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Chapter 1
Introduction

1.1 Background of the Study

Our economic development increases the use of petroleum

gases and increases the consumption of electricity with respect to the

rapid growth of population. Non-renewable resources of electrical

energy like coal, diesel, gasoline and others that are being used by

power plants can cause costly and enormous damage to our

environment as well as the people living near the vicinity.

Technology and our way of life is driven by electricity and

consumers are looking for alternative ways of decreasing the amount

of energy used from non-renewable resources for their daily living.

There are numerous ways in decreasing the electric consumption in

our households from non-renewable resources and many of those

have been previously developed such as solar panels and miniature

wind turbines. Consumption of non-renewable resources can be

further decreased without household modification such as phasing out

of coal and diesel fired power plants and increasing our dependency

on renewable resource like hydro, wind and solar.

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Communication has rapidly evolved over the last decades and

has become highly personalized. The earliest forms of

communications technology were telegraphs which required skill and

were not widely available for mass consumption. Telephones then

came into the foray and brought communication widely available in

households. Today, almost everyone has their own personal

communication device in the form of mobile phones which can be

brought anywhere. As with every electric device, they require electric

energy.

Because the cost of electricity charged from the grid can be

expensive, the researchers came up with the idea to improve previous

design of a device, specifically a miniature DC generator, which can

generate electricity off-grid in order to lessen the reliance from the

grid. This device will be coupled to any bicycles which can be driven

around on both plain and rough terrains, urban or rural.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

The objective of this research study is to present a working

prototype of an electronic device charger whose power source is a DC

generator. Most electronic devices today particularly cellular phones

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offer a great variety of services to cyclists such as GPS, some

bicycling apps which display speedometer, camera, video and so

many great features that cellphones could offer. These great services

are valuable to the cyclist, but only if the cellular phone is charged.

Since this research study must result in an actual consumer

product and not just a proof of concept, certain design considerations

as well as ergonomic and economic factors play important roles in the

development of the research output.

Some products are already available on the market and are

made to power portable gadgets; however, they all exhibit certain

limitations, which requires connection to the grid. The concept for this

design is an output that is ergonomic and easy to use, can charge

electronic devices such as cellphones and power banks at the speed

under 10 MPH and can be compared its price to the existing output on

the market. The project output consists of a customized casing which

houses the charger and wattmeter, with a single cable that connects

to the permanent magnet geared DC generator. The casing mounts to

the handlebars of the bicycle, giving the user easy access to the visual

display of the voltage, current and power measurements.

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1.3 Objectives of the Study

This research study aims to produce energy with the use of the

local permanent magnet geared DC generator for charging electronic

devices. The objectives are:

1. To design and install a custom-built charger attached to

a bicycle through a sprocket and chain linkage, to

produce electrical energy for charging processes.

2. To determine the charging capacity using a permanent

magnet geared DC generator and compare it from the

grid.

3. To determine an appropriate bicycle speed to complete

a charging process.

1.4 Significance of the Study

If the study will be found affirmative, then it is significant to these:

 Cycling Enthusiasts – people who spend significant time

with bicycles for any purpose may find the device useful

as power source for their devices.

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 The Researchers – the results of this research study

may help the researcher to enhance their knowledge

relating to the utilization of the mechanical power

produced by the bicycle for electrical power generation.

1.5 Scope and Limitation of the Study

The research study will be limited for bicycle use only because

any other transportation like motorcycle, because the revolutions will

damage the generator. It would also be limited to cellphones and

power banks. Charger specification input should be 12-24 Volts DC

and DC5V with 1A output so that the charging process is continually

working.

1.6 Conceptual Framework

The concept of this research study is to utilize the mechanical

power produced by the bicycle to produce electrical energy from the

generator as our input. Shown below is the schematic diagram of the

conceptual framework, the interrelated processes that constitute in

order to come up with a well-designed output.

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For the process, setting the device to a right place where

possible losses are minimized and gathering significant data for the

research study like voltage rating, speed of the bicycle and

percentage charge of the tested electronic device are crucial.

Design Stage
Design and assembly of
the device

Independent Variables

Bicycle Speed
Charger Voltage Output

Throughput
With
Defects Testing of the Device

Dependent Variable

Charge increase

Figure 1.1 Conceptual Framework Flow Process

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1.7 Theoretical Framework

Motion in mechanical systems is determined by the setup of

linkages. The linkage forms a kinematic chain which transmits a

defined motion. A design can produce the required motion for any

given practical needs. In electric power generation this comes in the

form of a rotating shaft receiving torque from a source and transmitting

this to a coupled magnetic field which converts the rotational power to

electrical power. Generators are available in all kind of sizes.

