Recumbent Trike Vehicle
Jun 2009 – Jul 2011
Personal project – designer and producer
Altered salvaged bicycle parts and steel into a trike vehicle with independent dynamic suspension for comfort and versatility in off-road conditions and city commuting with the purpose to develop a personal mobility alternative.
Enhanced hands-on skills implementing research and planning with MIG welding and metal workshop machinery.
Revised suspension and steering design twice to improve performance and achieved acceptable results. Ackerman steering geometry was achieved.
Future plans involve a budget for making a lithium battery pack to power the electric motor I have in some of the pictures and a re-evaluation of the location of the center of gravity. The foot pedal assembly is not shown.
This project was challenging with regards to trial and error with sub-assemblies until acceptable results in performance were achieved. I experimented with designs in the suspension and steering over the years and learned how they behave in real life. I used this background knowledge as I learned the science and engineering related fundamentals when studying at San Jose State University. More specifically, when I took my Automotive Engineering course I had a good visual reference to compare what I was learning in class to what I have designed in this project. For example, I realized that the location of the center of gravity was too high and caused some vehicle instability with turns due to the lateral forces in cornering.
Personal project – designer and producer
Altered salvaged bicycle parts and steel into a trike vehicle with independent dynamic suspension for comfort and versatility in off-road conditions and city commuting with the purpose to develop a personal mobility alternative.
Enhanced hands-on skills implementing research and planning with MIG welding and metal workshop machinery.
Revised suspension and steering design twice to improve performance and achieved acceptable results. Ackerman steering geometry was achieved.
Future plans involve a budget for making a lithium battery pack to power the electric motor I have in some of the pictures and a re-evaluation of the location of the center of gravity. The foot pedal assembly is not shown.
This project was challenging with regards to trial and error with sub-assemblies until acceptable results in performance were achieved. I experimented with designs in the suspension and steering over the years and learned how they behave in real life. I used this background knowledge as I learned the science and engineering related fundamentals when studying at San Jose State University. More specifically, when I took my Automotive Engineering course I had a good visual reference to compare what I was learning in class to what I have designed in this project. For example, I realized that the location of the center of gravity was too high and caused some vehicle instability with turns due to the lateral forces in cornering.
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