Dimensional Rig
Following the success of the first Government R&D Grant aided Project, we successfully bid for a further £250k R&D Grant, with learning and experience from the first, this pathway to an Advanced Prototype was part of the exploitation plan. The Second Project was shaped by the alignment with Blackwood Homes, their strategic intentions and targets, our key person there, Colin Foskett had opened our eyes to what was achievable, our washing machine was seen as a functional necessity for the Blackwood plan to build 6 accessible houses in Dundee.
The Bid was successful, and we were now to manage a £250k Project, which was more comprehensive, better defined and significantly more challenging than the first project.
Testing
Tests showed that a tangential fan, mounted directly beneath clothes, provided the best airflow and positive disturbance, the new location simplified the cabinet design, the solution was a 24v waterproof motor and a compact heating / condensing solution, that would be encased in a watertight enclosure. We switched to 24v DC for all in-cabinet components, as this improved safety, removed risk and complexity, the wide range of robust, affordable 24v DC components supported this decision, including water pumps, here showing the spray footprint.
Your support and funding will allow us to:
To purchase and commission 3D printers to make the washing machine, so we aren’t dependent on expensive parts from custom manufacturers and reduce development time and costs.
Protect the IPR, so we can choose to License or Manufacture, without selling ourselves to the first bidder and letting us reinvest in our product.
Dimensions
Blackwood provided a Strathclyde University report on typical physical constraints of wheelchair users, the ‘Reach Report’, Echo Brand Desing used that as the bounds of useability and a free rein for a dimensional model of the washing machine, user feedback suggested rotating the hangers through 90 degrees as more user friendly.
The fantastic designs looked like nothing else then and still look like nothing else now, the designs were subject to robust reviews from the ever growing network of partners and stakeholders.
Exterior design
Echo Brand produced 2 variants, with unique qualities, whilst achieving the useability requirements. The Stakeholder feedback determined there were elements of both to be kept, Echo Brand melded the most favoured features, this is the defined face of Brompton Washscape. All the wheelchair users requested that the door slid to one side, providing unrestricted access to the cabinet.
E3design then produced a Dimensional version, here, used to launch the Project at Blackwood events, the second rig was taken to demonstrate the concept and functionality.
How your pledge could impact our research
Without funding or investment, we can’t deliver this revolutionary product, which has the potential to transform the lives of wheelchair and limited mobility users around the world.
IPR
The Pedal Hanger was granted an EU Design Registration, based on its unique features and functions, further adding to the IPR portfolio. Another of the Echo Brand hanger designs was progressing through the IPR process, the Fold Out, which had a multi-function centre rail. This allowed one hanger to hold large or small shirts or skirts from the top frame, or trousers from the centre rail in the folded position
Testing
The Blackwood Scrutiny groups with wheelchair users, tested heights, interfaces and dimensions. The e3design model was launched in Edinburgh, at a Blackwood Board meeting, an open invitation was made to all Blackwood Customers, Carers and Staff, to look, see and touch the rigs and give invaluable feedback. Electro mechanical testing also took place, to support the real estate management of critical components and functions.
Exploitation
The Blackwood 2015 AGM was truly ambitious, they built a complete mock-up of the internal structure of one of their Dundee Adaptive houses inside Edinburgh’s Dynamic
Earth facility, the dimensional rig took a central position in the kitchen set up.
We took the lightweight rig and sample hangers to replicate further tests, demonstrating the full door opening and superb access. We supported National and Local Media Briefings to great effect, to demonstrate the joint nature and mutual beneficial development process.
