1. 3D-printed design iteration of a low-tech positive obstacle pushing/gliding wheelchair accessory.
- Author
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Abdullah, Soran Jalal and Shaikh Mohammed, Javeed
- Subjects
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SAFETY , *WHEELCHAIRS , *CLINICAL supervision , *RESEARCH funding , *PRODUCT design , *FINITE element method , *SIMULATION methods in education , *ELECTRIC wheelchairs , *THREE-dimensional printing , *BODY movement , *DATA analysis software , *CUSTOMER satisfaction - Abstract
Steering a wheelchair while navigating through manual doors or against obstacles is challenging for some users. Previously, a low-cost, low-tech accessory made using off-the-shelf components, conventional manufacturing, and 3D-printed fasteners demonstrated the proof-of-concept for uncrossable positive obstacle pushing or gliding. Current work presents the fabrication and testing of an entirely 3D-printed prototype of the accessory. The accessory was 3D-printed using ABS (10% fill density) in sections. A finite element stress analysis simulation was performed for the entire accessory. Prototype tests were done with the accessory installed on an unoccupied powered wheelchair against a door and an obstacle with ∼25 N and ∼50 N resistance forces, respectively. The maximum stresses in none of the crucial components exceeded the break strength of ABS. Test results demonstrate the ability and mechanical robustness of the fully 3D-printed accessory to push open manual doors, allowing easy navigation through doors, and to push or glide against obstacles. The current prototype improves over the previous prototype in terms of manufacturability, weight, design, and safety. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of an entirely 3D-printed wheelchair accessory that pushes or glides against uncrossable positive obstacles. Future studies would involve end-user satisfaction assessment and functionality evaluation in different scenarios under clinical supervision. The pushing or gliding ability of the accessory could be beneficial to wheelchair users with neuromuscular disorders or paraplegia. Low-tech 3D-printed accessory allows wheelchair users to push or glide against doors and other obstacles. Protective nature of the accessory could prove highly beneficial to some wheelchair users (those with diabetic feet). Pushing or gliding ability of the accessory could be beneficial to wheelchair users with neuromuscular disorders or paraplegia. Accessory could reduce wheelchair accidents and falls due to uncrossable positive obstacles. 3D printing allows easy prototyping of wheelchair-related assistive technology solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
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