Antarctic cycle

• Language: unknown
• Subjects: Antarctic; The Antarctic; Antarc*; Antarctica; Tundra
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/2047/d10010555

This report outlines the development of the Antarctic cycle. The original objective of the project was to finish building and test a 2000 Northeastern University Capstone Design Project, the Tundra Tiger Trike. The Tundra Tiger Trike is a recumbent style tricycle that was designed for travel in Antarctica. In the fall of 2000, we conducted tests on it that simulated the terrain that it would be subjected to in Antarctica. This testing revealed that the initial design of the Tundra Tiger Trike would be unsuccessful. A decision was needed whether to go with a redesign of the Tundra Tiger Trike or go with a completely new design. Since concepts of a redesign could be simulated by quick modifications to the Tundra Tiger Trike, several concepts were quickly tested. The tests proved the existing cycle would not meet the needs of a sponsor. Ineffective steering, poor weight distribution, and extensive frame rework due to failwes pushed the team towards developing a new design. The new design, known as the Hybrid Tricycle, was developed based on the knowledge gained from testing of the Tundra Tiger Trike. The concept is similar to a tricycle, with one front tire and two rear tires. it mates the drive assembly of an all-terrain vehicle to a bike ailowing for greater stability, better weight distribution, and easy operation. By using standard components, we cut costs dramatically while maintaining a wide variety of flexibility and completing the project on time. We believe that this hybrid concept will meet the needs of the Antarctic researchers.