Adam Houghton

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University of Nottingham > Engineering > Departments > Mechanical, Materials and Manufacturing Engineering > PDM Exhibitions > 2024 > MEng students > Adam Houghton

Designing a solution that empowers wheelchair-bound users and individuals with limited dexterity/mobility to achieve greater freedom and independence when transferring in and out of bed.

Hi, I am Adam Houghton, an MEng Product Design and Manufacture (PDM) student at the University of Nottingham with a year in industry. I have always been curious about how things work, leading me to study PDM.

I chose PDM because it perfectly blends creativity with engineering. I have learned how to design cost-effective, production-ready products through modules like Design for Manufacture and put these into practice through our individual and group design projects.

My internship at Gripple was a game-changer. I helped transition products to recycled materials, saving money, and reducing our carbon footprint. I also led the design process for a new product (The Sway Brace), from concept through to production and sales. This achievement filled me with immense pride, representing the culmination of years of hard work. Witnessing a fully tangible product materialise before me at the end of my placement year was an incredibly satisfying moment.

I take pride in using digital design tools like CAD and rendering software, which help me bring ideas to life. Proficiency in Solidworks, Creo, and Keyshot allows me to create designs that are both visually appealing and functional.

Looking ahead, I want a career that combines my technical skills with my creative vision. I am excited about roles in innovative product development and sustainable design, aiming to create efficient and user-friendly products.

Adam Houghton, MEng Product Design and Manufacture

Digital portfolio

Bed Transfer Device

Brief:

Current bed transfer hoists often fail to address user independence, dignity, and aesthetics. This can lead to feelings of being a burden on caregivers and a loss of autonomy for the user.

Therefore, the task was to “design a solution that empowers wheelchair-bound users and individuals with limited dexterity/mobility to achieve greater freedom and independence when transferring in and out of bed.” The solution should have a contemporary aesthetic that allows the product to be unobtrusive in modern homes.

Manufacturing quantities: 10,000 units per year

Major standards to comply to: ISO 10535:2021

Solution:

This project introduces a stationary bed transfer device requiring no prior room infrastructure for assembly. The aesthetically designed chassis conceals internal components, minimising the product's visual impact within a modern home environment. Customisable colour options further ensure seamless integration.

The stationary nature of the bed transfer device offers a key advantage for wheelchair users. It allows them to independently access the device whenever needed, effectively extending their window of autonomy when getting in and out of bed. This feature empowers users to take greater control of their daily routines, fostering a sense of independence and improving their overall well-being.

The chassis incorporates a robust 304 stainless steel internal structure, exceeding the 120kg load rating mandated by ISO 10535:2021 with a 2:1 safety factor.

The device utilises a lifting column actuator (407.7kg capacity) for vertical user movement with bending moment resistance. A separate pulley and stepper motor system powered by a dual-rail system (each rail and roller rated to 907kg) facilitates horizontal movement, further resisting bending forces.