars.

[0012] The accuracy of detecting road users can be increased by mounting the housing to the steering column in a rotationally fixed manner. This ensures that the housing with the image acquisition unit is always aligned along the longitudinal axis of the vehicle frame and thus in the direction of travel. This prevents measurement errors that can occur, for example, when mounting the image acquisition unit or the distance measurement unit on the steering column during steering movements.

[0013] To enable high image quality despite limited storage space for image capture, it is proposed that the housing include a control unit for activating the initially deactivated image capture unit when a distance threshold is undershot. This allows image capture to occur only when the measured distance to an overtaking vehicle falls below the distance threshold, thus avoiding high storage requirements even for high image resolution, such as that required for license plate recognition. The distance threshold can be defined based on a minimum overtaking distance stipulated by national legislation.

[0014] For example, the distance threshold can be set between 100 and 130 cm in urban areas and / or between 130 and 160 cm on rural roads. The housing can include an actuating element for setting the distance threshold. The fact that image acquisition only occurs after the distance threshold has been undershot provides a synergistic effect with the inventive alignment of the optical axis and the sensor axis: the distance detection unit facing the overtaking vehicle detects the distance to it during the overtaking maneuver, after which the image data captured by the image detection unit enables the identification of the vehicle. If the detected distance falls below a hazard threshold, the image detection unit can be activated to record video and / or an emergency call unit can be activated to notify medical first responders.The danger value can correspond to the distance between one end of the vehicle driver and the distance detection unit, so that falling below the danger value constitutes a collision.

[0015] Improved evidence collection at an accident scene can be achieved by incorporating an accelerometer for automatic accident detection into the housing. Upon detecting an accident, the image capture unit can initiate image recording, thus providing comprehensive visual documentation of the accident sequence. To detect acceleration along three axes, an accelerometer and / or a gyroscope can be included.

[0016] The driver's safety can be increased by integrating an emergency call unit into the housing for the automatic transmission of an emergency call. If an accident is detected by the acceleration sensor, the relevant security authorities, a contact person, and / or medical first responders can be contacted via the emergency call unit. The transmission of the emergency call can be canceled, for example, in the event of a false accident detection, by activating the control element.

[0017] The invention also relates to a method for detecting road users for a single-track vehicle by a device according to the invention.

[0018] To enable a method that achieves high image acquisition quality with low storage requirements and simple device design, it is proposed that a distance value from the distance detection unit be recorded at each time step. If a distance threshold is breached, the initially deactivated image detection unit is activated. Due to these features, the image detection unit can only be activated if the distance threshold is breached. Therefore, image acquisition can only be provided if the distance detection unit detects a dangerous breach of the minimum distance.

[0019] The reliability of the captured images can be improved by including a waiting interval between the vehicle falling below the distance threshold and the activation of the image capture unit. This allows the image capture unit to be activated only after a waiting interval has elapsed following the vehicle falling below the distance threshold, enabling the overtaking vehicle to assume a frontal position in front of the unit, thus achieving a better image capture angle. For example, a waiting interval of 0.1 to 0.6 seconds in urban areas and / or a waiting interval of 0.05 to 0.3 seconds on rural roads can be implemented. In a preferred embodiment, a series of images is captured upon activation of the image capture unit, with each image separated by the waiting interval.

[0020] The reconstruction of an accident sequence can be facilitated by saving a time value and a distance value with the image data when the image capture unit is activated. This allows for precise vehicle identification during a subsequent review of the image data and for the unequivocal determination of any violation of the law if the minimum distance was not maintained.

[0021] In addition to the device according to the invention, an auxiliary device can be provided in the rear area of ​​the single-track vehicle, which includes a rear-view image detection unit oriented against the direction of travel. Should an overtaking vehicle approach the single-track vehicle, the rear-view image detection unit can optically detect it and activate the distance detection unit. The auxiliary device can also include an auxiliary distance detection unit, thus enabling distance measurement against the direction of travel. Activation of the rear-view image detection unit can occur, for example, when a rearward distance threshold of 10 m is undershot.

