MECHANICAL ENGINEER
Elevate (MIT 2.009)
About the Project
This project was done as part of MIT's 2.009 Product Design class. I was put in a team of 20 people and required to create a working alpha-level prototype of a new product that met some need in society.
The Problem
The problem that we decided to address with our product was that wheelchair users are constrained to a low seating height, leading to a number of difficulties such as not being able to speak at eye-level during conversations, being unable to reach high up objects, and being unable to sit at high tables. To fix this, we decided to make an add-on for manual wheelchairs that allowed users to raise and lower their seat.
Product Requirements
After talking with wheelchair, users we decided on the following product contract for our device.
The Design
Based on these requirements, we decided to make the main mechanism of the device a scissor lift powered by a gas spring, similar to the type found in an office desk chair. The device consisted of three subsystems: the lift, the handles used to actuate the gas spring and for the user to push up on, and the clamps that attached the device to the lift.
Our lifting mechanism consisted of a scissor lift design made of welded steel tubing with a carbon fiber seat pan and back rest. The gas cylinder mounted to the back rest support, allowing for compact mounting. Custom delrin sliders provided a bearing surface for the lift to slide.
My Role
As the leader of the lifting mechanism task-force, I was in charge of designing the lifting mechanism. I did all of the CAD for the lift itself, and organized the machining and welding of all of the lift's components. I also aided in user testing.
Results
By the end of the class, we were able to successfully create a device that allowed wheelchair users to raise and lower their seats. We presented our product at the 2.009 final presentation to an audience of thousands of people to very positive reception. A video of the presentation can be seen below. Our team also filed for a provisional patent for our product.
