Energized Lock-Out Container (ELOC) - Capstone

With e-bikes rapidly gaining popularity as an easy to use and sustainable commuting option, our team set out to address two common barriers to adoption:

• Battery Range & Charging Accessibility – Many e-bikes cannot reliably support long distance commutes, especially with return trips. Therefore, riders often need to charge batteries, and may struggle to find charging locations that are easily accessible near standard bike storage locations.

• Storage Security – Commuters often lack safe secure enclosed spaces to store valuable bikes, batteries, and chargers, exposing them to theft, vandalism, and environmental damage.

Drawing on our own e-bike commuting experiences, we aimed to design a scalable system that would make e-biking more practical, reliable, and user-friendly for everyday riders, outside of the actual riding experience.

Our team began by mapping out the core challenges of secure storage and reliable charging, brainstorming potential solutions inspired by both existing infrastructure and emerging technologies. Several concepts were considered:

• Charging Cables at Bike Racks – Simple to implement, but still vulnerable to theft, vandalism, and environmental exposure.

• Removable Battery Lockers – Allowed batteries to be charged separately, but introduced inconvenience for users, does not protect the bikes, and excluded e-bikes without removable batteries.

• Communal Enclosed Storage – Secured multiple bikes in a shared enclosure, but limited accessibility and posed risks of damage or theft between users.

• Robotic Arm Charging Systems – Enabled automated, hands-free charging by physically connecting to the bike, which is more secure than a simple cable that can be stolen or cut, but required highly accurate sensors and precise robotic control to insert plugs reliably.

• Inductive Charging Platforms – Wireless solutions offered universal potential regardless of cable type, but most e-bike batteries lacked built-in compatibility, and fixed coil placement often could not align with the various battery positions.

Through this evaluation, we realized that no single idea fully addressed all user needs. Our final solution combined the strongest elements: a fully enclosed locker for security, paired with a robotic arm positioning an inductive charging interface with a consumer purchasable inductive charging adapter specific to their bike. This hybrid approach provided a secure, weatherproof storage space while enabling intuitive, cable-free charging that would function for any bike and could scale effectively across campuses and urban centers.

The ELOC (Energy Lock-Out Container) system is a smart, automated bike locker designed for deployment in campuses, workplaces, and urban centers, minimizing user interaction and offering reliable and secure charging.

Key Features:

• Automated Storage & Retrieval – Motorized sled and sensor system guides bikes into the enclosure.

• Universal Charging Compatibility – Vision system to identify inductive charging pad on bike and mechanical gantry arm with inductive charging coil, removing the need for direct plug-in.

• Minimal Infrastructure Needs – Requires only a power outlet and fixed footprint.

• Security & Protection – Safeguards bikes from theft, vandalism, and weather.

• Adaptability – Can be used by both e-bikes and standard bicycles.

User Flow:

1. Authentication – User scans ID (e.g., student card, membership card).

2. Storage – Locker door opens, sled is presented to user, bike is loaded on sled and secured by user, then sled returns before the doors close and lock.

3. Charging – Vision system detects the e-bike induction charging interface, gantry aligns inductive charger, charging begins.

4. Retrieval – User re-authenticates, system halts charging, and bike is returned.

I was responsible for all mechanical design, integration, and physical prototyping, ensuring smooth interaction with electrical/software subsystems. Key contributions included:

• CAD Design & Simulation – Modeled the full system in 3D CAD, conducted ergonomic studies, and ran structural analysis.

• Prototyping & Manufacturing – Used FDM 3D printing, welding, and manual mill/lathe to build key components.

• System Integration – Collaborated with electrical/software team members to ensure precise motion control, sensor alignment, and inductive charging accuracy.

Our project demonstrated a scalable solution to expand e-bike adoption by effectively doubling commuting range while addressing theft and storage challenges.

• Awarded the ASME Sustainability Award in Mechatronics Engineering for promoting environmentally friendly and health-conscious transportation.

• Validated the potential for city-wide deployment at campuses, offices, and transit hubs.

• Highlighted the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration, integrating mechanics, electronics, and software into one cohesive system.

ELOC represents a scalable blueprint that can be expanded across urban infrastructure, providing secure, convenient, and automated charging stations for electric bike users. As urban infrastructure continues to shift towards sustainable transportation, systems like ELOC could play a key role in reducing reliance on cars and public transit, making cities more bike-friendly and environmentally conscious. Additionally, with refinement, alternative designs could be geared towards other micromobility platforms, such as e-scooters.