ISSN : 2249-5762 (Online) | ISSN : 2249-5770 (Print) IJRMET Vol.

7, Issue 1, Nov 2016 - April 2017

Literature Review on Electric Bike

Kunjan Shinde
Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, University of Mumbai, India

Abstract electric bike system successfully and have been benefited. The
The main aim of this review paper is to present the idea of table consists of the following; the type of bike, speed limit(km/
harnessing the various energy and use it in today’s existence of hr), watt, weight limit (kg), Age requirements.
human life. For human being travelling has become vital. In order
to sustain in this fast forward world he must travel from place to Table 1: Specifications of E-Bike in Various Countries
place. It is very important that time taking for travelling should Speed Age
be less, also it should be economical and easily available. With Type of Weight
Country limit in Watt required in
the fast depleting resources of petrol and diesel, there is need to bike in kgs
km/hr yrs
find intermittent choice. Taking all this into account, a shift away
Australia Pedal 25 250 None None
from conventional based fuels to using a renewable sources of
energy is a must. Electric bike which will be driven with the help Canada Hand 32 500 None Various
of battery and thus provide required voltage to the motor. The China P/H 30 200 20 None
focus of this report is to perform power calculations and system Norway Pedal 25 250 None None
design of this Electric Bike. This bike can be driven with the help Israel Pedal 25 250 30 14
of electricity or also with the help of solar energy. Therefore the UK Hand 27 250 40 14
manufacturing of such bike is indispensable. Taiwan Hand 25 200 None None
US Hand 25 750 None None
Keywords
Electric Bike, Harnessing, Solar energy, Economical, China P/H 30 500 None None
Electricity The above table represents the information as to which country
uses what type of bike and the related information. Thus this
Nomenclature: report focuses on the review of prevalent literature on the current
P = Power environmental impact of vehicles, then shifting its way towards
N = revolution per min electric bike use and designing the required calculations based
T = Torque on standard assumptions.
σs = Shear stress
σt = Tensile stress A. What is Electric Bike?
σut = Ultimate Tensile Stress The Electric bike is a bike which is driven with the help of battery
fos = Factor of safety which is coupled to electric motor.
Main principle: It works on the principle that the electromotive
I. Introduction force of an A.C. motor which receives electrical energy stored
The paper presents a review on Portable Electric Bike (PEB). This in D.C. battery is converted with the help of D.C. to A.C.
was first developed in 1890’s in US and those were documented converter.
within various US patents. On 31st Dec, 1895 Ogden Bolton Working Medium: Here for the motivation of prime mover the
designed a battery powered cycle. He designed using 6 pole brush chemical reaction takes place from which an energizing current
and commuter DC hub motor connected to the rear wheel. He was is evolved which is responsible for the working. The working
then granted a US patent. Couple of years later, Hosea W. Libbey medium is sulphuric acid which is separated into columns of H
invented electric bike which was propelled by double electric ions and negative SO4 ions when mixed with water. If the poles of
motor. This motor was so designed that it was attached with the the cell are connected by a load, the flow of the electrons is from
crankset axle. Later in 1990’s torque sensors and power controls negative to positive. A bivalent positive lead is produced from
were developed including some modified versions of bike with neutral lead when combined with bivalent negative of SO4 group
NiMH, NiCd and/or Li-ion batteries which offered lighter, density to form lead sulphate. This results due to scarcity of electrons at
capacities batteries. But this bikes faced decrease in production negative pole. Through the electron supply a bivalent positive
when petrol and diesel resources came in existence [3][5][6][7]. lead is produced at positive pole from quadrivalent positive lead.
Taking considerations of recent events of meager resources and A combination of SO4 comes into existence thereby ruling the
facilities at their disposal, over increasing traffic, snags problem combination of O2 which leads to formation of PbSO4. The atoms
of parking and the need to make automobile a more environmental of oxygen and hydrogen from electrolyte are released together to
friendly, designers of vehicles are back with a view to hit upon form water thereby decreasing the density of battery acid.
a novel concept that completely alter the conventional design. Operation: In this a DC waveform which is obtained id made
Recent developments on Electric bike which are pedal operated sinusoidal due to operational transistorized D.C. to A.C. amplifying
are tremendously increasing all over the world market. In China circuit by switching the electric energy in the form of electric
9 out of 10 Electric bikes are sold, thereby proving that they current which flows from battery to D.C. to A.C. converter circuit.
are not only energy efficient but also relative cheaper than other By using amplifier circuit the small A.C. current is amplified again.
electric automobiles. It enables to ride in hilly areas and also in In order to drive the circuit through the condenser, this amplified
windy areas with much less human effort. The below table shows current is fed to the stator winding of the A.C. motor. The condenser
and gives the review of the world who have implemented this which is used acts as a storage of electric energy and delivers at

