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Power-Assist Wheelchair Capstone Project

A device that quickly converts a manual wheelchair to a power-assisted one

DESCRIPTION ​

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A device intended for a healthcare setting to reduce the load on wheelchair attendants that have to push patients all day long. It uses a quick-release 'claw' to grip the spokes of the wheel and apply a torque proportional to the attendants push

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FEATURES​

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  • Quick installation 

  • 50% power assist on inclines 

  • Drives by spokes

  • <10 lb. ​

  • Sleek design 

  • Visible control indicators

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  • Proportional power assist

  • Retains full wheelchair funciotnality

  • Reverse and overdrive safeguards

  • Emergency disengagement

  • No permanent hardware

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  • Follows healthcare regulations

  • Full day battery

  • Modular design

  • Intuitive opperation

  • No interference with attendant or doorways

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PROCESS

Problem Statement:

To create a rapidly-deployed device that reduces the force required to push a wheelchair in a healthcare setting.

Research:

  • Patent research: all expired 

  • existing products: none in healthcare

  • Other uses of power-assist technology: skateboards, hover boards...

Ideation:

  • How can we reduce stress on nurse attendants?

  • Methods of applying power

  • Locations on the wheelchair

  • Combining existing ideas

  • Solving pain points of existing products

  • Focus on quick release and ease of use

Power Requirement:

  • Analytical calculations

  • Optimized variables

  • Confirmed in testing

Phase 1 CAD Design:

  • Simple block structure

  • Minimal features

  • For testing basic functionality

Iterative component design:

  • Armrest clamp                     Hook

  • Structural channel               Plastic housing

  • Spoke clamps                       Spring loaded wedges

  • Basic drivetrain                    Flywheel and needle bearing

  • On/off Controls                    Added sensors and indicators

Component Analysis and Optimization:

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Final Design​

1st

place

  • Time and project management 

  • Importance of backup plans

  • Turning concept into reality in short period of time

  • Sharing responsibilities within a leader-less team

  • Technical aspects of motor selection, drivetrain design, and controls

  • Optimizing designs with FEA

  • Presenting/selling ideas, progress, and reasonings

  • In depth market research 

  • Machine shop practice

LEARNINGS

CHALLENGES

  • Tight timeline with many ongoing deliverables

  • Pivoting and overcoming continuous setbacks (regulations, market research, assembly issues, design oversights...)

  • Optimizing ease of installation and operation with functionality, cost, and timeline

  • Adding reverse and overdrive functionality

  • Accounting for tolerances between wheelchair dimensions

  • Control system for proportional power assist 

  • Measuring value added/success

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