HUMAN POWERED

BICYCLE ELEVATOR

GROUP MEMBERS
Sohaib Alam Warraich
Raqib Ahmed Malik
Faisal Bin Khalid
ADVISOR
Cdr(R) M Shakeel

AIM OF PROJECT:
The aim of our project is to gain practical knowledge of some simple mechanical
machines and structure stability.

Simple machines included in our projects are wire ropes, pulleys, sprockets and
chains.

We aim to design and fabricate a system capable to lift a single person to a height of
about 20 ft. using Human Powered Bicycle Elevator.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND:
The development of pulleys by Archytes.
The block and the tackle system was invented by Archimedes.
Galileo was the first to explain the principles behind the whole system.

FROM WHERE WE GOT THE IDEA???

Ethan Schussler has recently constructed his very own human powered elevator.
The person has built up the Human Powered Bicycle Elevator so as to rid himself
move to a height of about 28 ft. (8.5 meter).

IMPORTANT CONCEPTS
Tension:
Tension is the force experienced by
ropes, wire, chain due to tensile force.

Dynamic Equilibrium:
In Dynamic Equilibrium the forces that
act are completely balanced, while the
object continues to move at constant
speed.

IMPORTANT CONCEPTS:
Stress:
Stress is defined as force per unit area. These are due to uneven heating, application
of external force on an object or permanent deformation of an object.
Shear Force:
Force that that causes the deformation of an object due to the slip of the material. It
acts along the planes, in a direction parallel to the imposed forces on an object.

Ultimate tensile strength:

Ultimate tensile strength is the maximum stress limit that can be experienced by an
object.

WORKING PRINCIPLE:
Bicycle is supported by three wire ropes.

Two of them (fixed at different ends) connects bicycle to counterweight through

pulleys.

Third one is fixed at third point of bicycle with other end of it (passing through the
third pulley) fixed to the rim of wheel.
As the pedal is driven by the rider, rear wheel starts rotating and wire rope being fixed
at it, start spooling on the wheel. While the other two ropes connected to
counterweight lifts the bicycle upward.
During downward motion counterweight will move upward and will help in smooth
downward motion of bicycle.

Video

BLOCK DIAGRAM
The working principle of our project, in
block diagram is as follows:

METHADOLIGIES:
Three possible concept methods are possible.
1)

Concept 1 (our proposed design-Fixed system 1)

2)

Concept 2(portable system)

3)

Concept 3(Fixed system 2-bicycle and weight on same side)

Concept 1(Fixed system-I)

Advantages:
1. Relatively cheaper
2. Ease of fabrication
3. The system can be installed at
any desired height. Only the
structure supporting pulleys
needs to be moved.
4. Less complex.
5. Light weight.
Disadvantage:
6. Difficulties
moving
supporting structure.

the

Concept 2(portable system)

Advantages:
1. Ease of mobility.
Disadvantage:
2. Difficulties in fabrication
3. Operated along limited range of
height.
4. Expensive.
5. Bulky System.

Concept 3(Fixed system II-bicycle and weight on same

side)
Advantages:
1. Cheapest
concepts.

amongst

all

the

three

2. The system can be installed at any

desired height. Only the structure
supporting pulleys needs to be
moved.
3. Light weight.
4. Ease of fabrication.

Disadvantage:
5. Complex mechanism. Wires are too
close to each other, may get
entangled.
6. Difficulties moving the supporting
structure.

COMPONENTS:
1)

Counterweight

2)

Chain

3)

Sprocket

4)

Hoist device

5)

Pulleys

COMPONENTS:
Counterweight:
A weight used to counterbalance a heavy load is
called counterweight.

Counterweight finds its application in elevators,

cranes etc.

The main purpose of this balance is to conserve

energy.

Chain:
A chain is made up of a series of links with the
links attached together with steel pins.
This arrangement makes a chain a strong, long
lasting way of transmitting rotary motion from
one gear wheel to another.
It needs only two sprockets and a chain to
transmit rotary motion over a distance.

COMPONENTS:
Sprocket:
Sprocket is a profiled wheel with teeth, cogs that mesh with the chain, track or other
perforated material. There are four types of sprockets.
Plain Plate Sprocket:
Plane plate sprocket has no hub extension on either side.

Hub On One Side Sprocket:

This type of sprocket has a hub extension on one side

Hub On Both Sides Sprocket:

These types of sprocket have hub extension on both sides.

Detachable Hub Sprocket:

This type of sprocket has removable hub with it.

COMPONENTS:
Hoist device:
A Hoist device is used to lift or lower a load by means of a drum or lift wrapped by a
rope or a chain.

Wire Rope hoist:

capacity ranges from 2 tons up to 30 tons.
applications in steel service centers, foundries, steel mills.
high investment cost and difficult tools for the operator.

Chain hoist:
capacity ranges from 1/8 tons to 5 tons.
ideal for machine shops, assembly operation, lifting operation etc.
high maintenance cost and reduced hoist life.

COMPONENTS:
Pulleys:
A pulley is, in general a wheel mounted on an axle, with the function to ensure smooth
motion of the belt or the cable that slips/slides along its circumference.
. Flat pulleys:
The flat pulley basically carries belt in a flat belt drive.

. Grooved Pulleys For V Belt:

These types of pulleys are specifically built with a V-shaped groove,
so as to accommodate a V-belt.

. Grooved Pulley For Ropes:

These pulleys are comparatively more stable, and have an
added advantage of less slip, than the flat pulleys.

MECHANISM CONCEPTS
Counterweight mechanism
Counterweight balances the majority of
the weight.
Reduces the paddling force.

Chain and Sprocket Mechanism:

Large sprocket at pedals, drives smaller sprocket
at rear wheel.
Replacement of smaller sprocket by larger one and
vice versa.
Helps control speed and enables driver to apply
Less force for the lift.

MECHANISM CONCEPTS
Hoisting Mechanism:
User pulls on one end of the rope or chain, while other end is fixed to a stable system.
Rope may pass through one or more pulley system.
Use of three rope wires fixed at different ends of system. Counterweight attached to
the rope wire through a hook.

WEIGHTED AND RATING MATRIX

WEIGHTED AND RATING MATRIX

APPLICATIONS
It can be used in rural areas for moving up and
down with small loads where electricity
breakdown is a major problem.

It can be used for lifting small loads during

construction such toolboxes, electrical equipment,
cement sacks and similar items used for
construction purposes.

For works where operation has to be performed

while remaining in a stationary position such as
painting, polishing cleaning mirrors of buildings.

PROJECT DESIGN RISK ASSESSMENT

PROJECT COST ESTIMATE

Table 7Project cost estimate

CONCLUSION
Cheaper as compared to other elevators.
No electrical energy is required.
Easily installed anywhere.
Environmental friendly.
Easy maintenance and availability of equipment.

GANNT CHART

THANK YOU