CASI principle

 

The CASI is the french acronym used to refer to Active Control of Stability and Tilt. The latter is used as a word concept to resume the way to integrate the natural balance of the body as an extension of the machine operated. Consequently, the vehicle or the machine respond in a coordinated manner to the natural movement of the body greatly facilitating its manipulations. It's make things simple and very intuitive. No significant learning perhaps familiarize with the vehicle. In the case of BBmobile project, the principle is exploited to a minimum but is widely felt when driving. For other bigger prototype development, we have tested and it is greatly maximized. The results in terms of driving performance and comfort are spectacular. Another advantage of this approach lies in the possibility of building lighter vehicles while allowing transport of a much larger load relative to the mass of the vehicle; hence, environmental benefits in terms of energy consumption.

 

SOME TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS (subject to revision)

 

The base model of BBmobile is a non-motorized vehicle powered trotting. This is the backpack or stroller model (or a shopping car). This is the most environmental way of energy consumption for the type of travel associated with those models. However, autonomy depends on the energy of the user and the radius of action are still associated. According to our own use in urban areas, we believe that a 5 km radius is a comfort zone, but it will depend on the individuals. The weight of the backpack version is estimated at around 5 kg and the model stroller around 15 kg, depending on the materials used in their manufacture. They are necessarily less expensive to purchase. The model backpack is one who is ready for a first local production.

 

In terms of the electric versions of the previous models, we must realize the impact of batteries and the associated environmental costs . In this regard, we are actively working to establish a realistic picture of the information available and we want to inform people both advantages and disadvantages. Electrifying the BBmobile increase autonomy and transport capacity but also increases the weight of the vehicle. The weight of the backpack model becomes about 15 kg and that of the stroller 25 kg . Here's why a system for climbing stairs is an option that has been developed for motorized models. One advantage is that the hybrid vehicle is still possible while scampering . An energy management can thus be performed by the user . We believe that the realistic autonomy in running only on the electric propulsion is a distance of 7 to 10 kms because of the many variables that influence energy consumption . Top speed is estimated currently between 20-30 km / h. A complete charge of the battery last about 6-8 h and uses a conventional outlet. The electric prototype built and unoptimized was fit to carry a minimum extra weight of 100 kg (4 times its weight ) . This is far from the ability to compete with the ant (50 times its weight for some species ) or dung beetle (1000 times its weight ) but this is a ratio mass transported versus mass of the vehicule proving that we can do more with less. We must understand the energy gain. For the same trip, going to the grocery store or pick up our childs to daycare, the heavier vehicule will consum more energy  but the load carried will be the same for that task.

 

Now , there is also a gain for greenhouse gases not rejected by the use of the vehicle. A simplified and not precise calculation can provide an overview of the magnitude. It suggests a minimum of 4 units of CO2 saved per km usage BBobile while we assume replace a car that averages 8 L per 100 km in the city. A unit of CO2 here is identical to one mole or 44 g . To do this calculation , the equation of combustion of pure octane was used with a molar mass of 114 g / mol and a density of fuel at 1 atm and 20 degrees Celsius 0,7028 g / mL. These data were derived from the thirteenth edition of MERK INDEX . The point here is that the source of electricity used by the BBmobile is not supposed to have contributed to increasing the level of fossil carbon into the atmosphere. This is not necessarily the case. This may be true locally, but not necessarily globally .