spoke

Abstract

This invention provides spokes that can be applied to bicycle wheelsets to improve nighttime visibility and safety during use. [Solution] The device comprises a substrate 1 and at least one glass fiber 2. The substrate defines an axial direction and a radial direction, and the substrate contains a mixed translucent resin 13 and a plurality of phosphorescent materials 14, so that light rays can be transmitted in any direction within the resin, and the plurality of phosphorescent materials can absorb and store light energy and emit light rays when the ambient brightness decreases. At least one glass fiber is a translucent continuous long fiber, and at least one glass fiber is embedded in the substrate so as to extend along the axial direction, so that light rays can pass through at least one glass fiber along the radial direction, and light rays can also be transmitted axially along at least one glass fiber.

Description

[[Technical Field]]

[0001] The present invention relates to bicycles, and particularly to spokes. [[Background Art]]

[0002] Spokes are connected between a hub and a rim to support the rim, disperse the acting forces of tension, impact and vibration received during riding, and enable the front and rear wheels to maintain appropriate structural strength and roundness. In general, in addition to having sufficient tensile strength to meet the usage requirements of various bicycle products, spokes are also required to meet requirements in terms of weight, weather resistance, ease of assembly and appearance design.

[0003] However, most conventional spokes are made of metal wire or a single material, their functions are mainly concentrated on structural support, and few of them have other additional functions. Therefore, it is difficult to further improve the distinguishability, design diversity and use safety of a bicycle wheel set without adding additional components or assembly processes.

[0004] Therefore, in order to solve the above problem, it is necessary to provide a novel and inventive spoke. [[Summary of the Invention]] [[Problem to be Solved by the Invention]]

[0005] The main objective of the present invention is to provide a spoke that has both structural support performance, a light guiding function and a light storing function through the combination of a translucent resin, at least one glass fiber and a light storing material, so that when applied to a bicycle wheel set, the spoke can improve nighttime visibility and use safety. [[Means for Solving the Problem]]

[0006] To achieve the above objective, the present invention provides a spoke comprising: a substrate comprising a translucent resin and a plurality of phosphorescent materials, wherein the substrate comprises a translucent resin and a plurality of phosphorescent materials, wherein light rays can be transmitted in any direction within the resin, and the plurality of phosphorescent materials can absorb and store light energy and emit light rays when the ambient brightness decreases; and at least one glass fiber, which is a translucent continuous long fiber, embedded in the substrate so as to extend along the axial direction, wherein light rays can be transmitted through the at least one glass fiber along the radial direction, and light rays can also be transmitted along the at least one glass fiber in the axial direction. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of a spoke according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a schematic diagram of a cross-section of a spoke according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] This is a schematic diagram of a partial longitudinal section of a spoke according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] This is a schematic diagram of the light ray path in radial irradiation according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] This is a schematic diagram of the light ray path in axial irradiation according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] This is a schematic diagram of the light ray path in the emission of light from a phosphorescent material according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] Possible embodiments of the present invention will be described below by examples, but this does not limit the scope of protection sought by the present invention. The terms “one” or “at least one” preceding nouns in this specification are not limiting in number and may be replaced with “multiple” as needed, and such changes in quantity are also included within the scope of protection.

[0009] Referring to Figures 1 to 6, an embodiment of the present invention is shown, in which the spoke of the present invention comprises a base body 1 and at least one glass fiber 2.

[0010] The substrate 1 defines an axial direction 11 and a radial direction 12, and the substrate 1 comprises a mixed translucent resin 13 and a plurality of phosphorescent materials 14, wherein light rays can be transmitted in any direction within the resin 13, and the plurality of phosphorescent materials 14 can absorb and store light energy and emit light rays when the ambient brightness decreases. The at least one glass fiber 2 is a translucent continuous long fiber, and the at least one glass fiber 2 is embedded in the substrate 1 so as to extend along the axial direction 11, and light rays can be transmitted through the at least one glass fiber 2 along the radial direction 12, and light rays can also be transmitted along the at least one glass fiber 2 along the axial direction 11.

