LED illumination of a vehicle wheel rim using induction current

Abstract

The invention relates to a vehicle comprising a device for illuminating a wheel rim of the vehicle, the device comprising: an electrical coil (1) located on the vehicle and a lamp module which is located on the wheel rim and has: a conductor element (3); a storage device (5) for temporarily storing electrical energy provided by the conductor element (3); and a lamp (7). The device also comprises an optical waveguide (9) for emitting the light generated by the lamp (7) onto the wheel rim so that, if there is a change in the magnetic flux, an induction current is produced in the electrical conductor element (3) by induction, wherein, as required, the induction current and / or the electrical current from the electrical storage device (5) is provided for the lamp (7) for emitting light, and wherein the electrical storage device (5) can be recharged by means of the induction current from the conductor element (3).

Description

[0001] LED lighting of a vehicle rim with induction current

[0002] The invention relates to a vehicle with a device for illuminating a rim of the vehicle.

[0003] In the prior art, vehicle wheel covers with LED light guides for illuminating a rim of a vehicle are known.

[0004] DE 102018 008 176 A1 relates to a vehicle wheel cover that can be fastened in the area of ​​a rim well and / or to at least one support element, wherein at least one LED light guide is integrated into the vehicle wheel cover. According to DE 10 2018 008 176 A1, such a wheel cover can, in principle, be adapted to any commercially available rim without modifying the rim and without losing the general operating permit issued by the rim manufacturer. It is further proposed to equip the vehicle wheel cover with a dynamo, wherein the dynamo is preferably mechanically firmly connected to the vehicle wheel cover. In this document, the energy required for illumination is therefore preferably taken from the wheel torque, i.e., the energy required to illuminate the light guides is preferably that from the rotational movement of the wheel rim and is taken via the dynamo integrated into the vehicle wheel cover.This is particularly advantageous not only from an efficiency point of view, but also because it eliminates the need for external energy transfer to the wheel.

[0005] The object of the invention is to provide improved illumination of rims of a motor vehicle, in particular with an alternative energy supply to DE 10 2018 008 176 A1.

[0006] The invention results from the features of the independent claims. Advantageous further developments and refinements are the subject of the dependent claims. A first aspect of the invention relates to a vehicle with a device for illuminating a rim of the vehicle, wherein the device comprises: an electrical coil arranged on the vehicle, in particular on a suspension, in the region of a brake caliper, or in the wheel house of the vehicle, and a lighting module arranged on the rim with an electrical conductor element, an electrical storage device for temporarily storing electrical energy provided by the conductor element, and a lighting device for emitting light, and wherein the device further comprises an optical fiber arranged on the rim and connected to the lighting device in a light-conducting manner for guiding and emitting the light generated by the lighting device onto the rim.such that a change in the magnetic flux generated by the electrical coil on the vehicle at the electrical conductor element generates an induced current in the electrical conductor element, wherein, as required, the induced current and / or electrical current from the electrical storage is provided for the illuminant to emit light, and wherein the electrical storage can be recharged by means of the induced current from the conductor element.

[0007] An induced current is generated in the electrical conductor element when the magnetic flux in which the conductor element is located changes with respect to the electrical conductor element. This can occur in two ways: Firstly, the electrical coil generates a constantly changing field over time and thus a changing magnetic flux, so that even when the rim is stationary, the electrical conductor element is influenced by the changing magnetic flux and an induced current is generated in the electrical conductor element. However, this requires that a corresponding temporal current change is introduced in the electrical coil, for example, by applying alternating current to the electrical coil.

[0008] Alternatively, the electrical coil can be supplied with direct current, which leads to a constant field caused by the electrical coil, but requires a movement of the electrical conductor element of the lighting module arranged on the rim. This movement of the electrical conductor element naturally occurs when the rim rotates, i.e. when the vehicle is moving. In order to be able to generate an induced current at the electrical conductor element in this embodiment even when the vehicle is stationary, the lighting device advantageously has an electrical storage device which is charged while the vehicle is moving, i.e.when the rim rotates, so that when the vehicle is stationary, the electrical storage device can continue to supply the respective light source with electrical energy even when the electromagnetic field through the electrical coil is constant and there is therefore no induction current at the electrical conductor element on the rim, and thus the rim can be illuminated even when the vehicle is stationary.

[0009] The respective light sources of a rim, in particular LED modules, can be arranged on the front side of the rim, but also in the rear, non-visible area of ​​the rim.

[0010] The respective optical fibers, into which the lamps couple the light, can be attached to the front of the rim in various ways. A radial, star-shaped, or free-form contour can be illuminated this way. It is also possible for the lamps arranged on the lamp to indirectly illuminate the rear area of ​​the rim. The length of the respective optical fiber is a degree of freedom in the design and allows the light from the lamp to be directed to desired locations on the rim. The optical fiber can also be designed such that it emits the light onto the rim distributed at least over one longitudinal coordinate, for example to illuminate the rim evenly along a radius.

