A WHEELCHAIR SOLUTION WITH SOLAR PANELS

Luminiţa Ioana VLAICU, Angela REPANOVICI

Abstract


The wheelchair in general is a vital mobile tool for people with disabilities. On the Romanian market there are only classic seats (with manual action) that cause injuries to the upper limbs and acute fatigue to users. There are also electronic chairs that have a much lower risk of damage to the osteoarticular system of the upper limbs, are designed for more efficient handling, but have a higher price. In this article we provide details on the design and operation process of a wheelchair with electric propulsion supported by an auxiliary solar power supply system. Following a test, it was observed that the solar power supply can increase the travel radius by 26%, compared to the solution that uses a battery power supply (with electronic drive system). The solar panel of the wheelchair will also serve as user protection against external factors, such as: excessive solar radiation or precipitation (snow, rain). We intend also, the economic development of the solar wheel scan in the form of a social enterprise, that certain processes, activities of the technological flow can be performed by people with disabilities.

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References


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