U.S. patent application number 10/139333 was filed with the patent office on 2002-09-26 for automatic wheel-driven generating means and lighting device thereof.
Invention is credited to Hung, Pao-Chuang.
Application Number | 20020136021 10/139333 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25213386 |
Filed Date | 2002-09-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020136021 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hung, Pao-Chuang |
September 26, 2002 |
Automatic wheel-driven generating means and lighting device
thereof
Abstract
An automatic wheel-driven generating means mainly includes a
base fixedly mounted on a wheel around an axle thereof and provided
with a centered hollow column and one or more radially extended
hollow pipes for each receiving a light-emitting element therein; a
winding reel enclosed between left and right magnetic poles and
fixedly mounted on the hollow column; and a magnet holder having a
cap screwed into a center thereof and being fixedly mounted on the
axle. The magnet holder carries magnets and is associated with the
winding reel and the magnetic poles without contact with them. When
the wheel rotates, the winding reel and the magnetic poles on the
base rotate along with the wheel relative to the magnet holder that
is unmovably fixed on the axle, so that an induced current is
produced to drive the light-emitting elements to emit light beams.
Each of the light-emitting elements is associated with a
light-guiding bar that is connected to the wheel and has an uneven
outer surface, so that light emitted from the light-emitting
element is reflected and refracted in the light-guiding bar, making
the whole rotating wheel a bright light circle to ensure a rider
safety.
Inventors: |
Hung, Pao-Chuang; (Taipei
Hsien, TW) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Richard E. Fichter
BACON & THOMAS, PLLC
Fourth Floor
625 Slaters Lane
Alexandria
VA
22314-1176
US
|
Family ID: |
25213386 |
Appl. No.: |
10/139333 |
Filed: |
May 7, 2002 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10139333 |
May 7, 2002 |
|
|
|
09813786 |
Mar 22, 2001 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
362/500 ; 310/73;
362/192; 362/473; 362/511 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B62J 6/12 20130101; B62J
6/20 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
362/500 ;
362/473; 362/192; 362/511; 310/73 |
International
Class: |
B60Q 001/26; B62J
006/12 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An automatic wheel-driven generating means, comprising a base, a
winding reel, left and right magnetic poles, a magnet holder, and a
cap; said base being provided at a central area with an outward
projected hollow column, at an outer side along a peripheral edge
thereof with a groove, and on said outer side with one or more
fixed hollow pipes radially project from said peripheral edge of
said base, and said base being mounted on a wheel of around an axle
thereof by retaining members; said winding reel having a coil wound
thereon, lead-out wires of said coil being separately connected to
wires that are further separately connected to light-emitting
elements disposed in said hollow pipes of said base; said left and
said right magnetic poles being two toroidal members located at two
sides of said winding reel and having a plurality of equally spaced
magnetic pole fins axially extended from an outer peripheral edge
toward said winding reel, such that said magnetic pole fins
alternate along an outer periphery of said winding reel to firmly
enclose said winding reel between said left and said right magnetic
poles, and an assembly of said winding reel and said left and said
right magnetic poles being put around said hollow column on said
base; said magnet holder being an annular member having a round
central bore and being located around said assembly of said winding
reel and said left and said right magnetic poles without contacting
with said assembly while a plurality of magnets held on said magnet
holder corresponding to said magnetic pole fins of said left and
said right magnetic poles; and said cap being engaged into said
central bore of said magnet holder and having a central axle hole
for said axle to extend therethrough, so that said cap and
accordingly said magnet holder are fixedly mounted on said axle;
whereby when said wheel rotates, said left and said right magnetic
poles mounted on said hollow column of said base rotate along with
said wheel relative to said magnets on said magnet holder that is
fixedly mounted on said axle without rotating along with said
wheel, and an induced current is produced to drive said
light-emitting elements to automatically emit light without the
need of any battery.
2. The automatic wheel-driven generating means as claimed in claim
1, wherein said hollow column on said base is provided along an
outer rim with a plurality of spaced and outward extended catches
for securely holding said assembly of said winding reel and said
left and said right magnetic poles around said hollow column.
