1. Tricycle Frame Redesign Team Members: Fiona Hughes, Gina Policelli, and Jodie Wu

2. Overall Goals • Problems • Current frame design is too weak to support necessary weight and retain functionality in the given conditions • Current frames are “one size fits all” (not adjustable for user) • Current tricycles are too large to be used indoors or on public transportation • Difficult to make the frame • Goals • To improve on the design of the tricycle frames so that they are better suited and more convenient for the user • Increase…easier and cheaper to build and repair http://web.mit.edu/sp.784/www/projects.html

3. Functional Requirements • Strength: The trike frame should be strong enough to support the rider and some cargo. • Robustness: The trike should be robust, appropriate for the conditions it will be used in. • Easily Built and Repaired: It should be easy to make and repair, and the shops should be able to produce it with the tools they already have. • Manufacturable: The trike frame should be made from parts that are cheap and readily available. • Adjustable: The trike should be able to accomodate people of different ages, disabilities, and sizes. It should be easy to get in and out of. • Lightweight: The trike frame should be light and compact. • Low Cost: It should be affordable to produce and to buy.

4. Design Strategy: Symmetric Frame • Current Frame: Asymmetric • slows down the production process • difficult to repair • Inaccuracies in bending  takes time to adjust, inefficient • Proposed Strategy: • Create a design in which the right and left sides of the tricycle are identical • The new frame will be built with a single jig • Develop a design that increases the strength and stability of current tricycle • Advantages: • Increase production rate • New frame easier to repair • Eliminates the need to adjust jig for each side • Establishes uniformity and improves quality

5. Design Strategy: Use of Bike Frame • Current Frame: Built from scratch • All bending and welding is done by trike manufacturer • Only stock steel is used • Proposed Strategy: • Investigate the use of bike frame and integrating these parts into the overall design of the tricycle frame • Look into the unconventional use of common, readily accessible products (threaded pipe fittings, etc.) • Advantages: • Less welding • Less bending • Minimization of cost and manufacture time • Easy to build • Increases accuracy of manufacturing http://www.askadavid.org/photos/photos69/bicycle_with_tomatoes.jpg

6. Design Strategy:Adjustable • Current Frame: “one size fits all” • Frame is not adjustable • Does not cater to different people’s needs (different sizes, ages, and disabilities) • Proposed Strategy: • Adjust height of seat • Adjust distance from seat to hand crank • Create removable storage space/bin • Make a design that is scaleable to the user • Advantages: • More suitable and useful for different types of people • More functional and versatile for the user

7. Evaluation of Strategies

8. Chosen Strategy • Symmetric and Adjustable Frame • Symmetric: If the symmetric frame cannot be made, we will investigate how to make it easier to build while increasing strength. • Adjustable: If we cannot make the frame adjustable, we will at least make it scaleable for different users. • In order to accomplish this, we will work closely with the community partners and explore the possibilities.