Update #4 (Week 5): Functionality, Components, and Deliverables

This week, the group discussed a number of different aspects of the design, as well as combined research conducted since the last meeting. The main points covered include piping and tubing connections, a drainage system, an external "box" for housing vital controls and components, and materials for physical deliverables. Figure 4.1 below provides a general overview of the meeting's discussions, planning, and scheduling for the coming weeks.

Figure 4.1: Meeting board with organizational lists for what roles each member will be taking on,  when  certain parts need to be finished, and specific questions to ask faculty advisor Dr. Allen.

After much contemplation, a final piping system was agreed upon. The design will be used in accordance with a pre-existing water line wherever the patient wishes to use it. This allows for much simplification of the design in terms of how to set up a hot and cold water valve, how to condition it and program it, and how to create water pressure high enough for the water to enter the suit efficiently. In Figure 4.2, a sketch is provided for details on the way the tubes will be connected.

Figure 4.2: A sketch detailing how the pipes will need to be set up in order to work in conjunction with one another and the suit itself.

In the top half of Figure 4.2, a normal sink's setup was used as a reference for the design. The bottom portion details how the hot and cold water lines from the wall will connect to a box (shown in yellow) for water pressure and temperature controls; inside the box, the tubes combine to form one pipe (in green) which will then be combined with a second pipe for drainage. The overall design involves two main pipes: one for water in, and one for water out; both are separate pipes put together as one but still physically divided. The pipe for water in takes hot and cold water combined and allows it to enter the suit; at a different site on the suit, water will be drained out and connected to the drainage system shown in Figure 4.2 (orange and purple) for draining the water as any normal sink does.

The drainage system to be used will rely on a vacuum for removal of water. The external box will use a high-powered vacuum to siphon the water from a drainage opening near the feet of the suit; this water will travel back through the main pipe to the drainage part of the piping setup in Figure 4.2. The vacuum's force and the U-shape of the drainage pipe at the end will prevent backwash of the used water. In addition, water will be drained at the same rate that water is put into the suit, so that there will never be an overflow or overfilling of the suit, as this would create other complications. This also prevents re-circulation of "dirty" water over the patient.

As far as group dynamics go, the group has been cooperating and working quite diligently. Members work together well, and each person pulls his or her own weight. Figures 4.3 and 4.4 illustrate the group at work during the last meeting.

Figure 4.3: The group listens as Alison explains her research on drainage and piping systems, as well as ideas that can be borrowed from pre-existing systems and implemented in the design.

Figure 4.4: Group members Rima, Alison, and Jill (left to right) work on planning the various layers of the suit and what materials will be used to represent each. Group member Maurice reviews the schedule for the coming weeks.

A plan was created for the rest of the project in terms of what needs to be done and what exactly will be produced as a physical deliverable. Table 4.1 below details these roles as well as the deliverables each member is responsible for.

                         Table 4.1: The roles and responsibilities for the remainder of the project.