Feedback 18/03

We particulary presented our two last prototypes, and explained their evolution.

Prototype 34:

The leash has to be stiff and flexible at the same time, because the loop has to slide easily to lock and unlock the dog. The iron wire has to come off, because it causes too much friction.
Other alternatives:

• iron wire inside the rope
• rubbery leash
• look up different kind of plastics
• reinforce only one small part of the collar
• (using a ring in stead of small loop, that slides over the leash)

advantages of this prototype:

• playful (for the dog)
• simple 

Prototype 35:

Remarks:

How will the the iron part of the collar stay in the back of the neck of the dog:
There already exist collars that contain an iron chain that can be the weight we need
to keep this part of the collar down. (this needs to be tested)
We can also use this mechanism to improve our prototype in an other way:
When to leash is not stretched, the dog can easily put his head through the collar,
because the loop can become wider.

Also we need to test multiple magnets.

They can't be too strong or too weak: http://www.supermagnete.de/eng/

Think of different ways to make the iron surface on the collar bigger and comfortable for the dog.
For example: a collar that is build out of segments.

Prototype 35

EXPLANATION //

Improving prototype 32.
In stead of a magnet that is fixed to the arm, we use a little rope where the magnet is attached to.
A magnet is only strong when a force is exerted perpendicular to the magnetic surface.
It can not tolerate shear stress.
So when the magnet is attached to a rope, the magnet will move with the collar, when the dog
does not pull too hard.
We also attached a rope to the arm where the dog has to pull to collapse the arm.
On the collar there is a piece of iron.
We kept the old magnet on the arm, if Caroline would want to practice with this one.

VISUALIZATION //

EVALUATION //

Prototype 34

Improvement of prototype 33

EXPLANATION //

We reinforced the collar-part by putting an iron wire around the rope
in order to make the loop where the dog has to put his head through, more stiff.

The balls in this prototype are smaller and heavier.

• The weight is important, because the ball has to stay on the ground (by gravity) when the dog bends down to grab it. 
• When they are smaller, they will hinder less, when the dog is walking.

One part of the leash is fixed permanently, so it won't come off by accident.

VISUALIZATION //

EVALUATION //

Prototype 33

EXPLANATION //

Improvement of prototype 29.
Using wood for the V-slot in stead of cardboard.
We offer two different balls: a tennis ball and a ball that was made especially for dogs.

VISUALIZATION //

EVALUATION //

CONCLUSION //

Following element should be improved in the next prototype:

The part of the leash, where now a wooden disk is attached, should be fixed permanently to the V-slot or to the wheelchair

Prototype 32

Testing of prototype 30
During thirth visit (13/03/2014)

VISUALIZATION //

We thought that the detaching and the attaching would happen in the same direction,
but then the problem occurs that the arm collapses.
We got the idea to the two moves in the opposite direction.

We decided not to work out prototype 28, because we found a solution for the collapsing arm now.

Problem: The arm collapses

problem 2: magnet is not strong enough

EVALUATION //

CONCLUSION //

There is still room for improvement .
We need to thing about the fixing method to the wheelchair.

Prototype 31

Testing Prototype 29

VISUALIZATION //

attaching

detaching

prototype gets broken, dog is scared

EVALUATION //

CONCLUSION // 

This is a good prototype continue with. 

The dog likes it, the prototype is very easy to make (in the respect of making a little series).

Prototype 30

EXPLANATION //

Improvement of prototype 15, using the feedback on prototype 19 & 27.
Using a magnet in stead of a hook.

VISUALIZATION //

EVALUATION //

Prototype 29

Improvement of prototype 16.
Making a modular system, to attach different balls.
Width of the slot adapted to the rope.
Rope is red: dog can see it clearly.


VISUALIZATION //

EVALUATION //

Prototype 28

EXPLANATION //

Improvement of prototype 13.

