Tires and wheels of vehicles converting kinetic energy into electrical energy

Abstract

The present invention concerns a generator capturing the energy from rotation of a tire (19) of a vehicle. With the spinning of the tire (19), the tire (19) will be deformed along its radius. The deformation of the tire (19) will cause a linear motion along the radius of the tire (19). The idea is to use this linear radial motion in order to produce electricity by the generator. Magnetic field is created on both sides of the tire (19) by a mover of the generator. The mover comprises a magnetic metal (24) fixed on one or both sides of a wheel (13) and a magnetic rubber (21) fixed onto or integrated within one or both sides of the tire (19), the magnetic metal (24) being opposite to the side of the magnetic rubber (21). Between each of the two types of magnetics or magnetic parts there is a stator consisting of a coil (23) and a core (22) which crosses the magnetic field between the magnetic rubber (21) and the magnetic metal (24), thus inducing electric current in the coil (23) of the generator due to the linear radial motion caused by deformation along the radius of the tire (19) under spinning of the tire (19).

Description

[0001] Tires and wheels of vehicles converting kinetic energy into electrical energy

[0002] Background of the invention

[0003] Nowadays there are many challenges to climate. Many industries are planning to produce and use clean energy. Many vehicles have been manufactured to use electrical energy with zero emission. There are many energy losses, including electrical losses, connected with the motion of a vehicle. To make the vehicle more efficient with respect to energy consumption we have to capture these losses of energy and reuse them again. One of the major losses with the motion of the vehicles is tire and wheel rotation. There is a radial linear motion due to the spin of a tire and this motion can be used to capture the loss of energy due to the rotation of the tire.

[0004] Brief description of the inventive concept

[0005] The idea here is to capture the energy from the rotation of a tire for a vehicle. With the spinning of the tire, the tire will be deformed along its radius. The deformation of the tire will cause a linear motion along the radius of the tire. The idea is to use this linear radial motion in order to produce electricity. This invention concerns use of kinetic energy from the rotation of the tire and use of this energy in hydrogen and / or electric vehicles. The advantage of using the captured energy from the tires is to reduce the emissions and in addition it will be more economical. By integrating magnetic force, due to the electric generation, with the rubber of the tire, the efficiency of the tire rubber will be increased.

[0006] This is done by creating magnetic field on both sides of the tire and making it as a mover of a generator which includes also magnetic metal 24 fixed on both sides of the wheel and opposite to the side of the magnetic rubber 21 fixed on both sides of the tire (fig. 1 ). Between each of the two types of magnetics I magnetic parts there is a stator (constituted by a coil 23 and a core 22) which crosses the magnetic field between the magnetic rubber and the magnetic metal, and this induces electrical current in the coils 23 of the generator. By integrating the mover and the stator with the tire, we can get an electric generator producing electricity. This electricity can be transferred by wire(s) or by wireless charging (inductive charging) to a converter in the vehicle and then to a battery. The electrical system above consists of the stator and the mover. The stator can be fixed on the wheel by means of screws and isolated from the wheel by an isolation ring between the wheel and the stator. The stator consists of two parts (coil 23 and core 22 on fig. 1) fixed on each side of the wheel, and there could be one part fastened on the middle of the wheel between the two sides of the tire. Both parts of the stator, on each side of the tire, can be divided into e.g. four parts (i.e. four cores with coils) and the coils can be arranged around the cores (fig. 3C and fig. 3D). The stator parts of the generator will be fixed on the wheel and will be isolated from the wheel by isolation ring(s). The mover of this system consists of magnetic rubber and magnetic metal. The magnetic rubber can be integrated with or within the tire rubber side, or it can be an additional layer arranged on the internal rubber side of the tire. The magnetic metal parts of the mover will be as a ring fastened on the wheel by means of e.g. screws and isolated from the wheel by isolation ring(s). The magnetic metal parts of the mover (magnetic metal) will be fixed to be parallel to the stator.

