Wheel-Integrated Power Generation for Battery-Free On-Board Electronics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional power sources for wheeled vehicles, such as motors, engines, and battery systems, are heavy, noisy, require refueling, and are not suitable for indoor use or continuous operation, while solar cells provide insufficient power indoors or at night, posing challenges for powering on-board systems like navigation and communication systems.
Innovation Solution
A power generation system that converts the rotational energy of a wheeled object's wheels into electrical energy using a generator mechanically coupled to the wheels, with an electrical storage device like high-capacity capacitors to store and manage power, allowing for efficient charging and discharging to power on-board systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If conventional power sources (motors, engines, battery systems) are used to power on-board systems in wheeled vehicles, then power supply capability is improved, but weight increases and noise is generated
Solution Approach 1:
The system harvests kinetic energy from the wheel's rotational motion through a generator to charge capacitors, enabling the vehicle to power its own on-board systems without external fuel sources or heavy battery systems. The wheel itself becomes the power source through energy recovery during motion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical power sources (motors, engines) with an electrical power generation system that converts mechanical rotational energy from wheel motion into electrical energy through electromagnetic induction in a generator, eliminating the need for combustion engines or heavy battery systems.
2Use of energy by moving object
If conventional power sources (motors, engines, battery systems) are used to power on-board systems in wheeled vehicles, then power supply capability is improved, but device complexity and refueling requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel serves multiple functions: it provides mechanical propulsion support and simultaneously acts as a generator through the integrated electromagnetic system. The rotational motion of the wheel directly charges the capacitor bank, eliminating the need for separate fuel tanks, engines, or complex battery management systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the power generation function from separate mechanical power sources and integrates it directly into the wheel structure itself. The generator is mechanically coupled to the wheel, allowing direct conversion of wheel rotation into electrical energy without intermediate transmission systems or complex powertrain components.
3Adaptability or versatility
If solar cells are used to power on-board systems, then environmental suitability is improved, but power output becomes insufficient indoors or at night
Solution Approach 1:
The kinetic energy harvesting system operates continuously whenever the wheel is in motion, providing uninterrupted power generation regardless of environmental conditions. Unlike solar cells that depend on external light sources, the generator produces electrical energy continuously during wheel rotation, ensuring consistent power supply in all environments including indoor and nighttime conditions.
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 wheeled objects by converting kinetic energy into electrical energy, reducing weight and noise, and ensuring continuous operation without the need for refueling, suitable for indoor use and varying environmental conditions.
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 electrical storage device comprises a bank of high-capacity capacitors connected in series
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.