MACH-0: Elderly Fall Protection Device (2024)
MACH-0: Elderly Fall Protection Device (2024)
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A senior year, semester long design project, this was a prototype of a reusable fall protection device aimed at reducing hip injuries among seniors. The device utilizes spring steel arches to absorb and redistribute impact forces, achieving a force reduction of 50% ± 20% compared to the 20% benchmark of existing passive foam pads. With inspiration for the design coming from collapsible toy balls such as the Phlat Ball, the prototype remains in a flat, stored state then deploys into its expanded state once the beginning of a fall is detected. The device featured a solenoid and buckling rod release mechanism allowing for full deployment in less than 0.2 seconds. The design also incorporates 3D-printed baseplates with guide slots to constrain and control movement of the spring steel leaves and buckling rod system. Testing included dynamic impact simulations using a drop tower, pendulum setup, and motion tracking with results confirming the device’s effectiveness in mitigating forces. The prototype was designed for scalability, with potential future applications as a lightweight, wearable fall protection solution customizable for various body weights. This project culminated in USC's AME Senior Design Project Expo featuring over 40 teams presenting to industry professional, USC faculty and staff, and fellow students.
Stott, Casey - MACH-0 - Poster.pdfStott, Casey - MACH-0 - Exploded View.pdfGoogle Sites
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