This is a velomobile ecological and sporty alternative to the automobile hurbain and suburban areas (~ 30km)
The Velomobile as a Vehicle for more Sustainable Transportation
The Velomobile was born with the recumbent bike: it was invented by Charles Mochet in the 20s.
Fell into disuse after the war, he reappears in the 80s with the Leitra denmark in 83. at the same time Lord Sinclair release the C5 in england.
In 1990, the Alleweder Velomobile win the competition organized by the city of Amsterdam for use in all weather bike.
He has since released as kit (there were four successive versions).
We can already consider this model as a "fablabable" Velomobile because many parts are machined to the CNC.
The assembly is aluminum.
Since then, many models have emerged, for the greater part fiberglass and / or carbon kevlar. Artisanal and high-end manufacturing, they are very expensive (> € 5000).
The hight level of price of this machines is a big obstacle to diffusion of this mode of transportation.
As the price of these models is high, many home manufacturing exist. On the forum velorizontal Francophones manufacturers share their projects and ideas.
The Velomobile is particularly suitable for self-production because it is relatively easy to build, not too dangerous and fun.
In recent years, the opensource projects are gradually emerging as the mosquito model upscale and unique.
Yohan Vrielink, founder of the flevobike company promote since 3 years a opensource Velomobile but equipped with a patented mechanical ... by him.
As i explained in the Abstract page, I invited Titus van den brink several years ago, to share is plywood velomobile,
wich is bended plywood technique : verry lightweight but a bit soft.
I chose to make the greater part of the vehicle sandwiched wood / polystyrene for its technical performance, its price and (relative) ecology.
The self-supporting frame will be in sandwich wood / polystyrene extruded structure and bended plywood skin.
As materials, I intend to use:
The necessary components:
Mecanical components specific for velomobile are coming from nederlands
wood from north europe
other stuffs from undeterminated location
epoxy resin will be ecological one.
The objective is to arrive at a price of about € 1,500, or 50% of the price Alleweder kit (the cheapest velomobile market).
| front drive train | opportunity to purchase only the wheels 300€ | 500€ | |
| rear transmission and wheel | Sram dual drive + crank | 300€ | |
| SilentBlocs rotules | for rear suspension | 70€ | |
| small materials (screws etc...) | 20€ | ||
| total mecanical parts | 890€ | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| plywood 1.5mm | 4 foils of 1.5mX1.5m 70€/each | 280€ | |
| plywood 20mm birch | for mecanical inserts : 40X40cm | 7€ | |
| Aluminium 6mm | for mecanical inserts : 30X30cm | 10€ | |
| glue (PU) and/or epoxy resin | choice to validate | 50€ | |
| vernish or gelcoat | choice to validate | 30€ | |
| furnitures for seat | canvas and straps | 30€ | |
| Total Châssis | 407€ | ||
| Total | 1297€ |
Monocoque body and rear suspension.
In a second time, I plan to build myself a front drive train.
Sandwich wood / polystyrene, glued to the PU glue or epoxy / vacuum (need to be validated)
I started working on this project sice a long time.
Now I have a very short time to finalize the prototype, but I will nonetheless try to get there:
| >> 22 mai | Modeling frame with blender |
| 23 mai | purchase missing parts, starting cutting wooden planks (laser cut) |
| 25 mai | central beam assembly and glue |
| 26 mai | sandwich reinforcement frame assembly and glue |
| 27 mai | rear suspension assembly and glue |
| 28 mai | the whole frame assembly |
| 29 mai> 1 juin | showing the work in progress during http://www.festivald.net/ |
| 2 juin>4 juin | finalisation of the prototype |
| 4 juin | final fabacademy presentation |
| juin | finish and road tests |
| juillet>octobre | publication/dissemination |
to evaluate this project, number of points needs to be validate: