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13. Applications and implications

As I mentioned in the final project section, I would like to develop a bicycle dynamo electricity generator and store the energy during the cycling and utilize it for charging the electronic gadgets such as mobile phone, Bluetooth devices, tablets, and so on. The energy conversion during cycling based on microcontroller based AC to DC converter. Controller output to store energy in a standard commercial power bank.

Who’s done what beforehand?

A commercial product by CYMBET has developed EnerChipTM EP Universal Energy Harvester Eval Kit . This evaluation kit includes solar, thermal, EM/RF and vibration energy harvester and storage unit based on energy processor CBC915-ACA. Also, there are several energy harvesters are available in the market. For example piezoelectric energy harvester . Michael Faraday invented the Dynamo; this is the first model of an electric generator in 1831. Conventional bicycle dynamo is the most utilized electric generator in the world. When the bicycle is in motion the dynamo roller is engaged, electricity is generated as the tire spins the roller. There are two kinds of dynamo system used on a bicycle that are hub dynamo and bottom bracket dynamos. Dynamos are usually AC generators and are directly used for the applications without converting it into DC. Newer model can include rectifier to create DC output to charge batteries for electronic devices. Below figure shows the images of hub dynamo and bottle dynamo or sidewall dynamo.

Some of the advantages and disadvantages are shown in the below table,

In my project, I used a conventional widely used cheap bottle or sidewall dynamo to demonstrate the microcontroller based energy harvester module.

What will you design?

My project, I designed a bicycle energy harvester for electronic gadgets. The major design includes microcontroller based circuit design, fabrication and programming for AC to DC converter and storing the harvested energy to the commercial standard power bank. Another part of my project includes compact package 2D and 3D design and fabrication of package module using 3D printing and moulding and casting of flexible moulds which can easily be attached to a bicycle. I have completed a hall sensor and LCD for my final project with function of detecting the speed of bicycle.

What materials and components will be used?

My project includes a bicycle, bottle dynamo, Microcontroller based AC to DC converter, Bridge rectifier, IGBT, Voltage regulators, Attiny 45 microcontroller, Diodes, FTDI connectors, Resistors, Capacitors, Moulding and casting raw materials, 3D printing polymers, Pin headers, power supply, ISP headers

Where will come from?

Most of the material will come from the Fablab inventory. I will use my bicycle and power bank for my final project. I will purchase one bottle dynamo.

See the figures below,

How much will they cost?

The material list is discussed in details below, The final total price of the project approximately less than 30 euro, the cost excluded bicycle, dynamo and powerbank.

What parts and systems will be made?

  • Laser engraving and cutting of acrylic board for support the developed board to bicycle.
  • Microcontroller board for hall sensor and LCD are already made
  • Hall sensor board and LCD are connected by serial networking
  • 3D printed platform for circuit boards

What processes will be used?

  • 2D and 3D design of packages for harvester module

  • Laser cutting and engraving

  • PCB design and fabrication

  • Embedded programming

  • 3D printing

  • Casting and moulding

What questions need to be answered?

The main questions associated with this project are how to get an efficient AC to DC converter board using a microcontroller and its further programming and testing. Does it require step-down transformer when more power is generating during bicycling? Calculate the maximum power a dynamo can deliver A graph is shown below is based on the comparison of various brands and models as a function of speed. Source: Myra-Simon

How will it be evaluated?

In order to meet the aim of this project needed more advice and suggestions from all objectives stated in this project. By checking the output voltage and current suitable for LCD, Hall sensor and Power bank. My project is first version of Bi-En HARVESTER. I need to upgrade it by measuring the total power efficency in the next version of my project. In my final project, I am demonstrating the possibility of working condition of Bi-En HARVESTER.