HITEC UNIVERSITY TAXILA

PROJECT PROPOSAL

Group Members:

Registration Numbers

Atif Ashfaq

13-ME-081

Muneeb Ur Rehman

13-ME-136

Obaid Ur Rehman

13-ME-142

Rehan Aftab

13-ME-147

Section:
B

DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION OF KINETIC ENERGY

RECOVERY SYSTEM (KERS) IN BICYCLE

Abstract
Kinetic energy recovery system (KERS) is a technology used in formula-1 cars for
recovering the energy lost in braking of the car and thus providing boost to the vehicle motion.
Same concept i.e. regenerative braking can be applied in bicycle which uses a flywheel which
will be mounted between the frames of the bicycle, the flywheel can store the braking energy by
rotating and this energy can be given back to the system which will reduce the pedaling power
required to drive the bicycle. This Flywheel Energy Storage (FES) system uses flywheel with
suitable clutch mechanism along with sprocket and chains. Further this project concludes about
efficiency and pedaling power in flywheel bicycle.

Introduction
In KERS bicycle, flywheel is used to store and restore the energy. Flywheel is mounted
between frames of bicycle with aesthetic and ergonomic considerations. The flywheel is mounted
on the shaft and shaft is supported by means of frames. Flywheel can be engaged with rear wheel
with clutch mechanism. This mechanism consists of clutch, free wheel and sprocket with proper
gear ratio for transmission.
When the bicycle is down hills or with slow speed in traffic jam clutch can be engaged with
flywheel to store energy and this energy can be restored when required. Now at a time when the
speed reduction is required clutch is engaged and flywheel starts rotating storing energy in spite
of this pedaling power can be decreased and efficiency of system can be increased.

Working
The components used in the system are flywheel, clutch, chain drive, Bearing, frame.
Flywheel which is mounted on the frame is driven by the rear wheel through the chain drive and
clutch mechanism. When one has to apply the brakes the mechanism is such that clutch gets
engaged with the flywheel and it starts rotating thus storing the braking energy.

The mechanism designed is such that by manually pressing the lever (Rear brake lever of the
bicycle) the clutch can engage with the flywheel this depends upon the convenience of the biker.
The stored energy is utilized when the speed of bicycle decreases below the average range of
speed i.e. rear wheel speed. The flywheel energy by the means of chain in this case can be
restored back to the bicycle thus fulfilling its torque requirement.
Consider for instance riding on a slope or in the case of mountain biking, when the speed of
bicycle is more than average speed range the engagement of flywheel is facilitated and the
flywheel keeps on rotating for a certain period of time mainly due to inertia this motion can be
transferred back to the rear wheel thus assisting the forward motion of the bicycle.

Objectives
Reduction in pedaling power required to drive bicycle
Increase the system efficiency
Imparting the simplest possible operation & mechanism

Components Designed
1) Flywheel

2) Selection of clutch mechanism

3) Shaft
4) Frame
5) Bearing Selection