NL2025830B1 - Vehicle light, and frame or vehicle comprising such a vehicle light - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a vehicle light, comprising: - a housing that is configured to be arranged on or integrated in a frame of a vehicle; and - at least one light source arranged inside said housing and configured to be directed towards and illuminate at least one of the vehicle and a part of a user during use of said vehicle to thereby increase visibility to other road users. The invention further relates to a frame, comprising such a vehicle light arranged thereon or integrated therein, and to a vehicle comprising such a vehicle light.

Description

Vehicle light, and frame or vehicle comprising such a vehicle light The present invention relates to a vehicle light, as well as to a frame, comprising such a vehicle light arranged thereon or integrated therein, and to a vehicle comprising such a vehicle light.

Visibility of road users to other road users is key in improving road safety. Especially in the dark or dusk, as well as in adverse weather conditions, road users may be easily overlooked, possibly resulting in accidents and injury. Although relevant for all road user, visibility to other road users is especially important for vulnerable road users, such as cyclists.

In order to improve visibility a light, or reflectors that reflect light back towards another road user, may be applied. Dependent on the type of use, a road user may select a desired type of light. Some types of lighting are relatively weak and only intended to be seen by other road users, whereas other types of lighting emit very bright light beams intended to illuminate the road ahead and be seen as well. In general, the brighter the emitted light, the better a user is seen.

However, a too bright light beam may also blind other road users, thereby possibly causing dangerous situations.

There is an ongoing need to improve visibility of road users to improve road safety. An objective of the present invention is to provide a vehicle light that is improved relative to the prior art and wherein at least one of the above stated problems is obviated or alleviated.

Said objective is achieved with the vehicle light according to claim 1 of the present invention, comprising: - a housing that is configured to be arranged on or integrated in a frame of a vehicle; and - at least one light source arranged inside said housing and configured to be directed towards and illuminate at least one of the vehicle and a part of a user during use of said vehicle to thereby increase visibility to other road users.

Instead of the natural tendency of further increasing the light output of the light source to increase the visibility to other road users, at the expense of possibly blinding them and potentially causing (other) high risk situations, the present invention proposes a vehicle lighting that illuminates the vehicle and/or user of said vehicle itself to increase the visibility thereof. Contrary to increasing the light output, the vehicle light is configured to be placed in an unusual but highly effective position and orientation. In this way, the maximum light output required by the light source may be limited, because the light only serves to illuminate a limited area of nearby parts of the vehicle and or the user of said vehicle.

Illuminating a part of the user is especially interesting for human powered vehicles, such as bikes or scooters, because the user will have to move in order to provide human power.

For example, a cyclist will move his or her legs in a pedal movement, and illuminating said user during pedaling will highly increase the visibility of this road user to other road users.

The vehicle light may be especially useful for delivery services travelling by cargo bike across town, since they normally travel in areas with a lot of traffic, at busy times, mostly in the evenings when it may be dark already, and also under adverse weather conditions.

Alternatively, or additionally, the vehicle light may also illuminate the vehicle.

If the vehicle is a bicycle, and another road user is approaching this vehicle in a direction transverse to said bicycle, e.g. at an intersection of roads, the legs of the user will move and thereby shield different parts of the illaminated bike during pedaling.

In this way, still a “moving” light is perceived by the other road user.

Therefore, also illuminating the vehicle increases visibility to other road users, and thereby enhances road safety.

Iilumination of the vehicle may also be obtained if the light source is not visibly to the human eye, but if the vehicle comprises a coating that lights up when illuminated with this type of light.

For example, a UV light source may illuminate a vehicle having a dedicated coating.

This UV light not being visible to the human eye moreover prevents other road users from being blinded under all conditions.

The invention further relates to a frame, comprising a vehicle light according to the invention arranged thereon or integrated therein, and to a vehicle comprising such a vehicle light.

Preferred embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims.

The various aspects and features described and shown in the specification can be applied, individually, wherever possible.

