Patent Application
20220314105
This technical solution refers to the field of Personal Mobility Devices (PMD) equipped with the Wheel Lighting System (WLS).
Currently, the usage of WLS is a well-known solution for PMD (such as roller-skates, skateboards, scooters, mono-wheels, etc.). It is usually based on the integration of energy generators and sources of light into a wheel hub.
The example of that solution could be seen in patent RU 2237340 C2 (TELTEC CO., LTD. (KR), Sep. 27, 2004). The main disadvantages of this approach are: a) generation of energy creates certain physical resistance for wheels to spin; b) the whole construction of a wheel with an energy generating hub built-in is relatively complicated and not much robust. The lighting system could break down due to vibration or after a user's jump.
Another example is the following: the Hyper Concrete Glow wheels (https://www.skatepro.ru/342-23945.htm), which are made of a substance containing photoluminophore (photoluminescent phosphor). Such wheel can accumulate light energy and emit it for some time afterwards. These wheels are simple in production and do not create any physical resistance for movement of PMD. But the effect of the glow does not last long and fades relatively quickly.
Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to make it possible to solve the technical problem of creating a new effective principle of illumination of PMD wheels, devoid of the disadvantages inherent in solutions known from the prior art.
The main technical effect is to enhance the efficiency of the WLS by ensuring that PMD wheels' backlighting is performed without the physical resistance of wheels during movement. That is achieved by the usage of photoluminophore wheels which are backlighted by sources of ultraviolet (UV, black-light) light installed on a PMD body (frame).
The additional technical effect of the WLS is the improvement of the robustness of the system in general. The effect is made possible by excluding the usage of complicated parts, such as built-in energy generators in a wheel hub and by installing the sources of UV-light on a PMD frame, not inside the wheel.
The desirable technical effect is achieved by the installation of WLS for PMD which must have: a) a PMD with the installed source of UV-light (at least one unit), b) the controlling device for activating/deactivating the source of UV-light, c) the wheels of a PMD must be made of a substance containing photoluminophore, d) at least one source of UV-light should be installed in a position that enables the backlighting at least a part of the wheel.
In one particular embodiment the PMD is a kick-scooter or roller-skates.
In another particular embodiment the source of UV-light is equipped with at least one UV-LED.
In another particular embodiment the controlling device is a controller or microcontroller.
In another particular embodiment the controlling device is activated by the control unit.
In another particular embodiment the control unit is a button or a switch.
In another particular embodiment WLS further comprising a wireless data transfer device connected to the controlling device.
In another particular embodiment the wireless data transfer device is selected from the group consisting of a Bluetooth device, a BLE device or a GSM device.
In another particular embodiment activation of the controlling device is performed by an external device via wireless connection.
In another particular embodiment the external device is selected from the group consisting of a smartphone, a tablet, a smart-watch or a smart-bracelet.
In another particular embodiment the controlling device provides multiple lighting modes of the source of UV-light.
In another particular embodiment the source of UV-light is installed in a water resistant and dust proof case.
In another particular embodiment WLS further comprising a motion sensor connected to the controlling device, wherein the motion sensor is activated when PMD is moving.
As a source of UV-light (104) there could be used ultraviolet light-emitting diodes (UV-LEDs). Their capability of emitting the lightwaves in the ultraviolet range offers the possibility of using a wide range of luminophores (phosphors) and results in a bright, colorful, fluorescent glowing of the wheel (102). The sources of UV-light could be narrow-aimed (focused) to backlight only a part of a wheel (102) because while the wheels (102) are spinning, the light energy distributes evenly within. The constant mode of backlighting of wheels (102) with the source of UV-light (104) is providing the long-term mode of backlight, depending on the capacity of a battery (105). A battery (105) could be designed as a rechargeable accumulator or power bank that could be mounted, for example, under the boot (100) or on a frame (101) or a body of PMD (10).
The activation of the controlling device (110) could be performed in several ways; for example, with the help of a control unit (112). The control unit (112) could be designed as a button or a switch mounted on a PMD (10). Another way for the activation of the controlling device (110) could be the usage of a motion sensor (113) which transmits the control signal for the activation of the sources of UV-light (104) when PMD (10) starts moving.
A PMD (10) could optionally have a wireless data transfer device (111) which task is to exchange data between the controlling device (110) and an external device (20) (
A multiple range of devices could be used as a wireless data transfer device (20). Among them: a smartphone, a tablet, a smart-watch, a smart-bracelet or any other existing or possible device which has an option of wireless data transfer for the controlling device (110) activation. The activation/deactivation could be implemented with the help of the special software, GUI (depending on a device).
As shown on
The controlling device (110) could be assembled in a single body with other components, for example with a wireless data transfer device (20). The control unit (112) could be placed on a boot, on a frame, on a handlebar, on a body of a PMD (10), etc.
The number of the sources of UV-light (104) may vary, depending on the type of the PMD (10). For example, in the design of a roller-skate with two wheels, one source of UV-light (104) could be used, mounted in such a way that both wheels (part of wheels) (102) are backlighted. If the design of PMD (10) represents a scooter, at least two sources of UV-light (104) should be mounted, providing the presence of one unit near each wheel (102) to ensure proper backlighting. If the design of PMD (10) represents a skateboard two or four Sources of UV-light (104) could be used.
The usage of backlighting of wheels (102) has an additional important effect: it provides the higher level of traffic security for the PMD user at night time. The wheels (102) are glowing constantly in contrast with common wheels with built-in generators which flash only while moving. That important effect increases PMD's user identification on the road and results in higher personal safety. The additional effect is the permanent illumination of the ground nearby the PMD.
While the present invention has been described with reference to a particular embodiment, it is not intended to illustrate or describe all of the equivalent forms or ways thereof. Also, the words and examples used are means of description rather than limitation, and various changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention disclosed herein. Since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021109504 | Apr 2021 | RU | national |