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IJRMET Vol. 7, Issue 1, Nov 2016 - April 2017 ISSN : 2249-5762 (Online) | ISSN : 2249-5770 (Print)

the time of requirement. The sprocket wheel installed on motor

shaft is driven by the motive power of the electric energy. The rear
sprocket wheel is being rotated by the chain drive mechanism on
which the other two remaining sprocket wheels are installed. The
wheel is driven by the rear wheel installed on the rear sprocket.
Thus the electric bike is mobilized by using electric power.

II. Components of E - Bike

The Electric bike consists of following components viz, DC motor,
Frame, Platform, Battery, Drive etc. [2].
1. Dc motor: The motor is having 250 watt. capacity with
maximum 2100 rpm. Its specifications are as follows:
Current Rating: 7.5amp (AUTHOR)
Voltage Rating: 48 Volts Fig. 2: Battery
Cooling: Air – cooled
Bearing: Single row ball 5. Chain Drive: A Chain is an array of links held together with
each other with the help of steel pins. This type of arrangement
makes a chain more enduring, long lasting and better way of
transmitting rotary motion from one gear to another.

Fig. 3: Chain Links

The major advantage of chain drive over traditional gear is that,

the chain drive can transmit rotary motion with the help of two
gears and a chain over a distance whereas in traditional many gears
(AUTHOR) must be arranged in a mesh in order to transmit motion.
Fig. 1: DC Motor
6. Braking System: For the braking system it is convenient to
2. Frame: The Frame is made up of M.S. along with some use braking system used in band brake system which consist of
additional light weight components. The frame is designed to spring loaded friction- shoe mechanism, which is driven with the
sustain the weight of the person driving the unit, the weight of help of hand lever.
load to be conveyed and also to hold the accessories like motor.
Also it should be design to bear and overcome the stresses which
may arise able to due to different driving and braking torques
and impact loading across the obstacles. It is drilled and tapped
enough to hold the support plates.

3. Platform: The Platform is designed with robust base so that

it can hold the load along with the weight of the driving person
uniformly. It is fabricated from Mild Steel at a specific angle in
cross section and welded with a sheet of metal of specific thickness.
The platform’s alignment is kept horizontal irrespective whether
it is loaded or unloaded and this is directly bolted and welded to
the frame.

4. Battery: The battery also acts as a condenser in a way that

it stores the electric energy produced by the generator due to
electrochemical transformation and supply it on demand. Battery
is also known as an accumulator of electric charge. This happens
usually while starting the system. Fig. 4: Braking System
7. Sprockets: The chain with engaging with the sprocket converts
rotational power in to rotary power and vice versa. The sprocket

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ISSN : 2249-5762 (Online) | ISSN : 2249-5770 (Print) IJRMET Vol. 7, Issue 1, Nov 2016 - April 2017

looks like a gear but differs in three important ways: σs = 34.73 N/mm2
• Sprockets have many engaging teeth but gears have only Material = C 45 (mild steel)
one or two. σ ut = 320 N/mm2 ------------ PSG design data book.
• The teeth of a gear touch and slip against each other but there Factor of safety = 2
is basically no slippage in case of sprocket σt = σb = σ ut/ fos
• The shape of the teeth are different in gears and sprockets. = 320/2
= 160 N/mm2
σs = 0.5 σt
= 0.5 x 160
= 80 N/mm2
σs is less then allowable so our shaft design is safe.