3. The automatic wheel-driven generating means as claimed in claim
1, wherein said magnet holder is formed along a circumferential
edge with a plurality of holes in which said a plurality of magnets
are received.
4. The automatic wheel-driven generating means as claimed in claim
3, further comprising a magnet-isolating ring put around said
circumferential edge of said magnet holder to prevent said magnets
from magnetically attracting external impurities.
5. The automatic wheel-driven generating means as claimed in claim
1, wherein said magnet holder is provided at an inner side of a
circumferential edge thereof with a plurality of recesses in which
said a plurality of magnets are received.
6. The automatic wheel-driven generating means as claimed in claim
1, wherein said central bore of said magnet holder is provided with
an internal screw thread and said cap is provided with an external
screw thread, and said cap is axially adjustably connected to said
central bore of said magnet holder through engagement of said
external screw thread with said internal screw thread.
7. The automatic wheel-driven generating means as claimed in claim
1, wherein said base is fixedly mounted on said wheel around said
axle by extending a first end of each of said retaining members
into said groove provided on said base, and guiding a second end of
each of said retaining members through one or more spokes of said
wheel before extending said second end into said groove.
8. The automatic wheel-driven generating means as claimed in claim
1, wherein said magnet holder is mounted around said assembly of
said winding reel and said left and said right magnetic poles
without contacting with said assembly by inserting a plurality of
isolating plates into a plurality of slots spaced on a side surface
of said magnet holder before said magnet holder is put around said
assembly, so that said magnets on said magnet holder and said
magnetic poles do not magnetically attract one another before said
magnet holder is correctly mounted on said axle, and said isolating
plates being removed from said slots after said magnet holder
having been correctly mounted on said axle.
9. The automatic wheel-driven generating means as claimed in claim
1, wherein each of said hollow pipes on said base has a plug
disposed therein, said plug being provided with two holes for two
pins of said light-emitting element to extend thereinto, so that
said light-emitting element is protected against moisture and
dust.
10. An automatic wheel-driven generating means, comprising a base,
a winding reel, left and right magnetic poles, a magnet holder, and
a cap; said base being provided at a central area with an outward
projected hollow column, at an outer side along a peripheral edge
thereof with a groove, and on said outer side with one or more
fixed hollow pipes radially project from said peripheral edge of
said base, and said base being fixedly mounted on a wheel around an
axle thereof by retaining members; said winding reel having a coil
wound thereon, lead-out wires of said coil being separately
connected to wires that are further separately connected to
light-emitting elements disposed in said hollow pipes of said base;
said left and said right magnetic poles being two toroidal members
located at two sides of said winding reel to enclose said winding
reel between them, and having a plurality of equally spaced
magnetic pole fins axially extended from an inner peripheral edge
toward said winding reel, such that said magnetic pole fins
alternate along an inner periphery of said winding reel, and an
assembly of said winding reel and said left and said right magnetic
poles being put in said hollow column on said base; said magnet
holder being an annular member having a round central bore and
being located in said assembly of said winding reel and said left
and said right magnetic poles without contacting with said
assembly, and a plurality of magnets being held in holes provided
along a circumferential edge of said magnet holder corresponding to
said magnetic pole fins of said left and said right magnetic poles;
and said cap being engaging into said central bore of said magnet
holder and having a central axle hole for said axle to extend
therethrough, so that said cap is fixedly mounted on said axle;
whereby when said wheel rotates, said left and said right magnetic
poles mounted in said hollow column of said base rotate along with
said wheel relative to said magnets on said magnet holder that is
fixedly mounted on said axle through said cap, and an induced
current is produced to drive said light-emitting elements to
automatically emit light without the need of any battery.
11. The automatic wheel-driven generating means as claimed in claim
10, wherein said hollow column on said base is provided along an
outer rim with a plurality of spaced and inward extended catches
for securely holding said assembly of said winding reel and said
left and said right magnetic poles in said hollow column.
12. The automatic wheel-driven generating means as claimed in claim
10, wherein said central bore of said magnet holder is provided
with an internal screw thread and said cap is provided with an
external screw thread, and said cap is axially adjustably connected
to said central bore of said magnet holder through engagement of
said external screw thread with said internal screw thread.
