CH715402A2 - Handle unit comprising a handle and a thermoelectric generator, in particular for a sports device or a tool. - Google Patents

Abstract

A handle unit (1) comprises a handle, which is preferably held and / or actuated by the user with increased physical activity in intended use, in particular a handle unit (1) of a sports device and / or a tool, the handle unit (1) being a thermoelectric Generator (33), which is in heat-conducting connection with the handle, with which electrical energy can be generated from a body heat of a user gripping the handle, in order to supply an electrical consumer with electrical energy from the thermoelectric generator.

Description

Technical field

The invention relates to a handle unit comprising a handle, which is preferably held and / or actuated by the user under increased physical activity in intended use, in particular a handle unit of a sports device and / or a tool.

State of the art

Control, operating, monitoring and control devices of electronic, electrical, electromechanical or electrohydraulic components of sports equipment and tools, in particular F3hricycles and electronic and electrical devices, which can be temporarily or permanently attached to the bicycle from the prior art , operated with the help of batteries, accumulators or dynamos. The energy sources mentioned have major disadvantages. The batteries or accumulators are emptied by the electricity consumer or even by the storage of the batteries or accumulators, do not supply sufficient electrical current after a certain time and must be replaced or recharged. In order to prevent the power consumer from failing, the state of charge of the battery or the accumulator must be closely monitored. A spare battery or a spare battery may have to be carried. Carrying a spare battery or spare battery can be cumbersome or forgotten. In addition, the battery or the accumulator can be discharged unexpectedly quickly at very low outside temperatures and lead to a failure of the power consumer. The disadvantage of dynamos is that electrical energy is always obtained from physical energy, which the cyclist may find annoying. To gain the electrical energy, additional muscular strength has to be used or a significant reduction in the cycling speed has to be accepted.

Due to the increased use of wirelessly communicating electronic, electrical, electromechanical or electrohydraulic components, sports equipment and tools, in particular bicycles or electronic and electrical devices, which can be temporarily or permanently attached to the bike, there are always several batteries and / or accumulators and / or dynamos are used. Wireless communication has the advantage over wired communication that, for example, no cables have to be routed to or in the frame, which is cumbersome or aesthetically unattractive. The disadvantage of wireless communication is that several batteries or accumulators have to be monitored for their state of charge. In addition, replacing batteries in well-sealed systems can be difficult and time consuming.

Presentation of the invention

The object of the invention is to provide a handle unit associated with the technical field mentioned at the outset, which is of particularly compact design and requires little maintenance.

The solution to the problem is defined by the features of claim 1. According to the invention, the handle unit comprises a thermoelectric generator which is in heat-conducting connection with the handle, with which electrical energy can be generated from a body heat of a user gripping the handle, in order to supply an electrical consumer with electrical energy from the thermoelectric generator.

With the listed features in the form «x1, x2, x3 ... and / or xn» is a non-empty subset of the set of features (x1, x2, x3 ... xn) to understand.

The term handle unit or handle is to be understood as an object which is firmly gripped by hand in the intended use such that at least the palm rests on the handle. In the intended use, the handle is particularly preferably held in the handle, the thumb being able to lie both opposite the four fingers and on the same side. In particular, no handle unit is, for example, a remote control for a television, which typically rests on the fingertips and is supported by the palm of the thumb and operated with the thumb. Particularly preferably, the handle of the handle unit essentially comprises a tube section - optionally with ergonomically molded upholstery - which is held in the handle in the intended use.

The handle of the handle unit is particularly preferably associated with a device in which the handle is designed as a support for the body, as a handle for actuating and guiding the device and / or for applying the greatest possible force.

Characterized in that the handle is preferably provided for a sports device and / or a tool, the handle being held and / or actuated with increased physical activity, a particularly efficient use of a thermoelectric generator is created, since also with increased physical activity a higher body temperature of the user is present, with which a greater temperature difference on the thermoelectric generator and thus a higher output of the thermoelectric generator can be achieved.

