Wearable Direction Signaling Device for Cyclists
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for signaling direction on bicycles are either unsafe as they require manual hand gestures, lack advance warning capabilities, and often require modifications to the bicycle, which compromises safety and convenience.
Innovation Solution
A wearable device with a flattened profile and V-shaped side portions, equipped with LED light sources, sensors, and a control unit that detects head rotation and acceleration to automatically signal direction changes without hand engagement, allowing for advance warning and easy mounting on a bike helmet.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual hand gestures are used to signal direction, then the cyclist can indicate turning intention, but the cyclist loses control of the handlebar and stability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical gesture system with an automated sensor-based system. Accelerometers and gyroscopes detect head movements and automatically trigger directional lights, eliminating the need for manual hand gestures while maintaining signaling capability. This substitution resolves the contradiction by providing direction indication without compromising handlebar control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-service by automatically detecting the cyclist's intended direction through sensors and activating the appropriate lights without requiring manual intervention. The device monitors acceleration and angular velocity data, processes this information through a control unit, and autonomously signals direction, thereby maintaining both safety and signaling effectiveness.
2Reliability
If direction lights are activated only upon handlebar movement, then the system responds to actual turning, but it cannot provide advance warning to road users
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by detecting head movements that precede actual handlebar turning. The accelerometers and gyroscopes capture subtle head orientation changes before the cyclist initiates the turn, allowing the directional lights to activate in advance. This provides early warning to road users while maintaining accurate correlation with the cyclist's intended path.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from continuous sensor monitoring to determine when to activate lights. By analyzing acceleration and angular velocity data in real-time, the control unit can identify the onset of turning intention and trigger appropriate signaling, balancing advance warning with accurate turning indication.
3Illumination intensity
If devices are mounted on the bicycle or require bicycle modifications, then the device can be positioned for visibility, but it complicates installation and reduces versatility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal device that can be worn on any helmet without requiring bicycle-specific modifications. The wearable support with integrated sensors, lights, and power supply makes the system adaptable to different bicycles and users, eliminating installation complexity while maintaining visibility through strategic light placement on the helmet.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables safe, efficient, and convenient signaling of direction changes by automatically turning on and off lights based on head rotation, providing advance warning to road users without compromising bicycle control, and is compact, versatile, and economically cost-effective.
Implementation Method 1
at least one sensor element associated with said wearable support, to measure at least one value of the acceleration and/or one value of the angular speed assumed by said wearable support when it is worn on said head of a user
Data Source
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AI summary
The device for signalling direction comprises a support (2) predisposed to be worn by a user and carrying at least a first direction light source (50) and a second direction light source (50), each indicating a respective rotation direction of said wearable support (2). At least one sensor element is associated with the support (2) to measure at least a value of the acceleration and/or a value of the angular speed assumed by the wearable support (2).