Research Analysis & Design Directions

Personal Mobility Chair Research Analysis Design Directions Chienpo Jen 22/ 06/ 2020

Index

1 Introduction Statement of Needs Big Idea Mind Map Project DNA

2 Research Marketing Competitors Benchmarking Analysis Design Thinking Identifying Standard Usability Investigation

3 Design Directions User Profile Ideal Locations Design Guidelines Concept 01 Concept 02 Concept 03

4 Future Steps Project Timeline

Introduction

1. Statement of Needs 2. Big Idea 3. Mind Map 4. Project DNA

SUMMARY OF PROJECT The project aims to provide Sophy with a movable chair, so that she can enter and exit certain spaces through narrow doorways, and solve the problems of power wheelchair that underweight youth faced. According to her recent three years of experience, the use of power wheelchairs provides her with better postural back support, and she has also driven mobility scooters for five years before 2017. This project will develop a lightweight and maneuverable powered mobility solution for Sophy that makes her study and moving between campus and home less effort.

Based on the design for additive manufacturing, this project commences the new mobility fit spinal condition, posture and seating profile for the young generation with Congenital Muscular Dystrophy (CMD) or Motor Neuron Disease (MND).

The chairs are custom fit and include postural supports.

Introduction Satement of Needs / Big Idea

1. Suit 30kg to 60kg Operator 2. Lightweight – Target 100kg 3. Small Footprint – As small as possible 4. Maneuverable – Small turning circle 5. Posture Support * Seating must be comfortable * A adjustment system for various postures * Removable armrests * Adjustable headrests * Height adjustment * Foot plates support that enable easy embarking and disembarking * Sensitive to the needs of users with CMD and other similar conditions 6. Technical Package Battery / Wheels / Controls – off-shelf 7. Lightweight Chassis – 3D Printed Metal / Alloy Chassis The 3D printed chassis could be the best lightweight option.

Cushioning for postural support could be computer modelled in the modular form then built to fit into the mobility chair. Sophy needs seating, back and neck support. She often leans back and rests her neck and back in her wheelchair during boring long school assemblies.

Everyone Can Have What They Need to Participate Fully in Life.

Introduction Mind Map high-end customised bike frame Plastic / Metal

TPU

air / foam / gel

cushion

soften elasticity

Congenital Mu

3D print durable affordable cost

access environment

Access Chair fo power wheelchair smaller / lighter

e-sc

product category concept phase diff. components

standard AS 3695 safety / spec / max. size detail

battery pla

Technology

Stephen W. Hawking

Motor Neuron Disease

uscular Dystrophy Atrophy

ALS

narrow corridors/ doors

or Limited Ability mobility scooter

cooter

e-bike

motor

atform

modular

to reflect on the Inclusive Design as a competitive strategy in design of disabled

indoor

small overall width compact design

disassemble foldable back angle / adjust / seat tilt

outdoor

Personal Electric Vehicle

her difficulties in / her capability / her mobility is build up a profile what she like / day & night life extrapolate what her needs

Introduction Project DNA

Research

1. Marketing Competitors 2. Benchmarking Analysis 3. Design Thinking 4. Identifying Standard 5. Usability 6. Investigation

Research Marketing Competitors

Research Benchmarking Analysis

Research Design Thinking

A Diverse Way of Design Thinking for Disabilities -Barrier-free Design In 1963, British architect Selwyn Goldsmith published a comprehensive architectural design guideline entitled “Designing for the Disabled� (Goldsmith 1963).

-Transgenerational Design It advocates that products, services and environments meet the needs of people of different ages and abilities at the same time, with particular emphasis on the elderly should be able to work with young people in the same environment (Pirkl 1991).

-Universal Design American architect, designer, and education pioneer Ronald Mace gave a practical seven principles of Universal Design, and gradually developed the concept from barrier-free design to emphasize that the environment should be suitable for the disabled(Story, Mueller & Mace 1998).

-Design for All In Scandinavia, Northern Europe, a similar concept is called Design for All, emphasizing that products should be designed to be used by the broadest user base, tolerate human diversity, and respect human equality (Bendixen & Benktzon 2015).

