Introduction: D4E1 Drink Aid

We designed
a new drinking-aid for D4E1. Our client is Andreas Desomer. He suffers from DMD ( Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy) and would like the be able to drink independently without any help. He asked us to design a tool that could help him with this endeavour.

The drinking-aid is a product designed for Andreas with Andreas. He was a central part in the iteration process. We, 2 industrial designers and 2 occupational threrapist were searching for the most optimal solution that could fix Andreas his problem.

The drinking aid is an arm with a cup holder attached. The arm can be bend in in several ways wich results in that Andreas can comfortably use this device in any way he sees fit.

The Cup Holder can also be tilted and can hold almost anything from a soup cup to a glass full of water.

The arm can be mounted on any part of his wheelchair table but it’s also compact enough to be easily transported in a backpack. Andreas also had a mind for aesthetics so we fullfil his wish and made a stylish design with colors in mind. Finally the drinking aid is completely detachable, modular and washable thus very hygienic.

To see how it works watch this video:

guideline to make the drink aid

Step 1: Building the Arm

What will you need

  • the bureau lamp tertial from IKEA
  • ruler
  • marker
  • screwdriver
  • metalsaw
  • drill 4mm

  • drilling machine

The steps for making the arm

  1. Get it out of the plastic.

  2. Disassemble the lampholder and the wires.

  3. Measure out the arm for a beter use. Feel free to use your own lengts ( see picture for the lengts we used).
  4. Disassemble till you easly can saw the frame shorter.
  5. Saw.
  6. Drill new holes for connecting everything.
  7. Assamble everything.

Step 2: 3D Printing

  1. Print the file.

Attachments

Step 3: The Plastic Holder Part

What wil you need

  • polypolyne sheet 1mm thick
  • the printed template
  • headgun
  • knife
  • drill (diameter of straw)
  • marker
  • ruler
  • drillmachine
  • screwdriver

The steps for making the arm

  1. cut of a polypolyne piece of 23mm thick and 300mm long
    • tip: If you cut a groove and bend it will seperate
  2. lay it on the template an mark te bend point
  3. head a screwdriver that is fastend to a table
  4. bend the plastic
    • tip: Begin from the left and put plastic in the 3D print
  5. cut of a bit of plastic where the screws need to go
  6. drill a hole for the straw

Attachments

Step 4: Assembling the Drink Aid

What will you need

  • Screwdriver
  • Bolts M3 10mm
  • Nuts M3

The steps for making the drink aid

  1. place the nuts in the 3D print
  2. screw in the bolts