Needs Assessment and Project Scope

Senior Design I

Electric Motorcycle

January 26, 2010

Broderick EppersonMichael FranckMichael Grgas

Ryan Thor

Contents

I. Needs Assessment 3II. Project Scope 3

i. Problem Statement 3ii. Justification/Background 3iii. Objective 3iv. Methodology 3v. Expected Results 4vi. Constraints 4

I. Needs AssessmentElectric motorcycles are a fun and environmentally friendly means of transportation. The advent ofmore efficient power supplies are making them capable of everyday commuting. They are at theforefront of the fight against high gasoline prices as well as reducing our carbon impact on theenvironment. Two wheeled transport offers an excellent medium for electric powered transportation.Due to it's light weight and aerodynamic efficiency, the electric motorcycle has witnessed an uptick inpopularity recently that should be permanent.Currently the vehicle is in nonworking condition and will require a complete overhaul. Operating rangeneeds to be extended, as well as recharge time. The motorcycle will have to be geared differently, as thecurrent setup does not allow for the necessary top speed. The final deliverables for this project willinclude a working electric motorcycle that meets the criteria above, and a report that will describe theentire design process.

II. Project Scopei. Problem StatementThis project calls for a re-engineering of an existing electric motorcycle. Currently in disrepair, theteam will remove the current propulsion system and replace it with a higher power, more efficient, andlighter one. Upon completion of the project, the motorcycle must be able to achieve a top speed oftwenty-five miles per hour, travel a distance of five miles before recharging, and must recharge itsbatteries in less than eight hours. Secondary objectives include weatherproofing the new components, abattery charge monitoring system, lighting system, a motor controller capable of regenerative brakingand elimination of side-loading the drive gear by the chain.

ii. Justification and BackgroundAs established by our technical adviser for the project, Bruce Thigpen; the motorcycle is in need of amechanical and electrical overhaul. The motorcycle started life as a recreational vehicle. It wasoriginally powered by a small IC engine; the re-engineering will result in a comparable vehicle that hasan electric power supply. There are a few excellent examples of current production electric motorcyclesand numerous privately built ones that will be used as benchmarks for this project. In order to completethe project effectively and below budget, a full understanding of current electric vehicle propulsionsystems must be attained. Before moving ahead with a fresh design and build, the motorcycle willneed to be stripped of its current propulsion system. A new motor, motor controller, battery stack andcharger are necessary for the project to be deemed complete. The bike also has a slew of secondaryneeds that will greatly increase reliability and enjoyment.

iii. ObjectivesThe main goal of this project is to provide a safe and enjoyable electric motorcycle to the customer. Toachieve this goal, a combined knowledge of the operating characteristics of electric vehicle's must beamassed by the entire team. The vehicle must meet all the requirements listed in the Needs Assessment(Section I) and Problem Statement (Subsection i), prior to being designated a success. Due to budgetconstraints and the probable high cost of many of the necessary components, a good deal of fundraising will need to be done. Weekly meetings will be held to ensure that the design and build stay onschedule. The project must be completed by the end of the fall semester of this year.

iv. MethodologyBefore, any design work can be done, the team must amass a working knowledge of electric vehicles.Through a collaborative effort, the group will brainstorm ideas, analyze them, select the best choicethrough quantitative methods, design, and finally build the motorcycle.

v. ConstraintsThe most prominent limiting factor of the project is available funding. Given the extended amount oftime afforded by the summer, the team should be able to complete the project on schedule. This extratime will allow the team to become proficient in knowledge of electric drive systems, as well as amassany 'hands on' experience that may be necessary. Weight is the largest limiting factor when one islooking to increase the efficiency of an electric vehicle. Lighter components generally cost more thantheir bulky counterparts, this is one obstacle the team must overcome.A group member has been elected Sponsorship Chair, and it is there responsibility to keep the rest ofthe team abreast of any attainable sponsorships. A sponsor(s) for the battery stack and/or motor will beof the greatest importance, but all avenues will be explored.

vi. Expected ResultsFor the project to be deemed a success upon completion, three main criteria must be met.

1. The motorcycle must be able to attain a speed of twenty-five miles per hour. The previousiteration could only travel at maximum, fifteen miles per hour.

2. Travel five miles before needing to be recharged. The motorcycle was never tested for range inits previous form.

3. It must recharge from a drained state to full power in less than eight hours. Previously, eachbattery needed to be recharged individually. This resulted in a recharge time of approximatelytwenty hours.