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OX1 Project
Meeting Transportation, Water, and Energy Needs of Citizens in Developing Nations
Project Sponsor Michael Sexton with Yebobaba
Project Sponsor Michael Sexton with Yebobaba
Overview
Overview
Project sponsor, Michael Sexton, and his organization, Yebobaba, desire to improve the lives of citizens in developing countries with a product that integrates solutions for solving transportation, water, and energy challenges. In the words of Sexton, he and his organization plan to develop a “systems thinking product that can be delivered to remote locations around the world and enable users to go anywhere, do everything, and develop their world.” Sponsor Michael Sexton refers to this integrated system as the OX1, which can be thought of as a single-speed tricycle towing a large cart. Two competing water pumping systems were designed to find the most universally adaptable, easily manufacturable, simple, and efficient system to implement on the OX1. A power generation apparatus was designed so that while the user pedals, a battery would be charged to store on-demand electricity. The final designs presented here are only the first stage of the OX1 project, for these designs were manufactured to be compatible with a universal, single speed bike model. During the next stage of the project, the designs will be adjusted to fit the sponsor's OX1 system.
Project sponsor, Michael Sexton, and his organization, Yebobaba, desire to improve the lives of citizens in developing countries with a product that integrates solutions for solving transportation, water, and energy challenges. In the words of Sexton, he and his organization plan to develop a “systems thinking product that can be delivered to remote locations around the world and enable users to go anywhere, do everything, and develop their world.” Sponsor Michael Sexton refers to this integrated system as the OX1, which can be thought of as a single-speed tricycle towing a large cart. Two competing water pumping systems were designed to find the most universally adaptable, easily manufacturable, simple, and efficient system to implement on the OX1. A power generation apparatus was designed so that while the user pedals, a battery would be charged to store on-demand electricity. The final designs presented here are only the first stage of the OX1 project, for these designs were manufactured to be compatible with a universal, single speed bike model. During the next stage of the project, the designs will be adjusted to fit the sponsor's OX1 system.
Project Objectives
Project Objectives
Transportation – Optimize the gear ratio of the OX1 to decrease transportation time while traveling at a minimum of 19.4 km/h (12 mph) and hauling a full 91 kg payload (200 lbs).
Transportation – Optimize the gear ratio of the OX1 to decrease transportation time while traveling at a minimum of 19.4 km/h (12 mph) and hauling a full 91 kg payload (200 lbs).
Water – Design, build, and test a universal bike attachment combining human power transmission with a water pumping system. This device will make obtaining and transporting water to and from developing communities much easier.
Water – Design, build, and test a universal bike attachment combining human power transmission with a water pumping system. This device will make obtaining and transporting water to and from developing communities much easier.
Energy – Design, build, and test an additional bike wheel attachment to engage a 12V DC motor (functioning as a voltage generator) in order to charge a 12V battery while the bike is in motion. This energy generated during travel is stored on the battery to use on demand for a variety of applications.
Energy – Design, build, and test an additional bike wheel attachment to engage a 12V DC motor (functioning as a voltage generator) in order to charge a 12V battery while the bike is in motion. This energy generated during travel is stored on the battery to use on demand for a variety of applications.
Final Water Pump System Designs
Final Water Pump System Designs
Friction Drive with Rotary Pump
Rear bike wheel rotates both of the attached rotary pumps
Adaptors connect friction wheel to the two rotary pumps
Gear Ratio: 75
Operational Speed: 4500 RPM (60 RPM pedaling speed)
Exploded View of Friction Drive (CAD)
Assembled Friction Drive (CAD)
Close-up Rotary (Centrifugal) Pump System
Belt-Drive + Slider Crank Mechanism with Diaphragm Pump
Rotating crank arm for transferring rotational power to pump
Sliding linkage connecting crank arm to diaphragm
PTFE Guard extends lifetime of crank and the slider
Bike Pedal Powering the Diaphragm Pump Through a Slider Crank Mechanism
Slider Crank Assembly on Bike
Summary of System Performance: Friction Drive with Rotary Pump vs. Slider Crank with Diaphragm Pump
Final Energy Design
Power Generation Apparatus
Gear ratio: 56
12 V DC motor as generator
12 V battery with charge controller
Hinged mounting plate design to engage/disengage motor
Spring for constant downward force
CAD of Power Generation Apparatus Attached to Rear Bike Wheel
Power Generation Apparatus Final Assembly
Power Generation Apparatus Performance Results
The project deliverable travel speed was specified to be 19.4km/hr (12 mph), which is greater than the determined operating speed necessary to charge the battery. Traveling at 12 mph corresponds to operating the motor at 8021 rpm which is much greater than the required 6366 rpm from the theoretical model. Hence, it was verified that operating the bike at the project deliverable travel speed will reliably generate more than 12V from the motor to charge the 12V battery.
Pedaling the bike at 12 mph, the current flow into the battery was measured as 0.3 A using an ammeter. Therefore, based on the 7Ah rating on the battery, it would theoretically take 23.3 hours (just under a day of pedaling) to completely charge the 12V battery. In terms of practical application, this fully charged battery could power a typical 12V light bulb in a household for a day assuming the bulb draws power at 3.6 W.
Animation of Power Generation Apparatus
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