[0011] The combination of the translucent resin 13, the at least one glass fiber 2, and the multiple phosphorescent materials 14 allows the spoke to combine structural support, light-guiding function, and phosphorescent function, thereby improving nighttime visibility and safety when applied to bicycle wheelsets. Specifically, external light rays can enter the substrate 1 and the at least one glass fiber 2 along the radial direction 12 and be transmitted to different locations on the spoke along the axial direction 11, thereby improving the range of light energy absorption, phosphorescence efficiency, and overall luminescence uniformity. Furthermore, the at least one glass fiber 2, being a continuous long fiber, can also reinforce the tensile strength and structural toughness of the substrate 1, so the spoke combines a luminous warning effect with sufficient mechanical strength.

[0012] Preferably, the at least one glass fiber 2 is a plurality of fibers, and the plurality of glass fibers 2 are arranged in a bundle and embedded in the substrate 1, thereby increasing the light guide path and reinforcement area, making it easier for light rays to diffuse and transmit within the substrate 1, and improving the tensile strength of the spoke along the axial direction 11 and the overall structural stability.

[0013] Based on the total weight of the spoke, the weight percentage of the multiple glass fibers 2 is between 20% and 80%, the weight percentage of the resin 13 is between 20% and 80%, and the weight percentage of the multiple phosphorescent materials 14 is between 1% and 30%. This allows for a balance between structural strength, moldability, and phosphorescent luminescence. The multiple glass fibers 2 constitute a sufficient proportion to enhance the overall structural strength, while the resin 13 is sufficient to bond and mold the dissimilar materials. Furthermore, a sufficient proportion of the multiple phosphorescent materials 14 allows for a better luminescence effect at night. In this embodiment, the sum of the weight percentages of the at least one glass fiber 2, the resin 13, and the multiple phosphorescent materials 14 is 100%, which clearly defines the proportion of the main components of the spoke, clarifies the relationship between the mixing ratios of each material, and helps control the consistency of manufacturing quality, material costs, and the performance of the finished product.

[0014] Preferably, the transmittance of each glass fiber 2 is between 85% and 90%, and a higher transmittance reduces the loss of light rays as they travel through each glass fiber 2, allowing the light rays to be transmitted more efficiently along the axial direction 11, thereby improving the light guiding effect and light emission uniformity of the entire spoke.

[0015] In another preferred embodiment, the transmittance of the resin 13 is between 70% and 90%, and similarly, a higher transmittance reduces the loss of light when light rays are transmitted, making it easier for light rays from the outside to enter the substrate 1 and be absorbed or accumulated by the multiple phosphorescent materials 14, and also making it easier for the light rays emitted by the multiple phosphorescent materials 14 to escape to the outside.

[0016] In this embodiment, the transmittance of the resin 13 is different from the transmittance of each glass fiber 2. Specifically, when the transmittance of each glass fiber 2 is higher than that of the resin 13, each glass fiber 2 becomes the main light guide path, and light rays are more easily transmitted along the axial direction 11, while the resin 13 functions as a medium for the entry, exit, and diffusion of light rays, thereby achieving a balance between the light guide distance and the overall light-emitting area. In this case, the low transmittance of the resin 13 results in a softer, more eye-friendly light-emitting effect. On the other hand, when the transmittance of the resin 13 is higher than that of each glass fiber 2, light rays are more easily transmitted within the entire substrate 1 and radiated to the outside, thereby improving the overall brightness. Of course, the transmittance of each glass fiber 2 can be made to approximate the transmittance of the resin 13, in which case a portion of the light rays will be transmitted along each glass fiber 2 in the axial direction 11, and the other portion of the light rays will be diffused and emitted light through the resin 13 and the plurality of phosphorescent materials 14, thereby allowing the spoke to simultaneously possess both an axial light-guiding effect 11 and a three-dimensional planar luminescence effect. Different visual effects can be produced by changing the transmittance of the resin 13 and the transmittance of each glass fiber 2, which the manufacturer can then distribute according to different usage conditions.

[0017] Furthermore, the afterglow luminescence one minute after the multiple phosphorescent materials 14 have emitted light is at least 400 mcd / m2, which ensures that the spokes remain clearly visible after a decrease in ambient light, thereby improving the visibility and warning effect of the bicycle at night or in dark environments.

[0018] Preferably, the sustained luminescence time of the multiple phosphorescent materials 14 is at least 12 hours, which allows the spokes to remain visible for a long period of time at night, reduces the problem of loss of warning effect due to insufficient luminescence time, and thereby improves safety during long-distance driving or parking.

