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Created CAD, wrote instructions and provided material recommendations to be able to build a ramp and modify the interior to make a Tesla Model X Wheelchair Accessible
Spring 2021 MAE 156B Sponsor Project
University of California, San Diego
Sponsored by Scott Carlson, UCSD Aerospace Engineering Ph.D. Candidate
Team: Sarah Litto, Ricardo Gonzalez, Candice Mallari, Haobo Huang, Aron Tran
CAD of our Ramp and Tesla Doorway
CAD of our Ramp and Tesla Doorway
Showcasing our Ramp on a 1:18 Scale Tesla Model X
Showcasing our Ramp on a 1:18 Scale Tesla Model X
About our Sponsor Scott Carlson
About our Sponsor Scott Carlson
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Scott is UCSD PhD Student in Aerospace Engineering. He was born with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) which limits his movement to only his hands and head.
Scott is a big fan of Iron man, was actually inspired to apply to Aerospace Engineering due to this. He owns a Golden Retriever named Stella, has three older sisters and enjoys to travel. He recently went to visit Iceland where he enjoyed great food and amazing landscapes. Scott also serves as a TA for Thermodynamic and Fluid Mechanic Courses at UCSD.
Scott's Current Vehicle
(Toyota Minivan)
vs
Scott's Dream Car
Scott's Dream Car
(Tesla Model X)
Scott's Issue
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Scott currently drives a Toyota minivan, however he is facing some issues with his current car. First his car is very clunky, large and heavy this makes it harder to drive for his caregiver as the weight makes it difficult to make turns. Also due it its heavy weight, the undercarriage rides lower making it scrape when passing speed bumps causing residual damage to the car. In addition, Scott would like to have a sportier car and the Toyota minivan just doesn't do it for him.
Our Solution
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For our Senior Design project our team created instructions to help Scott modify a Tesla Model X to be Wheelchair accessible. These instructions include:
CAD of a 50/50 foldable ramp
Materials list for the creation of the ramp
Recommendations for the motor, gearbox & torsion spring that power the ramp
Details on which seats need to be removed to allow Scott to reach the passenger seat & safely lock into place.
Therefore giving Scott a sleeker nicer car that is easier to drive and electric. One day when it is legalized, Tesla's self driving feature will offer a great opportunity, as it may allow Scott to travel without the help of his caregiver.
Our Ramp Prototype in Action
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Our team created a prototype of the ramp to show how the three bar linkage and the chain mechanism works. An example of the ramp folding up and out as well as a detailed description of how the ramp works is shown below.
IMG_0022.MOVRamp Folding Up
IMG_0033.MOVRamp Folding Out
Ramp starts in locked vertical position
Motor is engaged and ramp begins to extend out
Chain is pulled and starts to slowly lower second half
Ramp reaches final position and lays comfortably on the ground
Project Objectives
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In order to make the Tesla wheelchair accessible for Scott’s use and allow him safe and easy access to the Passenger Side, our team created instructions to:
Add an Entrance Mechanism:
Add an Entrance Mechanism:
Our team researched and constructed a foldable ramp with a three bar linkage and chain system to help lower and lift the ramp all being powered by a Motor and gearbox which we later reference in the materials recommendation tab. Making sure to also include a Mini Stationary Ramp for Scott's wheelchair due to the Tesla's doorway having a small lip.
Provide Entrance Mechanism Storage:
Provide Entrance Mechanism Storage:
Our team decided to go with a 50/50 foldable design in order to allow for vertical storage making sure we do not take up any extra space away from Scott. This design also allows for the driver to have visibility out of the back seat driver side window.
Allow for Maneuverability inside Car
Allow for Maneuverability inside Car
In order to allow Scott to maneuver around the car and arrive at his final destination of the passenger seat our team removed the passenger seat as well as the middle seat row.
Equip a Locking System
Equip a Locking System
In order to secure Scott in the passenger side of the vehicle we used an industry standard EZ lock wheelchair locking system, which attaches a drop pin underneath his wheelchair which slides into the locking base installed on the floor where a locking lever within the docking base locks him securely into place.
Final Designs
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To learn more about our final design, click here!
https://sites.google.com/eng.ucsd.edu/156b-team03-spring-2021/final-design
Summary of Improvements
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The addition of a Torsion Spring
The addition of a Torsion Spring
We based our ramp design on already existing models, however we improved on their design by adding a torsion spring. This would dramatically lower the amount of torque needed by the ramp. Ultimately lowering the cost of the motor that we would need to buy and also allowing the motor to be much smaller helping with storage.
Our main analysis performed for the project was the folding ramp analysis to determine the Torque required by the motor, the diagram of the 3 Bar Linkage and foldable ramps as well as their free body diagrams can be found below. The final picture shows the Quasi-Static Analysis ending up with 9 equations and 9 unknowns
Using Matrices in MATLAB we are able to determine the Torque required by the Motor which is approximately 90Nm. Which is helped by the addition of the torsion spring
Final Product Movie
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product4.mp4
Senior Project Day Video Presentation
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Final Recording.mp4Page updated
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