Multi-speed Ergonomic Wheelchair

明尼阿波利斯适应性设计与工程（MADE）计划最近开发了人体工程学 使用链条驱动系统将手轮置于符合人体工程学的位置， 后驱动轮后部为稳定的基础的支持。我们的人体工程学轮椅的前手 轮缘定位允许沿手轮缘的较长弧长沿着更有效地推动， 牺牲轮椅稳定性或肩部人体工程学。 符合人体工程学的轮椅的链条驱动允许个性化的齿轮比，以适应每一个轮椅 用户的需求;然而，我们还没有研究这个功能。因此，本拟议工作的目标 是（1）探索不同的齿轮选择对退伍军人轮椅使用者稳态的影响 推进效率，以及（2）开发一种多速人体工程学轮椅，允许较低的齿轮 在困难的情况下（启动运动，在地毯上移动）和更高的档位，以保持稳定， 在平面上陈述运动。 我们将招募18名SCI/D退伍军人参与人体工程学轮椅的交叉研究 具有三个传动比（3：2（低）、1：1（正常）和2：3（高））。我们将使用两种测量方法 评估效率的方法：（1）在推缘轮毂处所做的工作，以焦耳为单位移动轮椅 (J)，以及（2）测量退伍军人移动 轮椅类似于汽车每加仑的英里数，我们将以米（m）为单位计算行驶距离。 能量单位（m/J和m/kCal）作为我们的效率指标。我们假设（H1）更高的档位 在坚硬的平地上，比低齿轮比更有效（更高的m/J），（H2）低齿轮 对于倾斜地形，比高传动比更有效（更高的m/J），（H3）低档位 对于铺有地毯的地形，比高传动比更有效（更高的m/J），以及（H4）退伍军人 在硬水平地形上进行6MPT时，将更有效地（更高的m/kCal）移动轮椅 当与较低的传动比相比使用较高的传动比时。除了稳态测量之外， 我们还将研究齿轮传动对推进系统启动的影响，并预计，较低的齿轮传动比将 有利于在所有地形上引发。 然后，我们将招募12名退伍军人尝试一种新的多速人体工程学轮椅，有两个手轮辋 每侧-一个处于较低档位，另一个处于较高档位。拟议的系统不需要 手动或电动换档。相反，老兵可以使用较低的齿轮启动 移动，然后通过简单地推动另一只手边缘来“在飞行中移动”。退伍军人将返回 实验室，并提供反馈，因为设计是迭代改进。定量和定性 将收集数据，以确定这种方法的可行性，并促进商业化， 多速人体工学轮椅 在整个项目中，我们的团队将与VA的技术转让计划和 TechLink Center为这项工作寻找行业合作伙伴。我们的团队已经证明了 将康复产品开发成商业许可产品。我们将遵循一个类似的阶段-门 在这个开发项目的过程中，最大限度地提高我们成功商业化的机会， 模块化多速人体工学轮椅。

The Minneapolis Adaptive Design & Engineering (MADE) Program has recently developed ergonomic wheelchairs that use a chain drive system to place the hand rims in an ergonomic position while keeping the rear drive wheels posterior for a stable base of support. Our ergonomic wheelchair’s forward hand rim positioning allows for a more efficient push along a longer arc length of the hand rims, without sacrificing wheelchair stability or shoulder ergonomics. The ergonomic wheelchair’s chain drive allows for individualized gear ratios to suit each wheelchair user’s needs; however, we have not yet studied this feature. Thus, the objectives of this proposed work are to (1) explore the effect of different gearing options on Veteran wheelchair user steady-state propulsion efficiency, and (2) develop a multi-speed ergonomic wheelchair allowing for lower gears during difficult situations (initiating movements, moving over carpeting) and higher gears for steady- state movements on flat surfaces. We will recruit 18 Veterans with SCI/D to participate in a cross-over study of the ergonomic wheelchair with three gear ratios (3:2 (low), 1:1 (normal), and 2:3 (high)). We will use two measurement approaches to assess efficiency: (1) work done at the pushrim hubs to move the wheelchair in Joules (J), and (2) the measurement of energy (kCal: kilocalories) expended by the Veteran to move the wheelchair. Similar to miles per gallon in a car, we will calculate distances traveled in meters (m) per energy units (m/J and m/kCal) as our measures of efficiency. We hypothesize that (H1) Higher gear ratios will be more efficient (higher m/J) on hard level terrain than lower gear ratios, (H2) Lower gear ratios will be more efficient (higher m/J) for inclined terrain than higher gear ratios, (H3) Lower gear ratios will be more efficient (higher m/J) for carpeted terrain than higher gear ratios, and (H4) Veterans will be more efficient (higher m/kCal) in moving the wheelchair during the 6MPT on hard level terrain when using higher gear ratios compared with lower gear ratios. In addition to steady-state measures, we will also explore the effects of gearing on propulsion initiation and expect lower gear ratios will be beneficial for initiation on all terrains. We will then recruit 12 Veterans to try a new multi-speed ergonomic wheelchair that has two hand rims per side – one in a lower gear and the other in a higher gear. The proposed system does not require manual or electric shifting between gears. Instead, the Veteran can use the lower gear to initiate movements and then “shift on the fly” by simply pushing on the other hand rim. Veterans will return to the laboratory and provide feedback as the design is iteratively improved. Quantitative and qualitative data will be captured to determine feasibility of this approach and to promote commercialization of the multi-speed ergonomic wheelchair. Throughout the project, our team will work closely with VA’s Technology Transfer Program and the TechLink Center to find an industry partner for this work. Our team has demonstrated the ability to develop rehabilitation products into commercially licensed products. We will follow a similar stage-gate process in this development project to maximize our chances for successful commercialization of the modular multi-speed ergonomic wheelchair.