Bicycles are powered by constant pedaling through a chain-

sprocket linkage. The chain-sprocket linkage transmits a constant

speed ratio between the driver and driven sprocket and eliminates the

slippage present in belt systems. The sprocket inserts through links in

between two hinges of the chain.

Energy is soon available in the form of rotation by the spinning

of the wheel. Power can be harnessed by using a friction wheel

coupled to the surface of the wheel, but this has the disadvantages of

slippage and wear induced to the friction wheel. Another way of

harnessing power is by inserting another sprocket in the linkage that is

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coupled to a generator, which eliminates both disadvantages of the

friction wheel.

The research study aims to produce electrical energy through

this mechanism.

1.8 Definition of Terms

To understand the terms used in the research study, the

following are defined operationally:

Grid - is an interconnected network for delivering electricity from

producers to consumers.

Bicycle - is a human-powered or motor-powered, pedal-driven, single-

track vehicle, having two wheels attached to a frame, one behind the

other.

Generator - is a device that converts motive power into electrical

power for use in an external circuit.

Direct Current (DC) - is the unidirectional flow of electric charge.

Power Bank - is a portable device that can supply power from its

built-in battery through a USB port.

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Cellphone - is a portable telephone that can make and receive calls

over a radio frequency link while the user is moving within a telephone

service area.

Permanent Magnet Geared DC Generator - is a generator where the

excitation field is provided by a permanent magnet instead of a coil.

The gear system, which is connected to generator decreases the

rotation of the shaft but increases the torque, thereby reducing the

required speed of the bicycle.

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Chapter 2

Review of Related Literature

This chapter states the review of related literature and studies

having relative significance about bike-powered electric generator.

Aside from the data of the research study, the researchers have

gathered information from other resources that the researchers have

come across by reading journals, handbooks and other related

researches.

The researchers have come across the history of pedal

powered machines which is according to G. Laštovička-Medin (2017)

that energy has generally been applied using the arms, hands and

back. Treadles are still in common in the low-power range, especially

for sewing machines. It was nearly 50 years after Karl von Krais.

Krais created the steering foot-propelled bicycle in 1817 that in

which Pierre Michaud upgraded the concept by adding pedals and

cranks that gave people the enthusiasm for bicycling that is still being

used up to present.
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Also, it was known that the human legs are more powerful than

the human arms. The average human strength can sustain about

100W of power functioning through pedal for 60 minutes. While, hand

crank can only produce about 30W of power in 60 minutes.

However, in the later 19th century it was recorded that the most

efficient way to harvest human energy is through pedaling. Static

pedal powered mechanism expands in the turn of the 20th century up

to present.

Otto Von Guericke is credited on building the first electrical

machine in 1660. This form of electricity foregoes electromagnetic

energy which dominates. electricity usage practices bloomed from

1831 to 1846 with theoretical and experimental work from Faraday,

Weber and Gauss in the relationship of current, magnetic fields and

force. These theories enabled the design modern motors and

generators. From 1880 to 1900, there was a period of rapid

development in electrical machines.

Since 2007, fitness facilities started researching applications for

converting human power into electricity have emerged around the

world. In Hong Kong, the California Fitness facility was the first gym to
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place the integrated human powered machines. Launch by the French

inventor Lucien Gambarota along with the entrepreneur Doug

Woodring. The gym began a program called “Powered by YOU” that

excessively generated energy by the cyclists is disport and used to

power the lighting of the gym.

In the years 2008-2009, The Dixon Recreation Center at

Oregon State University (OSU) is one of the many facilities retrofitted

by the Clearwater, a ReRev known based company in Florida. A 22

elliptical machines were retrofitted by the company so that the excess

generated energy by the people was diverted to the grid. According to

the company’s website, “In regular use at the gym, these elliptical

machines will generate one kilowatt-hour of electricity for every two

days”.

According to Annette Muetze & Ying Tan (2007) a bicycle powered by

electric generator, for about two decades has been expanded their

way into the U.S. market. These bicycles can be powered by a motor.

In the other countries such as Japan, bike-powered electric generator

is required to operate with 50% human pedal power for up 12mi/h, and

an even higher percentage of human power is required above that

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speed. Such bicycles are commonly known as “pedelecs” (pedal

electric cycle). There are various purposes of the electric bicycles. It

can be used as transport vehicle for police or law enforcement in

places where parking and traffic is an issue or can be used as guide

bicycle during races. It can be also used for other transport purposes.

Electric bicycles are most commonly used in United States for short

transport to market or for leisurely rides.

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Chapter 3

Methodology

This chapter contains how the research study is performed by

the researchers. It also includes a detailed discussion on the following:

research plan, research design, research locale and data collection.

