Illuminable Lug Nut Assembly with Integrated LED and Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing illuminable lug nut solutions require removal of a cover to avoid damage during lug nut removal, altering lug nut dimensions and risking aesthetic damage, and lack integrated illumination that can be controlled remotely.
Innovation Solution
An illuminable lug nut assembly with a light-emitting diode (LED) subassembly integrated into the lug nut body, powered by a wristwatch-type battery, featuring a printed circuit board, light sensor, and motion sensor, allowing remote control and automatic lighting activation, and designed for engagement with conventional torque tools without damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a lug nut cover is attached to an existing conventional vehicle wheel lug nut to provide illumination, then illumination capability is improved, but the lug nut cover is susceptible to functional and aesthetic damage during lug nut removal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the illumination mechanism directly into the lug nut body by integrating an LED subassembly within the lug nut housing. This eliminates the separate cover structure that was vulnerable to damage, combining the lighting function with the structural lug nut component itself. The LED subassembly is secured within the housing using retaining features that prevent damage during tool engagement and removal operations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a lug nut cover is attached to provide illumination, then illumination is achieved, but the covering changes the lug nut dimensions requiring removal to expose the lug nut for proper tool engagement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the lug nut housing itself multi-functional by integrating both the structural lug nut features and the illumination mechanism into a single component. The housing maintains the external dimensions and engagement features of a standard lug nut, allowing universal compatibility with conventional tools while simultaneously providing illumination through the integrated LED subassembly. This eliminates the need for separate covers that altered dimensions.
3Reliability
If illumination is integrated into the lug nut body, then robust construction enabling tool engagement is achieved, but device complexity increases with additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the illumination system into discrete, modular components including the LED subassembly, battery, printed circuit board, and housing. This segmentation allows each component to be independently designed and positioned to minimize interference with tool engagement while maintaining illumination functionality. The modular structure reduces overall complexity compared to attempting to integrate all functions into a single monolithic component.
4Adaptability or versatility
If a light-emitting diode (LED) subassembly is integrated into the lug nut body with remote control capability, then selective illumination control is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a printed circuit board with control circuitry that enables the illumination system to operate autonomously with minimal external intervention. The system includes automatic activation based on ambient light sensing and remote control capability for selective illumination modes. This self-service approach reduces manufacturing complexity by integrating control functions into thelug nut itself rather than requiring separate external control systems.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables robust, remotely controllable, and aesthetically preserved illumination of lug nuts during vehicle operation, ensuring easy engagement with standard tools and automatic lighting adjustment based on ambient conditions or motion.
Implementation Method 1
a light-emitting diode (LED) subassembly integrated into the lug nut body
Implementation Method 2
powered by a wristwatch-type battery
Implementation Method 3
featuring a printed circuit board, light sensor, and motion sensor
Implementation Method 4
featuring a printed circuit board, light sensor, and motion sensor
Data Source
AI summary
A selectively-illuminable lug nut assembly includes a lug nut body portion and an illumination subassembly housed within a containment portion at an upper end of the lug nut body. The lug nut main body portion may have a multi-faceted exterior and a threaded aperture extending into a lower end for threading engagement with a threaded vehicle wheel stud. At an upper end, the lug nut body defines a containment portion for housing the illumination subassembly. The assembly may incorporate a light and/or motion sensor for automatically biasing the assembly between ON and OFF states. Furthermore, a printed circuit board having LEDs mounted thereon may be in communication with a remote control device enabling a user to selectively bias the assembly between the ON and OFF states.