Small Compact Standing Ride-type Electric Vehicle for Shopping

Takeharu Hayashi,Yoshihiko Takahashi 제어로봇시스템학회 2016 제어로봇시스템학회 국제학술대회 논문집 Vol.2016 No.10

We propose a small electric vehicle with a low-powered battery (7.2 V, ~2 Ah) for use by the elderly during shopping. Accordingly, we have fabricated small sitting position-type electric vehicles in previous projects. In this study, we developed a small compact standing position ride-type electric vehicle for easy shopping. This vehicle is expected to reduce the physical burden in the getting on–off motion. The vehicle’s operation system is designed to facilitate easy use by the elderly. Steady running and repeated start–stop tests simulating the actual vehicle use were subsequently conducted. Power consumption on various kinds of acceleration time was also examined to determine a suitable acceleration-increasing method. The physical burden while getting on and off the vehicle was investigated. The vehicle runs a longer distance, is easier to use, and reduces physical burden compared to our previously developed vehicle. Moreover, it saves energy as the acceleration time lengthens.

Development of Small Compact Electric Motor Tricycle for shopping

Takeharu Hayashi,Yoshihiko Takahashi 제어로봇시스템학회 2014 제어로봇시스템학회 국제학술대회 논문집 Vol.2014 No.10

We are developing a small compact electric motor tricycle with a low powered battery (7.2 V, approximately 2Ah in total) as the electric power source for shopping purposes. The reduction ratio should be adjusted per the driving situation because of the use of a low powered battery. We designed an actuator system with speed change mechanism for the compact electric motor tricycle. A consumer bicycle is used as the base vehicle, and we focused on the development of an actuator system. A multistep transmission mechanism was designed and fabricated using gears, chains, and sprockets. A 150 W maxon DC motor was used, and the motor speed was controlled using a PWM using MOS-FETs and a PIC microcomputer. Running experiments were conducted to observe the performance of the fabricated vehicle. We confirmed that the fabricated vehicle was able to operate over 30 minutes at a speed of over 3 km/h. Longer running duration must be addressed in future research.

Small Compact Electric Vehicle for Practical Use and its Repeated Start-Stop Tests

Takeharu Hayashi,Yoshihiko Takahashi 제어로봇시스템학회 2015 제어로봇시스템학회 국제학술대회 논문집 Vol.2015 No.10

We are proposing a small electric vehicle which uses a low powered battery (7.2 V, approximately 2 Ah) to be used for shopping by the elderly. We fabricated a vehicle which demonstrated a total running time of over 30 minutes with a running velocity of over 3 km/h using the battery in a previous project. For this study, we have improved the vehicle in terms of both operational comfort and running performance. In order to improve operational comfort, two upgrades were implemented. First, the transmission device box was moved and installed in a position so that the driver is able to rest their feet on it. Secondly, a seat with a back was installed instead of a bicycle saddle. Regarding running performance, we were able to improve the power transmission efficiency by using wheels with smaller diameters, and reduce the coefficient of rolling friction by using thick and firm tires. Furthermore, steady running tests and repeated start-stop tests were conducted simulating actual vehicle use. As a result, the vehicle was able to operate over a longer distance than the previous vehicle. And, we confirmed that the running distance during the start-stop testing was shorter than that of the steady running test. This paper will present the design with respect to usability and running performance and present the experimental results of the steady running tests and the start-stop tests.

Online Competition of Small Electric Vehicle as an Exercise in Design Education - pico-EV Eco Challenge -

Takeharu HAYASHI,Yoshihiko TAKAHASHI,Keigo HARA,Yasunori TAKEMURA,Satoru YAMAGUCHI 제어로봇시스템학회 2022 제어로봇시스템학회 국제학술대회 논문집 Vol.2022 No.11

To develop sustainable societies, it is necessary to reduce the use of fossil fuels. Therefore, widespread use of electric vehicles (EVs) is the need. Many subjects such as mathematics-and physics-based-mechanics of machine taught at the universities are useful to meet this problem. However, to design EVs, the ability to unify such knowledge along with the fabrication cost, time management, and teamwork management is necessary. We think that EV competition is a useful exercise in design education that helps develop this ability. Considering the energy problem, we proposed an official competition for small EVs, named “pico-EV Eco Challenge”, as an exercise in engineering design education. In this competition, a small one-person EV using only small rechargeable batteries (7.2 V, 1000 mAh in total) is fabricated and the fabricated EVs run a 60 m circuit. The competition in the years 2021 and 2022 was held on online due to COVID19 pandemic. In this paper, the competition criteria, the flow and the analyses of EVs on 2021 competition are described.

