Human-Centric Design for a Handheld Sewing Machine
Engineering Design (spring 2022)
Problem Statement:
Emily has the problem that independently completing sewing projects, big or small, is challenging. Our solution should reduce the effort for Emily to sew, make the process safer for her, and allow her to gain the confidence that she can complete her sewing projects with minimal help.
Solution:
Suction Cups:
Allows Emily to stick the machine onto the table so that it doesn’t slide, and then she can just move the cloth through the machine instead of maneuvering the machine herself.
This solution ensures that she is better able to sew in a straight line.
This solution makes it less likely for her to drop the machine due to its weight.
Handle with Grip:
The handle with grip allows Emily to transport the machine easily. It will not fall even her hand shakes because of the grips, and because its circumference is smaller than the actual machine it will be easier for her to hold with one hand.
On/Off Button:
This makes sure that the lock/unlock is engaged at the appropriate time without too much effort.
Our luck/unlock is just a simple push button instead of a slider like on the original machine which would be hard for Emily to use due to the additional thumb strength required.
Unlike the original machine, Emily will not have to hold down on the button in order to use the machine. She simply has to press on and it will start, and then off for it to stop.
This requires her to use less force.
The button is also large so it is easy to press and she won’t miss even if her hand shakes.
Who is our Customer?
Name: Emily
Age: 24 year old
Female (she/her/hers)
She has cerebral palsy.
Has balance and coordination problems.
Hands and arms shake.
Has trouble carrying objects over 2 lbs.
She rents a small apartment in a 12-unit complex in Salem.
She graduated from high school and is currently working on a college degree in graphic design.
She is comfortable with technology.
When she is outside of her apartment she uses a motorized wheelchair.
When in her apartment she uses an ultra-lightweight manual wheelchair.
She has a black lab service dog who helps with emotional support and picking up small objects she has dropped.
She wants to do things for herself including fixing things around her apartment.
Framing the Design Problem
Safety Issue and Risks:
Sewing machine is handheld: requires the user to keep their hands extremely stable.
Inability to do so because of hand tremors may result in a hand getting caught in a stitch or underneath the needle.
Also will not be able to sew in a straight line.
Must use thumb to operate the on/off and lock/unlock switches:
Requires significant control over the machine and strength in your thumb.
Due to Emily's hand tremors she may be unable to do this.
If the lock is not engaged at the right time that could be dangerous.
Machine is about 2 lbs.
Emily also struggles to lift objects that are 2 lbs.
Risk of dropping the machine on her foot and injuring herself.
Down Selection
Since the click on/off, handle, and suction cup ideas were the highest scoring and each served a different purpose, we decided to combine these three features to make the best prototype for our customer.