Bicycle lighting systems and methods

• US 9,527,540 B2
• Filed: 02/11/2016
• Issued: 12/27/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 07/15/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Weistech Technology Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Revolights, Inc.
• Inventors: Duggan, Bryan, Frankovich, John Kent
• Primary Examiner(s): Pham, Thai
• Application Number:
  US15/041,904
• Publication Number:
  US 20160159421A1
• Time in Patent Office: 320 Days
• Field of Search: 362/192, 362/459, 362/464, 362/473, 362/500, 315/76, 315/77, 315/80, 340/426.33, 340/432, 340/444, 340/459, 340/815.45
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/326 on or for wheels
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 6/01 Electric circuits
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 6/015 using electrical power not supplied by the cycle motor generator, e.g. using batteries or piezo elements
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 6/056 characterised by control means
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 6/057 Automatic activation, e.g. by sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 6/20 Arrangement of reflectors , e.g. on the wheel spokes pedals incorporating reflectors B62M3/12 ; Lighting devices mounted on wheel spokes
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/115 by determining the presence or movement of objects or living beings
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/40 Control techniques providing energy savings, e.g. smart controller or presence detection

Abstract

Systems and methods for providing adequate lighting and sighting for a bicycle are disclosed. A lighting system that includes an illumination ring configured to be coupled to a wheel is also disclosed. The illumination ring is configured to simultaneously project light forward and to the side of a front wheel and to project light rearward of and to the side of a rear wheel. The illumination ring may be mounted to or integrated with the bicycle wheel. Methods of controlling light sources on the illumination ring are also disclosed. The lighting system can include an inductor module 5320 for powering lights of the illumination ring.

Claims

1. A lighting system for a wheel of a vehicle, the lighting system comprising:

a plurality of light emitting elements configured to statically couple to the wheel;

a controller coupled to the light emitting elements that controls each of the light emitting elements to operate between;

a lit mode wherein the light emitting element projects light radially outward of the wheel when the light emitting element is within an arcuate area defined from a reference point, the arcuate area having an arc length of less than 360 degrees; and

a dim mode when the light emitting element is outside the arcuate area;

an electrical connector connecting the controller to the light emitting elements;

an induction element electromagnetically connected to the light emitting elements; and

an electromagnetic element electromagnetically connected to the light emitting elements, the electromagnetic element configured to translate relative to the induction element, and the electromagnetic element configured to produce a current at the induction element.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the electromagnetic element comprises a first magnet adjacent a second magnet, the first and second magnets comprising a first and second magnetic moment, respectively, wherein the first and second magnets are arranged with the first magnetic moment opposing the second magnetic moment.

3. The system of claim 2, further comprising a power storage component electrically connected to the light emitting elements, wherein the controller controls power provision from the power storage component to the light emitting elements.

4. The system of claim 3, further comprising a rectifier, wherein the rectifier is electrically connected between the induction element and the power storage component.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the induction element is configured to couple to the wheel, and wherein the electromagnetic element is configured to couple to a static component of the vehicle.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the induction element is an induction coil, and wherein a central axis of the induction coil is arranged perpendicular a magnetic moment of the electromagnetic element during a portion of wheel rotation.

7. The system of claim 5, wherein the static component is a fork of the vehicle.

8. The system of claim 5, wherein the rotating component is an illumination ring comprising the plurality of light emitting elements.

9. The system of claim 8, further comprising an inductor casing substantially enclosing the first induction element, the inductor casing coupled to the illumination ring.

10. The system of claim 5, wherein the electromagnetic element is the reference point.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the light emitting elements are operable between the lit and dim modes in response to an amount of current produced at the induction element exceeding a threshold amount.

12. A lighting control system for a vehicle including a wheel, the lighting control system comprising:

a light emitting element configured to couple to the wheel;

a controller coupled to the light emitting element, the controller configured to control the light emitting element to operate between;

a lit mode wherein the light emitting element projects light radially outward of the wheel when the light emitting element is within an arcuate area defined from a reference point, the arcuate area having an arc length of less than 360 degrees; and

a dim mode when the light emitting element is outside the arcuate area;

a power storage component electrically connected to the light emitting element; and

a first induction element electrically connected to the power storage component.

13. The system of claim 12, further comprising an electromagnetic element comprising a first magnet adjacent a second magnet, the first and second magnets comprising a first and second magnetic moment, respectively, wherein the first and second magnets are arranged with the first magnetic moment opposing the second magnetic moment.

14. The system of claim 13 further comprising:

a second induction element adjacent the first induction element, and

an inductor casing enclosing the first and the second induction elements, the inductor casing configured to mechanically couple to the vehicle.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the inductor case is configured to couple to the wheel, and wherein the electromagnetic element is configured to couple to a static component of the vehicle.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the first and second induction element enclosed within the induction casing cooperatively form an induction element unit, wherein the system further comprises:

an illumination ring supporting the light emitting element;

a second induction element unit, wherein the first and second induction element units are evenly distributed about and mounted to the illumination ring.

17. The system of claim 15, further comprising a rectifier electrically connected to the first induction element.

18. The system of claim 15, wherein the rectifier is enclosed in the inductor casing.

19. The system of claim 14, wherein the power storage component comprises a battery, the battery configured to couple to a vehicle frame.

20. The system of claim 12, wherein the induction element comprises a magnetic core.