Adaptation of a Van with a Device to Lift a Non-foldable Wheelchair Group Eight Members: Bill Fotoples- Team Leader Chad Wainscott- Technical Liaison/Web Page Specialist Ryan Keeler- Purchasing Agent Faculty Advisors- Dr. Hefzy & Dr. Pourazady Client- Ms. Jill Caruso

01/27/07 Bill Fotoples 2 Introduction The client, Ms. Jill Caruso, currently uses a collapsible wheelchair. She plans to convert to a “rigid” chair in the near future for improved comfort and durability. She is able to get into the drivers seat from the wheelchair and seeks a device which will then take the empty chair and place it into the back of the van through the drivers side rear sliding door.

01/27/07 Bill Fotoples 3 Problem Statement Sliding door opening is roughly 28” wide Wheelchair is roughly 35”x 26” (footprint) Chair is initially parallel to the van but must be rotated perpendicular to fit through the door With less than 1 inch of clearance on both sides of the chair, the device must be very consistent and accurate

01/27/07 Bill Fotoples 4 Client Preferences No traditional platform lifts Keep it simple - Client is willing and able to “help” the chair into the van however possible Do not decrease resale value of the vehicle by making too many permanent changes Would like to be able to easily transplant the device to a new van in the future

01/27/07 Ryan Keeler 5 Design #1 Platform lift design  Wheelchair would need to rotate 90° while on the platform  Controlled remotely from the front seat

01/27/07 Ryan Keeler 6 Design #1 Simple to use for operator Minimal effort required Potential for wheelchair to fall off Device requires an inordinate amount of space Difficult to install in another vehicle

01/27/07 Ryan Keeler 7 Design #2 Side bar lift design  Bar hinges to rotate chair  Attaches to arm or wheel to lift

01/27/07 Ryan Keeler 8 Design #2 Less invasive than full platform lift Relative ease of use Limits front seat mobility Exerts large amount of strain on wheel spokes and arm bars. Difficult to re-install in new vehicle

01/27/07 Chad Wainscott 9 Design #3 Under-seat lift design  Flat bar under wheelchair seat lifts chair into vehicle  Front and rear bars keep wheelchair in place on bar

01/27/07 Chad Wainscott 10 Design #3 Easy to use for operator Least intrusive of all lift designs Easiest lift design to remove and put in another van Chance of chair moving sideways on bar Difficult to load chair properly on lift Design does not allow necessary preciseness required for placement in van

01/27/07 Chad Wainscott 11 Design #4 Winch Assisted Lift  Pulls wheelchair into van using electric winch  Chair rolls into place along guided tracks

01/27/07 Chad Wainscott 12 Design #4 Easy to remove and place in new vehicle Minimal space required Guided tracks allow for repeated and precise chair placement in allowed space Requires most setup by operator Difficult attachment process

01/27/07 Bill Fotoples 13 House of Quality CUSTOMER REQUIREMENTS CUSTOMER IMPORTANCE RATING DESIGN 1: LIFT- PLATFORM DESIGN 2: SIDE- BAR LIFT DESIGN 3: UNDERSEAT LIFT DESIGN 4: WINCH EASE OF USE54442 EASILY TRANSPLANTED41235 SAFETY34332 RELIABILITY34445 UNINTRUSIVE41235 VALUE

01/27/07 Bill Fotoples 14 Best Option… Design #4 Best design to use with minimal space allowed Easily placed in new vehicle because of plywood base Tracks allow process and placement to be extremely accurate and repeatable

01/27/07 Chad Wainscott 15 Timetable

01/27/07 Ryan Keeler 16 Budget ITEMEXPLANATION OF USECOSTQUANTITYTOTAL COST WINCHPULL CHAIR INTO VAN $ PLYWOODBASE OF ASSEMBLY $ CARPETCOVER BASE AND TRACKS $ TRACK WOODCHAIR ALIGNMENT $ HINGES ATTACH FOLD OUT TRACK EXTENSION $ $ MISC. (BOLTS, SCREWS, ETC.)INSTALLING COMPONENTS $ DOOR MODIFICATIONSLIDING DOOR ASSIST $ TOTAL $

01/27/0717 QUESTIONS?