Design And Implementation Of Electric Wheelchair Transformer - An Improved Version

Abstract

Wheelchairs are a useful tool that can significantly improve mobility, freedom, and quality of life for people with mobility impairment either from disability, physical impairment or just old age. Most people who require a wheelchair will most likely already own a manual wheelchair as they are inexpensive and easy to operate, which will satisfy most of the initial demand of the user. However, even with the mobility given by the manual wheelchair, there still exists a limit to the distance and places that a regular person can travel to, especially for people who have limited stamina. And discarding the manual wheelchair to acquire an electric wheelchair will be quite expensive and wasteful if the manual wheelchair is not going to be used again. To address this issue, the idea for this project is to further develop and improve a device that connects to an existing manual wheelchair, transforming it into a low-cost electric wheelchair. This project modified the mechanical design to improve the driving unit stability and provide a better connection between the driving unit and the manual wheelchair. To enhance the functionality and safety of the electric wheelchair, the project also added some additional features like water proofing controller and power unit, GPS and fall detection, etc. By combining these accessories and functionalities, the traditional wheelchair can be transformed into an electric wheelchair that not only offers enhanced mobility but also incorporates advanced safety measures. This thesis report presents the design, implementation, and evaluation of these electric wheelchair accessories based on the force analysis results, simultaneously focusing on their practicality, usability, and overall impact on the user's quality of life.