Development of a Foldable Seating Device Useful in Public Places

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ISSN : 2319 – 3182, Volume-1, Issue-2, 2012

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Development of a Foldable Seating Device Useful in Public Places

Amol M. Kolhe&Samir J. Deshmukh

CAD/CAM Mechanical Engineering Department, PRMIT&R, Badnera (Amrawati), M.S., India-444701

E-mail : [email protected], [email protected]

Abstract - It is often found that there is inadequate seating in various public and private spaces. So, more than likely, people are left standing for extending periods of time while waiting in line, waiting for public transportation like bus, train, waiting at entertainment and spectator venues, and similar situations. Extending standing, while unpleasant for most, is often not recommended for certain groups, such as the elderly or those with chronic conditions.

This paper relates to a foldable, a portable stool, and more particularly, to a portable stool that can be carried in a compact manner and utilized in situations of inadequate seating.

Study Objective of this paper is that we can provide some means to the elderly people or those with chronic conditions.

Who do not get seat in the train/buses/public places should be beneficial. Also one can use it anywhere at their own will.

This paper relates to foldable/ portable stools and has its general objective to produce a device of such a kind which is of compact nature when folded or in inoperative position and is of strong and sturdy character when open or operative.

FUTURE SCOPE OF THIS DEVICE:-

1. Useful to the elderly or those with chronic conditions or any one at

2. In public places such as gardens.

3. In trains/buses.

4. Waiting places such as bus stop/stations or at railway stations.

5. At any places where user wants to seat.

Keywords –survey, concept development, prototyping and testing, optimization.

I. INTRODUCTION

It is often desirable to have a foldable and portable stool that may be easily transported from one place to another and used in a variety of outdoor conditions. It is also convenient to provide a portable stool that may be reduced to a small size for ease of carrying and storage. Folding stools have been developed in the past. This foldable stool has a triangular shaped seat. This Stool inspired by hood of a “cobra”. This design has a good Aesthetic value, Space optimization and Ergonomic features like back rest, palmer grip, appropriate seat width and seat height.

Proper fixtures, cable supports are going to add more robustness to the design.

II. LITERATURE REVIEW

A most vital problem faced by most of the Indian people while traveling in the trains is not getting seat also in public places such as gardens, cinema waiting hall etc.; extending standing, while unpleasant for most, is often not recommended for certain groups, such as the elderly or those with chronic conditions. It simply attracts the entire engineer to look forwards for getting seat. Most pronounced reason for not getting seat is found that, the tremendous increase in population of India. Thus not getting seat is most severe problem for most of the people.

1) A foldable stool with legs and separated braces that extend from and are pivotally attached to the hub fig. (1). When the stool is unfolded, the legs are retained in their normal, load supporting positions by angularly disposed edges on their minor portions and the seat braces are also retained in their normal, load supporting positions. The legs can be folded to overlap the seat

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10 braces so that the stool can be folded the length of the legs or seat braces, whichever are longer.

Fig. 1 : Design Process Plan III. PROBLEM RECOGNITION

Identify where the need exists, what it is, and validate the need. In this case it is about finding out the problems associated with the current foldable seating for individuals. As much as information need to be studied to understand the problem in detail so as to solve it.

IV. PROBLEM STATEMENT

A problem well stated is virtually half solved.

Therefore it is therefore important to arrive at a precise and concise problem statement. After studying the problem at hand in detail, the problem statement is formulated.

V. PROBLEM ANALYSIS

Problem analysis involves getting all the specification of input and output states, with the

restrictions and the constraints on the solutions. A detailed survey is done to get the user feedback, demands and wishes. Prior art study needs to be completed with all the existing related products. And the existing patents will be studied for the idea generation.

VI. IDEA GENERATION AND SELECTION Possible ideas for solving the problem are listed down using specific techniques. There are many structured methods available for this. Based on the concepts generated, all of them are subjected to evaluation for the best one. The evaluation and decision making on the concepts also follow structured techniques.

VII. CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT

Based on the generated ideas, workable concepts are generated. There are structured methods available for this. Each concept should at least satisfy the basic demands from the product.

VIII. CONCEPT EVALUATION

Out of the various concepts developed, the best one is selected on basis of various parameters using evaluation techniques. Based on the concepts generated, all of them are subjected to evaluation for the best one.

The evaluation and decision making on the concepts also follow structured techniques.

IX. PROTOTYPING AND TESTING

The selected concept is to be prototyped and tested.

The best possible way of making the product is found out and the concept will be made. The Prototype will be made, keeping in mind, considerations like quality, safety, environment etc.

X. FUTURE PLANS AND LESSONS LEARNED The future plan for the product to be made and marketed is made in advance. The Lessons learned from the project is also noted for helping in the design and manufacture of the further iterations.

XI. FOLDABLE SEATING FOR INDIVIDUALS I used to travel by trains from Akola to Bandera, most of the time I did not get seat. And many people too. Suddenly I thought about this product that should be foldable [1], easily operable for the seating purpose that can be used at anytime and anywhere.

