Design of chassis and adjustable elements to support posture for pediatric wheelchair

Abstract

Wheelchairs are devices designed to help with the transportation of people in motor disability condition; are elements used by patients of different ages, weights, heights and diseases. However, most have the same problem as the chassis and postural support elements are fixed which creates several problems: poor posture, overruns to suit the measurements of each person, deformation in the column and in the case of growing children, wheelchair chance not comply with the new measures. In this Project, works in the design of a chassis and the postural support elements of a wheelchair for children in motor disability condition in their lower extremities. The design was developed considering the state of the art of wheelchairs, anthropometric measures of Colombian population of children 5 to 9 years, determining functional requirements (needs) of users, using design methodologies of product, generating design proposals, performing mechanical calculations, mathematical analysis of loads and stresses supported by the chassis and accessories, by the finite element method and through a dynamic simulation of the operation of the device using Autodesk Inventor software. It got to the design of an adjustable chassis width, height and depth, and their postural support elements: headrests, armrests, trunk support, leg supports, footrests, graduating to position and provide body support the user and he reached the conclusion is that design is not only functional for the construction of more ergonomic and functional wheelchairs but also serves as medical or orthopedic custom tool prescription wheelchair.