[0010] The handle unit is particularly preferably a handle unit of a competitive sports device. A competitive sports device is understood to mean a sports device in the indoor and / or outdoor area, which is actuated with physical strength or physical performance, so that the body temperature or the heating power increases in the outer regions of the body, in particular on a palm. A particularly high electrical output of the thermoelectric generator is thus achieved, which is associated, for example, with a long range of a transmitter operated with the thermoelectric generator (see below).

The sports device can be designed in other variants as a fitness device for increasing endurance, in particular as outdoor sports equipment, such as bicycles (see below), in particular mountain bikes, racing bikes, triathlon bikes, cross bikes, recumbent bikes, tandem bicycles, etc. Furthermore, the sports device can be designed as a fitness device for increasing endurance in the indoor area, in particular as a track bike, as an ergometer, spin bike, running bike, rowing machine, stepper, crosstrainer, treadmill, etc. Other fitness devices for increasing endurance are known to the person skilled in the art.

In further variants, the sports device can also be designed as a fitness device for increasing strength. In particular, a fitness device for strengthening can include a leg press, a barbell, a cable pulling station, a lat pulling device, a multi-press rack, a Medibow and / or a weight training station.

It is known to the person skilled in the art that the thermoelectric generators can also be integrated into other handle units of sports equipment. Such handle units can be located, for example, on ski poles, Nordic walking poles, golf clubs, tennis rackets or badminton rackets. Finally, the thermoelectric generator can also be provided in handle units for use in water skiing, kitesurfing, etc. All those sports equipment that are enclosed with a firm handle are particularly well suited for energy generation with thermoelectric generators.

[0014] The thermoelectric generators are particularly preferably attached or incorporated into outdoor sports articles. In the outdoor area, the limited lifespan of batteries or the charging of accumulators is perceived as particularly restrictive.

All of the aforementioned sports equipment comprise at least one handle unit with a handle which is held and / or actuated with increased physical activity, the handle typically being held in the handle in the use of the sports device. A particularly effective use of a thermoelectric generator can thus be achieved. For example, sensors and / or transmitters can be fed with the thermoelectric generators. This enables biometric data, such as pulse, body temperature, but also physical parameters of the sports device, such as speed, location, etc., to be transmitted to a peripheral device while the sports device is in use.

[0016] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the handle unit is designed as a handle unit of a bicycle. The temperature difference between the body heat of a cyclist and the bicycle component or the bicycle bound to it is used to generate the electrical energy. This is achieved with the help of thermoelectric generators, which are preferably attached or incorporated in, on or around the bicycle components. The electrical energy obtained in this way does not have to be applied by additional pedaling or does not lead to a slowing down of the cycling speed. However, it is clear to the person skilled in the art that a bicycle can additionally comprise a dynamo, an accumulator or the like in addition to the thermoelectric generator.

The thermal energy of the body of the cyclist is always available as long as he is in contact with the thermoelectric generator. Therefore, the electrical energy obtained from this is always available during the contact of the body with the thermoelectric generator and the control, operating, monitoring and regulating devices of electronic, electrical, electromechanical or electrohydraulic components of bicycles or electronic and electrical devices, which at times or can be permanently attached to the bike can be operated continuously. Such battery components operated without batteries or accumulators are also easy to maintain and less susceptible to faults, because no battery has to be changed and no battery compartment has to be sealed or no charging option for the accumulator has to be created.

Especially in the outdoor area, this is compared to the control, operating, monitoring and regulating devices of electronic, electrical, electromechanical or electrohydraulic components of bicycles or electronic and electrical devices operated by battery or accumulator, which can be temporarily or permanently attached to the bicycle , a big advantage, also because batteries or accumulators have to be disposed of properly. This ecological advantage of battery and battery-free bicycle components is also important.

In a further variant, the energy is generated with one or more thermoelectric generators, which are attached or incorporated in, on or around the bicycle components, which are in direct contact with the cyclist or can be easily touched to a body part of the cyclist, to make the body heat usable. The thermoelectric generators can thus be inserted or attached to many components of the bicycle. Bicycle components can be, for example: handle units, bicycle saddles, bicycle handlebars, bicycle pedals, frames or stems. Other components or parts of the bicycle are known to the person skilled in the art.

