JMU AFV Lab Blog

This article was on the “Gizmag” blog this morning. It’s a “hybrid” (electric+human) powered bicycle using carbon fiber construction and lithium batteries. Its total weight is just over 37 pounds. The AFV Lab has powered some conventional bicycles with electric power, so maybe the next iteration could include these improvements.

Source: http://www.gizmag.com/lexus-hybrid-bicycle-concept/14938/

URBAN TRANSPORT

Lexus details hybrid two wheeler concept

By Gizmag Team

05:39 April 29, 2010

Lexus has announced details of the innovative Hybrid Bicycle Concept we first spied tucked away at last year’s Tokyo Motor Show. Headed for a UK debut at the Great British Bike Ride this weekend, the full-carbon fiber frame hybrid (electric+human) concept includes a 240W electric motor at the front hub, eight-speed transmission, a 25.9V Lithium-ion battery and regenerative braking. Head on through for more images plus our video overview.

The bike weighs 17kg, uses a belt drive instead of a chain and its electric motor charges in around two hours. The 8-speed internal gear and shift levers are from Shimano, while the lightweight, composite frame shares DNA with Valentino Rossi’s MotoGP-winning motorcycle. At this stage Lexus’ foray into two-wheeled transport remains a concept, with no word on any plans for a production release. We can only hope.

• Length (mm) 1,598
• Width (mm) 425
• Seat height (mm) 900
• Wheelbase (mm) 1,080
• Tyre size 20 x 1 3/8
• Weight (kg) 17
• Charge time Approx. 2hrs
• Motor output (W) 240
• Battery type Lithium-ion
• Battery voltage 25.9V/4.0Ah
• Gear system Shimano 8-speed internal gear
• Shift lever Shimano dual control
• Drive train Belt drive

Source: http://www.gizmag.com/lexus-hybrid-bicycle-concept/14938/

I came across this interesting YouTube video the other day and thought it could be an interesting concept to modernize. Go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1fGxk2r-bY to see it. The car featured in the video is over 40 years old!  While viewing the video, I had one of those “light bulb” moments.  As I see it, the problem with electric bicycles, scooters and the like is the lack of weather protection.  Why not make an electric tricycle with weather protection?  I envisioned a vehicle similar to the video subject with an electric motor for power and lightweight LiFePO4 batteries for an energy source.  It could have a simple aluminum frame with a lightweight body of fiberglass, or, even better, carbon fiber.  Since this body would be for weather protection only and not load bearing, it would be light weight and simple to build.  Given the relatively short distances this vehicle would usually travel, even a heater could be optional, as the driver could “bundle up” to drive it, but not to nearly the extreme that I’ve seen on bicyclists and scooter riders the last few days.  As it would have only three wheels, it would qualify as a “motorcycle” and not be subject to all the safety standards of an automobile.  I can see this as an AFV Lab project.  What think you?

Saw this interesting article on the autobloggreen blog this morning.  It’s an interesting concept; use solar panels to recharge a vehicle.  The one observation I would like to make is that this concept could not be applied to a daily runner, unless the vehicle driver worked second or third shift, without some kind of energy storage system.  Could this be an extension of the electric scooter project, Peter?

AltCar 2008: Prometheus’ solar-powered electric motorcycle

Posted Sep 29th 2008 at 8:44AM by Sebastian Blanco

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Solar, AutoblogGreen Exclusive, Santa Monica Alt Car Expo, Green Daily

Jim Corning had an idea. Wouldn’t it be cool if you could put four solar panels on your house, and then be able to power a vehicle with the energy created with them? Corning, who founded Prometheus Solar LLC, didn’t have a vehicle he could powere with sunlight, but he did have a wife with a Ninja 250 that wasn’t getting much use.

Today, Corning has a proof-of-concept electric motorcycle. At the Santa Monica AltCar Expo, Corning was talking with curious visitors all weekend, but was happy to tell AutoblogGreen about the bike. The four panels behind Corning in the picture above offer 800 watts, enough to recharge the bike. During testing, he’s blown up the batteries twice, and those accidents helped him realize the benefits of a more aerodynamic bike. Inspired by Craig Vetter’s fuel efficiency contests of the 1980s, Corning designed the Prometheus research vehicle to be quite slippery (note the front wheel cover and the extended back end to give the air somewhere to go). He also wanted to keep the upright seating of a motorcycle, which influenced the desighn. Currently, the bike uses lithium-ion phosphate batteries from Thundersky that have a 4.6 kWh capacity connected to a 10 HP Perm PMG 132 motor. That means he can go up to 70 mph and has a range of about 50 miles. The bike is not for sale, but there has been no lack of interest, both at the show and on the street. Corning said he had to buy an open face helmet to talk to all of the people who chat him up at stop lights….

