Wheelchair Cleaning Station-Abracadabra

 Requirements:

• Use while wheelchair user in in wheelchair,
• Don't get wheelchair user wet.
• Clean tires- knobby- bottom and sides of wheels.
• Wheelchair to be cleaned has tires between 12"-28"
• Wheelchair user to get on/off device independently.
• Wheelchair user can't bend to the floor
•  Easy to clean-where does the dirt go?  Make cleaning surface easy-to-clean
• Not too high off the ground- requires approximately 1" of rise for 1' run
• Clean both wheels.
• Fold up and out of the way small enough to move easily without bending over

 Product Design Blog with Patent survey
http://johnburke5.typepad.com/blog/page/3/

Survey of existing products attempting to solve the same problem

In surveying existing solutions of powered and manual wheelchairs, none were found claiming to utilise any feature that provided a self cleaning mechanism for the tyres. The following providers of wheelchairs were surveyed:

·         http://ukwheelchairs.com

·         www.spinlife.com

·         www.thescooterstore.com

·         Murray’s Medical Equipment Catalogue.

01/18/2010

Final Customer & Design Requirements

The final customer requirements are:

1.      That the product does not cost in excess of €150

2.      That the product is adjustable to allow retrofitting on all sizes of wheelchairs.

3.      Maintenance of Product is kept to a minimum.

4.      Controls require extremely easy usability

5.      That it is robust.

Each of these points translate into design requirements as follows:

1.      Keep design simple, minimize number of parts

2.      Device must be designed in a way that a motion other than that of the rotation of the tyre and a stationary brush is used on rear wheels due to deep threads that need to be cleaned.

3.      Device is retrofitted to wheelchair so adjustability is key for fitting to various sized wheelchairs.

4.      Minimize parts that may wear out, if so make maintenance simple

5.      Controls must be designed so user requires minimal force

6.      Design must be robust and made of suitable materials

Wheel chock:

Wheel cleaning stand:
http://www.amazon.com/Motorsport-Products-Wheel-Cleaning-97-1001/dp/B005Q0ZRC0/ref=sr_1_3?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1420235742&sr=1-3&keywords=rollastand#customerReviews 



http://www.amazon.com/Haul-Master-Motorcycle-Wheel-Cleaning-Stand/dp/B006ZBCLJQ/ref=pd_sim_sbs_auto_3?ie=UTF8&refRID=1ZC5KYJ67B0QN7N4PAVC


Tire Cradle
 


http://www.etrailer.com/Accessories-and-Parts/Thule/853-5958.html