Roller Skate Hub Cap with Integral LED Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing roller skate wheel illumination systems are either integral with the skate wheel, making them difficult to transfer or repair, or they are externally attached in an awkward manner, leading to potential damage during use.
Innovation Solution
A demountable hub cap with an integral LED illumination system that can be easily attached and removed from a roller skate wheel, featuring projecting leg members for secure mounting and a switch for controlling the LEDs, allowing for various illumination patterns and reducing the risk of damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the illumination system is made integral with the skate wheel, then the structural stability is improved, but the ease of repair and transferability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination system is segmented into a separate hub cap assembly that can be independently removed from the skate wheel. The hub cap contains all illumination components (LEDs, battery, circuit board) and attaches to the wheel hub via leg members, allowing the lighting system to be repaired or transferred without affecting the wheel itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The illumination system is extracted from the integral wheel structure and placed into a removable hub cap. This extraction allows the lighting components to be easily removed, repaired, or transferred to another wheel while the wheel itself remains unaffected.
2Ease of repair
If the illumination system is externally attached to the skate wheel, then the ease of repair is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to awkward attachment
Solution Approach 1:
The hub cap merges multiple functions into a single assembly: it serves as both the wheel cover and the illumination system housing. The leg members integrate the attachment function with the structural support function, creating a reliable connection that is also easy to detach for repair.
Solution Approach 2:
The hub cap assembly serves multiple functions simultaneously: it covers the wheel hub, houses the illumination components, provides structural support through leg members, and enables easy attachment/detachment. This multi-functionality improves reliability while maintaining ease of repair.
3Ease of operation
If the hub cap uses projecting leg members for attachment, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment mechanism is segmented into discrete leg members that can be independently positioned and secured. Each leg member with its aperture and fastening member represents a simple, modular attachment point, making the overall system easier to operate despite having multiple attachment points.
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 a versatile and durable illumination system that can be easily transferred between skate wheels and reduces the risk of breakage, offering enhanced aesthetic and safety features while maintaining operational integrity.
Implementation Method 1
The present invention is a hub cap for a roller skate wheel having an integral Light Emitting Diode (LED) illumination system
Data Source
AI summary
A hub cap for a roller skate wheel incorporates an LED illumination system. The illuminated hubcap is configured to slidably extend through apertures of a skate wheel and allow securement of the hub cap on the roller skate wheel. The hub cap may be formed of a rigid or semi-rigid material such as a plastic or the like. The LED illumination system includes a mount situated upon the planar surface of the hub cap so as to be essentially perpendicular with a skating surface when the hub cap is situated on the skate wheel. The hub cap body carries at least one LED so that light is emanated outward into the ambient area adjacent to the hub cap. Circuitry, including a battery and switch are carried on the inner surface of the hub cap body and controls the lighting of the LED (or LEDs). The LEDs may be white, a single color, multiple colors, or any combination thereof.