UNAM students developed an electric bicycle for public loan

A UNAM student conceived the ideal transportation for Mexico City. It is not a motorcycle or an electric car, it is a hybrid bicycle, which moves with human energy and rechargeable batteries.

Julio César Arce González, student of the Industrial Design Research Center (CIDI) from the Faculty of Architecture (FA), was the creator, based on several benefits: traveling greater distances and slopes with less effort and fatigue; promote better quality of life; promote the rational use of energy; reduce polluting emissions and decongest public roads.

The "Prototype of an electric bicycle for a public bicycle system" was integrated into the UNAM's Laboratory for Mobility and Green Infrastructure for Energy Efficiency in Cities, and is the first of several related to urban mobility. The project is the reception work for a degree, at CIDI, by Julio César.

Currently the electric bicycle is considered an alternative to complement a larger transport system, since compared to other vehicles it is more affordable and friendly to the environment. The university design "allows optimizing the human effort required to travel long distances within cities," explained Arce González.

This project received support from Conacyt and the capital government has approached to see it, “but there is still no business model. The bicycle is there and currently the Engineering Institute is developing 30 units of a first batch ”.

"It also seeks to generate a change in people's lifestyles, to have a system that meets, or even improves, international quality standards, in addition to empowering the technology that makes the licensing of the system possible," he explained.

“Although they seem like a modern invention, electric bicycles were born almost at the same time as traditional ones. It was not until the 20th century that electricity companies began to play a leading role, in 1973, after the oil energy crisis that devastated the United States ”, he recalled.

Characteristics

The dimensions of the bike are in accordance with the functional and ergonomic aspects of the Mexican population. It is light, with resistant materials and a technological appearance.

It has a 250 watt motor in the axis of the pedals, which assists the cyclist when pedaling; different levels of assistance can be chosen, depending on the needs.

It weighs 23.13 kilograms, with a 36.6-centimeter carbon steel frame, aluminum wheels designed to withstand demands such as jumps and stunts, three-speed with drum brake, steel handlebars with basket, touring-style seat and headlights. and rear. If maximum speed is 25 kilometers per hour.

It is rolled 24 (inches) and is manufactured under tubular steel profiles and folded sheet, with an electrostatic paint finish to protect it from saline environments. Its components are durable, of high quality and low or no maintenance, with an anchoring system.

It is a mechanical bike to which an electric motor was coupled to assist the cyclist in progress, especially on steep slopes, Julio César reiterated. The energy to move the motor is supplied by means of a battery that is recharged in the electrical network; it is more economical compared to internal combustion cars and other electric vehicles.

Its steering is smooth, agile and absorbs the irregularities of the terrain, which increases the efficiency and comfort. The metallic white color gives it a clean and modern look, and the typeface indicating the unit number was chosen to reinforce the technological appearance.

The tires were tested at speeds of up to 50 kilometers per hour, with low rolling resistance and good grip.

The electrical system, consisting of a motor, battery and control units, was carried out based on an electrical study and general requirements. It uses an electronic unit to display important system information at a glance. Its high contrast LCD screen allows easy reading, even in direct sunlight.

Finally, it has a plastic casing that protects and contains the power cells; Inside it has 30 lithium ion cells, 10 blocks connected in series and three batteries connected in parallel.