The final maximal weight is calculated at ~550 kg. This is really high as the screws and assembly strengths are not taken into consideration.
The dimensions of the thinnest plank is used for the calculations. If this plank can support enough weight than all other (stronger) planks will also not break.
To calculate when the wood yields to due bending the following formulas can be used:
In order to get a good grasp as to how much the product can hold, some force calculations were done.
For wood planks the planks are cut parallel to the grains. This makes the plank bend less easy as the main force is applied perpendicular to the grains.
The planks can break due to either bending or shear stress. Due to the natural composition of wood, the wood will break due to a lack of bending stress than shear stress.
Force Calculation
Final model
Nr | Requirement | Achieved? (in %) | Justification |
|---|---|---|---|
1.1. | There shall be a physical prototype that is a 1:1 representation of the final product. | 100% | The product has a 1:1 prototype |
1.2. | The product shall help the participant maintain a healthy lifestyle. | 100% | The product supports a healthy and independent lifestyle |
1.3. | The product shall take the participants' needs and wishes into account. | 100% | The product is in accordance with the participants needs and wishes |
2.1 | If it is meant to be lifted, the product shall weigh no more than 7 kilograms | 100%, | Weighing the prototype gave a weight of 6 kgs |
2.2. | The product shall be sturdy enough to hold at least 100 kgs when used correctly. | 100% | Through user testing of the prototype it was found that the product is able to hold approximately 80 kgs when used correctly |
2.3. | If the product uses power to operate, it shall use batteries and not a cord. | - | The product does not use power to operate |
2.4. | The product shall not need a connection to Wi-Fi or other external sources to work. | 100% | The product doesn’t use external sources |
3.1. | The product shall be portable. | 75% | The product has wheels and is thus quite portable for the user.
but it is not foldable, because the user mostly uses the product on the first floor and in the garden, making it foldable would not be necessary or feasible within this project |
3.2. | The product shall assist the user in getting up from the ground | 100% | Through user testing of the prototype, it was concluded that the product provides full assistance for getting up from the ground |
3.3. | The product shall be easy to clean and maintain | 75% | Through user testing of the prototype, it was found that it is easily accessible for cleaning and maintaining, but it is a big and takes a lot of time |
4.1. | The product shall blend into the house of the participant. | 100% | The product follows a style collage based on the participants house |
4.2 | The product shall not be neon orange. | 100% | The product has no orange color |
Nr | Requirement | Achieved? (in %) | Justification |
|---|---|---|---|
1.1. | There shall be a physical prototype that is a 1:1 representation of the final product. | 100% | The product has a 1:1 prototype |
1.2. | The product shall help the participant maintain a healthy lifestyle. | 100% | The product supports a healthy and independent lifestyle |
1.3. | The product shall take the participants' needs and wishes into account. | 100% | The product is in accordance with the participants needs and wishes |
2.1 | If it is meant to be lifted, the product shall weigh no more than 7 kilograms | 100%, | Weighing the prototype gave a weight of 6 kgs |
2.2. | The product shall be sturdy enough to hold at least 100 kgs when used correctly. | 100% | Through user testing of the prototype it was found that the product is able to hold approximately 80 kgs when used correctly |
2.3. | If the product uses power to operate, it shall use batteries and not a cord. | - | The product does not use power to operate |
2.4. | The product shall not need a connection to Wi-Fi or other external sources to work. | 100% | The product doesn’t use external sources |
3.1. | The product shall be portable. | 75% | The product has wheels and is thus quite portable for the user.
but it is not foldable, because the user mostly uses the product on the first floor and in the garden, making it foldable would not be necessary or feasible within this project |
3.2. | The product shall assist the user in getting up from the ground | 100% | Through user testing of the prototype, it was concluded that the product provides full assistance for getting up from the ground |
3.3. | The product shall be easy to clean and maintain | 75% | Through user testing of the prototype, it was found that it is easily accessible for cleaning and maintaining, but it is a big and takes a lot of time |
4.1. | The product shall blend into the house of the participant. | 100% | The product follows a style collage based on the participants house |
4.2 | The product shall not be neon orange. | 100% | The product has no orange color |
Now that the prototype of the product is fully realized, a reflection can be done, based on the prototype, to see if the product fulfills the requirements and the wishes of the participant. In the table below all the requirements have been evaluated and scored with a percentage, based on how well the prototype satisfies the requirements.
Reflection
Once the final model was done, it was time to test it with the participant. The group went the home of Linda and showed the model. It was tested if Linda could use the model to stand up, but also if she was comfortable sitting on the foam part.
First, the sitting on the foam part was tested. Because the wheels are too close together, it is not possible to roll on it while someone is sitting on the stool, so the wheels were first put on the brake. This turned out to be difficult, because 1 of the brakes was a bit stuck. When she sat on it was noticed that she could not touch the ground while sitting on the foam seat, but she automatically put her feet on the first step of the stool as a footrest. She mentioned that she liked the fact that it was a bit higher, because it would make standing up easier as she can just slide of the stool to stand. The U was then also rolled to the kitchen and there she noticed that it was also high enough to sit at the counter while cooking.
Next, the model had to be turned over to simulate what would happen if she were to fall down. This went well, except that the iron brakes of the wheels could leave scratches on the wooden floor. Because of this, multiple layers of duct tape were stuck on the brakes of the wheels to make them less sharp see the top image for this. Standing up with the U worked well. Linda had a few improvements, such as that the bottom shelf could be a bit higher. When she stood on her knees, she was already higher than the bottom shelf. She liked the details on the side, and the colours and shape made the entire model blend in well with her interior as can be seen to the right. The swirl that protrudes on the bottom shelfmade it easier to make the first rotation and help guide her to make that movement.
User testing
The challenge for this project in module 7 was:
‘CO-DESIGN A PRODUCT/ SYSTEM/ SERVICE TO SUPPORT THE PARTICIPANTS/ CASE OWNERS TO OVERCOME A DAILY CHALLENGE, TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THEIR SPECIFIC NEEDS AND WISHES.’ The requirements for the product, set based on research and interactions/interviews with the participant have been fulfilled by the prototype, as can be seen In the table above. It thus helps the participant with the a daily struggle and it takes into account her needs and wishes. This has also been confirmed by the participant, who was very excited by the product and feels it really suits her needs. Ultimately, this also means that the prototype fulfils the specific challenge that the team set at the beginning of the project, which is: "How can we design a portable tool that can help our participant get up from the ground independently, while blending in with their environment?"
Conclusion
Adaptability for Different Users
The current prototype is designed specifically for Linda, taking into account her height, weight, and strength. However, to make The U adaptable for a wider range of users with various muscle diseases, several factors should be considered. Firstly, the prototype would include adjustable height settings for the steps and hand placements to accommodate users of different sizes and mobility levels. Additionally, the prototype should support different weight capacities while remaining lightweight enough for users with limited strength. This could be achieved through material options such as aluminum, which is lightweight, durable and affordable compared to other options. Finally, in this project, the team designed the current prototype to fit within Linda’s wooden home environment, however, a more adaptable version would prioritize function over aesthetics. By incorporating these features, The U could be used by a broader range of individuals with various muscle diseases, ensuring safety, usability, and independence in daily life.