Wheelchair Warning SystemTeam Members

Farshad Fahimi - Jimmy Fong - Tyler Witt - Yik Ning Wong

Client Advisor

Sandra R. Professor John Webster

Vascular Clinic Dept. of Biomedical Engineering

University of Wisconsin-Madison

University of Wisconsin-Madison

AbstractStructures that are handicap accessible are a primary concern of the disabled since they make everyday life less problematic. Our point of concern deals not with inanimate objects, but rather with the maneuvering through masses of pedestrians. Several accidents can occur and further injury may be the consequence. A device must be designed that will cause others to be made aware of their surroundings by seizing their attention. In order to aid this procedure, suggestions have been made to create a mechanism that can be controlled and used by the disabled person, regardless of his or her physical capabilities.

Problem StatementBackground: Our client’s daughter, Jessica, suffers from cerebral palsy and is unable to vocally identify herself. Her mother, Sandra, assists her daughter around on a daily basis and has requested that we develop an audible warning system to inform others of her daughter’s presence.

Motivation: During daily activities, our client and her daughter run into pedestrians. Due to the lack of a warning system, there is no efficient method of alerting the other people. Whether it is around a corner or on a ramp, others must be warned so that further accidents can be prevented.

Background Cerebral Palsy (CP)

Spastic: most common form of CP; characterized by stiff, jerky movements

Ataxic: associated with balance problems, shaky hand movements, and irregular speech

Athetoid: unwanted movements; loss of posture

Current Warning Method – Verbal Ineffective in large crowds Speech impairment

Design CriteriaAudible warning system to alert oncoming pedestrians

Intuitive design that can be activated by both Jessica and her mother

Must be mounted on right arm of wheelchair

Device must not add considerable bulk or affect everyday operation of wheelchair

Previous Designs

Elizabethtown CollegeProximity sensors used to detect stationary objectsOver-activation of sensors in crowded areas

PatentsPatents have been issued describing devices emitting an audible tone for wheelchair users in distress U.S. Patent # 5,791,761

Final Design:Two-way SwitchesTwo consoles - Arm rest and handleSeparate switches for each functionBoth functions powered by 9V battery4 Single Pole-Double Throw Rocker SwitchesPower Center beneath wheelchair containing circuitry and buzzer

Two-way Switches: CircuitryLights

One red and one blue LED mounted on each side

BuzzerContained in power center emitting a siren-like noise Schematic for circuit

design at a console

Buzzer

Lights

Two-way Switches: Materials

SwitchesUser consoles contain switches

White = LightBlack = Sound

HousingBlack plastic boxes provide protection against debrisDoes not interfere with daily use of wheelchair

Visual Layout

Clamps to wheelchair handle

Light Switch

Contains circuitry 9V power source

Top view

Side view

Front view

Cost AnalysisProduct Quantity Cost

Plastic Housing 5 $18.00

LEDs 4 $16.38

Piezo Buzzer 1 $5.29

Rocker Switches 4 $5.76

Circuitry 1 $3.00

Total $48.43

Future WorkStable attachment onto frameConceal wires and make more aesthetically pleasingClient must test product to determine if lights are bright enough and grasp attention of others

ConclusionThanks

Our advisor, Dr. WebsterOur clients, Sandra, Jessica, and Bob.

ReferencesBicycle Lights. Tireflys. Date Accessed: 14 Sept 2005 http://www.tireflys.com.Küschall Mobility. Küschall. Date Accessed: 25 Sept 2005. http://www.kuschallna.com/.Proximity Sensors. Date Accessed: 11 Oct 2005. http://www.parkingsensors.co.uk. US Patent Database. Date Accessed: 12 Oct 2005. http://www.uspto.gov/patft/.Wheelchair Picture. Butler Disabilities. Date Accessed: 11 Oct 2005. http://www.butler.edu/disabilities.RadioShack. Date Accessed: 22 Nov 2005. http://www.radioshack.com.

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