Bicycle Brake Warning Device Using Segmented Wireless Lights

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Solution Overview

Problem

Bicycles, electric bicycles, and motorcycles lack recognizable safety indicators for braking intentions, making it difficult for rear vehicles to understand the braking status, which can lead to rear-end collisions, especially in densely populated urban areas where there are no obvious brake lights on these vehicles.

Innovation Solution

A brake warning device mounted between the bicycle handle and brake lever, featuring a moving portion with shafts and fixing blocks, a brake switch, and multiple wireless brake lights strategically placed on a helmet, jacket, waist pocket, bicycle frame, and suitcase, transmitting a wireless signal to illuminate the brake lights when the brake lever is activated, providing a clear visual reminder of the braking action.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional bicycles and motorcycles are used without brake lights, then the vehicle structure remains simple and cost-effective, but rear vehicles cannot clearly understand the braking intention of the vehicle in front, leading to potential rear-end collisions

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesafetyVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The brake warning device is segmented into multiple independent brake lights distributed across different locations (helmet, jacket, waist pocket, bicycle frame, rear suitcase). Each brake light acts as an independent safety indicator, collectively providing comprehensive visibility without requiring a complex integrated system. This segmentation allows the safety function to be achieved through multiple simple components rather than one complex device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from a single-point brake signal to a three-dimensional light display by distributing brake lights across multiple spatial dimensions and body locations. This dimensional expansion creates a volumetric warning pattern that is more recognizable and provides better spatial awareness for rear vehicles, significantly improving safety without proportionally increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Loss of information

If a brake warning device with multiple brake lights is installed, then the braking intention becomes highly recognizable and rear-end collisions are reduced, but the device complexity and number of components increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebraking intention recognitionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The information transmission function is segmented across multiple brake lights positioned at different locations. Each brake light conveys the same braking intention information independently, ensuring that the complete safety message is received even if some individual lights are obscured. This segmentation redundancy eliminates information loss without requiring overly complex communication protocols.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The brake warning device serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides visual braking indication, enhances rider visibility, and works across different vehicle types (bicycles, electric bicycles, motorcycles). The wireless control mechanism also enables future expansion to control other vehicle accessories, making the increased device complexity justify itself through multiple utility functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of manufacture

If wireless communication is used between brake switch and brake lights, then installation is simplified and no power connections are required, but reliance on market-purchased components increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation easeVSAvoidcomponent compatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The wireless communication system allows the brake warning device to self-configure and self-transmit signals without requiring complex wiring installation or professional electrical connections. The system serves itself by using existing wireless communication protocols that can be readily implemented with off-the-shelf components, making installation accessible to end users without specialized skills.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the traditional mechanical/electrical wiring system with a wireless communication system. Instead of requiring physical power connections and electrical wiring between the brake switch and brake lights, the system uses wireless signals (such as radio frequency communication) to transmit control commands, dramatically simplifying installation while relying on standardized market-available wireless components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP3772449B1A brake warning device mounted on a bicycle or motorcycle handle
Publication Date: 2021.09.22 MEIZHOU FRII LENS ELECTRONICS TECH CO LTD
  • EP3772449B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3772449B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3772449B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The present invention discloses a brake warning device (10) mounted between a bicycle handle (4) and a brake horn (9), the brake warning device (10) includes a moving portion, a fixing portion, a sensory switch (28) and a tip light (50), the moving portion of the brake warning device (10) includes a first thimble fixing block (20), a second thimble fixing block (24), a first thimble (22), a thimble spring (23), a second thimble (24), and a protective outer spring (25), the first thimble fixing block (20) and the second thimble fixing block (21) are embedded to form one and connected to the brake horn (9), the fixing portion of the brake warning device (10) includes a first fixing block (26) and a second fixing block (27), the first fixing block (26) and the second fixing block (27) are assembled to form a loop structure, which can be mounted on the handle (4), the sensory switch (28) is located on the first fixing block (26), the second thimble (24) passes through the first fixing block (26) and is in contact with the sensory switch (28). The display of multiple brake light signals changes from one point to a three-dimensional surface, which serves as a clear reminder and improves the safety of the rider.