DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF A MANUALLY-POWERED BICYCLE MOUNTED COOLING BOX

This paper presents the design and construction of a bicycle with a cooling box mounted on it. This was with a view to studying how a refrigerating system can be powered using the energy harnessed from manual paddling of the bicycle by a cyclist. The kinetic energy generated by the cyclist is converted to electrical energy through an alternator that is mounted at one side of the bicycle. The rear wheel of the bicycle was modified to accommodate a pulley which was connected by means of a belt to a smaller pulley attached to an alternator shaft. The tension on the belt was adjustable by means of a bolt attached to a slotted rod fitted with a nut at one end. The mechanism ensured that each revolution of the pedal produced about 8 revolutions of the alternator shaft. Results of tests carried out on the prototype showed that power generation while cycling was possible but more work needs to be done to improve the efficiency of the system. Thousands of cyclists hawking various products that require cooling would find this very useful. Leisure cyclists and medical personnel transporting vaccines to remote areas without electricity would also find this research of immense benefit.