Development of a Smart Bicycle Based on a Hydrostatic Automatic Transmission

Abstract

This paper develops a newly bicycle concept named smart bicycle (SBIC) with automatic transmission and energy recuperating ability. The SBIC operation is based on a hydrostatic transmission (HST). Several HST designs have been proposed. Moreover, a use of energy converting and storing devices is an optional design for the SBIC to recovery energy during the deceleration or going downhill process, and to support this energy to the hydraulic system during the acceleration or going uphill process. The working efficiency of the bicycle is then increased and could become competitive with the roller-chain technology. Simulations have been carried out to evaluate the working performances of the proposed SBIC concepts.

Keywords

• bicycle
• automatic
• hydrostatic transmission
• energy
• recovery