2. Design of Sprocket and Chain for Electric Bike

We know,
Transmission ratio = Z2 / Z1 = 66/11 = 6
Fig. 5: Various Types of Sprocket [3]
For the above transmission ratio number of teeth on pinion and the
III. Design of Electric Bike number of teeth sprocket is in the range of 21 to 10, so we have
Here we have used permanent magnet self generating motor with to select number of teeth on pinion sprocket as 11 teeth.
250 watt power and 2100rpm. The motor runs on 48volts and
7.5amps power source. This motor can reach a peak current during So, Z1 = 11 teeth
starting equal to 15 amps [2-3].
B. Selection of Pitch of Sprocket
P = 2 x 3.14 x N x T /60 The pitch is decided on the basis of RPM of sprocket.
250 = 2 x 3.14 x 2100 x T /60 RPM of pinion sprocket is variable in normal condition it is =
T = 1.13 N m = 1136 N-mm 2100 rpm
Reduction in chain drive For this rpm value we select pitch of sprocket as 6.35mm from
R chain = 66/11 = 6:1 table.
Torque at wheel shaft = T x R chain = 1136 x 6 = 6820 N mm P = 6.35mm
Speed of wheel shaft = 2100 /6 = 350 rpm Calculation of minimum center distance between sprockets
THE TRANSMISSION RATIO = Z2 / Z1 = 66/11 = 6 which is
A. Designing of Shaft less than 7
Bending: The force which develops across a specific cross section Dia. of small sprocket,
of the shaft, it generates stress at that point of cross section that are Periphery = π × dia. Of sprocket
subjected to maximum loading. This internal or resisting moment 11 × 6.25 = π × D
gives rise to the stress called as bending stresses. D = 11 × 6.25 / π
D = 21.8 mm
Torsion: When the shaft which is twisted by the couple such that Dia. of sprocket,
the axis of that shaft and the axis of the couple harmonize, that Periphery = π × dia. Of sprocket
shaft is subjected to pure torsion and the stresses generated at the 66 × 6.25 = π × D
point of cross section is torsion or shear stresses. D = 66 × 6.25/ π
D = 131.3 mm
Combined Bending and Torsion: In actual practice the shaft is So from table, referred from PSG Design Data book
subjected to combination of the above two types of stresses i.e.
bending and torsion. The bending stresses may occur due any one The minimum centre distance between the two sprocket = C’
of the following reasons: + (80 to 150 mm)
1. Weight of belt
2. Pull of belts
3. Eccentric Mounting of shafts/gears
4. Misalignment of shafts/gears

On contrary, the torsional movement occurs due to direct or

indirect twisting of the shaft. Hence at any given point on cross-
section of the shaft, the shaft is subjected to both bending and C’ = 76.5 mm
torsional stresses simultaneously. Following stresses are taken in
consideration while designing the shaft: MINIMUM CENTER DISTANCE = 76.5 + (30 to 150 mm)
MINIMUM CENTER DISTANCE = 170 mm
1. Shaft Design
T = 36000 N mm C. Calculation of Values of Constants K1 K2 K3 K4 K5
T = 3.14 / 16 x σs x d3 K6 – (with help of PSG Design Data)
Fs allowable = 80 N/mm2 Load factor K1 = 1.25 (Load with mild shock)
6820 =3.14 x σs x d3/16 Distance regulation factor K2 =1.25(Fixed center distance)

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IJRMET Vol. 7, Issue 1, Nov 2016 - April 2017 ISSN : 2249-5762 (Online) | ISSN : 2249-5770 (Print)

Center distance of sprocket factor K3 =0.8 • High efficiency can be obtained if inverter is used.
Factor for position of sprocket K4 = 1 • If using solar panel, free utilization of energy can be done
Lubrication factor K5 = 1.5 (periodic) [9].
Rating factor K6 = 1.0 (single shift)
V. Disadvantages
D. Calculation of Value of Factor of Safety 1. High intensity of wind load
For pitch = 6.35 & speed of rotation of small sprocket = 2100 2. High centre of gravity.
rpm 3. Cannot tolerate drastic changes in environment.
Factor of Safety for this drive = 8.55 4. Needs Periodic Monitoring [9].
Calculation of Allowable Bearing Stress:
For pitch = 6.35 & speed of rotation of small sprocket = 2100 VI. Conclusion
rpm With the increasing consumption of natural resources of petrol,
Allowable Bearing stress in the system = 2.87kg / cm2 diesel it is necessary to shift our way towards alternate resources
=2.87 * 981/100 =28 N /mm2 like the Electric bike and others because it is necessary to identify
new way of transport. Electric bike is a modification of the existing
1. Calculating Maximum Tension on Chain cycle by using electric energy and also solar energy if solar panels
Maximum torque on shaft = Tmax = T2 = 6820 N-mm are provided, that would sum up to increase in energy production.
Where, Since it is energy efficient, electric bike is cheaper and affordable to
T1 = Tension in tight side anyone. It can be used for shorter distances by people of any age. It
T2 = Tension in slack side can be contrived throughout the year. The most vital feature of the
O1, O2 = center distance between two shaft electric bike is that it does not consume fossil fuels thereby saving
crores of foreign currencies. The second most important feature is
Sin = R1 - R2 it is pollution free, eco – friendly and noiseless in operation. For
O1O2 offsetting environmental pollution using of on – board Electric
Bike is the most viable solution. It can be charged with the help
Sin = 65.65 - 10.9 of AC adapter if there is an emergency. The Operating cost per/
170 km is very less and with the help of solar panel it can lessen up
Sin = 0.33 more. Since it has fewer components it can be easily dismantled
= 18.78 to small components, thus requiring less maintenance.