[0007] With the tire spin I spinning, the radius of the tire on the ground is less than the radius on top of the tire due to the weight of the vehicle and due to bumps on the road. Due to this radius variation, the magnetic field between the magnetic rubber and the magnetic metal will cross the cores and the coils of the stator and this will produce electric current in the coils. The system above is designed such that the magnetic field between the magnetic rubber and the magnetic metal will be perpendicular to the coils of the stators. And when the magnetic field crosses the coils due to the linear radial motion a current will be induced in the coils and the current is perpendicular to the magnetic field.

[0008] Description of wire connection

[0009] Wires will be connected to the stator part of the generator. The wire from the stator will be connected to the rotational ring fixed on the flange by an isolation ring. In this invention the shaft is fixed and the flange is rotating. In other cases, the shaft can be rotating and the flange can be fixed. In our system components (carbon brushes 7, charging ring 6 and carbon brushes holder) can be modified to be suitable for this type of shaft and flange assembly. The wheel will be fastened on the flange. Through the carbon brushes fixed on the shaft the electricity will be transferred to the converter of the vehicle. The stator is a ring divided into e.g. four parts on each side of the wheel and the parts are isolated from each other by means of insulations and slots (fig. 3C and fig. 3D). An electronic control unit or units will be fixed or connected to both wires which are connected to the stator. The wires connected to the carbon brushes will transfer the electricity to the converter on the vehicle and then to the battery (for storing). The wires from the stator (coils 23) can be connected also to the induction unit 14, fastened on the wheel, which charges the induction unit 3 fixed on the shaft, then to the converter and then to the vehicle's battery.

[0010] Summary of the invention

[0011] A purpose or an aspect of the embodiments of the present invention concept is to provide electricity form tires of a vehicle and to capture waste energy from the tires. In this way the energy from the motion of the vehicle (and particularly of the tires), which is being lost, will be reduced and this rises the efficiency of the use of energy in both electrical vehicles and hydrogen engine vehicles.

[0012] According to another aspect of the invention, the present inventive concept is to design a system that operates to produce electricity from the tires when they are spinning with the motion of the vehicle. The tire comprises usually two side tire walls and one front tire wall, the two side tire walls each being on each side of the one front tire wall, and the one front tire wall being in contact with the road. The tire will be deforming due to the weight of the vehicle and bumps along the roads, and the air pressure in the tire will resist this deformation. This invention is to also integrate the resistance force caused by magnetic flux of the mover while crossing the stator of the generator with the air pressure of the tire. In this way the tire will produce electricity and the life of the tire will be extended compared to ordinary tires, and this resistance force can be considered as assistance to tire pressure. There are some tire companies that have developed tires without air (airless tires). Our inventive system for tire can be used with these developed tires either by integrating a magnetic rubber layer on one or two of the two side tire walls of the tire as explained above, or by an additional layer thereon (arranged on the inside of the tire). With our system the tires without air will be more efficient and will have longer live time.

[0013] The system mentioned above comprises: a shaft. In our system the shaft is fixed and the flange is the rotor. a current control unit. an induction unit fixed on the shaft. bearings. insulations fixed to the flange to isolate the charging rings. charging rings. carbon brushes. carbon brushes holders. a spring. wires. screws fixing the carbon brusher holder to the shaft. a flange. a wheel. an induction unit fixed on the wheel. a magnetic rubber layer fixed on both internal sides of the tire. a magnetic rubber integrated with both sides of the tire without air pressure. a special tire developed by tire companies and working without air. an insulation and slots between the cores. a tire. an isolation ring between the wheel and the core. a magnetic rubber integrated with both sides of the tire. generator cores. generator coils. a magnetic metal opposite to magnetic rubber. screws fixing the core to the wheel. screws fixing the magnetic metal to the wheel. an isolation ring between the magnetic metal and the wheel. a magnetic rubber layer fixed on both sides of the tire without air pressure. The main features of the present invention are given in the independent claim.

[0014] Additional features of the invention are given in the dependent claims.

[0015] Brief description of the drawings

[0016] These and other aspects and / or embodiments of the inventive concept according to the present invention are apparent from and will be further elucidated, by way of example(s), with reference to the following drawings, wherein:

[0017] Fig. 1 shows a total assembly of a tire system with a magnetic rubber integrated in the side tire walls, wire connections, carbon brushes and carbon brushes holders fixed on a shaft, a magnetic metal and a stator with cores and coils.

