RADHARAMAN ENGINEERING COLLEGE

Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh

DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

“MINOR PROJECT REPORT ON CHAINLESS BICYCLE”

Project report submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for

the award of the degree of

BACHELOR OF ENGINEERING

IN

MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
Submitted by

ABHYUDAYA PRAKASH 0158ME161007

ARPIT SONDHIYA 0158ME161015

CHANDAN KUMAR 0158ME161020

PRATEEK SAHU 0158ME161049

SOURABH DIXIT 0158ME161068

Under the guidance of

Prof. Pradyumna Vishwakarma Professor(M.E)

 RADHARAMAN ENGINEERING COLLEGE
Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh

DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

CERTIFICATE
This is to certify that the project report entitled “CHAINLESS BICYCLE” that is
being submitted by Abhyudaya Prakash 0158ME161007, Arpit Sondhiya
0158ME161015, Chandan Kumar 0158ME161020, Prateek Sahu 0158ME161020,
Sourabh Dixit 0158ME161068 in partial fulfillment for the award of the Degree of
Bachelor of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering to the Radharaman
Engineering College is a record of bonafide work carried out by them under my
guidance and supervision. The results embodied in this project report have not
been submitted to any other University or Institute for the award of any
Graduation degree.

Prof. Pradyumna Vishwakarma External Examiner

HOD,

Department of ME

(Project guide)
CONTENTS
Page No.
Acknowledgement........................................................................................................
Abstract........................................................................................................................
Chapter - 1: Introduction...........................................................................................
General Introduction.............................................................................
Purpose of the drive shaft.....................................................................
Functions of the drive shaft..................................................................
Objectives of dynamic bicycle.............................................................
Chapter - 2: Literature Review................................................................................
Introduction.........................................................................................
History.................................................................................................
Parts of driveshaft......................................................................
Different parts of bicycle...................................................
Roller bearing...........................................................
Types of roller bearing..........................................................................
Chapter - 3: Catia Model.................................................................................
Assembly of transmission shaft.........................................................................................
Assembly of crank.....................................................................................
Assembly of frame........................................................................................
Assembly of front pinion..............................................................................................
Assembly of rear pinion..................................................................................
Assembly of rear hub.......................................................................................
Ball bearing.....................................................................................
Outer Race.............................................................................
Efficiency ratio...........................................................
Advantages and Disadvantages...............................................................................
Future scope
References................................................................................................................
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
This is to place on record our appreciation and deep gratitude to the people
without whose support this project would never have seen the light of day.

We also express our sincere thanks to Prof. Pradyumna Vishwakarma, Head of

the Department, Department of Mechanical Engineering, REC for extending his
help and for his guidance throughout this project.

We express our indebtedness towards Asst. Prof. Vijay Pratap Singh,

Department of Mechanical Engineering, REC for their valuable recommendations
and for accepting this project report.

Finally we express our sincere gratitude toward all the member of faculty and our
friends who contributed their valuable advice and helped to complete project
successfully.

ABHYUDAYA PRAKASH 0158ME161007

ARPIT SONDHIYA 0158ME161015

CHANDAN KUMAR 0158ME161020

PRATEEK SAHU 0158ME161049

SOURABH DIXIT 0158ME161068

 ABSTRACT

This project is developed for the users to rotate the rear wheel of a two wheeler
using propeller shaft.

Power transmission through chain drive is the oldest and widest used method in
case of bicycle.

In this paper we implemented the chainless transmission to the bicycle to

overcome the various disadvantages of chain drive.

Shaft drives were introduced over a century ago, but were mostly supplanted by
chain-driven bicycles due to the gear ranges possible with sprockets and derailleur.

Recently, due to advancements in internal gear technology, a small number of

modern shaft-driven bicycles have been introduced.

Usually in two wheelers, chain and sprocket method is used to drive the back
wheel.

The shaft drive only needs periodic lubrication using a grease gun to keep the
gears running quiet and smooth.

A shaft driven bicycle is a bicycle that uses a shaft drive instead of a chain which
contain two set of roller bearing at both the ends to make a new kind of
transmission system for bicycle for getting high reliability system, and more safe
system.

Shaft-driven bikes have a pinion style drive shaft system where a conventional
bike would have its chain ring. Pinion meshes with another roller bearing mounted
on the drive shaft.

The use of roller bearing allows the axis of the drive torque from the pedals to be
turned through 90 degrees.

The drive shaft then has another roller bearing near the rear wheel hub which
meshes with a pinion on the hub where the rear sprocket would be on a
conventional bike, and cancelling out the first drive torque change of axis.
According to the direction of motion of pedal, the wheel will be moved forward
or reverse. This avoids the usage of chain and sprocket method.

This “chainless” drive system provides smooth, quite and efficient transfer of
energy from the pedals to the rear wheel.

