Design and Analysis Of Lever Operated Bicycle

Abstract

Man, since the dawn of time has always innovated new modes and methods of transportation as soon as he discovered and invented what can arguably called the most important of all time, the circular wheel. Perhaps the oldest and most economical modern machine was made using two wheels – The humble Bicycle. The most common bicycle is propelled by a chain drive system where in the rotation of pedals moves the chain linkage thusly moving the connected rear wheel. The usage of gear-pinion pair and chain linkage causes several problems including and not limited to fast

wear and tear, more frequent maintenance and high replacement costs of intricately manufactured parts. Identifying such problems, us colleagues decided to help improve the overall efficiency and cost to value parameters by replacing the chain driven system with a lever driven system. The lever drive system, unlike rotating pedals, works only on the vertical

movement of pedals. The purpose of including vertical pedaling is to eliminate the alternating torque that causes less than maximum potential harnessing of the input power due to link system. The lever drive consists of the vertical axis moving pedals which includes a connecting rod transmitting the power from pedal to the disc mechanism connected to the hub of the rear wheel which propels the cycle forward. The usage of lever drive system results into lesser maintenance costs,

more power output to input ratio and has a longer life than chain drive systems. The main purpose of this project work is to decrease the effort required human for cycling in general while simultaneously trying to prolong a bicycle’s life; and providing a medium of transportation for peoples with handicaps, weak legs etc by reducing the effort and eliminating the alternating torque.