Soccer Rebound Frame for Mobility Devices
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April 2025 - June 2025 | Design Thinking & Communication II
Designed and built an adaptable rebounding device in a 4-person team for a student who is a full-time wheelchair user at a local school, enabling them to play soccer during recess with their ambulatory peers.
Problem Exploration and Ideation
Velcro Attachment Mock-up
Springboard Mock-up
Handheld Ramp Mock-up
Universal Clamp Mock-up
After researching the problem, we generated 100+ ideas and built low-fidelity mock-ups for user testing. Based on feedback, we selected a leading concept, created detailed sketches, and developed plans for validating this design concept through performance testing.
Isometric Sketch
Front View Sketch
Top View Sketch
Side View Sketch
Building and Testing
Our leading concept was a rebound frame using resistance bands to deflect incoming soccer balls from peers, attached via universal clamps for wheelchair compatibility. We first built a small proof-of-concept, then constructed a PVC test rig to evaluate different band configurations. Using impulse calculations, we estimated peak impact force to define durability requirements with an applied safety factor. Testing showed that a lattice of rolled resistance bands offered the best performance, leading to our initial prototype.
After spending the first 7 weeks validating our design concept, we built our initial prototype. Although multiple iterations weren’t required, we embraced a ‘fail fast’ approach to accelerate learning. During testing, our attachment arms failed due to stress concentrations caused by a rigid connection to the wheelchair leg riggings, revealing a key flaw in our structural approach which we then iterated upon.
Results
By the 10th and final week, we had iterated the design to include rebounding side panels, a backing panel with improved visibility, and more durable, adaptable attachment arms. We delivered the prototype to our user and which they now use daily to have fun during recess!
IMG_4347.MOV
Final Prototype
Improved Backing Panel and Attachment Arms
Rebounding Frame Front View
PXL_20250608_175152767.TS.mp4Page updated
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