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Elevate

Inclusive Baby Change Table

3rd Year, 4 Months

Working in accessibility for the past six years, I noticed persons with disabilities are thought of in various areas including education, the workforce, and sports. However, one area that is only just being uncovered is parenting with a disability. Therefore, when I got the task of designing a product with a mechanism I knew I wanted to design for the disabled parent market.

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Research

User

Through interviewing a parent with a disability, the designer found users had difficulty with caring for their newborn babies. The conversation helped see what types of products already help parents and what is needed. Research helped cater the product to new parents with disabilities - see personas below.

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Ema

A new parent who uses a manual wheelchair. Wants to be independent in parenting but needs help occasionally.

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Eric

A new parent who is able-bodied and changes diapers in a standing posture.

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Mia

A new-born baby who needs to have their diaper change up to the age of 2 when they are 10 pounds.

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The sides can be folded down to transfer babies vertically.

Parents can wheel under the bassinet.

It is hard to find/research products for disabled parents.

Parents use support for some activities.

Parents need products to bring babies to wheelchair height.

Human Factors

Moving to human factors, change tables are usually used and rated up until the baby is typically age 2, or 13.6 Kg. This lead to researching different anthropometric data for the personas.

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Design Influence

The initial form was inspired by Nordic Design that has brought minimalism into product design with elements including:

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  • Natural colour.

  • Natural materials.

  • LightTexture.

  • Clean lines.

 

Different sustainable materials were also researched material as shown on the right.

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Recycled Aluminum

  • Corrosion-resistant and lightweight.

  • Uses 5% of extraction energy to melt and recycle

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Pressboard

  • Made from waste and recycled wood.

  • Can withstand heavy weights.

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Bamboo

  • Grows up to 1 meter a day.

  • Is lightweight, and strong.

  • Does not expand or contract relative to other wood.

Market Analysis

Looking at current products on the market, designers noticed that Baby Change Tables are either around $100 with no height adjust ability or $4,000 with electric height adjustment. Hence, height-adjustable tables were researched as they are cheaper (around $150) and use a manual height adjustment mechanism.

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Ideation

Initial Sketching

Sketching was used to ideate different ways the mechanism could work. This included both how the mechanism is controlled and how it travels up and down. Gears, wires/pulleys, and gas struts were considered to make the arms move. Both double and single-scissor configurations were investigated through this process.

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Use Contexts

Once ideas for a mechanism were constructed, anthropometric data was used to illustrate different user contexts. This really helped figure out what concept would work with the ergonomic constraints. In the end, a single scissor on top of a tall base worked the best for both seated and standing postures.

Prototypes

Using a laser cutter, mechanism prototypes were made. As shown in the first cardboard mockup, the top and bottom sections did not move in parallel in the first prototype. Through consultations, the sliding sections were moved and a middle pin was added to solve this problem - as shown in the Acrylic (blue) mockup. This finding through prototyping guided the rest of the project.

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Computer-Aided Design

Moving into SolidWorks, computer-aided design (CAD) modeling was used to digitally prototype different ways my mechanism could operate. Concepts included using gears, drive shafts, cranks, connecting rod, and pulleys. The Critical Project Drivers (CPD) was used to determine if each concepts fit with the project goals. The safety, ergonomics, and manufacturing of the product was carefully analyzed in this phase.

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Drive Shaft with Front Connecting Rod
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Easy to keep safe.

Ergonomic knee room.

Efficient to manufacture.

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Gears with Front Connecting Rod
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Easy to keep safe.

Ergonomic knee room.

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Efficient to manufacture.

Drive Shaft with Back Connecting Rod
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Easy to keep safe.

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Ergonomic knee room.

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Efficient to manufacture.

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Cable

Carefully considering design requirements, designers went back to the drawing board and used the space created by the padding. This facilitates a winch and pulley system which keeps the mechanism out of the way of users while making manufacturing less complex.

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Easy to keep safe.

Ergonomic knee room.

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Efficient to manufacture.