[0022] Brief description of the invention

[0023] The invention is illustrated in the drawing as an example. It shows

[0024] Fig. 1 is a top view of a disassembled device according to the invention on an enlarged scale, Fig. 2 is a side view of a single-track vehicle with a device according to the invention and

[0025] Fig. 3 shows a top view of a single-track vehicle with a device according to the invention in a traffic situation with an overtaking vehicle.

[0026] Ways to implement the invention

[0027] An exemplary device for detecting road users on a single-track vehicle 1, shown in Fig. 1, has a housing 2 that can be attached to the vehicle 1. The housing 2 comprises an image capture unit 3, whose optical axis 4 is aligned in the direction of travel 5. The housing 2 also includes a distance detection unit 6, whose sensor axis 7 is aligned transversely to the direction of travel 5. The distance detection area 8 is therefore directly aimed at vehicles 9 overtaking parallel to the direction of travel 5, as can be seen particularly in Fig. 3. This improves the quality and accuracy of the distance detection.

[0028] In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, the housing 2 is fixed to the control tube 11 shown in Fig. 2 via a fastening element 10. This fixed mounting on the control tube 11 secures the image acquisition unit 3 and the distance sensing unit 6 relative to the single-track vehicle 1, so that the alignment of the optical axis 4 and the sensor axis 7 according to the invention can be achieved even under turbulent traffic conditions.

[0029] As can be seen in Fig. 1, the housing 2 can include a control unit 12, which receives the distance values ​​from the distance detection unit 6 and compares them with a stored distance threshold. If the detected distance falls below the distance threshold, the initially deactivated image detection unit 3 can be activated. An actuating element 13 allows selection between different distance thresholds, for example, for urban areas or rural roads. An energy storage device 14 can be provided in the housing to supply power to the image detection unit 3, the distance detection unit 6, and the control unit 12.

[0030] Figure 2 shows a device for detecting road users mounted on a single-track vehicle 1. The housing 2 is attached to the steering tube 11 so that the optical axis 4 of the image capture unit 3 is aligned in the direction of travel 5. The distance detection unit 6 has a sensor axis 7 which projects out of the image plane. In addition to the device according to the invention, an auxiliary device 15 with a rear image capture unit 16 can be used to detect road users approaching the single-track vehicle 1 from behind.

[0031] Fig. 3 shows a typical traffic hazard situation for the driver of a single-track vehicle 1 with an overtaking vehicle 9. The distance detection unit 6, located in the housing 2, enables the determination of when the minimum distance is breached, after which the image capture unit 3 is activated to identify the overtaking vehicle 9. To ensure high-quality distance detection, the sensor axis 7 of the distance detection unit 6 is directed straight towards the lane 17 of oncoming traffic, i.e., perpendicular to the direction of travel 5 of the single-track vehicle 1.

Claims

Patent claims 1. Device for detecting road users for a single-track vehicle (1) with a housing (2) that can be attached to the vehicle (1) and which includes an image capture unit (3) and a distance detection unit (6), characterized in that the optical axis (4) of the image capture unit (3) is aligned in the direction of travel (5) and the sensor axis (7) of the distance detection unit (6) is aligned transversely to the direction of travel (5) in the housing (2).

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the housing (2) is fixed to the steering tube (11) in a rotationally fixed manner.

3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the housing (2) comprises a control unit (12) for activating the initially deactivated image acquisition unit (3) when a distance limit is undershot.

4. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that an acceleration sensor for automatic accident detection is provided in the housing (2).

5. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that an emergency call unit for automatically transmitting an emergency call is provided in the housing (2).

6. A method for detecting road users for a single-track vehicle (1) by a device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a distance value of the distance detection unit (6) is recorded at each time step, wherein the initially deactivated image detection unit (3) is activated when a distance threshold is undershot.

7. A method according to claim 6, characterized in that a waiting interval is provided between exceeding the distance threshold and activating the image detection unit (3).

8. Method according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that when the image acquisition unit (3) is activated, a time value and a distance value are stored with the image material.

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