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Ergonomically Designed Wheel Chair


Nishith Mohan1, Prashant V2, Dr. N.S.Narahari3 nishith_20008@yahoo.co.in1, prashanthv@rvce.edu.in2, naraharins@rvce.edu.in3 Student1, Assistant Professor2, Dean Placement & Professor3 Department of Industrial Engg. & Management, R.V. College of Engineering, Bangalore-59 ABSTRACT Looking at Indias population, one can find that not everyone is physically flawless. It also has a part of population that comprises of disabled human beings. Though there are equipments to facilitate them but often these equipments are not up to standards of ergonomics and the person using it faces postural and comfort problems. Ergonomics (or human factors) is the scientific discipline concerned with the understanding of interactions among humans and other elements of a system, and the profession that applies theory, principles, data and methods to design in order to optimize human well-being and overall system performance. Ergonomics can be classified into Physical Ergonomics Cognitive Ergonomics Organizational Ergonomics Environmental Ergonomics

This study is particularly the application of physical, environmental and organizational ergonomics. Ergonomics continues to be successfully applied in the fields of aerospace, aging, health care, IT, product design, transportation, training, nuclear and virtual environments. Ergonomics plays its role via ergonomic tools e.g. Anthropometric data, time study, work sampling, CIMOP, Task Analysis, User Analysis, Meta Analysis, Surveys and Questionnaires, Iterative Design etc. Though all ergonomics tool need not be used for one particular task but also a task cannot be done using one particular tool. In this case anthropometry along with task analysis, user analysis and surveys forms the complete guide for the design. This paper aims at contributing to the work field of design of wheel chair for disable humans. This paper forms basis of ergonomics and considers variation in anthropometric data so as to have an effective design which contributes in long run. The approach is characterised by a focus away from therapeutic goals and adaptations of existing design, towards a much more flexible and safe design. The research has been done taking into consideration other factors apart from bodily measurement like rate of growth, strength and cognitive characteristics. A detailed study on wheel chair, its usage and alternatives has provided us with many choices to improve the current design and make it more physic-friendly. Also a research on physic problem due to current design of wheel chair has been done so that the new design doesnt create such problems. Attention is given to the products design aesthetics. Social acceptance of a product will increase if its appearance is in correspondence with the personality and aesthetic preferences of its user.
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IIIE12 - 104 1.0. INTRODUCTION

With the growing number of disabled people within the country, the demand for wheelchairs is also increasing. But the problem of healthcare access, unfavourable public infrastructure as well as less awareness among people acts as roadblocks to its progress. India has about 20 million people with disabilities. Among the different types of disabilities, 11 million are locomotors disabled. The prevalence of locomotive disability is highest in the country at 1,046 per 100,000 people in the rural areas and 901 per 100,000 people in the urban population. Low literacy, unemployment and widespread social stigma are making disabled people among the most excluded in India. There is a need to effectively overcome stigma and integrate people with disabilities into the society. The best way to empower them is through imparting employable skills. Government agencies and NGOs are working towards progressive policy frameworks for the disabled. Government support/ subsidies alone are not enough to cater to the healthcare needs of this segment of the population. There is an inherent need towards getting the basics right. 2.0. METHODOLOGY

The study aims to review the existing literature to analyse the current anthropometric recommendations in the Indian accessibility standards and guidelines and also try to bring out new ventures to improve the function ability of manual wheel chair. Static anthropometry data of a sample group of 15 Indian manual wheelchair users was collected during the study to identify the design needs of the current population. Given below is the table for anthropometric data collection. Table 2.1: Anthropometry data (Static) - sample group of 15 Indian manual wheelchairs. STANDARD Unoccupied width Occupied width Unoccupied length Occupied length Handle height Eye height Total seated height Armrest Height Seat height Knee height Toe height Knee clearance depth Toe clearance depth Combined toe + knee clearance depth BIS (IS 7454 & IS 4963) 650-720 X 1000-1100 X 910-950 X X 700-740 480-510 X X X X 400-450 CPWD 750 800 1050 1200 X X X X X X X X X 350 CCD 680 900 1200 1150-1250 920 1100-1300 X 760 480-500 675 200 X X 480
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IIIE12 - 104 The data clearly shows that many anthropometric variables are not considered in India while designing a mechanical wheelchair. 3.0. IMPROVEMENT AND PRESENTATION OF NEW DESIGN

During the research, the thing that has been noticed as flaw was the flexibility of wheelchairs. The electronic wheelchairs are much more flexible than mechanical but the cost of buying increases simultaneously. The mechanical wheel chair can be improved to meet the static anthropometric variables but the dynamic variables are the shortcomings that need serious attention.