These individual aspects, and in particular the aspects and features described in the attached dependent claims, may be an invention in its own right that is related to a different problem relative to the prior art.

In the following description preferred embodiments of the present invention are further elucidated with reference to the drawing, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle, in particular of a bicycle, having a vehicle light according to the invention arranged in retro-fit; Figure 2 is a side view of the vehicle of Figure 1 during use by a user; Figure 3 is a detailed perspective view of the vehicle light of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a detailed perspective view of a vehicle light according to a further preferred embodiment; Figure 5 is a perspective view of a vehicle, in particular a bicycle, comprising a frame according to a first preferred embodiment in which a vehicle light is integrated; and

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a vehicle, in particular a bicycle, comprising a frame according to a second preferred embodiment in which a vehicle light is integrated.

The vehicle light 1 comprises a housing 2 that is configured to be arranged on or integrated in a frame 3 of a vehicle 4. Figures 1-4 relate to embodiments wherein the housing 2 is arranged on a frame 3, which may be applied in retro-fit. Figures 5 and 6 show two embodiments wherein the housing 2 is integrated in the frame 3.

According to the invention, at least one light source 5 is arranged inside said housing 2 and configured to be directed towards and illuminate at least one of the vehicle 4 and a part of a user 6 during use of said vehicle 4, to thereby increase visibility to other road users.

Said at least one light source 5 is configured to be directed towards and illuminate at least a limb 7 of the user 6 that is moving during use of said vehicle 4. In the shown embodiments shown in the Figures, the vehicle 4 is an at least partially human powered vehicle, in particular a bicycle. The light source 5 is preferably configured to be directed towards at least a limb 7 that moves during human propulsion of said vehicle. In case of a bicycle, the limb 7 illuminated by the light source 5 is preferably a leg of the user 6.

In order to further improve visibility and guarantee visibility to other road users present at various sides relative to the vehicle 4, the at least one light source 5 is preferably configured to illuminate legs on both sides of a plane P defined by the frame 3. In case of a bicycle, said plane P is defined by the seat tube 8 and a top tube 9 and/or a down tube 10 of said frame, as shown in Figures 1, 5 and 6.

In a preferred embodiment, which is the subject of e.g. Figures | and 5, the vehicle light 1 comprises at least two light sources 5, wherein each light source 5 is configured to illuminate one of the legs on a respective side of the plane P defined by the frame 3. It is remarked that a single light source 5 inside the housing 2 being split into two separate beams of light is also interpreted as two light sources in view of the invention. This may for example be obtained if mirrors or reflectors are used to focus the light of a single light source inside said housing 2 in two beams of light emitting from said housing 2.

Said housing 2 is preferably configured to be arranged on or integrated in a head tube 11 of said frame 3. The head tube 11 provides an ideal position, since it provides a fixed orientation of the vehicle lighting 1 relative to the frame 3, and thus also relative to the position where e.g. the limb 7 to be illuminated is positioned. In this way, the vehicle light | may be optimally positioned to allow it to illuminate the legs 7 on a front and lateral side when the vehicle light 1 is arranged at the head tube 11 and directed towards the rear, e.g. from the head tube 11 towards the seat tube 8. The skilled person will understand that visibility to other road users behind the vehicle 4 may be improved if the legs 7 are illuminated from the rear side, which is however not shown.

For this reason said vehicle light 1 may be arranged on one of a front and a rear side of said vehicle 4 and directed towards the other of the front side and the rear side of said vehicle 4. To prevent other road users from being blinded by a light beam 12 emitted form the vehicle light 1, the light source 5 may be configured to emit said light beam 12 having a width W that is restricted in a direction transverse to a movement direction D of said vehicle 4. The light beam 12 having a width W diverges at an angle a of 20 — 40°, preferably at an angle of 25 - 35°, and most preferably at an angle « of about 36°. The width W of the light beam 12 is in the range of 15 ~ 35 cm, and preferably in the range of 20 — 30 cm, at a distance in the range of 45 — 60 cm from the light source 5. In this IO way, an optimal illuminated area is obtained if the vehicle light 1 is arranged on or near the head tube 11 and directed towards the seat tube 8, on the one hand providing illumination of the legs 7, whereas on the other hand limiting the light passing past said body part.

