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AssigneeDirk Strothmann
InventorDirk STROTHMANN
Estimating the term…
By means of the system described, the use of eddy current generators on vehicles, especially bicycles, can be simplified by easier integration into standardized components such as brake pads, making them more suitable for everyday use. The problem of overcoming the magnetic holding forces at low speeds is essential for cyclists, as these would otherwise rule out the use of such systems in everyday traffic due to the lack of power generation when starting off at low speed. The integration into brake pads provides a significant advantage, as a new functionality is achieved without the need for additional components. The claimed additional functions for signalling contribute to increased traffic safety, especially for two-wheel traffic.
-4. (canceled)
Device according to claim 36, characterized in that one generator of the system uses a dipole wheel (1) with a high field strength and another generator with alternating multipole wheel (3) is arranged within the magnetic field of the dipole wheel (1).
(canceled)
Device according to claim 36, characterized in that one generator of the system uses a larger dipole wheel (1) with a large field strength (8) and another generator with a smaller dipole wheel (1b) with a small field strength which is too small to include the larger magnet wheel, said smaller dipole wheel (1b) is arranged within the magnetic field of the dipole wheel (1).
Device according to characterized in that generators of the system are further away from the counter element (2) when the latter is at a standstill and are moved closer to the counter element for better eddy current gearing with the onset or increase of relative speed via a mechanical shifting mechanism.
-14. (canceled)
Device according to claim 36, characterised in that the the eddy current generators are moveably connected to fixing elements via a mechanism which avoids contact of generator and counter element by movement of the generator relative to the fixing element whereby the close movement of the fixing element towards the counter element causes movement of the generator relative to the fixing element away from the counter element and, when the distance of fixing element and counter element gets larger, moves the generator back to its origin position.
Device according to claim 36, characterized in that it is a spring parallelogram (15) mechanism and the generator is positioned closer to the rim than the generator by means of an abrasion-resistant, tightly linked spacer element (15a), is protected from contact with the rim by being able to spring away from the rim (2) via the parallelogram spring (15) when the spacer element comes into contact with the rim (during braking or due to rim imbalance) and returning to its initial position accordingly after the rim contact has ended.
Device according to claim 36, characterised in that it is a displacement mechanism, the fixing element (10) having a groove (17) (respectively (or elongated recess) open to the generator unit (12) and to the counter element (2), and the generator unit is connected to the fixing element in a laterally displaceable manner via a slide counterpart (12b) movable in said groove under lateral pressure, in such a way that an additional slide spacer element (16) moves the generator unit (12) away from the counter element when getting in contact with the counter element, by shifting it relative to fixing element and hence prevents contact of said generator unit with the counter element, without a return to the initial generator position after termination of the contact between counter element and spacer element.
Device according to claim 36, characterised in that one or more magnetic wheels have a protective layer or cap and are separated from the counter element (2) only by an air gap but not via a housing so that said magnetic wheels can roll with but don't grind along counter element in case of a contact.
(canceled)
(canceled)
Device according to claim 35, characterised in that the lighting unit or its housing (14) comprises phosphorescent material which enables a parking light function by phosphorescence, after the lighting unit has been illuminated with suitable light (with blue to ultraviolet spectrum) over a period of time.
Device according to claim 35, characterised in that phosphorescent material (30) is applied to the counter element (2), said phosphorescent material is irradiated with suitable light (with blue to ultraviolet spectrum) by the lighting unit (13) and thus provides a permanent lateral illumination, said lighting unit being powered by a contactless eddy current generator.
Device according to claim 35, characterized in that the lighting electronics is constructed as an anti-parallel circuit consisting of an LED with suitable light for phosphorus charging for a parking light and/or wheel side lighting and a driving light LED with preferably white front light or red rear light.
Device according to claim 35, characterised in that by means of characteristic magnetic wheel speed profiles which recur with each rotation of the counter element, the duration of rotation and thus the instantaneous speed is determined by means of a microcontroller and can be sent wirelessly to external receiving or display devices by means of an integrated radio unit.
Device according to claim 35, characterized in that the counter element is a bicycle wheel and by means of a characteristic magnetic wheel speed recurring with each pedal revolution profile, the pedal revolution duration and thus the cadence is determined by a microcontroller and can be sent wirelessly to external receivers or display devices using an integrated radio unit.
(canceled)
Device according to claim 35, characterized in that the counter element is a bicycle wheel and the probable occurrence of an accident event is detected by means of characteristic magnetic wheel speed profiles and an emergency call signal is transmitted by means of an integrated radio unit.
Device according to claim 35, characterized in that the counter element is a bicycle wheel and radio signals are sent and received in accordance with standardized radio standards for vehicle 2 vehicle communication and for vehicle 2 X communication by an integrated radio unit operated by the contactless generator, in order to exchange and display important collision avoidance data with other road users or devices.
(canceled)
(canceled)
The device according to claim 37, characterized in that the navigation signals for turning left or right or reversing transmitted from a navigation system or smart phone are received in the lighting units and displayed as a flashing signal in the lighting units on the left or right side or both sides simultaneously (as a signal for reversing) as a navigation aid for the cyclist and simultaneously as a turning signal for other road users.
Device according to claim 35, characterized in that the counter element is a bicycle wheel and the eddy current generators power separate bicycle lighting units, in said lighting units a turning signal is generated by the cyclist by means of a one-time or repeated slight application of the left (20) or right rim brake (24), said signal can be specified, said signal is detected within the controller electronics of the contactless eddy current generators by means of a short-term reduced rim distance resulting in increased rotation speed of the magnet wheel, in such a way that the a flashing signal is applied to the corresponding left or right lighting unit and a corresponding signal (28) is sent for turning left or right to the second lighting unit on the turning side, which also switches to the flashing mode for displaying the turning process, after receiving said signal (28).
(canceled)
Device of one or multiple contactless eddy current generators each containing at least one magnetic wheel opposed to moveable conductive counter elements (2) in combination with units to detect characteristic magnetic wheel speed profiles, said speed profiles are processed and used to exchange internal signals between generator units and used to exchange external signals with external devices.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.