Design of a Glide Control Device for a Manual Wheelchair
By Boettcher, Bonniejean, BS; McLean, Timothy, BS; Sundberg, Kenneth, BS; Klockars, Bruce, MEd; Hoffman, Allen H., PhD; RESNA 29th International Annual Conference 2006,Publication Date: 2006
Paper focuses on the design and development of a glide control device for a manual wheelchair, as a resident at the Monson Development Center in Palmer, Massachusetts who was diagnosed with autism and profound mental retardation had a habit of propelling his wheelchair backward at high speeds, causing a safety hazard to himself and the people around him. The glide control device consisted of friction belts, which were attached to the chair frame via a spring on one end and to an engaging pedal on the other end. Pressing on the engaging pedal creates tension in the belt. As the chair is set into motion, the friction is created between the belt and the wheels, which controls the glide of the wheelchair. The device had been used by the resident for more than three years before the paper was written, and it had all of its design criteria in that the glide control device had helped to keep the user and the other residents and staff at the center safe. This paper was written by researchers at the Mechanical Engineering Department of Worcester Polytechnic Institute and Adaptive Equipment Services at Monson Development Center.
Published by: Rehabilitation Engineering & Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA) (Website:http://www.resna.org)