Fig 3.1: Reach of a human arm/ hand while sitting posture on wheel chair Plan: The vertical up-down motion is not possible in wheel chair thus the occupant has to depend on other person to help him with things at height away from his reach. Using the idea of a car jack and its mechanism, the design will have wheel and screw system to lift the seat by converting rotator motion into translator by means of crank and lever. An expected elevation of approximately 8 inches is expected. The seat of such wheelchairs will have hard and thick cushion to give room to setup the mechanism. The wheel is easy to rotate and with less effort one can bring change in the elevation. Also the maintenance cost of wheelchair is cheap and regular oiling is all that it needed. This design requires strong and well stuffed chair so there will also be provision of the product to the people, which has comforts, aesthetic value and is flexible.

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Fig 3.1: Car Jack for as an example for adjusting elevation As shown in the diagram of car jack the side A is rotated and the jack elevates the object like car. The effort applied at A can be transformed into horizontal rotatory wheel, which will be provided in front of seat. The person can rotate the wheel to adjust elevation. Cost: The wheelchair after everything will have estimated cost of about 12000 INR for mechanical rigid and about 2,00,000 INR for motorized. The new design presented here will have an approximate cost of 18000 INR which could be brought down with time if it gets more response. 4.0. CONCLUSION

The idea here is still a theoretical one yet its not too difficult to implement. The section of society which is physically challenged can progress one step towards being independent. Also the rift between advantages of motorized wheelchair over mechanical would also be slightly narrowed, in matter of flexibility. With a low cost this can be afforded and donated by people easily. This can be manufactured under the government schemes and can be donated to physically challenged people in India and abroad. 5.0. REFERENCES California State University, Northbridge and Ernest J. McCormick, PhD. Late Professor Emeritus of Psychological Sciences, Purdue University: Human Factors in Engineering and Design, seventh Edition, TATA McGRAW HILL.
PhD.

1. Mark S Sanders

2. An Electric Wheelchair Mounted Robotic ArmA Survey of Potential Users, 1990, Vol.

14, No. 4 , Stephen D. Prior, Middlesex Polytechnic, Faculty of Engineering, Science and Mathematics, Bounds Green Road, London, N11 2NQ, UK. 3. Ergonomics of Living Environment for the People with Special Needs, Rabiul Ahasan1) 2), Donna Campbell2), Alan Salmoni3), John Lewko4), 1) Work Science Laboratory, University of Oulu 2) Occupational Health Clinic for Ontario Workers 3) School of Human Kinetics, Laurentian University 4) Center for Research in Human Development, Laurentian University
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IIIE12 - 104 4. Advances in Manual Wheelchair Technology, Carmen P. DiGiovine PhD, RET1, Alicia M. Koontz PhD, RET2, Michael L. Boninger MD3, 1Assistive Technology Unit, Department of Disability and Human Development, University of Illinois at Chicago. 2Human Engineering Research Laboratories, Veterans Affairs Pittsburgh HealthCare System, Department of Rehabilitation Science and Technology, and Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 3Human Engineering Research Laboratories, Veterans Affairs Pittsburgh HealthCare System; Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Departments of Bioengineering and Rehabilitation Science and Technology, University of Pittsburgh; and Center for Assistive Technology of University Pittsburgh Medical Centre, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Volume 11, Number 4/Spring 2006 - Current Technology for Individuals with SCI. 5. Wheelchair users' experience of non-adapted and adapted clothes during sailing, quad rugby or wheelwalking, 1997, Vol. 19, No. 1 , Pages 26-34, Gunvor Kratz1, Ingrid Sderback1, Susanne Guidetti2, Claes Hultling3, Therese Rykatkin2 and Marit Sderstrm3, 1Department of Surgery III, Unit of Rehabilitation, Norrbacka Building 1 tr, Karolinska Institute, P.O. Box 60 500, 171 77, Stockholm, Sweden, 2Unit of Occupational Therapy, Karolinska Hospital, Sweden, 3Spinal Injuries Division, Karolinska Institute, Sweden, Correspondence: Ingrid Sderback, Department of Surgery III, Unit of Rehabilitation, Norrbacka Building 1 tr, Karolinska Institute, P.O. Box 60 500, 171 77, Stockholm, Sweden 6. Journals on ergonomics of wheel chair from www.worldacademicunion.com 7. Journal on UG-Based Rehabilitation of Wheelchair Design and Simulation Analysis by Hui Cao, Xueyan Sun, Heying Wang, Hui Guo, School of Mechanical Engineering, Shenyang University of Technology.

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