ES2962298A1 - Wristband device with turning light, brake and speed reduction, automatically activated, for drivers of bicycles, electric scooters and similar non-bodied vehicles (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding) - Google Patents

Abstract

It is a wrist device to assist, by means of the emission of light flashes, the arm signals that drivers of bicycles, electric scooters or other similar non-bodied vehicles must make to warn of turning maneuvers, speed reduction or braking It comprises an electronic circuit that contains a microcontroller, an accelerometer, lights for turning signals, brakes or speed reduction, and a battery, housed in a housing with a translucent cover and wrist support. The device is characterized by activating or deactivating said light signals, automatically, by recognizing the angle of inclination and movements of the driver's arm. The advantage it provides is that it considerably increases safety for the drivers of these vehicles as well as for other users of public roads, since it maximizes visibility for the execution of said maneuvers. (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding)

Description

DESCRIPTION

Wristband device with turning light, brake and speed reduction, automatically operated, for drivers of bicycles, electric scooters and similar non-bodied vehicles

Technical sector

The present invention belongs to the sector of lighting and signaling accessories for bicycles.

The main object of the invention is a wrist device that serves to assist, by means of automatically activated light flashes, the arm signals that both cyclists and drivers of electric scooters or other similar non-bodied vehicles must make to announce the turning maneuvers, speed reduction and braking, therefore contributing to improved safety, both for them and for other road users.

Background of the invention

The turn signal and/or brake devices for bicycles currently available have a series of limitations and disadvantages that are detailed below.

Some bicycle rear lights currently have automatic braking recognition via a deceleration sensor and activate a light signal. The drawback of this operation is that the braking signal is not anticipatory, but rather occurs at the same moment of braking, so its usefulness is quite limited.

In other cases, the lighting of the braking signal is carried out by means of a button installed on the handlebar and operated by the driver himself. This reduces reaction speed and adds a task to the driver instead of freeing him up. In any case, neither of these two signaling operations exempts the driver of the bicycle (or similar vehicle) from his obligation to announce his maneuvers by means of arm signals. In many countries these rules are strictly applied, and non-compliance entails sanctions.

Regarding the turn signal devices for bicycles currently available, all of them are activated by the driver himself from the handlebars, adding a task to the driver and subtracting reaction speed and anticipation.

Another drawback of all these devices is that, as they are mounted on the bicycle or electric scooter itself, and due to the architecture, proportions and dimensions of this type of vehicle, the light turn signal is carried out in a very narrow width, not being entirely clear for vehicles traveling behind.

On the other hand, the brake warning light is usually housed under the saddle, or in the best of cases in the driver's helmet, never reaching the height reached by emitting a light signal directly from the wrist of a driver. arm raised, which reduces visibility.

Explanation of the invention

In order to overcome the drawbacks mentioned in the previous section, the present invention proposes an automatically activated turn signal, speed reduction and brake system, located directly on the driver's wrist.

It is a road marking device specially designed to be used by drivers of bicycles, electric scooters or other similar vehicles that, thanks to its small size and weight, would be worn attached to the driver's wrist by means of a strap, bracelet or any other suitable means of grip. The device is characterized by emitting light warning signals to turn, reduce speed or stop, which are activated and deactivated automatically by recognizing the angle of inclination and movements of the driver's arm.

On both a bicycle and an electric scooter, the inclination of the driver's arms, from the shoulder to the handlebars, describes a downward angle that is around -45° with respect to the horizontal (Figure 1).

When the driver announces his intention to turn left or right, he must do so by stretching the arm corresponding to the side to which he intends to turn, and in a horizontal or approximately horizontal position (Figure 2).

If the driver intends to announce braking, he must do so by raising either of his two arms to a vertical or approximately vertical position (Figure 3).

If the driver intends to announce a progressive reduction in speed, he must do so through rapid upward and downward movements of his downwardly inclined arm (Figure 4).

The bracelet device object of the invention is characterized by emitting light warning signals that are activated or deactivated by means of inclination and movement sensors.

When the driver is driving and has his hands on the handlebars, that is, with his arm tilted downwards with an inclination of between -20° and -60° with respect to the horizontal, the device is in rest state without emitting any light signal. .

When the driver extends and raises either of his arms, approaching the horizontal position to announce his intention to turn, a light signal, preferably intermittent and yellow or amber in color, is activated, which remains activated as long as the arm remains stretched. making said signal, in a horizontal or close to horizontal position, with a tolerance amplitude of approximately - 20° with respect to it.

