Modular Cane Easily adjusts, customizes, and creates
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Table of Contents Problem Statement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Research Stage
Research . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-6 User Observation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Market Research . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-9 User Profile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-11 Design Criteria . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Adjectives & Inspirations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-15
Design Development
Concepts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Top Design Concept Directions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Concept Models . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Decision Matrix & Top 3 Final Designs . . . . . . . . Final Design Direction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
17-20 21 22-27 28-29 30-31
Final Design
Orthographic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Exploded View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Final Model . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35-40
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Problem Statement Most canes are being used today are strictly for the utilitarian. These are being sold widely in most stores, and they are not aesthetically pleasing to look at. Many of them are ergonomically uncomfortable to hold for long period of time and could cause an additional issue to the hand nervous system. They are made from the lightweight aluminum rod which is easy to manufacture and required fewer processes to go through.
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Research Stage Quang Nguyen DSID 123 Process Book
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Research Medical uses: • Temporary uses – those coming off of surgery would have the need for cane use. • Medical conditions – the predominant medical condition among cane users is arthritis. Other conditions include scoliosis and stroke.
Elders:
• Over a quarter of people ages 85 and older, the “oldest-old,” use canes.
Growing demographics: • Demand for canes will likely increase as the population for ages 65 or older will increase from 7% in 2000 to 16% in 2050.
Expanding markets:
• There are not many canes on the market that are designed for specific disabilities such as arthritis in the hands/arms or amputees.
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Research How to use a cane correctly: • The top of the cane should reach the crease on the underside of your wrist. If the cane is a proper fit, your elbow will be flexed 15-20 degrees when you hold the cane standing.
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User Observations
A young man using a cane as a leg supporter. Quang Nguyen DSID 123 Process Book
Using a cane to help himself getting up stairs.
A lady using a cane to help herself getting out of a chair.
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Market Research Aesthetics
$
$$$
Utilitarian The majority of current canes are made for the mass. Without the prescription, these can be found at CVS, Wal-marts, Target, Walgreens, etc. They are cheaply built, simple designs and easy to use. However, users could get the cane custom built for certain height that meets their desired needs. Quang Nguyen DSID 123 Process Book
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Target Cost
Possible Target Cost $11.26
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$18.90
$39.95
$80 - $120
$127.76
$415.00
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User Profile Kieran is 36 years old. He lives in a two-bedroom house in Seattle, Washington. He shares the house with a roommate and two small dogs. He is passionate about music and dedicates most his time performing with his band, going to concerts, and attending local gallery shows. Kieran would describe himself as a tech-savvy person. Creativity and design aesthetics are important to him.
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User Profile Recently, Kieran went through a knee surgery, and he is in stages of recovery. In order to help with his recovery process, Kieran needs: • A mobility device to aid him with the recovery processes. • Portable design so he could bring in various places or
on tours. • Height adjustability is important. • Customizable is a must, so he could stand out when performing on stages, attending events or concerts. • Kieran loves writing music, and he needs strong support when getting out chair after a long period of writing music.
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Design Criteria Design a mobility product to assist elderly people in various tasks. The final design must meet three criteria: 1. Strong and stable structure support when getting out of the chair. 2. Height adjustability. 3. Customizable.
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Materials Aluminum: • Pros: Strong, lightweight, durable, cheap to manufacture • Cons: stiff, noisy
Wood: • Pros: Visually appealing, durable, custom made • Cons: heavy in weight, custom built, expensive for higher quality woods
Plastic: • Pros: light weight, cheap to manufacture, • Cons: cheaply looking products, not durable, shorter lifespan
Carbon fiber: • Pros: very strong, flexible under stress • Cons: expensive, custom made
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Adjectives flexible easygoing valuable
modular stable
confident
firm minimal clever
consistent effortless
demanded
usable
ordinary
desirable meaningful calm cool attractive bright slow gentle complex simple
elegant casual
busy old
dynamic
confusing
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firm
adjustable decent appealing
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Inspirations modular
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adjustable
elegant
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Design Development Quang Nguyen DSID 123 Process Book
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Concepts
Ideation stage is to come up with many designs that address not one but many possible solutions. Quang Nguyen DSID 123 Process Book
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Concepts
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Concepts
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Concepts
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Top Design Concept Directions
1
4
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2
5
3
6
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Concept Model #1 Simple and minimal design. Index finger wraps around the cylindrical body.
