Category: Fall 2021

Fall 2021

November 2022 Update

In the month of November, our team has moved to a different design that shows a laterally folding handrail system which boasts simplicity, integration, and ease of use. We have begun developing physical prototypes to showcase our concept, along with finalizing key details of our design. Our team first focused on completing a scaled down PVC model of our prototype. This was important to test the functionality and provide a physical model to present to our client.

After the completion of the PVC model, we begun doing static and stress analysis on our CAD model, where we learned of our design’s weak points and begun working on new solutions to those points.

We also began finalizing our procurement form and looked into ordering the necessary materials to build a full scale model. This model will only include one of the handrails and will show a full sized working model to present to our client, and provide next semester’s group a model to build on.

Fall 2021

October 2022 Update

In early October, we made a 3D CAD model of our design, in order to visualize the solution we are planning. We wanted to build a hand railing that had two parts and we could roll into place before the ramp was lowered. 

After creating this model, we critiqued the design and realized that there were some flaws. These included the fact we did not account for how best to keep the railing upright when pushed sideways. We also realized that setting up this type of handrailing would take a lot of effort from Legacy’s bus drivers and it would not be very efficient.

We went back to the drawing board and came up with a new idea that was more conducive to the situation:

This design features a railing that will be attached to points inside the bus. It folds in the horizontal direction and has the same angle as the ramp. This allows Legacy’s residents to easily use the handrail as they walk down the ramp, and it requires very little time for the bus drivers to set up. 

In the 3rd week of October, we went to visit the Legacy Senior Communities again, to speak with them about our design and get their thoughts and input. We also spoke with one of their bus drivers who was excited about the new design and was eager to see the residents be ale to regain some of their autonomy.

Simultaneously, our whole team has been working on training and gaining access to the Machine Shop and Fabrication Shop on campus, as well as the Makerspace, as we prepare to enter the prototyping stage of the design process.

Fall 2021

September 2022 Update

During the month of September, Our team has identified and solidified our problem statement, visited the Legacy Senior Communities, and settled on a design by using a decision matrix.

Our visit to the Legacy Senior communities allowed us to ask our clients key questions and take measurements of the bus that our design will be operated on.

We have begun to further develop the design and are beginning to lay out our ideas on CAD.

Fall 2021, Hand Rails

December 2021 Update

We are wrapping up the semester with a few short updates:

After meeting with the project sponsors and mentors, the team decided to push the expandable gate design for the rest of the semester. For the rest of November, the team made multiple considerations for key parts of the design, including the rotating operation for the gate, the locking mechanism for the gate, the attachment onto the ramp and the handrails themselves.

The team’s next step will be to develop a decision matrix to weigh each consideration. After meeting with the professors and project mentors, the team decided that the rest of the semester should be spent finalizing the design, including creating detailed drawings for each component. In doing so, stability and safety issues, like those encountered by the team in October, can be avoided for future semesters. Beginning next semester, the Legacy team should focus on verifying the bus measurements taken by the Fall 2021 team, developing CAD models and conducting stress analysis for material considerations.

Expanded Handrail System, with component details
Collapsed Handrail System, with details on handrail collapse
Illustrating “Double Door” concept for collapsed handrail at the top of ramp
Fall 2021, Hand Rails

November 2021 Update

The team is starting off the month with some major changes:

After the midterm presentation, we received some feedback regarding the stability of the current design; in particular, our professors and mentors expressed concern regarding the stress that would be put on the bus doors if we have the handrail extension attach to the existing handrails. After a few visits to the Plano campus of the Legacy Senior Communities, employees also made the team aware of instances where able-bodied residents walk off of the side of the ramp to avoid waiting on the person in front of them and injuring themselves. There have also been times when drivers cannot see the deployed ramp and run over it. With these issues in mind, the team began brainstorming ideas for redesign, including:

Building off of firetruck ladders and telescoping tubes, and attaching extending handrails on the panels located on the inside of the bus. The handrails extend in a similar way as the ladders; once extended, posts fitted with rubber stumps on the bottom will telescope out to increase stability.

Building off of expandable gates as another extending handrail concept. Like the previous idea, this will increase stability by having a continuous base on the ramp. With this design, the team can incorporate turnstile technology by allowing the design to move outward and inward like a gate that blocks the ramp when not in use.

Fitting the end part of the ramp with bases where detachable handrail posts can be placed. Tubes will then be attached to the posts via a T-shaped connector.

Creating a truss structure that will go under the existing ramp. Like the above design, this structure will have post bases on either side that the handrails can attach to.

Improving upon the current design and using a joint to attach the handrail to the bus doors. When not in use, the handrail can be rotated into the door to store it. This design was suggested by a bus driver because of the perceived sturdiness and stability of the door, though further analysis must be conducted to ensure that the door can handle such stress over a long period of time.

All five designs have their own benefits and issues. Throughout the next month, the team will work on developing detailed drawings that illustrate how each design operates, and creating a decision matrix that will establish criteria for choosing a new, final design. In the beginning of November, the team will present the ideas to our sponsors and gather feedback. Hopefully, we will be able to end the semester with a completed CAD assembly for the final design.

Fall 2021, Hand Rails

October 2021 Update

New semester, new team! The Fall 2021 team is following the previous team’s progress in the bus handrail project.

The team discovered that a final design has already been determined, and that CAD models have been designed. Knowing this, we promptly went to work on materials research. After meeting with our project mentors, we decided to proceed with the Spring 2021 team’s idea of using stainless steel telescoping tubes for the handrails and stand as the material can be welded onto the handrail attachment. Its no-rust property is also most suitable for exposure to outdoor conditions. Currently, we are looking at purchasing these tubes from Home Depot or Alcobra Metals. We have also contacted our project sponsor in preparation for a campus visit to gain exposure to the problem as well as verify the previous team’s measurements and design constraints.

This month, our goal will be to design the part of the handrail attachment that snaps to the bus’s existing handrail, which was left by the previous team for us to model. While that happens, we will also be working on developing technical drawings for the handrail and procuring materials in preparation for prototype manufacturing at the UTD machine shop.

Current Project Timeline