Cutting PVC pipes at the Machine Shop!

PVC pipes needed to be cut to a measured length in order to be placed underneath the wedge pillow to create a base. At the machine shop, the pipes were cut using a band saw and then "cleaned" using a sander.

Final Pillow Base


These are pictures of the pillow's base and essentially the mechanism with which to elevate it. The ply wood attached to the sides of the PVC piping have 2 'rungs'. Screws can then set themselves into these rungs, raising the top half of the base to the desired height. There are only two heights with which to raise the base as the length of the ply wood acted as a limitation.

Seventh Meeting

    The group has completed the construction of the top half of the pillow. In the following weeks, the group will have to come up with materials that could be used if the pillow was to be made in real life. Materials that have been used in the model include foam of the wedge pillow, extra firm pillow stuffing, and PVC piping. Materials that are being considered for the pillow if it were to be constucted in real life include the foam of the wedge pillow, tempur pedic memory foam, and titanium.  
    Free body diagrams will be drawn as well to help group members understand the effects of atmospheric pressure on a person when s/he is laying down or sitting upright. Additionally, a pulsoximemeter will be used to collect data concerning oxygen levels at different positions (ex. laying down, 45 degrees, sitting upright). All this data (even though they will be estimations) will help determine the best angle to position a person with COPD  so that they can take in the most oxygen.

Fifth Meeting

The group completed the Pro/ENGINEER model of the intended pillow. The group also developed a design for an elevating system that is composed of PVC piping. This system would consist of a bottom frame and a top frame as well as an intermediate piece that is attached to the top frame and hooks into the bottom frame, changing the height of the pillow. The group intends to have materials to build this system within two weeks. Materials would include PVC elbows, T's, and piping, and screws (to create a pivot point for the intermediate piece and top frame).

Figure 1. PRO/Engineer Model of Pillow.

Figure 2. Rough Sketches of pillow and base structure

Figure3. Side and top views of pillow (base not included). 

Final Diagram of Base: