Outline
• Introduction• Design Specifications and Constraints • Benefits of Product• Competitor Products• Initial Designs• Final Design• Components of the Final design• Budget• Conclusion
Introduction
• What is the Classic Rocker?• Mechanized legless rocking chair• National Science Foundation funding• Passionworks Studio
• Various mental and physical disabilities• Coordination, muscle control, cognitive abilities
Design Specifications and Constraints• Rocking Mechanism
• Must be safe and comfortable
• Controls• Interchangeable• User-friendly for both chair user and caretaker• Caretaker master controls
• Audio• Internal speakers• Play compact discs
Need for product
• Caretakers must physically rock the chair• Need for one caretaker per chair user• User is dependent on caretaker – no sense
of independence
Benefits of product• Social
• User can rock without caretaker help• Provides sense of independence• Enjoyable experience
• Economic• Fewer caretakers needed if multiple people
rocking (multiple chairs needed)
Competitor Products
• Motorized rocking chair, by Electronic & Mechanical Assistant Technologies
• The Mechanical Rocking System, a Rensslear Polytechnic Institute NSF project
•Various non-mechanized legless video rocker products, found at retailers such as Wal-mart and Target
Initial Designs• Safety
• 120V power must be completely isolated• Shock and fire hazard
• Angle and speed of rocking• User discomfort • Chair stability
• Caretaker master control• User cannot initiate functions while unsupervised
• Environmental• Fabric must be durable
• Frequent use• Easy to clean
• Economic• Chair must be affordable
Initial Designs• Design One
• Runners under chair• Linear actuator• Caretaker controls in back of chair
• Design Two• Motor and cam system to back of frame• Hinge mechanism on bottom• Caretaker control tower
• Design Three• Chair ‘swing’• Hinge mechanism• Motor and cam system
Headrest w/ built-in speakers
Linear Actuator
Enclosed cavity which will house wiring and
power supply
Enclosed Motor and Cam
Linkage Bar
Hinge
CD Player and Chair On/Off
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Final Design• Motor and cam system
• Hinge attached to both chair and base frame
• Master control tower
• User switches
Frame
• Aluminum frame• 80/20 Extrusions• Base and chair frame• Hinge mechanism• Chair reinforcement
Motor
• Dayton 12VDC gearmotor #1Z831• 5.5 amps drawn when rocking 160 lb person• 135 in-lb torque at 80 RPM• 1/6 HP• Geared to 20 RPM
Cam and Gear System• Cam
• 1.4” diameter
• Gear system• Geared down motor using 12 and 50 tooth gears•
• • Largest gear is 14” behind the chair frame
• Moving parts covered for safety
Link System
• Link • 3/8 X 32 inch threaded rod • connected to cam and chair frame
• Linkage Pivot• Connects linkage bar to chair frame• Pivot block connected to bearing block then link
• Connected to cam• Cam pin connects to bearing block then link
Controls• User
• Touch switch• Squish switch• Overridden by master switches• Interchangeable • Plug in under caretaker control tower• Control stand
• Caretaker• Master controls, including master power• CD player• Variable speed• Caretaker control tower
Wiring Schematic
A
B
Master Power Control Switch
User Control Switch
AB
User Control Switch
A
B
Rocking Motor
Rocking Master Control
Audio Output
Power Input (From Wall Socket)
AB
A
B
Audio Master Control
Mute Function
Potentiometer Speed
Controller Motor Controller
Control Schematic
Rocker Power Switch
Caretaker ControlUser Control
Electric Power from Outlet
Interchangeable Rocking Motion
Activation Switches
Two MA Audio HK35
Speakers
Boss Audio CD - 3020
Dayton #1Z831 gearmotor 1/6 HP Geared to 20 RPM
216W 12VDC Power Supply
Mute Function
Conclusion• Fully mechanized rocking motion – no need
for caretaker to physically rock the user• Simple controls for use by individuals with
mental/physical disabilities• Durable and strong rocking mechanism• Safety throughout – electrical and mechanical• Enjoyable and relaxing
Acknowledgements
• Engineering Machine Shop – Rich and Serg
• Prof. Christian Davis
• Linens n’ Things - discount
• Christopher Liebler
• OKW – Jeff Duchess