It is attractive in look compare with chain driven bicycle. It replaces the
traditional method.

.
 INTRODUCTION
GENERAL INTRODUCTION

A shaft-driven bicycle is a bicycle that uses a drive shaft instead of a chain to

transmit power from the pedals to the rear wheel. Shaft drives were introduced
over a century ago, but were mostly supplanted by chain-driven bicycles due to the
gear ranges possible with sprockets and derailleur. If roller bearing could be
accurately and cheaply made by machinery, it is possible that bearing of this
description might supplant, to a great extent.

The pinion drive shaft system eliminates eight points of chain sliding friction and
replaces it with just two points of higher-efficiency bearing rolling friction.

Shaft-driven bikes have a roller and pinion where a conventional bike would have
its chain ring. Pinion meshes with the roller bearing provided at the rear side of
shaft. The use of roller and pinion allows the axis of the drive torque from the
pedals to be turned through 90degrees. The drive shaft then has another roller
bearing near the rear wheel hub which meshes with a pinion on the hub where the
rear sprocket would be on a conventional bike, and cancelling out the first drive
torque change of axis.
An automotive drive shaft transmits power from the engine to the differential gear
of a rear wheel drive vehicle. The drive shaft is usually manufactured in two pieces
to increase the fundamental bending natural frequency because the bending natural
frequency of a shaft is inversely proportional to the square of beam length and
proportional to the square root of specific modulus which increases the total weight
of an automotive vehicle and decreases fuel efficiency. So, a single piece drive
shaft is preferred here and the material of it is considered to be Titanium alloy
because of its high strength and low density. Drive shafts are carriers of torque and
are subject to torsion and shear stress, equivalent to the difference between the
input torque and the load. They must therefore be strong enough to bear the stress,
whilst avoiding too much additional weight as that would in turn increase their
inertia.

Purpose of the Drive Shaft (Or Propeller Shaft)

The torque that is produced from the engine and transmission must be transferred
to the rear wheels to push the vehicle forward and reverse. The drive shaft must
provide a smooth, uninterrupted flow of power to the axles. The drive shaft and
differential are used to transfer this torque.

Functions of the Drive Shaft

a) First, it must transmit torque from the transmission to the differential gear box .

b) During the operation, it is necessary to transmit maximum low-gear torque

developed by the engine.

c) The drive shafts must also be capable of rotating at the very fast speeds required
by the vehicle.

Objectives of dynamic bicycle

a) Increase durability of bicycle with the help of shaft drive.

b) Reduce maintenance cost of bicycle.

c) Increase power transmission efficiency of the bicycle and makes system more
reliable.
 LITERATURE REVIEW

A traditional derailleur system has 8 points of 'sliding' friction while their new
system has two points of 'rolling' friction which leads to a 49% reduction in
friction. A weight reduction of 10-15% is also expected.

A revolutionary drive train concept that sets new standards in efficiency and
eliminates the need for derailleur and chains. To achieve ultimate efficiency,
Driven utilizes 21 Ceramic Speed hybrid bearings. Each bearing contains unique
ceramic balls that are 58% lighter and 2.3 times harder than traditional steel,
increasing the speed of the bearing by 30-50%. Each bearing works in harmony to
deliver greater power, playing a pivotal role in performance and speed.

Driven sets a new benchmark in drive train technology, increasing optimal

efficiency to 99% and creating 49% less friction than market leaders. Unlike
traditional drive train systems, Driven eliminates friction caused by the articulation
of a chain due to its innovative pinion drive shaft design.
 History

The first shaft drives for cycles appear to have been invented independently in
1890 in the United States and England. A. Fearnhead, of 354 Caledonian Road,
North London developed one in 1890 and received a patent in October 1891.His
prototype shaft was enclosed within a tube running along the top of the chain stay;
later models were enclosed within the actual chain stay .In the United States,
Walter Still man filed for a patent on a shaft-driven bicycle on Dec. 10, 1890
which was granted on July 21, 1891.

The shaft drive was not well accepted in England, so in 1894 Fearn head took it
to the USA where Colonel Pope of the Columbia firm bought the exclusive
American rights. Belatedly, the English makers took it up, with Humber in
particular plunging heavily on the deal. Curiously enough, the greatest of all the
Victorian cycle engineers, Professor Archibald Sharp, was against shaft drive; in
his classic 1896 book "Bicycle sand Tricycles", he writes "The Fearn head Gear....
if bevel-wheels could be accurately and cheaply cut by machinery, it is possible
that gears of this description might supplant, to a great extent, the chain-drive gear;
but the fact that the teeth of the bevel wheels cannot be accurately milled is a
serious obstacle to their practical success".

