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Abstract
The objective of this project was to complete the redesign and analysis of a human powered vehicle [HPV] called the Heliocycle, which is an existing tricycle [also referred to as trike]. The Heliocycle was a Senior Design Project that was completed at the Milwaukee School of Engineering by Bradley Helm, Kelly Bauserman, Michael Caelwaerts, and Nicholas Weis from September 2014 through May 2015. Since the Heliocycle’s debut in May 2015, it has been showcased and ridden, gaining exposure and feedback. In addition, a company [Omnium Cycles, LLC] was formed around the Heliocycle, and the Heliocycle received a provisional patent. This redesign was completed to improve the original design, based on knowledge gained through fabricating the initial prototype and feedback gathered during showcases. A brief market analysis determined a need for this trike and defined the target audience who would be most likely to buy and use this product.
In order to complete this project, a five-stage design process was followed. Throughout these stages, this project involved engineering design and analysis, which included the selection of materials, mechanics of materials, and finite element analysis, as well as some minor business aspects. The analysis was completed to confirm the design would be safe and withstand the stated maximum load established during the design. There was communication with the potential fabrication team [FT] to ensure that the design is feasible to build. After the completion of this project, Omnium Cycles may build and test the second prototype of the Heliocycle. Note: the fabrication of the redesign was out of scope for this project.