Foldable Cycle Concept at TICI
This project was an internship project, done at Tube Investments Cycles India - TICI, Chennai (brand owners of Hercules, BSA, Montra) along with Chaitanya Dev, a batch-mate from MSRIT during the summer holidays of my third year engineering. It provided a wonderful opportunity for us to develop and prototype a full-fledged working prototype of a fold-able cycle concept.
The design intent was to "design a user friendly, robust, affordable and practical fold-able bicycle that offers easy mobility, comfort and good aesthetic appeal". And to achieve this, the volume - the cycle occupies after folding should be as small as possible, while retaining all the ergonomics needed for an adult person to ride it (by making use of large frame and standard 26" tyres). Added to this, it should include all the inherent features of fold-able cycle over a normal cycle, making them to be more easily stored and highly portable.
Developed Design Concept
Prototype Concept
Fold 1
Fold 2
Final Folded Position
base model chosen : Hercules Turner VX – a 26” MTB
We concentrated on folding the bicycle at two places, instead of just one (like in conventional fold-able cycles) so that the size of the bicycle is considerably reduced - in the folded position. The two folds would involve placing both the wheels parallel (one wheel on either side) to the bicycle frame after folding. And for this a hinge joint was used in the fork to fold the front wheel; and a swiveling mechanism in the existing seat tube to rotate the rear assembly.
The Prototype Development
The Final Prototype
Prototype Demonstration