3.1 Research Plan

Electricity is a basic need of all people. The consumption rate is

increasing at 10 percent every year but there has been no sufficient

growth in production rate which leads to a load shedding and increase

in price levels. Since electronic devices particularly cellphones play a

big role today, the researchers came up with a solution of using a

permanent magnet geared DC generator as our generator where the

design would be based upon the bicycle.

Designing is the most critical part of the research study since it

must be viewed from analytical lenses and anticipation of problems

that may occur eventually.

Before the output is constructed, proper conceptualization of

the design is to be done. The researchers conceived the idea of

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producing electricity out of a permanent magnet geared DC generator

with ease of fabrication. Moreover, economic concerns such as

expensiveness and availability of low RPM generators, the study

should be constructed with low cost. Further adjustments and

modifications will be done if there is a difficulty in the design until the

set-up can generate enough energy.

3.2 Research Design

The bike-powered electric generator is mainly composed of

permanent magnet geared DC generator, connecting wires, DC

wattmeter, a power bank, a bike strobe light, cellphone charger and

MyPhone Agua Ocean mini phone. For the permanent magnet geared

DC generator to rotate, a sprocket (driven) is attached to the shaft of

the permanent magnet geared DC generator and it should be in

perpendicular type of contact to the bike’s chain. The specification of

the components are as follows: cellphone charger has an input of 12-

24V and an output voltage of 5V and current of 2A; the permanent

magnet geared DC generator has an output of 12V for a 100

revolution per minute; the ROMOSS power bank has a 10400mAh

capacity with an input interface of DC5V 2.1A and a two DC5V USB
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output interface of 1A and 2.1A, a Li-ion battery type; a DC12V bike

strobe light; a DC Watt-meter an input of 12-24V and an output of 5V;

a MyPhone Agua Ocean mini phone with a 1300mAh capacity and a

3.7 normal voltage respectively. The setup of the DC Watt-meter is in

parallel type of connection and in between with the permanent magnet

geared DC generator and the cellphone charger. The generator

sprocket (driven 1) has 16 teeth, bike sprocket (driven 2) has 20 teeth

and main sprocket (driver) has 38 teeth. The wheel has a 33 cm

radius.

Figure 3.1, DC watt-meter with cellphone

charger inside and a cellphone/power bank

holder.
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Figure 3.2, Permanent magnet geared DC generator

connected to 16 teeth sprocket and tap on a steel made

base.

Figure 3.3, Final Design of a Bike-powered

Electric Generator.
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3.3 Research Locale

The research data is gathered inside the Capitol University

Campus Academic Building II in the city of Cagayan de Oro. The

school driveway has a distance of 121.8 meters.

Figure 3.4, The 121.8 meters driveway of CU.

3.4 Data Collection

The research data will be collected using two methods: using

the grid and customized charger. For each method, there will be

corresponding tests for charging of cellphone and power banks. The

cellphone tests will be conducted over six intervals with 5 minutes

each while the power bank tests will be conducted over six intervals
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with 10 minutes each. The difference in the interval duration is due to

the power banks greater capacity. A given amount of energy to the

cellphone corresponds more to its charging capacity than on the

power bank.

The data will then be compared per device to differentiate the

charging capacity of the charger to the grid and determine if the

design is adequate. The required average speed will then be

measured using 10-minute intervals and power bank, because the

greater time length allows for more consistent data.

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Chapter 4

Results and Discussion

In this chapter, the researchers will discuss the results of the

data gathered using the permanent magnet geared DC generator, grid

and the allowable speed of the bike-powered electric generator. The

researchers will also discuss different point of views of the results

gathered and will present it in as simple way as possible with the use

of graphs. The tabulated results are presented at Appendix.

5 5

4 4 4 4 4 4

3 3 3

0
1 2 3 4 5 6

Grid charge Bicycle charge

Figure 4.1 Comparison of charging for cellphone

Figure 4.1 shows the cellphone charge for grid and bicycle,

respectively, using a 5-min interval. On average, both methods charge

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the cellphone by 3.83%. The 3rd interval of the bicycle charge stands

out because it yielded an increase of 5% because of 5 lap turns

around the campus. It shows the charge increase for both methods

are near identical, using equal time intervals. It demonstrates that as

long as the pedal of the bike is constantly rotating it produces a power

equal to that of the grid.

3.5

3 3

2.5

2 2 2 2 2 2 2

1.5

1 1

0.5

0
1 2 3 4 5 6

Grid charge Bicycle charge

Figure 4.2. Comparison of charging for power bank

The data from Tables 2.1 and 2.2, as presented in Figure 4.2

how that their average charge increase is equal for power bank,

similar to the cellphone, for the grid and bicycle methods. The only
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difference is the lesser average charge increase, due to the power

bank’s greater capacity.