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Final Design

Looks Like Model

While considering aesthetics, a works-like model was manufactured to communicate the colour, material, finish (CMF) design. In addition, creating the form made designers realize the crank could be moved up to provide more knee room and create my final mechanism. This was a crucial turning point of the project.

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Works Like Model

To explore the physical properties of the design, designers made a works like model. This helped designers understand how the mechanism works on both sides of the table. The need component(s) to tie both sides together so they operate in tandem was a point of consideration.

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Rendering and Materials
Quality Insurence Protocol

Speaking of manufacturing, a quality insurance protocol was designed for future next steps of product development. Following the critical project drivers, this includes:

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  1. Ensuring the table moves down at a safe speed.

  2. Making sure the table height ranges from 67 cm to 100 cm.

  3. Testing to see if mechanism operates smoothly with minimal biological effort.

  4. Ensuring all parts assemble together with proper tolerances.

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Black-painted recycled PET

  • PET can have a circular life cycle.

  • Recycling of PET reduces environmental impacts.

  • Some waste is produced in product system due to material degradation.

Powder Coated (black or clear) Recycled Aluminum

  • Corrosion resistant and lightweight.

  • Uses 5% of extraction energy to melt and recycle.

  • Does require a lot of energy to produce virgin.

  • Powder Coating is Durable

Mineral Oil Finished Bamboo

  • Grows up to 1 meter a day.

  • Is lightweight, strong, and does not expand or contract relative to other wood.

  • Requires a lot of transportation to bring to North America.

Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) Fabric

  • Durable, waterproof, and chemical resistant.

  • Can be made out of recycled materials and is recyclable.

  • Can only be recycled at special facilities.

Webbed or Injection Molded Black Nylon

  • Strong in tensile applications.

  • Reduces friction in mechanism applications.

  • Recycling Nylon is Energy Intensive.

Packaging

As a minor project, packaging was created for shipping the product. Since the product is a large piece of furniture, flat packaging was selected to reduce the size of the table during transportation. Initial sketching helped determine that it would be beneficial to divide components into 3 boxes with spacers and supports.

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Appendix

Appendix A: Technical Drawings
Appendix B: Packaging Die Lines
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Appendix C: Critical Project Drivers
Anchor 1
Must Have

  1. Safety – be sturdy enough to accommodate a baby’s weight at 24 months (30 kg) without failing. The table’s height should be adjusted without exerting too much effort or pinching users. It should also have sides to prevent the baby from falling off.

  2. Anthropometry and Ergonomics – be able to accommodate users in seated and standing postures.

  3. Knee room should be given under the table for a wheelchair.

  4. Padding – a cushion should be included to place the baby on.

  5. Time to completion – project must be completed in 12 weeks by March 19, 2024.

  6. Mechanism – The product must incorporate a lifting mechanism that is easy to operate in a seated and standing posture.

  7. Manufacturing – Product should be straight forward to manufacture to keep costs low.

  8. Cost – product should have an MSRP between $100 and $200 CAD.

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Should Have

  1. Sustainability – the product must be made of sustainable materials and be designed for Longevity.

  2. Aesthetics – The form and materials used should follow the Scandinavian Design style.

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Nice to Have

  1. Accessories – product should have mounting points to attach other products.

Appendix D: Project Calender
References

AJ Products. (n.d.). Height-adjustable baby changing table NEIL. https://www.ajproducts.ie/school/tables-desks/baby-changing-tables/height-adjustable- baby-changing-table-799333-799331

Chapman, M., & Foster, N. (2006). Recycled Aluminum Chair. https://inhabitat.com/recycled-aluminum-20-06-chair-by-foster-partners/emeco-20-06-chair/

China Webbing. (n.d.). What are the Benefits of Nylon webbing? https://china-webbing.com/what-are-the-benefits-nylon-webbing.html

Essentra Components. (2018, April 17). When to use Plastic Washers. https://www.essentracomponents.com/en-gb/news/solutions/fastening-components/when-to-use-plastic-washers

Fairs, Marcus. (2009). Green design: Creative, sustainable designs for the twenty-first century. North Atlantic Books.
Frank, R. (2007). Ryan Frank Free-Range Furniture. http://www.ryanfrank.net/projects

Gosnell, J. (n.d.). Can PVC be recycled? A foolproof guide to PVC recycling: Clean River.
Hays, J., & Mason, B. (2023). What Is Scandinavian Style? The Spruce.

