This ð document ð presents ð the ð design ð process, ð analysis, ð and ð fabrica7on ð used ð to ð create ð a ð prototype ð Leveraged ð Freedom ð Chair ð (LFC) ð for ð trial ð in ð East ð Africa. ð The ð LFC ð is ð a ð lever�괂Ġpowered, ð wheelchair�괂Ġbased ð mobility ð aid ð designed ð specifically ð for ð use ð in ð the ð developing ð world. ð Its ð drivetrain ð op7mally ð converts ð upper ð body ð in ð a ð wide ð range ð of ð terrains, ð giving ð the ð LFC ð opera7onal ð capabili7es ð that ð extend ð beyond ð those ð of ð currently ð available ð mobility ð products. ð All ð of ð the ð moving ð parts ð in ð the ð LFC ð are ð made ð from ð bicycle ð components, ð which ð allow ð it ð to ð be ð manufactured ð and ð repaired ð anywhere ð in ð the ð developing ð world. ð In ð August ð 2009, ð eight ð LFC ð prototypes ð were ð produced ð in ð Kenya ð for ð $195.28 ð each, ð affirming ð that ð the ð chair ð can ð be ð built ð using ð local ð tools ð and ð materials ð for ð the ð same ð price ð as ð exis7ng ð mobility ð aids. ð
[1]
Christopher Newell,et al.
Nothing About Us Without Us: Developing Innovative Technologies for, by and with Disabled Persons
,
2000,
BMJ : British Medical Journal.
[2]
D Veeger,et al.
Mechanical advantage in wheelchair lever propulsion: effect on physical strain and efficiency.
,
1997,
Journal of rehabilitation research and development.
[3]
V. Amos G. Winter.
Assessment of Wheelchair Technology in Tanzania
,
2006
.
[4]
H. Veeger,et al.
The effect of wheelchair handrim tube diameter on propulsion efficiency and force application (tube diameter and efficiency in wheelchairs).
,
1996,
IEEE transactions on rehabilitation engineering : a publication of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society.