13. The automatic wheel-driven generating means as claimed in claim
10, wherein said base is fixedly mounted on said wheel around said
axle by extending a first end of each of said retaining members
into said groove provided on said base, and guiding a second end of
each of said retaining members through one or more spokes of said
wheel before extending said second end into said groove.
14. The automatic wheel-driven generating means as claimed in claim
10, wherein each of said hollow pipes on said base has a plug
disposed therein, said plug being provided with two holes for two
pins of said light-emitting element to extend thereinto, so that
said light-emitting element is protected against moisture and
dust.
15. An automatic wheel-driven generating means, comprising a base,
a winding reel, left and right magnetic poles, a magnet holder, and
a cap; said base being provided at a central area with an outward
projected hollow column, at an outer side along a peripheral edge
thereof with a groove, and on said outer side with one or more
fixed hollow pipes radially project from said peripheral edge of
said base, and said base being fixedly mounted on a wheel around an
axle thereof by retaining members; said winding reel having a coil
wound thereon, lead-out wires of said coil being separately
connected to wires that are further separately connected to
light-emitting elements disposed in said hollow pipes of said base;
said left and said right magnetic poles being two toroidal members
located at two sides of said winding reel to enclose said winding
reel between them, and having a plurality of equally spaced
magnetic pole fins axially extended from an outer peripheral edge
toward said winding reel, such that said magnetic pole fins
alternate along an outer periphery of said winding reel, and an
assembly of said winding reel and said left and said right magnetic
poles being put around said hollow column on said base; said magnet
holder being an annular member having a round central bore and
being located around said assembly of said winding reel and said
left and said right magnetic poles without contacting with said
assembly, and a magnetic ring being bonded around an inner side of
a circumferential edge of said magnet holder corresponding to said
magnetic pole fins of said left and said right magnetic poles; and
said cap being engaging into said central bore of said magnet
holder and having a central axle hole for said axle to extend
therethrough, so that said cap is fixedly mounted on said axle;
whereby when said wheel rotates, said left and said right magnetic
poles mounted around said hollow column of said base rotate along
with said wheel relative to said magnetic ring on said magnet
holder that is fixedly mounted on said axle through said cap, and
an induced current is produced to drive said light-emitting
elements to automatically emit light without the need of any
battery.
16. The automatic wheel-driven generating means as claimed in claim
15, wherein said hollow column on said base is provided along an
outer rim with a plurality of spaced and outward extended catches
for securely holding said assembly of said winding reel and said
left and said right magnetic poles around said hollow column.
17. The automatic wheel-driven generating means as claimed in claim
15, wherein said central bore of said magnet holder is provided
with an internal screw thread and said cap is provided with an
external screw thread, and said cap is axially adjustably connected
to said central bore of said magnet holder through engagement of
said external screw thread with said internal screw thread.
18. The automatic wheel-driven generating means as claimed in claim
15, wherein said base is fixedly mounted on said wheel around said
axle by extending a first end of each of said retaining members
into said groove provided on said base, and guiding a second end of
each of said retaining members through one or more spokes of said
wheel before extending said second end into said groove.
19. The automatic wheel-driven generating means as claimed in claim
15, wherein said magnet holder is mounted around said assembly of
said winding reel and said left and said right magnetic poles
without contacting with said assembly by inserting a plurality of
isolating plates into a plurality of slots spaced on a side surface
of said magnet holder before said magnet holder is put around said
assembly, so that said magnetic ring on said magnet holder and said
magnetic poles do not magnetically attract one another before said
magnet holder is correctly mounted around said axle, and said
isolating plates being removed from said slots after said magnet
holder having been correctly mounted around said axle.
20. The automatic wheel-driven generating means as claimed in claim
15, wherein each of said hollow pipes on said base has a plug
disposed therein, said plug being provided with two holes for two
pins of said light-emitting element to extend thereinto, so that
said light-emitting element is protected against moisture and
dust.
