Project Details

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In Motion Manual Wheelchair Braking System

Company: Victoria's Victory Foundation

Major(s):
Primary: ME
Secondary: BME
Optional: IE

Non-Disclosure Agreement: NO

Intellectual Property: NO

Currently manual wheelchair users must have the strength and ability to control the speed and stop their wheelchair with the use of their own hands. Many use a sticky glove. There is a need for a light weight, in-motion breaking system that does not get in the users way of using their chair. The brakes would need to be easy to reach when actively pushing the chair and leaning back. The challenge with this positioning on the wheel is it could mean the brake would end up being awkward and in the way when the user is moving their arms to push. Additionally, if the brake has a slip differential this could aid with safety concerns when operating on a slope. Many wheelchair users identify their chair as an extension of themselves and do not want any extraneous devices on their chair.