Design Concept Generation, Analysis, and Selection

Design Solution Brainstorming

We thought of different forms of transportation and how they can be improved and bicycles became the discussion. We acknowledged the existence of electric bicycles, but we also acknowledged their high price marks, which led to us making the decision to pursue a cheaper alternative to an electric bike.  The different solutions to this problem included turning an alternator into a motor, using that and a battery to power the bike;  using an internal combustion engine to power the bike, which would require gasoline; using both a motor and an alternator; and using a motor and battery. We ended up settling on the motor and battery solution because it was the most practical.

Constraints: 

• the bike shouldn't be modified too heavily so that it restricts the function of the bike

• the cost of the bike shouldn't be above the price of a retail electric bike

Parameters: 

• the cost which should be under $200

• the speed which should be around 25mph