Mairead Devlin

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University of Nottingham > Engineering > Departments > Mechanical, Materials and Manufacturing Engineering > PDM Exhibitions > 2023 > MEng students > Mairead Devlin

A childrens multipurpose pushchair which encourages families to integrate more activity into their daily lives and installs the importance of an active lifestyle for children.

My name is Mairead Devlin, and I am in my 4th and final year studying for a Product Design and Manufacturing MEng at The University of Nottingham. With interests in creativity and logic, product design engineering seemed like the ideal combination of the two.

I am most motivated by the thought of being involved in helping to create a product with a really positive impact on an individual or community. Throughout all the projects a key aim of mine is to not only make decisions based on functionality or aesthetics, but trying to combine the two- creating highly functioning products which are eye catching and desire able in their own right.

I am excited for the next few years, to continue developing my skills and tackling uniquely challenging projects.

Mairead Devlin, MEng Product Design and Manufacture

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Tri-Oomph: Multi-Functional Pushchair

In today’s world, an active lifestyle is not only more pressurised than ever, but it is seemingly harder to prioritise. Finding the time to make exercising work in a family dynamic is especially a problem in built up areas, where dwellers may not have ready access to a garden or large green space.

The design brief was to create a children’s multipurpose pushchair which encourages families to integrate more activity into their daily lives and install the importance and excitement found in active lifestyle in children.

The product designed is a multi-functioning pushchair, which features the stable main frame of a pushchair whilst incorporating an adjustable back scooter board, which can be extracted either partially or fully. When the pushchair is in its most compact state the product holds a sophisticated form, featuring a curved U shaped perimeter around the base of the chair. With padded cushioning, head support and foot rest, as well as a safety harness- the passenger child’s safety and comfort are both priorities.
When the scooter board is partially extracted, it acts as a balance board for a second child. This not only aids their balance development, acting as a steppingstone before moving onto an independent scooter and ensuring they feel included in the family’s outing.

If the scooter board is fully extended, the design allows for the adult to hold the handle bars, and use the momentum of the scooter to move the pushchair. Providing both a new and more exiting alternative to walking with a young child, whilst encouraging families to l live a more active lifestyle. The products front caster wheel and skateboard trucks located on the scooter board allows for seamless steering and control. The simple toe-hook mechanism allows the user to interchange between the pushchairs three forms quickly and hands-free.

The purpose of this product is to not simply create an additional item families feel pressured to purchase but improve an essential childrens product, making its function multiple and in turn reducing overall money and products purchased.