Little Canadian. (n.d.). Halo—Bassinest Glide—Plume. https://littlecanadian.ca/products/halo-bassinest-glide-plume?currency=CAD&variant=39353045450837&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=Google+Shopping&stkn=fb4502b45ebc&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAtaOtBhCwARIsAN_x-3JeQ7PdA53GXv_fUFSDPiYHUMYHmdS2U6sxNGZKHHgjzlVKKPhbzusaAjiKEALw_wcB

Morales, J. (2017). How to Stain and Finish Bamboo Plywood.

Osmo. (n.d.). Height And Weight Chart For Kids. https://www.playosmo.com/kids-learning/height-and-weight-chart-for-kids/#free-printable-height-and-weight-chart-for-kids

Paquet, V., & Feathers, D. (2004). An Anthropometric Study of Manual and Powered Wheelchair Users. International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, 33(3), 191–204. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ergon.2003.10.003

Pheasant, S., & Haslegrave, C. (2006). Bodyspace: Anthropometry, Ergonomics, and the Design of Work (Third). Taylor & Frances Group.

Prime Cables. (n.d.-a). Ergo Standing Desk Converter Height Adjustable Riser ADR for monitor 35”—Black. https://www.primecables.ca/p-357448-cab-mt101-all-sit-standing-height-adjustable-desk-ergo-riser-adr-for-monitor-26-35-wide-black-primecables#sku363437

Prime Cables. (n.d.-b). Manual Sit-Stand Height Adjustable All-in-One Standing Desk (Included Table Top). https://www.primecables.ca/p-398308-cab-pc-08368-manual-sit-stand-height-adjustable-all-in-one-standing- desk-included-table-top-primecables?from_pla=google&sku=430518&gclid=Cj0KCQiAqsitBhDlARIsAGMR1Rgq oZ-PW8AG3s10cs_3ccMW8Rph5fn4_kLbwgCi0zIZt3y3m7YiQ8AaAhQREALw_wcB#sku430518

Sadeghi, B., Marfavi, Y., AliAkbari, R., Kowsari, E., Borbor Ajdari, F., & Ramakrishna, S. (2021). Recent Studies on Recycled PET Fibers: Production and Applications: A Review. Materials Circular Economy, 3(1). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42824-020-00014-y

Sustainable Fassion. (n.d.). Sustainability of Nylon. https://sustainfashion.info/looking-at-the-sustainability-of-nylon-polyamide/

Tjaerby, H. (2006). HENRIK TJAERBY, a 21st century “Bamboo” diningtable for Artek Studio. Bukowskis and Artek Studio. https://www.bukowskis.com/en/auctions/F201/lots/1214915-henrik-tjaerby-a-21st-century-bamboo-diningtable-for-artek-studio


Twombly, C. (2023). PVC Vinyl Fabrics: What You Need to Know. Herculite. https://www.herculite.com/blog/pvc-vinyl-fabrics-what-you-need-to-know


Vogtländer, J., van der Lugt, P., & Brezet, H. (2010). The sustainability of bamboo products for local and Western European applications. LCAs and land-use. Journal of Cleaner Production, 18(13), 1260–1269. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2010.04.015


Walmart. (n.d.). Mobile Baby Changing Table, Wood Change Table Study Infant Diaper Changing Station with Soft Cushion. https://www.walmart.ca/en/ip/Mobile-Baby-Changing-Table-Wood-Change-Table-Study-Infant-Diaper-Changing-Station-with-Soft-Cushion/PRD58792JO9Y7MO?

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