[0019] More specifically, the base body 1 comprises a flat portion 15 and two cylindrical portions 16, the flat portion 15 is connected between the two cylindrical portions 16, and the two cylindrical portions 16 are for assembling two joints 3. The flat portion 15 can increase the visible area and the luminous display area of the spoke, making the luminous effect easier to observe. The two cylindrical portions 16 facilitate assembling with the two joints 3, allow the spoke to be stably attached to the wheel set, and achieve both ease of assembly and visual warning effect.

[0020] More specifically, the thickness of the flat portion 15 is between 0.3 mm and 5 mm, and the width of the flat portion 15 is between 2 mm and 10 mm. By limiting the ranges of the thickness and width of the flat portion 15, while enabling the flat portion 15 to have sufficient luminous area and structural strength, increases in air resistance, weight or assembly interference caused by an excessively large dimension can be avoided, and a reduction in nighttime identification effect caused by an excessively small dimension can be avoided. Similarly, by limiting the diameter of each cylindrical portion 16 to between 1 mm and 5 mm, the cylindrical portion 16 can be enabled to have sufficient structural strength to withstand the acting forces of assembling and pulling, and stable assembling with the two joints 3 can be facilitated. In addition, an increase in weight or assembly interference caused by an excessively large diameter of the cylindrical portion 16 can be avoided, and reductions in connection strength and use reliability caused by an excessively small diameter can be avoided. [Description of Reference Numerals]

[0021] 1 Base body 11 Axial direction 12 Radial direction 13 Resin 14 Phosphorescent material 15 Flat portion 16 Cylindrical portion 2 Glass fiber 3 Joint

Claims

1. It is a spoke, A substrate comprising a translucent resin mixed with defined axial and radial directions, and a plurality of phosphorescent materials, wherein light rays can be transmitted in any direction within the resin, and the plurality of phosphorescent materials are A substrate that absorbs and stores light energy and can emit light rays when the ambient brightness decreases, A spoke comprising at least one glass fiber, which is a translucent continuous long fiber, embedded in the substrate so as to extend along the axial direction, wherein light rays can pass through the at least one glass fiber in the radial direction, and light rays can also be transmitted along the at least one glass fiber in the axial direction.

2. The spoke according to claim 1, wherein the transmittance of at least one glass fiber is between 85% and 90%.

3. The spoke according to claim 1, wherein the transmittance of the resin is between 70% and 90%.

4. The spoke according to claim 1, wherein the base includes a flattened portion and two cylindrical portions, the flattened portion being connected between the two cylindrical portions, and the two cylindrical portions being assembled with two joints.

5. The spoke according to claim 4, wherein the diameter of each of the cylindrical portions is between 1 mm and 5 mm.

6. The spoke according to claim 4, wherein the thickness of the flattened portion is between 0.3 mm and 5 mm, and the width of the flattened portion is between 2 mm and 10 mm.

7. The spoke according to claim 1, wherein the at least one glass fiber is a plurality of glass fibers, and the plurality of glass fibers are arranged in a bundle and embedded in the substrate.

8. The spoke according to claim 1, wherein, based on the total weight of the spoke, the weight percentage of at least one glass fiber is between 20% and 80%, the weight percentage of the resin is between 20% and 80%, and the weight percentage of the plurality of phosphorescent materials is between 1% and 30%.

9. The spoke according to claim 1, wherein the afterglow luminescence one minute after the multiple phosphorescent materials have emitted light is at least 400 mcd / m2 or more.

10. The transmittance of at least one glass fiber is between 85% and 90%, the transmittance of the resin is between 70% and 90%, the thickness of the flattened portion is between 0.3 mm and 5 mm, and the width of the flattened portion is between 2 mm and 10 mm. The aforementioned at least one glass fiber is a plurality of glass fibers, and the plurality of glass fibers are arranged in a bundle and embedded in the substrate. Based on the total weight of the spokes, the weight percentage of the multiple glass fibers is between 20% and 80%, the weight percentage of the resin is between 20% and 80%, and the weight percentage of the multiple phosphorescent materials is between 1% and 30%. The spoke according to claim 5, wherein the sum of the three weight percentages of the multiple glass fibers, the resin, and the multiple phosphorescent materials is 100%, the sustained luminescence time of the multiple phosphorescent materials is at least 12 hours, and the transmittance of the resin is different from the transmittance of each of the glass fibers.

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