In the USA, they had been made by the League Cycle Company as early as 1893.
Soon after, the French company Metro pole marketed their A catane. By
1897Columbia began aggressively to market the chainless bicycle it had acquired
from the League Cycle Company. Chainless bicycles were moderately popular in
1898 and1899, although sales were still much smaller than regular bicycles,
primarily due to the high cost. The bikes were also somewhat less efficient than
regular bicycles: there was roughly an 8 percent loss in the gearing, in part due to
limited manufacturing technology at the time. The rear wheel was also more
difficult to remove to change flats. Many of these deficiencies have been overcome
in the past century.

In 1902, The Hill-Climber Bicycle Mfg. Company sold a three-speed shaft-
driven bicycle in which the shifting was implemented with three sets of bevel
gears. While a small number of chainless bicycles were available, for the most
part, shaft-driven bicycles disappeared from view for most of the 20th century.
There is, however, still a niche market for chainless bikes, especially for
commuters, and there are a number of manufacturers who offer them either as part
of a larger range or as a primary specialization. A notable example is Bio mega in
Denmark.

Part of Drive Shaft

No. PARTS DIMENSIONS & DETAILS
1. Wheels 26 x 2.35” Double layer Rim
2. Hub 36/36 Hole
3. Brakes Friction Brakes
4. Spoke 14 Gauge
5. Handle Bar & Stem Semi-Raised Type
6. Frame MIG Welded
7. Pedal Molded & Steel body
8. Centre to Centre Distance 90cm
9. Frame Angle 40 deg
10. Pedal Length 16 cm
11. Handle to Seat Distance 70 cm
12. Handle Length 55 cm
13. Elevation of Seat 25 cm
14. Shaft Length 45.7 cm
15. Total Height 106 cm

Different Parts of Bicycle:

Transmission Shaft: It used for transmitting the power from pinion to the rear
cog. It is made up of carbon fiber. It is a mechatronic shaft which contains
following parts:

1. Servo Motor: It is a linear or angular actuator that allows for precise control
of angular or linear position, velocity and acceleration. It consists of a
suitable motor coupled to a sensor for position feedback.
2. Battery: Here battery works as a power source for the actuation of the servo
motor. It supplies the power for the linear movement of the shaft.

3. Pinion: The pinion is attached to the transmission shaft. Here pinion is in the
form of roller bearing which receives the rotation while rotating the paddles
Roller Bearing
A rolling-element bearing, also known as a rolling bearing, is a bearing which
carries a load by placing rolling elements between two bearing rings called races.
The relative motion of the races causes the rolling elements to roll with very little
rolling resistance and with little sliding

Roller Bearing Types and Applications

There are thousands of different types of roller bearings available to meet specific
application requirements. Emerson Bearing offers a broad selection of roller
bearings, including the following popular types:

Cylindrical roller bearings

These bearings feature rollers that are longer than their diameter, and can tolerate
higher loads than ball bearings. Our cylindrical roller bearings can carry heavy
radial loads and are able to be used in high-speed applications.
Spherical roller bearings

These can carry heavy loads even when dealing with misalignment and shaft
deflection. They can be designed to have cylindrical or tapered bores for mounting
with or without a sleeve adapter. Available with various internal clearances and
retainer options, spherical roller bearings can handle axial loading in either
direction as well as heavy shock loads. These bearings are available in bore
dimensions ranging from 20 mm to 900 mm.

Needle roller bearings

This type of bearing is thinner than conventional roller bearings and can be
designed with or without an inner ring. Needle roller bearings are ideal for dealing
with radial space constraints in heavy-load, high-speed applications. Drawn cup
styles allow for high load capacities and large grease reservoirs while still offering
a slim cross-section design. These bearings are offered with inch or metric seals.
Taper roller bearings

These bearings can support radial and thrust loads. They can only handle
unidirectional axial loads, so a second laterally reversed bearing is required for
counter stay. Taper roller bearings are available in inch and metric sizes. Roller
bearings are used in a wide range of applications, from heavy equipment and
machinery to power generation, manufacturing, and aerospace
Ceramics Bearing

1. Hybrid ball bearings using ceramic balls

Ceramic bearing balls can weigh up to 40% less than steel ones, depending
on size and material. This reduces centrifugal loading and skidding, so
hybrid ceramic bearings can operate 20% to 40% faster than conventional
bearings. This means that the outer race groove exerts less force inward
against the ball as the bearing spins. This reduction in force reduces the
friction and rolling resistance. The lighter balls allow the bearing to spin
faster, and use less energy to maintain its speed.

The ceramic balls are typically harder than the race. Due to wear, with time
they will form a groove in the race. This is preferable to the balls wearing
which would leave them with possible flat spots significantly harming
performance.

