DE102019005764A1 - Single-track rental vehicle and procedures for optimizing safety - Google Patents

Abstract

It has been shown that single-track rental vehicles (bicycles, e-scooters) can be involved in accidents during operation. The user cannot then request help himself in all cases. To increase security, a single-track rental vehicle and, in particular, a method for optimizing security are proposed. The method and the associated vehicle are characterized by the fact that it is recognized whether a tipped vehicle has previously been logged out. If this is not the case, an attempt is made to contact the user and, if necessary, help is sent.

Description

The present invention relates to single track rental vehicles and, more particularly, to their safety.

Single-track rental vehicles are, for example, bicycles with and without motor assistance or vehicles in accordance with the Small Electric Vehicle Ordinance (eKFV), for example scooters with electric motor assistance, so-called e-scooters.

The vehicles mentioned can be rented for a fee. The loan and return process takes place via smartphone applications. The vehicles can be found in public spaces. Lending and returning stations are not necessarily provided for this.

• WO2019063011 (A1 ) - 2019-04-04
• WO2019061878 (A1 ) - 2019-04-04
• WO2019061877 (A1 ) - 2019-04-04
• WO2019076362 (A1 ) - 2019-04-25
• WO2019085396 (A1) - 2019-05-09
• WO2019085423 (A1 ) - 2019-05-09
• WO2019091395 (A1) - 2019-05-16
• WO2019101111 (A1) - 2019-05-31

Communication in the course of the loan and return process is dealt with, for example, in the following publications:

• WO2019063011 (A1 ) - 2019-04-04
• WO2019061878 (A1 ) - 2019-04-04
• WO2019061877 (A1 ) - 2019-04-04
• WO2019076362 (A1 ) - 2019-04-25
• WO2019085396 (A1) - 2019-05-09
• WO2019085423 (A1 ) - 2019-05-09
• WO2019091395 (A1) - 2019-05-16
• WO2019101111 (A1) - 2019-05-31

Communication between the provider of the rental vehicles and users takes place via smartphone app.

Users may fall while operating these vehicles. The user cannot then request help himself in all cases.

In addition to this disadvantageous circumstance, the risk of falls and accidents with rental vehicles is high above all because the users are often inexperienced and not familiar with the vehicle and its surroundings. Without optimization measures, it is foreseeable that approval will be withdrawn again, at least in the cities that are badly affected.

This would be disadvantageous for providers of rental vehicles. In addition, the general public is increasingly expected that the providers of rental vehicles will exercise a duty of care for their customers. The background to this is that eCall has been mandatory as an emergency call assistant for all newly type-approved cars since 2018. eCall or a similar system or procedure does not yet exist for rental scooters and bicycles.

The object of the invention is to eliminate this disadvantage and to maintain acceptance for this form of mobility.

This object is achieved by a rental vehicle and the associated method with the features of patent claim 1. Advantageous embodiments result from the dependent claims.

Accordingly, a method is proposed which analyzes whether a vehicle has tipped over without prior booking out. The tilting can be detected by a tilt or contact sensor or by evaluating a GPS signal.

In this context, booking out is understood to mean the termination of the borrowing process. The booking out takes place via the user's smartphone and is carried out by the user.

If tilting is detected without prior booking out, the software stored in the vehicle control unit sends a message to a control center or a service center. The head office or the service center contacts the user. They can use the user's smartphone APP, which the user has already stored on his smartphone to book the vehicle.

Alternatively, the control center can call the user's smartphone. In both cases, a response from the user is requested. If the latter confirms verbally or by confirming a corresponding screen query that he does not need any help, the incident is closed. In the other case, an emergency call with the data of the allegedly involved vehicle and user is sent to an emergency or rescue center immediately or after a defined waiting time with a new contact attempt.

In a further development of the method, software stored in the control unit on the vehicle can make direct contact with the user if tilting is detected without booking out. You can use the user's smartphone APP, which the user has already stored on his smartphone to book the vehicle, or use a loudspeaker output.

In both cases, a response from the user is requested. If the latter confirms verbally or by confirming a corresponding screen query that he does not need any help, the incident is closed. In the other case, an emergency call with the data of the allegedly involved vehicle and user is sent to an emergency or rescue center immediately or after a defined waiting time with a new contact attempt.

To receive a verbal or haptic response, the communication unit of the rental vehicle is equipped with a microphone and / or touch screen display.

Further features, details and advantages of the invention emerge from the attached patent claims, from the drawing and the following description of preferred embodiments of the rental vehicle and the method.

