A smart charging solution for micro mobility vehicles in urban areas. Incorporated into the sustainable city of tomorrow to improve the safety, convenience and efficiency of lithium ion battery charging.
Miro
Figma
Photoshop
Fusion 360
Keyshot 3D
3D Printing
for Project Management
for Wireframing and Prototyping
for Image Composing
for 3D Modelling
for 3D Rendering
for Protoytping
Micromobility is becoming more popular due to urbanization, the need for sustainable transport, and the rising cost of car ownership. Advancements in battery technology make electric micromobility devices more efficient and affordable, contributing to their growing demand.
Micromobility refers to a range of small, lightweight vehicles designed for short-distance trips, including electric bikes, scooters, skateboards and hoverboards. These vehicles are typically electrified and use rechargeable batteries to power their electric motors. The use of electric power provides a convenient, eco-friendly and efficient way to move around urban areas.
The heavy batteries in micromobility devices can pose a challenge for users in urban areas without elevators. Carrying a 10kg battery up several flights of stairs can be difficult, especially for the elderly and disabled. This heavy weight can also impact the usability of the devices in multi-story buildings.
Micromobility vehicles such as electric bikes rely on heavy batteries that are often not charged properly by users. This leads to overuse and strain on the battery reducing its lifespan. During winter months many people leave batteries uncharged for extended periods causing irreversible damage
Charging micromobility batteries inside homes and apartments presents a risk of fire and explosions. Improper charging or faulty batteries can lead to overheating and other safety hazards. Lithium ion batteries used in micromobility devices can be difficult to extinguish once they catch fire due to the high energy density of lithium ion batteries.
The bachelor thesis was planned in Miro. References were collected and battery models were listed along with their voltages, dimensions and charges as well as future developments in micromobility.
To design the charging station several requirements were defined covering all areas that should be considered and evaluated according to relevance. By using 3D models the minimum dimensions of the charging boxes for the different battery types were determined.
The charging station consists of two main modules and four side modules. Depending on demand, these modules can be combined to fit the individual living situation of the residents.
In a single-family-house, this configuration could provide capacity for two e-bike batteries and one e-motorroller battery. Additionally, it features two bench modules for seating and two vegetation modules on the sides for cultivating bee-friendly plants, promoting biodiversity in urban areas and improving the quality of life in the city.
In a house with multiple apartments, this arrangement could offer capacity for four e-bike batteries and four e-motorroller batteries. It also includes two bench modules for seating and two vegetation modules on the sides for planting bee-friendly plants to promote biodiversity in urban areas. Moreover, there are two solar modules on the roof of the charging station that provide sustainable electricity to charge the batteries.
This arrangement could be used in office buildings, universities or large apartment complexes. The charging station has capacity for twenty e-bike batteries and eleven e-motorroller batteries. It is also equipped with two bench modules for seating. On the sides of the station are two vegetation modules for bee-friendly plants. The same principle applies to the two smaller vegetation modules on the roof, promoting urban biodiversity. Additionally, there are five solar modules on the roof that charge the batteries with sustainable power.
The user has several methods to log in. A hierarchy is established through colors and outlines to simplify selection. The user can add their battery to the app without using a keyboard with three simple clicks, simplifying the launch into the app.
The Bottom Navigation has three navigation points. The active state is highlighted in blue and there is a point under the active state for people with visual impairment. The user can add routines to charge batteries efficiently and maximize their lifespan. The app calculates the best charge and automates the charging process.
To maximize safety, the user receives status updates from the app about batteries being charged in the charging station. If a battery indicates abnormalities, the user is informed that it should be checked, helping to prevent fires in advance.