DE102007033307A1 - Indicator system for bicycle, has indicator module provided with high power LEDs such as red LEDs, as lighting units, where LEDs are controlled by pulse-width modulation according to ambient brightness - Google Patents

Abstract

The system has an indicator module provided with high power LEDs such as red LEDs, as lighting units. The LEDs are controlled by pulse-width modulation according to ambient brightness. The module is provided with a diffusion film in front of the LEDs for producing homogenous light intensity. The wavelength of the emitted light amounts to 590 nanometers. An indicating signal is pulsed with a frequency of 200 hertz. A control circuit of the indicator system is designed based on complementary MOS technology.

Description

To To-day there are no bicycle indicators in the market for traffic are fit. There are bicycle turn signals for years with the lightbulbs are equipped, but these are difficult to see during the day. used you light bulbs with correspondingly high power for better visibility, would the Energy consumption increase drastically, what a real use on Bike would be out of the question.

nowadays Although already has the LED technology in various "pseudo-bicycle turn signals" from the hardware store or by Ebay moving in, of transportable plants are these Copies but far away.

When Search term on Ebay z. B. "bicycle blinker" enter, or times Googling.

at In most of these systems, the turn signals are direct as red LEDs next to the red tail light LEDs appropriate. This is far too close together, red is not ideal indicator color, the light-emitting surfaces are also usually very kept small and the turn signals for the bicycle front is missing completely.

in the Claim is based on the problem a marketing and roadworthy complete Turn signal system for Cycles To develop which is robust and easy to assemble, but especially electricity saving and their light signals under all ambient light conditions are clearly recognizable.

The Problem is caused by the "bicycle turn signal system with intelligent turn signal modules "solved.

The Flasher modules adapt by means of their own light sensor, which influences the pulse width of the LED drive, to the ambient brightness on and ensure thus always optimal visibility with maximum power savings (see drawing "Block diagram") this through the use of yellow high-power LEDs, which are also at low Current consumption still sufficient light output radiate. Besides, they are the LEDs are not so vulnerable against mechanical influences as Lightbulbs.

The Bicycle turn signal system corresponds to the one in your functions Cars (turn signals left, turn signals right and hazard lights) and is from Their mechanical dimensions (distances of each left and right turn signal to each other) as in a z. B. scooters held, For this see also drawing "General view".

We would like indicate that the arrangement of the controls or their Naturally, the type and power supply used is variable to a great extent are. The used controls, power supply and their Arrangement as in the drawing "General view" is only at the first prototype so executed to have a working example.

It is natural possible Batteries or batteries used, which housed directly in the housing be carried out or as a removable battery. A removable battery would be the make expensive key switch obsolete. The battery or battery voltage is variable with adaptation of the circuits in a wide range. The switches can Naturally also outside closer to the control panel attached to the handles.

Instead of Switches can when a modification of the circuit and buttons are used which are better for splashing waterproof installation and a suitable lower height as a switch.

The various variations do not influence or change the fundamental Function of the features listed in the "patent claims".

• • Die Blinkermodule passen sich an die Umgebungshelligkeit an. Am Tag bei Sonnenlicht wird die abgestrahlte Leistung der LED's erhöht und bei Dunkelheit verringert. Sollte nachts ein Lichtkegel auf eines der Module treffen, z. B. durch ein hinterher fahrendes Auto, wird die Leistung natürlich wieder erhöht.
• • Die Verringerung der Leistung dient zum einen zum Energiesparen und zum anderen das Rücklicht nachts nicht zu überstrahlen bzw. andere Verkehrs-Teilnehmer nicht zu blenden.
• • Die Module besitzen zur Sicherheit eine auch bei totaler Dunkelheit minimale „Grund-Helligkeit".
• • Weiter sind die Module mit einer Diffusionsfolie vor den LED's ausgestattet, damit ein möglichst homogenes Lichtfeld erzeugt wird und ein Blenden durch die relativ punktförmig strahlenden LED's vermieden wird.
• • Jedes Modul strahlt auch um 90° seitlich Licht ab (siehe Zeichnung „Gesamtansicht"), damit erhöht sich die Sichtbarkeit für andere Verkehrsteilnehmer.
• • Die Blinker-Anlage gibt insbesondere in der Dunkelheit mehr Sicherheit durch ein besseres erkennen der Richtungsanzeige im Gegensatz zu einem ausgestreckten Arm, der eventuell mit dunkler Kleidung bekleidet ist.
• • Die Hände können weitgehenst am Lenker verbleiben und es müssen keine Schwenkbewegungen mit den Armen zur Richtungsanzeige durchgeführt werden.
• • Um die Richtung korrekt mit den Armen anzuzeigen ist eine viel längere Zeitspanne erforderlich im Gegensatz zur Betätigung eines Schalters.
• • Die vier Blinkermodule sind jeweils mit 20 gelben SMD-Hochleistungs-LED's ausgestattet („Power TOPLED^®" mit ca. 4500 mcd je LED laut Herstellerangabe).
• • Die Wellenlänge des emittierten gelben Lichts beträgt 590 nm (ebenfalls Herstellerangabe).
• • Jedes der vier Blinkermodule hat einen eigenen Lichtsensor um sich individuell der Umgebungshelligkeit anzupassen.
• • Die LED's werden mit Puls-Weiten-Modulation angesteuert.
• • Das Blinksignal (ca. 1 Hz) wird mit einer Frequenz von 200 Hz gepulst bei einer variablen Pulsweite von ca. 10% bis max. 50%. (10% = Umgebung dunkel, 50% = Umgebung hell).
• • Die Leistungsaufnahme eines Moduls beträgt bei Verwendung einer 9 V-Blockbatterie bei maximaler abgestrahlter Leistung ca. 1,1 W und bei minimaler ca. 0,22 W.
• • Ist ein Blinker nicht aktiv, wird seine Elektronik von einem Feldeffekt-Transisor zum Stromsparen komplett abgeschaltet.
• • Die Steuerschaltung im Bedienpult ist komplett in CMOS-Technologie aufgebaut um so wenig wie möglich an Energie zu verbrauchen.
• • Getrennte Richtungswahlschalter für rechts und links.
• • Richtungswahlschalter sind gegeneinander elektronisch verriegelt, somit ein versehentliches Betätigen des zweiten Schalters bei bereits gesetztem Schalter keinen Einfluss hat.
• • Warnblinkfunktion ist jedoch in jeder Situation möglich.
• • Richtungskontroll-Anzeige über grüne LED's am Bedienungspult.
• • Bei Betätigung eines Richtungswahlschalters werden unverzögert die Blinksignale abgestrahlt. Im Gegensatz zu einfachen Blinkschaltungen mit durchlaufendem Frequenzgenerator wird der Generator erst mit der Betätigung eines der beiden Richtungswahlschalter oder dem Warnblinkerschalter gestartet. Dieses garantiert das sofort ein voller Impuls ausgesendet wird und keine Zufallswerte.
• • Einfache Montage durch Nutzung von bereits vorhandenen Befestigungspunkten. Vorne an der Zentralbefestigung für den Scheinwerfer und hinten an den überstehenden Gewindebolzen des Reflektors vom Gepäckträger.

