Design of a hybrid propulsion system for a three wheeled bicycle

• Vittore Cossalter ^[1] ; Alberto Doria ^[1] ; Marco Ferrari ^[1] ; Enrico Giolo ^[1] ; Nicola Bianchi ^[1] ; Claudio Martignoni ^[2] ; Fabio Bovi ^[2]
  1. [1] University of Padova
  2. [2] Eurosystems S.p.a
• Localización: Compel: International journal for computation and mathematics in electrical and electronic engineering, ISSN 0332-1649, Vol. 34, Nº 1 (Special Issue: EVER 2013), 2015, págs. 189-209
• Idioma: inglés
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• Resumen

  • Purpose – Velomobiles or bicycles cars are human-powered vehicles, enclosed for improving aerodynamic performance and protection from weather and collisions. The purpose of this paper is to design and develop a three-wheeled velomobile equipped with a hybrid human-electric propulsion system.

    Design/methodology/approach – The mechanical layout has been developed in order to improve safety, a CAD code has been used for the design and the dynamic performances have been studied by means of specific multi-body codes. The electric propulsion system has been designed both with analytical and FEM methods.

    Findings – A special three-wheeled tilting vehicle layout equipped with a four-bar linkage connection has been developed. A particular synchronous reluctance machine has been developed, which is very suitable for human-electric hybrid propulsion. A MATLAB code for integrated mechanical and electrical analysis has been developed.

    Originality/value – A new kind of light vehicle has been conceived. A new synchronous reluctance machine with high efficiency has been developed. A performance analysis in electric, human and hybrid working modes has been presented, which takes into account the specific features of both the electric motor and the pedaling legs. A prototype of the vehicle has been built.