Telescoping Wheelchair Ramp

Frank Genova – Team Leader Daniel PetersAnthony RossiDean Perdikakis

Department of Mechanical Engineering Villanova University

Telescoping Wheelchair RampIntroduction:

Difficulties in today’s society for handicapped individuals.

Ramps on the market not efficient in many cases.

Maneuver, Ease of Use, Weight Reduction

Telescoping Wheelchair RampBackground state of the art:

Research, 2-3 step vertical rise (24”).

ADA requirements:

Power Wheelchair

ADA adjustments

I ncline Chart

16.5° 34"

15.5° 32"

14.5° 30"

17° 13.5° 28"

15.7° 12.5° 26"

16.6° 14.5° 11.5° 24"

15.2° 13.2° 10.6° 22"

16.1° 13.8° 12° 9.6° 20"

14.5° 12.4° 10.8° 8.6° 18"

15.5° 12.8° 11° 9.6° 7.7° 16"

17° 13.5° 11.3° 9.6° 8.4° 7.7° 14"

14.5° 11.5° 9.6° 8.2° 7.2° 5.7° 12"

16.1° 12° 9.6° 8° 6.8° 6° 4.8° 10"

14.5° 10.8° 8.6° 7.2° 6.2° 5.4° 4.3° 9"

12.8° 9.6° 7.7° 6.4° 5.5° 4.8° 3.8° 8"

17.5° 11.2° 8.4° 6.7° 5.6° 4.8° 4.2° 3.3° 7"

14.5° 9.6° 7.2° 5.7° 4.8° 4.1° 3.6° 2.9° 6"

12° 8° 6° 4.8° 4° 3.7° 3° 2.4° 5"

9.6° 6.4° 4.8° 3.8° 3.2° 2.7° 2.4° 1.9° 4"

7.2° 4.8° 3.6° 2.9° 2.4° 2° 1.8° 1.4° 3"

Rise in

inches

2’ 3’ 4’ 5’ 6’ 7’ 8’ 10’

Ramp Length

4.8° - Americans with Disabilities Act standards suggests 1 foot of ramp for every 1 inch of vertical rise.

Telescoping Wheelchair RampBackground state of the art:

Separate Runners

Weight Reduction (PRO) -Aluminum Design

Set-up, Maneuverability, Transportation (CON)

Telescoping Wheelchair RampBackground state of the art:

Roll up Ramp

Weight Reduction (PRO) -Aluminum Design.

Wide 30” Surface (PRO)

Structural Integrity (CON) -Max 5’ Length

Telescoping Wheelchair RampBackground state of the art:

Full Width Ramp

Only Van Design Exists

Extends up to 8’ (PRO)

30” driving surface (PRO)

Ramp weighs 65 lbs (CON)

Cumbersome telescoping system (CON)

QFD:

Telescoping Wheelchair RampProduct Design Specification:

Product Title Purpose New or Special

Features Competition Intended Market Need for Product Relationship to

existing products line Market Demand

Price Functional

Performance Physical Requirements Service Environment Life-cycle Issues Human Factors Corporate Constraints Legal Requirements

Telescoping Wheelchair RampPreliminary Designs:

Telescoping Mechanism

Ease of use and maneuverability

Two ideas proposed

Spring Loaded Snap System

Pulley System

Telescoping Wheelchair RampSpring Loaded Snap System:

Side View

Telescoping Wheelchair RampSpring Loaded Snap System:

Top View

Telescoping Wheelchair RampPulley System:

Side View

Telescoping Wheelchair RampPulley System:

Top View

Telescoping Wheelchair RampComposites: Composite design

Information received through Dr. Brian Sullivan, specializing in composites.

Model as simply supported (max. deflection in center, max. moments at fixed ends).

Transverse, uniaxial loading

Carbon fiber reinforced epoxy (E = 3.4E+6).

0/45/90/-45 Layup

Layup

Telescoping Wheelchair RampStatement of Work and Design:

Spring Loaded Pin System chosen

Interlocking aluminum guide rails on one side

Ramp adjustable to any length

360° wheels on underside for ease of opening

Composite Panels

Rubber non-slip surface

Rubber Ends

Telescoping Wheelchair RampTime Allotment of Tasks:

TASK WEEKS GROUP MEMBER(S) ON TASK HOURS

Find / design individual parts for design 2 Frank, Dan, Tony, Dean 24Calculate stress on pins (hand) 1 Frank, Dan 4Calculate stress on aluminum runners (hand) 1 Frank, Dan 4Calculate stress on aluminum guides (hand) 1 Frank, Dan 4

Calculate stress in composite material, with stress concentration factors for fasteners and wholes (hand) 2 Frank, Dan 8Calculate stress on underside supports (hand) 2 Frank, Dan 8Model aluminum runners (AutoCAD / Solid Works) 1 Tony, Dean 8Model aluminum guides (AutoCAD / Solid Works) 1 Tony, Dean 8Model snap pin system in AutoCAD / Solid Works 1 Tony, Dean 8Model composite panel in AutoCAD / Solid Works 1 Tony, Dean 8Model underside supports in AutoCAD / Solid Works 1 Tony, Dean 8Build physical model of design 3 Frank, Dan, Tony, Dean 60Test device for working ability and safety 2 Frank, Dan, Tony, Dean 35Adjust and recalculate for final design 2 Frank, Dan, Tony, Dean 32Write mid semester progress report 1 Frank, Dan, Tony, Dean 16Write final report 2 Frank, Dan, Tony, Dean 32Prepare for oral presentation 2 Frank, Dan, Tony, Dean 48

Telescoping Wheelchair RampGantt Chart:

TasksWk 1 Wk 2 Wk 3 Wk 4 Wk 5 Wk 6 Wk 7 Wk 8 Wk 9

Wk 10

Wk 11

Wk 12

Find / design individual parts for design                        

Calculate stress on pins by hand                        

Calculate stress on aluminum runners by hand.                        

Calculate stress on aluminum guides by hand.                        

Calculate stresses in composite                        

Calculate stress on underside supports by hand.                        

Model aluminum runners in AutoCAD / Solid Works.                        

Model aluminum guides in AutoCAD / Solid Works.                        

Model snap pin system in AutoCAD / Solid Works.                        

Model composite panel in AutoCAD / Solid Works.                        

Model underside supports in AutoCAD / Solid Works.                        

Build physical model of design.                        

Test device for working ability and safety.                        

Adjust and recalculate for final design.                        

Write mid semester progress report                        

Write final report                        

Prepare for oral presentation                        

Telescoping Wheelchair RampCost Analysis:

*costs based on an individual production basis. If large production of these ramps occurs, prices will dramatically decrease.

Item Approximate Cost

Composite Panels – Three 35” x 30” panels (carbon fiber reinforced epoxy)

$150/each

Spring Loaded System – Two pins in the middle panel of the ramp

$50

Rubber non-slip surface – (Soft Tread) Should cover the length of the ramp plus ends

$60

Interlocking Aluminum Rails – Covering both sides of ramp.

$60

Other Costs: fasteners, tools, etc. $50

TOTAL COST $670

Telescoping Wheelchair RampConclusion:

Overall design is feasible

Composites complicated and detailed

Panel construction and “prepreg” construction

Company location