Rotating Wheel Display Using Persistence of Vision
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rotating wheel display technologies face challenges such as high wheel rotation rates, complex and costly electromechanical designs, limited display size and complexity, and impractical installation and configuration due to the use of multiple individual light arrays, which increase weight, cost, and the likelihood of hardware failure.
Innovation Solution
A light display apparatus comprising a set of elongated light arrays with mechanical and electrical connections forming a single rigid assembly, sharing an electrically conductive pathway for power and data, and equipped with a microprocessor for image generation using persistence of vision, allowing for easy installation and durable, reliable displays on rotating wheels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple individual light arrays are used, then the display size and complexity can be increased, but the device complexity, weight, and likelihood of hardware failure increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple light arrays into a single integrated circuit board assembly where LED elements are arranged in multiple columns and rows on one board. This merging approach achieves large display capacity and complexity while reducing device complexity by eliminating the need for multiple separate arrays, their individual mounting hardware, and multiple electrical connections. The single integrated assembly reduces weight and potential failure points compared to multiple discrete arrays.
2Area of stationary object
If multiple individual light arrays are used, then the display area can be expanded, but the installation and configuration difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple light arrays into a single circuit board assembly that functions as one unified unit. This assembly is mounted to the wheel as a single component rather than requiring installation of multiple separate arrays. The integrated design simplifies configuration since all LED elements are pre-wired and configured on the single board, eliminating the need for complex field wiring and configuration of multiple independent arrays.
3Reliability
If high rotation rates are used, then the display quality can be improved, but the reliability and user convenience decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a sensor to detect wheel rotation speed and a microprocessor that dynamically adjusts the LED activation timing based on the detected rotation rate. This dynamic adaptation allows the display to maintain high quality images across a range of rotation speeds by adjusting the pulse width and timing of LED activation. The system automatically compensates for slower rotation rates, eliminating the requirement for users to maintain high rotation speeds for acceptable display quality.
4Stability of the object's composition
If a complex electromechanical device with motor is used, then uniform rotation can be achieved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the motor component from the display system, relying instead on the natural rotation of the wheel on which the display is mounted. The display apparatus is designed to be passive regarding rotation generation, mounting to the wheel or fork of a bicycle or vehicle. This extraction of the motor eliminates complex electromechanical components while still achieving the desired display effect through persistence of vision during wheel rotation.
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
The solution provides an easy-to-install, durable, and cost-effective rotating wheel display system that reduces the need for high rotation rates, minimizes hardware complexity, and enhances display quality and reliability by sharing power and data across arrays, thus overcoming the limitations of prior art.
Implementation Method 1
The microprocessor modulates the rows of lights according to the display pattern or the display pattern generation computer code and sensed velocity and position of the wheel to form an image using persistence of vision of a viewer.
Data Source
AI summary
A light display is mounted on the spokes of a rotating bicycle wheel. The display includes a plurality of individual arrays of lights forming a set. The set of arrays are attached together into a single rigid light display apparatus attached to a spoke of the wheel at the tip of each array of lights. At least one sensors on the apparatus, senses the angular velocity and angular position of the rotating wheel. A microprocessor, is mounted on one of the arrays of lights and connected to the sensor, and is further connected to a shared electrical bus which traverses every array of lights. The shared electrical bus is formed by the electrical connection of all the arrays of lights in a line or loop topology. Each array of lights has at most two connection points to the shared electrical bus. The microprocessor modulates the plurality of arrays of lights via the shared electrical bus and without a direct connection to every array of lights. The arrays of lights are modulated according to a selected one of a plurality of display patterns and the sensed angular velocity and position of the rotating wheel, to form a stabilized, upright, forward-reading image on both sides of the wheel using persistence of vision of a viewer.