LiftWalker

Author(s) Information

Kai A. De La Cruz, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis ObispoFollow
Lexie Caterine, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis ObispoFollow
Adam Monroe, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis ObispoFollow
Jame Whealan, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis ObispoFollow

College - Author 1

College of Engineering

Department - Author 1

Mechanical Engineering Department

Degree Name - Author 1

BS in Mechanical Engineering

College - Author 2

College of Engineering

Department - Author 2

Mechanical Engineering Department

Degree - Author 2

BS in Mechanical Engineering

College - Author 3

College of Engineering

Department - Author 3

Mechanical Engineering Department

Degree - Author 3

BS in Mechanical Engineering

College - Author 4

College of Engineering

Department - Author 4

Mechanical Engineering Department

Degree - Author 4

BS in Mechanical Engineering

Date

6-2024

Primary Advisor

Eltahry Elghandour, College of Engineering, Mechanical Engineering Department

Abstract/Summary

The LiftWalker’s purpose is to lift users with degenerative diseases from a seated to standing position and support them as they practice the motion of walking as a form of physical therapy. The current LiftWalker is upward of $5,000 so we redesigned the LiftWalker to be more accessible around the world. This meant using affordable and accessible materials and manufacturing processes. To achieve this, we made our design mostly out of bike parts and off-the-shelf components. When it came to the lift system, we found that to maintain a safe and comfortable design it was best to purchase a trailer winch that we knew would work for our design purpose. Throughout this project we also learned the importance of the user’s comfort. If the user does not enjoy using it, they probably would not use it. In this final report we give an overview of our final design prototype, the choices and reasoning behind our decisions, testing, and our suggestions for continued work. Our final prototype costs $250 while still fulfilling the sponsors requirements to comfortably raise a 250 lbs. user 2 feet - the typical change in height when transitioning from sit to stand - in a controllable fashion. An accompanied therapy aid can reasonably steer, lift, and adjust the user during use.

URL: https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/mesp/767