Design of Multipurpose Wheel Chair for Physically Challenged and Elder People

Wheel Chair is a mobility device designed for shifting patients, moving physically challenged people from one place to another with the help of attendee or by means of self propelling. The wheel chair is divided into two different types based on the power used for mobility: 1. Manually powered wheelchairs. 2. Electric powered wheelchairs. Manual powered wheelchairs are driven by manual power which are again classified into foldable and non-foldable with or with out commode design. Electrical powered wheel chairs runs with electric power however manual operation is required to operate the joystick for the movement of the chair. The redesign of manual wheel chair was considered for this project.

The design of wheel chair started by means of literature review to know its evaluation from earlier to the present generation. Market study was carried out to know the present competators available in the market with cost analysis of the existing product. Ethnography study was done to observe the need, the importance of the existing product and to address the design gap in the existing product to the user need through questionnaries. The feed back was taken from different users and attendees, concept generation and design execution was done by the implementation of design methodologies like Quality Function Deployment, Mind mapping, Product Design Specification.

The final output is a wheel chair which gives multiple option to the user and attendee by providing ease of defecation, cleaning and changing of clothes. Adjustable back rest, arm rest, leg rest provides comfort for the patient while resting. The adjustable arm rest provide ease of shifting the patient from chair to the bed or to the vehicle. Facility provided for keeping plate while having food, reading and keeping water bottle. Additional to this alarm facility is provided to inform the attendee that there is a need of his/her presence to the patient. Validation of the prototype is done and usage is found satisfactory.