In a preferred variant, the thermoelectric generators are attached or incorporated to bicycle components or bicycle parts, which are in direct and permanent contact with the body of the cyclist when riding the bicycle. Such bicycle components are the handle unit, saddle and pedals.

[0021] Thermoelectric generators could also be integrated into bicycle accessories such as clothes or shoes.

In a particularly preferred variant, the thermoelectric generators are integrated or attached to the handle unit of a bicycle. The hand grips the handle unit permanently and firmly. The heat transfer is therefore particularly good.

The bicycle components according to the invention can preferably be combined with control devices or actuation units for electronic, electrical, electromechanical or electrohydraulic components of bicycles or electronic and electrical devices, which can be temporarily or permanently attached to the bicycle, which are described in DE 11 2015 001 058 are published and described.

In further variants, the handle unit can also be designed as a handle unit of a tool. The tool can essentially be of any design, but it comprises a handle which, when used as intended, is preferably gripped in the handle. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the tool is used in the case of increased physical activity. The thermoelectric generator can be designed, for example, as a switch for an electrical tool, in particular a drill, a demolition hammer, a circular saw, a jigsaw, an angle grinder, a belt grinder, etc. Other tools are known to the person skilled in the art to be dispensed with. However, the tool can also be without an electric drive, with the thermoelectric generator being able to supply, for example, a transmitter / receiver for locating the tool in the workshop or on the construction site. Further applications are known to the person skilled in the art.

Preferably, the thermoelectric generator is arranged on the handle. This enables a direct transfer of the thermal energy to the thermoelectric generator, which enables the thermoelectric generator to be used particularly efficiently. This also enables a particularly compact structure.

[0026] In variants, the thermoelectric generator can also be connected to the handle via a heat-conducting element, in particular via a heat pipe or the like. Thus, for example, only one thermoelectric generator can be used with two handles, which is fed by the heat of both handles.

The thermoelectric generator is preferably arranged such that it lies in the palm of the hand of the user when the handle is used as intended. With the thermoelectric generator, a particularly efficient use of body heat is achieved, whereby a particularly high electrical output can be generated. The thermoelectric generator is particularly preferably designed and arranged on the handle in such a way that at least 10%, preferably at least 20%, particularly preferably at least 50%, in particular more than 80%, of an outer surface of the handle are covered by the thermoelectric generator.

[0028] In variants, the thermoelectric generator can also be covered by the thermoelectric generator less than 10% of the outer surface of the handle. The thermoelectric generator does not necessarily have to be arranged in such a way that it lies in the palm of the hand when used as intended - the thermoelectric generator can also lie in the area of the fingers.

Preferably, the thermoelectric generator comprises a hot side and a cold side, the hot side facing a palm of the user during operation and the cold side facing an inside of the handle, the cold side being connected to a heat-conducting element such that heat from the cold side is removable. By dissipating the heat from the cold side, a larger temperature difference between the hot side and the cold side is achieved, which can optimize the performance of the thermoelectric generator.

In variants, the cold side can only be air-cooled.

The heat-conducting element preferably comprises a tube, in particular a tube encompassed by the handle. The heat from the cold side is dissipated through the handlebar, for example. For further optimization, an area of the handle that is not covered by the thermoelectric generator can be insulated. Direct heat transfer between the hand of the user and the pipe provided for heat dissipation can thus be reduced. This in turn means that the heat dissipation from the cold side of the thermoelectric generator can be optimized via the pipe. The use of the handlebar as a heat-conducting element has the further advantage that the handlebar can be cooled by the airstream between the handles, particularly in the case of a bicycle or the like.

In variants, the tube as a cooling element can also be dispensed with.

