This thesis deals with the structural design and manufacture of special power wheelchair prototype in collaboration with company Brano. Remarkable feature of this wheelchair is the ability to pull its user to an upright position, offering the greater independence, self-sufficiency and medically positive impact on physical functions. The content of this thesis is devoted to a search of the current state of knowledge in the matter, structural analysis of complete wheelchair assembly with a detailed description of each component including the important calculations and analyzes, as well as a description of the wheelchair testing. The conclusion presents summarization of all the results in structural, technological and economic terms.

The goal of this diploma thesis is design of the electric wheelchair. The purpose is designed with knowledge of historic and todays devices for handicapped people. The design respects aesthetic, ergonomic and technical requirements. The electric wheelchair would go over the usual obstacles, would be solution of long sitting problems and also have an interesting and modern feel.

In Schwaz, Austria, there is a company developing energy solutions and all-terrain vehicles, i.a. the Ziesel. The wheelchair users, who constitute an estimate of a third of all customers, are attracted by the Ziesel particularly because it doesn’t look like a wheelchair. It also helps them enjoy all the benefits from getting out into the nature. However, the structure of the frame gives this customer group a challenge to enter the Ziesel, as the seat is situated both high up and far into the Ziesel. Because of this position of the seat and obstructing elements on the Ziesel, it will be problematic to choose an optimized angle between the wheelchair and the seat at the transfer moment. Because of the current frame structure of the Ziesel, the company does not have a lot of possibilities to make the transfer easier for wheelchair drivers. The goal of this project is to develop an appliance that would ease entering their vehicle for wheelchair users. The project is divided into two parts, creating a requirement specification and developing several concepts. The requirement specifications were written after taking consideration to the company, user and customer criteria. Relevant input and feedback was gathered through meetings and surveys directed to wheelchair users. Multiple concepts have been developed and sent to Mattro, some of them good from a user perspective and some from a time, effort and budget friendly perspective. A requirement specification and four concepts, of which two are recommended, are presented as a result of this project. During this project, a thorough study has been done to examine which transfers are easy or hard to practice to and from a wheelchair. With the results from this project, more people that did not have this opportunity before can take part of and enjoy nature. This knowledge will make a great difference in future development of new products and vehicles for Mattro.

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The aim of this work is to question ableism by exploring the expressional possibilities in reforming garments for the seated body in active wheelchair use. The fashion scene could be defined as normative, idealistic and excluding, but could it originate from the lack of diversity and knowledge in the people behind the scene? Fashion is a subject in constant developement and this work aims to push the boundaries and reach for the constructional and expressional possibilities in designing for a seated body in active wheelchair use based on self-lived experience . Additionally to the constructional approach, raising awearness and knowledge about the issues of ableism is a topic if importance in the matter. The combination of theese aspects points towards a proposal to how fashion could press social issues and create space for discussion and development. Not only in how it’s made, but how it’s percieved.

Mechanical Integration of a Versatile Air Suspension into a Powered Wheelchair Joel Steinkraus It is undeniable that the vibration environment created by prolonged exposure to wheelchair use can cause discomfort for the rider and put him/her at risk of developing more severe medical conditions. While more research must be done to accurately quantify what constitues a harmful vibration environment, improved vibraiton isolation is an essential step. In order to incorporate structurally sound and effetive air suspension systems into motorized wheelchairs, a support structure is necessary. An after market wheelchair suspension system was designed, modeled, built and tested. Approximately 18 inches wide x 14 inches deep and 11 inches tall, the 50 lb suspension system uses a linear guide system and air spring to support the rider. A dashpot was added to prevent the amplification of the air spring’s natural frequency, and a pneumatic system installed to store and regulate the air pressure in the air spring and allow for a longer ride time. Testing of the system validates the mechanical durability of the design with respect to joint separation, plate bending, and bearing breakaway resistance. The penumatic system also is found to support up to 14 ingress/egress cycles before reaching a minimum functional pressure level. This value was achieved using an initial charge pressure of 100 PSI. Further environmental and user testing should be conducted to see if a greater number of ingress/egress cycles is necessary. Further development of the suspension system will incorporate a partially active controller for the air spring in order to to reduce the suspension’s transmisibility. Part respecificaitons are proposed in order to reduce system size and weight.

