Design of a Folding-Frame Ergonomic Wheelchair

Abstract

This project was seeking to improve on a previously completed manual wheelchair with an ergonomic drive system. The goals for improvement were decreasing weight and using a folding frame for increased accessibility. The new design was completed by using a frame from a commercially available wheelchair and adapting it to house an ergonomic drive system. During the design process, customer preference feedback was gathered from veterans to inform the design. The finished prototype is currently in the process of being licensed by a manufacturing partner.