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Choosing Open Source
I’ve been asked a lot by friends and family about if I have patented or protected my velomobile design in some way to stop “just anyone” coming along, making a copy and selling their own; and thus (so the story goes) stealing potential sales of my product. I tend to...
Self-Jigging Chassis
One of the design criteria for Atomic Duck is: to be easily manufacturable, in a workshop with minimal specialist tools. As a result, the chassis parts are made from stock aluminium tube sizes and flat sheet. But the components construction is only part of the story, an Atomic Duck also...
Publishing 3D models
Just a quick one this week, and a question to how about what format you would like to see 3D CAD released in. One of my intentions for Deferred Procrastination is that developments should be released open source, it encourages further development, and means that new solutions don’t get locked...
Why a Velomobile? Speed
One of the clear advantages of a velomobile over an un-faired bike is increased speed. Higher maximum and cruising speeds are possible because the faired cycle has lower drag; and drag is the enemy of speed. This means that in a velomobile (when compared to a bike): You can travel...
Block Chassis Layout
After a few weeks showing some of the features of Atomic Duck, it’s definitely past time to show some progress. I’ve been designing and refining this project for a few years now, so I have a pretty good grasp on what I expect each part and assembly to look like;...
Duck Trunk — an Atomic Boot
For Atomic Duck to be a useful and practical mode of transport, it needs to have space to carry luggage. Obviously, it won’t have the same carrying capacity as a bakfiets or cargobike, but it should have enough room for a couple of bags, or some shopping. While the ingenuity...
Going backwards
Velomobiles go forwards really well (better than an upright bike and a recumbent!) but they aren’t well suited to going backwards. It’s a probem that comes from sharing driveline components with bicycles. Bicycles don’t have a reverse gear for the same reasons motorbikes don’t: going backwards while balancing on two...
TweetUpdater version 3.1 release
A new version release for TweetUpdater, adding a new option to limit message sending based on post category and meta information. Thanks to BjornW for taking the time to add to the project. The new rcmbnt.com URL shortener gave me the impetus to add the generic YOURLS support. Although I’ve...
Stopping an Atomic Duck
Braking performance is very important for safety and ensuring the vehicle is controllable. For best practice, a brkaing system should: allow easy operation for normal use to slow and stop the vehicle. be immediately accessible to in an emergency, and bring the vehicle to rest in the shortest distance possible....
Canopy
Vehicle structure around an occupant’s head and neck makes a great difference to their feeling of comfort and security. Space to move around the head, neck and shoulders stops an occupant from feeling “closed in”; while being held around the waist and hips lets the occupant feel secure. Atomic Duck...
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