Mechatronics Education via Project Based Learning and Involvement in Small Electric Vehicle Competition - pico-EV Eco Challenge -

Yoshihiko TAKAHASHI,Takeharu HAYASHI,Yasunori TAKEMURA,Keigo HARA,Satoru YAMAGUCHI 제어로봇시스템학회 2019 제어로봇시스템학회 국제학술대회 논문집 Vol.2019 No.10

Many skills such as machine design, electronic circuit design, microcomputer programming are taught in mechatronics lectures at universities. Parts are given and students assemble the parts according to set examples. However, students cannot develop creativity simply by following fixed examples. In order to foster creativity, it is necessary to make mechatronic systems based on students’ own ideas. Students also need to study production costs, schedule management, team work etc. These skills are important when becoming engineers in companies after graduation. In order that students can use their own ideas, fabricate mechatronic systems, understand production costs, deal with deadlines and develop a team ethos, we have started a compact electric vehicle competition, named “pico-EV Eco Challenge”, and implemented it. In the competition, a one person small electric vehicle using only small rechargeable batteries (7.2V, 1000mAh in total) is fabricated and runs a 60m circuit. In this paper, the history, regulation and management of the competition, examples of participating vehicles, results and benefits of participation, etc. are discussed.

Small Indoor Hydroponic System with Renewable Energy

Satoru YAMAGUCHI,Yoshihiko TAKAHASHI,Takeharu HAYASHI 제어로봇시스템학회 2018 제어로봇시스템학회 국제학술대회 논문집 Vol.2018 No.10

There is a concern about the food crisis due to worldwide population increase and the future rise in food prices. The United Nations has predicted that the world population will increase to 1.5 times current levels by 2100. It is therefore preferable to realize local food production for local consumption. We are developing a small indoor vegetable hydroponic system for household use, which uses sustainable energies, such as solar, wind, and hydrogen power. We have developed a hybrid energy control system with a fuel cell and a lead acid battery. The developed control system optimally switches the energy flow using a DCDC converter depending on the energy situation. We have conducted experiments using a small hydroponic system to determine the environmental situation of the lettuce cultivation process. This paper will explain the developed hybrid energy control system and the results of the vegetable growth process.

Relationship between LED Energy Consumption and Plant Growth in Small Hydroponic Plant Cultivation System

Satoru YAMAGUCHI,Takuya MOTOSUGI,Ryo UCHIYAMA,Yoshihiko TAKAHASHI,Takeharu HAYASHI 제어로봇시스템학회 2019 제어로봇시스템학회 국제학술대회 논문집 Vol.2019 No.10

Global population growth and the ongoing climate crisis pose immense risk to the stable food supplies in the future. We have developed a small hydroponic plant cultivation system to ensure even in extreme circumstances. To build a sustainable system, we have utilized an LED lighting system together with conserved energy generated by sunlight. Such hydroponic plant cultivation systems have to operate at an affordable yet efficient principle. In this paper, we examine experimental results of the relationship between LED energy consumption and plant growth in a hydroponic plant cultivation system. LED light intensity directly correlates to electrical power consumed. Energy consumption is the result of electrical power consumed over a period of time. Three experiments with varying conditions utilizing constant electrical energy consumption were conducted. Case-1: Electric power is kept low and the lighting duration is long; Case-2: the electric power is set to medium and the lighting duration is medium; Case-3: the electric power is large and the lighting duration is short. As a result of evaluating the weight of grown lettuces, it was found that lettuce growth is excellent in Case-1. It means that the longer the LED irradiation duration, the better the plant growth even under the same energy consumption conditions.