Fall 2004 GALE Design Project

1
Fall 2004 GALE Design Project

• Advisor Dr. Sundar Krishnamurty
• Team Members
• Sean Pringle
• Tim Smith
• Brian Swearengin

2
Introduction

• Project Goal
• Design a wheelchair lift and storage device for
  the John Deere Gator to make it handicap
  accessible and functional.
• Prototype Criteria
• Modular, low cost (lt500), safe, effective, and
  maximize bed utility and functionality.

3
Assumptions

• Maximum wheelchair weight is approximately 50 lbs
• User has use of both arms and hands
• Used on John Deere 6x4 Gator
• User will not have the wheelchair stored when
  tipping bed.
• Folding wheelchair is used.
• User can reach 1.5 feet behind on the driver side
  of the gator.

4
Overview of Design

• Clamp
• Lower Swing Arm
• Hinge
• Mounting Frame
• Actuator
• Slider Frame

5
Geometry Calculations
Lower Swing Arm
6
Geometry Calculations
Actuator Placement
7
Applied Force Changes
8
Finite Element Analysis
Clamp
9
Finite Element Analysis
Lower Swing Arm
10
Prototyping
11
Prototyping
12
Prototyping
13
Possible Improvements and Add-ons

• Level with bed rails
• Reduce power requirements and motor placement
• Assistive Springs / Shocks
• Implement limit switches
• Multi-use Functionalities
• Automation controls

14
Resources

• Implemented
• ProE
• ProMechanica
• Engineer Equations Solver (EES)
• ANSYS

• Would have liked to implement
• ProMotion
• Windchill
• Groove

15
Conclusion

• Design met all criteria therefore is a success
• Prototype works
• Improvement over previous semesters design
• Design is universal
• Low cost (Prototype lt500)
• Maximizes bed space

16
Acknowledgements

• UMass Amherst
• MechE Metal Shop
• Miles Eastman, Rick Winn, Rick Mascenowski
• Prof. Krishnamurty, Prof. Rinderle
• GaTech Tord Dennis, Bobby Henebry
• PTC Melissa Botto
• John Deere Tom Hill, EJ Smith

17
Questions?