Pedal Power for Occupational Activities

Pedalling is the most efficient method of utilizing human power for occupational work. Maximal power produced during pedalling is generally limited by adaptations within the oxygen transport system. On the other hand, the capacity for hand cranking is limited by the amounts of muscle mass engaged. Owing to these limitations, a person can generate more power (about four times) by pedalling than by hand cranking. Research work on the ergonomics of bicycle, reported in literature, mainly deals with sports and rehabilitation activities. However, the use of pedal power for occupational work such as stationary farm operations has got scant attention in the past. Keeping these points into consideration a study was conducted at CIAE, Bhopal to optimise the design parameters for a pedal operated rotary device (dynapod), which could be used as an interface between human worker and any rotary type process machine. The developed dynapod was interfaced with a hand operated rotary type maize sheller and the performance of the machine and drudgery reduction while operated in pedalling mode was quantified and compared with those of hand cranking mode.... Mehr