Attachable Arm Bike for Alternative Wheelchair Propulsion

Current options for alternative wheelchair propulsion devices are cumbersome, expensive, and dangerous if transfer from wheelchair to another device is required. Devices with chains are unreliable due to chain breakage or derailment. To combat these shortcomings, this project created a gear and drive shaft powered, attachable arm bike prototype. This project validates the concept of a chainless arm bike and lays the groundwork for future products that are more compact and less expensive than existing models

Development of a wheelchair propulsion laboratory

In rehabilitation, sports, and research, wheelchair users can be tested on a new wheelchair ergometer. That is the most important finding of the thesis “Development of a wheelchair propulsion laboratory”. The Esseda ergometer, a roller system made in Groningen, has been improved and tested in the past few years. The study showed that wheelchair propulsion on the ergometer is comparable to driving overground and that the ergometer is capable of adequately measuring various aspects of wheelchair propulsion. Wheelchair users can be tested on the ergometer in their own personalized wheelchair. The ergometer can be used to observe people in rehabilitation and other wheelchair users, so that straining techniques can be detected and adjusted in time. This is important because more than half of the wheelchair users suffer from overuse complaints in the arms and shoulders. The wrists, elbows, and shoulder joint are often areas of complaint. This has a major impact on the lives of wheelchair users, because these joints are used in almost all daily tasks. The ergometer can also be of value in adapted sports. For example, the propulsion technique and physical condition of athletes can be studied in detail. The ergometer can therefore be a valuable addition to the toolset of clinicians, sports coaches, and rehabilitation researchers. By giving the wheelchair ergometer a central place in the wheelchair propulsion lab, the skills of wheelchair users can be improved, wheelchairs can be fitted, and complaints of overload as a result of wheelchair use can be prevented

Industry/University Collaboration at the University of Michigan-Dearborn: A Focus on Relevant Technology

https://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/154105/1/kampfner1997.pd

Sprint performance and propulsion asymmetries on an ergometer in trained high- and low-point wheelchair rugby players

The purpose of this study was to examine the propulsion asymmetries of wheelchair athletes whilst sprinting on an instrumented, dual-roller ergometer system. Eighteen experienced wheelchair rugby players (8 low-point (LP) (class ≤1.5) and 10 high-point (HP) (class ≥2.0)) performed a 15s sprint in their sports wheelchair on the instrumented ergometer. Asymmetry was defined as the difference in distance and power output (PO) between left and right sides when the best side reached 28m. Propulsion techniques were quantified based on torque and velocity data. HP players covered an average 3m further than the LP players (P=0.002) and achieved faster sprint times than LP players (6.95 ± 0.89 vs. 8.03 ± 0.68 s, P=0.005) and at the time the best player finished (5.96 s). Higher peak PO’s (667 ± 108 vs. 357 ± 78 W, P=0.0001) and greater peak speeds were also evident were for HP players (4.80 ± 0.71 vs. 4.09 ± 0.45 m·s-1, P=0.011). Greater asymmetries were found in HP players for distance (1.86 ± 1.43 vs. 0.70 ± 0.65 m, P=0.016), absolute peak PO (P=0.049) and speed (0.35 ± 0.25 vs. 0.11 ± 0.10 m·s-1, P=0.009). Although HP players had faster sprint times over 28m (achieved by a higher PO), high standard deviations show the heterogeneity within the two groups (e.g. some LP players were better than HP players). Quantification of asymmetries is not only important for classifiers but also for sports practitioners wishing to improve performance as they could be addressed through training and/or wheelchair configuration

介助者の自律駆動規範モデルを用いた介助用車いすの補助動力制御

関西大

Single Arm Recumbent Bicycle

The goal of this report is to outline and cover the scope of work for the Single Arm Recumbent Bicycle Senior Project. The report will give an introduction of the problem, a background of the existing research or products relating to our project, the objectives of our project, our project management plan, our final design, manufacturing, testing, our project management, and final recommendations for improving the final design. The team is being supported by the Quality of Life Program, a non-profit organization that works to improve the lives of those injured in duty while serving our nation. Up until now, there have been no bikes developed for single arm triple amputees without the aid of prostheses. Nick Kimmel, a former marine, would like to join a group of firefighters participating in a charity bike ride from Seattle, Washington to Boulder, Colorado. This fundraising event is in support of the Gary Sinise Foundation which provides mortgage-free specially adapted smart homes to wounded veterans free of charge. In order to participate, Nick requires a bike that accommodates use with only one arm and no prosthetics. Currently, Nick, a triple amputee, is equipped with a hand-powered recumbent bicycle. However, since the bike is designed to be operated with two arms, Nick is not able to steer the bike properly, and in turn, strains his body. In addition, Nick intends to use the bike without the use of prosthetics because they overheat his body and inhibit his performance. For this reason, our group is tasked with developing a single-arm recumbent bicycle that has fully functioning steering, shifting, and braking while also being reliable and durable enough to handle a 1000-mile challenge, all without the use of prosthetics. This report presents all work done by the team over the course of this project. The Cal Poly senior project is focused on the process so you will see a lot of design tools in use throughout this report that our group used to assist us in our journey through the design process. This process includes tools such as decision matrices, Gantt charts, concept prototypes, testing, and even a total redesign for our project after getting feedback from our challenger, Nick

