A device to measure vertical centre of mass of a wheelchair and occupant

The stability of electric wheelchairs is critically dependent on the set-up of the chair, both in geometry and motor control. The most important factor affecting stability is the vertical centre of mass (CoM) of the system. This project seeks to design, manufacture and test a device to measure the centre of mass of a wheel chair in the vertical (z axis), longitudinal (x axis) and transverse (y axis) directions. As yet, such a device has never been successfully implemented with human test subjects. In practice, this device uses an instrumented load platform to measure the horizontal centre of mass of the wheelchair and occupant while stationary. It then accelerates the platform in the x direction and measures the change in load and acceleration. From this information the vertical CoM component, Cmz, is calculated. This device has potential direct applications in any situation where wheelchairs are fitted to users. The knowledge developed has wider application in other areas where centre of mass of a mobility device is to be measured.

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