1. Anti-Tip Bar for manual wheelchair
Nick Burjek
Andrew Dawson
Austin Dirks
Katie Gallup
Harrison Lamons

2. Problem Statement
Manual wheelchairs are typically equipped with anti-tip bars that prevent the wheelchair from tipping over backwards and injuring the user.
Decrease mobility of user
Most users remove bars
Higher risk on hills

3. Project Goals and Requirements
Develop an electrical system that engages to prevent accidental tipping while preserving the mobility of the active user.
Inexpensive and lightweight
Maintain upright footprint
Be able to fold to fit into front seat of a car
Allow user to rest in a reclined position
Not inhibit any desired motion
No added effort from user

4. Safety Advantages
Provides user the comfort and safety of knowing there is a support system behind them in place at all times
Provide different levels of safety depending on user situation
Normal use
Hills
Free floating when needing to go over curbs

5. Solution
Use a hinge based support system with solenoid activated stopping pins
It will be center mounted and be a single system
Serves 2 functions
Provides resistance to user while achieving their balancing point
Acts as a stop to prevent user from tipping backwards

6. Solution

7. Completed Work Completed 2 funky functional prototypes
Continued meetings with project sponsor to discuss redesigns
Solidified our design, which will now use torsion springs to create a more compact package
Designed collar for attaching system to wheelchair and sent plans to machine shop
Ordered and modified solenoids to fit our needs (created a spring-loaded solenoid)

8. Current Work Continue developing third “funky-functional” prototype
Waiting for the collar to come back from machine shop
Begin designing the stopping point tracks within the outer shield
Work on mounting solenoids to leg and devise a better, smaller battery system

10. Future Work
Once receive collar back continue work on side panels to finalize position of the tracks
Attach torsion spring into leg and to collar
Make measurements to determine where to place the solenoids
Continue testing on this newer design
Make a better battery that is smaller yet just as powerful