To prevent the user 6 of the vehicle 4 himself or herself being blinded by a light beam 12 emitted form the vehicle light 1, the light source 5 may be configured to emit a light beam 12 having a height H that is restricted in an upward direction.

The light beam 12 having a height H diverges in height direction at an angle of 65 — 135°, and preferably at an angle B of about 90 — 100°. Preferably, the angle [3 is chosen to illuminate from about the hip downward towards the feet, but preferably to too much further, since illuminating the ground would not be very effective yet costs energy.

The angle f is also dependent on the frame size and geometry, and on the exact positioning or the vehicle light 1 on the frame 3. In Figure 2, the angle P is about 80°. It is remarked that in Figures 1, 5 and 6 only a part of the angle [B of the light beam 12 is shown to allow the frame 3 of the vehicle 4 to be seen.

At a distance in the range of 45 — 60 cm from the light source, the height H of the light beam 12 having a height H, has a maximum height of 150 cm, and preferably of 120 cm above a ground surface G supporting said vehicle 4. If the vehicle light 1 is arranged on the head tube 11, this will provide an optimum illuminated area near the seat tube 8, on the one hand providing illumination of the legs 7, while also preventing the user 6 from being blinded by the light beam 12 having a height H.

Each of the at least one light source 5 comprises a maximum light output, also called luminous flux or luminous power, of 80 Im (lumen), which is sufficient to illuminate a limited area of nearby parts of the vehicle 4 and or the user 6 of said vehicle 4. In a preferred embodiment, the light output is in the range of 20 — 55 Im.

A limited maximum light output prevents blinding of other road users and/or the user 6 of the vehicle 4 if the light beam 12 would happen to pass alongside the limb 7. Furthermore, it saves energy and thus provides improved visibility to other road users while requiring only limited energy and increasing battery life time.

In a preferred embodiment, the luminous intensity measured in Candela, which is a measure for the luminous power per unit solid angle emitted by a point light source in a particular direction, is about 10 — 25 cd. The illuminance is measured in Lux, which is lumen per square meter, and is preferably about 40 - 100 Ix.

5 The invention further relates to a frame 3, comprising a vehicle light 1 as described above being arranged thereon or integrated therein. Said frame 3 may be a frame 3 of an at least partially human powered vehicle, in particular — but not limited to — a frame 3 of a bicycle or a scooter. Figures 5 and 6 show two alternative embodiments of a frame 3 having an integrated vehicle light 1.

The embodiment of Figure 5 is closely related to the retro-fit embodiment of Figures 1-4, also showing two light sources 5 arranged on opposite sides of the plane P defined by the frame 3 and on opposite sides relative to the head tobe 11.

Figure 6 shows an alternative embodiment of a bicycle lacking a top tube, and thus allowing a single light source 5. The shown dimension W and angle a may now be interpreted relative to the plane P defined by the frame 3.

Finally, the invention relates to a vehicle 4, comprising a frame 3 and a vehicle light 1 according to the invention. Said vehicle light 1 may be arranged on one of a front and a rear side of said vehicle 4 and directed towards the other of the front side and the rear side of said vehicle 4.

In a preferred embodiment, the vehicle 4 further comprises a power source and an auxiliary propulsion, and wherein said power source is configured to provide power to the auxiliary propulsion and the vehicle light 1. The power source and auxiliary propulsion are not visible in the Figures, because they are arranged inside the frame 3.

Alternatively, or additionally, the light source | may be configured to emit UV light, and wherein the frame 3 comprises a coating that lights up under UV light.

