Introduction of the need knower

Following a stroke in 2022, Mr. Jari Lal Gurung's left half of his body is paralysed. In order to provide for his family, he began driving taxi last year. He can't shift gears easily because his fingers and thumb get tense. If he can have the device to support his finger it would be great help.

About his needs


Due to his functional limitation of his hand, he is not able to drive comfortably for longer duration. He face difficulties while shifting gear and holding onto gear for longer time as his thumb and fingers become tighter. 

Characters of Mr. Jarilal Grung

He has been attending occupational therapy for past 3 years and has been able to develop few skills required for his work that is driving a taxi.  He started driving taxi last year to support his family.

Activities to be targeted and their circumstances

In the transmission gear operations, pulling the shift lever in the backward direction is difficult. (Shifting into reverse gear is particularly difficult.) Create a gear-shifting self-help device to enable smooth gear shifting.

Why is the activity so difficult now ?

When the temperature is low, the index finger and thumb become stiff.
Thus, transmission gear operations, pulling the shift lever in the backward direction is difficult. Especially shifting into reverse gear. In the past, he has failed to change gears due to lack of strength in his hand.

Points to focus on in designing and production

Main points that we are focusing are:
  • Usage of flexible filament(TPU) to reduce the hand pain.
  • Customised dimensions to fit the user's hand.
  • Designing  to minimise the force to shift the gear. 
  • Designing ridges to increase the grip.
  • Designing hole to fit the knob directly to the lever 

References

Some of the references that we took is a real gear knob from the users car. 
From his experience he said he feel difficulties in shifting gear with actual knob.

Ideas


Phase 1

To make gloves for his thumb and index finger. This design’s objective is to make it easy for him to move his index finger and thumb. 
However, the plan couldn't proceed because, in the long run, his thumb and index finger would be stiff. This could result again to be difficult to move.

Phase 2

The plan was to create a top knob on top of the gear knob with the palm resting on the top and a supporting strip on top to hold the hand. The result of the plan was to make it easier for him to shift the gears while driving.

Phase 3

Making a top knob with the palm resting on top of the gear knob . To make it simpler for him to grip and release his hand,the prototype's supporting strip was cut away. In addition to the original idea, we considered fastening the knob directly to the gear lever for ease of use and longevity. 

Final Phase

We made a necessary changes regarding the design and the dimension. We also include gear reading on top for the best use and we also incluse hook for the gear knob.

Prototyping

Initial prototype

In the initial process we tried to prototype with the help of clay and we tried to test with the user to hear his suggestion 

prototype1

Final Prototype

prototype3

Challenges we faced while prototyping

  1.  Printing was challenging part because of power outage. We had to print for three times to get our first prototype.
  2. When trying to fit on the lever's tip, the printing broke, so it was originally completed while lying on its back. so printed on actual orientation.
  3. Printing time of TPU

Test

Then we tried to experiment the prototype we 3d printed with the user. 
After that our user was happy and was satisfied with the prototype. 

1 Prototype Test

We made the first prototype with the help of the clay and we tested with the Mr. Jari Lal Gurung. 

2nd Prototype Test

We did 2nd prototype test with Mr. Jari Lal Gurung, however it was not succesful and had to make necessary modifications.

Future plans


  1. Mass production
  2. Customize shifting knob with the threading system instead of press knob
  3. Heating system 

Feedbacks of the need knower

Some of the feedbacks are:
  • More comfortable compared to original gear knob 
  • Easier to shift the gear with less strength.
  • It has more grip and proper rest for thumb
  • It doesn't slip and can hold for a longer time.