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Empirical Testing Method for Wheelchair Inertial Properties Study

This study presents a detailed method for measuring manual wheelchair inertia properties using iMachine tests and spring-loaded turntables. Results show high accuracy in mass and center of mass calculations, with calibration to eliminate errors. Findings support improved wheelchair performance analysis during turning maneuvers. The iMachine system is deemed suitable for mass and inertia measurements based on industry criteria.

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Empirical Testing Method for Wheelchair Inertial Properties Study

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  1. Test method for empirically determining inertial properties of manual wheelchairs Matthew R. Eicholtz, MS; Jayme J. Caspall, MS; Phuc V. Dao, MS; Stephen Sprigle, PhD, PT; Al Ferri, PhD

  2. Study Aim • Design and study a method for empirically measuring inertia properties of manual wheelchairs. • Relevance • Results will improve and generate new studies on wheelchair performance, especially during turning maneuvers, in which inertia is important.

  3. Methods • Used iMachine for tests. • Spring-loaded turntable for measuring inertial properties of irregularly shaped rigid bodies. • Calculated wheelchair mass and center of mass from static force measurements using load cells. • Used Newton-Euler approach. • Determined moment of inertia about vertical axis from natural frequency of system in simple harmonic motion. • Calibrated iMachine to eliminate effects of platform components on measurement error.

  4. Results • Average relative error: • Mass = 0.76% • Center of mass • x-axis = 0.89% • y-axis = 1.99% • Resolution of moment of inertia calculation depends on ratio of test piece inertia to system inertia:  ratio indicates =  measurement accuracy • Gage repeatability and reproducibility test with 3 manual wheelchairs: • Each completed 3 tests by 3 different operators. • 99% of inertia variance caused by wheelchair differences.

  5. Results Relative error vs inertia ratio (ratio of test piece inertia to total inertia of test piece and turntable).

  6. Conclusions • iMachine measurement system operation is acceptable for both inertia and mass measurement using criteria from Automobile Industry Action Group.

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