Innovation Description
ProfileMr. Bakul Chandra Das is from the South Dinajpur district of West Bengal. He is involved in the Ironworks business. He learnt the ironworks from his father. He has now established his business very well and he mainly does the engineering works related to iron. He always thinks about how to do things in a different way.
PurposeSome years back, all the paddled rickshaws were replaced by battery rickshaws. But the paddled rickshaw pullers didn't have the money to buy e rickshaws which costs around Rs. 1.5 lakhs at that time. So, the paddled rickshaw pullers were left workless. A leader of the Rikshaw Union of Balurghat came to him with a request to make something that can compete with the e-rickshaws and can be afforded by the rickshaw pullers. This innovation came into his mind while looking for a solution for the rickshaw pullers.
Technical detailsThe developed rickshaw can be operated by pedals as well as the battery. • This Rickshaw has the appearance of rickshaw is similar to the e-rickshaw. He has used the cycle or paddled rickshaw tyres in this design. Drum brakes are installed in the rear wheels of the rickshaw. To reduce jerks during travel, a motorcycle shocker is used. A 500 W motor and a 70AH battery has been used to operate the rickshaw. There is also a provision for the pedals to operate the rickshaw manually.
PerformanceThe inventor claims that the rickshaw can travel 150 kilometres on a single charge and run at a speed of 40 kilometres per hour.
BenefitsIt is easy to use and is economically viable. It has paddles that can be used to run the rickshaw when needed.
Suggested reading(s):CSIR - Central Mechanical Engineering Research Institute, (n.d.). Pedal Assisted High Power E-Rickshaw. Retrieved on June 14, 2021, from
https://www.cmeri.res.in/technology/pedal-assisted-high-power-e-rickshaw%E2%80%9DRaghavan, M., Ramakrishnan, M., Ramakrishnan, K. R., Devasahayam, M., Veeramani, P., Ehambaram, K. R., ... & Vasu, K. I. (1988). Development of a cycle rickshaw assisted with battery power.
Bulletin of Electrochemistry, 4(11), 955-957.
Rajvanshi, A. K. (2002). Electric and improved cycle rickshaw as a sustainable transport system for India.
Current Science, 83(6), 703-707.