Participants in the author’s training program for OT practitioners who work in skilled nursing facilities will gain an understanding of the need and requirements for ongoing wheelchair seating and positioning management of long-term care residents. BACKGROUND: Elderly individuals admitted to a skilled nursing facility receive initial occupational therapy (OT) evaluation for appropriate wheelchair (WC) seating. On extended stay, the resident’s seating needs often change, leading to postural impairment from improper positioning. Lack of awareness of poor positioning by residents, particularly when cognitive issues are present, can delay corrective action because they may not call attention to difficulties or discomfort. Occupational therapy practitioners (OTPs) can play a distinctive role in ensuring that proper wheelchair seating and positioning of older residents is maintained. The author’s aim is to create a prototype program designed to mitigate the risk that accompanies poor wheelchair positioning and that can be carried out at any skilled nursing facility (SNF). OBJECTIVES: The author’s project will address the recognized need for a training program for occupational therapy practitioners that will provide guidelines for assessing, evaluating and planning the appropriate intervention for an elderly manual wheelchair user in a skilled nursing facility. Objectives for the resident include reduction in the incidence of wound development, improvement of functioning, and increase in participation in the care environment with other wheelchair users. METHOD: Program implementation will begin with facility recruitment. The author will create a handout illustrating the planned program and will distribute it in person or via mail to administrators of skilled nursing and residential care facilities within a 100-mile radius that have a rehabilitation department and one or more OT practitioners. When interest is expressed by a recipient, the author will contact the facility and conduct a short interview to discuss problems and concerns, the availability of staff incentives for participation in inservice training, and payment for the author’s services. Depending upon the author’s assessment of participant knowledge, skills and needs, training will be adjusted from an introductory to intermediate level. As part of the proposed program, the author will recommend that OT practitioners instruct nursing and other caregiving staff to periodically screen every wheelchair-dependent resident when they are providing direct care during their daily routines. Miller, Miller, Trenholm, Grant and Goodman (2004) developed the Seating Identification Tool (SIT) to fill the need for an easy to administer screening questionnaire that would be sufficiently sensitive for clinical assessment and research. ANTICIPATED FINDINGS: Occupational therapy practitioners will play a distinctive role in ensuring that proper wheelchair seating and positioning of older residents is maintained. Preventing pressure ulcers will prove to be much less costly than medical treatment, both to the resident and the facility. Reduction in time lost from daily occupations to allow healing will improve the client’s sense of well-being. OT practitioners will be called upon to make periodic adjustments in wheelchair fitting and positioning, which might as simple as providing an appropriate wheelchair cushion. LIMITATIONS: Program development and program evaluation research are in the initial stages and have not yet been implemented in any skilled nursing facility. RECOMMENDATIONS: The author recommends implementation of the pilot program in a skilled nursing facility with data gathering for program evaluation research to gain evidence and further refine the program.

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A quick-connect wheelchair power add-on unit (PAU) has been developed at the Human Factors Engineering Center of Virginia Tech. The objective of the new invention is to provide an inexpensive, highly portable product which can quickly convert a manual wheelchair into a power-operated wheelchair. This dissertation details the three year research and design effort to develop the new wheelchair PAU. Results are presented from a series of evaluations conducted to identify performance and user-interaction characteristics of the PAU. Interpretation of the results provides a prioritized list of identified design deficiencies along with wheelchair expert and design team suggestions for the next generation of design alterations. The three evaluations conducted with the second generation PAU prototype include a series of wheelchair expert interviews, a PAU performance evaluation, and a usability evaluation which utilized wheelchair operators as subjects. Also included in the dissertation is an explanation of the need for a new PAU, a description of the most recent design iteration, a literature review containing information about the history of wheelchairs, the condition of the current PAU market, and an analysis of wheelchair PAU consumers. The new invention was conceived and patented by Dr. John G. Casali of the Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISE) Department at Virginia Tech. This research was supported jointly by Southwestern Applied Technologies, L. C., of Roanoke, Virginia and Virginia's Center for Innovative Technology in Herndon, Virginia. / Ph. D.