Wheel-Integrated Generator and Capacitor Power for On-Board Electronics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wheeled vehicles face challenges in powering on-board systems due to the limitations of traditional power sources such as motors, engines, and battery systems, which are often heavy, noisy, and require refueling or recharging, and solar cells provide insufficient power indoors or at night.
Innovation Solution
A power generation system that converts the rotational energy of a wheeled object's wheels into electrical energy using a generator and stores it in high-capacity capacitors, with a control circuit for regulation and voltage management, allowing for efficient power distribution to on-board systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional power sources (motors, engines, battery systems) are used to power on-board systems, then power availability is ensured, but weight increases and space is consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The system harvests kinetic energy from the wheel's rotation to generate electrical power, making the wheel self-sufficient for powering on-board systems without requiring separate heavy power sources. The generator is mechanically coupled to the wheel, converting the wheel's rotational energy directly into electrical energy to charge capacitors that power onboard devices.
2Reliability
If traditional power sources (motors, engines, battery systems) are used to power on-board systems, then power availability is ensured, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The power generation, storage, and distribution functions are merged into a single integrated system. The generator is mechanically coupled to the wheel, and the capacitor bank is electrically connected to both the generator and onboard systems, creating a unified power management architecture that reduces overall system complexity.
3Weight of moving object
If kinetic energy from wheel rotation is converted to electrical energy, then weight is reduced and space is freed, but power generation capability is limited by wheel motion
Solution Approach 1:
High-capacity capacitors with capacitances above 1 Farad are used to store electrical energy, enabling the system to accumulate sufficient power from the generator over time. The capacitors can be disposed in the wheel or elsewhere on the vehicle, providing flexible energy storage that bridges the gap between intermittent generation and continuous power needs.
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
This system provides a reliable and efficient means of powering on-board systems, reducing weight and space usage, and maintaining power availability indoors and at night, by harnessing kinetic energy from the wheels to charge capacitors for use when needed.
Implementation Method 1
a generator mechanically coupled to one or more of the object's wheels to convert wheel rotational energy into electrical energy
Implementation Method 2
The power generation system may comprise an electrical storage device configured to store the electrical power produced by the generator. In certain preferred embodiments, the electrical storage device comprises a bank of high-capacity capacitors
Data Source
AI summary
A power generation system for wheeled objects comprises a generator mechanically coupled to one or more of the object's wheels to convert wheel rotational energy into electrical energy. The power generation system may comprise an electrical storage device configured to store the electrical power produced by the generator. Power from the generator and/or the electrical storage device can be used to provide power to other electrical systems in or on the object. In certain embodiments, the electrical storage device comprises a bank of high-capacity capacitors connected in series. Some embodiments use a control circuit, for example, to regulate the charging and discharging of the capacitor bank and to provide suitable voltages for other systems. The power generation system may be disposed within an object's wheel, such as a wheel of a shopping cart.