GB2407216A

GB2407216A - Generator mounted in a bicycle wheel hub

Info

Publication number: GB2407216A
Application number: GB0324001A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ting-Hsing Chen
Original assignee: Far Great Plastics Industrial Co Ltd
Current assignee: Far Great Plastics Industrial Co Ltd
Priority date: 2003-10-14
Filing date: 2003-10-14
Publication date: 2005-04-20
Also published as: GB0324001D0

Abstract

A bicycle wheel having a generator device includes a shaft 1, bearings 2, a generator unit including a coil 314 fixed relative to the shaft and a rotary magnet 32, a planetary gear set 41,42,43 and a hub. The driven gear 43 is carried by a tube 431 which rotates about the shaft, the tube 431 and the magnet sleeve 321 being shaped for non-rotational engagement when the tube is inserted into the sleeve. Lead wire 315 connects the coil to the load. An external magnet arrangement is disclosed (fig 4).

Description

24072 1 6 TITLE: BICYCLE WHEEL HAVING A SELF-GENER^oK v.;

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a bicycle wheel, and more par-ticlar-ly to a bicycle wheel that has a self-generator device adapted to the wheel of the bicycle, scooter; and tricycle

Background of the Invention

A conventional bicycle having a generator is designed to secure a magnet ring on a shaft of a hub and to secure a coil on the inner edge of a hole of the shaft. When rotating the hub, the magnet ring will rotate with respect to the coil to produce an electromagnetic effect, which then generates electricity. However; this design has some shortcomings, one of which is that the speed of the hub rotation depends on a user. When the speed slows down, the generated electricity is relative less, thus the effect varies with the speed of the bicycle.

In view of this and many other shortcomings, the inventor has derived the present 1 5 invention.

Summary of the Invention

It is the primary advantage of the present invention to provide a bicycle wheel having a self-gener-ator device, which generates a steady electricity output.

It is another advantage of the present invention to provide a bicycle wheel having a self-generator device, which is easy to maintain and to operate.

It is a further advantage of the present invention to provide a bicycle wheel having a self-gener-ator device, which is inexpensive in manufacture.

Brief Description of the Drawings

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of the present invention; FIG. 3 is an enlarged Wont view showing rotation of a gear set of the present invention; and FIG. 4 its a side cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description of the Prefened Embodiments

The present invention comprises a shaft 1, a pair of beating metals 2, a generator unit 3, a gear set 4 and a hub 5.

The shaft 1 comprises two threaded sections 11 at respective ends having a flat surface 111. Each threaded section 11 has a similar rectangle shape in cross section. Two pairs of collars 12 and nuts 13 are threaded on respective ends of the shaft 1.

Each beating metal 2 sleeves on the respective collar 12 threaded on the shaft 1.

The generator unit 3 includes a coil 31 and a magnet 32. The coil 31 has a plurality of holes 311 on lugs of the coil 31 for connection onto a plate 313 with bolts 312. The plate 313 has a center hole 314 corresponding in shape to the threaded section 11 of the shaft 1. The shaft 1 is inserted through the center hole 314 and secured therewith. The coil 31 has electric wires 315 to transform electricity therefiom. The magnet 32 is a circular ring secured on a sleeve 321. The sleeve 321 has a through hole 322 corresponding in shape to the threaded section 11 of the shaft 1.

The gear set 4 includes an inner gear 41, a pair of planetary gears 42 fluid a driven gear 43. The inner gear 41 has a plurality of holes 411 on lugs thereof for securing the inner gear 41 onto the hub 5 by means of bolts 412 and nuts 413. The planetary gears 42 are secured on a plate 421. The plate 421 has a hole 422 corresponding in shape to the threaded section 11 of the shaft l. The driven gear 43 is secured to a tube 431. The tube 431 has an outer shape corresponding to the shape of the through hole 322 of the sleeve 321. The tube 431 has a circular hole 432 axially across the tube 431 thereof.

The hub 5 has a ring 51 inside. The ring 51 is provided with a plurality of holes 511 adapted to mount spokes (not shown in the Figure) on the hub 5.

To assemble the present invention, as shown in FIG. 2, sleeve the bearing metals 2, the generator unit 3, and the gear set 4 onto the shaft l and then install the entire parts into the hub 5. The inner gear 41 of the gear set 4 is pivotably connected to the ring 51 of the hub 5 by means of the bolts 412 and the nuts 413 through the holes 411 and 511. The planetary gears 42 are secured to the threaded section 11 of the shaft 1 by means of insertion of the shaft I into the hole 422 of the plate 421. The tube 431 is inserted though the through hole 322 of the sleeve 321 that links the magnet 32. The shaft 1 is inserted through the circular hole 432 of the tube 431.

FIG. 3 shows an operation of the present invention. The inner gear 41 meshes with the planetary gears 42, which then mesh with the driven gear 43. The tube 431 with the driven gear 43 is inserted through the sleeve 321 secured with the magnet 32 of the generator unit 3.

In general, the gear set 4 and the magnet 32 of the generator unit 3 are both pivotably connected to the shaft 1, and the coil 31 of the generator unit 3 is pivotably connected to the threaded section 11 of the shaft 1 through the center hole 314 of the plate 313. The bearing metals 2 are inserted onto the shaft 1 and located at respective ends of the hub 5. The collars 12 are threaded onto the tln-eaded sections 11 of the shaft 1, and engaged with the bearing metals 2 and secured by the nuts 13, respectively. The bearing metals 2 are located at two ends of the hub 5, respectively.

To practice, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, when the bicycle is rolling, the hub 5 will link the inner gear 41 to rotate, which then links the planetary gears 42 and the driven gear 43 to rotate, and the magnet 32 rotates simultaneously with respect to the coil 31. By means of the differential rate of the gear teeth, electricity is generated.

FIG. 4 shows a second embodiment of the present invention, which has a little difference from the first embodiment as mentioned above. A sleeve 32 IA of a generator unit 3A has an enlarged end. A magnet 32A is larger svith respect to the first embodiment and is secured within the sleeve 321A. A coil MA is smaller with respect to the first embodiment. This design leaves a space between the magnet 32A and the coil 31A. The actual operation method is identical to the first embodiment, and will not be described hereinafter.

Claims

[ CLAIM: 1. A bicycle wheel having a self-generator device comprising a

shaft, a pair of bearing metals, a generator unit, a gear set and a hub, wherein said shaft being sleeved with said bearing metals, said generator unit and said gear set and being accommodated within said hub, said beating metals being secured at respective ends of said shaft, said generator unit comprising a magnet and a coil, wherein said coil being pivotably connected on said shaft, and said gear set comprising an inner gear, a pair of planetary gears, and a driven gear, said inner gear being pivotally connected to said hub and meshing with said planetary gears, said planetary gears in turn meshing with said driven gear, said driven gear being pivotably connected on said shaft, said driven gear having a tube inserted into said magnet of said generator unit, thus when rotating said hub, electricity being generated.