Combined device for power generation and illumination mounted on the wheel axle of a bicycle

• US 20110116278A1
• Filed: 11/16/2009
• Published: 05/19/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 11/16/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lily Lin
• Original Assignee: Lily Lin
• Inventors: Lin, Lily
• Granted Patent: US 8,142,046 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/475
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 6/029 characterised by the structure, e.g. casings
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 6/03 Supporting means therefor, e.g. mounting brackets
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 6/12 Dynamos arranged in the wheel hub

Abstract

A combined device for power generation and illumination mounted on the wheel axle of a bicycle, particularly a power generator of a bicycle combined with a lamp provides two or three other functions in addition to supplying a power source. The device is a standalone device hung on or installed at an external end of the bicycle wheel axle. Unlike a traditional way of rubbing with a tire, or a traditional hub type power generator, the combined power generation and light device has the features and advantages of an easily installation, a high efficiency, a low resistance, a low cost, a low failure rate, an integrated structure, a hidden electric wire and an adjustable angle.

Claims

1. A combined device for power generation and illumination mounted on the wheel axle of a bicycle, comprising:

a) a head lamp, including a lamp holder, a circuit board installed in a containing space of the lamp holder, and a lamp installed at a front distal end, and electrically coupled to the circuit board, and the lamp holder having a hollow installation base disposed at the bottom of the lamp holder;

b) a power generator, including a housing for sheathing the hollow installation base;

a stator installed at an internal side of the housing, a rotor coupled to an interior of the stator, a rear cover fixed at a rear side of the housing, and a front cover fixed at a front side of the housing, such that the power generator is connected to the hollow installation base, and a front end of an axle center of the rotor is protruded from the front cover; and

c) a transmission device, including a connecting base, a connecting hole formed at the center of the transmission device, a gear holding slot extended from a lateral side of the transmission device;

a wheel shaft fixing cover, secured onto the connecting hole by a screw, and having a through hole formed at the center of the wheel shaft fixing cover and sheathed and fixed onto an external end of the wheel shaft of a bicycle;

a gear pressure plate, being circular in shape and installed at an external periphery of the wheel shaft fixing cover;

a driving gear, installed in the connecting base, and disposed at an external periphery of the gear pressure plate, and being in a rotating status;

a power generator roller, installed onto an axle center of the rotor protruded from the front cover, and directly or indirectly driven by the driving gear;

a driving ring, coupled to a front side of the driving gear by a plurality of support pins, and having a lug disposed at an external periphery of the driving ring and coupled to the spoke;

thereby, when the bicycle is moving, the wheel is rotated to synchronously drive the driving ring and driving gear to rotate, and further drive the rotor of the power generator to rotate and generate electric power, and a power cord is connected externally from the stator to a circuit board of the head lamp for supplying required electric power.

2. The combined device for power generation and illumination mounted on the wheel axle of a bicycle as recited in claim 1, wherein the lamp holder of the head lamp includes a head lamp switch and a press button installed at an upper surface of the lamp holder, and a waterproof plug installed at a lower surface of the lamp holder.

3. The combined device for power generation and illumination mounted on the wheel axle of a bicycle as recited in claim 1, wherein the lamp holder includes a power output port disposed at the bottom of the lamp holder and electrically coupled to the circuit board.

4. The combined device for power generation and illumination mounted on the wheel axle of a bicycle as recited in claim 1, wherein the rotor axle center of the power generator includes a bearing installed separately at both ends of the rotor axle center, and the two bearings are installed in the bearing housing of the front and rear covers respectively.

5. The combined device for power generation and illumination mounted on the wheel axle of a bicycle as recited in claim 1, wherein the power generator is a single-phase power generator or a tri-phase power generator.

6. The combined device for power generation and illumination mounted on the wheel axle of a bicycle as recited in claim 1, wherein the wheel shaft fixing cover of the transmission device is secured at an external end of the wheel shaft by a nut.

7. The combined device for power generation and illumination mounted on the wheel axle of a bicycle as recited in claim 1, further comprising an idler pulley installed between the driving gear and the power generator roller.

8. The combined device for power generation and illumination mounted on the wheel axle of a bicycle as recited in claim 7, wherein the gear holding slot includes a cover installed at an open side of the gear holding slot.

9. The combined device for power generation and illumination mounted on the wheel axle of a bicycle as recited in claim 1, wherein the containing space of the head lamp contains a built-in battery, and the circuit board includes a charge mode, and the head lamp and the power generator can be detached, such that the built-in batter can be used for supplying power independently for an illumination.