1. Motor Assisted Wheelchair Team: P16007
Objective
To develop a prototype that supplies supplemental power to wheelchair users. The intent is to aid in general mobility and increase independence by driving an additional wheel. This differs from a typical electric wheelchair in being lighter, removable, and dynamic This allows the user to obtain desired assistance with minimal impact. While products already exist on the market that accomplish this goal, the primary focus was on minimizing cost.
For Possible improvement, I suggest to use the following:
- Use lighter components/material
-Improve UI
-Upgrade gearbox, motor, and/or battery
Bill of Materials
Engineering Requirements
System Concept
Cost Analysis
Mounting bracket attaches via perpendicular U-Bolts.
Two 16” toplinks extend back towards the Motor-Gearbox-Wheel Assembly.
24 Volt Motor uses two 12V NiMH batteries
7:1 reducing gearbox used to increase torque to output shaft
Omniwheel reduces lateral ‘stiction’ during turns.
Cost analysis on a per battery basis.
Validation
Controls
DPST Switch: (Dis)engages the motor.
PWM Controller: Determines output torque by duty cycle.
Emergency Stop: Immediately shuts down system, acts as inherent enable for DPST Switch.
Stress Analysis for nominal loading to help determine Factor of Safety.
Electric Circuit Diagram
Possible Improvements
Team Members
Lighter mounting system (Aluminum)
Improve controls mounting/attachment pieces
Obtain right angle gear box
Implement a fold up option for the user
Look into more durable wheel possibilities.
Normalize applied acceleration.
Top Left to Bottom Right
Alan Burger (ME), Jason Zhong (EE), Brad Shumway (EE), Dat Le (ME), Brenden Hoff (ISE, MSD 1), Nicholas Brown (ME).
Acknowledgments
Professors: Lynn Fuller, George Slack, Hany Ghoneim, Tim Landschoot, Sarah Brownell (guide), CGI Motion, Teknic Motors, AA Portable Power