Abstract:
The present invention relates to a lighting system. The lighting system includes a panel member that is radially fixed to a radial element of a rotatable wheel. A first end of the panel member is arranged closer to an axle of the rotatable wheel than a second end of the panel member. A plurality of light-emitting diodes are attached to the panel member in a substantially linear arrangement. The plurality of light-emitting diodes span substantially from the first end to the second end. A power-supply module powers the plurality of light-emitting diodes. The power-supply module is arranged adjacent the first end. A charging port is coupled to the power-supply module.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority from, and incorporates by reference, for any purpose, the entire disclosure of, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/612,675, filed Mar. 19, 2012. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates generally to lighting systems and more particularly, but not by way of limitation to lighting systems utilizing an array of light-emitting diodes for use with wheeled transports. 
         [0004]    2. History of the Related Art 
         [0005]    Outdoor activities during periods of low visibility frequently require an adequate source of lighting. Bicycling, in particular, requires appropriate lighting during conditions such as rain, fog, early-morning light, and night-time darkness to illuminate various road hazards and to make a cyclist visible to nearby automobiles and pedestrians. Lighting systems for bicycles and other small wheeled vehicles have been developed and utilized for many years. In particular, lighting systems for bicycles typically include a headlamp mounted on a front region of a bicycle such as, for example, the handlebars and a tail lamp, which is usually coupled under a seat of the bicycle. Such prior lighting systems typically illuminate only a region directly in front of, and directly behind, the bicycle with little side illumination. In such cases, the bicycle is often nearly invisible when viewed from the side such as, for example, by an approaching automobile. Further, such prior lighting systems often require a power source such as, for example, a battery. Such power sources are often bulky and may make the bicycle difficult to operate. In addition, power requirements associated with prior lighting systems often necessitate frequent re-charging of the power source, thus making rides of extended duration infeasible. Finally, such prior lighting systems often generate significant amounts of aerodynamic drag, which results in the bicycle being difficult to operate. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    The present invention relates generally to lighting systems and more particularly, but not by way of limitation to lighting systems utilizing an array of light-emitting diodes for use with wheeled transports. In one aspect, the present invention relates to a lighting system. The lighting system includes a panel member that is radially fixed to a radial element of a rotatable wheel. A first end of the panel member is arranged closer to an axle of the rotatable wheel than a second end of the panel member. A plurality of light-emitting diodes are attached to the panel member in a substantially linear arrangement. The plurality of light-emitting diodes span substantially from the first end to the second end. A power-supply module powers the plurality of light-emitting diodes. The power-supply module is arranged adjacent the first end. A charging port is coupled to the power-supply module. 
         [0007]    In another aspect, the present invention relates to a lighting method. The method includes fixing a panel member to a radial element of a rotatable wheel such that a first end of the panel member is arranged closer to an axle of the rotatable wheel than a second end of the panel member. A charging module is coupled to a charging port of a power supply module. The power supply module is arranged adjacent to the first end. The method further includes charging, via the charging module, a plurality of light-emitting diodes arranged on the panel member in a substantially linear arrangement and producing at least one of a strobe effect and a persistence effect when the rotatable wheel is rotated about the axle. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    For a more complete understanding of the present invention and for further objects and advantages thereof, reference may now be had to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0009]      FIG. 1A  is a front view of a lighting system according to an exemplary embodiment; 
           [0010]      FIG. 1B  is a front view of the lighting system of  FIG. 1  illustrating a charger according to an exemplary embodiment; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a circuit diagram illustrating the lighting system of  FIG. 1  according to an exemplary embodiment; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is schematic diagram of a lighting system according to an exemplary embodiment; 
           [0013]      FIG. 4A  is a central perspective view illustrating installation of the lighting system of  FIG. 1  according to an exemplary embodiment; 
           [0014]      FIG. 4B  is a radial perspective view illustrating installation of the lighting system of  FIG. 1  according to an exemplary embodiment; and 
           [0015]      FIG. 4C  is a perspective view illustrating installation of the lighting system of  FIG. 3  according to an exemplary embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0016]    Various embodiments of the present invention will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. The invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. 
         [0017]      FIG. 1A  is a front view of a lighting system  100 . The lighting system  100  includes a light-emitting diode (“LED”) array  102  and a power-supply module  104  electrically coupled to the LED array  102 . An LED is a semiconductor light source. When an LED is forward-biased (switched on), electrons are able to recombine with electron holes present in the LED thereby releasing energy in the form of light. This effect is known as “electroluminescence.” The color of light emitted by the LED is determined by an energy gap of the semiconductor material. LEDs possess many advantages over incandescent light sources including lower energy consumption, longer lifetime, smaller size, and faster switching. 
