2004-2005 National Student Design Competition: Accessible Weight Scale
Design Team:
Thomas Seacrist - Project Leader
Lindsay DiRomualdo
Gowhar Iravani
Matthew Carnavos
Binh Tran, Ph.D - Faculty Advisor
Objective:
To design and build an innovative, convienient, and low cost weight scale that meets the specifications
and needs of the clients listed below.
Specfications:
It must be easy to use while in a wheel-chair or while sitting and be convenient in a home setting.
The weight scales must be accurate to within 1/2 lbs. The prototype must make a measurement within
30 seconds and provide output in alternative formats.
Clients: Bruce - Bruce was born in 1960. He is an aerospace engineer and vehicle enthusiast who lives
with his wife and one cat. In 1999, he was involved in a serious motorcycle accident which
resulted in paralysis of his legs. Due to renal failure in 2003 he now needs to weight himself
everyday; he needs a convenient weight scale.
Joan - Born in 1919, Joan has raised 5 children and has many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Now a widow and living in a convalescent home with heart failure, she is relatively sedentary
and is fragile and weak.
Mary - Diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 1994, Mary's condition has declined steadily over
the past 10 years. Now age 50, she uses a walker and is able to stand without support for one
minute. She also has poor eyesight.
Lloyd - Lloyd, a retired pharmacist was born in 1926. Diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes in 1989,
Lloyd has poor eyesight and, due to poor diet and lack of exercise, is very overweight (400 lbs).
Sophia - Sophia was born in 1920 and emigrated to the U.S. from Poland in 1937. In relatively
good health, Sophia suffered a stroke in 2002. She had several small strokes in 2003, and now takes
heparin as a precautionary measure. She has limited right arm movement and walks using a cane.
Dave - Retired from the Navy in 1989 after a serious heart attack, Dave was diagnosed with
Type 2 diabetes in 2000. Dave has limited use of his right leg due to an injury sustained while
serving in the Navy. He uses a cane.
Wanda - Born in 1994, Wanda is deaf and has diabetes. Wanda weighs 80 lbs.
Bob - Born in 1956, Bob is blind and works as an accountant for the State of Connecticut.
His weight fluctuates a lot.
