Department - Author 1
Mechanical Engineering Department
Degree Name - Author 1
BS in Mechanical Engineering
Date
6-2011
Primary Advisor
James Widmann
Abstract/Summary
The purpose of this report is to illustrate the Pop-a-Wheelie design team’s progression and implementation of a concept in regards to the project sponsored by Break the Barriers (BTB). The Pop-a-Wheelie design team was tasked to design two devices that will be attached onto wheelchairs. The devices should facilitate the independence of user’s ability to pop-a-wheelie and return to an upright position without any assistance. After a list of specifications was agreed upon, the design process initiated. All customer specifications are listed in Objectives section located in Chapter 1: Introduction. A complete engineering specification table can be found in the QFD chart, located in Appendix A: Design Concept Tables. Many concepts were generated to satisfy specifications; however, only one was chosen. The Swing Dancer is the best design concept that will sufficiently address the maximum number of specifications. Refer to the Discussion of Conceptual Designs section in Chapter 3: Design Development for more details on each concept. The justification for the Swing Dancer is located in the Specifications Satisfied by Top Concept section in Chapter 4: Description of the Final Design. In each case, the Swing Dancer either fulfilled the specifications fully or adequately. Detailed analysis was done to verify the loads on the device; the max load found is 11.25 lbs. per wheel. The safety factor determined is 25.6 and the max compressive load the support bars in Model #1 can withstand is 672 lbs without buckling. Detailed calculations and descriptions can be found in Appendix E: Detailed Supporting Analysis. A detailed list of components used in the design can be found under the Cost Analysis section also in Chapter 4: Description of the Final Design. From the test procedures performed on the attachment, the weight was calculated to be 10.0 lbs. and the cost of producing it is $489.28 while the second model was found to only weigh 7lbs and costing $113.89 due to using the extra material from the first model to build it. Based on all the information justified in this report, the recommended next step is to proceed with using the device in a real world situation. It is only then that our device can truly pass the ultimate test of helping the Barrier Breakers to spread their message of “inclusion” around the world.
URL: https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/mesp/72