GB2501889A

GB2501889A - Bicycle Generator

Info

Publication number: GB2501889A
Application number: GB201208039A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ian William Jennings
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-05-08
Filing date: 2012-05-08
Publication date: 2013-11-13
Also published as: GB201208039D0

Abstract

The invention comprises a generator housing assembly 8, incorporating a pulley wheel assembly 4 including a spring, an arrangement of gears 6 and a generator or dynamo 7, fixed to the fork yoke 9, a clamp arrangement 3 being fitted to the fork lower 2. Cord 5 is fitted between the clamp 3 and the pulley wheel assembly 4 spanning the fork stanchion 1 of the bicycle suspension system. The cord may include a shock absorbing elastomeric section Alternatively the drive gear may be rotated by means of a rack and pinion 13, 14, a friction rod arrangement (Fig 4 not shown) or chain and sprocket (fig 5 not shown). A one way clutch may be included to drive the generator in a single direction.

Description

Bicycle Generator This invention relates to a device for generating electrical energy which may be used for charging an electrical storage device and powering bicycle lights and ancillaries.

Traditional dynamos or generators obtain drive from the rotation of the bicycle wheels. This creates drag which both slows the bicycle and tires the cyclist, and is recognised in the fact that the majority of traditional dynamos are equipped with a mechanism for disengaging drive from the bicycle wheel.

Increasingly, bicycles are being equipped with suspension to aid the comfort of the cyclist. There are many suspension systems available for both the front and rear of bicycles the majority of which use a traditional shock absorber and damper arrangement. Compression of a material, spring or gas within the shock absorber and recoil of this material causes the shock absorber to change its length when a force is applied to it for example when pedalling or when encountering obstacles. This invention uses the movement resulting from changes in the positional relationship of the suspended and unsuspended parts of a bicycle as a means of driving a dynamo or generator to produce electricity.

When a cyclist is pedalling normally on a smooth surface, the shock absorber will extend and contract with each pedal stroke. The amount of movement will vary according to the weight of the cyclist, the pedalling effort and the characteristics of the shock absorber. Any change in the length of the shock absorber will cause a change in the positional relationship between the suspended parts on one side of the shock absorber arrangement and the unsuspended parts on the other. . The movement resulting from change in the positional relationship between suspended and unsuspended parts is converted by mechanical means into a rotational motion. A mechanical arrangement can be used to further amplify the movement and rotate a dynamo or generator. The electrical energy generated may be used as it is produced or rectified if necessary and used to charge a battery or other charge storage device.

The movement of a bicycle suspension is typically small, however the forces involved in compressing a shock absorber can be quite high. This allows quite large amounts of otherwise wasted energy to be used for rotating the dynamo with negligible affect on the performance of the suspension and comfort of the rider.

Figure la and lb illustrates invention and its application to a bicycle front suspension system.

Figure 2 illustrates application of invention to the rear suspension system of a bicycle.

Figure 3 shows application of toothed wheel and toothed rod arrangement in place of cord and pulley.

Figure 4 shows application of wheel and rod arrangement in place of cord and pulley.

Figure 5 shows application of chain and sprocket arrangement in place of cord and pulley.

Figure 6 shows possible incorporation of an electrical storage device, and, or, lamp.

In Figure 1 we consider the invention as it may be applied to a bicycle front fork. The front fork comprises three parts, a stanchion (1) and the fork lowers (2) fork yoke (9). A clamp arrangement (3) is secured to the fork lower and provides for attachment of cord (5). The generator housing (8) is secured to the top of the stanchion or to the fork yoke. The generator housing arrangement (8) includes a pulley wheel assembly (4) and a mechanical arrangement (6) to amplify and transmit forces to the dynamo. The pulley wheel assembly also includes a spring arrangement which increases in tension as the fork extends and the distance between suspended and unsuspended parts increases. Conductors or wires (0) may be used to transfer electrical energy to a remote storage device or electrical device.

We first consider the situation where the fork had been compressed by application of an external force, (Figure 1 a). On removal of the compressing force, the fork stanchion (1) will extend out of the fork lower (2) due to the recoil of the fork's internal spring. This will increase the distance between clamp arrangement (3) and generator housing (8). This movement results in increased tension in cord (5) causing unwinding of the cord from the pulley wheel and rotation of pulley wheel assembly (4). Rotation of the pulley wheel is amplified by the mechanical arrangement (6) which drives generator (7) producing electrical energy. Rotation of the pulley wheel assembly also increases tension in spring arrangement.

The electrical energy generated may be used immediately or rectified as necessary and stored.

Figure lb shows the fork in its extended position.

