Classic Rocker

Thomas Dabrowski

Sarah Philo

Adam Rauwerdink

Outline

• Introduction• Design Specifications and Constraints • Benefits of Product• Competitor Products• Initial Designs• Final Design• Components of the Final design• Budget• Conclusion

Introduction

• What is the Classic Rocker?• Mechanized legless rocking chair• National Science Foundation funding• Passionworks Studio

• Various mental and physical disabilities• Coordination, muscle control, cognitive abilities

Design Specifications and Constraints• Rocking Mechanism

• Must be safe and comfortable

• Controls• Interchangeable• User-friendly for both chair user and caretaker• Caretaker master controls

• Audio• Internal speakers• Play compact discs

Need for product

• Caretakers must physically rock the chair• Need for one caretaker per chair user• User is dependent on caretaker – no sense

of independence

Benefits of product• Social

• User can rock without caretaker help• Provides sense of independence• Enjoyable experience

• Economic• Fewer caretakers needed if multiple people

rocking (multiple chairs needed)

Competitor Products

• Motorized rocking chair, by Electronic & Mechanical Assistant Technologies

• The Mechanical Rocking System, a Rensslear Polytechnic Institute NSF project

•Various non-mechanized legless video rocker products, found at retailers such as Wal-mart and Target

Initial Designs• Safety

• 120V power must be completely isolated• Shock and fire hazard

• Angle and speed of rocking• User discomfort • Chair stability

• Caretaker master control• User cannot initiate functions while unsupervised

• Environmental• Fabric must be durable

• Frequent use• Easy to clean

• Economic• Chair must be affordable

Initial Designs• Design One

• Runners under chair• Linear actuator• Caretaker controls in back of chair

• Design Two• Motor and cam system to back of frame• Hinge mechanism on bottom• Caretaker control tower

• Design Three• Chair ‘swing’• Hinge mechanism• Motor and cam system

Headrest w/ built-in speakers

Linear Actuator

Enclosed cavity which will house wiring and

power supply

Enclosed Motor and Cam

Linkage Bar

Hinge

CD Player and Chair On/Off

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Final Design• Motor and cam system

• Hinge attached to both chair and base frame

• Master control tower

• User switches

Frame

• Aluminum frame• 80/20 Extrusions• Base and chair frame• Hinge mechanism• Chair reinforcement

Motor

• Dayton 12VDC gearmotor #1Z831• 5.5 amps drawn when rocking 160 lb person• 135 in-lb torque at 80 RPM• 1/6 HP• Geared to 20 RPM

Cam and Gear System• Cam

• 1.4” diameter

• Gear system• Geared down motor using 12 and 50 tooth gears•

• • Largest gear is 14” behind the chair frame

• Moving parts covered for safety

Link System

• Link • 3/8 X 32 inch threaded rod • connected to cam and chair frame

• Linkage Pivot• Connects linkage bar to chair frame• Pivot block connected to bearing block then link

• Connected to cam• Cam pin connects to bearing block then link

Complete Motor Assembly

Power

• Meanwell S-240-12• 12 VDC • extension cord plug• Rated 18 A• 216 W

Controls• User

• Touch switch• Squish switch• Overridden by master switches• Interchangeable • Plug in under caretaker control tower• Control stand

• Caretaker• Master controls, including master power• CD player• Variable speed• Caretaker control tower

Master Controls

Wiring Schematic

A

B

Master Power Control Switch

User Control Switch

AB

User Control Switch

A

B

Rocking Motor

Rocking Master Control

Audio Output

Power Input (From Wall Socket)

AB

A

B

Audio Master Control

Mute Function

Potentiometer Speed

Controller Motor Controller

Audio• Boss Audio CD-3020 player installed in tower

behind chair• Speakers inside headrest of chair

Completed Chair

Control Schematic

Rocker Power Switch

Caretaker ControlUser Control

Electric Power from Outlet

Interchangeable Rocking Motion

Activation Switches

Two MA Audio HK35

Speakers

Boss Audio CD - 3020

Dayton #1Z831 gearmotor 1/6 HP Geared to 20 RPM

216W 12VDC Power Supply

Mute Function

Conclusion• Fully mechanized rocking motion – no need

for caretaker to physically rock the user• Simple controls for use by individuals with

mental/physical disabilities• Durable and strong rocking mechanism• Safety throughout – electrical and mechanical• Enjoyable and relaxing

Acknowledgements

• Engineering Machine Shop – Rich and Serg

• Prof. Christian Davis

• Linens n’ Things - discount

• Christopher Liebler

• OKW – Jeff Duchess

The End.

Questions?