DIGITAL MEDIA PROJECT THREE
Nicholas Yeh // Bus-Adm 330 // Lecture 405, Discussion 610
In my first two years of college, I studied engineering at Northwestern University. While I
decided not to complete my degree, I gained a valuable ability that I still use today in
both my career and life: I learned how to problem solve like an engineer.
To demonstrate this ability, I’m showcasing a project that one of my teams completed,
discussing the problem, approach, and solution.
Problem Overview
Our client, the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago
(RIC), requested the design and construction of a
new wheelchair trainer. RIC used wheelchair
trainers to allow wheelchair users to fulfill their need
to exercise, a key component for their overall health
(see Figure 1). Their current model failed to satisfy
many of the users’ needs, more specifically lacking
resistance, usability, and adaptability. Therefore,
our goal was to design a variable resistance
wheelchair trainer that could be independently used
and adaptable for various wheelchairs.
Our Approach
Figure 2: Graphical Overview of Approach
Figure 1: Existing Trainer
Because of the complexity and time constraint of ten weeks, the design challenge was
divided into four different subsystems, with a team responsible for each: resistance,
frame, locking, and software. As the locking team, my group had to design and build a
mechanism that could be accessible for different levels of disabilities, adaptable for
multiple types of wheelchairs, and safe for all intensities of exercise.
To solve this problem, we followed typical engineering procedures for researching,
designing, and constructing, as shown in Figure 2. In particular, we researched existing
methods for locking, brainstormed new ones, mocked up our ideas, tested and
interviewed with users, reviewed our designs, purchased materials, and finally,
constructed our best solution.
Solution Overview
First, here are my CAD renderings of what the overall assembled solution looked like.
(Clockwise from Top) Figures 3-5: Assembled Solution, Rear View, Isometric View
Our resulting wheelchair trainer featured adjustable resistance levels, an integrated
software program, and an adaptable locking system, all supported by a sturdy 80/20
aluminum frame.
For our locking solution, we developed a “flap-block” locking mechanism and installed
two sets: a back locking mechanism for standard wheelchairs and a front locking
mechanism for racing wheelchairs. Both systems started flat when the user rolled on and
popped up with the use of a lever. In addition, each mechanism’s starting position was
adjustable with simple screw-in controls. Figures 6 to 9 show more detail.
(Clockwise from Top) Figures 6-9: Overview Locking, Adjustors, Lever, Flap-Block
In the course of ten weeks, our team wasn’t just exposed to the engineering process; we
lived it and applied it to a real problem. And that’s how I learned to problem solve. n
Special thanks to my team at Northwestern, pictured below with our actual constructed
wheelchair trainer (which we dubbed the Lone Roller).
Figure 10: “Lone Roller” Engineering Team
Figure 11: The “Lone Roller”
*All pictures in this document are my own.
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