Compression of the fork from its extended position causes a reduction in the distance between the clamp arrangement (3) and dynamo housing (8) leading to a reduction in the tension of cord (5). Energy stored in spring arrangement will rotate pulley wheel (4) maintaining tension in cord (5). This causes rotation of mechanical arrangement (6) and generator (7) back to the starting position while generating electrical energy. Each oscillation of the front fork causes a repeat of this cycle.

The degree of mechanical amplification provided by the mechanical arrangement may be optimised according to the typical and maximum amounts of movement between suspended and unsuspended parts.

Where a bicycle is equipped with rear suspension the invention can be installed between the sprung and un-sprung parts of the rear suspension in such a way as to benefit from the mechanical advantage provided by the rear suspension arrangement.(Figure 2). In this illustration, single pivot rear suspension system is considered though the invention may be applied equally to any common rear suspension system. Bicycle frame (18) includes a pivot point (17).

In an alternative embodiment, cord (5) may be attached to clamp arrangement (3) such that it can be removed if required to enable cleaning, or as a means of rotating the generator arrangement in order to produce electrical energy.

In an alternative embodiment clamp arrangement (3) may be incorporated into part of the suspension system of the bicycle.

In an alternative embodiment the generator housing arrangement (8) may be incorporated into part of the suspension system or frame of the bicycle.

In an alternative embodiment (Figure 3) the cord between the clamp and the dynamo unit may be replaced by a toothed rod arrangement (13). The pulley wheel and spring are also replaced by a toothed gear (14). This permits drive of gear assembly and generator on both compression and recoil of the suspension components. Toothed rod (13) is held in position against wheel (4) by bush/bearing assembly (11) or by design of the housing assembly.

In an alternative embodiment (Figure 4) the cord and pulley arrangement and spring may be replaced by a non toothed rod (12) and a wheel arrangement in which the wheel (4) is driven by friction between rod and wheel. Rod (12) is held in position against wheel (4) by bush/bearing assembly (11) or by design of the housing assembly. This permits drive of gear assembly and generator on both compression and recoil of the suspension components.

In an alternative embodiment (Figure 5) the cord and pulley is replaced by a chain and sprocket arrangement. The pulley wheel assembly is replaced by a sprocket (15) and the cord replaced by chain (16) In an alternative embodiment, the cord (5) is modified to include a shock absorber arrangement, such as a section of elastomeric material, to protect the pulley and mechanical parts from damage resulting from sudden shocks In an alternative embodiment a suitable clutch arrangement is incorporated in to the invention to permit the dynamo to be driven in one direction only.

In a further alternative embodiment a clutch arrangement may be incorporated into the mechanical arrangement to provide protection of the arrangement and related parts from shock or excessive forces.

In a further alternative embodiment that may be applied to all above alternative embodiments a telescopic or bellows type cover could be used to enclose and protect the cord or its alternative and prevent ingress of moisture or dirt into the invention.

In an alternative embodiment (Figure 6) the generator housing may be modified to include an electrical storage device (20).

In an alternative embodiment (Figure 6) the generator housing may be modified to include a cycle lamp (19) or other energy using device.

Claims

Claims.1) Invention comprises a generator housing that includes a generator, mechanical arrangement of gears and pulley wheel assembly incorporating a spring, attached to one side of a bicycle front suspension system, a clamp assembly attached to the other side of the suspension system and a cord connected between the two.
2) An arrangement as described in claim 1 applied to the rear suspension system of a bicycle.
3) An arrangement as described in claim 1 where the cord between suspended and non suspended parts may be detached at one end.
4) An arrangement as described in claim 1 where the clamp arrangement is incorporated into part of the suspension system of the bicycle.
5) An arrangement as described in claim 1 where the generator housing arrangement is incorporated into part of the suspension system of the bicycle.
6) An arrangement as described in claims 1 to 5 where the cord and pulley wheel assembly is replaced by a toothed rod and toothed wheel arrangement.
7) An arrangement as described in claims 1 to 5 where the cord and pulley wheel assembly is replaced by a non-toothed rod and wheel arrangement.
8) An arrangement as described in claims 1 to 5 where the cord and pulley wheel assembly is replaced by a chain and sprocket arrangement.
9) An arrangement as described in claims 1 to 5 where the cord includes one or more sections of an elastomeric or spring like material.
10) An arrangement as described in claims 1 to 5 where the pulley wheel includes a clutch mechanism.
11) An arrangement as described in claims 1 to 10 where the arrangement of gears includes a clutch mechanism 12) An arrangement as described in all previous claims that includes a telescopic cover or bellows arrangement.13) An arrangement described in all previous claims that includes an electrical storage device.14) An arrangement described in all previous claims that includes an energy using device such as a cycle lamp.