THE DESIGN OF AN ERGONOMIC WHEELCHAIR

Abstract

A broad spectrum of health conditions and impairments can result in mobility difficulties, including amputation, arthritis, cerebral palsy, poliomyelitis, muscular dystrophy, spinal cord injury, spina bifida, stroke, and older people with mobility challenges. Assistive technology tools like wheelchairs have demonstrated a significant impact on disabled people's ability to participate independently and be independent in their environment. People with disabilities should have access to accessible mobility devices and be able to participate in their communities. Hence, the burden of care is reduced, as is the need for formal support services. The ergonomic wheelchair has been designed to enable people with disabilities to become mobile, remain healthy, and participate fully in community life. A mobile lifestyle establishes a person's ability to learn, communicate, interact, earn a living, and participate in the community. Wheelchair users should be able to move around effectively if the wheelchair is comfortable and meets their specific needs. The ability to adjust a wheelchair to meet a user's needs varies depending on the type of wheelchair. Ideally, wheelchairs should be available in a wide range of sizes and can be adjusted easily, for instance, adjusting the height of the seat and inclination of the backrest. Thus, this project focuses on designing an ergonomic wheelchair to suit users' needs and abilities. A solid modeling computer-aided design (Solid Work Software) and specific mathematical and engineering calculations are applied to provide the best adjustment levels according to the users' capabilities.