XII. CURRENT SCENARIO

Today most of the furniture is weighted, not fully foldable, not easily carried in journey. Most of the companies are making such products. But few are

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11 making such a product that is easily foldable, compact. I have searched such product. I gone through it and most of them are foldable, compact. In foreign countries this product is used. But in India it is not yet accepted. The people are unaware of such product that is very useful to the senior citizens. I made a survey regarding the foldable seating device. None of them is using such a device. But I think here is much potential.

XIII. PROBLEM RECOGNITION

It has observed that there are so many areas where we can make so many changes in the existing product.

[5] This leads to the new product design which is useful at any places and at any time for seating. Most of the people not using such product but they are wanting such product for their use. [6]

XIV. PROBLEM STATEMENT

“Design and development of a multipurpose, light weight, compact, foldable seating for individuals”.

XV. SURVEY AND PRIOR ART ANALYSIS Product Life Cycle

Parts and Materials TABLE-I

Part Name Material used Material properties

Body Plastic- PVC,

Steel pipe

Easily availability, cheap ,easy to mass

manufacture

Seat Metal, wood,

fabric

Good aesthetics, comfort of posture, good tactile steel fittings Plastic, steel,

brass

Hassle free, noiseless and easy relative motion

Fig.1 to 5. Shows the pie charts of the survey done on the existing seating device.

Fig. 2

Fig. 3

Fig. 4

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12 Fig. 5

Fig. 6

XVI. CONCEPT DESIGN

I have made some concept design sketches regarding the seating device which are shown in the figure no 7 to 11. Out of which fig no 11 is selected for the development according to the easy of design, fabrication.

[1]

This design has a good aesthetic value, space optimization and Ergonomic features like back rest, palmer grip, appropriate seat width and seat height. [3]

Proper fixtures, cable supports are going to add more robustness to the design. [4]

Fig.7

Fig.8

Fig. 9

Fig. 10

XVII. MATERIAL SELECTION A. Stainless Steels

Stainless Steels are iron-base alloys containing Chromium. Stainless steels usually contain less than 30% Cr and more than 50% Fe. They attain their stainless characteristics because of the formation of an

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13 invisible and adherent chromium-rich oxide surface film.

This oxide establishes on the surface and heals itself in the presence of oxygen. Some other alloying elements added to enhance specific characteristics include nickel, molybdenum, copper, titanium, aluminum, silicon, niobium, and nitrogen. Carbon is usually present in amounts ranging from less than 0.03% to over 1.0% in certain martensitic grades. Corrosion resistance and mechanical properties are commonly the principal factors in selecting a grade of stainless steel for a given application.

Why Stainless Steel?

There are a large number of stainless steels produced. Corrosion resistance, physical properties, and mechanical properties are generally among the properties considered when selecting stainless steel for an application. A more detailed list of selection criteria is listed below:

Corrosion resistance Resistance to oxidation and sulfidation

Toughness Cryogenic strength Resistance to abrasion and erosion

Resistance to galling and seizing

Surface finish Magnetic properties Retention of cutting edge

Ambient strength Ductility

Elevated temperature Strength

Suitability for intended cleaning procedures Stability of properties in service

Thermal conductivity Electrical resistivity Suitability for intended fabrication techniques XVIII. CAD (Modeling)

The selected model is generated on the CAD software Catia V5 R 17.Which is shown in the fig.11.

This model is having foldable legs. The main leg is having hinge at the center of the leg for folding purpose.

Fig.11

XIX. 1.17. CAE (Analysis)

The selected model is generated on the CAD software Catia V5 R 17 is then analyzed by using the same software which is shown in the fig.12

Fig.12 XX. CONCLUSIONS

The use of this device allows user to seat comfortably in the public places. This mechanism is simple, inexpensive, easy to fabricate in mass production and safe.

XXI. ACKNOWLEDGMENT

The author would like to thank Dr. Samir J. Deshmukh for his valuable guidance. Time to time inspiration of him boosted me to complete this thesis.

XXII. REFERENCES

[1] Peter Brand and Guenther Haefner Folding adjustable work stool Stuttgart, Germany Apr. 1979, U.S. Patent No – 4,148,523 (Invited paper)

[2] Anderson Folding adjustable work stool Stuttgart, Germany oct. 1931, U.S. Patent No – 1,826,643 (Invited paper) [3] Sheldon Folding adjustable work stool Stuttgart, Germany

oct. 1938, U.S. Patent No – 2,133,047 (Invited paper) [4] Gebhard Folding adjustable work stool Stuttgart, Germany

nov. 1976, U.S. Patent No – 3,989,173 (Invited paper) [5] Mats Gustafsson Foldable stool Sweden, Dec. 1998, U.S.

Patent No – 5,851,052 (Invited paper)

[6] Anderson Collapsible Support Frame for Furniture Cary, U.S. Jun. 2008, U.S. Patent No – 7,384,097 B2 (Invited paper)

XXIII. THEME OF PAPER

This paper basically deals with the portable, foldable seating device which is easy to carry anywhere and is very much useful for the elderly persons who do not get seat while traveling or at public places. By reading this paper one should get the idea about the foldable seat.