[0011] The lights are powered inductively. This power is supplied via an electrical coil installed on the suspension, near the brake caliper, or in the wheel housing, which supplies the rim-mounted lights with electrical current through induction.

[0012] Preferably, such a lighting module is arranged on each rim of the vehicle, along with a corresponding electrical coil for supplying the respective lighting module. If a temporal progression and / or a color of the light emitted by the respective optical fibers of a rim to illuminate the rim is deliberately controlled by a control unit, the control units of all rims are preferably synchronized so that the same light signal is emitted at each rim. If, however, this is not maintained, further design freedom arises, and the rims can be illuminated individually or in pairs, for example to communicate the intention of a turning maneuver or a lane change of the vehicle to surrounding traffic, or to represent the function of brake lights on the rims by, for example, illuminating the front rims differently than the rear rims, for example in a different color.This not only enhances the look of the rims, but also improves safety, as vehicles with illuminated rims are more visible in dark environments. This not only provides an aesthetic improvement for the vehicle but also contributes to greater road safety.

[0013] According to an advantageous embodiment, the illuminant is an LED illuminant with at least one light-emitting diode.

[0014] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the lighting module comprises an AC-DC converter.

[0015] The AC-DC converter is used in particular to convert the alternating current generated on the electrical conductor element into direct current for the lamp by induction, especially when the lamp is an LED lamp.

[0016] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the electrical storage of the lighting module comprises an electrical accumulator and / or an electrical capacitor.

[0017] According to a further advantageous embodiment, several optical fibers are provided on the surface of the rim.

[0018] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the luminous means has differently colored light sources, which are in particular connected to respective optical fibers.

[0019] This makes it possible to create illuminated rims for motor vehicles that are powered by an inductive power supply. In this embodiment, the rims are particularly equipped with LED lights that can illuminate in various colors, thus providing a visual highlight.

[0020] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the lighting module has a control unit, wherein the control unit is designed to determine portions of the electrical current supplied to the lighting means from electrical current of the electrical storage device and the electrical conductor element and to control them after the determination.

[0021] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the control unit is designed to determine a temporal profile of the light emitted by the illuminant, and in the case of several individual light sources per illuminant of the individual light sources, and to control the illuminant accordingly for generation.

[0022] In particular, the control unit can be used to choose between constant light and flashing light.

[0023] Accordingly, the control unit is also able to communicate certain vehicle states to the vehicle's surroundings by, for example, controlling the light source(s) to light up in different colors depending on the vehicle's condition. For example, tire pressure can be displayed in a color-dependent manner (e.g., red for low tire pressure and green for correct tire pressure). The color of the wheel rims can also be selected to match the interior ambience configuration, such as interior lighting. Other road users can also be shown whether the vehicle is in autonomous mode or is being controlled manually. Various scenarios are also possible, such as a startup animation, a coming home, or a leaving home scenario.

[0024] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the electrical conductor element and the electrical storage device are arranged in a common housing and the housing is fastened to the rim.

[0025] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the housing is arranged in the transition of a rim to a rim spoke.

[0026] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the control unit is designed to switch on the electrical storage device for supplying electrical energy to the lighting device when the vehicle is stationary and to switch it off when the vehicle is in motion.

[0027] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the control unit comprises a communication module that serves to communicate with an on-board computer of the vehicle in order to receive commands for controlling the illuminant with regard to the emission of light by the illuminant. According to a further advantageous embodiment, the communication module and / or the control unit are arranged in the common housing with the electrical storage device and the electrical conductor element.

[0028] Further advantages, features, and details will become apparent from the following description, which – where appropriate with reference to the drawings – describes at least one embodiment in detail. Identical, similar, and / or functionally equivalent parts are provided with the same reference numerals.

[0029] It shows:

[0030] Fig. 1: A vehicle with a device for illuminating a rim of the vehicle according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0031] The representations in the figure are schematic and not to scale.

