PARAFOIL Recreational Watercraft for Paraplegics 2019 Thesis
1 in 5 paraplegics is depressed and is at a higher risk of suffering many mental and physical illnesses due to their disability. PARAFOIL addresses the lack of recreational activities for paraplegics and gets them out of their wheelchairs, active on the water and prevents the health related dangers paraplegics are plagued with.
Growing up sailing, being in and around the water for much of my adolescence I had first-hand experience of the positive effects water can have on humans. With my past experiences to guide me I looked to the water for answers and began my research into current solutions for paraplegics.
Research
Interviewing and watching footage of T-12 Paraplegic and 4x ISA World Adaptive Surfing Champion Bruno Hansen allowed me to develop a list of needs not met by current adaptive surfing solutions.
1. Legs tied together to keep them from falling off the board 2. Limited elbow support 3. Rudimentary hand holds 4. Getting down the beach into the water requires a large team of people 5. Surfers always rely on the surf conditions, no waves means no surfing.
Additionally I interviewed adaptive Surfers C.C. Roberts, Spike Kane, and Shad Eischen. Highlights from the interviews that I used to guide my design are below.
“Adaptive surfing gives me the same thrill as I surf the same powerful waves I surfed before I was injured. So it’s the thrill of the ride, speed and excitement.”
“I wish my board could get itself down the beach so I don’t have to drag it..!”
(Bruno Hansen, personal communication, October 22, 2018)
“I enjoy being in the ocean and just how free you are once you are on a wave.”
(C.C. Roberts, personal communication, October 30, 2018)
“Depending on the location getting in and out of the water is the greatest challenge.”
“People with disabilities are always facing accessibility issues. Think that is our biggest challenge.”
(Shad Eischen, personal communication, October 19, 2018)
“One of my favourite aspects of adaptive surfing is not being in my wheelchair but still being physically active”
“The simplicity of getting in and out of the water (is still missing from adaptive surfing).”
(Spike Kane, personal communication, October 27, 2018)
Additional research included qualitative and quantitative research on the side affects of spinal cord injury as well as current and future technologies.
Seated vs Prone
I Explored form as well as 2 different configurations: A seated position vs a prone position. Ultimately the prone position was chosen to develop further. The prone position offered a lower centre of gravity and in turn better stability, a key point for paraplegics.
Ergonomic Refinement
Once deciding on a seating position, an ergonomic buck made of Cardboard and pink foam was used to determine the critical dimensions of PARAFOIL.
Key take aways from ergonomic study:
Board length needed to be increased from 84’’ to 90’’ to accommodate for the height of 95th percentile male
Board width near the bow, adjacent the elbows to be increased from 20’’ to 32’’ to allow for adequate space for the elbows
Shape of handles allowed for good grip of both 5th percentile female and 95th percentile male users
Styling Refinement
Once deciding on a seating style, and realizing the ergonomic dimensions, I was able to move forward with the design and focus my efforts on the styling and aesthetics of PARAFOIL.
Sketch Model
A quick sketch models made once refining the design to allow me to visualize the design in 3D. I tweaked the shape of PARAFOIL slightly after completing the sketch model.
Final Concept Refinement
Final concept sketches, renders, and detail resolution.
Dolly Design
Once finalizing the design and dimensions of PARAFOIL, I designed the dolly around it. The dolly was to be controlled from PARAFOIL using the controls and touch instrument panel.
Features Breakdown
PARAFOIL’s final, refined design is a sleek, sporty watercraft designed around the needs of paraplegics.
1. Ergonomic handles with throttle. 2. Neoprene, weight sensing chest pad. 3. Raised rails keep legs on-board. 4. Removable battery. 5. Carbon fibre shell. 6. Digital instrument cluster displays speed, battery level, throttle and direction. 7. Silent electric motor and carbon fibre foil with carbon fibre and stainless steel mast. 8. Marine grade vinyl padding. 9. Battery and scissor lift motor in underside of dolly. 10. Beach wheels with hub motors.
Accessible Design
PARAFOIL’s accessible design allows paraplegics to get down the beach and into the water like never before via a height adjustable electric dolly and rotating foil unit.
1:5 Scale Model
The scale model was 3D printed by Agile Manufacturing and then sanded, primed, painted and assembled by me.
Thesis Show Exhibit
On April 17th 2019 I, along with 40 of my classmates showcased our thesis projects at the Ontario Science Centre. The Thesis Show was a chance to share our theses and the 8 months of hard work it took to get there. It was a great experience and I really enjoyed sharing my work with the judges and general public.
