Modeling, Design and Simulation of Bicycle Anti-Theft Device

Abstract

In recent times, the bicycle has become one of the most important means of transportation in cities presenting a large amount of traffic jams. Unfortunately, the major growth of cycling has led on to a directly proportional increase in different social problems. Bicycle theft along with lack of confidence when riding due to insecurity in great cities could impede the encouragement of bicycles as the main mode of transport and thus achieve sustainable mobility. This article will discuss the possibility of designing and simulating an engineering solution that will mitigate the social problems of bicycle theft, focused on a particular modality such as robbery. The proposed solution will consist of the development of a mechanical device composed of a mass-spring system that will instantly block the natural movement of the front wheel, causing a partial immobilization of the bicycle. Said immobilization will allow the cyclist to recover the vehicle after experiencing the robbery. The results of the simulations run with the CAM SolidWorks software, by way of tools such as SolidWorks Simulation, and Motion Study, allowed to validate the mathematical models of mechanical stresses and displacements resulting from the impact between the wheel and the device. Likewise, the dimensions and characteristics of the mass-spring system were also verified. At the end of the article, the appropriate materials for the different components will be determined in order for them to be manufactured, and the future works to be realized will be identified.