Project Readiness Package
Rev 7/10/13
ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION:

Project Name:

Project Number, if known:

Preferred Start/End Semester in Senior Design:
Fall/Winter
Fall/Spring
Winter/Spring

Faculty Champion:
Name
Dept.
Email
Phone
Other Support, if known:
Name
Dept.
Email
Phone




Wheel chair assist (tentative)
Project “Guide” if known:
Primary Customer, if known (name, phone, email):
Sponsor(s):
Name/Organization
Contact Info.
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Type & Amount of Support
Committed
Project Readiness Package
Rev 7/10/13
PROJECT OVERVIEW:
People who use manual wheelchairs face a common problem moving up inclined surfaces. First it takes a
tremendous amount of energy to raise their own weight plus the weight of the wheelchair using only their
arms, and second the chair begins to move backward when they release the wheel to gain a new grip. This
project focuses on both of these problems. Some existing devices, that perform similar functions,
currently available in the marketplace are:
Grade Aid (http://www.livewellmedical.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=1298),
which work best with inflatable tires and not as well with solid tires. (~$200)
Magic Wheels (http://www.gulfmed.com/resource/products/productList.asp?Cat=51), which require
replacement of the stock wheels. (~$5000)
Power assist devices, which are motors that engage only when moving uphill. (~$5000)
Fully motorized wheelchairs (for example, http://www.quickie-wheelchairs.com/category/PowerWheelchairs/552), which may not be an option for some users and which may not be desirable for other
users. (~$4000)
DETAILED PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
 Customer Needs and Objectives: Comprehensive list of what the customer/user wants or needs to be able to do in
the “voice of the customer,” not in terms of how it might be done; desired attributes of the solution.
From the customer:
1. A device which will allow the user to easily go up graded inclines and ramps without the need to get a
“running start” and rely on momentum to overcome gravity (between pushing strokes) while propelling
forward by pushing on the handrims. (conceptually this requirement likely requires that the two large
wheels of the chair be unable to rotate in reverse, while the occupant attempts to go up the slope). The
device should prevent the wheelchair from going backwards, when the user is on a slope, but is resting
between pushing strokes on the handrims.
2. Ideally the device would be retrofitable to most existing manual wheelchairs
3. The price of the device should be in the $100-$200 price range.
4. If it is fitted onto existing wheelchairs, that adaptation should be easy to accomplish and not require other
modifications, such as new wheels, tires, or wheel-locks.
5. The device must be capable of being easily disengaged by the user. That is, it must not negatively affect the
user’s ability to use the wheelchair in the normal fashion on level ground, and must allow for full
maneuverability of the chair in normal operation.
6. The device must not add significant resistance to the forward motion of the chair.
7. Safety considerations must be built-in to the device so that it cannot fail and allow the user to suddenly
experience an unexpected backward motion on slopes.
8. The device may require the use of anti-tipping devices to prevent unexpected tipping over (backwards) of
the chair on steep grades.

Functional Decomposition: Functions and sub-functions (verb-noun pairs) that are associated with a system/solution
that will satisfy customer needs and objectives. Focus on “what” has to be achieved and not on “how”it is to be achieved
– decompose the system only as far as the (sub) functions are solution independent. This can be a simple function list or a
diagram (functional diagram, FAST (why-how) diagram, function tree).
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Project Readiness Package
Rev 7/10/13
Help manual
wheelchair users
travel up inclines
Prevent
wheelchair
rollback on
inclines
Sense incline

Prevent slipping
Provide assistance
on inclines
Prevent sliding
Prevent tipping
Sense incline
Provide additional
torque
Potential Concepts: Generate a short list of potential concepts (solutions) to realize the system and associated
functions. This may involve benchmarking or reverse engineering of existing solutions. For each concept and its
associated function(s), generate a list of key tasks or skills needed to design and realize the function(s), and identify which
disciplines (ME, EE, CE, ISE, …) are likely to be involved in the design and realization of the function(s). See the
“PRP_Checklist” document for a list of student skills by department. Potential concepts, skills, and tasks should not be
shared with students.
The basic requirement is capture energy when the wheelchair moves down an incline and then apply that
energy to assist the operator when moving up an incline. Since energy can be stored in many forms, there
are potential mechanical and electrical solutions including springs and batteries. It is important to keep
the incremental weight and cost to a minimum.