-Inclusive Design Indeed, in the United Kingdom, Inclusive Design is most commonly used to represent this type of concept. Its primary purpose is to advocate that mainstream products, services and environments should meet as much as possible while recognizing the diversity of user groups, and minimize the exclusion of the design (Clarkson, P John & Coleman 2015; Waller et al. 2015). Unlike Universal Design and Design for All emphasise the maximisation of accessibility when technical possibilities permit.

Inclusive Design select appropriate market segments for products, services, and built environments, which contribute to reducing the requirements for user capabilities, to maximising the main applicable population of the product under reasonable possibilities and improving user experience and satisfaction (Persson et al. 2015).

Based on Microsoft’s research report (Stevenson & McQuivey 2003) on the difficulties and impairments of working age (16-64) American adults concerning vision, hearing, cognition, language and dexterity, they drew the “Segmented pyramid� which is shown in Figure 1 below (Hosking, Waller & Clarkson 2010). This pyramid shows the diversity of individual capabilities in the group: Inclusive Design does not focus on the disabled and avoids the use of Assistive Technology, but through a reasonable reduction in ability requirements, to enhance a broad customer base in different situations product experience (Waller et al. 2015).

Figure 1: Different design responses for different levels of capability loss.

Assistive Technology is committed to improving the ability of the disabled to adapt to the external environment. Inclusive Design is more inclined to create a friendlier environment, products and services for as many people as possible, reducing the ability requirements of the person. When we pay attention from the top of the pyramid to a broader group of people with mild and minimal difficulties, between the technical possibilities which have been realised or have excellent development prospects, and the challenges and obstacles that are everywhere, Inclusive Design has a wide enough field of application and development.

Understanding Diversity Australians that are edge users experience more difficulty than others. This includes people living with disables, the elderly, people suffering from physical or mental health issues, people who are culturally and linguistically diverse, and many others. As people identify themselves in many ways and potentially in many of these categories, it makes it even harder to use traditionally designed products and services

What we find hard to visualise is that any one of us can experience difficulty at some point in their life, even if temporary or situational. Microsoft illustrates this concept using three personas to describe different types of disability and difficulty experienced by everyone: 1. Permanent: someone with an ability-limiting condition that is lasting and is unlikely to change (e.g. amputee, blind or deaf person) 2. Temporary: someone with an ability-limiting condition that will resolve with time (e.g. broken arm, tonsillitis, or even severe sunburn) 3. Situational: someone with an ability-limiting condition that is dependent on specific situations (e.g. at a music concert where it’s very loud and hard to hear anything, or a new parent with an infant).

With this perspective, it is evident that any one of the 25 million Australians can be susceptible to fall in either the temporary or situational category, even if we don’t live with a permanent disability. Some examples are illustrated on the right.

Research Identifying Standard

Australian Standard 3695.2:2019, pp. 42

Dimensions and manoeuvring space of powered wheelchairs Dependent upon their intended use: ClassA: compact, manoeuvrable wheelchairs not necessarily capable of negotiating outdoor obstacles.

ClassB: wheelchairs sufficiently compact and manoeuvrable for some indoor environments and capable of negotiating some outdoor obstacles.

ClassC: wheelchairs, usually large in size, not necessarily intended for indoor use but capable of travelling over longer distances and negotiating outdoor obstacles.

Requirements and tests for driving characteristics of type classes

AS 1428-1-2009 Design for access and mobility Recommendations for dimensions and manoeuvring space of electrically powered wheelchairs

Occupant reach space

Doorway circulation space is a critical design and construction issue for people who use wheelchairs or scooters, especially for swing doors.

Research Usability

Ergonomic Issues SEAT DIMENSION: Wheelchair seat width and depth are crucial to proper pelvic and lower extremity alignment SEAT-TO-FLOOR HEIGHT: It is crucial for proper pelvic alignment, lower extremity alignment, and heel strike for self-propulsion BACK SUPPORT: The appropriate back support can: align the spine, provide pelvic stability, decrease the risk of wound development and pain, and improve function.

LEGREST: Properly fitting legrests not only provide a place to rest the feet.

ARMREST: Properly adjusted armrests serve many functions: • A place to rest upper extremities • Contribute to overall trunk stability and upright posture when muscle weakness is present • Facilitates ease of transfers HEAD SUPPORT: The proper head support is important for: • Socialization and Communication • Safe Swallowing • Respiration • Attention to Task • Mobility A standard posterior head support pad should be positioned in the suboccipital area with the goal to prevent excessive extension, rotation, or lateral flexion.