• 1 Schematisch dargestelltes Leih-Fahrzeug in einer Seitenansicht. Für die schematische Darstellung wurde ein sogenannter E-Scooter gewählt. Sinngemäß gilt die Beschreibung auch für ein Fahrrad.
• 2 Schematisch dargestelltes Leih-Fahrzeug in gekipptem Zustand
• 3 Ablauf eines ersten Verfahrens
• 4 Ablauf eines zweiten Verfahrens
• 5 Prozess-Schritte

Show it

• 1 Schematically shown rental vehicle in a side view. A so-called e-scooter was chosen for the schematic representation. The description also applies analogously to a bicycle.
• 2 Schematically shown rental vehicle in a tilted state
• 3 First procedure
• 4th Second procedure
• 5 Process steps

The figures are exemplary and schematic. The same reference symbols in the figures represent the same functional and / or structural features.

1 shows an overall with the reference number 1 provided rental vehicle. It consists of a frame 2 , a steering 3 and the wheels 10 that come into contact with road surface while driving 7th stand. On or in the rental vehicle 1 is a position sensor 4th arranged. Inside the vehicle via a communication link 6th position sensor 4th with an electronic control and evaluation unit 5 in contact. Integrated in the electronic control and evaluation unit 5 a GPS module is also available. External via communication connection 8th can be contacted externally. Via communication unit with display 11 the user can communicate with the vehicle via the display. User entries can be made manually (keys, touch screen). The communication unit has a display for acoustic communication 11 via loudspeaker and microphone.

2 shows a tilted rental vehicle. A contact sensor 9 has contact with the road 7th . Inside the vehicle via a communication link 6th it stands with an electronic control and evaluation unit 5 in contact. External communication connection 8th is activated and reports to the head office or service center.

3 shows the sequence of a first method. Via position sensor 4th and / or contact sensor 9 and / or GPS evaluation is determined by the electronic control and evaluation unit 5 whether the vehicle has tilted and compares whether the vehicle has been booked out. If the vehicle has tilted without being booked out beforehand, a message is sent to a control center or service center. From there, an attempt is made to contact the user via smartphone app or conventional phone call. If this is not possible or if the user announces that he needs help, the rescue will be initiated.

4th shows the sequence of a second method. Via position sensor 4th and / or contact sensor 9 and / or GPS evaluation is determined by the electronic control and evaluation unit 5 whether the vehicle has tipped over and compares whether the vehicle has been booked out. If the vehicle has tipped over without being booked out beforehand, an attempt is made to communicate with the user via the smartphone app or the on-board communication unit 11 Get in touch with. If this is not possible or if the user announces that he needs help, the rescue will be initiated.

1. 1. Auswerten der Buchungs-Status Meldung
2. 2. Auswerten der Signale von Lage-Sensor und/oder GPS-Modul und/oder Kontakt-Sensor
3. 3. Fahrzeug gekippt, ohne dass vorher ausgebucht wurde?
4. 4. Kommunikationsversuch mit Nutzer
5. 5. Falls ohne Erfolg, oder Nutze Hilfe benötigt: Rettung veranlassen
6. 6. Falls Rettung veranlasst: Durchführen der Rettung

5 shows the process steps:

1. 1. Evaluation of the booking status message
2. 2. Evaluation of the signals from the position sensor and / or GPS module and / or contact sensor
3. 3. Vehicle tilted without being booked out beforehand?
4. 4. Attempt to communicate with the user
5. 5. If help is needed without success or use: Arrange for a rescue
6. 6. If rescue is initiated: carry out the rescue

The features of the invention disclosed in the above description, in the claims and in the drawings can be essential both individually and in any combination in the implementation of the invention in its various embodiments.

List of reference symbols

1

Rental vehicle

2

frame

3

steering

4th

Position sensor

5

Electronic control and evaluation unit

6th

Communication connection inside the vehicle

7th

roadway

8th

External communication connection

9

Contact sensor

10

bikes

11

Communication unit with display

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent literature cited

• WO 2019063011 A1 [0004]
• WO 2019061878 A1 [0004]
• WO 2019061877 A1 [0004]
• WO 2019076362 A1 [0004]
• WO 2019085423 A1 [0004]

Claims (11)

Single-track rental vehicle and method for optimizing safety, characterized in that it is determined whether a vehicle has been tipped over without prior booking out. Procedure according to Claim 1 , characterized in that if the vehicle is tilted, an attempt is made to contact the user without prior booking out. Procedure according to Claim 2 , characterized in that help is initiated in the event of a negative attempt at contact or if the user requests help. Means for implementing the method according to the preceding claims, characterized in that an electronic control and evaluation unit is present in the vehicle. Means for implementing the method according to the Claims 1 to 3 , characterized in that the position sensor and / or GPS module and / or contact sensor are present, which can communicate with the electronic control and evaluation unit or are integrated into it. Means for implementing the method according to the Claims 1 to 3 , characterized in that a communication unit is present. Means after Claim 6 , characterized in that the communication unit comprises a radio module. Means after Claim 6 , characterized in that the communication unit comprises at least one loudspeaker and at least one microphone. Means after Claim 6 , characterized in that the communication unit comprises at least one display. Means after Claim 9 , characterized in that the display has a touch screen function. Vehicle and method according to one or more of the preceding claims.

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