DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION OF KINETIC

ENERGY
RECOVERY SYSTEM (KERS) IN BICYCLE

ABSTRACT
Kinetic energy recovery system (KERS) is a technology used
in formula-1 cars for recovering the energy lost in braking of
the car and thus providing boost to the vehicle motion. Same
concept i.e. regenerative braking can be applied in bicycle
which uses a flywheel which will be mounted between the
frames of the bicycle, the flywheel can store the braking
energy by rotating and this energy can be given back to the
system which will reduce the pedaling power required to drive
the bicycle. This Flywheel Energy Storage (FES) system uses
flywheel with suitable clutch mechanism along with sprocket
and chains. Further this project concludes about efficiency
and pedaling power in flywheel bicycle.
KERS (Kinetic energy recovery system) is a type of
regenerative braking concept which is primarily used in
formula-1 cars for the purpose of speed boosting. The energy
which is applied for braking purpose of a vehicle is normally
wasted; however this energy can be saved and effectively
utilized as and when required. Generally when the brakes are
applied, the braking energy gets converted into heat which is
wasted however in this scenario when the brakes are applied
the energy is passed to the motors which are mounted on the
front wheels. The motors at this stage act as generator
converting the mechanical energy to electrical which is then
passed to motors/flywheel arrangement resulting in rotation
of flywheel. This rotational energy as and when required can
be restored by the means of motors to the wheels thus
providing the necessary boost in speed.

This principle can be successfully implemented in a passive

system such as bicycle for serving the purpose of reduction in
pedaling power by using a flywheel and a mechanism for
engaging and disengaging the same.
In KERS bicycle, flywheel is used to store and restore the
energy. Flywheel is mounted between frames of bicycle with
aesthetic and ergonomic considerations. The flywheel is
mounted on the shaft and shaft is supported by means of
frames. Flywheel can be engaged with rear wheel with clutch
mechanism. This mechanism consists of clutch, free wheel and
sprocket with proper gear ratio for transmission.
When the bicycle is down hills or with slow speed in traffic
jam clutch can be engaged with flywheel to store energy and
this energy can be restored when required. Now at a time
when the speed reduction is required clutch is engaged and
flywheel starts rotating storing energy in spite of this pedaling
power can be decreased and efficiency of system can be
increased.
For analysis of system overdrive test is carried out and results
are obtained in order to reduce pedaling power. The assembly
and parts modeling is done in CATIA and Solid Works
software. For simulation and analysis purpose ANSYS
software is used.