Light emitting device for wheel trim cover
By integrating LED light strips, power supply devices, and controllers into the wheel covers, and utilizing the rotation of the wheel to generate electricity, combined with a rechargeable battery and a centrifugal trigger switch, the problem of traditional wheel covers not being able to actively emit light at night is solved, achieving a customized dynamic lighting effect and high visibility.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- SONINI (CHANGZHOU) AUTO PARTS CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2025-07-09
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-26
Smart Images
Figure CN224408796U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model belongs to the field of injection molding and assembly technology, and in particular relates to a light-emitting device for wheel covers. Background Technology
[0002] Currently, car wheel covers mainly consist of wheel covers, badges, and metal clips, and their decorative effect is highly dependent on ambient light. At night or in low-light conditions, traditional wheel covers cannot actively emit light, resulting in a significant reduction in the vehicle's side visibility and failing to convey the brand's design language.
[0003] In related technologies, attempts have been made to improve visibility through reflective coatings, but the effect is passive and cannot achieve dynamic light emission or personalized display.
[0004] Therefore, there is a need to design a light-emitting device for wheel covers that can customize the type of light emission.
[0005] It should be noted that the information disclosed in this background section is only for understanding the background technology of this application concept, and therefore, the above description is not considered to constitute information related to the technology. Utility Model Content
[0006] This disclosure provides at least one light-emitting device for wheel covers.
[0007] In a first aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a light-emitting device for a wheel cover, comprising:
[0008] The wheel cover has a positioning groove on its outer side for fixing LED light strips;
[0009] The power supply device is located inside the wheel cover;
[0010] The controller, located inside the wheel cover, is configured to be electrically connected to the power supply and LED light strip to send control signals for the LED illumination type.
[0011] In one alternative embodiment, the power supply device is located at the inner axle of the wheel cover and is a miniature DC generator that generates electricity when the wheel rotates.
[0012] In one alternative implementation, the power supply device includes an electric slip ring connected to the vehicle's electrical system to obtain direct current.
[0013] In one alternative embodiment, the slip ring is connected to the electrical interface at the end of the axle via a waterproof sealed bearing.
[0014] In one optional implementation, the controller further includes a rechargeable battery and a battery control module for maintaining the operation of the LED light strip when the power supply is interrupted.
[0015] In one alternative implementation, the micro DC generator includes a centrifugal trigger switch.
[0016] One end of the centrifugal trigger switch is electrically connected to the power output terminal of the micro DC generator;
[0017] The other end of the centrifugal trigger switch is electrically connected to the power output terminal of the rechargeable battery;
[0018] The common terminal of the centrifugal trigger switch is linearly connected to the power supply terminal of the LED light strip;
[0019] When the vehicle speed is below or above the threshold, the centrifugal trigger switch switches the corresponding power supply terminal to power the vehicle with either a rechargeable battery or a micro DC generator.
[0020] In one alternative embodiment, the inner side of the wheel cover is provided with a plurality of mounting positions;
[0021] One assembly station is used to assemble the controller, and at least one of the remaining stations is used to assemble the counterweight.
[0022] In one alternative embodiment, the positioning grooves are arranged in a U-shape / ring shape;
[0023] The LED light strip is embedded in the positioning groove and is led to the controller via a wire.
[0024] In one alternative implementation, the controller includes:
[0025] processor;
[0026] The wireless module is electrically connected to the input of the processor module;
[0027] The LED driver circuit is electrically connected to the output terminal of the processor module;
[0028] The processor module is configured to: obtain the light emission type instruction received by the wireless module, and send the LED light emission type control signal to the LED light strip through the LED driver circuit.
[0029] The beneficial effects of this utility model are that it provides a light-emitting device for wheel covers. By setting LED light strips on the outer side of the wheel cover and setting a power supply device and controller on the inner side, it greatly improves the appearance visibility of the wheel cover in low-light and no-light environments, thereby increasing the vehicle's side passive safety under these conditions. The cooperation between the power supply device and the controller allows for customization of the light emission type of the wheel cover. Other features and advantages of this utility model will be set forth in the following description and will be apparent in part from the description, or may be learned by practicing the utility model. The objects and other advantages of this utility model are realized and obtained through the structures particularly pointed out in the description and drawings.
[0030] To make the above-mentioned objectives, features and advantages of this utility model more apparent and understandable, preferred embodiments are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description
[0031] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the specific embodiments or related technologies of this utility model, the drawings used in the description of the specific embodiments or related technologies will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained from these drawings without creative effort.
[0032] Figure 1 A perspective view of the outer side of the wheel cover provided in an embodiment of this disclosure;
[0033] Figure 2 This is a perspective view of the inner side of the wheel cover provided in an embodiment of this disclosure.
[0034] In the picture:
[0035] 1. Wheel cover; 10. Positioning groove;
[0036] 2. LED light strips;
[0037] 3. Power supply device;
[0038] 4. Controller; 5. Counterweight. Detailed Implementation
[0039] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this utility model clearer, the technical solutions of this utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this utility model, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of this utility model.
