A Wheelchair Design for the Elderly with Small Strength

Abstract:

WHO reports the world population is rapidly ageing. The number of people aged 60 years and over is expected to 2 billion. The muscle strength of the elderly was decreased the ability of movement was therefore limited. Designing a facility to facilitate assist elderly for transportation is important and required. This study aims to propose a leverage wheelchair for the elderly. A serial design procedure including concept design, mechanism design, ergonomic design, and appearance design were performed in the study to create the new product. Finally, a leverage wheelchair was then proposed with following features: (1) the appearance of the leverage wheelchair demonstrated a powerful and friendly image; (2) the power transfer mechanism is designed with a power transfer mechanism which enables user to move wheelchair with a small strength; (3) the cover of the power transfer mechanism is an protection and visual element for the wheelchair; (4) the handlebar was designed with a power-saving mechanism to facilitate the elderly to move the wheelchair. It is also designed to assist user to stand up easily, (5) the handlebar was design at a position where the user can operate easily and comfortably; (6) a control button was deigned to control wheelchair going forward or backward; (7) the push handle was designed for fitting the hand of the caregiver. The results of design works, the methods and procedure used in this study can be a reference for product design and development.

• Periodical: Applied Mechanics and Materials (Volume 590)
• Pages: 566-570
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMM.590.566
• Online since: June 2014
• Authors: Deng Chuan Cai*
• Keywords: Assistive Technology, Ergonomic Design, Mechanism Design, Power-Saving, Product Design

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