[0018] Fig. 2A shows a side view of the flange, the shaft, the wire connections, the carbon brushes, the carbon brushes holders, charging rings and bearings.

[0019] Fig. 2B shows a top view of the flange, the shaft, the wire connections, the carbon brushes, the carbon brushes holders, the charging rings and the bearings.

[0020] Fig. 2C, detail A, shows a detailed side view of the shaft, the flange, the wires, the carbon brushes, the carbon brushes holders and the charging rings.

[0021] Fig. 2D, detail B, shows a detailed top view of the shaft, the flange, the wires, the carbon brushes, the carbon brushes holders, the charging rings and a spring.

[0022] Fig. 3A shows the flange, the wheel, the stator (cores and coils), the magnetic metal, isolations, the wires and screws.

[0023] Fig. 3B, detail A, shows the stator (core and coil), the magnetic metal, an isolation ring to isolate the magnetic metal from the wheel, an isolation ring of the stator to the wheel and screws.

[0024] Fig. 3C shows a side view of the stator with the cores and the coils, the insulations and slots between the cores, the isolation ring between the stator and the wheel, the shaft, the flange and the wheel.

[0025] Fig. 3D shows the wire connection to the coils, an induction unit fixed on the shaft, an induction unit fixed on the wheel and connected with wires of the coils, the stator, the magnetic metal, the screws, the wheel, the flange and the shaft.

[0026] Fig. 4A shows a total assembly of the tire system with a magnetic rubber layer on both sides of the tire, the wire connection with the stator poles, the induction unit fixed on the shaft, the induction unit fixed on the wheel, the magnetic metal, the cores and the coils. Fig. 4B shows a special airless tire (a tire working without air) developed by tire companies.

[0027] Fig. 4C shows a total assembly of the airless tire (the tire without air). The system is with magnetic rubber integrated in the side tire walls, the wire connection with the stator poles, the induction unit fixed on the shaft, the induction unit fixed on the wheel, the magnetic metal, the cores and the coils.

[0028] Fig. 4D shows a total assembly of the airless tire (the tire without air). The system is with a magnetic rubber layer on the side tire walls, the wire connection, the carbon brushes and the carbon brushes holder fixed on the shaft, the magnetic metal, the cores and the coils.

[0029] Detailed description of the embodiments of the invention

[0030] For a more complete understanding of the concept and possible embodiments of the present invention and its advantages, an exemplary embodiment will be explained in detail below. By capturing waste energy in a tire and converting it into electricity the efficiency of a vehicle will be raised, and this will reduce the emission of carbon dioxide in the nature in general.

[0031] The present invention concerns a generator configured for converting kinetic energy from tires 19 and wheels 13 of a vehicle into electrical energy. As shown in fig. 1 the generator comprises: at least one mover consisting of: 1 ) at least one magnetic metal ring 24 firmly arranged or fixed perpendicular on a tire side 13a of the wheel 13 (wherein the tire side 13a is that side of the wheel 13 on which the tire 19 is mounted), and 2) at least one magnetic rubber 21 (on other figures given as: 15 (fig. 4A); 16 (fig. 4C); 28 (fig. 4D)) which is: i) arranged or laid onto one or each internal rubber side surface of the tire 19 (figures 4A and 4D), or ii) integrated within one or each internal rubber side surface of the tire 19 (see figures 1 and 4C), at least one stator consisting of at least one core 22 and at least one coil 23, the core 22 being firmly arranged or fixed on the tire side 13a of the wheel 13 (wherein the core 22 is being arranged in the same manner as the magnetic metal 24) and between the magnetic metal 24 and the magnetic rubber 21 ; 15; 16; 28 (the reference number depending on the figure). The coil 23 is wound around the core 22.

[0032] Said at least one stator consisting of said at least one core 22 with said at least one coil 23 crosses the magnetic field between said at least one magnetic rubber 21 ; 15; 16; 28 and said at least one magnetic metal 24, thus inducing electric current in the coil 23 due to the linear radial motion caused by deformation along the radius of the tire 19 under spinning of the tire 19.

