AUTOMATED MECHATRONIC WHEELCHAIR

Author: BRANIMIR BUDIJA

Company/Institution: University of Zagreb, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture (FAMENA)

Country: Croatia

e-mail: branimirbudija0@gmail.com; bb220059@stud.fsb.hr

web: www.fsb.unizg.hr

Mentor: Prof. dr. sc. ZELJKO SITUM

e-mail: zeljko.situm@fsb.unizg.hr

A wheelchair has been designed and built that has the ability to automatically raise a patient from a sitting to a lying position up to the height of a hospital bed. This solves the problem of engagement and great physical effort of the medical staff when lifting immobile people from wheelchairs to hospital beds. With a simple automated operation, the patient can be moved independently from the lying position to the hospital bed. Raising the patient to the height of the bed in a lying position is made possible by using three pneumatic cylinders, which raise the wheelchair seat and footrest, and are controlled by electromagnetic valves. Controlling the movement and achieving the desired height of the trolley is simplified by using integrated switches, monitoring the position of the cylinder piston and controlling the lifting height of the trolley using the control button. Additional mobility and autonomy for the patient are provided by two electric motors for driving the wheels, which are controlled by a joystick located on the armrest. To supply the pneumatic system with compressed air, a compressor and an accumulator are used as a source of electricity. By combining pneumatics, automation and electronics, automated wheelchairs have been created that reduce the physical effort of medical staff and the risk of injury when lifting patients.