21. An automatic wheel-driven generating means, comprising a base,
a winding reel, left and right magnetic poles, a magnet holder, and
a cap; said base being provided at a central area with an outward
projected hollow column, at an outer side along a peripheral edge
thereof with a groove, and on said outer side with one or more
fixed hollow pipes radially project from said peripheral edge of
said base, and said base being fixedly mounted on a wheel around an
axle thereof by retaining members; said winding reel having a coil
wound thereon, lead-out wires of said coil being separately
connected to wires that are further separately connected to
light-emitting elements disposed in said hollow pipes of said base;
said left and said right magnetic poles being two toroidal members
located at two sides of said winding reel to enclose said winding
reel between them, and having a plurality of equally spaced
magnetic pole fins axially extended from an inner peripheral edge
toward said winding reel, such that said magnetic pole fins
alternate along an inner periphery of said winding reel, and an
assembly of said winding reel and said left and said right magnetic
poles being put in said hollow column on said base; said magnet
holder being an annular member having a round central bore and
being located in said assembly of said winding reel and said left
and said right magnetic poles without contacting with said assembly
while a magnetic ring bonded around an circumferential edge of said
magnet holder corresponding to said magnetic pole fins of said left
and said right magnetic poles; and said cap being engaging into
said central bore of said magnet holder and having a central axle
hole for said axle to extend therethrough, so that said cap is
fixedly mounted on said axle; whereby when said wheel rotates, said
left and said right magnetic poles mounted in said hollow column of
said base rotate along with said wheel relative to said magnets on
said magnet holder that is fixedly mounted on said axle through
said cap, and an induced current is produced to drive said
light-emitting elements to automatically emit light without the
need of any battery.
22. The automatic wheel-driven generating means as claimed in claim
21, wherein said hollow column on said base is provided along an
outer rim with a plurality of spaced and inward extended catches
for securely holding said assembly of said winding reel and said
left and said right magnetic poles in said hollow column.
23. The automatic wheel-driven generating means as claimed in claim
21, wherein said central bore of said magnet holder is provided
with an internal screw thread and said cap is provided with an
external screw thread, and said cap is axially adjustably connected
to said central bore of said magnet holder through engagement of
said external screw thread with said internal screw thread.
24. The automatic wheel-driven generating means as claimed in claim
21, wherein said base is fixedly mounted on said wheel around said
axle by extending a first end of each of said retaining members
into said groove provided on said base, and guiding a second end of
each of said retaining members through one or more spokes of said
wheel before extending said second end into said groove.
25. The automatic wheel-driven generating means as claimed in claim
21, wherein each of said hollow pipes on said base has a plug
disposed therein, said plug being provided with two holes for two
pins of said light-emitting element to extend thereinto, so that
said light-emitting element is protected against moisture and
dust.
26. A lighting device for an automatic wheel-driven generating
means, said automatic wheel-driven generating means being mounted
on a wheel around an axle thereof and being capable of generating
electricity when said wheel rotates and thereby driving
light-emitting elements connected to said generating means to emit
light, said lighting device comprising one or more light-guiding
bars, a first end of each of said light-guiding bars being coupled
to a hollow pipe provided on said automatic wheel-driven generating
means, such that a light-emitting element disposed in said hollow
pipe is received in a cavity provided at said first end of said
light-guiding bar; and said light-guiding bar having an uneven
outer surface obtained by forming a plurality of spaced annular
grooves, coarse belts, narrowed portions or expanded portions
thereon, so that light emitted from said light-emitting element is
reflected and refracted in said light-guiding bar when said light
passes interfaces between different mediums, whereby multiple light
spots are produced from one single light source, making said wheel
in rotating a bright circle to enhance safety in riding.
27. The lighting device for an automatic wheel-driven generating
means as claimed in claim 26, wherein said light-guiding bar has a
second end to which a hooked head is provided to press against a
rim of said wheel while hooking up a spoke of said wheel, so that
said light-guiding bar is fixed in place on the wheel.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to an automatic wheel-driven
generating means and a lighting device thereof. The generating
means mainly includes a base fixedly mounted on a wheel around an
axle thereof and provided with a centered hollow column and one or
more radially extended hollow pipes for each receiving a
light-emitting element therein; a winding reel enclosed between
left and right magnetic poles and fixedly mounted on the hollow
column; and a magnet holder having a cap screwed into a center
thereof and being fixed to and around the axle by extending the
axle through an axle hole centered at the cap. The magnet holder
carries magnets and is associated with the winding reel and the
magnetic poles without contact with them.
