1. 3B8 – Universal Design Innovation Group 4 Final Presentation
Peter Fox
Cormac Fagan
Callum McMahon
Dean Kilroy
Adham Sabeh Ayoun

2. Introduction Mission Statement
“We want to design a height adjustable plug socket retrofit, that is inexpensive and allows for better grip and easier access when inserting/removing a plug.”
In this design project we undertook a number of processes to evaluate and decide upon our final concept and design. These included:
Need Finding
Problem Definition
Devising High Level Strategies
Developing the Most Suitable Concept
Redesign throughout Development

3. Plan Need Finding
Here we attempted to find any unmet needs of elderly people.
This was done by surveys, interviews, observation and consulting with experts.
We aimed to focus on the unmet day-to-day needs of people. This included:
Improving ease of use.
Improving comfort.
Making tasks more straightforward.

4. Defining the Problem We were able to pin point 4 problem areas.
Medical Issues: Illness, pain, motor skills,etc.
Social Issues: Loneliness, vulnerability, etc.
Mobility: Walking, stretching, environment.
Home Appliances: Difficulties, flaws, etc.
We decided to focus on Mobility and Home Appliances and in Particular the use of plug sockets for people with reduced mobility

5. Defining the Problem
Issues using plug sockets was a common theme that came out of our stakeholder interviews:
Reasons:
Plug sockets are currently too difficult for people with reduced mobility.
They are too low.
Bending over can lead to injury.
Bad dexterity and sockets near the ground makes inserting/removing plugs very awkward.
Relocating/Rewiring sockets is too costly.

6. High Level Strategies Strategy 1 Strategy 2 Strategy 3
This involved developing different strategies to try to solve the problem(s) defined.
Strategy 1
“Prevent user from repeatedly bending down…”
[Height adjustable unit]
Strategy 2
“Prevent user from bending down at all...”
[Rewire, more permanent retrofit solution]
Strategy 3
“Improve the grip on plugs…”
[Extension rod, gripping aid]
Feedback
“If we were younger we would probably rewire the entire house ourselves”
“The less things we have to worry about, the better. Its bad enough having more than one remote”
“I think it’s a good idea, very handy...”
“I like it because a lot of plugs nowadays are tight, making more awkward to unplug things”
“It seems like the least intrusive”
“More convenient to only have to bend down once”

7. High Level Strategies Strategy 1 was the clear winner!
We then used a Pugh Matrix to decide on our best strategy.
Strategy 1 was the clear winner!

8. Concept Generation Strategy 1 was selected
3 areas for consideration were selected.
Power
Height adjustability
Seconadary socket.
Brainstorming sessions were organised in which designs were considered and possible problem areas were highlighed(stability, fire hazard, etc.)
Building Regs: Modern houses must have sockets at least 400mm from floor
1st image is a retrofit with a plug bar in order to make it easier to access and tidier
2nd image is a plug socket from a 60 year old house, it was even lower than the skirting boards

9. Developing the Concept
Research was conducted to find any existing solutions and regulations.
Extension Leads
Coiling of extension leads is a fire hazard.
The max load for a fully wound cable is much lower than when its unwound.
Regulations for extension leads:
“According to UK Regulations an extension lead with a CSA of 1.5 square mm should be no more than 15 metres long.”
Rambler Sockets
Extension Lead in the wall

10. Developing the Concept
Small, Compact, Easy to use..
Lower element plugged into wall.
Height adjusted by extending arms to desired height and secured with screw.
Possibly unsteady.
Moves in Vertical and Horizontal, Stable..
Lower element plugged in while upper is attached to wall with adhesive/screws.
Able to move horizontally
Possible damage to walls.
Slanted face, Sturdy, Better grip..
Lower element plugs in,
Adjusted like crutches(pins).
Hand grips and lever to aid removal of plugs.
Stand is strong and sleek.

11. Feedback & Evaluation
The 3 possible concepts were presented to our stakeholders and experts.
The reaction was positive overall.
“I like the way it can fold up. Particularly when the grandchildren are around I can just fold it up and take it out of the room”
“I don’t mind a bit of wear and tear on [the wallpaper] but I prefer to avoid it when I can”
“Neat to the wall. I think it’s the least intrusive”
“Moving it around could be a problem if it has to stick to a wall”
“Simple, does what you expect it to do”
“Being able to stand on its own is important, especially for people with delicate walls”
Our stakeholders and experts all felt Concept 3 was the best design.

12. Concept 3 – “ExtendoPlug”
This design features a height adjustable stem which will raise to the required height.
The final prototype will have a slanted upper face to allow for easier removal.
It has a thicker base so it is strong enough to take any bending and stresses.
The key advantage of this design is that it can be removed from the wall easily and does not need to be secured by any permanent means.

13. Concept 3 – “ExtendoPlug”
Finite Element Analysis was done on the final design showing that there would be a maximum displacement of 0.2mm.

14. Concept 3 – “ExtendoPlug”
The final prototype gives a clear indication of how the ExtendoPlug will work.
This is a mock up design. The final product would have a plastic insulating surround for safety and a mounted switch.

15. Concept 3 – “ExtendoPlug”
The actuator is controlled here by a DPDT switch which allows for the ExtendoPlug to move up and down. This is for demonstration purposes.
In further development this will be controlled more sophisticatedly by an Arduino.
In the final design, the code will allow to drive the mechanism upwards and reverse it by means of a remote. Also an PWM option will also allow to set the desired speed of operation.

16. Labview code
The labview code consists of a while loop which contains 3 controls. The first digital control will determine whether its ON/OFF. The second digital control will be another case structure of a TRUE/FALSE which will determine the direction. The Analog control, PWM, will determine the speed via increasing or decreasing the output signal of the arduino. Add the screen shot.

17. Finally Mission Statement
We want to design a height adjustable plug socket retrofit, that is inexpensive and allows for better grip and easier access when inserting/removing a plug.
The final prototype demonstrates how the ExtendoPlug will operate.
We feel this does meet a need that is currently not being met.
We wanted to design a product to give “accessible power to everyone”. This design does just that.
Once the ExtendoPlug is in place and it’s height is set that’s it!
Our mission statement states we wanted an “inexpensive” product that makes using plugs “easier “. The ExtendoPlug is made from low cost materials with a simple manufacturing process.

18. Thank you!!