DYNA JOURNAL ENGINEERING

Key words:

Silla de ruedas, obstáculos, software 3D, diseño mecánico., wheelchair, obstacles, 3D software, prototype, mechanical design

Article type:

COLABORACION/COLLABORATION DAMR

Section:

COLLABORATIONS

This paper proposes an innovative mechanical design of an wheelchair capable of negotiating obstacles, developed using 3D CAD (computer-aided design) software. The wheelchair is equipped with mechanisms that enable it to maneuver over curbs or on steep slopes. The design process includes the study of the selection of servomotors to control the wheelchair movements, as well as motion studies and theoretical calculations of the stresses involved. Statics stresses are also analyzed to check the strength of the most important parts, and the wheelchair's mobility is tested to determine its limitations; by using Von Mises' tension analysis. We finally report on the results of the mobility tests performed, under the design requirements. We verified that the wheelchair is able to operate over a curb of maximum 272.3 mm height. Also, it is able to safely maneuver uphill or downhill on slopes of maximum 20 % tilt, with a minimum speed of 6.5 km/h