1. Team 7: Automated Retracting Coaster (ARC) Slide
National Science Foundation
Katrina Toce
(860)
BME 4901 Final Presentation
By: Hillary Doucette, Stephen Kustra
& Sarmad Ahmad
Steve, Hillary, Sarmad

2. Overview
ARC Slide Ramp
ARC Slide Platform
Steve
ARC Slide Car

3. The Client Client: Joey Toce Condition: Cerebral Palsy
Joey testing the car and slide.
Client: Joey Toce
Six years old.
42” Tall.
35 pounds.
Condition: Cerebral Palsy
Interests: Outdoor activities
Car seat fitted for his body.
Needs multiple harnesses to help maintain upright posture.
Sarmad

4. Introduction: The Project
Purpose: To design and build a coaster slide that Joey can safely enjoy outdoors.
Constraints:
Joey has limited motor control.
Back strain for the parents/operators.
The car must be able to retract back to the top automatically.
Hillary

5. Related Products Step 2 “Extreme Coaster”
US Patent # 5,505,663: Self- operable transfer system.
Sarmad
US patent #4,865,312: Recreational device for physically disabled children.

6. Features Winch motor with free spooling setting
Lift motor and actuator
Tower light indicator
Wireless remote control
Photoelectric sensor
Track on platform
10ft long ramp
Emergency power switch
Lift and Release Mechanisms
Ramp
Steve

7. Features con’t. Automated winch hook release. Battery powered (12V DC)
Car with three separate harnesses.
Winch Hook Release
Sarmad
Car
Harnesses

8. Electrical system’s printed circuit board
The Electronics
Motors wirelessly controlled using a 4 channel RF transmitter and receiver.
40 pin PIC (16F874A) is used as the controlling unit.
Microcontroller has 6 inputs :
4 inputs from the wireless receiver
1 input from the photoelectric sensor
1 input from the position switch
Electrical system’s printed circuit board
Hillary
4 Button Remote Control

9. Control box with motor drivers and wireless receiver.
The Electronics
Motors are powered by a 12V 30A-hr battery.
A 12V-24V DC step-up converter is used to power the 24V LED light using a 12V signal from the DC battery.
Transistor switches are used to amplify or stabilize the output signals.
Control box with motor drivers and wireless receiver.
Battery Box and plug
Hillary
Red, Yellow, Green LED tower light.

10. The Photoelectric Sensor
Powered by 12V DC power supply.
Sends signal to winch motor to stop when the infrared light beam is blocked by car wheel.
Prevents car from being pulled back too far.
Sarmad

11. The Winch Motor Purchased from TRAC
½ horse power, 12V DC supply voltage.
Free spooling ability.
When the photoelectric sensor is not triggered, winch can be powered in forward or reverse.
When the sensor is triggered, winch remains off.
Hillary
Winch and spring hook attachment

12. The Lift Motor ½ horse power. 12V DC input.
Lift motor mounted on platform underside.
½ horse power.
12V DC input.
Controlled by the wireless remote.
Motor will turn on when the photoelectric sensor is triggered.
It will turn off once the limit switch is triggered.
Lift motor attached to actuator to lift rear platform track.
Lift Mechanism
Steve

13. The Car Modified frame of old gait trainer.
Carrie Seat obtained from NEAT marketplace.
Custom sewn navy vinyl seat cover.
Nylon harnesses included with the seat.
Foot harnesses with Velcro straps.
Side panels made of polyurethane and covered with Plastic spray paint.
7 inch wheel diameter with plastic hub and outer rubber tread.
Padded arm rests covered with nylon.
Steve

14. The Platform 35inches high.
Frame made of pressure treated lumber and decking made of composite wood.
The front of the platform track is hinged with 2 10” T-hinges.
Side rails to prevent tipping off platform.
Steve

15. The Track 10ft long. Made of pressure treated wood.
Aluminum and wood flares at the end to help guide wheels while retraction.
Able to detach from platform by removing ¾” pins.
Steel plate at platform interface to attach to platform.
Sarmad

16. Budget Budget Initially: $1,385.00 Second Budget: $1,685.00
(I will do this in the morning)
Budget
Budget Initially: $1,385.00
Second Budget: $1,685.00
New motor controllers, PCB, wireless module.
Total Expenditures: $
Remaining : -$74.32
Sarmad

17. Acknowledgements Dr. John Enderle – UCONN BME Director
James Paolino – UCONN BME Graduate Student
The Toce Family
National Science Foundation
Serge Doyon, Pete Glaude, Rich Bonazza – Uconn Machine Shop
Jennifer Desrosiers, Kerrie Wenzler, Lisa Ephriam
Eric Leknes
Ray Kustra
Mike Doucette

18. Questions?