Utvecklingsprojekt Easy Load

Sammanfattning

In order to increase the independence in everyday life of the elderly population, we have developed a lifting aid for loading in the private car trunk. Independence from outside assistance affects self-esteem in a positive direction and can help increase the quality of life for a large group of individuals. As people age and experience changes in performance, it is important that aids and support is available, particularly to reduce the experience of aging and it’s increasing physical limitations. The aim was to develop a function prototype characterized by simplicity, which facilitates loading of the private car

trunk.

The project was conducted at the request of Autoadapt AB, which is one of the leading

actors in car adaptations for individuals with disablilities. A function prototype of the product Easy Load has been produced through dynamic product development and its

various tools. In an attempt to meet the requirements of simplicity and ease of use,

concepts such as universal design and usability affected the project.

In order to find a user need that could form the basis of the project, proceedings began

with a pre-study that included observations and group interviews of members in a

pensioner club in Halmstad. The Product development work continued with several

brainstorming sessions with participants from a number of the university's engineering

programs. Ideas from the sessions, together with the results from the benchmarking,

formed the basis for final product design and function. A key requirement was that the

product could be fitted in sedan car models with easy grips and without any permanent

fixings.

Construction of the prototype was made mostly in the University’s mechanical

workshop, using both self-constructed and sourced components. Stress and installation

testing and risk analysis pursuant to FMEA highlighted deficiencies that the project

group sought to adjust. In cases where this did not happen, the project group made

concrete improvement proposals to simplify further development.

This project shows that lifting aids products without permanent fixings are possible to develop for use in sedan car models. Specific product criteria have been met through a designed function prototype for loading in the private car trunk.