Preferably, the heat-conducting element comprises a heat pipe and / or a cooling fin. This enables efficient heat dissipation from the cold side of the thermoelectric generator, which further increases the performance of the thermoelectric generator. The heat pipe can, for example, be connected on one side to the thermoelectric generator and on the other side to a large-area element of the device, which comprises the handle unit. The heat dissipation can thus be further optimized. The large-area element can in the case of a bicycle, for. B. include an area of the bicycle frame or the handlebar of the bicycle. The cooling fins can be attached, for example, inside the handle, directly on the cold side of the thermoelectric generator. In this case, the handle can be designed in such a way that an air flow, for example the airstream, can flow through the cooling fins, so that heat accumulation can be avoided.

Instead of a heat pipe, a simple, heat-conducting component, such as a flat piece made of aluminum or another metal alloy, can be provided, which essentially increases the surface of the cold side of the thermoelectric generator. The flat piece can also be connected on the one hand to the thermoelectric generator and on the other hand - in the case of a bicycle - to a central region of the handlebar and / or comprise cooling fins. The heat pipe and cooling fins can also be dispensed with.

Preferably, the thermoelectric generator is arranged in a sleeve-like mounting element, the sleeve-like mounting element being arranged around the handle. In variants, the thermoelectric generator can also be connected to the handle via an otherwise shaped mounting element or directly.

In one embodiment, the thermoelectric generator can be integrated in a sleeve-like holding element, which can be pushed over a handlebar tube. The inside diameter of the sleeve-like holding element is preferably between 10 mm to 50 mm, particularly preferably between 20 mm to 35 mm, in particular between 20 mm to 25 mm. In variants, the inside diameter can also be dimensioned otherwise.

Preferably, the thermoelectric generator is arranged tangentially to the outside diameter of a bicycle handlebar. A distance from the tangent point to the center of the bicycle handlebar tube is preferably between 5 mm and 25 mm, particularly preferably between 11 mm and 15 mm. In variants, the route can also have a different mass.

Preferably, the thermoelectric generator is aligned parallel to the bicycle handlebar, particularly preferably parallel to the handle. In variants, the thermoelectric generator can also be oriented in a different way to the bicycle handlebar.

[0039] The thermoelectric generator preferably has a curvature and is in particular designed as a partial surface of a circular cylinder jacket or as an ergonomically designed part of the handle. This can improve a contact surface between the hand, in particular the palm in the handle and the thermoelectric generator, which in turn can improve heat transfer and thus achieve a higher output of the thermoelectric generator.

In variants, the thermoelectric generator can also be plate-shaped, in particular essentially flat. In this case, several thermoelectric generators can also be interconnected, if necessary, in order to achieve an optimized heat transfer with a constant total area.

Preferably, the handle unit further comprises at least one transmitter for transmitting data, the transmitter being supplied with electrical energy from the thermoelectric generator, the transmitter being in particular a radio transmitter and / or an infrared transmitter, particularly preferably a Bluetooth transmitter, preferably Bluetooth Low Energy or Bluetooth 4.0.

In variants, the transmitter can also be dispensed with. Instead, the handle unit can also include other power consumers, such as an LED, as lighting or the like.

Preferably, the handle unit further comprises a manually operable switching unit, by means of which the transmitter can be activated in order to send data to a receiver, in particular to a camera, a smartphone and / or a gear shift of a bicycle. The switching unit is preferably arranged in such a way that it can be operated with the same hand that grips the handle. The switching unit can, for example, be arranged in such a way that it can be actuated with the thumb or forefinger while the thermoelectric generator rests on the palm of the same hand. This ensures particularly robust operation.

In variants, the switching unit can also be activated automatically as soon as the thermoelectric generator supplies current for the operation of the switching unit. Furthermore, the switching unit can also be dispensed with or the switching unit can be arranged outside the handle unit.

In a further preferred embodiment, the thermoelectric generator comprises further electrical or electronic elements, in particular a capacitor or an accumulator for storing the electrical energy can be provided. Furthermore, a processor for energy management or, in the case of a transmitter, for controlling it can be provided. A multitude of further components are known to the person skilled in the art which can be detected by the thermoelectric generator.

