Mechanical Interface of Flywheel Kinetic Energy Recovery System on Motorized Tricycles

In the Philippines, motorized tricycle was subjected to repetitive utilization of brakes due to traffic and road condition. To address the problem regarding the energy loss due to the application of brakes, Kinetic Energy Recovery System or KERS was introduced. KERS serves as the medium to recover and store the momentum of the vehicle. The study was aimed to design a mechanical interface of the kinetic energy recovery system applicable on motorized tricycles. This also aimed to determine the optimal dimensions and material of the flywheel that can maximize the recovery and storage of the lost kinetic energy of tricycles during braking. The triggering mechanism used was a combination of an actuator mechanism and a hand brake lever. The study was able to accomplish and design the appropriate triggering mechanism in order to utilize KERS. The group was able to prove the prototype's cost- effectiveness of the system with the percent of fuel saved with the application of KERS. It is determined in the study that by utilizing the Flywheel KERS on the motorized tricycle, fuel savings of 2.93%, 4.28% and 5.93% were obtained for uniform velocities of 30 kph, 40 kph and 50 kph, respectively. In this study the group was able to design and fabricate a functional Flywheel Kinetic Energy Recovery system on a Motorized Tricycle.