Manual wheelchair’s turning resistance: swivelling resistance parameters of front and rear wheels on different surfaces

Abstract

Purpose: Daily locomotion with a manual wheelchair includes curvilinear movements. However, little is known about the resisting forces in play during turning manoeuvres where the wheels are generally both rolling and swivelling. This study aimed at quantifying the swivelling resistance parameters of several wheels on different surfaces and to evaluate the effect of the curvature radius on these parameters. Materials and methods: A specific test bench was designed allowing the swivelling resistance parameters of a wheel rolling while swivelling to be determined. Seven wheels (3 front and 4 rear wheels), three surfaces (plywood, linoleum and carpet), two loads (25 and 45 kg) and five curvature radii (from 0 to 0.4 m) were tested through a full factorial design experiment. Results: Results showed that the wheel type was the most influential factor on swivelling resistance parameters, followed by the surface and the curvature radius. The effect of the load on swivelling resistance parameters was found negligible when compared to the influence of other factors. A predictive model for swivelling resistance parameters of the different wheel/surface combinations was proposed, as a function of the curvature radius. Conclusion: This study allowed the swivelling resistance parameters of different wheel/surface combinations to be quantified, as a function of the curvature radius of the wheel trajectory. Combined with data on rolling resistance, these data could now be used to assess energy losses during real life ambulation or to achieve more realistic behaviour in virtual rehabilitation environment. ä IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION Swivelling resistances are increased by carpet surfaces compared to tile surfaces. Conversely to rolling resistance, castors wheels are less prone to swivelling resistance than rear wheels The swivelling resistance of a wheel rolling while swivelling is decreased compared to a pure swivelling movement. Combined with data on rolling resistance, these data on swivelling resistance would allow energy loss during daily life activity to be determined or as input data for the control of wheelchair simulator in virtual environment used for rehabilitation.

How Was Studied the Effect of Manual Wheelchair Configuration on Propulsion Biomechanics: A Systematic Review on Methodologies

“…However, obtaining all those parameters is not straightforward and determining MWC positional, dimensional, and mechanical characteristics is time consuming (12,13,(65)(66)(67)(68)(69). The development of material and computer tools that allow a quick and easy determination of MWC characteristics would also favor their more systematic reporting in future publications.…”

Contrary to basic kinematic modelling, during tight turns, wheelchairs can slide sideways by non-negligible magnitudes: Collision risks may be increased

“…The rolling wheel of single rolling is reasonably expected to function as one of the co-rolling wheels, but the non-rolling wheel may function differently. As minimally rolling wheels have a distinct explanation, turn-slip [29], and wheel rolling turning resistance is a function of curvature radius [30], lateral drift may function differently for single rolling compared with co-rolling and contra-rolling. This may explain why, unlike co-rolling, there was no significant lateral drift difference between experimenter single rolling push turn and pull turn sets.…”

“…Additionally, the need to tighten the turn may also add to assistant difficulties when there is a heavier occupant or a weaker assistant. This follows since, layouts which require tighter turns incur greater motion resistance [30] and increase manual handling risks [33] whereas assistants found it easier to turn with a co-rolling turn rather than single or contra-rolling turn [22].…”

Propulsion Cost Changes of Ultra-Lightweight Manual Wheelchairs After One Year of Simulated Use

“…This approach is well-suited to represent the propulsion effects of certain factors like pneumatic tire inflation levels on actual wheelchair usage [10], but the measurements can have high variability between pushes [22] and/or between subjects [23,24]. Laboratory experiments using automated or mechanized test methods improve the precision of measurement [9,25,26] and isolate the effect of wheelchair design and components on its mechanical efficiency and performance.…”