Project

# Title Team Members TA Documents Sponsor
38 E-Bike Conversion Kit with Regenerative Braking
 Chloe Armstrong
Jace Haas
Lucas Pruett
 Matthew Qi design_document1.pdf
design_document2.pdf
final_paper1.pdf
photo1.jpeg
photo2.jpeg
presentation1.pptx
proposal1.pdf
proposal2.pdf
video1.mp4
# E-Bike Conversion Kit with Regenerative Braking

Team Members:
- Jace Haas (jaceh2)
- Lucas Pruett (lpruett3)
- Chloe Armstrong (chloeca2)

# Problem
Electric bikes can provide both a greener alternative to cars and a faster alternative to bikes. However, current electric bike designs are not without fault. One current problem with electric bikes is their limited range. The average electric bike will only allow riders to travel around 20-40 miles from their stopping point. For some, range is too low to justify purchasing an electric bike. Furthermore, ebikes on the market that have regenerative braking cost upwards of $1000-$2000, which isn’t affordable for most people.

# Solution
One solution to this problem is regenerative braking. Regenerative braking on electric bikes has been shown to, on average, provide a 2-15% boost in range. Even higher range boosts have been observed in more extreme cases of hilly, stop-and-go routes, or when the rider is carrying heavy cargo. Not only does regenerative braking allow for a boost in range, but it also cuts down significantly on brake maintenance. When normal brakes are only needed in case of hard stops, brake wear is significantly reduced. Our idea is to provide an economical and modular option to electrify pre-existing bicycles. The final product will be versatile and flexible. The system will provide throttle motor drive, regenerative braking, and collect data in order to troubleshoot and to measure the range increase from braking.

# Solution Components
## Subsystem 1 - Motor Control
The motor control subsystem takes input from the control unit and modulates motor speed. It is also responsible for controlling regenerative braking.
Example motor:
https://ebikeling.com/collections/ebikeling-ebike-wheels-with-motor-ebikeling-ebike-conversion-kit/products/waterproof-36v-500w-26-geared-front-rear-ebike-motor-wheel-only?variant=32465545429058

Example motor control:
amzn.to/3jcSAMu

## Subsystem 2 - Battery
The battery subsystem takes input from the control unit and modulates battery output and input as needed without damaging the battery or overcharging.
https://www.vladsmall.com/product/48v-20ah-13s3p-18650-electric-bicycle-lithium-battery-bms-for-ebike-electric-vehicle-electric-motorcycle-with-charger/

Lipo cell:
https://www.vladsmall.com/product/48v-20ah-13s3p-18650-electric-bicycle-lithium-battery-bms-for-ebike-electric-vehicle-electric-motorcycle-with-charger/

## Subsystem 3 - Control Unit
The control unit subsystem takes inputs from throttle and brake, and communicates with the other two systems. It could also be used to handle data collection, which would be useful for testing and troubleshooting. We will plan on designing a PCB for this subsystem. A microcontroller can be used for data collection.

Proposed micro controller chip: https://www.microchip.com/en-us/product/ATmega328P


# Criterion for Success
This unit should be able to increase the range by 5% in a city environment.
Controls should allow for regenerative braking systems to be engaged before manual braking.
This unit should be cheaper than available e-bikes with regenerative braking. (<$1500 including bike)


Extra goals
- Dashboard for data display
- Odometer, speedometer, lights
- Variable regenerative braking strength

Modularized Electronic Locker

Jack Davis, Joshua Nolan, Jake Pu

Modularized Electronic Locker

Featured Project

Group Member: Jianhao (Jake) Pu [jpu3], Joshua Nolan [jtnolan2], John (Jack) Davis [johnhd4]

Problem:

Students living off campus without a packaging station are affected by stolen packages all the time. As a result of privacy concerns and inconsistent deployment, public cameras in Champaign and around the world cannot always be relied upon. Therefore, it can be very difficult for victims to gather evidence for a police report. Most of the time, the value of stolen items is small and they are usually compensated by the sellers (Amazon and Apple are very understanding). However, not all deliveries are insured and many people are suffering from stolen food deliveries during the COVID-19 crisis. We need a low-cost solution that can protect deliveries from all vendors.

Solution Overview:

Our solution is similar to Amazon Hub Apartment Locker and Luxer One. Like these services, our product will securely enclose the package until the owners claim the contents inside. The owner of the contents can claim it using a phone number or a unique user identification code generated and managed by a cloud service.

The first difference we want to make from these competitors is cost. According to an article, the cost of a single locker is from $6000 - $20000. We want to minimize such costs so that we can replace the traditional mailbox. We talked to a Chinese manufacturer and got a hardware quote of $3000. We can squeeze this cost if we just design our own control module on ESP32 microcontrollers.

The second difference we want to make is modularity. We will have a sensor module, a control module, a power module and any number of storage units for hardware. We want to make standardized storage units that can be stacked into any configuration, and these storage units can be connected to a control module through a communication bus. The control module houses the hardware to open or close all of the individual lockers. A household can purchase a single locker and a control module just for one family while apartment buildings can stack them into the lockers we see at Amazon Hub. I think the hardware connection will be a challenge but it will be very effective at lowering the cost once we can massively manufacture these unit lockers.

Solution Components:

Storage Unit

Basic units that provide a locker feature. Each storage unit will have a cheap microcontroller to work as a slave on the communication bus and control its electronic lock (12V 36W). It has four connectors on top, bottom, left, and right sides for stackable configuration.

Control Unit

Should have the same dimension as one of the storage units so that it could be stacked with them. Houses ESP32 microcontroller to run control logics on all storage units and uses the built-in WiFi to upload data to a cloud server. If sensor units are detected, it should activate more security features accordingly.

Power Unit

Power from the wall or from a backup battery power supply and the associated controls to deliver power to the system. Able to sustain high current in a short time (36W for each electronic lock). It should also have protection against overvoltage and overcurrent.

Sensor Modules

Sensors such as cameras, motion sensors, and gyroscopes will parlay any scandalous activities to the control unit and will be able to capture a photo to report to authorities. Sensors will also have modularity for increased security capabilities.

Cloud Support

Runs a database that keeps user identification information and the security images. Pushes notification to end-users.

Criterion for Success:

Deliverers (Fedex, Amazon, Uber Eats, etc.) are able to open the locker using a touchscreen and a use- provided code to place their package inside. Once the package is inside of the locker, a message will be sent to the locker owner that their delivery has arrived. Locker owners are able to open the locker using a touchscreen interface. Owners are also able to change the passcode at any time for security reasons. The locker must be difficult to break into and offer theft protection after multiple incorrect password attempts.

Project Videos