Here are some technical details and advantages in the listed form:

• • The turn signal modules adapt to the ambient brightness. On daytime in sunlight, the radiated power of the LED's is increased and decreased in the dark. Should hit a light cone at night on one of the modules, eg. B. by a driving car behind, of course, the performance is increased again.
• • Reducing power is both a way to save energy and on the other hand not to outshine the tail light at night or to dazzle other traffic participants.
• • For safety, the modules have a minimum "basic brightness" even in total darkness.
• • Furthermore, the modules are equipped with a diffusion film in front of the LED's, so that a homogeneous light field is generated and a dazzling is avoided by the relatively punctiform radiating LED's.
• • Each module also emits light 90 ° to the side (see drawing "General view"), thus increasing the visibility for other road users.
• • The turn signal system provides more security, especially in the dark, by better recognizing the direction indicator as opposed to an outstretched arm, which may be dressed in dark clothing.
• • The hands can remain on the handlebars for a long time and no swiveling movements with the arms to indicate the direction.
• • To display the direction correctly with the arms requires a much longer period of time than using a switch.
• • The four turn signal modules are each equipped with 20 yellow SMD high-performance LEDs ("Power TOPLED ^® " with approx. 4500 mcd per LED as specified by the manufacturer).
• • The wavelength of the emitted yellow light is 590 nm (also specified by the manufacturer).
• • Each of the four turn signal modules has its own light sensor to individually adapt to the ambient brightness.
• • The LEDs are controlled with pulse-width modulation.
• 1 Hz) is pulsed at a frequency of 200 Hz with a variable pulse width of approx. 10% to max. 50%. (10% = environment dark, 50% = environment bright).
• • The power consumption of a module when using a 9 V block battery with maximum radiated power is about 1.1 W and at a minimum of about 0.22 W.
• • If a turn signal is not active, its electronics are completely switched off by a field effect transistor to save power.
• • The control circuit in the control panel is completely built in CMOS technology to consume as little energy as possible.
• • Separate direction selector switches for right and left.
• • Direction selector switches are electronically locked against each other, so that accidental actuation of the second switch has no influence when the switch is already set.
• • Hazard warning function is possible in every situation.
• • Direction control display via green LEDs on the control panel.
• • When a direction selector switch is pressed, the flashing signals are emitted without delay. In contrast to simple flashing circuits with continuous frequency generator, the generator is started only with the operation of one of the two direction selector switch or the warning flasher switch. This guarantees that a full pulse will be sent immediately and no random values.
• • Easy installation by using existing mounting points. At the front of the central mounting for the headlamp and at the rear of the protruding threaded bolt of the reflector from the luggage rack.

1

control panel

2

control panel sideview

2a

mounting clamp for handlebar mounting

3

Direction selector left and right

4

Turn signal indicator LEDs

5

key switch ON OFF

6

Warning switch

7

battery

8th

front carrier

9

Central mounting at the foot of headlights

10

rear carrier

11

attachment on the luggage carrier reflector

12

turn signal modules

13

electric wire

14

light sensors

Claims (1)

Complete bicycle turn signal system with intelligent Turn signal modules, which are equipped with high-performance LEDs as lighting, the above triggered a pulse-width modulation depending on the ambient brightness become.