Implementation of torque sensor technology in electric bicycle with solar charging kit

Abstract

Bicycles are one of Bangladesh's most efficient methods of transport, despite the narrow roads and heavy traffic in the region. The paper discusses the torque sensor technology being incorporated into the overall electrical system of the bike. Integrating components of torque sensor technology greatly reduces human effort by providing help from the battery bank to power a Brushless DC motor. It has also been ensured that the e-bike has an option of charging off-grid via a solar charging kit, where the batteries of the bike will be charged by PV panel using the battery swapping method. This paper describes field tests in three different stages conducted on the e-bike, one with the pedal, one with the throttle only, and another with varying loads along with the design of the solar charging kit. When evaluating the test results with the torque sensor pedal, it becomes apparent that the e-bike travels a longer distance, decreases the power dissipation from the batteries and reduces the battery bank's energy consumption from the main grid as it has an alternating charging option from solar energy.