1. TEMPLATE DESIGN © 2007
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Power Wheel Chair Trainer 80/20 Version
John Gravelyn
Grand Valley State University School of Engineering
Abstract
The Purpose of this project was to design
and build version 6 of the power wheelchair
trainer. This version is meant to correct
many of the problems with the past
iterations that have prevented the PWCT
from being more widely used and
researched. The first versions were full of
safety problems, but they have gotten better
with time. Version 6 is going to correct
these. Previous versions were not easily
reproducible and the manufacturability was
addressed in the sixth version.
Introduction
The Problems to Solve
Solutions
1. Use of 80/20 Building Materials which
eliminates a lot of welding and allows us to
manufacture every part in house.
2. We retrofit an off-the-shelf controller
system with many more safety checks than
our previous home-made controller.
3. Our ramp loading procedure allows us to
eliminate the linear actuators, which are
unsafe and very expensive.
4. A rethought connection design including
DeStaCo brand lever clamps provide a very
strong connection
The Trainer
The Bumper
The Ramp
The Powerbox
Conclusions
Acknowledgments
Contact information
Most of us take our movement for
granted, we have complete liberty
go where we want. Some people do
not have this capability and as a
result they are not able to make as
many connections in their brains.
The PWCT gives these people, who
would never before have the
chance to move freely, the ability to
experience movement similar to a
power wheelchair. This also allows
some children to learn enough to
get their own power wheelchair and
all of the children make new
connections in their brains, which
helps them learn in other situations.
1. Increase Manufacturability
2. Safety Issues
3. Elimination of Linear Actuators
4. Stronger Connection Between
Platform and Power Box The bumper is composed of sections
of 80/20 Aluminum to allow it to be
mostly curved and it allows us to
manufacture it in house
The Ramp component of the design
is a major improvement because it
lowers the cost of the trainer and it
makes it safer as well. It simply
slides out and pivots on a steel bar.
The DeStaCo draw-latch clamp
pictured to the right secures the
powerbox pictured on the left to the
rest of the trainer.
The newest version of the power
wheelchair trainer, shows great
potential to expand research on the
device and to see the usefulness of
it. The 80/20 building materials
make it very manufacturable and
allows us to produce the devices at
a higher rate for research purposes.
The minor safety issues of the past
iterations have been worked out so
it is safer than ever for large scale
research. With some minor changes
that are deemed necessary as we
see them with time, this version
could very well be the one that goes
to market to improve the quality of
life of thousands.
Engineering
Dr. John Farris
Vineeth Radhakrishnan
Jerry Smant
Physical Therapists
Dr. Lisa Kenyon
Catherine Ripmaster
Email Information:
Dr. John Farris: farrisj@gvsu.edu
Dr. Lisa Kenyon: kenyonli@gvsu.edu
John Gravelyn: gravejoh@mail.gvsu.edu
Address Information:
Grand Valley State University School of Engineering, 301 West Fulton Street, KEN 136, Grand
Rapids, MI, 49504