[0046] The thermoelectric generators used can be planar or curved. The shape of the thermoelectric generators can be of any nature. It is important to optimize the area between the body or body part that is or will be in contact with the bicycle component or the thermoelectric generator, so that the heat transfer is greatest.

Square or rectangular thermoelectric generators are preferably used and, in order to increase the energy generation, several thermoelectric generators are created in series.

According to a first preferred embodiment for a handle unit, the thermoelectric generator or several thermoelectric generators are attached to a sleeve which is pushed onto a bicycle handlebar and fixed. The sleeve can have an inner diameter of 10 mm to 50 mm. Sleeves with an inner diameter of 20 mm to 35 mm are preferred and sleeves with an inner diameter of 22.2 mm to 22.5 mm are particularly preferred. A circuit board can also be placed in or on the sleeve, which can contain a booster, an energy management system, electrical consumers (e.g. CPU, measuring systems, radio communication unit), accumulator or supercapacitor and an antenna. In addition, the circuit board can contain proximity switches which, by actuating an actuating element, enable an electrical signal representing the actuation. The sleeve is preferably covered with a thermally conductive rubber.

According to a first variant of the first embodiment, the circuit board can also be placed in a cavity at the handlebar end in order to be protected and to allow the handle unit to be shaped as ergonomically as possible. The cables are then routed along the sleeve to the circuit board.

According to a second variant of the first embodiment, the circuit board equipped with a proximity switch can also be placed in the manually operated actuation unit, which enables an electrical signal representing the actuation.

The first preferred embodiment for the handle unit, which can be attached to or in a bicycle handlebar, is aimed at bicycle handlebars with a mostly round outer diameter and a straight section located at the end of the bicycle handlebar from 10 mm to 150 mm. Such bicycle handlebars are mostly installed on gity bikes, mountain bikes, fitness bikes, commuter bikes, urban bikes, triathlon bikes or everyday bicycles. With bicycle handlebars, handlebar adapters or handlebar attachments are also to be recorded in this category of handlebar type, which are screwed or clamped onto the actual bicycle handlebar, to increase the grip options or to enable special positions.

According to a second embodiment for the handle unit, the thermoelectric generators can also be laminated directly into a bicycle handlebar. With this configuration, the handle unit would be omitted or consist of a thermally conductive plastic.

According to a third embodiment for the handle unit, one or more thermoelectric generators can also be integrated or attached in a handle unit, which are then screwed or clamped to a curved section, an arc, a handlebar. Such handlebars with a bow are often referred to as racing handlebars and are also installed on racing bikes.

In a further preferred embodiment, the thermoelectric generators are also integrated or attached into the saddlecloth or saddle frames of bicycle saddles.

In a handle unit for a bicycle, a thermoelectric generator is preferably integrated in the handle unit, which generates electrical energy through the temperature difference between the hand of a cyclist and the handle unit.

[0056] Further advantageous embodiments and combinations of features of the invention result from the following detailed description and the entirety of the claims.

Brief description of the drawings

[0057] The drawings used to explain the exemplary embodiment show: <tb> Fig. 1 <SEP> is a schematic illustration of a handlebar with two handle units and two actuating elements as an oblique view; <tb> Fig. 2 <SEP> is a schematic illustration of a handle unit with an actuating element for use in a handlebar according to FIG. 1 in an exploded view; <tb> Fig. 3 <SEP> is a schematic illustration of parts of the handle unit in an exploded view; <tb> Fig. 4 <SEP> is a schematic sectional illustration transverse to a longitudinal axis of the sleeve-like holding element with two thermoelectric generators; <tb> Fig. 5 <SEP> is a schematic illustration of parts of the handle unit in an exploded view; <tb> Fig. 6 <SEP> a schematic representation of an electronics unit.

In principle, the same parts are provided with the same reference numerals in the figures.

Ways of Carrying Out the Invention

1 shows a schematic representation of a handlebar with two handle units and two actuating elements as a preferred embodiment of the invention.

