The Planetary Wheel Bike ~ IDK

Hi buddies, welcome back to our concept post after a long time! We’ve missed this series, haven’t we? Well, I’m back with a new concept this time, which I call IDK. Yes, I named it after the two meanings it embodies: “I don’t know” and “I do know,” perfectly defining my new concept model and its experiential nature. Let's dive in!

We are passionate about bikes and their ever-increasing evolution with advancing technology. In this context, I present this design: a superbike with planetary wheels. We are already familiar with planetary or epicyclic gear systems. Instead of rims, I incorporated this gear system into the wheels, generating different outputs. Let's explore the design details.

This electric-powered single-seat bike features a powerful motor driving the rear wheel. As seen in the animation below, helical gears with a 45-degree angle connect to the central helical gear. All gears are of equal size, ensuring the speed ratio remains consistent across all gears. Additionally, there is a ring gear surrounding these gears, as shown in the animation, which drives the vehicle. This type of gear system is commonly used in heavy vehicles like trucks and cranes to generate greater torque and power, while simultaneously achieving high speeds.

In this wheel design, the video shows three modes. One is input, and the other two are typically outputs. Here, the planet gears move the ring gear or wheel while remaining stationary. In this mode, speed is the output, allowing the bike to accelerate. In the next mode, the center wheel is locked, causing the planet gears to rotate and revolve simultaneously with the ring gear. This produces the torque required for effortless movement on sloped surfaces.

Finally, the braking system. When applying brakes, some energy dissipates, causing the body to come to rest or reach zero velocity. This necessitates restarting from scratch and contributes to increased brake pad wear, sometimes even leading to gear and chain failure. However, this wheel system mitigates these issues. When applying brakes to the wheels, the tire stops, but the gear system remains in motion. This means the braking energy is not wasted but stored within the gears. Upon releasing the brakes, the vehicle utilizes this stored energy to move without requiring additional effort or initial power input.

I previously completed a project based on this brake energy concept. If you'd like to know more, visit Kinetic Energy Recovery System.

Of course, like any design or invention, there are advantages and disadvantages. My concept's primary disadvantages are friction and heat generation. As you can see, the gears engage with each other, causing friction and generating heat, which accelerates gear wear. Lubricants are necessary to mitigate this, but the open wheel design renders them ineffective. While air/wind might offer some cooling effect, it's insufficient for this context. Additionally, the oxygen exposure leads to rust formation on the metal gears. However, I am actively seeking solutions to overcome these disadvantages.

I hope this post successfully conveys my concept design and provides valuable information. Do visit our blog for more updates about the world. Thanks for reading!