Handcycle Design & Development Process for the Disabled

10.6567/IFToMM.14TH.WC.PS3.002

Angus Jeang；Francois Liang；Hsin Fu Huang

disabled ； handcycle ； quality function deployment ； computer-aided analysis ； electric-assist

Proceedings of the 14th IFToMM World Congress

14th-5（2015 / 11 / 06）

96 - 104

英文

In addition to mobility inconveniences, the disabled move around much less compared to those not physically disabled. According to a medical survey, the chances of a disabled person suffering from obesity are 2.5 times as high compared to those not disabled. The main factors are mobility difficulties coupled with very few opportunities for the wheelchair user to exercise. Therefore, there exists market needs of bicycle products for disabled persons. Handcycles for the disabled are thus specially designed and developed so that the disabled person can also enjoy recreational sports.Quality Function Deployment (QFD) technique was used in this study to clarify customer requirements by conducting a product-usage survey. Starting from the perspective of end user needs, a technical quality deployment was performed on the product. Customer needs were converted into technical quality which was then followed by an exploration of the hand-driven human factors engineering. An upper limb movement pattern similar to the boat paddling was applied,then,three conceptual models ware evaluated and One of them was carried out the subsequent development phases. After that, product design and analyses were made- such as establishing the dimensions, acute triangle structure for the mainframe design, the lightweight structural design, appropriate tubing materials selecting. To achieve safety requirements, computer-aided safety simulation analysis on the main frame and the front fork was performed. After completing the design analysis on the structures of the mainframe and the front fork, further developments were made (e.g. sample making, procuring the parts and components, and subcontracting the manufacturing and processing processes), different machining methods were made on various components. After the first-generation phototype was finished, standard regulatory tests and road tests were done, in order to identify the safety of the first-generation handcycle. Further amendments were later made by equipping the handcycle with electric-assist control technology to finalize the design of an ＂electric-assisted handcycle＂ suitable for long distance use.