[0033] Several wire connections 10 and connection means (two different types) are configured to transfer the induced electric current from the coil 23, through a flange 12 (by wire connections 10), through a shaft 1 of the vehicle (by other wire connections 10), and then to a converter arranged in the vehicle, and then further to a battery arranged in the vehicle for storing of the induced electric current therein. The wheel 13 is fixed on the flange 12, and the flange 12 is fixed on the shaft 1 of the vehicle. The shaft 1 connects also the wheel 13 to the vehicle's transmission system. Said wire connections 10 can be one or more insulated wires.

[0034] Wire connections 10 coming from the coil 23 and being arranged on the wheel 13 can be connected, at a suitable place or point on both the wheel 13 and the flange 12, to other wire connections 10 being arranged on the flange 12, fixed on the shaft 1 of the vehicle, by means of at least one suitable wire connector, i.e. one or more suitable wire connectors.

[0035] In a first embodiment of the invention, wire connections 10 connect the coil 23 to the connection means which are wired connection means (see figures 1 , 2A-2D, 3A and 4D). The wired connection means comprise at least one charging ring 6 arranged on the flange 12, at least one carbon brush 7, and at least one carbon brush holder 8 arranged on the shaft 1 . Said at least one carbon brush holder 8 is then connected to the converter and the battery in the vehicle by other wire connections 10. The wired connection means can further comprise a spring 9 (see figures 2B and particularly 2D) arranged between said at least one carbon brush holder 8 and said at least one carbon brush 7 thus pressing said at least one carbon brush 7 against said at least one charging ring 6. Said at least one charging ring 6 can be insulated from the flange 12 by an insulation 5. The insulation 5 can be an insulation ring 5. In a second embodiment of the invention, the connection means are configured to use induction phenomenon to transfer the electric energy induced in the coil 23 to the converter and the battery in the vehicle (see figures 3D, 4A and 4C). The connection means comprises: i) an induction unit 14 arranged on the wheel 13 and connected to the coil 23 by wire connections 10, and ii) an induction unit 3 arranged on the shaft 1 and connected to the converter and then to the vehicle's battery by other wire connections 10.

[0036] Furthermore, a current control 2 can be arranged between the coil 23 and the connection means, and wire connections 10 connect together the coil 23, the current control 2 and the connection means (see for example figures 1 and 2A).

[0037] The core 23 can be insulated from the wheel 13 by an isolation ring 20. Another isolation ring 27 can be arranged between the magnetic metal 24 and the wheel 13.

[0038] Said at least one stator can be divided into at least two parts, preferably into four parts (see fig. 3C), wherein the cores 23 can be insulated by means of insulations and slots 18 arranged between the cores 23.

[0039] As previously mentioned, the tire 19 can be an airless tire 17 (see figures 4B-4D).

[0040] The tire system in fig. 1 comprises two metal stators (coils 23 and cores 22) in both sides of the wheel 13. The stator of the generator consists of two parts, the cores 22 and the coils 23. The coils 23 are wound or turned around or about the cores 22. The stators in both sides of the wheel are connected by means of a wire 10. The two stators are divided into four parts (fig. 3C) insulated by means of insulations and slots 18. Depending on the design of the generator the stator parts can be less or more than four. The stators can be fixed on the wheel 13 by means of screws 25 and isolated from the wheel 13 by an isolation ring 20. The positive side of each of the stator’s coils 23 is connected by a wire connection 10 to the positive carbon brush 7, and the negative side of each of the stator’s coils 23 is connected with the negative carbon brush 7 by a wire connection 10. And from the carbon brushes 7 to the converter and to the battery of the vehicle. The same connection will be done with the induction units 14. The positive side of the wire 10 from the coils 23 will be connected with the positive side of the induction unit 14, and the same with the negative side of the wire 10 of the coils 23 and the negative side of the induction unit 14. The induction unit 14 on the wheel 13 will charge the induction unit 3 on the shaft 1. And then the induction unit 3 will be connected by wires to the converter and then to the battery of the vehicle. The stator is fixed on the wheel 13 by means of an isolation ring 20. Fig. 3D shows the wire connection between the stator’s coils 23.