3
2.84 2.83 2.83
2.66
2.5 2.57 2.58

1.5

0.5

0
1 2 3 4 5 6

Bicycle Speed

Figure 4.3 Actual bicycle speed per trial

Figure 4.3 shows the graph of the bicycle speed per trial. To

produce an output voltage averaging 5 V, the bicycle has to be

travelling at an average speed of 2.72 m/s. By design calculations, the

speed of the bike has to be 2.59 m/s. This represents a 0.13 m/s

difference. Specification of charger indicates an input voltage of 12-24

V. Any greater value will damage the equipment. The speed difference
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is due to insignificant errors in measurements of the radius of the

wheel and fluctuations in pedaling.

Based on the results, the design is successful. The researchers

first considered a design that involves energy transmission from

wheel-to-wheel contact, but upon further consideration and analysis

that design was discarded because of the wear it induces on the

wheel attached to the generator and slippage. The design involving

sprockets eliminated those two disadvantages and allowed for

proportional speed ratio of the pedal, wheel and generator. These

allowed for accurate design computations which the results reflected.

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Chapter 5

Conclusions and Recommendations

5.1 Conclusions

Based on the data gathered, the research design produces

power equivalent from the output by the grid. For each electronic

device, the power output of both methods is similar, thus the

convenience of constant power output from the grid can be achieved

based on research design. An average bicycle speed of 2.72 m/s must

be achieved for the research design to be effective.

5.2 Recommendations

During the course of the research, the researchers have

gathered the following observations that may in the future be

improved:

1. Proper connection of the generator shaft and sprocket must

be designed so slipping may be avoided.

2. Switching of sprockets should be avoided because the

chain may slip from the sprocket.

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3. The base of the generator should be properly locked

because the generator’s low rpm requirement causes an

increase in torque which will cause the whole assembly to

rotate and be displaced.

4. The generator assembly should be properly enclosed so

that wirings cannot be disturbed.

5. Because the speed of the bike is limited due to the

charger’s maximum input voltage of 24 V, it is

recommendable that a controller be installed to allow

greater speeds of travel.

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Appendix 1

Table 1.1. Grid Charge Method Data for Cellphone

Charge
Interval (5 mins) Start Charge (%) End Charge (%)
Increase (%)

1st 9 13 4

2nd 13 17 4

3rd 17 21 4

4th 21 24 3

5th 24 28 4

6th 28 32 4

Average 3.833

Table 1.2. Bicycle Charge Method Data for Cellphone

Charge
Interval (5 mins) Start Charge (%) End Charge (%)
Increase (%)

1st 70 73 3

2nd 73 77 4

3rd 77 82 5
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4th 82 85 3

5th 85 89 4

6th 89 93 4

Average 3.833

Table 2.1. Grid Charge Method Data for Power bank

Charge
Interval (10 mins) Start Charge (%) End Charge (%)
Increase (%)

1st 60 61 1

2nd 61 63 2

3rd 63 65 2

4th 65 68 3

5th 68 70 2

6th 70 72 2

Average 2
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Table 2.2. Bicycle Charge Method Data for Power bank

Interval (10 mins) Start Charge End Charge Charge Increase

1st 6 8 2

2nd 8 10 2

3rd 10 12 2

4th 12 14 2

5th 14 16 2

6th 17 19 2

Average 2
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Table 3.1. Average Bicycle speed per interval as gathered during

charging of power bank

Interval (10 mins) Average speed (m/s)

1st 2.66

2nd 2.84

3rd 2.57

4th 2.83

5th 2.58

6th 2.83

Average 2.72
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Appendix 2

Computation for required bicycle speed

Given:

Driver teeth: 38

Driven 1 teeth: 16

Driven 2 teeth: 18

Wheel radius: 33 cm

Generator RPM: 100 RPM (at 12 V)

Solution:

Speed Ratio: Wheel RPM: Bike Speed

𝐷𝑟𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑛 𝑡𝑒𝑒𝑡ℎ 1 𝑉 𝑉2 2𝜋𝑅

= 𝑉2 = 0.75 𝑉= 𝑉2
𝐷𝑟𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑛 𝑡𝑒𝑒𝑡ℎ 2 1 𝑉1 60

16 𝑉 𝑉2 2𝜋(0.33)
= 𝑉2 = 0.75 𝑉= (75)
20 1 100 𝑅𝑃𝑀 60

𝑉2
= 0.75 𝑉2 = 75 𝑅𝑃𝑀 𝑽 = 𝟐. 𝟓𝟗 𝒎/𝒔
𝑉1