Squeeze tube

Abstract

Ezra Powell, 2.5 year old with severe autism. Likes over-stimulation, to be squeezed and he likes to run into things. Parents would like something that would keep him occupied while outside so he does not wander away. This sensory box would ideally be an inside and outside contraption that would satisfy his likes.

Team members

Photo of team.

From the left: Will Hutchings, Austin Lewis, James Belcher, Jeff Webster, Jay Shackleford

Team Names

James Belcher, Jay Shackleford, Jeff Webster, Will Hutchings, Austin Lewis

Acknowledge help of others

Jamie Sanders, David Mutchmore

Problem Statement/overview of the need

Help Ezra keep occupied while outside.
To stimulate the need of being squeezed.
Help with motor abilities.

Design Specifications

Must be able to fit through a doorway.
Around 2-3 feet tall.
Be able to be climbed on and run into, must be stable.
Must be strong enough to handle his four year old brother.

Background research

1. What exists already, similar products 2. availability 3. identify gaps in existing products or technology to be addressed

For squeezing some products do exist, but are either too expensive, or may not offer enough stimulation for Ezra. The squeeze roller cost ~$550 and we believe we can design and build one much more affordably. Additionally think the squeeze pod won't offer enough stimulation to keep Ezra occupied while outside.

Squeeze Roller ($540)
Squeeze Pod ($80)

Conceptual Design

Summarize your conceptual design process. Develop at least three concepts.

Design Concept 1

Sensory Box with Squeezing rollers and wack a mole with other possible fillers.

Design Concept 2

Design Concept

This design is for a collapsable sensory box featuring a foam lined interior and a few toys on the exterior. There would also be squeeze rollers in one of the walls

Design Concept 3

Concept three would be much like the squeezer already mentioned in the background research. However, we could fabricate it much more affordably and customize it for Ezra's size and liking. We could use textures on the pillows that Ezra likes and also put other toys on the frame of it to help keep Ezra engaged.

Evaluate concepts/select candidate

Our group came to an agreement that a sensory box that can provide multiple methods of engagement and stimulation would be the best approach.

Best Concept Design Features to Consider for Final Design.

Vibrating sliding handle
Track on wall that items can slide on and crash into things
Bubble machine
Rollers that squeeze
Use of foam or similar material on floor and possibly on walls
Whole structure is collapsible
Doors that can be slammed open and close (if filler is needed)

	Design 1	Design 2	Design 3
Cost	3	2	1
Portability	3	1	2
Manufacturability	2	3	1
Simplicity	3	2	1
Goals Achieved	2	1	3
Sum	13	9	8

Motor Function	2	1	3
Sensory	2	1	3
Stimulation	3	2	1
Difficulty Level	2	3	1
Engaging	3	1	2
Longevity	2	3	1
Sum	14	11	11

Total	27	20	19

(Lowest total is the best)
First section is summation of machine goals
Second section summation of child goals

Design 3 is the best concept

Design 3 will be our baseline design but the features listed above will possibly be applied to the design.

Detailed Design

This section will describe a detailed design process

Plan of Action:

Test different materials to see what would be best for Ezra.
Determine good amount of force to be applied to Ezra that satisfies him, but doesn't hurt.
Determine max size of machine so that it is able to move in and out of the house.
Design machine and ensure the it is light weight.
Analyze final design to ensure structural integrity.

Description of selected design

Detailed description of selected design

Our design includes four rollers, two of which are static, made of a soft foam covered in fabric that squeeze the child firmly and safely. The top two rollers will be tensioned by bungee cords and the bottom two rollers remain static. The two tensioned rollers are able to move because they are mounted to a swinging arm and the rollers are all mounted to the frame using bushings made out of plastic (delrin). The rollers and foam are mounted onto a piece of 2in PVC pipe.

Analysis

For our first two types of analysis we used a load of ~125lbs to ensure even when Ezra's older brother grows he won't break the machine if he uses it. We analysed both the stresses and factor of safety for the full assembly and the pillow roller assembly. Our second analysis was to ensure the machine was light enough to move and also not top heavy. Finally we determined a good amount of pretension on a bungee cord to ensure the pillows don't apply too much force to Ezra.

Engineering analysis 1

Static loading analysis was run within Solidworks on the full assembly assuming a 125lb load and resulted in the stress distribution shown below and a minimum factor of safety well over 3.

Engineering analysis 2

Static loading analysis was run within Solidworks on the beam pillow assembly assuming a 125lb load and resulted in the stress distribution shown below and a minimum factor of safety well over 3. We also ensured that the PVC pipe will deflect no more than 5 thousandths of an inch.

Engineering analysis 3

We were also able to use the mass properties tool in solidworks to ensure the machine is light enough to be moved by one adult and the machine is not top heavy to prevent tipping over. Solidworks predicts that the machine will weigh 35lbs.

CAD Drawings

Insert drawings of all parts and the assembly

Frame
Arm
Pillow for rollers
Rod inside of pillow
Bushings for the rollers

Full Assembly

Bill of Materials

Assembly Instructions

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.