[0041] With the spin I spinning of the tire, there will be a linear motion along the radius of the tire and this motion causes that the stators (coils 23 and cores 22) cross the permanent magnetic field between the marantic rubber (21 or 15 or 16 or 28) of the side tire walls and the magnetic metal 24 on each side of the wheel 13 where the magnetic metal 24 can be fixed on the wheel 13 by means of screws 26. The magnetic metal 24 can be isolated from the wheel 13 by means of an isolation ring 27. This motion induces electricity in the coil 23 of the stators. This system is designed such that the magnetic field between the magnetic rubber (21 or 15 or 16 or 28) and the magnetic metal 24 will be perpendicular to the coils 23 of the stators and so perpendicular to the current flow in the coils 23. This electricity moves through the wire coils 23 and to the wire 10 and so to the current control unit 2 and then to charging rings 6 and from the charging ring 6 to the carbon brushes 7 and through the wires 10 to a converter and a battery in the vehicle. Another possibility to transport the electricity from the tire system is by using induction phenomenon. And this by using an induction unit fixed 14 on the wheel 13 and an induction unit 3 fixed on the shaft 1 . The induction unit 14 fixed on the wheel 13 will be connected to both stator’s coils 23 as shown in fig. 3D), while the induction unit 3 fixed on the shaft 1 , as shown in fig. 3D, will be connected by means of a wire to the converter and the battery of the vehicle.

[0042] Further the concept invention comprises a flange 12, where the wheel 13 is fixed on the flange 12, and the flange 12 is fixed on the shaft 1 of the vehicle. A hole along the shaft 1 axes will be necessary where the wires 10 through this hole will be connected to the converter and the battery of the vehicle.

[0043] Fig. 2C and fig. 2D show in detail how the carbon brushes 7 are functioning. The wire 10 will be connected to the carbon brushes 7 and this wire 10 will be connected to the converter and the battery of the vehicle. These figures 2C and 2D also show a carbon brushes holder 8, a charging ring 6, an isolated ring 5 fixed to the flange and a ball bearing 4. Fig. 2D shows a spring 9 between the carbon brushes holder 8. The carbon brushes holder 8 is fixed on the shaft 1 by mean of screws 11 with sliding possibility. With this design, the spring 9 is able to press the carbon brushes holder 8 and the carbon brushes 7 against a charging ring 6 so that there will always be a contact between the carbon brushes 7 and the charging ring 6. The charging ring 6 will be fixed to the flange 12 by means of isolation 5 and isolated from the shaft 1 by air. The charging ring 6 will be connected by means of a wire 10 to the coils 23. The charging ring 6 will rotate with the flange 12. The carbon brushes holder 8 will be fixed to the shaft 1 and will be connected by wires 10 to transport electricity to the converter and the battery of the vehicle. The charging ring 6 is connected to the coils 23. The positive side of coil 23 is connected to the positive charging ring 6 and the negative side of coil 23 is connected to the negative charging ring 6. In this system, as shown in fig. 2C and fig. 2D, there are two carbon brushes 7 and two charging rings 6. There are many other possibilities and types of carbon brushes.

[0044] The resistance force caused due to the magnetic field crossing the stator part of the generator will be considered to be calculated with the tire pressure to reduce the energy loss and extend the tire live. It is possible to integrate the resistance force from the magnetic field with the tire without air.

[0045] Also, temperature rises of the tire sides (i.e. side tire walls) of the tire due to magnetic force will be considered.

[0046] The system components are designed symmetrically in order not to affect the balance of the wheel and tire.

[0047] Additional modifications, alterations and adaptations of the present invention will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following patent claims. Components given by reference numerals

[0048] 1 a shaft

[0049] 2 a current control unit

[0050] 3 an induction unit fixed on the shaft

[0051] 4 bearings

[0052] 5 isolations fixed to the flange to isolate the charging rings

[0053] 6 charging rings

[0054] 7 carbon brushes

[0055] 8 carbon brushes holders

[0056] 9 a spring

[0057] 10 wires

[0058] 11 screws fixing the carbon brusher holder to the shaft

[0059] 12 a flange

[0060] 13 a wheel

[0061] 13a a tire side of the wheel

[0062] 14 an induction unit fixed on the wheel

[0063] 15 a magnetic rubber layer fixed on both internal sides of the tire

[0064] 16 a magnetic rubber integrated with both sides of the tire without air pressure

