Mechatronic Assistive Device
Mobile Backpack Carrier
The objective was to conceptualize, design, and manufacture a linkage system to safely move a loaded backpack from the rear of a wheelchair to a side position alongside the wheels, thereby improving the occupant's accessibility to the bag without sacrificing wheelchair maneuverability and nimbleness.
As a team of four, we collectively designed and created the device. Design components and considerations included:
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Motion generation – linkage design, force and torque analysis, deflection calculations, joint design
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Energy conversion and transmission – transmission calculations and characterization, torque-transmission joint loading analysis, motor mount analysis
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Safety and motor controls – infrared proximity sensors, microswitches, rocker switch, hall-effect encoders
The four bar linkage was machined from metal stock with the mill, lathe, and waterjet (with aesthetic sandblasted finish). The design utilized off-the-shelf fasteners, bushings, pullies, belt, motor, and sensors, and the mechatronics system was operated by an Arduino Uno microcontroller. Verification testing demonstrated all engineering and design specifications were met. Detailed assembly instructions with written documentation and diagrams was also prepared.