The two handle units 1 are handle units as they are preferably mounted on straight handlebars 10, which in turn are attached to mountain bikes. The thermoelectric generators are located under the sleeve-like grip rubber elements 11 and are not visible. The actuating elements 12 are located on the handle units 1. The handlebar 10 is connected by the stem 14 to the steerer tube of a bicycle fork.

2 shows a schematic representation of a handle unit with an actuating element for use on the right side of a handlebar as seen by the cyclist riding the bicycle.

The handle unit 1 of FIG. 2 (as well as FIGS. 3 to 5) can, however, also be used in other sports equipment or tools or work equipment. The handle unit 1 described below can be used in sports equipment such as ergometers, spin bikes, running wheels, rowing machines, steppers, cross trainers, treadmills, dumbbells, cable pulling stations, lat pullers, multi-press racks, medibows, multi-gyms, ski sticks, Nordic walking sticks, golf clubs, tennis rackets, Baseball bats, badminton rackets and in handle units for use in water skiing, kite surfing, wind surfing etc. The list is not exhaustive; the person skilled in the art is aware of a large number of other possible uses in which a handle unit with a firm hand grip is gripped, with which a relatively large heat output can be converted into electrical energy by means of a thermoelectric generator.

The sleeve-like handle unit 1 is clamped to the handlebar 10 with two clamping rings 25 and 26. The sleeve-like grip rubber element 11 ensures a secure hold of the hands. The actuating element 12 can be pivoted in the circumferential direction and enables the signal which controls, regulates, monitors or operates electronic, electrical, electromechanical or electrohydraulic components of bicycles or electronic and electrical devices which can be temporarily or permanently attached to the bicycle. An operating lever 27 is formed on the actuating element 12, which allows the thumb to turn the actuating element 12 securely into an upper and lower stop. The operating lever 27 can also be configured differently in order to enable the actuating element 12 to be rotated safely and conveniently.

3 shows parts of the handle unit consisting of a sleeve-like holding element, thermoelectric generators, a printed circuit board sitting on the holding element and additionally an actuating element.

The holding element 31 has a slightly larger inner diameter than the outer diameter of a handlebar and can therefore be pushed onto a handlebar. The holding element 31 has two extensions at each end, which fit snugly into the clamping rings 25 and 26. With the screws 32, the clamping rings and thus the associated holding element 31 are clamped against rotation on the handlebars. The two thermoelectric generators 33 are attached to the holding element 31, only one thermoelectric generator 33 being visible.

The second thermoelectric generator 33 is opposite. The circuit board 34 and a holder 35, in which two reed switches are integrated, are likewise attached to the holding element 31. The printed circuit board 34 contains the electronic unit with an energy management system, booster, radio communication circuit and antenna. The reed switches in the holder 35, the printed circuit board 34 and the thermoelectric generators 33 are connected to one another by electrical cables. A sensor magnet 36 is attached in the actuating element 12, which closes the corresponding reed switch located at the attachment point when the actuating element 12 is rotated and thus gives the signal. Opposite the sensor magnet 36, a holding magnet 37 is incorporated in the actuating element 12, which is attracted by a second holding magnet 37, which is incorporated in the clamping ring 26, and thus fixes the actuating element 12 in a basic position.

4 shows the holding element with the thermoelectric generators in cross section.

The cross section comes from the center of the holding element 31. The two thermoelectric generators 33 are arranged opposite one another and connected to the holding element 31.

5 shows parts of the handle unit in the manner of an exploded view consisting of the sleeve-like holding element, thermoelectric generators and a circuit board to be accommodated in the handlebar interior, and also an actuating element.

5 is a variant of the embodiment described in FIG. 4. The same reference numerals are therefore used as in FIG. 4, each increased by 100, and only the differences from the embodiment already described above are described or special features are explained.

The circuit board 134 is no longer connected to the holding element 131, but to the clamping ring 125. The circuit board 134 has a smaller width than the inside diameter of a handlebar and is connected to the clamping ring 125 in such a way that the circuit board 134 is in the pushed-on clamping ring 125 is located in the handlebar interior. The printed circuit board 134 is electrically connected via cable duct 160 to the thermoelectric generators 133 and the holder 135 or the reed switches in the holder 135.

