Effects of wheels and tires on high-strength lightweight wheelchair propulsion cost using a robotic wheelchair tester

Abstract

PURPOSE: This study was designed to investigate the effect of wheel and tire selections on the propulsion characteristics of a high-strength lightweight manual wheelchair using robotic wheelchair propulsion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four configurations were compared with differing combinations of drive wheel tires and casters, with the baseline reflecting the manufacturer configuration of a solid mag drive wheel and 8"×1" caster. The robotic wheelchair tester propelled the chair using pre-generated straight and curvilinear manoeuvres using repeatable and reliable cyclic torque profiles. Additionally, energy loss of the components was measured using coast-down deceleration tests to approximate the system-level rolling resistance of each configuration. RESULTS: Results indicate a significant decrease in propulsion cost, increased distance travelled and increased manoeuvrability across all configurations, with upgraded casters and tires. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicated that with better casters and drive wheel tires, the performance of high strength lightweight wheelchairs can be improved and better meet the mobility needs of users.Implications for rehabilitationWheel and tire selection can have a demonstrable impact on the propulsion efficiency of manual wheelchairsCoast-down test protocols can be used as a simple and cost-effective means of assessing representative energy losses across various surfacesWheelchair configurations can be optimized with proper knowledge of the main energetic loss contributions and the environments and contexts of use.