[0002] When the wheel rotates, the winding reel and the magnetic
poles on the base rotate along with the wheel relative to the
magnet holder that is unmovably fixed on the axle, so that an
induced current is produced to drive the light-emitting elements to
emit light beams. The lighting device includes one or more
light-guiding bars that are connected to the wheel and separately
associated with the light-emitting elements. The light-guiding bars
have uneven outer surfaces, so that light beams emitted from the
light-emitting elements are reflected and refracted in the
light-guiding bars.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] For a rider to ride a bicycle safely in dark places, a
generating means is developed for mounting on an axle of a wheel to
generate current when the wheel rotates. The generated current
drives a light-emitting element connected to the generating means
to emit light. Such conventional wheel-driven generating means is
usually bulky and heavy and includes bearings that complicate the
assembling of the generating means. The bearings also increase
overall dimensions at the axle of the wheel to which the generating
means is mounted, forming an unpleasant vision that reduces a
consumer interest in buying the bicycle.
[0004] Meanwhile, the conventional wheel-driven generating means
usually includes a lighting device that has complicate structure
and provides only light beams of low brightness.
[0005] It is therefore tried by the inventor to develop an improved
automatic wheel-driven generating means and a lighting device
thereof to eliminate the drawbacks existing in the conventional
wheel-driven generating means.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] A primary object of the present invention is to provide an
automatic wheel-driven generating means that is mounted on a wheel
to generate electric currents without the need of bearings. The
omission of the bearings enables the automatic wheel-driven
generating means to be easily assembled and have reduced volume and
weight. When the wheel rotates, the automatic wheel-driven
generating means generates electric currents to drive
light-emitting elements provided thereon to emit light beams.
[0007] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
lighting device for the above-described automatic wheel-driven
generating means. The lighting device includes one or more
light-guiding bars that have specially designed uneven outer
surface, so that light beams emitted from light-emitting elements
on the generating means are reflected and refracted in the
light-guiding bars to produce multiple light spots from one single
light source. The multiple light spots on a rotating wheel make the
wheel a bright light circle that is helpful in ensuring a rider
safety.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] The structure and the technical means adopted by the present
invention to achieve the above and other objects can be best
understood by referring to the following detailed description of
the preferred embodiments and the accompanying drawings,
wherein
[0009] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective of a first embodiment of
the present invention;
[0010] FIG. 2 is an assembled perspective of FIG. 1;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a perspective showing the present invention of
FIG. 1 is mounted on an axle of a wheel;
[0012] FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing the present invention of
FIG. 1 is mounted on an axle of a wheel;
[0013] FIG. 5 shows a first embodiment of the light-guiding bar of
the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 6 shows a second embodiment of the light-guiding bar of
the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 7 shows a third embodiment of the light-guiding bar of
the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 8 shows a fourth embodiment of the light-guiding bar of
the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective of a second embodiment of
the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 10 is a sectional view showing the present invention of
FIG. 9 is mounted on an axle of a wheel;
[0019] FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective of a third embodiment of
the present invention;
[0020] FIG. 12 is an assembled perspective of FIG. 1 1;
[0021] FIG. 13 is a perspective showing the present invention of
FIG. 1 1 is mounted on an axle of a wheel;
[0022] FIG. 14 is a sectional view showing the present invention of
FIG. 11 is mounted on an axle of a wheel;
[0023] FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective of a fourth embodiment of
the present invention;
[0024] FIG. 16 is a sectional view showing the present invention of
FIG. 15 is mounted on an axle of a wheel;
[0025] FIG. 17 is an exploded perspective of a fifth embodiment of
the present invention; and
[0026] FIG. 18 is a sectional view showing the present invention of
FIG. 17 is mounted on an axle of a wheel.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0027] Please refer to FIGS. 1 through 4 in which an automatic
wheel-driven generating means according to a first embodiment of
the present invention is shown. The automatic wheel-driven
generating means mainly includes a base 1, a winding reel 2, left
and right magnetic poles 3 and 4, two light-guiding bars 5, a
magnet holder 6, a cap 7, and a magnet-isolating ring 8.
