Power generation systems and methods for wheeled objects

• US 10,227,082 B2
• Filed: 02/23/2017
• Issued: 03/12/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 03/18/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gatekeeper Systems, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Gatekeeper Systems, Inc.
• Inventors: Carter, Scott J., Hannah, Stephen E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Williams, Thomas J
• Application Number:
  US15/440,264
• Publication Number:
  US 20180009458A1
• Time in Patent Office: 747 Days
• Field of Search: 188 112, 188 19, 188 20, 280 33991, 280 33992, 280 33994
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 10/04 for storing or handling self-service hand-carts or baskets
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 25/08 from a ground wheel, e.g. engaging the wheel tread or rim
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 7/16 operated by remote control, i.e. initiating means not mounted on vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 7/18 operated by wayside apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 3/14 characterised by provisions for nesting or stacking, e.g. shopping trolleys collapsible shopping trolleys B62B3/027
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 3/1404 Means for facilitating stowing or transporting of the trolleys; Antitheft arrangements B62B5/0423 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 3/1412 mounted on the frame
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 3/1424 Electronic display devices
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 3/1492 Wheel arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 5/0003 Adaptations for loading in or on a vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 5/0423 braking or blocking when leaving a particular area
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 5/0438 hand operated
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 5/048 Hub brakes; drum brakes
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/12 executed aboard the object being navigated; Dead reckoning
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/206 specially adapted for indoor navigation
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10366 the interrogation device being adapted for miscellaneous applications
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2434 Tag housing and attachment details
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2448 Tag with at least dual detection means, e.g. combined inductive and ferromagnetic tags, dual frequencies within a single technology, tampering detection or signalling means on the tag
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/246 Check out systems combined with EAS, e.g. price information stored on EAS tag anti-theft systems in point of sale systems G07G3/003
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2462 : Asset location systems combined with EAS inventory, tracking, logistic G06Q10/00; entrance control systems G07C9/00
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2474 : Antenna or antenna activator geometry, arrangement or layout loop antennae H01Q1/22
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2477 : Antenna or antenna activator circuit
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2482 : EAS methods, e.g. description of flow chart of the detection procedure
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/20 : Monitoring the location of vehicles belonging to a group, e.g. fleet of vehicles, countable or determined number of vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 7/1846 : structurally associated with wheels or associated parts dynamos arranged in the wheel hub of cycles B62J6/12
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 : Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/024 : Guidance services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 : Location-based management or tracking services
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 : Assembling or joining

Abstract

A power generation system for wheeled objects comprises a generator mechanically coupled to one or more of the object'"'"'s wheels to convert wheel rotational energy into electrical energy. The power generation system may comprise an electrical storage device configured to store the electrical power produced by the generator. Power from the generator and/or the electrical storage device can be used to provide power to other electrical systems in or on the object. In certain embodiments, the electrical storage device comprises a bank of high-capacity capacitors connected in series. Some embodiments use a control circuit, for example, to regulate the charging and discharging of the capacitor bank and to provide suitable voltages for other systems. The power generation system may be disposed within an object'"'"'s wheel, such as a wheel of a shopping cart.

Claims

1. A wheel for a non-motorized, human-propelled cart, the wheel comprising:

an axle configured to be attached to a caster of the non-motorized, human-propelled cart, the axle configured not to rotate as the wheel rotates about a wheel rotation axis;

a chassis rigidly attached to the axle and configured not to rotate as the wheel rotates about the wheel rotation axis;

a hub configured to rotate around the axle, the hub configured to receive a tire around an outer circumference of the hub, the hub comprising an inner circumferential surface, the chassis disposed inside the hub;

a brake disposed inside the hub, the brake operable between an unlocked state and a locked state, the brake comprising;

a brake motor;

a drive mechanism; and

a brake band,

wherein the brake motor and the drive mechanism are configured to drive the brake band so that the brake moves between the unlocked state and the locked state,

wherein in the unlocked state, the brake band is in an unexpanded state in which the brake band does not contact the inner circumferential surface of the hub, and the wheel is substantially free to rotate about the wheel rotation axis, and

wherein in the locked state, the brake band is in an outwardly expanded state in which the brake band contacts the inner circumferential surface of the hub, and the wheel is inhibited from rotating about the wheel rotation axis;

a power generator configured to be driven by rotation of the wheel so as to enable the power generator to supply electrical power; and

a power system control circuit configured to manage the electrical power generated by the power generator, the power system control circuit configured to provide the electrical power at two or more operating voltages.

