Ski Mechanism for a Stroller

Abstract

Strollers are baby carriages on wheels, this presents a problem in winter climates where there is snow which interferes with the wheels on the stroller and makes it more difficult to move. The goal behind this degree thesis was to come up with a product and develop a working ski mechanism for a stroller that can withstand the forces it is expected to be subjected to. A literature review was conducted to present relevant theories and concepts associated with product development. A fully working physical prototype of a ski mechanism was developed for a two-axle stroller. The physical prototype was created out of steel. The prototype and its different parts and measurements were then used to create a 3-D model of the mechanism in SolidWorks. Analytical stress tests were then performed on the analytical model to see how it copes with forces that are expected to be subjected onto it. The material for the analytical model was set to aluminum because of its material features of being lightweight, while still being similar to work with as steel. The results from the analytical stress tests were then compared to theoretical stress calculations to verify the results from SolidWorks being credible. The results from the analytical stress calculations showed a maximum Von Mises stress value of 9,29 MPa for the side beam of the frame. The theoretical hand calculation for the same location resulted in a value of 10,36 MPa, equaling a difference between the values of 10,33 %. The analytical stress simulation showed that the max stress in the design occurs at the swing attachment point in the frame. A minimum factor of safety for the mechanism was calculated to be 26,6. The results from the theoretical calculation showed the analytical values to be credible and confirmed that the mechanism will indeed hold up to the forces expected to act on it. Drawn conclusions for the project showed that future focus could be added on getting the mechanism to work on other types of strollers as well as experimenting with creating the mechanism from other materials.