Crank-Mounted Lighting Emulating Leg Motion for Bicycle Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional bicycle safety equipment, such as helmets and reflectors, fail to effectively improve rider visibility and prevent accidents when bicycles share riding areas with motorized vehicles, as they do not convey the movement associated with leg motion, leading to increased risk of injury and fatalities.
Innovation Solution
A crank-based lighting system that attaches to a bicycle crank arm, featuring multiple light elements facing forward and backward, which generates light based on the angle, movement, or position of the crank to emulate leg movement, thereby enhancing visibility by projecting biomotion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional safety equipment (helmets, reflectors) is used, then basic protection is provided, but visibility and accident prevention are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from static safety equipment to a dynamic lighting system that moves with the cyclist's pedaling motion. The light source is mounted on the crank arm and rotates accordingly, creating a moving light pattern that dynamically indicates the cyclist's presence and motion to motorized vehicle operators, thereby improving visibility while maintaining safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes color changes by employing a light source that can emit different colors or color patterns to enhance visibility. The lighting system may change colors or color patterns in response to crank position, pedaling speed, or other parameters, making the cyclist more noticeable to motorists while maintaining protective safety functions.
2Illumination intensity
If static lighting is used on the bicycle, then basic illumination is provided, but movement association and leg motion conveyance are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by making the lighting system dynamic rather than static. The light source is mounted on the crank arm so that it moves with the pedaling motion, creating a moving light pattern that conveys information about the cyclist's movement and leg motion. This dynamic approach maintains illumination intensity while recovering the loss of movement information that static lighting would provide.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If light sources are mounted on the crank, then biomotion and leg movement are emulated, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a mounting system that serves multiple functions. The crank-mounted light source not only provides illumination but also emulates biomotion and conveys movement information simultaneously. The same mounting arrangement on the crank arm enables the light to rotate with pedaling motion, creating a multi-functional system that improves visibility without proportionally increasing complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure describes various aspects of crank-based lighting, which may improve visibility of pedal-based vehicles or conveyances. In some aspects, a light generating apparatus includes a crank interface and lighting system. The crank interface may facilitate mounting of the apparatus to a crank (or crankarm) of a bicycle or other pedal-based vehicle. The lighting system may generate or emit light based on information indicating an angle, movement, and/or position of the crank, such as to cause light emission to emulate or project leg movement of a rider.