Sensory Swing F20

Abstract

Our task for this project is to design and build a sensory swing for a young Autistic boy. The mother has specific requests about details of the swing. The swing needs to hold up to at least 150 lbs considering the boy will continue to use it as he gets older and bigger. The swing also needs to be free to spin a full 360 degrees, and has to be able to bounce as well. Finally, the mother has asked us to incorporate some kind of sound device that will play soothing background noise for Aiden, with the goal of keeping him calm while playing on it. Our end goal is to build Aiden a swing that will: support his weight for years to come, spin and bounce freely, and play soothing sounds for him.

Team members

John Wagner, Gabe DaSilva, Emily Carroll, Lexi Carrier

Additional help:

• Heather Craig - Service Coordinator
• Stephanie Isbill - Developmental Therapist

These women know the family on a more personal level and were able to answer a lot of our questions regarding details about the boy.

Project goals:

Young Aiden is a boy who requires a massive amount of supervision and entertainment. He is extremely attached to his mother, which keeps her from having any personal space/time. Our goal with this sensory swing is to build a swing that Aiden will absolutely love and play with. It will have a very inviting appearance, and hopefully, it will help him channel his attention for periods of time.

Design Specifications

1. The swing must be open enough inside to Aiden does not feel trapped or crowded, as this would make him uncomfortable.
2. The swing must be able to bounce up and down.
3. Must be able to spin freely in a full rotation.
4. Must be able to accommodate for years of growth.
5. The swing needs to have a sound device implemented that will play soothing sounds/music.
6. The swing needs to be able to be removed and re-mounted in the case of the family moving houses.

Background research

1. There are many different types of sensory swings on the market, but none of them fill all of the necessary criteria for our needs.
2. There is no sensory swing on the market that can bounce, spin, swing, and play sounds all simultaneously.
3. None of the swings we found online have a bouncing capability, nor do they have a mechanism allowing a full spin. Also, they all seem to be too small for Aiden, who needs to feel open and free while in the swing.

Conceptual Design

We came together as a group and sketched out three conceptual design options.

Ceiling Mounted Swing

• The swing is mounted into the ceiling. It will be able to swing a full 360 degrees and will also have a bouncing element. (either a spring or bungee chords in place of the nylon straps) NEEDED: extra supports beam in the ceiling, i-bolt, swing swivel, spring link, heavy duty clip, nylon straps, sounds device, curtain material (likely nylon), and the seat will be made of MDF, OSB, plywood, or some other similar material.

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Wall Mounted Swivel Arm Swing

• In this design, the swing is hooked onto the end of a metal arm attached to a wall-mounting plate by a hinge. NEEDED: wall mount with a hinge, metal arm, i-bolt, swing swivel, spring link, heavy duty clip, nylon straps, sounds device, curtain material (likely nylon), and the seat will be made of MDF, OSB, plywood, or some other similar material.

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Frame-Based Free Standing Swing

• This design concept includes a frame for the sing, rather than fastening it into the wall or ceiling. The frame members will be able to fold in a way that the entire structure (not including the swing itself) is easy to transport. This design concept would be the easiest for the mother to transport long-term. NEEDED: frame members and hinges, i-bolt, swing swivel, spring link, heavy-duty clip, nylon straps, sounds device, curtain material (likely nylon), and the seat will be made of MDF, OSB, plywood, or some other similar material.

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Evaluate concepts/select candidate

The mother's ideal request is for the ceiling-mounted version of our swing. That being said, we believe the most practical approach, as well as our favorite, is the wall-mounting version. It does not require any additional support beams, it will allow the swing to be put up when not in use, and it will be able to be detached and re-attached to any wall stud simply.

Detailed Design

This section will describe a detailed design process

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.