A customizable tire rim includes an outer housing capable of being attached to an existing vehicle wheel, a spinning rim portion in rotational communication with an inner wall of the outer housing, and an interchangeable central hub cap in rotational communication with the spinning rim portion. Advantageously, the interchangeable central hub cap is removably attached to the spinning rim portion in such a manner that the interchangeable central hub cap remains stationary relative to a first rotational movement of the spinning rim portion as well as a second rotational movement of the outer housing.

A customizable tire rim includes an outer housing capable of being attached to an existing vehicle wheel, a spinning rim portion in rotational communication with an inner wall of the outer housing, and an interchangeable central hub cap in rotational communication with the spinning rim portion. Advantageously, the interchangeable central hub cap is removably attached to the spinning rim portion in such a manner that the interchangeable central hub cap remains stationary relative to a first rotational movement of the spinning rim portion as well as a second rotational movement of the outer housing.

A vehicle wheel spinning device comprising a disk shaped housing having a front and back disk forming a cavity therein is disclosed. The front disk has a series of decorative apertures formed therein. A spinning disk is rotatably mounted within said cavity. Various visual effects are produced by providing on the surface of the spinning disk facing the front disk of said housing at least one section of a contrasting color to the remainder of the surface. When the spinning disk rotates the colors show through said apertures during rotation of the spinning ring. The spinning device is attached to the front of a vehicle wheel in a manner that the housing rotates with the wheel and the spinning disk rotates separately from the rotation of the housing and continues to rotate for a time after the wheel stops spinning.

A vehicle wheel spinning device comprising a disk shaped housing having a front and back disk forming a cavity therein is disclosed. The front disk has a series of decorative apertures formed therein. A spinning disk is rotatably mounted within said cavity. Various visual effects are produced by providing on the surface of the spinning disk facing the front disk of said housing at least one section of a contrasting color to the remainder of the surface. When the spinning disk rotates the colors show through said apertures during rotation of the spinning ring. The spinning device is attached to the front of a vehicle wheel in a manner that the housing rotates with the wheel and the spinning disk rotates separately from the rotation of the housing and continues to rotate for a time after the wheel stops spinning.

A power generation system is provided configured for installation within a wheel of a vehicle. The system includes a stator having a plurality of face-mounted permanent magnets; and a rotor having a plurality of windings configured to rotate, with rotation of the wheel, in proximity to the permanent magnets thereby generating a current. The stator is mounted to a brake caliper of the vehicle. Also provided is a wheel-based vehicle display system including a light emitting diode (LED) array arranged on or within a wheel of a vehicle; a power source connected thereto; and a controller connected to the LED array. The display system is configured to display at least one of: textual information, visual images or full-motion video.

A tire heating system for includes a wheel that may be attached to a vehicle. A tire is attached to the wheel and a charging unit is attached to the wheel. The charging unit produces an electrical current when the wheel is rotated. A heating unit is attached to the tire and the heating unit is electrically coupled to the charging unit. The heating unit heating the tire and the heating unit prevents ice formation on the tire.

A tire heating system for includes a wheel that may be attached to a vehicle. A tire is attached to the wheel and a charging unit is attached to the wheel. The charging unit produces an electrical current when the wheel is rotated. A heating unit is attached to the tire and the heating unit is electrically coupled to the charging unit. The heating unit heating the tire and the heating unit prevents ice formation on the tire.

The present disclosure is directed to a wheel cover that is coupled to a wheel of a vehicle utilizing a mounting assembly that has a bearing block. A retainer assembly in combination with the bearing block of the mounting assembly allows the wheel cover to be coupled to the wheel in a manner such that the wheel cover does not rotate with the forward and backward rotation of the wheel when the vehicle is being driven. The wheel cover covers the wheel and partially covers a gap or space between a tire of the wheel and a fender of the vehicle, which increases the aerodynamic performance of the vehicle. The retainer assembly provides at least one degree of freedom such that the wheel cover may move with the wheel when steering the vehicle in a leftward direction and a rightward direction.

The present disclosure is directed to a wheel cover that is coupled to a wheel of a vehicle utilizing a mounting assembly that has a bearing block. A retainer assembly in combination with the bearing block of the mounting assembly allows the wheel cover to be coupled to the wheel in a manner such that the wheel cover does not rotate with the forward and backward rotation of the wheel when the vehicle is being driven. The wheel cover covers the wheel and partially covers a gap or space between a tire of the wheel and a fender of the vehicle, which increases the aerodynamic performance of the vehicle. The retainer assembly provides at least one degree of freedom such that the wheel cover may move with the wheel when steering the vehicle in a leftward direction and a rightward direction.

The present disclosure relates to apparatus for covering wheel components, and related wheel modules and vehicles. In one or more embodiments, a wheel module includes a wheel component including a plurality of wheel openings, and a cover frame. The cover frame includes a plurality of openings, and a plurality of divider sections at least partially dividing the plurality of openings. The wheel module includes an actuation system configured to rotationally drive the cover frame relative to the wheel component in response to centrifugal force to at least partially cover the wheel opening. The wheel module includes a retraction spring configured to bias the cover frame to rotationally drive the cover frame relative to the wheel component to at least partially uncover the wheel openings.