[0032] Fig. 1 shows a section of a vehicle with, by way of example, one of four rims. The rim shown is illuminated by a device. Part of the device is an electrical coil 1, which is arranged fixedly to the body in the area of ​​a wheel arch of the vehicle. The electrical coil 1 is supplied with direct electrical current from a power supply of the vehicle and generates a constant electromagnetic field. A lighting module arranged on the respective spoke of the respective rim uses the energy provided by the electrical coil 1 to generate light by means of an LED lighting device 7. This lighting device 7 is arranged together with an electrical conductor element 3 and a control unit 11 in a common housing at the outer end of a respective wheel spoke of the rim.Additionally, an optical fiber 9 is connected to each light source 7 in a respective spoke housing for conducting and emitting the light generated by the light source 7. An electrical storage device 5, which is also arranged in the housing, serves to temporarily store electrical energy provided by the conductor element 3. When the rim rotates, the electrical conductor element 3 is moved by the electromagnetic field of the electrical coil 1, i.e., a change in the magnetic flux through the electrical conductor element 3 occurs. While such a change in the magnetic flux occurs, an induced current is generated in the electrical conductor element 3, which current serves, on the one hand, to supply the light source 7 with electrical energy, and, on the other hand, to charge the electrical storage device 5 if sufficient electrical energy is still available after the light source 7 has been supplied.The electrical storage device 5 is thus charged and can continue to supply the lighting device 7 with electrical energy, at least for a while, even when the vehicle is stationary, in which there is no rotation of the rim and thus no induced current is generated in the electrical conductor element 3, since there is no change in the magnetic flux through the conductor element 3 due to the lack of movement. The control unit 11 is also designed to control the respective lighting device 7 on a respective spoke of a rim, wherein the control units 11 of a respective rim can also communicate with one another in order to synchronize one another or deliberately control the lighting devices 7 in different colors, for example, so that different colors can be output for each rim or spoke, and thus vehicle states, special effects, or presentations can be displayed on the rim.

[0033] Although the invention has been illustrated and explained in detail by preferred embodiments, the invention is not limited by the disclosed examples, and other variations may be derived therefrom by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention. It is therefore clear that a multitude of variations exist. It is also clear that exemplary embodiments are truly only examples and should not be construed as limiting the scope, possible applications, or configuration of the invention in any way.Rather, the preceding description and the description of the figures enable the person skilled in the art to implement the exemplary embodiments in concrete terms. With knowledge of the disclosed inventive concept, the person skilled in the art can make various changes, for example, with regard to the function or arrangement of individual elements mentioned in an exemplary embodiment, without departing from the scope of protection defined by the claims and their legal equivalents, such as further explanations in the description. List of reference symbols.

[0034] I electric coil

[0035] 3 electrical conductor element

[0036] 5 electrical storage

[0037] 7 bulbs

[0038] 9 optical fibers

[0039] II Control unit

Claims

Patent claims 1. A vehicle with a device for illuminating a rim of the vehicle, the device comprising: an electrical coil (1) arranged on the vehicle, in particular on a suspension, in the area of a brake caliper, or in the wheel house of the vehicle, and a lighting module arranged on the rim, comprising an electrical conductor element (3), an electrical storage device (5) for temporarily storing electrical energy provided by the conductor element (3), and a lighting means (7) for emitting light, and the device further comprising an optical fiber (9) arranged on the rim and connected to the lighting means (7) in a light-conducting manner for guiding and emitting the light generated by the lighting means (7) onto the rim, such that a change in the magnetic flux generated by the electrical coil (1) on the vehicle at the electrical conductor element (3) generates an induced current in the electrical conductor element (3).wherein, as required, the induction current and / or electrical current from the electrical storage device (5) is provided for the illuminant (7) to emit light, and wherein the electrical storage device (5) can be recharged by means of the induction current from the electrical conductor element (3).

2. Vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the lighting means (7) is an LED lighting means with at least one light-emitting diode.

3. Vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the lighting module comprises an AC-DC converter.

4. Vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the illuminant (7) has differently colored light sources, which are in particular connected to respective optical fibers (9).

5. Vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the lighting module has a control unit (11), wherein the control unit (11) is designed to determine proportions of the electrical current supplied to the lighting means (7) from electrical current of the electrical storage device (5) and the electrical conductor element (3) and to control them after the determination.

6. Vehicle according to claim 5, wherein the control unit (11) is designed to determine a temporal profile of the light emitted by the illuminant (7), and in the case of several individual light sources per illuminant (7) of the individual light sources, and to control the illuminant (7) accordingly for generation.

7. Vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the electrical conductor element (3) and the electrical storage device (5) are arranged in a common housing and the housing is fastened to the rim.

8. Vehicle according to claim 7, wherein the housing is arranged in the transition of a rim to a rim spoke.

9. Vehicle according to one of claims 5 to 8, wherein the control unit (11) is designed to switch on the electrical storage device (5) for supplying electrical energy to the lighting means (7) when the vehicle is stationary and to switch it off when the vehicle is in motion.

10. Vehicle according to one of claims 5 to 9, wherein the control unit (11) has a communication module which serves to communicate with an on-board computer of the vehicle in order to receive commands for controlling the lighting means (7) with regard to the emission of light by the lighting means (7).

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