Power generation system for a stroller

• US 8,193,650 B2
• Filed: 09/04/2009
• Issued: 06/05/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 02/19/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Thorley Industries LLC
• Original Assignee: Thorley Industries LLC
• Inventors: Thorne, Henry F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Waks, Joseph
• Application Number:
  US12/554,582
• Publication Number:
  US 20100045146A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,005 Days
• Field of Search: 290/1.R
• US Class Current: 290/1.R
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 2205/003 with actuation mechanisms which drive the folding or unfolding operation
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 2205/12 Collapsible wheels
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 3/1424 Electronic display devices
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 5/0033 Electric motors
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 5/0433 foot operated
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 5/0461 with positive engagement
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 7/002 having a single central pillar
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 7/06 collapsible or foldable
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 7/062 Coupling unit between front wheels, rear wheels and handle
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 7/068 by sliding a bushing along a rod, e.g. like folding means of an umbrella
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 7/08 in the direction of, or at right angles to, the wheel axis
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 7/083 the wheel axes being moved from each other during folding
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 9/005 Safety means for traffic, e.g. lights, reflectors, mirrors etc. signaling means for cycles B62J

Abstract

A system for generating electrical energy from the movement of the stroller includes: a wheel; a gear reduction system operationally coupled between the wheel and a motor such that rotation of the wheel causes the motor to generate electrical energy; a power storage device operationally coupled to the motor for storing the electrical energy produced by the motor; and a control system. The control system includes: a switching device operationally coupled between the motor and the power storage device; and a microcontroller operationally coupled to the switching device and configured to control the state of the switching device. The microcontroller controls the switching device to close to allow the electrical energy generated by the motor to flow into and charge the power storage device, and the microcontroller controls the switching device to open to prevent the electrical energy from flowing to the power storage device.

Claims

1. A system for generating electrical energy from the movement of a stroller, the system comprising:

a wheel;

a gear reduction system operationally coupled between the wheel and a motor such that rotation of the wheel causes the motor to generate electrical energy;

a power storage device operationally coupled to the motor for storing the electrical energy produced by the motor; and

a control system comprising;

a switching device operationally coupled between the motor and the power storage device; and

a microcontroller operationally coupled to the switching device and configured to control the state of the switching device,

wherein the microcontroller controls the switching device to close to allow the electrical energy generated by the motor to flow into and charge the power storage device, and the microcontroller controls the switching device to open to prevent the electrical energy from flowing to the power storage device.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the microcontroller controls the switching device by pulsing the switching device open and closed at a predetermined rate and varies a duty cycle.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the microcontroller varies the duty cycle to allow a greater proportion of the electrical energy generated by the motor to flow to the power storage device and prevent a greater proportion of the electrical energy generated by the motor to flow to the power storage device.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein the microcontroller varies the duty cycle to maximize the proportion of the electrical energy generated by the motor that flows to the power storage device when the stroller is being pushed downhill.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the microcontroller determines if the stroller is being pushed downhill based on feedback from an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a mercury switch, or any combination thereof.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the switching device is a transistor.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the power storage device is a rechargeable nickel metal hydride battery.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the gear reduction system comprises:

a first gear operationally coupled to and driven by the wheel;

a second gear driven by the first gear;

a third gear driven by the second gear; and

a fourth gear driven by the third gear,

wherein the fourth gear is coupled to a drive shaft of the motor such that rotation of the fourth gear causes the motor to produce electrical energy.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein a rubber bushing surrounds at least part of the motor for noise reduction.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the microcontroller controls the switching device to open to prevent additional electrical energy from flowing to the power storage device if the power storage device is fully charged.