Mechatronics for Wheelchair Users

This book discusses surmounting steps and transferring for wheelchair users. Three kinds of ideas based on mechatronics are introduced. The first idea is a pair of step-climbing units that can be installed in a standard manual wheelchair. The lightweight units do not prevent folding of the wheelchair, therefore, loading a wheelchair fixed with these units into a car is easy. The second one is a portable patient lift that is small and light, sufficient to be carried using a wheelchair in a folded state. It is compact, light, and portable because it has no actuator. Moreover, its operation is simple. It is useful not only at home or in a nursing home, but on any flat surface during daily excursions and activities, even in a conventional lavatory. The last one is a wheelchair with a lifting function designed to assist a caregiver when transferring a wheelchair user not only indoors but also outdoors. The target user is typically a severely disabled person with disabled upper and lower limbs. The user can approach above the toilet stool or the bed from the rear because the large driving wheels are in front of the body and the seat can be folded.