Endsjo, A 2004, 'LTC Seating & Positioning Guide', Comfort company, viewed by 25 May 2020, <https://hub.permobil.com/blog/ltc-seating-positioning-guide-conclusion>.

Measuring Guide

A - Shoulder Width B - Chest Width C - Hip Width D - Between Knees

E - Top of Head F - Occiput G - Seat to Top of Shoulder H - Inferior Angle of Scapula I - Seat to Elbow

J - Lower Arm Length K - Upper Leg Length L - Lower Leg Length M - Foot Length

Too low

Too high

Good

Seating Evalution Goals • Provide pelvic and trunk stability • Maximum function for Activities of Daily Living • Protect skin and prevent wounds or heal existing wounds • Maximum comfort for the resident • Minimize unwanted movement • Correct or accommodate for postural abnormalities • Prevent progression of postural abnormalities

SEAT DIMENSION

BACK SUPPORT SEAT-TO-FLOOR HEIGHT

LEGREST ARMREST

Endsjo, A 2004, 'LTC Seating & Positioning Guide', Comfort company, viewed by 25 May 2020, <https://hub.permobil.com/blog/ltc-seating-positioning-guide-conclusion>.

Measuring Guide

Research Investigation

Microsoftâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Xbox Adaptive Controller Logitech G Adaptive Gaming Kit when you do not intentionally, deliberately include ... you will unintentionally exclude - Joe Gerstandt, a speaker, author and advisor bringing greater clarity, action, and impact to organizational diversity and inclusion efforts

Structural consideration Investigating the structures of prams and trolley which are loading similar weight and using the different material to support the person or some goods.

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Cart wheelchair DIYâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; is a wheelchair made from second-hand shopping carts to become a helping tool for the physically disabled, elderly and patients who are not able to afford an ordinary chair. With a desire to help as many people as possible, the designer Apichai Inthutsingh wants to show us how to improve a simple shopping cart and create a wheelchair to fit their lifestyle.

Designer: Apichai Inthutsingh & Atisanun Uengwiriyasakun

Lagecy

Future Oriented Manufacturing Advances in industrial-scale 3D printing allow local manufacture of highly customized, smallbatch, and affordably priced products. Called “Industry 4.0,” big data, artificial intelligence, and 3D printing will move production closer to users.

Participant’s designs leverage Industry 4.0 trends.

Additive Manufacturing

Machining

Omni Wheel Similar to Mecanum wheels, are wheels with small discs (called rollers) around the circumference which are perpendicular to the turning direction. The effect is that the wheel can be driven with full force, but will also slide laterally with great ease. These wheels are often employed in holonomic drive systems.

YAMAHA Motor

ジョイユニット X PLUS+

The Joy Unit X PLUS+ is an electric unit that can be attached to a custom-made wheelchair such as reclining or tilt type where 16-inch wheels are the mainstream, while retaining the features of the JWX-1 PLUS+ unit.

Turning circle 1. Largest turning circumference.

2. More difficult to manoeuvre in tig

Footplate position 1. Footplates typically add length as they need to be angled forwar clear the larger front casters.

2. Central mounted single foo reduce overall length.

Smoothness of ride 1. Larger casters than mid wheel d so smoother ride outdoors.

2. Can be fitted with shock abso four wheels.

Comparing Rear-Wheel, Mid-Wheel and Front-Wheel Drive Centre of rotation of the chair Arc described by the head as the chair rotates Turning radius of the chair

Reversing Less sensitive than mid-wheel larger casters have more conta ground, so weight is distributed o area; thus, the chair moves in t direction before the casters swivel.

Attendant operation Easy for attendant to use.

Other advantages Maybe a good balance betwe manoeuvrability and outdoor ground ride quality.

to the chair rd 60-80º to

otplate may

drive chairs,

orbers on all

drive. The act with the over a larger the desired .

een indoor or uneven

1.Medium turning circumference.Turning in small space is difficult due to long back end.

2. Manages tight corners well due to short front end.

Front casters are typically wider apart than the drive wheels, so 90º footplates add less than 30mm to turning radius.