[0028] The base 1 is provided at a central area with an outward
projected hollow column 11 through which an axle 9 of a wheel is
extended. The hollow column 11 is provided along an outer rim
thereof with several spaced and outward extended catches 12. The
base 1 is provided on an outer side adjacent to a peripheral edge
thereof with an annular groove 13. Two hollow pipes 14 are fixedly
provided on the outer side of the base 1 to radially project from
the peripheral edge of the base 1. The base is preferably mounted
on the wheel with two retaining members 15, so that the base 1 is
located around an axle 9 of the wheel. To do so, first extend an
end of the retaining member 15 into the groove 13, and then guide
the other end of the retaining member 15 through one or more spokes
91 of the wheel to return to the groove 13, and then extend the
other end of the retaining member 15 into the groove 13, too.
Repeat the same procedures for the other retaining member 15, so
that it is located on the base 1 at a distance from the first
retaining member 15. Each of the two hollow pipes 14 has a plug 16
disposed therein. The plug 16 is provided with two through holes
161 into which two pins 171 of a light-emitting element 17 are
extended, so that the light-emitting element 17 is also located in
the hollow pipe 14. The light-emitting element 17 may be a
monochromatic or a multi-colored light-emitting element.
[0029] The winding reel 2 has a substantially I-shaped cross
section for a winding coil 21 to form therearound. The winding reel
2 is provided at two sides with a plurality of spaced locating lugs
22. Lead-out wires 23 of the winding coil 21 are connected to two
wires 24, and the wires 24 are further connected to the pins 171 of
the light-emitting elements 17 disposed in the hollow pipes 14.
[0030] The left and the right magnetic poles 3 and 4 are two
toroidal members disposed at two sides of the winding reel 2. The
two magnetic poles 3, 4 respectively have a plurality of equally
spaced magnetic pole fins 31, 41 axially extended from an outer
peripheral edge toward the winding reel 2, so that the magnetic
pole fins 31, 41 alternate along an outer periphery of the winding
reel 2. The left and the right magnetic poles 3, 4 are provided
along their annular surfaces with a plurality of through holes 32,
42 for engaging with the locating lugs 22 on the winding reel 2, so
that the winding reel 2 is firmly enclosed between the two magnetic
poles 3, 4. An assembly of the winding reel 2 and the left and the
right magnetic poles 3, 4 is put around the hollow column 11 on the
base 1 and is securely held thereto by the catches 12.
[0031] The two light-guiding bars 5 form a lighting device of the
automatic wheel-driven generating means of the present invention.
Each of the two light-guiding bars 5 has an inner end inserted into
the hollow pipe 14. The inner end of the light-guiding bar 5 is
provided with a cavity for receiving the light-emitting element 17
therein. An outer end of the light-guiding bar 5 is provided with a
hooked head 51 that is adapted to press against a rim 92 of the
wheel while hooking up a spoke 91, so that the light-guiding bar 5
is fixed in place on the wheel.
[0032] The magnet holder 6 is an annular member having a round
central bore 61 provided with an internal screw thread 611. A
circumferential edge 66 of the magnet holder 6 is formed with a
plurality of holes 62 for each receiving a magnet 63 therein.
[0033] The cap 7 has a central axle hole 71 for the axle 9 to
extend therethrough, so that the cap 7 is fixedly mounted on the
axle 9. The cap 7 is provided around a circumferential surface with
an external screw thread 72 for engaging with the internal screw
thread 611 of the magnet holder 6, so that the magnet holder 6 is
also fixedly mounted on the axle 9.
[0034] The magnet-isolating ring 8 is mounted around the
circumferential edge 66 of the magnet holder 6 to prevent the
magnets 63 from magnetically attracting external impurities.