[0040] In this document, when it is mentioned that a first component is located on a second component, this can mean that the first component can be directly formed on the second component, or that a third component can be inserted between the first and second components. Furthermore, in the accompanying drawings, the thickness of the components may be exaggerated or reduced for the purpose of effectively describing the technical content.
[0041] In this document, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. As used herein, expressions such as “at least one of…” modify the entire list of elements when following a list of elements, rather than individual elements in the list. For example, the expression “at least one of a, b, and c” should be understood to include only a, only b, only c, both a and b, both a and c, both b and c, or all of a, b, and c.
[0042] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing specific exemplary configurations only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular articles “a,” “an,” and “the” may also be intended to include plural forms unless otherwise clearly stated herein. The terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” are inclusive and thus specify the presence of features, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or combinations thereof. The method steps, processes, and operations described herein should not be construed as requiring them to be performed in the specific order discussed or shown, unless specifically identified as such. Additional or alternative steps may be employed.
[0043] As used herein, the phrases “in one embodiment,” “according to one embodiment,” “in some embodiments,” etc., generally refer to the fact that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic following the phrase can be included in at least one embodiment of this disclosure. Therefore, a particular feature, structure, or characteristic can be included in more than one embodiment of this disclosure, such that these phrases do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. As used herein, the terms “example,” “exemplary,” etc., are used to “serve as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any implementation, aspect, or design described herein as “example” or “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or superior to other implementations, aspects, or designs. Rather, the use of the terms “example,” “exemplary,” etc., is intended to present concepts in a specific manner.
[0044] Research has revealed that current automotive wheel covers, primarily composed of wheel covers, badges, and metal clips, are highly dependent on ambient light for their decorative effect. In nighttime or low-light conditions, traditional wheel covers cannot actively emit light, significantly reducing the vehicle's side profile visibility. This not only fails to convey the brand's design language but also weakens the vehicle's passive safety.
[0045] Previous attempts to improve visibility using reflective coatings have yielded passive and limited results, failing to achieve dynamic illumination or personalized displays. The fundamental problem lies in the difficulty of maintaining a stable power supply to the rotating wheel hub environment, and the complex mechanical structure affecting the wheel's dynamic balance.
[0046] Therefore, there is an urgent need for a wheel cover structure that integrates reliable power supply and dynamic lighting functions.
[0047] The defects in the above solutions and the reasons for their occurrence are the results of the inventors' practice and careful research. Therefore, the discovery process of the above problems and the solutions proposed in this disclosure should be considered as the inventors' contributions to this disclosure.
[0048] It should be noted that similar labels and letters in the following figures indicate similar items. Therefore, once an item is defined in one figure, it does not need to be further defined and explained in subsequent figures.
[0049] The following detailed description, with reference to the accompanying drawings, describes some embodiments of the present invention. Unless otherwise specified, the following embodiments and features can be combined with each other.
[0050] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, at least one embodiment provides a light-emitting device for a wheel cover, comprising:
[0051] The wheel cover 1 is injection molded from one of the following materials: ABS-PC, PA66-MD15, or PPE-PA. A 3mm deep positioning groove 10 is formed on its outer surface. The outer surface also has a positioning groove 10 for fixing an LED light strip 2. The LED light strip 2 is a COB light source strip with an IP67 protection rating, embedded in the positioning groove 10 through a silicone potting process. The light strips can be arranged in the shape of a brand logo to dynamically display brand information.
[0052] The power supply device 3, located at the inner axle of the wheel cover 1, is a miniature DC generator that generates electricity using the rotation of the wheel. The miniature DC generator includes a centrifugal trigger switch that automatically switches to battery power when the vehicle speed is below a threshold. One end of the centrifugal trigger switch is electrically connected to the power output terminal of the miniature DC generator; the other end is electrically connected to the power output terminal of the rechargeable battery; the common terminal of the centrifugal trigger switch is linearly connected to the power supply terminal of the LED light strip 2. When the vehicle speed is below or above the threshold, the centrifugal trigger switch switches the corresponding power supply terminal to either the rechargeable battery or the miniature DC generator. The miniature DC generator can achieve a self-generating mode. The generator has a built-in centrifugal switch that automatically switches to lithium battery power from the controller 4 when the vehicle speed is <5 km / h, ensuring that the lowest brightness mode is maintained when the vehicle is parked. The controller 4, located inside the wheel cover 1, is configured to be electrically connected to the power supply device 3 and the LED light strip 2 to send control signals for the LED light emission type. By installing LED light strips 2 on the outer side of the wheel cover 1 and power supply device 3 and controller 4 on the inner side, the appearance visibility of the wheel cover in low-light and no-light environments is greatly improved, increasing the vehicle's side passive safety under these conditions. The cooperation between power supply device 3 and controller 4 enables the customization of the wheel cover's illumination type.
