Fabricação e testes de protótipo para motorização de cadeira de rodas

Abstract

The present study aims to show the detailed project of an assistive technology in level of functional prototype, for people with reduced mobility of its lower members and need to move for long distances in public streets. The prototype is constituted of a manual wheelchair joined at a motor unit which uses an electric engine Brushless of 1000 watts, for this reason it's proposed the new conception of an electric wheelchair. The methodology adopted is based on New Product Development Methodology (NPD), specifically the macrophase of the project detailed and named by norm ABNT NBR ISO 7176 – Wheelchair. At the detailed project were defined the characteristics to the final specifications: specifications of constituents items of the prototype, list of materials, detailed drawings, process plans, and the approval of the prototype by normative tests. Regarding to the norm, where the normative tests are determinate and aim specify the functional characteristics of the motorized wheelchair, were done tests such as, static stability, maximum speed, effectiveness of braking systems, theoretical range of distance and capacity to overcome obstacles. At the end of the period of tests, the prototype was approved, showing as principals characteristics: static stability to upper slopes of 14⁰, maximum speed of 18.6 km/h and autonomy of 6 km. During the field tests, during the action of engaging the motor unit to the wheelchair was recorded in 10 seconds and to take off 4 seconds, fulfilling the initial specifications of the project.