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== DIY ==
== DIY ==


For Details on how to build your own [http://www.appropedia.org/How_to_build_Geared-Up_From_the_Feet-Up Geared-Up From the Feet-Up] <----click the link
For Details on how to build your own [[How to build Geared-Up From the Feet-Up]] <----click the link


== Special Thanks ==
== Special Thanks ==

Revision as of 00:19, 8 December 2011

Abstract

This page represents "Team U^s's" bike powered energy project for Flock House. "Team U^s" is a group brought together through Humboldt State University's Engineering 215 Intro to Design taught by Lonny Grafman.

Introduction

Flock House

Fig 1: Flock Pod

As urban populations continue to grow at exponential rates, sustainable living practices must progress to meet basic human needs. The need for sustainable living practices inspired our client Mary Mattingly to create the Flock House mobile art project. Evolving beyond the limits of the typical urban development, Flock House pods (see fig 1) have the capability of migrating and inhabiting any unused space. From the side’s of buildings to sidewalks, the exact location is only limited to ones imagination. The “Flock Pods” are intended to be renewable homesteads. Most food and energy needs will be generated through the “Flock Pods” internal system, and through community support. To meet the energy needs of the inhabitants, each pod is geared with a bike powered energy source (Geared Up From the Feet Up), and a Handcar Generator. Launching on May 1st, 2013, the first Flock House pod will move through New York’s Lower Manhattan (view the entire schedule).

To learn more about the project you may visit the Flock House web page, and for more information on the other projects incorporated in Flock House visit the Appropedia web page.

Team U^s

File:LogoCopy.jpg
Fig 2:Logo for Team U^s

Team U^s consists of four students Jenna Bader, Dashiel Bivens, Jacob Rowe, and Karen Stufkosky (see fig 3) enrolled in Humboldt State University's Engineering 215 Intro to Design taught by Lonny Grafman. The team was challenged with the task of developing a bicycle powered generator capable of generating 100+ watts while enabling the use of all types of bicycles. This project is intended to increase the general public understanding of renewable energy and allow for any cyclist to take part in generating energy.

Problem Statement & Criteria

Criteria Weight Description
Power Output 10 Must generate at least 100 Watts
Ease of Use 10 Simple to set up

Fits all bicycles with 25-29" tires

Rider can generate power for 20 minutes

Consistency 9 Works every time
Durability 8 Must withstand the weather and daily use
Portability 7 No more than a single person needed to move
Aesthetics 6 Visually appealing
Safety 5 Safe for rider to use and bystanders
Cost 5 Does not exceed budget of $375.00

Problem Statement

The Flock Pod needs a power source that is easy to use for all ages, most varieties of bicycles, education and able to generate enough power to meet the needs of the two inhabitants.

The Objective

The objective of Team U^s is to design a portable, detachable, re-creatable, bicycle powered generator using recycled materials for Flock House, the meta-project. If possible, multiple bicycle docks would be connected to power the Flock House pod for its inhabitants and to use as a learning tool to educate visitors about alternative energy generation.

Geared-Up From the Feet-Up

File:FinalACAD.jpg
fig 4:Final Design CAD (By Dashiel Bivens)

Cost and Materials

File:Finalhoursus.jpg
Material (Your Cost) Quantity Cost
Charge Controller 1 $111.54
Trainer Stand 1 $67.35
DC Motor 1 $63.08
Bicycle Pedal Crank Arm (seek used if possible) 1 $25.00
Plexiglass (4 pieces) 1 $20.00
Extension Cord (25 Feet) 1 $14.84
Plexiglass 1 $13.88
Bicycle Pedal (seek used if possible) 1 $9.99
Derailleur 1 $9.99
Heat Sink 1 $9.99
BMX Bike Chain 1 $9.98
Bike Sprocket 1 $7.66
Blocking Diode 1 $6.98
Light Bulb Socket 1 $6.00
Hinges 2 $5.99
12 Volt Light Bulb 1 $5.84
Cabinet Magnet 2 $4.00
Wire Connectors 2 $4.38
Chain Lubricant 1 $3.49
Fuse Holder 1 $2.19
Scrap Wood (seek recycled pieces) 4 $2.00
Square Bolt +Washer +Nut 1 $1.69
Scrap Metal (From scrap yard) 6 $1.00
Fuse 1 $0.73
Total Cost $407.59
Material (Our Cost) Quantity Cost
Charge Controller 1 $111.54
Trainer Stand 1 $67.35
DC Motor 1 $63.08
Extension Cord (25 Feet) 1 $14.84
Plexiglass 1 $13.88
BMX Bike Chain 1 $9.98
Bike Sprocket 1 $7.66
Blocking Diode 1 $6.98
Hinges 2 $5.99
12 Volt Light Bulb 1 $5.84
Wire Connectors 2 $4.38
Fuse Holder 1 $2.19
Square Bolt +Washer +Nut 1 $1.69
Fuse 1 $0.73
Derailleur 1 Donated
Cabinet Magnet 2 Donated
Plexiglass (4 pieces) 1 Donated
Heat Sink 1 Donated
Bicycle Pedal Crank Arm 1 Donated
Bicycle Pedal 1 Donated
Light Bulb Socket 1 Donated
Scrap Wood 4 Donated
Chain Lubricant 1 Donated
Scrap Metal 6 Donated
Total Cost $316.13


