Wheelchair Umbrella
As a part of a Northeastern University funded club, Enabling Engineering, I, along with three other engineering students, are working towards creating a product that will allow our client, who is wheelchair bound, to go outside when it is raining without getting herself or the electronic sensors on her wheelchair wet.
In order to combat this issue, we designed a retractable, canopy-style cover (design above) for our client's wheelchair, that will provide sufficient protection and visibility. Three aluminum rods will be attached to an axle that is secured to the back of our clients wheelchair. The three rods will be free to rotate around the axle individually and will be limited in their movements by a gear box fastened to the end of the axle.
Each large gear will associate with one of the three main rods supporting the canopy. The different gear ratios will allow for the different rods to rotate about the axle at a different pace when the motor is activated, and for the unfolded canopy to provide full coverage of our client, and the wheelchair. This method also allows the for the folded canopy to lay flat against the back of the chair so as to create little disruption when not in use.
Update 1: July 2018
We have measured and cut lengths of aluminum tubing to use as the frame for the canopy. We have also begun testing ways to drape and attach a clear vinyl material over the frame, so that it is sturdy and effective.
Update 2: December 2018
In order to properly assemble the canopy's skeleton, we designed and 3D printed elbow connectors to hold the straight cuts of aluminum rods in place. We also printed a piece that allows for the legs of the canopy to attach, and rotate freely about, the axle.
We are now working on cutting the vinyl to fit around the assembled frame, and (after testing a few methods) found that using a heat gun will provide an adequate seal between the vinyl and aluminum rods. We have also started work on building the circuitry that will power the motor which will rotate the rods.