This project aims in creating a mechanical system capable of utilizing the mechanical energy during walking, running or climbing that would otherwise have gone to waste, in producing electrical energy that can be used for various other purposes. It uses a chain drive which is attached on the sprocket and a chain locking system is attached at the two ends of the chain which helps in moving the chain uniformly. Then a spring is also attached to the base of the step which helps in bringing flexibility in the step used that helps in moving the chain. After the chain is rotated then the dynamo is attached to it which generates electricity. This design helps to increase the efficiency of the energy production since this system uses less input to produce more output.

1. Presenters
Shreya Acharya (12118)
Abhar Bhattarai (12124)
Surath Mahat (12140)
Sunil Singh (12143)
Erica Tamang (12144)
AUGUST , 2016

2. Project Coordinator :
Er. Malesh Shah
Department Of Mechanical Engineering
Lecturer, Kathmandu University
Supervisor :
Er. Pratisthit Lal Shrestha
Department Of Mechanical Engineering
Lecturer, Kathmandu University

3.  This project attempts to demonstrate that energy can be
tapped and used at a commonly used floor steps.
 The basic working principle of “Electricity generating
staircase” is based on the sprocket and chain drive
arrangement .
 The linear motion of the steps when we climb on it is
converted into the reciprocating motion, which in turn will be
used to generate efficient electricity.
 It is eco-friendly; easily accessible and non-conventional
power generation system when compared to existing systems.

4.  To make the prototype of the footstep through which we can
produce electricity.
 To fit the mechanical parts like chain drive, sprockets, chain
locking system, springs and dynamo for the staircase.
 To test the production of electrical energy through one step
of staircase.

5.  To analyze the application of this system in large scale.
 To increase the efficiency of energy production since this
system uses less input to produce comparatively more
output.
 To find the possibilities for the utilization of the energy
which we waste in everyday life while climbing stairs.
 To develop economic and efficient methodologies to
encounter the major problem of limited energy sources.

6.  Basically this mechanism shows the linkage of sprocket and chain
arrangement.
 Three sprocket and a chain drive link with the chain locking system
allowing the staircase to move in linear reciprocating motion.
 The springs are fitted in the base of the step so that there is the flexibility
in the step which can further help in rotating the sprocket by which the
chain moves and thus we can generate the electricity.
 The dynamo is fitted at the smaller sprocket and when the chain moves
the mechanical energy is converted into the electrical energy.
 Then the flywheel is attached in which the belt drive is used and that
helps to rotate the smaller sprocket that is placed at the bottom.
 A chain locker is also used which locks the chain so that the chain
doesn’t move unsystematically and backward.
 The smaller sprocket is attached with the dynamo so when smaller
sprocket is moved due to chain drive then to dynamo starts to work
which helps to generate electricity.

7. Side view of electricity generating staircase

8. Front view of electricity generating staircase

9. Chain Locking System Rack And Pinion
It is very easy to install - especially on round
tube gates like chain link.
Installing it at the right height on the gate and
level takes more time and consideration than
chain.
The chain runs the length of the gate and is
feed through 2 idlers and a power driven
sprocket.
On the bottom of this bar there are teeth that
face downward - these teeth interact with a
mechanized gear on the opener that moves the
gate back and forth
It doesn’t provide back force once the pressure
is relieved
It provides back force once the pressure is
relieved
It doesn’t require modification in the gate. It may require modification in the gate.
Will last as long as we need as it is machine
operating
May does not last for so long time

10. Chain Drive Belt Drive
No power loss due to slippage Power Loss
More practical for slow speed drives Less Practicable
Can be used in reversing drives Cannot be used In reversing drives
Faster mode of transmission Slower mode of transmission
More compact than belt drive Less compact
Can operate in wet conditions
Cannot operate well in wet conditions
Doesn’t deteriorate due to external climatic
condition
Can deteriorate due to external climatic condition
Can operate effectively at high temperatures Cannot operate in high temperature
Chains can be used with varying shaft
center distances
Cannot be used with the varying shaft center
distances
Easy maintenance Difficult maintenance

11. Task April May June July
weeks weeks weeks weeks
1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4
Literature Review
Dimension and calculation
Fabrication
Work done
Work Remaining
Testing Evaluating
Report submission

12. Calculated the
dimensions and
made the design
Market survey for
sprocket ,spring
and dynamo
Fitting work is
performed with
the help of TTC
Filing and cutting
of metal is
performed
Drilling and
joining the metals
Joining the
dynamo with the
chain drive
Running the
entire system

13. SN Name Specification Unit Per Unit
Price (Rs)
Quantity Total
(Rs)
Remarks
1 Wooden Plank Hard wood pcs KUTTC 2 KUTTC
2 Spring pcs 75 8 1000
3 Sprocket meter 80 2 160
4 Chain iron meter KUTTC 1 KUTTC
5 Chain locking
system
Aluminum pcs KUTTC 1 KUTTC
7 Capacitor Electrical pcs 150 1 150
9 Dynamo Electrical generator pcs 2000 1 2000
10 Flywheel metal pcs 160 1 160
11 Nuts and Bolts metal pcs 10 4 40
12 Miscellaneous 500
Total 4010

14. Dimensions Measurements (cm)
Diameter of sprocket 6.2
Number of links in chain 25
Length of metal base 55
Breadth of metal base 24
Length of horizontal metal bar 55.7
Distance between two sprockets 14.2
Distance between two metal bars 5
Distance between two metal base 9.7
Height of secondary metal base 7.5

15.  Proper sized springs were not found which caused a delay in the
project.
 There was a problem to fix the sprockets parallel.
 Design of the chain locking system was a huge challenge.
 It was challenging to design the project model in auto cad.
 The smaller sprocket couldn’t give the sufficient amount of
efficiency to the dynamo so that it could run and generate
electricity

16. This activity includes the characteristic of the sprocket and
the chain drive. The staircase mechanism would be capable
of lighting a led bulb efficiently at low cost.
This report presents the performance of staircase which
includes variation of its scope with cost effective and
efficient methodologies to utilize the wasted energy. With
the application of sprocket and chain drive we can make the
wider scope of this staircase project.