Hug Box

Abstract

For this project, we will construct a "squeeze machine" as a therapy device for children with ASD. Our machine will be durable and portable for use for therapy or play.

Team members

From left to right:

• Sebastian Barajas
• Sanika Sovani
• Benjamin Suggs
• Michael Baker

With help from:

• Karyn Henderson
• Dr. Canfield

(not pictured)

Problem Statement/overview of the need

Children who grow up with a spectrum of autism tend to find a sense of comfort in the feeling of compression around their bodies. Our machine will need to be able to give the children the compression that they like while being portable, pleasant to touch and see, and sturdy. The machine will need be used in play and therapy, so it will also need to be simple to clean and store.

Design Specifications

• The machine should be portable (lightweight)
• The machine is intended for elementary school children (ages 3-11). Therefore, the machine should be small in size.
• The texture of the material used to build this machine should be smooth as rough texture might make the child uncomfortable.

Background research

There are already a variety of squeeze machines out on the market. They are not very easily obtained, due to their limited suppliers and extravagant costs. There are large wooden models that squeeze children for sensory input, and also a few compressions vests. The major downside to these are the steep costs that are unrealistic for a family. An important lack in what products are out currently is there are almost no portable devices. Most of the devices on the market currently are stationary and are not easily moved; We will be addressing both the cost and portability problems.

Conceptual Design

For our conceptual design process, we started with looking at squeeze machines that were already in the market. Some we had seen before, others we had not. The ones we found really helped us with our next step, brainstorming. We sat down and drew some very rough sketches of what popped into our minds; some were good, others not so much. We tried to incorporate our own ideas into what was already out there to make our squeeze machines portable, effective, and good quality. Here are some of the concepts we came up with:

Rolling Compression Machine

• This device will both combine play and therapy. A child can enter from either side and the rollers will add a compression force to there whole body. We plan on making the sides out of wood and having the rollers made of some sort of cushion. Everything will need to have a soothing texture to allow children who are tactile defensive to use this device.

• We think using wood will make the rolling compression machine light yet sturdy enough to support the weight of a 3-11 year old child (max 100 lbs). Maybe have it easily separable to allow for better portability. Also, the springs could be adjusted to allow for more or less compression to the child.

Folding Pressure Chair

• The Folding Pressure Chair is more meant for therapy than fun. It allows the child to be in complete control of the pressure they are feeling around their arms and chest. This device would be very portable because it would be able to fold, and it comes with a detachable headrest. The chair could be powered by a wall plug or a battery pack depending on the need.

• For the adjustable pressure, we would use a gear mechanism in the back of the chair to adjust the chest and arm straps. We thought we could make it using some kind of metal to make it easier to fold, similar to a folding table. One concern we had was that the child may feel too constrained or uncomfortable in the chair.

Compression Bed

• The Compression Bed is simply an air mattress that wraps around the child. This allows for a full body compressing feeling for the child. And once deflated, the bed would be portable. It would be capable of fitting any size of child comfortably.

• The bed's pressure would be adjustable by the amount of air pumped into it and the adjustable straps on the top of the device. We would have a foam base and headrest to allow for more support when laying on the ground. Our number one concern for this device is the sound of the air pump would put the child in distress.

SELECTED CANDIDATE-- ROLLING COMPRESSION MACHINE

Device	Adjustable Compression	Portability	Therapy/Play	Difficulty to Build (1-10)
Rolling Compression Machine	yes	possible	both	5
Folding Pressure Chair	yes	yes	therapy	8
Compression Bed	yes	yes	therapy	3

We have chosen the Rolling Compression Machine because of its ability to be both a therapy and play machine. We believe we can make it portable yet capable of withstanding the loads it will go through. Also, when compared to the Folding Pressure Chair, we think the Rolling Compression Machine would be easier to build.

Detailed Design

This section will describe a detailed design process

Description of selected design

The design we selected best fits our clients needs. We modified design concept one in order to better fit the needs and parameters given. It is a design that is built to give a child moving through it sensory input, using pressure from a system of adjustable rollers. It will have many adjustable parts to it in order to custom tailor to each child's likes/dislikes. The wooden frame will also have curved edges as a requested safety measure from our client.

Detailed description of selected design

The frame of the machine will be constructed out of wood and will have 24in height, 36in length, and 30in width. The frame will have an attached handle and wheels slotted into the corner of the frame to make the design more portable. There are rollers on the top, bottom, and sides of the frame. The bottom rollers (6in diameter) will be stationary and non-adjustable. While, the top rollers (6in diameter) have adjustable heigts to provide different amounts of pressure tailored to the child using it. The vertical rollers (4in diameter) on the side will provide enhanced sensory input and are slimmer with adjustable slots to provide the needed clearance. The rollers will consist of a wooden dowel rod surrounded by padding and a smooth fabric.

Analysis

Describe three types of analysis to be performed on the design

CAD Drawings

Insert drawings of all parts and the assembly

Bill of Materials

qty, item, description, source, part number, price

Fabrication Process

Insert pictures of fabrication process

Testing and implementation

Describe testing, delivery, how used/received by the family

Photos of Completed design

Insert pictures of the final product

Instructions for safe use

Provide a clear summary of safe use for the family. Do not use the device unless supervised by an adult that has been fully understood the safe use of this product.