A Formula 1 Bike !

Ford's new e-bike

Automobiles have been increasing in number with increase in its new technologies but  to compete with these  have come the e-bikes which have been sold for 300 million units last year; And this year the Ford's has come up with a new e-bike using the Formula 1 technology.
So lets reveal its new concept and find out the features which it comprises of.


This bike incorporates the F1 sensing technology into a two wheeled bike with a pedal. There is also an electric motor assist which finds its position at the front and the cable for the same will be hidden along the trapezoidal frame which the bike bears and moreover the frame is light in weight too. The reason for its lightweight characteristic is that the frame is made of aluminium and carbon composite material.The frame weighs as low as 2.5 ks according to what the company claims.

Background lighting with light sensors

It Provides power from  a drive system consisting of a motor in the front wheel hub, a lithium-ion battery concealed in the frame, promising a range of up to 85km on a full charge, an integrated controller and patented magnetostriction sensor technology from the world of Formula One.Magneotostrictive materials are used to convert magnetic energy into kinetic energy, and vice versa. In Formula One, these sensors help handle high engine revolutions in combination with intense thermal strains. They need no physical contact with other parts of the engine, are temperature-independent and are completely maintenance-free.

  

The electric assist motor is housed within the front wheel hub of the Ford E-Bike

In the Ford E-Bike, the first application of this technology in the bicycle industry, the sensors read the revolutions in the inner bearing and relay this information to the control unit within a hundredth of a second. The control unit then instantly activates or deactivates the electric motor, providing a seamless integration of the power of the legs with the power of the motor. A handlebar-mounted display provides trip information and allows the rider to select from three support modes – Economy, Comfort and Sport.The drive system is complemented by top-of-the-range bicycle components, including a Shimano Alfine 11-speed internal gear hub and a 2012 Shimano Rapidfire shifter. In place of a traditional chain is a Carbon Belt Drive System, making for a cleaner, lighter and more immediate transfer of energy. Here, the lithium-ion battery is built inside the frame and the motor inside the front wheel. A tiny module allows the rider to recharge from the mains. Its  controller display function consists of  Background lighting with light sensor system, Energy-saving automatic sleep mode, Diagnosis function with fault code display. Its  Support modes consists of  Economy, Comfort, Sport. Its also houses display of Range, Battery capacity, Speed, Time, Distance, Maximum speed, Average speed, Total distance, Service reminder, System diagnosis, and iPhone Smartphone app control function planned.

In this bike the sensors read the revolutions of the wheel and relay this information to the control unit inside 1/100th of a second. The motor activates or deactivates instantly in response to your leg movements - so as you see a hill approaching, you can stop and let the motor do the work. Ford has given no indication on whether this concept bicycle will be given the go-signal for production. Considering all the technologies present in the overall set-up of the bike, we’d venture a guess that we won’t see a production version anytime soon.


[via: Gizmag]

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