Electrical drivetrains for tad-pole and delta type recumbent tricycles

The drivetrain characteristics of electrically assisted, tricycle human powered vehicles are the subject of this paper. The two configurations of the vehicle that appear commercially, delta and tad-pole, are studied regarding to the impact of the electrical drivetrain to their steering behavior. For this purpose, two corresponding tricycles, constructed at the premises of the Alexander Technological Educational Institute of Thessaloniki are utilized. The electronic differential system implemented in the delta human powered vehicle is theoretically analyzed and experimentally tested. Measurements on the system during specific vehicle routes and discussion on its connection to the vehicle´s steering behavior validate the system´s efficiency.