6 shows a schematic representation of an electronics unit.

The electronics unit comprises one or more thermoelectric generators 233, a booster 300, the energy management system 301, consumers 302 and energy storage 303. The booster 300 can be unipolar and only convert positive or negative temperature differences or be bipolar and convert positive and negative temperature differences.

Unipolar or bipolar boosters can be used. The hot and cold sides of the thermoelectric generator can change during operation. There are negative or positive temperature differences. The unipolar booster can convert the voltage level, which results from either the negative or the positive temperature difference, into another voltage level. The bipolar booster can convert the voltage level resulting from the negative and the positive temperature differences. Several boosters, unipolar and / or bipolar, can be combined with each other. A unipolar booster, which increases the voltage level resulting from the negative temperature differences, is preferably combined with one another with a unipolar booster, which increases the voltage level resulting from the positive temperature difference. The order of the unipolar boosters can of course also be reversed.

Consumers 302 can be: CPU plus measuring system plus radio communication unit (or combinations which consume electrical energy for their function). In a particularly preferred variant for a radio communication system, Bluetooth low energy is used. However, other radio communication systems can also be used. In particular, one or more of the following components can be provided: sensors, user interface (e.g. an LED), wireless BLE (with antenna), general switches (switches), in particular reed switches. A large number of further components are known to the person skilled in the art. A processor executes the corresponding applications. On the other hand, a receiver can be a smartphone or a gateway, which is able to receive the signals sent by the embedded system on the bike and to run the corresponding application. In a preferred variant, energy storage devices 303 are also used, wherein the energy storage device 303 can be an accumulator 304, a supercapacitor 305, but also a rechargeable battery or a solid state battery.

In summary, it can be stated that, according to the invention, a low-maintenance handle unit is provided, which means that batteries can be largely dispensed with in a particularly inexpensive and simple construction for operating an electrical consumer.

Claims (11)

1. Handle unit (1) comprising a handle, which is preferably held and / or actuated by the user with increased physical activity in intended use, in particular a handle unit (1) of a sports device and / or a tool, characterized in that the handle unit ( 1) comprises a thermoelectric generator (33, 133, 233) which is in heat-conducting connection with the handle, with which electrical energy can be generated from a body heat of a user grasping the handle in order to supply an electrical consumer with electrical energy from the thermoelectric generator. 2. Handle unit (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the thermoelectric generator is arranged on the handle. 3. Handle unit (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the thermoelectric generator is arranged such that it lies in a palm of the user when the handle is used as intended. 4. Handle unit (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the thermoelectric generator comprises a hot side and a cold side, the hot side facing a palm of the user during operation and the cold side is directed to an inside of the handle, the cold side with a heat-conducting element is connected such that heat can be dissipated from the cold side. 5. Handle unit (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the heat-conducting element comprises a tube, in particular a tube encompassed by the handle. 6. Handle unit (1) according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the heat-conducting element comprises a heat pipe and / or a cooling fin. 7. Handle unit (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the thermoelectric generator (33, 133, 233) is arranged in a sleeve-like mounting element (31, 131), the sleeve-like mounting element (31, 131) around the handle is arranged. 8. Handle unit (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the thermoelectric generator (33, 133, 233) has a curvature and is designed in particular as a partial surface of a circular cylinder jacket or as an ergonomically designed part of the handle. 9. Handle unit (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it further comprises transmitters for transmitting data, the transmitter being supplied with electrical energy from the thermoelectric generator (33, 133, 233), the transmitter in particular is designed as a radio transmitter and / or as an infrared transmitter, particularly preferably as a Bluetooth transmitter, preferably as Bluetooth Low Energy. 10. Handle unit (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that it further comprises a manually operable switching unit, by means of which the transmitter can be activated to send data to a receiver, in particular to a camera, a smartphone and / or a gear shift of a bicycle. 11. Sports device, in particular a bicycle, comprising a handle unit (1) according to one of claims 1 to 10.