GENERATOR APPARATUS FOR A VEHICLE

• US 20120229001A1
• Filed: 11/17/2009
• Published: 09/13/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/17/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Urban Environment Engineering Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Urban Environment Engineering Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: Kong, Jong Hyun
• Application Number:
  US13/509,080
• Publication Number:
  US 20120229001A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 310/339
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2220/44 Wheel Hub motors, i.e. integrated in the wheel hub
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/40 using propulsion power supplied by capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/40 for controlling a combination of batteries and fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 7/18 Controlling the braking effect B60L7/12, B60L7/14, B60L7/16 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 8/003 Converting light into electric energy, e.g. by using photo-voltaic systems
• CPC Class Codes: H02N 2/18 producing electrical output from mechanical input, e.g. generators for measurement devices G01
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/7072 Electromobility specific charging systems or methods for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/40 Application of hydrogen technology to transportation, e.g. using fuel cells

Abstract

The present invention relates to a generator apparatus for a vehicle, which uses the pressure exerted on the wheels of a vehicle while the vehicle travels to generate electricity to provide a source of driving power for a vehicle that is driven by electricity, such as an electric car or a hybrid vehicle. The generator apparatus is installed on a rotating wheel of a vehicle and comprises a generator module including a plurality of piezoelectric devices that generate electricity by means of pressure transferred from the ground through the wheel when the wheel rotates, a condenser for storing electricity generated by the generator module, and a connecting unit electrically connecting the generator module to the condenser. The generator module may include a supporting member installed on the wheel flange and covered by a tire, and the piezoelectric devices installed on the supporting member. The connecting unit includes a rotating disk installed on an axle supporting the wheel, and having contacting terminals extending in a circumferential direction on one side of the rotating disk, a power connection member, one side of which is electrically connected to the generator module and the other side of which is connected to the rotating disk; and a contact connector supported on the axle or on the frame of the vehicle, and having a brush contacting the two contacting terminals.

Claims

1. A generator apparatus for a vehicle, which is installed on a rotating wheel of a vehicle and comprises:

a generator module including a plurality of piezoelectric devices that generate electricity by means of pressure transferred from the ground through the wheel when the wheel rotates;

a condenser for storing electricity generated by the generator module; and

a connecting unit electrically connecting the generator module to the condenser.

2. The generator apparatus of claim 1, wherein the generator module includes a supporting member installed on the wheel flange and covered by a tire, and the piezoelectric devices installed on the supporting member, and the connecting unit includes a rotating disk installed on an axle supporting the wheel, and having contacting terminals extending in a circumferential direction on one side of the rotating disk, a power connection member, one side of which is electrically connected to the generator module and the other side of which is connected to the rotating disk, and a contact connector supported on the axle or on the frame of the vehicle, and having a brush contacting the two contacting terminals.

3. The generator apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a subsidiary generator unit generating electricity through a vibratory force of a vehicle, wherein the subsidiary generator unit includes a subsidiary generator module installed on the frame or the axle of the vehicle and having a plurality of piezoelectric devices, and a pressing member mounted in the vehicle to press the subsidiary generator module when the vehicle vibrates up and down.

4. The generator apparatus of claim 3, wherein the pressing member is formed of an elastic buffering member.