TO FIND References
= (180 –2 ) X 3.14/180 [1] Aikenhead, G. S.,"Bicycle Applications for On-Board Solar
= (180 –2*18.78) X 3.14/180 Power Generation", pp. 9-10, 2011.
= 2.48 rad [2] Barve, D. S.,"Design and Development of Solar Hybrid
According to this relation, Bicycle", International Journal of Current Engineering and
T1/T2 = eμθ Technology, pp. 377-380, 2016.
T1/T2 = e0.35 x 2.48 [3] Barve, D. S.,"Design and Development of Solar Hybrid
T1 = 2.38T2 Bicycle", International Journal of Current Engineering and
Technology, pp. 378-379, 2016.
We have, [4] Barve, D. S.,"Design and Development of Solar Hybrid
T = (T1 – T2) X R Bicycle", International Journal of Current Engineering and
6820 = (2.38 T2 – T2) X 65.65 Technology, pp. 380, 2016.
T2 = 75.27 N [5] FOGELBERG, F.,"Solar Powered Bike Sharing System",
T1 = 2.38 X 75.27 Goteberg,Sweden: Viktoria Swedish ICT, 2014.
T1 = 179.16 N [6] FOGELBERG, F.,"Solar Powered Bike Sharing System
So tension in tight side = 179.16 N with", Goteborg, sweden: Viktoria Swedish ICT, 2014.
We know, [7] GOODMAN, J. D.,"An Electric Boost for Bicyclists", The
Stress = force / area x 2 New York Times, 2010.
Stress induced = 179.16/ (3.14 * 32 / 4) x 2 [8] Prof. Palak Desai, P. D.,"Design And Fabrication Of Solar
Stress induced = 12.67 N /mm2 TRI Cycle", International Journal of Engineering Sciences
& Research, pp. 664, 2016.
As induced stress is less than allowable stress =28N /mm2 design [9] T.Bhavani,"Novel Design of Solar Electric Bicycle with
of sprocket is safe. Pedal", International Journal & Magazine of Engineering,
pp. 108, 2015.
IV. Advantages
• Easy to commute with low fatigue.
• Less maintenance cost.
• Normal Drag/Pedal is possible when power is not in use.
• Deployable batteries – can be taken inside house.
• Cost of the unit is very low.
• Easy to carry since it is portable.
• Less energy consumed.

76 International Journal of Research in Mechanical Engineering & Technology w w w. i j r m e t. c o m

ISSN : 2249-5762 (Online) | ISSN : 2249-5770 (Print) IJRMET Vol. 7, Issue 1, Nov 2016 - April 2017

Kunjan B. Shinde student of Lokmanya

Tilak College of Engineering,
Koparkhairane, Navi Mumbai currently
pursuing my final year of engineering
and working on final year project
named ‘Design and Fabrication of
Electric Bike’ and research on the same
topic as well. I have done Diploma in
Mechanical Engineering from Larsen &
Toubro Institute of Technology (2010-
2014), Powai, Mumbai and passed with
distinction class. I have participated technical project competition
in my final year of diploma. I have done internship in year June
2012-5th sem and Jan 2014-8th sem in Larsen & Toubro ltd. I
aspire to pursue Masters in Fluid Engineering and Machinery.

w w w. i j r m e t. c o m International Journal of Research in Mechanical Engineering & Technology  77