Industrial Consultancy & Sponsored Research (IC&SR) , IIT Madras
Hybrid Manual Electric Wheelchair Add-on
Technology Category/Market
Technology: Hybrid manual electric wheelchair add-on
Category: Assistive, Test Equipment & Design Manufacturing
Industry: Biomedical/Rehabilitation
Application: Person with disabilities (PWD)
Market: The global market size valued at US$ 162 million in 2023 and is anticipated to reach US$ 375.3 million by 2030, witnessing a CAGR of 12.6% during the forecast period 2024-2031.
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Problem Statement
Universal-Fit Power Drive/Steer Attachment for Wheelchair
Drawbacks:
- Counterintuitive steering method.
- Limitations on wheel size to avoid interference.
- Disadvantage of placing wheel close to rear wheels for increased traction.
- Uses a rake angle instead of an offset axis of rotation.Requires a motorized wheel offset from handle axis, causing physical displacement.
- Requires smaller wheels to prevent obstruction with castor wheels and foot rest.
Recommendations:
- Adjust transmission mechanism to attach a motorized wheel behind castor wheels.
- Use a single motor and steering handle for controlling the wheelchair.
- Uses a steering handle for minimal effort to control the wheelchair.
Technology
- An attachable powered drive for a conventional wheelchair which has castor wheels, rear wheels and a seat, the said attachable drive means comprising:
- A wheel disposed between the said castor- wheels and rear wheels, and
- specifically behind the said castor wheels,
- A motor coupled to power the wheel and attached to the said wheel to form a motorized wheel,
- A battery to power the motor,
- A brake coupled operably to the wheel for braking the motion of the said wheel and thereby the motion of the wheel chair.
- An accelerator coupling operating to the wheel for accelerating the motion of the said wheel and thereby the motion of the wheel chair
Key Features/Value Proposition
Attachable Power Drive in Wheelchairs
Motorized wheel
- Motorized wheel with predetermined rake angle for improved forward motion.
Steering
- Steering has handle and sprockets for improved sensitivity.
- Removable attachment of steering handle
- Steering can be manual or actuator.
Operable connection between steering and motorized wheel via a linking means.
Linking
- Linking may include a handle bar and chain drive.
- Wheel chair with castor wheels, rear wheels, and seat includes a powered attachable drive.
Questions about this Technology?
Contact for Licensing
Research Lab
Prof. Sujatha Srinivasan
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Intellectual Property
IITM IDF Ref. 1283
Patent No: IN 368005
Technology Readiness Level
TRL-7
System prototype demonstrated in operational environment