Citation

Guo S, Cooper RA, Corfman T, Ding D, Grindle G. Assist. Technol. 2003; 15(2): 98-104.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2003, Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America, Publisher Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/10400435.2003.10131893

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to study directional stability during reversing of rear-wheel drive, electric-powered wheelchairs (EPW) under different initial front caster orientations. Specifically, the weight distribution differences caused by certain initial caster orientations were examined as a possible mechanism for causing directional instability that could lead to accidents. Directional stability was quantified by measuring the drive direction error of the EPW by a motion analysis system. The ground reaction forces were collected to determine the load on the front casters, as well as back-emf data to attain the speed of the motors. The drive direction error was found to be different for various initial caster orientations. Drive direction error was greatest when both casters were oriented 90 to the left or right, and least when both casters were oriented forward. The results show that drive direction error corresponds to the loading difference on the casters. The data indicates that loading differences may cause asymmetric drag on the casters, which in turn causes unbalanced torque load on the motors. This leads to a difference in motor speed and drive direction error. 2003 RESNA.

Language: en

Keywords

Errors; Wheelchairs; Biophysics; Stability; Wheels; Digital storage