VEHICLE WHEEL-BASED POWER GENERATION AND DISPLAY SYSTEMS

• US 20140267458A1
• Filed: 03/14/2014
• Published: 09/18/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Foundation Productions LLC
• Original Assignee: Foundation Productions LLC
• Inventors: Davis, Bryan, Prados, Michael, Fisher, Ronald, Peery, John, Robinzon, Roni
• Granted Patent: US 9,505,265 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/690
• CPC Class Codes: B60B 1/00 Spoked wheels; Spokes thereof non-metallic B60B5/00 ; spoked wheels comprising rail-engaging elements B60B17/001; making wheel spokes B21F39/00
• CPC Class Codes: B60B 2360/102 Steel
• CPC Class Codes: B60B 2900/572 Visual appearance
• CPC Class Codes: B60B 7/00 Wheel cover discs, rings, or the like, for ornamenting, protecting , venting, or obscuring, wholly or in part, the wheel body, rim, hub, or tyre sidewall , e.g. wheel cover discs, wheel cover discs with cooling fins wheels with cooling fins not provided on the wheel cover disc B60B19/10; apparatus or tools for removing or attaching cover discs hub caps or the like B60B31/06
• CPC Class Codes: B60B 7/0033 the dominant aspect being the surface appearance
• CPC Class Codes: B60B 7/0053 the surface being decorated
• CPC Class Codes: B60B 7/006 the surface being reflective or including lighting
• CPC Class Codes: B60B 7/20 having an element mounted for rotation independently of wheel rotation
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/797 at the vehicle exterior
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/797 At the vehicle exterior
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/00 Instruments specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement of instruments in or on vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/60 Instruments characterised by their location or relative disposition in or on vehicles arrangements of lighting devices on dashboards B60Q3/10
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 1/003 to auxiliary motors, e.g. for pumps, compressors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2220/14 Synchronous machines
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2220/16 DC brushless machines
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2220/44 Wheel Hub motors, i.e. integrated in the wheel hub
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2250/10 by alarm
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2250/16 by display
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 7/10 Dynamic electric regenerative braking B60L7/22 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 7/12 for vehicles propelled by dc motors
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/326 : on or for wheels
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/0307 : using generators driven by a machine different from the vehicle motor
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/033 : characterised by the use of electrical cells or batteries for propulsion puposes B60K1/04; supplying batteries to, or removing batteries from, vehicles B60S5/06; testing of charge state G01R31/36
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/104 : characterised by the type of theft warning signal, e.g. visual or audible signals with special characteristics
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2320/10 : Special adaptations of display systems for operation with variable images
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2380/10 : Automotive applications
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/30 : using electroluminescent panels
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 1/17 : Stator cores with permanent magnets
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 1/22 : Rotating parts of the magnetic circuit
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 1/2795 : the rotor consisting of two or more circumferentially positioned magnets
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 21/24 : with magnets axially facing the armatures, e.g. hub-type cycle dynamos
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 5/00 : Casings; Enclosures; Supports
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 7/14 : Structural association with mechanical loads, e.g. with hand-held machine tools or fans with fan or impeller for cooling the machine H02K9/06
• 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: Y02T 10/64 : Electric machine technologies in electromobility

Abstract

A power generation system is provided configured for installation within a wheel of a vehicle. The system includes a stator having a plurality of face-mounted permanent magnets; and a rotor having a plurality of windings configured to rotate, with rotation of the wheel, in proximity to the permanent magnets thereby generating a current. The stator is mounted to a brake caliper of the vehicle. Also provided is a wheel-based vehicle display system including a light emitting diode (LED) array arranged on or within a wheel of a vehicle; a power source connected thereto; and a controller connected to the LED array. The display system is configured to display at least one of: textual information, visual images or full-motion video.

Claims

1. A power generation system configured for installation within a wheel of a vehicle, the system comprising a stator comprising a plurality of face-mounted permanent magnets;

and a rotor having a plurality of windings configured to rotate, with rotation of the wheel, in proximity to the permanent magnets thereby generating a current, wherein the stator is mounted to a brake caliper of the vehicle.

2. The power generation system of claim 1, further comprising a battery, wherein the current generated is stored in the battery.

3. The power generation system of claim 1, wherein the stator is mounted to a bracket, which is mounted to the brake caliper of the vehicle.

4. The power generation system of claim 3, wherein the magnets of the stator are mounted to a disc, which is mounted to the bracket.

5. The power generation system of claim 4, wherein the mounting disc is made of steel.

6. The power generation system of claim 4, wherein the magnets are wedge-shaped.

7. The power generation system of claim 1, wherein the rotor is comprised of copper windings in a sunflower configuration.

8. The power generation system of claim 1, wherein the rotor is a single-phase rotor and comprises a steel backing for the coils.

9. The power generation system of claim 8, wherein the backing is mounted to the vehicle wheel.

10. A wheel-based automobile display system comprising a light emitting diode (LED) array arranged on or within a wheel of a vehicle;

a power source connected thereto; and

a controller connected to the LED array, wherein the display system is configured to display at least one of;

textual information, visual images or full-motion video.

11. The display system of claim 10, wherein the wheel comprises a plurality of spokes, which radiate from a center portion of the wheel and wherein the LEDs are arranged on the spokes.

12. The display system of claim 10, wherein the vehicle wheel comprises a plurality of center radiating spokes, each spoke comprising a printed circuit board having a microcontroller.

13. The display system of claim 10, further comprising a power controller;

a communications interface and a display driver located within an annulus of the rim of the vehicle wheel.

14. The display system of claim 10, wherein the textual information, visual images or full-motion video are displayed with a Persistence of Vision (POV) effect while the vehicle wheel is rotating.

15. The display system of claim 10, wherein the display system is configured as a security system, which displays alerts if the vehicle is stolen or if assistance is needed.

16. The display system of claim 10, wherein the system displays promotional information.

17. A power generation system configured for installation within a wheel of a vehicle, the system comprising a stator, mounted to a brake caliper of the vehicle, the stator comprising a plurality of face-mounted permanent magnets;

and a rotor having a plurality of windings configured to rotate, with rotation of the wheel, in proximity to the permanent magnets thereby generating a current, which is connected to a wheel-based automobile display system, which comprises a light emitting diode (LED) array arranged on or within the vehicle wheel; and

a controller connected to the LED array, the display system is configured to display at least one of;

textual information, visual images or full-motion video.

18. The power generation system of claim 17, wherein the stator is mounted to a bracket, which is mounted to the brake caliper of the vehicle.

19. The power generation system of claim 17, wherein the wheel comprises a plurality of spokes, which radiate from a center portion of the wheel and wherein the LEDs are arranged on the spokes.

20. The power generation system of claim 17, wherein the display system is configured as a security system, displaying alerts if the vehicle is stolen or if assistance is needed.