[0053] The inner side of the wheel cover 1 has several mounting positions; one mounting position is used to mount the controller 4, and at least one other mounting position is used to mount the counterweight 5. The position of the counterweight 5 is adjustable to compensate for dynamic balance deviations caused by asymmetrically distributed electronic components. The counterweight 5 is made of tungsten alloy and is calibrated using a laser dynamic balancing tester.
[0054] The controller 4 has a built-in rechargeable battery and battery control module to maintain the operation of the LED light strip when the power supply is interrupted. The controller 4 supports wireless remote control of brightness, color, and dynamic effects. The controller 4 has a built-in main control chip and receives signals from mobile phones or vehicle terminals via Bluetooth 5.0 module to control the LED light strip 2 to be constantly lit in single color, flashing synchronously with the turn signals, or changing RGB gradient.
[0055] The controller 4 includes: a processor; a wireless module, which is a Bluetooth module and is electrically connected to the input terminal of the processor module; and an LED driving circuit, which is electrically connected to the output terminal of the processor module. The processor module is configured to: obtain the light emission type instruction received by the wireless module and send the LED light emission type control signal to the LED light strip 2 through the LED driving circuit.
[0056] Reference Appendix Figure 2In this embodiment, an external power supply mode is also provided. The power supply device 3 is an electric slip ring, which is connected to the vehicle's electrical system to obtain DC power. The electric slip ring is connected to the electrical interface at the end of the axle through a waterproof sealed bearing. The electric slip ring is coupled to the connector at the end of the axle through an O-ring fluororubber seal, directly drawing power from the vehicle's 12V system, thereby ensuring the stability of the power supply to the LED light strip 2.
[0057] Reference Appendix Figure 1 The positioning groove 10 is arranged in a U-shape, ring shape or brand logo shape, and the LED light strip 2 is embedded in the positioning groove 10 and led to the controller 4 through a wire.
[0058] In the description of the embodiments of this utility model, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "linking" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model based on the specific circumstances.
[0059] In the description of this utility model, it should be noted that the terms "center," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicating orientation or positional relationships, are based on the orientation or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings and are only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this utility model. Furthermore, terms such as "first," "second," and other numerical terms used herein do not imply order or sequence unless expressly indicated herein. Therefore, without departing from the teachings of the exemplary embodiments, the first element, component, region, layer, or segment discussed above may be referred to as the second element, component, region, layer, or segment.
[0060] Based on the above-described preferred embodiments of this utility model, and through the foregoing description, those skilled in the art can make various changes and modifications without departing from the technical concept of this utility model. The technical scope of this utility model is not limited to the contents of the specification, but must be determined according to the scope of the claims.
Claims
1. A light-emitting device for a wheel cover, characterized in that, include: The wheel cover (1) has a positioning groove (10) on its outer side for fixing the LED light strip (2); Power supply device (3), which is located inside the wheel cover (1); The controller (4), which is located inside the wheel cover (1), is configured to be electrically connected to the power supply (3) and the LED light strip (2) to send control signals for the LED light emission type.
2. The light-emitting device for wheel covers as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The power supply device (3) is located at the inner axis of the wheel cover (1), and it is a miniature DC generator that generates electricity when the wheel rotates.
3. The light-emitting device for wheel covers as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The power supply device (3) includes an electric slip ring, which is connected to the vehicle's electrical system to obtain direct current.
4. The light-emitting device for wheel covers as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The slip ring is connected to the electrical interface at the end of the axle via a waterproof sealed bearing.
5. The light-emitting device for wheel covers as described in claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, The controller (4) also includes a rechargeable battery and a battery control module for maintaining the operation of the LED light strip when the power supply is interrupted.
6. The light-emitting device for wheel covers as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The miniature DC generator includes a centrifugal trigger switch. One end of the centrifugal trigger switch is electrically connected to the power output terminal of the micro DC generator; The other end of the centrifugal trigger switch is electrically connected to the power output terminal of the rechargeable battery; The common terminal of the centrifugal trigger switch is linearly connected to the power supply terminal of the LED light strip (2); When the vehicle speed is below or above the threshold, the centrifugal trigger switch switches the corresponding power supply terminal to power the vehicle with either a rechargeable battery or a micro DC generator.
7. The light-emitting device for wheel covers as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The inner side of the wheel cover (1) is provided with several mounting positions; One assembly station is used to assemble the controller (4), and at least one of the remaining stations is used to assemble the counterweight (5).
8. The light-emitting device for wheel covers as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The positioning grooves (10) are arranged in a U-shape / ring shape; The LED light strip (2) is embedded in the positioning groove (10) and is led to the controller (4) by a wire.
9. The light-emitting device for a wheel cover as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The controller (4) includes: processor; The wireless module is electrically connected to the input of the processor module; The LED driver circuit is electrically connected to the output terminal of the processor module; The processor module is configured to: obtain the light emission type instruction received by the wireless module, and send the LED light emission type control signal to the LED light strip (2) through the LED driver circuit.