Assisted Pool Float for Children and Young Adults with Physical Limitations A Baccalaureate thesis submitted to the Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering College of Engineering and Applied Science University of Cincinnati in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering Technology by Austin Sillies April 2014 Thesis Advisor: Professor Laura Caldwell ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Throughout this project there have been many individuals and companies that made it possible. I first like to offer my special thanks and appreciation to May We Help for all the work and services they provide to those who truly need help. May We Help assisted in the funding, research, and design of this device. Next, I would like to express my great appreciation to D.S. Design Company LLC., and President/Owner David Sillies and Design Engineer Devin Sillies for their assistance in conceptual design, detailed design, and manufacture. Their willingness to give their time, talents, and monetary assistance is greatly appreciated. I also wish to acknowledge the assistance provided by Professor Laura Caldwell. Professor Caldwell was my advisor throughout the duration of this project offering input, assistance, and guidance for whatever the project called for. All of which is greatly appreciated. I would like to offer my special thanks to Mrs. Janet Garner, Smith Electrochemical, and Professor Dave Conrad. Mrs. Garner provided her time and knowledge of sewing to assist in the manufacture of the device. Smith Electrochemical donated their services to anodize all the aluminum material required in this project. Professor Conrad, College of Engineering and Applied Science’s Machine Shop Advisor, for his countless hours spent in the lab assisting students, myself included, on their projects. Mrs. Janet Garner, Smith Electrochemical, and Professor Dave Conrad’s services and time are very much appreciated. Finally, I wish to express my deepest gratitude to my parents and family for their support and encouragement throughout my college career. ii TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ...................................................................................................... II TABLE OF CONTENTS ........................................................................................................ III LIST OF FIGURES ................................................................................................................ IV LIST OF TABLES .................................................................................................................. VI ABSTRACT .............................................................................................................................. II INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................... 3 BACKGROUND .................................................................................................................................................... 3 INTERVIEWS ....................................................................................................................................................... 4 EXISTING PRODUCTS .......................................................................................................... 5 THE LITTLE MERMAID........................................................................................................................................ 5 STABILIZING BAR ............................................................................................................................................... 6 OTHER FLOATATION DEVICES ON THE MARKET................................................................................................. 7 GAIT WALKER .................................................................................................................................................... 8 OVERVIEW - CUSTOMER FEEDBACK AND OBJECTIVES ............................................ 9 SURVEY RESULTS AND ANALYSIS ...................................................................................................................... 9 OBJECTIVES AND ENGINEERING CHARACTERISTICS .......................................................................................... 10 CONCEPT GENERATION AND SELECTION ................................................................... 12 CALCULATIONS .................................................................................................................. 17 BUOYANCY FORCE ............................................................................................................................................ 17 TIPPING/MOMENT .............................................................................................................................................. 19 OVERALL DESIGN DETAILS............................................................................................. 23 DRAWINGS ........................................................................................................................... 30 BILL OF MATERIALS .......................................................................................................... 30 SPECIAL TREATMENT OF PARTS.................................................................................... 30 FABRICATION / ASSEMBLY ............................................................................................. 31 MANUFACTURING ............................................................................................................................................ 31 ASSEMBLY ........................................................................................................................................................ 36 TESTING ................................................................................................................................ 40 iii SCHEDULE AND BUDGET ................................................................................................. 45 SCHEDULE ........................................................................................................................................................ 45 BUDGET ............................................................................................................................................................ 46 RECOMMENDATIONS ........................................................................................................ 47 WORKS CITED ..................................................................................................................... 48 APPENDIX A - RESEARCH ................................................................................................. 49 APPENDIX B - SURVEY WITH RESULTS ........................................................................ 54 APPENDIX C - QUALITY FUNCTION DEPLOYMENT (QFD) ....................................... 55 APPENDIX D – OBJECTIVES ............................................................................................. 56 APPENDIX E: PART DETAILS ........................................................................................... 57 APPENDIX F: MATERIAL DETAILS ................................................................................. 66 APPENDIX G: BILL OF MATERIALS ................................................................................ 69 APPENDIX H: SCHEDULE .................................................................................................. 70 APPENDIX I – ACCURACY/QUALITY ............................................................................. 71 LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1: Savannah's Current Pool Float .................................................................................. 4 Figure 2: The Little Mermaid Inflatable Pool Float.................................................................. 5 Figure 3: Jet Propulsion System ............................................................................................... 5 Figure 4: Stabilizing Bar ........................................................................................................... 6 Figure 5: Stabilizing Bar with Neck Jacket (left), holding onto Bar (right) ............................. 6 Figure 6: Floatation Mat ........................................................................................................... 7 Figure 7: Modified Lifejacket ................................................................................................... 7 Figure 8: Child in Gait Walker ................................................................................................. 8 Figure 9: Gait Walker Seat ....................................................................................................... 8 iv Figure 26: Waist Support ........................................................................................................ 26 Figure 27: Front View ............................................................................................................. 26 Figure 28: Top View ............................................................................................................... 27 Figure 38: Drilling Setup ........................................................................................................ 33 Figure 39: Plasma Cutting ...................................................................................................... 34 Figure 40: Plasma Cutting .....................................................................................................