If the driver raises any of his arms to a vertical or close to vertical position, with an approximate tolerance range of 20° to announce braking, a light signal, preferably red, is activated, which remains activated as long as the driver maintains the arm in that position making said signal.

If the driver extends his arm to the side and down, and moves it rapidly up and down within the range of -60° and -90° with respect to the horizontal, for the purpose of announcing his intention to reduce speed, such As the regulations indicate, the electronic circuit detects this gesture and activates the corresponding light signaling.

Figure 4 describes, by means of a circular graph, the operating program of the device and the inclination angles of the cyclist's arm for the activation and deactivation of the turn, speed reduction and braking light signals.

To achieve this effect of automatic on and off of said light signals, it is necessary that the device is located and oriented correctly on the cyclist's wrist, in order to detect, through inclination and movement sensors, the different gestures of the arm. associated with each of the following states: 1) off while driving with hands on the handlebars 2) turn signal with more or less horizontal arm extended to the left or right, and 3) braking signal with arm extended up vertically or almost vertical 4) speed reduction signaling with rapid movements of the downward-facing arm.

The electronic device responsible for carrying out these operations comprises, in its preferred embodiment, a voltage source to power the system, a microcontroller, an accelerometer, a turn signal luminaire (preferably flashing yellow or amber) and a signaling luminaire. brake and speed reduction signal (preferably red). (Figure 6).

This small electronic circuit is housed in a casing designed in such a way that the flashes of the light-emitting elements located inside are visible from the outside, thanks to the translucency of its cover. The casing must have a support system for the cyclist's wrist or forearm. (Figure 7).

The device is preferably designed to be used as a pair of twin devices, one on each arm, in order to be able to signal both the turn to the right and the left. If the intention is to announce a reduction in speed, braking or stopping, either of the two arms would work.

By virtue of what has been described above, it is demonstrated that the device object of the invention solves all the drawbacks and limitations of those devices with similar functions currently available.

1. Acts completely autonomously. The cyclist only has to make the arm signals he is accustomed to, and the device recognizes and operates them.

2. Expands the field of lateral visibility and safety for the cyclist (or driver of similar vehicles), since the intermittent turning flashes occur on their wrists, in a position further away from their body and vehicle, thus preventing accidents on public roads.

3. The light signal for speed reduction or braking is produced on your wrists with your arm raised, above the height of your head, also increasing the range of visibility, and consequently, safety.

4. Unlike devices with braking lights that detect deceleration, whose drawback is that they warn of the maneuver late, the device presented here operates in an anticipatory manner, assisting the arm signals that the standards establish for this type of vehicles and therefore contributing to the prevention of traffic accidents.

Brief description of the drawings

To complement the description that is being made and in order to help a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, a set of drawings is attached as an integral part of said description, where, with an illustrative and non-limiting nature, the following has been represented. following:

Figure 1.- Shows an illustrative side view of a cyclist in a riding position, showing the downward angle of his arms from the shoulder to the handlebars. Depending on the height of the cyclist's torso and the characteristics of the bicycle or scooter, this inclination is usually around -45° from the horizontal. The 40° angle described in the figure, from -20° to - 60° indicates the range of inclination amplitude for the accelerometer. corresponding to the rest state with lights off.

Figure 2.- Shows an illustrative rear view of a cyclist giving the turn signal, in which the horizontal or almost horizontal position of his arm to make said signal is observed. The 40° angle described in the figure, from 20° to -20° with respect to the horizontal, indicates the range of inclination amplitude for the accelerometer, corresponding to the state of turning lights on.

Figure 3.- Shows an illustrative rear view of a cyclist making the braking signal, in which the vertical or almost vertical upward position of his arm to make said signal is observed. The 40° angle described in the figure, from 70° to 110° with respect to the horizontal, indicates the range of inclination amplitude for the accelerometer, corresponding to the state of brake lights on.

Figure 4. Shows an illustrative rear view of a cyclist signaling to reduce speed, showing the downward inclination of his arm to signal. It is important to note here that, according to the regulations, this speed reduction signal is made by means of rapid movements of the arm up and down. It is not a static signal like the previous ones. The 30° angle described in the figure, from -60° to -90° with respect to the horizontal, indicates the range of inclination amplitude for the accelerometer, which if it detects a rapid upward and downward movement of the arm, activates the corresponding luminaires.

