GBC E-Bike A Green Alternative to Urban Commuting

1. Research and Innovation GBC E-Bike A Green Alternative to Urban Commuting Pradeep Kalsi May 15, 2009

2. Team Members Edward Wong • Tool & Die Graduate & Engineering Design Student (design & fabrication specialist) Andy Lau • Tool & Die student (research & design specialist) Michael Joyette • Electro-Mechanical Graduate (research & electrical specialist) Clayton Wozney • Tool & Die and Mechanical Engineering Design Graduate (scheduler, & motivation specialist) Professor Leo Salemi • Electrical Advisor and Great Guy! Professor Ted Lewis Electrical Advisor and Good Friend! Professor Pradeep Kalsi • Mastermind and Project Lead

3. Introduction To create an urban Electric Bicyclethat has increased power and range, to fit the urban lifestyle.

4. Objectives Signature Vehicle To develop a vehicle whereby GBC students, faculty and staff from the Electro-Mechanical & Mechanical Engineering cluster can collaborate on a common project to develop inter-disciplinary skills and strengthen relationships Racing Competitions To provide GBC students an opportunity to enhance this vehicle on a yearly basis for racing competitions between like minded institutions Relationships To develop relationships between GBC, Industry Partners and The Municipality Of Toronto as participants and sponsors for Electric Bike Racing Competitions

5. Research Objectives Building An Electric Bicycle For Efficiency For riding safely throughout the Toronto downtown core (ensuring visibility and ease of mobility) Long Distance Travel Go a farther distance to and from a specific location without draining the batteries (re-plenishing the batteries as you ride) Power Requirements Extra power for initial take off , climbing steep inclines, and maintaining a safe speed without impeding traffic to make it a stress free ride

6. Main Questions for Research Dual Battery Packs • Can the electric bicycle be fitted with two battery packs working in tandem to provide enough energy to travel great distances without discharging? Controller Capacity • Can the main controller effectively manage to control and process information to drive the two hub motors? Re-Generation • Can the braking action of the bike be directed to re-generate a depleted battery pack? Storage Rack • Can a carrier be designed to house two lithium ion battery packs and pradeep’s sitar without hindering maneuverability?

7. Methodology 1.Collaboration • Group brain- storming among stakeholders; students, faculty and staff in meeting objectives, outcomes, time-lines and duties 2. Design Stage • Design of hard components; namely rear carrier housing, lighting housing, controller, ignition housing, wiring and schematics of electrical hook ups to throttle, controller, hub motors, lighting system 3. Development Stage • Equipment and materials (type of batteries, capacity of electrical motors and controller) to be used and purchased as well as functionality considerations and specifications of the bike after completion 4. Manufacturing Stage • D – Building Labs to be used and availability, logistics, machinery and equipment required (manual and cnc machinery), Cad-Cam labs, time-lines, Faculty assistance and supervision 5. Testing Stage • Testing the vehicle for handling, safety, performance, functionality and specifications 6. Electrical Wiring • Leo’s Infrastructure Testing Lab

8. Improvements Rear Carrier • Build and design a rear carrier to house two lithium ion battery packs for longer travel time Controller • Configure one controller with a throttle to activate (or de-activate) the front and rear hub motors when necessary Re-Generation • Have one battery pack that was replete of energy being re-charged when braking or slowing down Braking System • Fit the braking system to activate brake lights • Configure the batteries to the braking system for power re-generation Turning Signals • Fit a switch to activate turning signals

9. Result Thus Far 1.Rear Carrier • Developed and attached a rear carrier to house two lithium batteries 2. Electrical System • A Controller is hooked up to a throttle to power a rear hub motor • A front switched attached to the braking system actives rear brake lights 3. Brake Light Housing • Developed and hooked up a system with brake lights Work in Progress • Electrical hook-up between two hub motors is still in the development stage as schematics for the controller are being investigated • The battery packs are ready to be mounted in a manufactured rear carrier • The turn signals require a housing and a switch is required for activation at the hand controls

10. Result Thus Far

11. Lessons Learned Research Projects Take Time - juggling a teaching schedule and managing a research team can be challenging Learning New Things • Takes time and patience (electrical) After Market Components • Components obtained from an unknown distributor can be difficult to troubleshoot and specifications can be difficult to obtain (namely specs. & schematics for the controller) Dedicated & Motivated Team • Developing a dedicated team to take responsibilities can be a big concern on such projects • Delegating responsibilities can be difficult at times Communication & Involvement • It is okay to ask for help from faculty, staff and industry partners Cooperation & Participation • It is sometimes difficult accessing other labs • It can be difficult to get faculty, staff and students to participation in projects such as this Expectations • Sometimes too many or too high expectations can delay the outcomes • Sometimes being over ambitious can hinder progress and may not be contagious • Punjab was not invented in one day Simplicity • Try to make things simple The Sitar • Leave it at home

12. Future Research Electrical System • Developing the electrical system to be hooked up to the two hub motors so that they can be activated together or independently when required • Developing an activation switch for turn signals • Developing a method for re-generating a depleted battery Mechanical System • Developing a housing for the controller, ignition switch and turn signals Testing • Testing the bike to determine specifications of distance on one charge, manoeuverability, speed, mobility Racing Potential • Develop the bike to enter into competitions • Testing the market for interest in developing e-bike racing competitions

13. AcknowledgementsAndQuestions Michael Joyette Edward Wong Andy Lau Clayton Wozney Leo Salemi Taesu Yim Mark Dagenais Ted Lewis Laura Sauer Green Rider: Neil and Julian Robert Luke Meadow Larkins Dawn Davidson Baaba Lewis Nancy Sherman Jeff Litwin Erin Agnew My Wife, Jasmine GBC