Source: http://www.autobloggreen.com/2008/09/29/altcar-2008-prometheus-solar-powered-electric-motorcycle/

Saw this a while back and thought I would introduce it to this blog. It is not the first motorized unicycle, nor is it really a unicycle, as it has two wheels. However, it is curious as an extension of the Segway, and its inventor is 19 years old.  Go to http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-562726/Hold-tight-The-worlds-unicycle-MOTORBIKE.html to read the full article.

Hold on tight! The world’s first unicycle
MOTORBIKE

A young inventor has created a motorbike with a twist ? it uses two wheels but they are positioned right next to each other, giving it the illusion of being a powered unicycle. And even better, it might help save the planet.

Ben Gulak has spent several years building the electric Uno that uses gyroscopic technology - like the infamous Segway commuter device - to stay upright.

The bizarre-looking contraption has only one switch - on or off - and is controlled entirely by body movement.

The rider leans forwards to accelerate to speeds of 25mph and back to slow down. It has two wheels side-by-side and has been turning heads wherever it has been ridden.

Electric Unicycle and Inventor Ben Gulag

Ben Gulak designed the Uno himself with the help of a simple 3D program

The green machine is so small and light it can be taken indoors and carried into lifts - and is recharged by being plugged into the mains.

The wheels are completely independent, allowing the bike to turn on a sixpence and the technology takes the balance and guesswork out of riding a unicycle.

Its 18-year-old creator is now looking for investors to get the Uno into production and onto the streets.

Ben, from Ontario, Canada, said: “I was inspired to make the bike after visiting China a few years ago and seeing all the smog.

“They all drive little bikes that are really polluting and I wanted to make something to combat that.

“I started with the concept because if something doesn’t look cool people just won’t be interested.

Electric Unicycle in operation

Here is an interesting electric vehicle conversion that may be considered for a future AFV Lab project or provide ideas for existing ones. Go to http://www.autobloggreen.com/2008/07/07/honda-vfr-conversion-to-electric-power-now-complete/ to see the full article.  Comments?

Honda VFR conversion to electric power

evfr-honda-conversion

…The first question out of everyone’s mouth was “How far does it go”… to which I replied “15-20 miles on crappy used UPS batteries I got for free”. I initially wanted to go with larger lead [acid batteries], but since these were free, I wanted to develop/test the mechanical first, and then upgrade to lithium in the fall. Its all working and now I can shop for alternatives to lead. Most people scoffed a little, I didn’t care, Its quite a feat in a motorcycle, especially keeping it stock looking. I know what the end result will be…. LiFePo and AC will eventually find their way into that bike. It will perform well, and range will be 30-40 miles….

…ABG: Tell us about the process of developing the conversion.

Gintz: I saw the Tesla last year, and decided I wanted to look into building an EV myself. I have an electrical engineering background, and LOVE gadgets, so it came naturally. I looked into cars, but for 10 grand, and lots of work, it might be over my budget. I’m a single guy living alone, so I don’t have 10 grand sitting around, just to get 30-50 miles for commuting. I drive a Dodge Durango, and gas is starting to hurt. I needed a cheap commuter solution. I looked at a popular site called EVAlbum. They had some other vehicles, and the more I looked into motorcycles, the more I was sold on the idea. I started looking for bikes, and found someone on Craigslist that had a roller with bad engine and donated it to me. Then I ran into some guys at a new startup company called Synkromotive, in Portland, OR. They wanted to help the conversion, and in exchange for a controller, I would do testing/assmembly and R&D. Its been a great relationship with Synkromotive. A few weeks later, while looking for parts for the free bike, I found one in Florida that had a bad engine, but was in pristine shape. I bought it, shipped it here, and parted out the engine, electrical and exhaust. I almost broke even. Very shortly after this, I found a guy up near Seattle that had tons of batteries he wasn’t using for his motorcycle, and another rolling chassis, it was well worth $60 in gas to go get it. So I had a good roller and batteries and a controller. Found a motor on a surplus website. Assembly began in February. Another VFR guy wanted to help, and had fabrication background. We welded up a battery tray and made a motor mount. A month ago, we threw everything together and took it out for its first few runs. It was a great feeling. After 8 months of getting parts, designing and building… it all paid off….

…Quick statistics:
1986 Honda VFR700F
Series wound Advanced DC motor
156V 600A Synkromotive controller
12 12V 18Ah batteries running in 2-72V strings. Capable of 144V. Switching to Lifepo soon
4:1 gear ratio, will be moving to ~5:1
Range: 15-20 on used batteries
Top speed: 65mph, one gear, no clutch
Charging system is custom…