Figure 5.- Shows, by means of a circular graph, the operating program of the device and the approximate angles of inclination of the cyclist's arm for turning on and off the turn, brake and speed reduction light signals.

• (1) Rest: The angle represented in this figure shows the range of possible inclinations of the cyclist's arm in which the device is at rest, without emitting any signal.

• (2) Speed reduction light signal: Within the width of this angle for the inclination of the cyclist's arm (and therefore the device) the speed reduction light signal is activated (preferably red), as long as the driver moves his arm quickly up and down, as recommended by the standards. In this case, the circuit detects the rapid movement of the cyclist's arm and activates the corresponding lights.

• (3) Rest: This angle represents the approximate amplitude of inclinations of the cyclist's arms when he is driving and has his hands on the handlebars, therefore in this range of inclinations the device is off.

• (4) Flashing turn signal activated: This angle, with an opening of approximately 40°, represents the approximate inclination of the cyclist's arm when giving the turn warning with the arm extended horizontally or almost horizontally. The circuit recognizes these inclinations and activates the corresponding luminaires.

• (5) Rest: All this approximate opening of the angle of possible inclinations of the cyclist's arm does not correspond to any arm signal, so the device is turned off.

• (6) Brake activated light signal: This angle, with an opening of approximately 40°, represents the approximate inclination of the cyclist's arm when giving the brake warning, with the arm extended upward vertically or almost vertically. The circuit detects these inclinations and activates the corresponding luminaires.

Figure 6.- Shows, through a block diagram, the essential components of the electronic circuit for its preferred embodiment, which include: a microcontroller (1), an accelerometer (2), turn signal lights (3), some luminaires for signaling brakes when reducing speed (4) and a voltage source (5).

Figure 7.- Shows a schematic view of the housing, which comprises, in its preferred embodiment, a base for housing the circuit, battery and luminaires (1), a translucent cover (2) and a wrist strap ( 3).

Preferred embodiment of the invention

In view of the aforementioned figures and in accordance with the numbering adopted, an example of a preferred embodiment of the invention can be observed, which includes the parts and elements indicated and described in detail below:

An electronic circuit (Figure 6) mounted on a small board, which contains a microcontroller, an accelerometer, two independent light-emitting elements, one yellow to signal turn and the other red to signal brake or speed reduction ( preferably high-brightness LEDs), and a small battery (preferably rechargeable).

A housing (Figure 7) comprising a base for housing the circuit, the battery and the luminaires (1), a translucent cover (2) and a fastening strap (3).

Claims (10)

1. Bracelet device with turning light, speed reduction and brake, with automatic operation, for drivers of bicycles, electric scooters or similar non-bodied vehicles, characterized in that it comprises an electronic circuit that contains a voltage source, a microcontroller, an accelerometer and luminaires, housed in a housing with a translucent cover and support for the wrist or forearm, which emits light signals to announce these maneuvers, which are activated or deactivated by recognizing the angle of inclination and movements of the driver's arm 2. Wristband device, according to claim 1, characterized in that instead of the accelerometer it contains a tilt switch, with a mercury vial. 3. Wristband device, according to claim 1, characterized in that instead of the accelerometer it contains a ball tilt switch. 4. Bracelet device, according to claims 1, 2 and 3, characterized in that it emits light signals to announce the turning maneuver. 5. Wristband device, according to claims 1, 2 and 3, characterized in that it emits light signals to announce the braking maneuver. 6. Wristband device, according to claims 1, 2 and 3, characterized in that it emits light signals to announce the speed reduction maneuver. 7. Wristband device, according to claims 1, 2 and 3, characterized in that it emits light signals to announce turning and braking maneuvers. 8. Bracelet device, according to claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6, characterized in that it contains a vibration micromotor that acts in coordination with the luminaires, so that the cyclist confirms that the light signals are being carried out correctly. 9. Wristband device, according to claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6, characterized in that it contains a buzzer that acts in coordination with the luminaires, so that the cyclist confirms that the light signals are being carried out correctly. 10. Wristband device, according to claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8. characterized in that it controls luminaires for turning, braking or speed reduction signals, located on the bicycle, electric scooter or vehicle. analogue, as well as on the driver's helmet or vest, remotely.