Design Process and Technology Implementation for Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles
Cullingham, Peter
Date: 3 September 2012
Publisher
University of Exeter
Degree Title
MPhil in Engineering
Abstract
This thesis follows the design process of a safety restraint for a wheelchair
occupant travelling in a passenger vehicle. The introduction of design
processes and technologies that are new to the GM Coachwork they were
established into the company is also documented.
Seven design concepts were created for the wheelchair occupant ...
This thesis follows the design process of a safety restraint for a wheelchair
occupant travelling in a passenger vehicle. The introduction of design
processes and technologies that are new to the GM Coachwork they were
established into the company is also documented.
Seven design concepts were created for the wheelchair occupant safety
system. These underwent varying levels of development, from 3D CAD
models to physical mock-ups and included a number of FEA studies. These
concepts were then evaluated against each other and a concept chosen to
take forward for further development and physical testing.
3D CAD technology was introduced to GM Coachwork by demonstrating its
capabilities by a number of case studies. These showed where and how the
technology could be used specifically for GM Coachworks requirements. The
wheelchair occupant safety restraint project followed closely the development
of the design process. A Products Design Specification was introduced and
used with this project, 3D CAD and FEA was an integral part to the products
development and evaluation techniques such as matrix analysis was used at
various places within the design process.
By the end of the project a final product had been finalised, physical testing
had been completed and the product presented to the staff within GM
Coachwork. The design process had been tested and some
recommendations and changes suggested and put in place to better suit GM
Coachworks requirements.
MPhil Dissertations
Doctoral College
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