         [0018]    The LED array  102  and the power-supply module  104  are disposed on a panel member  103 ; however, in other embodiments, the power-supply module  104  may be located elsewhere. The panel member  103  is, for example, a traced circuit board having electrical conductors embedded therein. In a typical embodiment, the panel member  103  is formed of a lightweight, durable material such as, for example, silicon, rigid plastic, or other appropriate material as dictated by design requirements. 
         [0019]    A switch  105  is electrically coupled to at least one of the LED array  102  and the power-supply module  104 . The switch is disposed on the panel member  103 ; however, in other embodiments, lighting systems utilizing principles of the invention may include a switch that is disposed elsewhere. 
         [0020]      FIG. 1B  is a front view of the lighting system  100  illustrating a charging system  120 . The charging system  120  includes a cord  121  and a wall adapter  122 . A charging port  107  is disposed on the panel member  103  and electrically coupled to the power-supply module  104 . As shown in  FIG. 1B , the charging port  107  includes a micro universal serial bus (“USB”) connection; however, in other embodiments, other connections could be utilized as dictated by design requirements. The cord  121  is received into the charging port  107 . The cord  121  is a USB-type cable; however, in other embodiments, lighting systems utilizing principles of the invention may include any type of cord. The wall adapter  122  is shown positioned to be electrically coupled to the cord  121 . In a typical embodiment, the wall adapter  122  configures the cord  121  to be received into an alternating-current wall outlet. In a typical embodiment, the charging system  120  is adapted to be connected to at least one of a wall outlet, a computer USB port, an automotive USB port, an automotive battery, or other source of electrical power thus allowing the lighting system  100  to receive an electrical charge from a variety of sources. 
         [0021]      FIG. 2  is a circuit diagram illustrating the lighting system  100 . The power-supply module  104  includes a charge-management controller  202  electrically coupled to a battery  204 . In a typical embodiment, the battery  204  is a lithium-polymer battery; however, in other embodiments, lighting systems utilizing principles of the invention may include batteries such as, nickel-cadmium batteries, and the like. The charging port  107  (shown in  FIG. 1B ) is electrically coupled to the battery  204  and the charge-management controller  202 . The battery is electrically coupled to the LED array  102  and the charge-management controller  202  via the switch  105 . A LED  201  is electrically coupled to the charge-management controller  202 . In a typical embodiment, the LED  201  is red in color; however, any color LED may be utilized. In a typical embodiment, the charge-management controller  202  is a linear, five-lead controller employing a constant-current and a constant-voltage algorithm. In a typical embodiment, when the charging port  107  is coupled to a source of electrical power, the charge-management controller  202  regulates a current and a voltage supplied to the battery  204  thereby preventing overcharging of the battery  204 . During charging of the battery  204 , the charge-management controller  202  supplies power to, and illuminates, the LED  201 . When the battery  204  reaches a maximum charge, the charge-management controller  202  directs the LED  201  to turn off thereby indicating that charging is complete. 
         [0022]    Still referring to  FIG. 2 , the LED array  102  includes LED units  208 ( 1 )-(n) that are electrically coupled in parallel to the power-supply module  104 . In other embodiments, LED arrays utilizing principles of the invention may include LED units electrically coupled in series to the power-supply module  104 . The LED units  208 ( 1 )-(n) include a LED  210  electrically coupled in series to a resistor  212 . In a typical embodiment, the LED  210  is white in color; however, in other embodiments, the LED  210  may be any appropriate color. In other embodiments, LED arrays utilizing principles of the invention may include LEDs of multiple colors. In other embodiments, LED arrays utilizing principles of the invention may include LED units without the resistor  212 . 
         [0023]      FIG. 3  is schematic diagram of a lighting system  300 . The lighting system  300  includes a second LED array  302 . In a typical embodiment, the second LED array  302  is similar in construction to the LED array  102  and is disposed on a second panel member  304 . In a typical embodiment, the second panel member  304  is similar in construction to the panel member  103  and is, for example, a traced circuit board having electrical conductors embedded therein. The second LED array  302  is electrically coupled to the power-supply module  104  via a power-transmission member  306 . The power-transmission member  306  is operable to transmit electrical power from the power supply module  104  to the second LED array  302 . In a typical embodiment, the power-transmission member  306  is, for example, a flexible insulated electrical wire such as, for example, a ribbon cable. In other embodiments, lighting systems utilizing principles of the invention may include power-transmission members constructed from, for example, flexible Mylar or flat plastic. In still other embodiments, electrical power may be transmitted from the power-supply module  104  to the second LED array  302  via, for example, a wireless interface. In other embodiments, the second LED array  302  may be electrically coupled to a second power-supply module (not shown) thus allowing the second LED array  302  to be utilized independently of the LED array  102  and independently of the power-supply module  104 . In other embodiments, lighting systems utilizing principles of the invention may include any number of LED arrays as dictated by design requirements. 