[0035] The magnet holder 6 is to be located around the assembly of
the winding reel 2 and the magnetic poles 3, 4 without contacting
with the assembly. To do so, first insert isolating plates 64 into
slots 65 provided on a side surface of the magnet holder 6, so that
the assembly of the winding reel 2 and the magnetic poles 3, 4 is
located in the magnet holder 6 without contacting with the magnet
holder 6. After the magnet holder 6 has been adjusted into a
correct position to align the magnets 63 with the magnetic pole
fins 31, 41 of the left and the right magnetic poles 3, 4, the
isolating plates 64 are removed from the slots 65. Finally, connect
an outer end of the axle 9 to a fork 10 and use a nut 93 to lock
the axle 9 and the fork 10 together.
[0036] When the wheel rotates, it brings the base 1 and accordingly
the assembly of the winding reel 2 and the left and the right
magnetic poles 3, 4 mounted on the hollow column 11 of the base 1
to rotate at the same time. On the other hand, the magnet holder 6,
which is fixedly mounted on the axle 9 through the cap 7, does not
rotate with the wheel. With the magnetic poles 3, 4 rotate relative
to the magnets 63 on the magnet holder 6, an induced current is
produced and supplied to the light-emitting elements 17 and drives
the same to emit light beams.
[0037] Please refer to FIG. 5 that shows a first embodiment of the
light-guiding bar 5. The light-guiding bar 5 is provided on an
outer surface with several annular grooves 53 that cause the light
beam emitted by the light-emitting element 17 to pass interfaces
between different mediums and thereby be reflected and refracted in
the light-guiding bar 5, enabling production of multiple light
spots from the one single light source of the light-emitting
element 17. When a multi-colored light-emitting element 17 is used,
a large number of combinations of different colors with different
number of light spots could be created. Moreover, brightness of
light at the annular grooves 53 is higher than that of light shown
on a smooth surface of a light-guiding bar without the annular
grooves 53. Since the light-guiding bar 5 is securely located
between the axle 9 and the rim 92 of a wheel as described above, it
makes the rotating wheel a highly bright light circle. This highly
bright light circle of the rotating wheel serves as a warning sign
to ensure the safety of a rider riding in dark places. It is also
possible to connect the light-emitting element 17 to a flashing
circuit (not shown), so that the wheel flashes while rotating to
provide more significant warning and increased safety of
riding.
[0038] Please refer to FIGS. 5 through 8. In addition to the
annular grooves 53, the light-guiding bar 5 may also be provided at
its outer surface with spaced coarse belts 53a, narrowed portions
53b, expanded portions 53d, etc. to achieve the same effect as that
of the annular grooves 53.
[0039] In FIGS. 1 through 4, the magnet-isolating ring 8 is used to
prevent the magnets 63 from magnetically attracting external
impurities when the wheel rotates. And, the isolating plates 64 are
used to prevent the magnets 63 from magnetically attracting the two
magnetic poles 3, 4 to cause difficulty in centering the magnetic
poles 3, 4 in the wheel for optimal operation. It is to be noted
that the light-guiding bar 5 is made of a waterproof and dustproof
material, and it together with the plug 16 in the hollow pipe 14
define a closed space between them to accommodate the
light-emitting element 17 therein. The closed space protects the
light-emitting element 17 against moisture and dust, enabling
reduced failure and prolonged usable life of the light-emitting
element 17.
[0040] FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrates a second embodiment of the
present invention that is generally similar to the first embodiment
shown in FIGS. 1 through 8 except that the magnet holder 6 is
provided at an inner side of the circumferential edge 66 with a
plurality of recesses 67 for receiving the magnets 63 therein and
the holes 62 are omitted. Again, the rotating of the magnetic poles
3,4 relative to the magnets 63 received in the recesses 67 of the
magnet holder 6 produces induced current that drives the
light-emitting elements 17 to emit light. In this second
embodiment, since the magnets 63 are not exposed from the magnet
holder 6 to external environment, the magnet-isolating ring 8 is
not needed and therefore omitted.