[0065] 17 a special tire working without air and developed by tire companies

[0066] 18 an insulation and slots between the cores

[0067] 19 a tire

[0068] 20 an isolation ring between the wheel and the core

[0069] 21 a magnetic rubber integrated with both sides of the tire

[0070] 22 generator cores

[0071] 23 generator coils

[0072] 24 a magnetic metal opposite to the magnetic rubber

[0073] 25 screws fixing the core to the wheel

[0074] 26 screws fixing the magnetic metal to the wheel

[0075] 27 an isolation ring between the magnetic metal and the wheel

[0076] 28 a magnetic rubber layer fixed on both sides of the tire without air pressure

Claims

C L A I M S1 . A generator configured for converting kinetic energy from tires (19) and wheels (13) of a vehicle into electrical energy, the generator comprising: at least one mover consisting of at least one magnetic metal ring (24) firmly arranged or fixed perpendicular on a tire side (13a) of the wheel (13), and at least one magnetic rubber (21 ; 15; 16; 28) which is: i) arranged or laid onto one or each internal rubber side surface of the tire (19), or ii) integrated within one or each internal rubber side surface of the tire (19), at least one stator consisting of at least one core (22) and at least one coil (23), the core (22) being firmly arranged or fixed on the tire side (13a) of the wheel (13) and between the magnetic metal (24) and the magnetic rubber (21 ; 15; 16; 28), the coil (23) being wound around the core (22), wherein said at least one stator consisting of said at least one core (22) with said at least one coil (23) crosses the magnetic field between said at least one magnetic rubber (21 ; 15; 16; 28) and said at least one magnetic metal (24), thus inducing electric current in the coil (23) due to the linear radial motion caused by deformation along the radius of the tire (19) under spinning of the tire (19), wherein wire connections (10) and connection means are configured to transfer the induced electric current from the coil (23), through a flange (12), on which flange (12) the wheel (13) is fixed, and through a shaft (1 ) of the vehicle, on which shaft (1 ) the flange (12) is fixed and which shaft (1 ) connects the wheel (13) to the vehicle's transmission, and then to a converter arranged in the vehicle, and then to a battery arranged in the vehicle for storing of the induced electric current.

2. The generator according to claim 1 , wherein wire connections (10) connect the coil (23) to the connection means which are wired connection means comprising at least one charging ring (6) arranged on the flange (12), at least one carbon brush (7), and at least one carbon brush holder (8) arranged on the shaft (1), said at least one carbon brush holder (8) being connected to the converter and the battery in the vehicle by wire connections (10).

3. The generator according to claim 2, wherein the wired connection means further comprise a spring (9) arranged between said at least one carbon brush holder(8) and said at least one carbon brush (7) thus pressing said at least one carbon brush (7) against said at least one charging ring (6).

4. The generator according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein said at least one charging ring (6) is insulated from the flange (12) by an insulation (5) which can be an insulation ring.

5. The generator according to claim 1 , wherein the connection means are configured to use induction phenomenon to transfer the electric energy induced in the coil (23) to the converter and the battery in the vehicle, the connection means comprising: i) an induction unit (14) arranged on the wheel (13) and connected to the coil (23) by wire connections (10), and ii) an induction unit (3) arranged on the shaft (1) and connected to the converter and then to the vehicle's battery by wire connections (10).

6. The generator according to any one of claims 1 -5, wherein a current control (2) is arranged between the coil (23) and the connection means, and wire connections (10) connect together the coil (23), the current control (2) and the connection means.

7. The generator according to any one of claims 1 -6, wherein the core (23) is insulated from the wheel (13) by an isolation ring (20).

8. The generator according to any one of claims 1-7, wherein an isolation ring (27) is arranged between the magnetic metal (24) and the wheel (13).

9. The generator according to any one of claims 1 -8, wherein said at least one stator is divided into at least two parts, preferably into four parts, wherein the cores (23) are insulated by means of insulations and slots (18) arranged between the cores (23).

10. The generator according to any one of claims 1 -9, wherein the tire (19) is an airless tire (17).

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