Using magnets, it will be easier to attach the dog to the leash as before with prototype 13. We will make this one and test it on the dogs next time we go to 'HacHiko' in Merelbeke.

Prototype 27

testing of prototype 26

VISUALIZATION //

EVALUATION //

CONCLUSION //

Making an arm in combination with a magnet would be a better idea than this hook with two different angles , to lock and unlock. Because with the hook, the collar never stays on the hook. So if the dog took off the collar, then it is laying on the ground. Then the dog should put it on the hook again, which is difficult!

Prototype 26

EXPLANATION //

Improvement of prototype 9 and 12.

We had this idea during the second visit at Hachiko.

The lock system (arm fixed to chair) is only a help for attaching/detaching the collar to the dog. Once attached, the collar is directly fixed to the chair.
This way, locking/unlocking becomes much easier.

MATERIALIZATION //

EVALUATION //

Prototype 25

EXPLANATION //

The idea is basically to make a collar/leash that is elastic.
The dog can easily put his head out/in the collar.

MATERIALIZATION //

EVALUATION //

Prototype 24

Measuring distances for the postition of the V-slot, and the length of the leash.

VISUALIZATION //

EVALUATION & CONCLUSION //

The dog has to be able to go in front of the wheel chair , and to the back of the wheel chair
for example to pick something up.
The most used length for a leach is about 50 cm.

In this respect, positioning the V-slot in the middle of the side-panel of the wheelchair is the best option.
But it can't be on the side of the joystick.

We have to find a prototype that takes as little space as possible, next to the wheelchair.
Because people need those space to manouvre in narrow passages.
( a standard has a width of 80cm, adapted doors have a width of 90cm )

The ideal height of the V-slot was about 62 cm.

Prototype 23

Testing prototype 18
on the second visit at 07/03/2014

VIZUALISATION //

EVALUATION //

CONCLUSION //

We wil lnot continue working on this prototype. We've already made better variations on this one, that contain more valuable mechanism and dog moves.

Prototype 22

testing prototype 17

VISUALIZATION //

EVALUATION //

CONCLUSION //

We will not continue working on this prototype.

Prototype 21

testing prototype 16, part 2

Now Caroline uses the rope with the ball attached to it and the V-box.

VISUALIZATION //

first video explains the concept without dog

second video shows the dog putting a ball in the V-slot

EVALUATION //

The foams that represent the little balls are too light.
As already mentioned earlier, it is difficult for a dog to grab something that is next to his head, because by turning his head in order to grab the object, he brings the object further away from his mouth.
BUT, if he bend, so that the ball lays on the ground (and stays their because the rope is long enough, and the ball is heavy enough) he will be able to grab it.


CONCLUSION //

It's a little bit more difficult, but the possible problems can be solved in a next prototype,
with the right materials.
And maybe with some more training, the problems will be solved as well.

Prototype 20

testing prototype 16
(during visit 2 on 07/03/2014)

First Caroline tests if the dog is able to throw a ball in an normal box.

VIDEO //

EVALUTION //

CONCLUSION //

We found a solution that is fun for the dog is well. And that is possible to train.

Prototype 19

Testing prototype 15:
(at the second visit on 07/03/2014)

VISUALIZATION //

video 

EVALUATION //

CONCLUSION //

A new improved prototype is born: 

DETACHING: the person in the wheelchair gives to order to stand still and puts the hook in the loop by steering his wheelchair towards it. Then he orders the dog to detach himself by shouting "collier!". The collar stays on the hook now. The last order is the one to collapse the arm.

ATTACHING: the dog gets the order to pull out the arm attached to the wheelchair. The the order "collier!" is given. The dog put his head through the collar. Now the person in the wheelchair can detach the loop from the hook if the dog is standing still.

This system could perhaps work with a magnet as well.

Prototype 18

EXPLANATION //

Improvement of protoype 9.
inspired by prototype 8: the retractable device

MATERIALIZATION //

EVALUATION //