Title:
Dataset for "Comparison of Propulsion Costs and Vibrations Across Carbon Fiber and Aluminum Rigid Manual Wheelchairs"
Dataset for "Comparison of Propulsion Costs and Vibrations Across Carbon Fiber and Aluminum Rigid Manual Wheelchairs"
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Author(s)
Misch, Jacob
Allen, Taylor
Suarez, Alicia
Sprigle, Stephen
Allen, Taylor
Suarez, Alicia
Sprigle, Stephen
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Abstract
Propulsion efficiency and vibration exposure are two primary concerns when configuring a manual wheelchair. Recent manufacturing techniques have focused on using lightweight materials like carbon fiber to reduce energy expenditure during propulsion and improve vibration attenuation compared to aluminum or steel frames. This study utilized a robotic wheelchair propulsion device to measure the propulsion cost, vibration exposure at the seat, and vibration transmissibility through the frame during travel over smooth (tile) and textured (brick) surfaces for four rigid ultra-lightweight manual wheelchairs made of carbon fiber (N=1) and aluminum (N=3). Component selection (wheels, tires, casters, cushion) and the robotic occupant parameters (weight, fore-aft weight distribution, propulsion characteristics) were standardized across all four frames. Results show no meaningful differences between the carbon fiber and aluminum frames in any of the three variables (i.e., 95% CI does not fully exceed ±5% for propulsion cost or ±6% for vibration and transmissibility). These findings imply that other frame design features are more impactful to vibrations and propulsion efficiency than the material selection. Minimizing wheelchair vibration exposure and maximizing propulsion efficiency are more easily achieved through considerate selection of components, especially cushions and tires, respectively.
Sponsor
National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR) through grant # 90IFRE0036-01-02 and internal funding from the REAR Lab
Date Issued
2023-09-20
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Dataset