Weight optimization of small tricycle truck with tipping mechanism

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Date
2013
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Abstract
This thesis presents a weight optimization of small tricycle truck with tipping mechanism. The use of tricycle trucks for waste collection is common in many developing countries. This is because of the heavy investment needed in the purchase of heavy waste collection trucks. The operation of these tricycle trucks in Ghana was very much limited since it could only tip its content on the ground. A tipping mechanism was developed to improved the operation of the equipment. Nonetheless the addition of the tipping mechanism has increased the weight considerably. In order to reduce the weight of the Tipping Mechanism, finite element analysis was performed on the bin, linkage mechanism, power screw and nut. The exercise involved validating the design changes made in the stress analysis environment. The work flow was repeated until the weight of the designs was optimized against the design criteria. Siemens Solid Edge ST3 software package, NX Nastran (7) solver was used in the optimization process. With optimum weight/ size, the components were produced, assembled and the tricycle tested for functionality. The overall weight of the tricycle has been reduced from 143 kg to 127.6 kg which represents 11% reduction in weight. The test of the prototype results shows the torque requirement of between 20 Nm and 45 Nm to ride on a horizontal plane, an improvement over the existing tricycle (25 Nm – 60 Nm).
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A thesis submitted to the School of Graduate Studies, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in partial fulfilment of the requirement for the award of Master of Science degree,
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