Design, prototyping and tests of a rollable ramp for temporary use

Abstract

Portable ramps, used generally by wheelchair users, offer temporary solution to increase accessibility and mobility. Preferably these ramps should be compact and lightweight for ease of handling and storage. Different types of portable ramps in the market that are used by wheelchair users are generally made of aluminum and require several improvements, especially in terms of lightweight and compactness. Based on wheelchair users' inclinations a compact and lightweight rollable ramp is designed in this study. A parametric model of the links of the ramp are derived and the rolled geometry is optimized using convex hull and smallest enclosing circle algorithms. The side bars of the links are designed and manufactured from aluminum and the load-bearing panels are manufactured from sandwich composite structures with honeycomb core. Strength calculations are performed analytically and also with finite-element analysis. After the design is finalized, a prototype is manufactured. The designed ramp is 15.4% more compact and has 18.9% less weight compared to the best rival product available in the market. Load tests and functional tests are performed with voluntary wheelchair users. Several positive feedbacks are received from the participants about the ramp being practical, easy to use and store, lightweight, advantage of the anti-slip surface.