Although they show preferred embodiments of the invention, the above described embodiments are intended only to illustrate the invention and not to limit in any way the scope of the invention. For example, although the invention has been described using a bicycle, it is also applicable to other types of vehicles, such as — but not exclusively — scooters, quads, trikes and motorcycles. Whereas improved visibility is important of all road users, and in particular to relatively vulnerable road users, the invention is especially advantageous to vehicles that are at least partially human powered, such as bicycles and scooters.

It should be understood that where features mentioned in the appended claims are followed by reference signs, such signs are included solely for the purpose of enhancing the intelligibility of the claims and are in no way limiting on the scope of the claims. Furthermore, it is particularly noted that the skilled person can combine technical measures of the different embodiments.

The scope of the invention is therefore defined solely by the following claims.

Claims (21)

Conclusions A vehicle lighting comprising: - a housing configured to be mounted on or integrated into a frame of a vehicle; and - at least one light source arranged in the housing and configured to aim at and illuminate at least one of the vehicle and, during use of the vehicle, a part of a user, thereby providing visibility to others increase road users. The vehicle lighting of claim 1, wherein the at least one light source is configured to be directed to and illuminate at least one limb of the user moving during use of the vehicle. Vehicle lighting according to claim 1, wherein: - the vehicle is a vehicle propelled at least partly by human muscle power; and - the light source is configured to be directed to and illuminate at least one limb of the user moving during muscle actuation of the vehicle. Vehicle lighting according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the limb is a leg of the user. Vehicle lighting according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one light source is configured to illuminate legs on either side of a plane defined by the frame. Vehicle lighting according to at least one of the preceding claims, comprising at least two light sources, each light source being configured to illuminate one of the legs on a respective side of the plane defined by the frame. Vehicle lighting according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing is configured to be mounted on or integrated into a head tube of the frame. A vehicle lighting according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the light source is configured to emit a light beam having a width limited in a direction extending transversely to a direction of movement of the vehicle to thereby prevent other road users from passing through. the light beam will be dazzled. Vehicle lighting according to claim 8, wherein the light beam having a width diverges with an angle of 20 - 40°, preferably with an angle of 25 - 35° and most preferably with an angle of about 30°. Vehicle lighting according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the width of the light beam, at a distance in the range of 45 - 60 cm from the light source, is in the range of 15 - 35 cm, and preferably in the range of 20 — 30 cm. A vehicle lighting according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the light source is configured to emit a light beam having a height limited in an upward direction to thereby prevent the user of the vehicle from being dazzled by the light beam. Vehicle lighting according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the light beam having a height diverges in height direction with an angle of 65 - 135°, and preferably with an angle of approximately 90 - 100°. Vehicle lighting according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the light beam, at a distance in the range of 45 - 60 cm from the light source, has a maximum height of 150 cm, and preferably of 120 cm above a ground surface supporting the vehicle. Vehicle lighting according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein each of the at least one light source has a maximum light intensity of 80 lumens. 15. Frame, comprising mounted thereon or integrated therein a vehicle lighting according to at least one of the preceding claims. 16. Frame according to claim 15, wherein the frame is a frame of a vehicle propelled at least partly by human muscle power, in particular of a bicycle or a scooter. 17. Vehicle, comprising a frame and a vehicle lighting according to at least one of the claims 1-14. The vehicle of claim 17, wherein the vehicle lighting is arranged on one of a front and a rear of the vehicle and faces the other of the front and rear of the vehicle. A vehicle according to claim 17 or 18, wherein the vehicle is at least one of a bicycle, a scooter, a quad, a trike and a motorcycle. A vehicle according to at least one of the claims 17-19, further comprising: - a power source; - an auxiliary drive; and - wherein the power source is configured to supply power to the auxiliary drive and the vehicle lighting. A vehicle according to at least one of the claims 17-20, wherein: - the light source emits UV light; and - the frame comprises a coating which glows under the influence of UV light.