[0041] FIGS. 11 to 14 shows a third embodiment of the present
invention that is also generally similar to the first embodiment in
FIGS. 1 to 8, except that the hollow column 11 on the base 1 has an
increased diameter, that the catches 12 are replaced with a
plurality of spaced and inward extended catches 18 provided along
an outer rim of the hollow column 11, that the left and the right
magnetic poles 3, 4 are provided along an inner peripheral edge
with a plurality of equally spaced magnetic pole fins 33, 43
axially extended toward the winding reel 2 to alternate along an
inner periphery of the winding reel 2 while the two magnetic poles
3,4 enclosing the winding reel 2 between them, that an assembly of
the two magnetic poles 3, 4 and the winding reel 2 is disposed in
the hollow column 11 and held thereto by the catches 18, and that
the magnet holder 6 and the cap 7 have reduced diameters to be
disposed in a central opening defined by the assembly of the
magnetic poles 3, 4 and the winding reel 2 without contacting with
the assembly. Again, the rotating of the magnetic poles 3,4
relative to the magnets 63 provided on the magnet holder 6 produces
induced current that drives the light-emitting elements 17 to emit
light. In this third embodiment, since the magnet holder 6 has
reduced diameter and is disposed in the central opening of the
magnetic poles 3,4, the magnet-isolating ring 8 as well as the
isolating plates 64 are not needed and therefore omitted.
[0042] Please refer to FIGS. 15 and 16 in which a fourth embodiment
of the present invention is shown. This fourth embodiment is also
generally similar to the first embodiment in FIGS. 1 to 8, except
that the magnets 63 are replaced with a magnetic ring 101 that is
bonded around an inner side of the circumferential edge 66 of the
magnet holder 6. Again, the rotating of the magnetic poles 3, 4
relative to the magnetic ring 101 on the magnet holder 6 produces
induced current to drive the light-emitting elements 17 to emit
light. In this fourth embodiment, since the magnetic ring 101 is
not exposed from the magnet holder 6 to external environment, the
magnet-isolating ring 8 is not needed and therefore omitted.
[0043] FIGS. 17 and 18 illustrates a fifth embodiment of the
present invention that is also generally similar to the first
embodiment in FIGS. 1 to 8, except that the hollow column 11 on the
base 1 has an increased diameter, that the catches 12 are replaced
with a plurality of spaced and inward extended catches 18 provided
along an outer rim of the hollow column 11, that the left and the
is right magnetic poles 3, 4 are provided along an inner peripheral
edge with a plurality of equally spaced magnetic pole fins 33, 43
axially extended toward the winding reel 2 to alternate along an
inner periphery of the winding reel 2 while the two magnetic poles
3,4 enclosing the winding reel 2 between them, that an assembly of
the two magnetic poles 3, 4 and the winding reel 2 is disposed in
the hollow column 11 and held thereto by the catches 18, that the
magnet holder 6 and the cap 7 have reduced diameters to be located
in a central opening defined by the assembly of the magnetic poles
3,4 and the winding reel 2 without contacting with the assembly,
and that a magnetic ring 102 is bonded around the circumferential
edge 66 of the magnet holder 6. Again, the rotating of the magnetic
poles 3, 4 relative to the magnetic ring 102 provided on the magnet
holder 6 produces induced current to drive the light-emitting
elements 17 to emit light. In this fifth embodiment, since the
magnet holder 6 has reduced diameter and is disposed in central
opening of the magnetic poles 3, 4, the magnet-isolating ring 8 as
well as the isolating plates 64 are not needed and therefore
omitted.
[0044] In the above-described wheel-driven generating means, since
the two magnetic poles 3, 4 rotate relative to the magnets 63 or
the magnetic ring 101, 102, an induced current is produced to drive
the light-emitting elements 17 to emit light beams without the need
of mounting bearings, the wheel-driven generating means could
therefore be more easily assembled and have further reduced volume
and weight, making it excellently suitable for mounting on the axle
of a bicycle wheel. Moreover, the automatic wheel-driven generating
means of the present invention also has structurally simple
lighting device that is able to produce highly bright light
circles, making the
[0045] The present invention a novel and improved structure. The
present invention has been described with some preferred
embodiments thereof and it is understood that many changes and
modifications in the described embodiments can be carried out
without departing from the scope and the spirit of the invention
that is intended to be limited only by the appended claims.
* * * * *