The document summarizes testing procedures for improving walking cane designs. It outlines standard tests such as weight testing, load testing, weather testing, coefficient of friction testing, and spinal curvature testing. It then describes specific tests for prototypes involving a moveable joint, extendable base, angled protector, and strap design. The tests are aimed at evaluating factors like force resistance, range of motion, fall protection, and user comfort/safety. Safety protocols are also outlined to test prototypes in a safe environment.
The document summarizes testing procedures for improving walking cane designs. It outlines standard tests such as weight testing, load testing, weather testing, coefficient of friction testing, and spinal curvature testing. It then describes specific tests for prototypes involving a moveable joint, extendable base, angled protector, and strap design. The tests are aimed at evaluating factors like force resistance, range of motion, fall protection, and user comfort/safety. Safety protocols are also outlined to test prototypes in a safe environment.
The document summarizes testing procedures for improving walking cane designs. It outlines standard tests such as weight testing, load testing, weather testing, coefficient of friction testing, and spinal curvature testing. It then describes specific tests for prototypes involving a moveable joint, extendable base, angled protector, and strap design. The tests are aimed at evaluating factors like force resistance, range of motion, fall protection, and user comfort/safety. Safety protocols are also outlined to test prototypes in a safe environment.
Improving Walking Canes Meet the Team Problem Statement
According to a study published in the Journal of Safety
Research in 2015, 1.5 million people over the age of 65 reported that they had fallen due to assistive device failure. Patients who use assistive devices experience balance issues, which can lead to injuries or even death. INCREASE COEFFICIENT OF FRICTION Greater than 0.6 against test cane on Design Criteria concrete
CONSUMER Standard Testing 1. Weight Test a. Weigh the cane ( < 2 lbs) 2. Standing Upright Test a. See if cane can stand upright by itself (Y/N) 3. Weight Load Test a. Secure a 250 pound dumbbell on the handle of the cane. Place the cane perpendicular to the ground and secure it from falling using guy wires. See if the cane does not bend or snap after 1 hour of the test (Y/N) Standard Testing 5. Weather Test a. Simulate various weather conditions (Rain, Snow, Ice) and demonstrate if cane is still usable upon those surfaces 6. Spinal Curvature Test b. Attach IMUs (inertial measurement units) to user of cane c. Record data from IMUs as the user is walking around using the cane d. Put data in excel sheet to make visual diagram for analysis Standard Testing
7. Coefficient of Friction Test
a. Record weight of cane b. Use force sensor to push against the foot of the cane c. Record amount of force required to make the foot slip on the concrete d. Use the equation F = Nand solve for the coefficient of friction Prototypes Moveable Joint Testing 1. Use force sensor to push the cane on the ground and compare to the control cane a. If force is greater than control cane: Yes b. If force is less than control cane: No 2. Use protractor to measure effective range of rotation for bottom part of cane a. Ideal range of 180 degrees 3. Measure angle of bottom section of cane with ground as the top is moved around a. Angle should be 90 degrees + or – 5 degrees 4. Measure angle of users back from the vertical a. Angle should be less than 20 degrees for ideal safety Extendable Base Testing 1. Put a 50 pound weight on cane a. Measure increase in area (%) b. Ensure springs activate (Y/N) 2. Simulate various angles of falling (0°, 20°, 40°) against the ground a. Ensure base deploys (Y/N) 3. Do a comparison test for falling a. Take a CareX soft grip cane and apply 100 lbs. i. Test what threshold of perpendicular force can knock cane over (#) b. Repeat test with this cane, base extended i. Test to see how much higher the threshold is (%) Angled Protector Testing 1. Stall test a. Take 1 module and max angle of the module against the ground. (ie 30 degrees) b. Hang a 50 lbs weight on the finger of the module c. Zero the module so it attempts to pull itself back to its 0 degree position d. Run test for 60 seconds and record if the motor still works after the test (Y/N) 2. Simulate various angles of falling (0°, 20°, 40°) against the ground a. Ensure the modules extend in the right direction and retract in the opposite. Record if the cane falls (Y/N) b. Do a test for falling i. Take a piston and configure it apply exactly 30 lbs of force perpendicular to 5 inches from the bottom of the cane. ii. Record if the cane can recover (Y/N) Strap Cane Testing 1. Place the strap on the cane and tighten it to the cane handle 2. We will be testing using the tensile tester a. We will test the stretching and bending capabilities of the strap b. How much force should it be able to take? (50 lbs) 3. Place the strap in water for 24 hours a. See if it has deteriorated or harmed in any way 4. Collect a sample group of at least 15 people a. Have them see if their wrist fits and whether they can tighten it to a comfortable diameter (YES/ NO) 5. Go to an elderly living home to test (survey) Safety Test in safe environment Test in increments Test with supervision of peers Test code without human Make sure equipment is used correctly Keep fingers away from moving parts Life University
On 2/27 we tested the <20
degree spinal curvature Inertial Measurement Units (IMU's) tested one prototype and the control cane Thank you!