Study on the application of computer simulation to foldable wheelchairs

Abstract

The traditional rental wheelchairs for households, or for use on public occasions (for instance, hospitals, entertainment parks, and department stores), are folded from both left and right sides. Nevertheless, the wheelchairs require a lot of space after being folded. In the current market, while there is a specially-designed wheelchair for air transportation, which becomes smaller and lighter after being folded, the folding is so complicated that it is not convenient for the elderly to use this wheelchair at home or outdoors. This study involves a series of designs, such as focus group interviews, design patent analysis, draft concept designs, and detailed designs. This study designs a more foldable, portable wheelchair for people who are able to walk, but unable to bear constant load due to aging, and thus, require assistance. The features of the product are, as follows: (1) faster folding: unlike a traditional wheelchair that is folded from both sides, the wheelchair of this study is equipped with four parallel, connecting poles, and it will fold providing the fixed latches are loosened and the back of the wheelchair is pulled backwards, which requires some preparation; (2) smaller size: its folded form is 40–50% less than that of a traditional wheelchair, and it can be stored in the small boot of 1,300 c.c.; (3) it is light-weight and labor- and time-saving: it is lighter than a traditional wheelchair, and can be pulled like a suitcase with four wheels after it is folded. With the aim of promoting social development through a more humanized wheelchair, this study develops a wheelchair with an innovative structure, which can greatly reduce the complicated folding steps and size of current wheelchairs; moreover, it can lighten the burden of caregivers and inspire relevant designers to make a wheelchair that better satisfies the needs of the elderly.