Specifications (or Engineering/Functional Requirements): Translates “voice of the customer” into “voice of
the engineer.” Specifications describe what the system should (shall) do in language that has engineering formality.
Specifications are quantitative and measureable because they must be testable/ verifiable, so they consist of a metric
(dimension with units) and a value. We recommend utilizing the aforementioned functional decomposition to identify
specifications at the function/ sub-function levels. Target values are adequate at this point – final values will likely be set
after students develop concepts and make tradeoffs on the basis of chosen concepts. Consider the following types of
specifications:geometry (dimensions, space), kinematics (type & direction of motion), forces, material, signals, safety,
ergonomics (comfort, human interface issues), quality, production (waste, factory limitations), assembly,
transport/packaging, operations (environmental/noise), maintenance, regulatory (UL, IEEE, FDA, FCC, RIT).

Constraints: External factors that, in some way, limit the selection of solution alternatives. They are usually imposed on
the design and are not directly related to the functional objectives of the system but apply across the system (eg. cost and
schedule constraints). Constraints are often included in the specifications list but they often violate the abstractness
property by specifying “how”.

Project Deliverables: Expected output, what will be “delivered” – be as specific and thorough as possible.

Budget Estimate: Major cost items anticipated.

Intellectual Property (IP) considerations: Describe any IP concerns or limitations associated with the project. Is
there patent potential? Will confidentiality of any data or information be required?

Other Information: Describe potential benefits and liabilities, known project risks, etc.

Continuation Project Information, if appropriate: Include prior project(s) information, and how prior project(s)
relate to the proposed project.
STUDENT STAFFING:
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Project Readiness Package

Rev 7/10/13
Skills Checklist:
Mechanical Engineering
1 3D CAD
MATLAB programming
3 Machining (basic)
2 Stress analysis (2D)
1 Statics/dynamic analysis (2D)
Thermodynamics
Aerodynamics
CFD
Biomaterials
Vibrations
Combustion engines
GD&T (geometic dimensioning &
tolerancing)
Linear controls
Composites
DFM
3 Robotics (motion control)
Composites
Other:
Other:
Fluid dynamics (CV)
LabView (data acquisition, etc.)
Statistics
2 FEA
Heat transfer
2 Modeling of electromechanical & fluid
systems
1 Fatigue & static failure criteria (DME)
1 Specifying machine elements
Other:
Industrial & Systems Engineering
Statistical analysis of data – regression
Materials science
Materials processing – machining lab
Facilities planning – layout, material handling
Production systems design – lean, process
improvement
2 Ergonomics – interface of people & equipment
(procedures, training, maintenance)
Math modeling – linear programming),
simulation
5 Project management
Shop floor IE – methods, time study
Programming (C++)
DOE
Systems design – product/process design
Data analysis, data mining
2 Manufacturing engr.
Engineering economy – ROI
Quality tools – SPC
Production control – scheduling
DFx -- Manuf., environment,
sustainability
Other:
Other:
Other:
Electrical Engineering
3 Circuit design: AC/DC converters, regulators,
amplifier ckts, analog filter design, FPGA Logic
design, sensor bias/support circuitry
2 Power systems: selection, analysis, power budget
determination
System analysis: frequency analysis (Fourier,
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Digital filter design and
implementation, DSP
Microcontroller selection/application
Wireless protocol, component selection
Project Readiness Package
Rev 7/10/13
Laplace), stability, PID controllers, modulation
schemes, VCO’s & mixers, ADC selection
Circuit build, test, debug (scopes, DMM,
function generators)
Board layout
MATLAB
PSpice
Programming: C, Assembly
Electromagnetics (shielding, interference)
Antenna selection (simple design)
Communication system front end
design
Algorithm design/simulation
Embedded software design/
implementation
Other:
Other:
Other:
Computer Engineering
Digital design (including HDL and FPGA)
Software for microcontrollers (including Linux and
Windows)
Device programming: Assembly language, C
Programming: Java, C++
Analog design
Networking and network protocols
Scientific computing (including C and MATLAB)
Signal processing
Interfacing transducers and actuators to
microcontrollers

Wireless networks
Robotics (guidance, navigation,
vision, machine learning, and control)
Concurrent and embedded software
Embedded and real-time systems
Digital image processing
Computer vision
Network security
Other:
Other:
Anticipated Staffing Levels by Discipline:
Discipline
EE
ME
How
Many?
1
Anticipated Skills Needed (concise descriptions)
Battery power management and motor control
2
Machining, CAD Design, stress and fatigue analysis, dynamic analysis
System dynamics
1
Project management, ergonomics, manufacturability
CE
ISE
Other
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