1. Kimberly Gonzalez United Engineering & Technology Magnet
U Safe
Kimberly Gonzalez
United Engineering & Technology Magnet

2. Introduction Problem Statement Design Goal
Hard to get comfortable with a seatbelt
People make changes to seatbelt to get comfortable
Causes safety hazards
Design Goal
Develop a device that allows the passenger a comfortable option while in wearing a seatbelt
9 out of 10 people make adjustments to their seatbelt because it’s uncomfortable.
(According to a recent survey)

3. Introduction Deliverables Features Constraints ergonomic/ comfortable
compatible with different vehicles
meet safety standards
easy to install/ remove
adjustable to various sizes
portable
Constraints
2 month development time
compatible with different cars
adjustable to a variety of sizes
meets safety requirements
manufacturing cost < $100
easy to install
Deliverables
sketches
Power Point presentation
CAD drawing
functional model
final report

4. Investigation & Research

5. Questions
What part will ergonomics play in my solution? What human factors do I have to consider?
What should the dimensions of my product be? How can it be made as compact as possible?
How will the product be installed into the cars? How can this be made easy to install? How will it be compatible with different vehicles?
What are the safety requirements for car seat belts?
How can I make it easy to manufacture?
How will this product be able to be stored while not in use?
What is it supposed to look like or how will I make it aesthetic in order to conform to the style of the car?

6. Research Ergonomics Dimensions Female 5’4” /152 lbs. Male
Common sleeping position…”THE FETUS”
Types of Pillows
Travel Pillows- “U” shaped
Lower Back Support Pillows- support for the curve in the spine
Materials
Cotton- coolness
Wool- warmth
Leather- style
Memory Foam- molds to person’s shape
Dimensions
Female
5’4” /152 lbs.
Male
5’9”/ 180 lbs.
Cars
Seat ≈ 20 X 20 in
3- Point Seatbelt
length ≈ 20 X 47 in
width ≈ X 7.67 cm

7. Research Installation Storage Possible Installation Places
On the seat
On or near the headrest
On the seatbelt
On the door
Labeled in PINK
Storage
Possible Storage Places
Under the seat
Behind the driver or passenger seat
Labeled in GREEN

8. Research Safety Requirements Manufacturing
Maintenance, inspection, replacement or re- webbing of seatbelt every 2 years
Minimize bending stress in fitting
Straight angle when belt pulls away
Straps should not rub against surfaces
Belt is as short as possible
Fall below the shoulder
Manufacturing
High tolerance parts: less variation in dimensions
Plastics: easily formed, inexpensive
Metals: durable, expensive
Mechanical fasteners: joins two parts by locking them together,
Thermal bonding: joining two parts by melting adjacent areas----strong, distorts material
Computer Integrated Manufacturing
CAD
CAM

9. Research
Aesthetics
Possible interiors the product would have to conform to

10. Possible Solutions

11. Solution #1 Provides neck and head support while in a vehicle
Allows the passenger support for the neck and head while seating in a vehicle.
Provides neck and head support while in a vehicle
Attaches to the headrest by adjustable straps.
Relieves some of the stress placed on the neck when the neck is on one side for too long

12. Installation: requires removal of original headrest
Solution #2
A re-design a normal headrest into a device that can be multifunctional.
This headrest will be formed in a “U” shape
Folds down and locks into the desired position.
The sides of this device will also be able to be adjusted to the desired length.
Installation: requires removal of original headrest

13. Provides support to the neck and head on the desired side.
Solution #3
Provides support to the neck and head on the desired side.
Added to either side of the headrest
Attached to the headrest by adjustable straps
Alleviates stress on the neck and head

14. Choosing a Solution

15. Decision Matrix Solution #1 had the HIGHEST POINTS however…. 5 5 \25
Criteria
Weight
Solution #1
Solution #2
Solution #3
Safety 5
\25
\20
Ergonomic
\15
Easy to Install 3
\15 \9
Durable 2 \8
\10
Removable 1 \5 \3
TOTAL
\73
\67
\63
Solution #1 had the HIGHEST POINTS
however….
FINAL DESIGN….
SOLUTION #2

16. Project Timeline The time frame for this product was 2 months.
Project: U Safe
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Define a Problem
Preliminary/Market Research
Created Feature Matrix
Develop Design Brief
Brainstorming For Solution Ideas
Research & Investigation
Developing Possible Solutions
Choose a Solution
Design Proposal
Make Design/Develop Prototype
Test Design/Suggest Tests
Final Report
Final Presentation
The time frame for this product was 2 months.

17. Development Work

18. Final material for cushion
Materials
Possible Materials
Polystyrene Beads
Molds into the contours of the passenger’s body
Memory Foam
Molds in to the person’s shape in the presence of body heat
Very dense
Final material for cushion

19. Additional Parts Additional Parts
Hinges will be fastened tight-- allows the passenger the option of widening the “U” shape.
Two rods connect to a hinge-- allow the headrest to bend down.
Two rods will be inserted underneath the rod with the openings--adjust to the desired width depending on the seat.

20. Dimensions Dimensions of the headrest: 9.8 X 10.23 X 2 inches.
Cushion: 2 inch width

21. Two metal rods contain ¼” screw
Installation
Two metal rods will need to be adjusted to the desired width
Rods will be inserted through the second horizontal rod.
Metal fasteners that will be screwed into the rods to secure the two rods in place
Two metal rods contain ¼” screw

22. Installation Bend the headrest down to use as a neck rest
Adjust the two rods to the needed width
Insert lower into the seat to adjust height
Can widen the “U” shape to desired length
Can bend back up into original position

23. Testing & Evaluation Testing Evaluation Installation & Assembly
Field Tests– testing the ergonomics of the product
Laboratory Tests– testing the safety of the product
Crash tests for automobiles
Evaluation
This product met all of the criteria.
Installation & Assembly
became more difficult than originally envisioned.

24. Recommendations & Future Work
More aesthetically pleasing
Accurate dimensions for installation purposes
Future Work
Construct a prototype
Factor in aesthetics to the final design

25. Thank You!
ANY QUESTIONS?