No front casters to interfere with 90º footplates, so add less than 30mm to turning radius.

1. Generally have smaller casters so a harder ride than rear or front wheel. However, can be offset by the softness of all wheels and quality of suspension.

2. Six wheels going over the bumps and sending more shocks into the frame and seat.

3. Suspension system tends to deflect and conform to the surface. Therefore, seat will be straight even if wheels at different heights.

1. Larger casters than mid wheel drive chairs, so smoother ride outdoors.

2. Can be fitted with shock absorbers on all four wheels.

More sensitive to change of direction of travel than rear and front wheel drives, because their smaller casters result in an instant change of direction.

Less sensitive than mid-wheel drive. The larger casters have more contact with the ground, so weight is distributed over a larger area; thus, the chair moves in the desired direction before the casters swivel.

Operation by attendant may be difficult.

Difficult for an attendant to operate.

Manoeuvring is more intuitive because the drive wheel is in line with the user’s head and centre of gravity. Therefore, maybe better for people with perceptual and/or cognitive impairment.

Able to get the close front on to work surfaces.

Queensland Government, 2020, 'Comparison of Front, Mid and Rear Wheel Drive Power Chairs', Queensland Health, viewed by 25 May 2020, <https://www.health.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0028/428482/pdwc-comparison.pdf>.

ght spaces.

1. Smallest turning circumference.

2. Tightest turning radius.

Design Directions

1. User Profile 2. Ideal Locations 3. Design Guidelines 4. Concept 01 5. Concept 02 6. Concept 03

Design Directions User Profile

SHE A 17 years old girl. She lives in Townsville. She plans to enrol the University of Queensland in 2021. She has a rare neuromuscular disease called Merosin-deficient congenital muscular dystrophy. She does not have any intellectual or emotional challenges. But her physical disability makes it very difficult for her to participate fully in life, and access the community, school and work, in the same way, that other girls her age would expect to be able to do. She can walk a few meters, but she cannot climb stairs.

She is satisfied with the joystick steering arrangement and functionality on your current mobility chair. She has good hand control ability and can operate computers and mobile phones.

I guess she has a curious heart and full imagination, and can accept many different things in this world even beyond the earth.

Design Directions Idea Locations

House

Store

Campus

Clinic

Restaurant

Social Activities

Airport

Hotel

Design Directions Design Guidelines

Components of A Power Wheelchair Headrest

Back Post Armrest

Controller

Cushion Seating System Power Base Caster Wheel Drive Wheel

Seat Board Calf Pad Legrest Hanger Foot Plate

2. Maneuverable * Turing radius 500 - 635 mm (20" - 25") * Mid-wheel platform * 12" Driving wheels / 6" Caster * Minimum obstacle height 50 mm 3. Posture Support * Seat Width 300-500 / Depth 300-500 * Seat Tilting 20° * Rotatable armrests * Adjustable headrests * Height adjustment * Foot plates

The Needs of Detachable Comfortable Cushion Head Support Backrest Lateral Trunk Support Comfort Arm Rest

Knee Support Comfort foot (double / single side)

Lateral / Pelvic Thigh Support

ACI 2020, 'Spinal Seating Modules', Agency for Clinical Innovation, NSW, viewed by 25 May 2020, <https://aci.health.nsw.gov.au/networks/spinal-cord-injury/spinal-seating/module-10/keep-the-big-picture-in-mind>.

1. Small Footprint Wildth 550 - 600 / Length 825 - 900 mm

Design Directions Concept

Design Directions Concept 01

Leather Chair Metal Frame Speckle Coating

Disassemble

Elevate

Tilt Back

TOP PERSPECTIVE FRONT LEFT

Design Directions Concept 02

Round / Oval Virtual / Shadow Space Mission

Tilt Back

Elevate

Disassemble

TOP PERSPECTIVE FRONT LEFT

Design Directions Concept 03

Curves Sculpture Free Form Functional Frame

Tilt Back

Elevate

TOP PERSPECTIVE FRONT LEFT

Concept 01

Conce

ept 02

Concept 03

Project Outline Timeline

Deliverables

Thanks for Listening Research Analysis Design Directions Chienpo Jen 22/ 06/ 2020