LCVG Vent Duct Extension
This is a team project done in collaboration with Shane McFarland from NASA, and my two other teammates Marvin Choi and Houlin Fan. The current space suit’s LCVG causes discomfort for the astronauts, and we came up with a solution to the best of our abilities to mitigate the problems.
The project’s objective is to find a solution that enables the venting duct system incorporated in the L.C.V.G.(Liquid Cooling & Ventilation Garment) to extend to the wrist area. First of all, the L.C.V.G. is an inner garment worn by astronauts that aids them with regulating their body temperature and humidity. However, due to the updated design for the gloves to enhance the mobility of the hands, the length of the venting duct has been reduced that the furthest point of the ventilation duct is located at the user’s elbow. The reduced length causes discomfort and injury due to the increased humidity and temperature in the glove cavity.
Sleeve Prototypes
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Prototype 1
Our first concept utilizes a sleeve that is made out of flexible fabric at the bottom, and a cuff at the elbow area to hold the connector and the tubes to the arm. The biggest issues with the solution is that it is uncomfortable to wear and is difficult to put on and take off.
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Prototype 2
The second idea is a sleeve that has a uniform radius throughout the entire sleeve; since people’s upper forearm generally is larger in diameter than the lower part that is closer to the wrist section, the user will be able to rotate his/her wrist freely without actually moving or twisting the sleeve at all.
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Prototype 3
Our third concept utilizes a sports tight sleeve and 3D printed TPU tube anchors to secure the tubes. The downside to this design is that the tube anchors would exceed our total height limit; furthermore, it is not very comfortable to wear.
Connector Concepts
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Concept 1
The first version uses a spring-loaded push-to-connect method to secure the connector part to the existing ventilation duct.
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Concept 2
The second version is one of the designs that got approved for further exploration, which is a a method that uses a flexible material that wraps around the connection joint which seals the connectors when it is inserted into the drafted female part.
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Concept 3
The third version utilizes a threaded tube fitting with an inner diameter that has a straight-through opening.
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Concept 4
The final alteration of the connector was to have the holes with the smaller dimensions to be placed on an exposed top area of the connector, while utilizing the sealing method used from prototype 2.
Final Sleeve Design
Split-Tube Holders
After fabricating the semi-final phase prototypes, we have discovered that there were some notable errors and hindrances recognizable throughout the design. There was an uneasiness in inserting the tube extensions through the tube holders since the extension constantly got stuck within the midsection of the tube holder.
The middle section of the excess fabric on the tube holder was removed to make the insertion easier.
Sleeve Pattern
The technical drawing of the sleeve including the water cooling microtubes was used to create a mock-up of the arm sleeve of the existing L.C.V.G. After fabricating the mock-up, it was used as a layout for determining which area to avoid when sewing the tube holders onto the fabric.
User Testing
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Arm Length: Long
Arms straight and fully extended
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Arm Length: Long
Arms bent at 135° angle
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Arm Length: Long
Arms bent at 90° angle
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Arm Length: Medium
Arms straight and fully extended
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Arm Length: Medium
Arms bent at 135° angle
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Arm Length: Medium
Arms bent at 90° angle
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Arm Length: Short
Arms straight and fully extended
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Arm Length: Short
Arms bent at 135° angle
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Arm Length: Short
Arms bent at 90° angle