Final Design

Geared-Up From the Feet-Up is designed to power the Flock House efficiently with the highest power output possible while still being simple enough for most riders to generate power.

Overview

This design is built using an adjustable bicycle trainer stand, a DC motor, a charge controller, BMX bike sprockets, a single-speed BMX chain, a derailleur, and electrical components necessary to power a 12 volt battery all enclosed in a plexiglass box.

Mechanical System

The cyclist locks the rear-wheel axle of their own bike into the bike stand by rotating the knobs on the side of the stand. The bike stand can accommodate most bikes with a rear axle diameter less than 8 1/2" (photo)

and tire sizes between 25"-29" in diameter by means of an adjustable roller below the bike tire. (photo)

The roller rotates a single-speed bike chain which is attached at the end of the roller and then to the motor. Because the stand is adjustable to different tire diameters, and our motor is screwed into place on a base board, it was necessary to use a tensioner to ...do its job. We repurposed a used derailleur to act as a tensioner for the chain. This adds ease of use to the system.


Electrical System

The electronics used in the Geared-Up design are a 36 volt DC motor, a 15 amp fuse and fuse holder, a 40 amp blocking diode, and a 12/24 volt charge controller all wired in series to a 12 volt deep-cycle battery using 12 gauge copper wire. There is also a 12 volt DC light bulb screwed into a light socked which is wired in parallel through the charge controller, used to expend our excess load from the charge controller after charging the battery.

The charge controller was a necessary component in our design because we had to ensure a happy battery which will be charged continuously to power the Flock House. Deep cycle 12 volt batteries like the one we used, like to be charged at a constant input of 13-15 volts. If an eager rider generating power on our system were to produce more volts than the charge controller is set to, the light bulb will start to light up. Optimal battery charging occurs at a "sweet spot" where the rider can constantly pedal their bike easily, and the light barely flickers. This flickering light means that the battery is being charged at 13 volts and you are barely generating an excess amount of wasted energy beyond that limit.

The blocking diode ensures the direction of electrons flowing from the generator to the battery, rather than electrons flowing from the battery to the motor when a rider stops pedaling. The diode is rated at 40 amps ensuring optimal safety to the rider because our motor is only rated at 13 amps.

In case of electrical mishaps, the 15 amp fuse will likely blow. This ensures safety to our system and to any persons around the electrical components.

Results

The final design of Geared-Up From the Feet-Up had a variable energy output range. A person riding on the bicycle for 5-10 minutes can produce power ranging from 50-140watts depending on the fitness level of cyclist. During our development process, several issues arose that increased the complexity of our final design.

-The rear bicycle tire must have constant tension against the roller. If the roller was not tight enough against the tire, the roller would burn rubber from the traction caused by slipping. With the roller pressed hard into the tire, the friction was minimized and the powering revolutions of the roller were maximized.

-The custom designed gear system was hard to test because so many pieces were variable. The BMX sprockets had to be custom fit to our roller and motor each time in order to test the appropriate gear ratio for the system. This was a difficult phase because each sprocket had to be welded to a custom-fit piece of steel in order to attach to the rods.

-The electrical circuit needed to be set-up in a way that the electrical components would not overheat.

-The bicycle stand had limitations that we had not foreseen. The stand works well for a range of tire diameters because it is widely adjustable at the roller base. However, the width of the axle locks are limited to a small range of rear wheel axle diameters up to 8 ½ inches wide. We did not anticipate the wide variety of styles on bicycles including modern quick release tire mounts and bulky accessory customizations like bag holders/baskets.

Discussion

DIY

For Details on how to build your own How to build Geared-Up From the Feet-Up <----click the link

Special Thanks

Gps.jpg
Check the website out!

References


Authors

Jenna Bader | Dashiel Bivens | Jacob Rowe | Karen Stufkosky |

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