FinalPosterPresentatioin-Research.pptVIP

Modification of a Wheelchair to Correct for One-Handed Use Joshua C. Nipper Mark M. Wasfy April 05, 2000 /group22_99 Abstract Current wheelchair designs are too complicated for users with both mental and physical disabilities to operate. A simple wheelchair design is needed that uses similar physical motions to produce both forward and rotary motion. We have designed a chair with an overrunning clutch to roll straight when the right wheel is pushed forward, and to rotate when the wheel is pulled backward. Project Details Advisor: Aimee Eppler, Teacher at the Harris-Hillman School of Special Education Subject: Mario - A 10 year old male, height 4’6”, weight 70 lbs. Severe Cerebral Palsy, leading to very poor co-ordination and physical ability Cerebral Palsy Cerebral Palsy occurs in about 2/1000 births in industrialized countries About 10% of these individuals have diplegia (impairment of all 4 limbs, but primarily in the legs) There are approximately 50,000 afflicted people such as Mario, plus many others with various disabilities The Problem Mario’s lack of coordination impairs his ability to control his wheelchair Currently, Mario uses one hand (right) to push his chair and spins in a circle Wheelchair design needs to compensate for both physical AND mental disability Design Constraints One-Handed Use Allows, limited, steering control along with straight forward motion Simplicity Comprehendible by mentally handicapped user Time Cost efficiency Donated materials and limited budget Designsafe Designsafe was used to optimize safety features. Solution: Two part, overrunning clutch axle system Overrunning clutch linking left and right axle Axle braces with bronze bushings mounting wheels parallel Methodology Force calculations were made to ensure that axle system would withstand torque with a considerable safety factor Repairs: Tire inner-tubes, hand grips, cleaning Machining of steel bronze bushing mounts Machining of steel clutch converter Aligning, threa