1 / 1

Wheelchair Design in Developing Countries: MIT Class Project Overview

Learn how technology can improve lives through innovative wheelchair technology. The MIT class covers technical, social, and economic factors, engaging students in designing and prototyping advanced wheelchair solutions for developing countries.

ronald
Download Presentation

Wheelchair Design in Developing Countries: MIT Class Project Overview

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Screw preload Directions of NO motion Contact Coupling used: double angle iron Wiggling Screw preload Contact Directions of NO motion Not used: double U-stock coupling (under-constrained) WHEELCHAIR DESIGN IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIESOffered spring 2008 – 9 credits, meets TR3-4pmhttp://web.mit.edu/sp.784/www Class project development cycle • Motivation:Show students how they can use technology to improve the lives of others by advancing wheelchair technology • Activities of studentsin the class: • Learn the technical, social, and economic factors preventing appropriate wheelchair technology from being implemented • Study engineering, business, and biomechanics theory in context of wheelchairs • Work in teams, collaborating with developing country partners and wheelchair specialists, to design and prototype wheelchair technology • Interact with faculty, professional, and community partners during guest lecturers • Participate in summer fellowships in developing countries to implement class projects Locations of 2008partner workshops Collaborate 1. Define projects with workshops (Aug-Sept) Disseminate Wheelchair experts Students travel toworkshops 3. Test and implement (June-July) 2. Develop ideas and prototype (Feb-May) 2007 class projects Two-speed tricycleObjective: Improve functionality, comfort, and efficiency of tricyclesImplemented in: APDK, Kenya; DAGE, Mobility Care, Tanzania Folding 3-wheeled wheelchairObjective: Modify the popular African-made three-wheeler to have a folding frame for easier transport in busses, car trunk, etc Implemented in: Mobility Care, KCMC Wheelchair Workshop, Tanzania APDK model • How it works • Pedal forwards: figure-8 ratchets and you drive normally • Pedal backwards: normal chain ratchets at wheel and figure-8 chaindrives forward Normal side Figure-8 side Full prototype DAGE/Mobility Care model Normal side Figure-8 side Full prototype Improved tricycle frame designObjective: Best use local materials to make tricycle frame stronger, lighterImplemented in: APDK, Kenya (elements of project used, but not full frame) Marketing strategies for local workshopsObjective: Increase exposure of workshops’ mobility products, educate usersImplemented in: Mobility Care, KCMC Wheelchair Workshop, Tanzania Material comparison for tube stock sizes Brochure CAD Model Logo design Prototype Info packet for wheelchair users Manual for making a FREE website from an internet café DAGE/Mobility Care model http://make.a.website.on.googlepages.com Elements used in Kenya

More Related