Patent ID: 6418041
Filing Date: 2002-07-09
Classification: B62J

Abstract:
A bicycle power supply circuit whereby an AC voltage from an AC generator mounted on a bicycle is converted to a DC voltage, and the converted DC voltage is provided to an electrical component on the bicycle, the bicycle power supply circuit comprising:a first input terminal for connecting to a first AC generator output terminal of the AC generator; a second input terminal for connecting to a second AC generator output terminal of the AC generator; a first output terminal for connecting to the electrical component; a second output terminal for connecting to the electrical component; a full-wave voltage rectifier circuit that converts AC voltage presented at the first and second input terminals into a DC voltage; a storage device coupled to the voltage rectifier, wherein the storage device includes first and second serially coupled capacitance elements forming a positive voltage terminal and a negative voltage terminal; wherein the positive voltage terminal is coupled for providing a positive voltage signal to the first output terminal; wherein the negative voltage terminal is coupled for providing a negative voltage signal to the second output terminal; and a voltage regulator that regulates the voltage across the first and second output terminals at a prescribed value, wherein the voltage regulator comprises: a switch disposed between the first input terminal and the storage device; and a switch control circuit coupled to the switch, to the first output terminal and to the second output terminal and adapted to sense a voltage across the first and second output terminals and to selectively switch the switch to an off state.