         [0024]      FIG. 4A  is a central perspective view illustrating installation of the lighting system  100 . By way of example, the lighting system  100  is illustrated in  FIGS. 4A-4B  as being secured to a bicycle wheel  415 ; however, one skilled in the art will recognize that the lighting system  100  could be secured to any type of wheel such as, for example, a stroller wheel, a wheelchair wheel, a recumbent bicycle wheel, or any other device including at least one wheel. A first attachment hole  404  and a second attachment hole  405  are formed in a region of the panel member  103  adjacent to a hub  412 . A first fastener  401  is placed through the first attachment hole  404  and coupled to a first radial element  406 . A second fastener  402  is placed through the second attachment hole  405  and coupled to a second radial element  407 . In a typical embodiment, the first radial element  406  and the second radial element  407  are, for example, spokes. By way of example, the first fastener  401  and the second fastener  402  are illustrated in  FIG. 4A  as wire-tie-type fasteners; however, in other embodiments, the first fastener  401  and the second fastener  402  may be any appropriate type of fastener such, as for example, a clip, a hook, a karabiner, and the like. In other embodiments, lighting systems utilizing principles of the invention may be fastened to a wheel using, for example, adhesives or adhesive tape. 
         [0025]      FIG. 4B  is a radial perspective view illustrating installation of the lighting system  100 . A third attachment hole  410  is formed in a region of the panel member  103  adjacent to a rim  413 . A third fastener  408  is placed through the third attachment hole  410  and coupled to the first radial element  406 . The third fastener  408  is similar in terms of construction and operation to the first fastener  401  and the second fastener  402  discussed above with respect to  FIG. 4A . 
         [0026]      FIG. 4C  is a perspective view illustrating installation of the lighting system  300 . By way of example, the lighting system  300  is illustrated in  FIG. 4C  as being secured to the bicycle wheel  415 . The power-transmission member  306  is wrapped around the hub  412  so as to prevent the power-transmission member  306  from interfering with rotation of the bicycle wheel  415 . The second LED array  302  is secured to the bicycle wheel  415  as described above with respect to the lighting system  100 . 
         [0027]    Referring now to  FIGS. 4A-4C , after installation, a weight of the LED array  102  and a weight of the second LED array  302  are distributed along substantially an entire radius of the bicycle wheel  415 . Such an arrangement reduces interference with rotation of the wheel caused by the weight of the LED array  102  and the weight of the second LED array  302 . In addition, the panel member  103  and the second panel member  304  have a very small thickness. Such a shape of the panel member  103  and the second panel member  304  substantially reduces aerodynamic drag on, for example, the bicycle wheel  415 . Further, the shape of the panel member  103  and the second panel member  304  reduces the influence of cross winds on the bicycle wheel  415 . 
         [0028]    Advantages of the lighting system  100  and the lighting system  300  will be apparent to those skilled in the art. First, the lighting system  100  and the lighting system  300  each provide forward visibility in the range of approximately ten to approximately fifteen feet. When viewed from a side the lighting system  100  and the lighting system  300 , due to persistence of vision, are perceived as a plurality of unbroken circles of light concentric with the bicycle wheel  415 . The plurality of unbroken circles of light are highly visible to nearby automobiles. When viewed from a front or a rear, the lighting system  100  and the lighting system  300 , due to rotation of the bicycle wheel  415 , create a stroboscopic effect that is visible to nearby automobiles. Second, low power requirements associated with the lighting system  100  and the lighting system  300  typically result in an operation time between charges of approximately two hours or more. 
         [0029]    Although various embodiments of the method and system of the present invention have been illustrated in the accompanying Drawings and described in the foregoing Specification, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed, but is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications, and substitutions without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth herein. For example, although the lighting system  100  and the lighting system  300  have been described herein as used in conjunction with the bicycle wheel  415 , one skilled in the art will recognize that the lighting system  100  and the lighting system  300  may be utilized in conjunction with a stroller, a wheelchair, a recumbent bicycle, or any other device including at least one wheel. It is intended that the Specification and examples be considered as illustrative only.