Designing Sport Specific Physical Fitness Programs for Students with Developmental Variations

This research examined existing options for students with disabilities in the realm of organized physical activity. Findings suggest that children with physical disabilities resulting in wheelchair use and students with the cognitive disability Autism Spectrum Disorder, referred to in this paper as ASD, have limited access to organized physical activity programs, after school sport programs, and physical education. This paper explores the importance of participation in sport for all children, the various barriers to participation for children with disabilities, and the effect on inclusive physical education and organized physical activity for all students. Finally, this paper provides recommendations on how to modify existing facilities and curricula and how to create new programs that are accessible to students with developmental variations

Brake Strategy Analysis for Industrial Normal-closed Brake Based on Rotational Inertia Test and Simulation

Industrial brakes pose the dilemma of weighing brake capability against brake impact since the brake torque cannot be adjusted. On the one hand, the brake torque may be insufficient to stop the movement within a limited distance or parking position. On the other hand, the brake torque may be so high it can damage the transmission chain. In this study, the traditional brake strategy and the field oriented control (FOC) brake strategy were compared through simulation and a rotational inertia test. The influence of the rated brake torque and the open-closed ratio were obtained. Based on the test and simulation results, a semi-empirical formula that defines the relationship between relative brake capability and open-closed ratio was developed. Additional simulations were performed to analyze the performance of the brake in a flexible transmission chain. As an industrial application example, the benefits and the cost of a 'smart brake' based on the FOC brake strategy were analyzed. The results indicate that the equivalent brake torque with the FOC brake strategy is a function of the real-time controllable input and open-closed ratio, which can be conducted during the braking procedure. This can be an efficient way to solve the above problems

Master of Science

thesisThe Phoenix flight chair was developed as an adaptive sport chair primarily as a paragliding system to facilitate tandem and independent flight for people with lower extremity disabilities such as spinal cord injuries, amputations, and neuromuscular disease. The Phoenix allows individuals with a wide range of disabilities and mobility to learn to paraglide. The main purpose of the Phoenix is to safely introduce individuals to the sport of paragliding and let them experience the freedom that flight brings. The development of the Phoenix was initiated by the not for profit organization, ABLE Pilot. A program developed to help individuals with lower extremity disabilities paraglide. An early ABLE Pilot publication stated that the effort "is a research and instructional program designed to establish and support the overall goal of developing and testing a formal paragliding and hang gliding instructional protocol for student pilots with various disabilities (e.g., spinal cord injuries, neurological and neuromuscular disabilities, amputations, etc.)." Since the start of the project in early 2010 many milestones have been reached including two functional prototypes (Phoenix 1.0 and the Phoenix 1.5). Over 275 combined flights have been completed, including solo and tandem flights, with both ablebodied and disabled individuals. A training program and protocol is currently being developed by world class paragliding instructors. Five individuals have reached P-1 certifications, two of whom will have P-2 certifications in September 2012, and worldwide interest in the Phoenix has been a positive side effect. One of the most important lessons learned through the Phoenix program is the difficult task of designing safety into the Phoenix. Even with the many safety features and precautions added to the chairs, unexpected events can happen. Although paragliding is a high risk sport, at no time should users be exposed to any avoidable risks. Existing chairs along with future chairs will continue to progress and safety modifications will be added to help reduce expected and unexpected dangers. For continued growth and regulation, the Phoenix is being adopted by the United States Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association (USHPA). The training program being developed by Mr. Rob Sporrer and Mr. Nick Greece will become the first official training protocol using the Phoenix system. This will provide individuals and instructors with the knowledge and experience they need to train and fly with the Phoenix. The Phoenix program represents an enormous collection of thoughts and ideas. It would not have been successful without the volunteer students and pilots, ABLE Pilot, and University of Utah students and faculty. Continued improvements, more flights and additional design improvements are planned in the future