Recumbent Tricycle Steering for Disabled User - Coursework Example

Interim report on Recumbent tricycle for a disabled, one -handed user Designing the steering and how it will be connected to the main frame which is going to be done during the welding process and using the bearing. Summary: This report contains an interim report about my progress in the above said project of steering in the tricycle made for disabled person and I will describe about three parts in this interim report. The interim report is intended at reviewing the progress made so far in the completion of the project. 1- Literature survey 2- Project progress 3- Key skills Introduction: Designing the steering system For the tricycle which gives full details about the motion of all parts of tri cycle with full design and material of parts and how it related to each other beside the effect of mechanical properties the design will include calculations and material properties selections also how this parts could be practically manufactured. This project consists on the designing, testing and manufacturing of a recumbent tricycle for a disabled, one -handed user. CAE, ME, MSE, MSO. The solid works in the mechanical engineering and the principles of aerodynamics are the sources of knowledge. This project is extremely useful in the use of disabled persons who are bodily or vision wise impaired. There are persons who can successfully ride despite of nervous disorders, balance impairs, MS, ALS and Parkinson's diseases. Some persons are serious bike racers, have their fitness buffs and commuters abilities. A recumbent tricycle or a bike is helpful for them; it may well work for any one with disabilities. There are fitted recumbent for rider persons from age 9 to 90. Recumbent tricycles are a very well versatile, adaptable, effective adaptive means of comfortable exercise, rehabilitation and transportation means. Information is collected from the different websites articles & engineering books which consists the same science to do the articles of literature. Literature review There are various literatures available on the subject. Time line in the historical development of steering is given as below: Most of the literatures suggest that while having a recumbent tricycle for a disabled, one -handed user there are some very good reasons for reclining (http://www.bicycleman.com/recumbents/recumbent-health-and-fitness.htm). A one handed disabled person rests on a very supportive and quite comfortable seat, instead of perching on a saddle. The diaphragm may expand freely, improving the process of breathing. Weight is taken off from the wrists, and the neck does not have to stress in order to see where the disabled are going. The disabled can have better all-round vision. Recumbent trikes are often very much beneficial to cyclists having back and knee problems. Recumbent bikes and trikes are available in the market in many forms, and are often called very fast machines. This is due to the improved aerodynamics of having legs in front of and not below. With a strong support of seat to push against, a recumbent cycle would produce as much energy as an upright cyclist can exert. It is also argued in the literature that recumbent are better and safer than upright cycles - for one thing because brakes can be pulled very hard as they will go with no fear of diving over the handlebars, and car drivers are more conscious of such persons. Some of the designs from the literature are given below. Progress Report Task Percentage of achievement all studying about steering system and moving system I finish this task 100% I collect all needed data that will help me in understanding the theory of wheels and moving system and I did that by : 1. Searching in internet 2. Reading some articles about steering 3. I visit a workshop that manufacture and repair steering collecting all needed calculation and design About this task I think I could say that I finished about 80%. I did not finish it all because it depends on finishing other calculations for other parts in the tricycle to collect all data together about all calculations .and about this task I studied how can I make a design for steering and I also studied AUTOCAD to can draw it in computer choosing the suitable material I finished this task 100 %. I studied all materials that we can use it in manufacture the steering. And I did that in three steps: 1. Searching in internet about all materials that used to manufacture the steering 2. Comparing about different materials 3. Choose a suitable material About how to design designing the steering wheel according to the need for the disabled user. Designing the bearing fixation system with the main frame, designing location for the brake arm, Designing the steering system a wheel I still collecting some data and learning the AUTOCAD from internet. So I decided to work in weekends to follow my plan to not be out of my schedule till I finish the uncompleted tasks so I will try to do my best . With the aims of 1) Exploring the mechanical system for moving parts for power transmission 2) Showing how the steering system works While designing the wheel with the important features such as material, dimensions, geometry. Software used is AutoCAD or solid works. The theory friction and bearing under the aerodynamics of the recumbent tricycles work on the theory of Fundamentals Dynamic mechanics equations, Bearing basic equation for load & fixing method of Stress & strain equations. Economical study for the final costs for the productThis theory has been found working for the Designing of normal bicycles that have to be modified and best suited for the disabled persons with the provision of another wheel for counter balancing according to the mental fitness of the users. Tests like testing the friction testing the linearity of the wheels’ axe under different force, testing the steering system under loads for tricycles with additional wheels are being performed in balancing and proper usage in order to reach proper accuracy and credibility of results and comparable differences are obtained. Other tests include The Deflection on the steering Rigidity and Bearing reliability. The risks Some of parts have complex shape to calculate the deflection The visiting of factories which produced the same type of tricycle, Some parts costly to manufacture. This are duly Minimized when the advice realizes just one task the tests are valid. Transition has been carefully normal and recumbent tricycles. The progress is being made according to the below given schedule of time. Activity Description   FEB MAR APR 1 8 15 22 29 1 8 15 22 29 1 8 15 22 29 research                               Interim Report                               Tests on Rig                               Learn how to used ansys                               Simulation                               Final Report                               Key skills learnt during the project: Communication Use of information technology Resources and time management Independent learning selecting and reading appropriate materials incorporating images in documents using on-line communications Searching for information monitoring and adjusting a project plan developing, monitoring and adjusting a project plan Planning prioritising and managing time effectively References; 1-Recumbent Tikes & Bikes for Health, Fitness, Exercise, Therapy and Rehab at 2-http://www.bicycleman.com/recumbents/recumbent-health-and-fitness.htm 3-http://www.kinetics.org.uk/html/recumbents.shtml 4-www.bikeforums.net/archive/index.php/t-159672.htm 5www.speedace.info/automotive_directory/trikes_three_wheel_motorcycles.htm 6-brenthugh.com/trikes/ - 10k 7-http://www.ideafinder.com/history/inventions/wheel.htm 8-http://www.howstuffworks.com/ 9-http://www.freepatentsonline.com/ 10-http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bicycle#Uses 11-http://www.isnare.com/ 12- http://www.sheldonbrown.com Appell, P.E. 1896  Mecanique Rationnelle, Vol. II, pp.297-302, 6th edn. Paris: Gauthier-Villars. Åström, K.J., Klein, R.E. & Lennartsson, A.. IEEE Control Systems Magazine25(4), 26-47. Sayers, M. W.. Journal of Guidance, Control, and Dynamics14, 1153-1163. Schwab, A. L., Meijaard, J. P. & Papadopoulos, J. M. KSME International Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology19 (1), 292-304, 2005 Web sites: http://www.dclxvi.org/chunk/tech/index.html http://www.howstuffworks.com/ http://www.freepatentsonline.com/ http://www.phred.org/~josh/bike/bike.html http://socrates.berkeley.edu/~fajans/Teaching/Steering.htm Read More