Dispositivo para transportar pranchas de surfe durante viagens de bicicleta

Abstract

Cycle touring and surfing are activities that provide its followers several characteristics in common, such as contact with nature and new experiences. They converge at the moment it is decided to take a bike trip through regions that offer conditions for surfing. Thus, transporting the board becomes a very uncomfortable task. The alternatives currently offered in the market are not suitable for situations of long journeys. In this context, the present work deals with the development of the design of a device for carrying surfboards during bike trips. For this, the methodology of Rozenfeld and coauthors is adopted, which includes everything from the information gathering stage to the prototype test. First, there was a general study on cycling and surfing. Through the use of tools such as benchmarking and Quality House, the technical specifications of the product were defined. Subsequently, ten possible designs for the product were developed. Among these, the one with the best potential to meet customer needs and project requirements was selected. It then moves on to the detailed design phase, in which project inputs were stipulated, commercial items selected, and preliminary calculations performed. Computational simulations of the structural performance of the product were performed in order to predict failures and optimize their weight. The design was then documented in the form of manufacturing drawings so that they could be used to fabricate a functional prototype. The stages of this manufacturing are described in detail, from the prospecting of suppliers to the final assembly. Finally, the final results of the project were verified through the validation of the product specifications and the execution of specific tests in the prototype, which includes the accomplishment of a small bike tripto submit it to the various real conditions of operation. It was concluded that, despite having demonstrated satisfactory results regarding its strength and functionality, the prototype presents several opportunities for improvement, such as reduction and better distribution of its weight.