1. Wheelchair Warning System Team Members Farshad Fahimi - Jimmy Fong - Tyler Witt - Yik Ning Wong ClientAdvisor Sandra R.Professor John Webster Vascular ClinicDept. of Biomedical Engineering University of Wisconsin- Madison

2. Abstract Structures that are handicap accessible are a primary concern of the disabled since they make everyday life less problematic. Our point of concern deals not with inanimate objects, but rather with the maneuvering through masses of pedestrians. Several accidents can occur and further injury may be the consequence. A device must be designed that will cause others to be made aware of their surroundings by seizing their attention. In order to aid this procedure, suggestions have been made to create a mechanism that can be controlled and used by the disabled person, regardless of his or her physical capabilities.

3. Problem Statement Background: Our client’s daughter, Jessica, suffers from cerebral palsy and is unable to vocally identify herself. Her mother, Sandra, assists her daughter around on a daily basis and has requested that we develop an audible warning system to inform others of her daughter’s presence. Motivation: During daily activities, our client and her daughter run into pedestrians. Due to the lack of a warning system, there is no efficient method of alerting the other people. Whether it is around a corner or on a ramp, others must be warned so that further accidents can be prevented.

4. Background Cerebral Palsy (CP) Spastic: most common form of CP; characterized by stiff, jerky movements Ataxic: associated with balance problems, shaky hand movements, and irregular speech Athetoid: unwanted movements; loss of posture Current Warning Method – Verbal Ineffective in large crowds Speech impairment

5. Design Criteria Audible warning system to alert oncoming pedestrians Intuitive design that can be activated by both Jessica and her mother Must be mounted on right arm of wheelchair Device must not add considerable bulk or affect everyday operation of wheelchair

6. Previous Designs Elizabethtown College Proximity sensors used to detect stationary objects Over-activation of sensors in crowded areas Patents Patents have been issued describing devices emitting an audible tone for wheelchair users in distress U.S. Patent # 5,791,761

7. Final Design:Two-way Switches Two consoles - Arm rest and handle Separate switches for each function Both functions powered by 9V battery 4 Single Pole-Double Throw Rocker Switches Power Center beneath wheelchair containing circuitry and buzzer

8. Two-way Switches: Circuitry Lights One red and one blue LED mounted on each side Buzzer Contained in power center emitting a siren-like noise Schematic for circuit design at a console Buzzer Lights

9. Two-way Switches: Materials Switches User consoles contain switches White = Light Black = Sound Housing Black plastic boxes provide protection against debris Does not interfere with daily use of wheelchair

10. Visual Layout Clamps to wheelchair handle Light Switch Contains circuitry 9V power source Top viewSide viewFront view

11. Cost Analysis ProductQuantityCost Plastic Housing5$18.00 LEDs4$16.38 Piezo Buzzer1$5.29 Rocker Switches4$5.76 Circuitry1$3.00 Total $48.43

12. Future Work Stable attachment onto frame Conceal wires and make more aesthetically pleasing Client must test product to determine if lights are bright enough and grasp attention of others

13. Conclusion Thanks Our advisor, Dr. Webster Our clients, Sandra, Jessica, and Bob. References Bicycle Lights. Tireflys. Date Accessed: 14 Sept 2005 http://www.tireflys.com.http://www.tireflys.com Küschall Mobility. Küschall. Date Accessed: 25 Sept 2005. http://www.kuschallna.com/. http://www.kuschallna.com/ Proximity Sensors. Date Accessed: 11 Oct 2005. http://www.parkingsensors.co.uk.http://www.parkingsensors.co.uk US Patent Database. Date Accessed: 12 Oct 2005. http://www.uspto.gov/patft/.http://www.uspto.gov/patft/ Wheelchair Picture. Butler Disabilities. Date Accessed: 11 Oct 2005. http://www.butler.edu/disabilities. http://www.butler.edu/disabilities RadioShack. Date Accessed: 22 Nov 2005. http://www.radioshack.com.http://www.radioshack.com

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