Our Winter 2001 engineering challenge was suggested by SEED expert Ruvinda Gunawardana.

Automobile headlights have two settings. The high beam, or bright setting, is used in rural areas when more illumination is needed. The normal setting is for urban areas or other places where there is light from other sources. It is also necessary to switch from bright to normal when a car is approaching in the opposite direction so as to reduce the glare for the oncoming driver.

Your challenge is to design a similar system for a bicycle headlamp.

There are several aspects to the problem:

• Electrical - You must design an electrical circuit that provides for two levels of brightness and allows the user to switch between them
• Mechanical - The device must be securely attached to the bike and able to withstand the normal jostling associated with riding.
• Ergonomic - The switch must be in a position that allows the rider to use it without compromising control of the bike.

Submit pictures, diagrams, and descriptions of your invention. We will post them in the Exhibit Hall here on the SEED web site.

PDF Version of this Engineering Challenge