Title:Necessary area for single arm and single leg driven wheelchair turning, A report about moving area aiming at development of new wheelchairs to adapt to living environment (The 2nd report).
Author:Yoshiaki KITANO (Ishikawa Prefectural Rehabilitation Center)
Proceedings of 12th Japanese Conference of Advancement of Rehabilitation Technology. vol.12,pp.19-22 (August,1997)
Keywords:
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed:
Yoshiaki KITANO (Ishikawa Prefectural Rehabilitation Center)
TEL:076-266-2860


Abstract:
This paper describes necessary area for single arm and single leg driven wheelchair turning to aim to develop new wheelchairs for hemiplegea. Turning trajectories at a right angular corner were measured with two left hemiplegic subjects. The Motus system made by PEAK Co.Ltd., three dimensional motion analysis system, and the Champion 1000SA wheelchair made by Kuschall Co. Ltd. were used. The data showed that 67cm to 155cm diameter and 80cm to 95cm width were needed for turning. Left turn, which is toward disabled side, needed smaller area than right turn. Moving the axis of rear wheels forward needed smaller turning diameter and narrower width than moving it backward. This meant the frontal position of rear wheels got better maneuverability. Additionally, the experiments showed that the foot plate and leg rest of able side obstructed driving wheelchair. These results will advance development of new wheelchairs for hemiplegic patients.