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Concept Model #2 The G-shape handle design gives some flexibility when walking Rubber footing for shock absorbing and reduce noises on the hardwood floor.
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Concept Model #3 Similar G-shape design. However, this model has a much more footprint on the lower part of the handle. In which users could place their other hands on top and help themselves get out of chairs.
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Concept Model #4
Loop design gives the users full support on both sides of the handle when trying to get out of chairs. The body is flexible under pressure to give the cane shock absorbing when walking.
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Concept Model #5
Inspired by Japanese Samurai sword. Very minimal design and yet fully height adjustable with a very simple switch. The handle slides up and down along the body. Handles are interchangeable. Still the double handles design still incorporated in this design to help users get out of chairs.
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Concept Model #6
Modular design inspired by Google Ara, a modular phone that can be easily upgraded to higher specs or smaller form factors based on users. The handle, body, and leg are fully detachable. They can be exchanged out for different parts or designs.
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Decision Matrix 1
2
3
4
5
6
Adjustability
0
0
0
0
3
3
Modular
1
0
0
0
3
3
Customizable
2
2
3
2
3
3
Aesthetic
2
1
1
3
3
3
Storage
1
1
1
2
3
3
Weight
3
3
2
2
2
2
Stability
1
1
1
3
2
2
Minimal
3
3
3
3
2
3
13
11
11
15
21
22
Total Points
3 is the highest possible points in each category.
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Top 3 Design Directions
4
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5
6
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Final Design Direction Final design meets all the requirements for the modular design cane. It can be customized based on user needs. The handle, body and leg are detachable so users can exchange them with different designs, materials or different configurations. The circle design adds some shock absorbing when walking.
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Final Design Direction The body and leg are height adjustable so the user can adjust to the height based on their medical needs. The sliding mechanism is simple and functional to meet the design goals. Bottom of the leg has rubber feet to reduce noise but also add grip when walking.
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Final Design Quang Nguyen DSID 123 Process Book
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0
R4.50
19.71
12.36
15.83
31.81
12.50
6.0
12.50
Orthographic
1.32
Dimensions are in inches SOLIDWORKS Student Edition. For Academic Quang Nguyen Use Only. DSID 123 Process Book
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Exploded View
Quang Nguyen SOLIDWORKS Student Edition. DSID 123 Process Book For Academic Use Only.
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Final Model
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Final Model The handle and leg are easily detached and reattached. Without any additional tools. The simple mechanism makes all the internal components invisible when put back together.
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Final Model The height is adjustable, each leg size can extend up to additional 6 inches in height. Due to its modular design, the legs are interchangeable to accommodate people with different heights. The leg will come in three heights “Short, Medium, and Tall�.
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Tall size
Short size 37
Final Model With customization in mind, Modular Can will have different feet designs. One has a C-shape design at the bottom of the foot in which it will add shock absorbing when hiking on different surfaces or conditions. Not only that the round bottom will help the user with the rolling forward motion. Another leg design will have donutshape at the bottom of the foot which is great for walking the long distance. The circle will add shock absorbing. However, it will be much less shock absorbing compare to the C-shape foot design. This makes it perfect for walking on hard surfaces.
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C-shape foot design
Donut-shape foot design 38
Final Model
The choice of colors is important for people who like customization. There is a wide variety of colors for users to choose from. Not only that, users can choose to buy the cane in different materials: wood, molded plastic, or even carbon fiber to meet with their lifestyles.
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Wood material render 39
Final Model
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