2. The wheel of claim 1, wherein the inner circumferential surface of the hub comprises a first set of brake engagement features, the brake band comprises a second set of brake engagement features, and wherein in the locked state the second set of brake engagement features of the brake band engage the first set of brake engagement features of the hub.

3. The wheel of claim 2, wherein the second set of brake engagement features of the brake band are disposed around only a portion of the brake band.

4. The wheel of claim 2, wherein the first set of brake engagement features of the hub comprise protrusions, and the second set of brake engagement features of the brake band comprise notches.

5. The wheel of claim 2, wherein the first set of brake engagement features and the second set of brake engagement features comprise protrusions.

6. The wheel of claim 1, wherein the brake motor comprises a direct current (DC) motor operable in a forward direction and a reverse direction.

7. The wheel of claim 1, wherein the drive mechanism comprises a set of gears.

8. The wheel of claim 1, wherein the power generator comprises:

a housing comprising windings;

a magnetized element disposed within the housing and operable to rotate about an axis; and

a drive mechanism configured to cause the magnetized element to rotate in response to rotation of the wheel, wherein the rotation of the magnetized element produces electrical power in the windings.

9. The wheel of claim 8, further comprising a stator located substantially on the axis and wherein the magnetized element comprises a rotor.

10. The wheel of claim 1, wherein the power system control circuit is configured to provide the electrical power to an electronic component in or on the non-motorized, human-propelled cart.

11. The wheel of claim 1, wherein the power system control circuit is configured to provide the electrical power to an electrical energy storage device comprising a capacitive storage device or a rechargeable battery.

12. The wheel of claim 11, wherein the power system control circuit is configured to monitor a level of energy in the electrical energy storage device.

13. The wheel of claim 12, wherein the power system control circuit is configured to provide the electrical power to the brake motor.

14. The wheel of claim 13, wherein the power system control circuit is configured to drive the brake motor to move the brake from the locked state to the unlocked state when the level of energy in the electrical energy storage device is approximately equal to the amount of energy needed to move the brake between the locked state and the unlocked state.

15. A wheel for a non-motorized, human-propelled cart, the wheel comprising:

a hub configured to rotate around a wheel axle, the hub configured to receive a tire around an outer circumference of the hub, the hub comprising an inner circumferential surface;

a brake disposed inside the hub, the brake operable between an unlocked state and a locked state, the brake comprising;

a brake band configured to be driven between the unlocked state and the locked state,

wherein in the unlocked state, the brake band is in an unexpanded state in which the brake band does not contact the inner circumferential surface of the hub, and the wheel is substantially free to rotate about the wheel rotation axis, and

wherein in the locked state, the brake band is in an outwardly expanded state in which the brake band contacts the inner circumferential surface of the hub, and the wheel is inhibited from rotating about the wheel rotation axis;

an energy storage device configured to store electrical energy to operate the brake; and

a power system control circuit configured to move the brake from the locked state to the unlocked state when a level of energy in the energy storage device is approximately equal to the amount of energy needed to move the brake between the locked state and the unlocked state.

16. The wheel of claim 15, wherein the inner circumferential surface of the hub comprises a first set of brake engagement features, the brake band comprises a second set of brake engagement features, and wherein in the locked state the second set of brake engagement features of the brake band engage the first set of brake engagement features of the hub.

17. The wheel of claim 16, wherein the second set of brake engagement features of the brake band are disposed around only a portion of the brake band.

18. The wheel of claim 16, wherein the first set of brake engagement features and the second set of brake engagement features comprise protrusions.