While ceramic hybrid bearings use ceramic balls in place of steel ones, they
are constructed with steel inner and outer rings; hence the hybrid
designation. While the ceramic material itself is stronger than steel, it is also
stiffer, which results in increased stresses on the rings, and hence decreased
load capacity. Ceramic balls are electrically insulating, which can prevent
'arcing' failures if current should be passed through the bearing. Ceramic
balls can also be effective in environments where lubrication may not be
available (such as in space applications).
2. Fully ceramic bearings

These bearings make use of both ceramic balls and race. These bearings are
impervious to corrosion and rarely require lubrication if at all. Due to the
stiffness and hardness of the balls and race these bearings are noisy at high
speeds. The stiffness of the ceramic makes these bearings brittle and liable to
crack under load or impact. Because both ball and race are of similar hardness
wear can lead to chipping at high speeds of both the balls and the race this can
cause sparking.
Working principle:

The Driven concept uses ceramic ball bearings to engage teeth on a

flat cassette to convert a pedal stroke by the cyclist to drive the rear
wheel. The bearings roll through the teeth and therefore, create zero
sliding friction. The system gets its efficiency gain from replacing the
8 points of sliding friction in a standard derailleur system, with 2
points of rolling friction. They say the system is around 49% more
efficient than a standard derailleur system.
Weight gains have been achieved in the process of removing components such
as the chain and derailleur but are replaced by batteries and shafts, they say this
could be 15-20% lighter than a standard setup.

To change the overall gear ratio (usually done by replacing the front chainring
with a different number of teeth) they envisage a quick release method of
replacing the entire carbon fibre axle (electronics and all) with a different ratio
between the front and rear bearing pinions. The current design has 8 bearings at
the front and 11 at the back to create a mechanical advantage.

Because the cassette is flat and doesn't rely on a chain moving up and down the
gears, in theory, the cassette could have any number of gears (up to the
diameter of the wheel!).
So how would it shift?

This is the question I asked myself as soon as I saw the concept online. Yes, it
can drive a wheel on a single gear ratio but I couldn't find any video of it
changing gear. There is a cut-away section of inside the carbon fibre tube which
contains a battery, wireless electronics, motor and linear actuator.

The principle of the bearing pinion sliding fore and aft up and down the gears
works in principle but in reality, this is extremely difficult to achieve without
stripping the gear's teeth. They say it uses 'shift channels' where the bearing
pinion is able to jump between gears at several points in the rotation. This
would be interesting to see how it wears when changing gear under torque. For
this to work, the system will need to index itself and know where the 'shift
channels' are in relation to the bearings.
Catia Model

Assembly of Transmission Shaft

Assembly of Crank

Assembly of frame
Assembly of front pinion

Assembly of rear pinion

Assembly of rear hub

Ball bearing
 Outer race

Efficiency model
Advantages
 Driven is lighter than a conventional drivetrain as the chain and derailleurs
are eliminated.
 There is a high potential for aerodynamic advantages.
 Lower friction in general, and the elimination of chain link stiction and chain
sliding friction.
 Endless possibilities for gear range options of a 1x gear.
 Different diameter front and rear pinions can be used to increase or decrease
the overall final drive ratios.
 Drive system is less likely to become jammed, a common problem with
chain-driven bicycles.

At 250W, Ceramic Speed Driven creates 32% less friction than the Ceramic
Speed upgraded drivetrain, and 49% less friction than the standard Dura-Ace
drivetrain.

Disadvantages
 Difficulty in shaping and machining of cog profile.
 Difficult to change gears.
 Complex shaft mechanism.
 Costly due to use of ceramics and carbon fiber.

Future Scope
The Driven system maintains its superior efficiency levels at these racing power
outputs and continues leading the efficiency curve well beyond 1000+ watts. This
drivetrain is perfect for a wide range of applications, from time trial bicycles to
track, triathlon, e-bikes and even commuting bicycles.

And even can develop for the smoother transmission of the power in tricycle used
by especially abled people.
Options for Driven can include, a double row ball bearings (further increasing the
efficiency levels), a more optimized, possibly asymmetrical tooth design, material
testing (advanced lighter and durable materials for the rear cog and front ring). The
patent includes the possibility for a power meter inclusion inside the shaft and a
compact shroud can encapsulate the entire drivetrain to protect from mud, rain, and
contamination
References

 file:///I:/Wild%20CeramicSpeed%20Driven%2013
-
speed%20drivetrain%20concept%20shifts%20with
%20no%20derailleur%20-%20Bikerumor.html
 file:///I:/Ceramic%20Speed_%20A%20Pivot%20R
EVOLUTION!.mhtml
 file:///I:/Ball%20bearing%20-
%20Wikipedia.mhtml
 https://www.ceramicspeed.com/en/
 https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/we-take-closer-look-ceramicspeed-driven-concept-ask-
work-tom-parsons