|
|
|
Line 2: |
Line 2: |
| ''We put the '''WHEE!''' in Wheelchair!'' | | ''We put the '''WHEE!''' in Wheelchair!'' |
| | | |
− | =NEWS!= | + | =NEW NEWS :-)= |
− | We have [[Donors|DONORS]]! A huge thanks to some wonderful people who donated some equipment and money for our first ''very'' rough prototype.
| + | After a bit of a break, we're back! |
| + | |
| + | One of our earliest contributors has returned, and is now ''teaching'' engineering at UC Davis. He was kind enough to inform us of an opportunity with their Capstone Design Course; we submitted our proposal, and were approved as "a suitable project for a team of our engineering students to tackle." We'll have a few students working on the WHIM chair, with the goal of a working prototype by the end of the class! |
| | | |
| =Our Mission= | | =Our Mission= |
− | '''''<big>To design, build, and publish plans for a power wheelchair, utilizing parts which are readily available, non-proprietary, low-cost, dependable, user maintainable, and adaptable.</big>'''''
| + | To design, build, and publish plans for a power wheelchair, utilizing parts which are readily available, non-proprietary, low-cost, dependable, user maintainable, and adaptable. |
| | | |
| ==What does this mean?== | | ==What does this mean?== |
Line 18: |
Line 20: |
| | | |
| ==Why are we doing this?== | | ==Why are we doing this?== |
− | Wheelchair maintenance is problematic, at best. Parts are available from limited sources, usually medical supply specialists. If you're using insurance to get the chair fixed, then often a prescription is required even for simple fixes. | + | Wheelchair maintenance is problematic, at best. Parts are available from limited sources, usually medical supply specialists. If you're using insurance to get the chair fixed, then often a prescription is required even for simple fixes (including flats!?). |
| | | |
| That means, if something breaks, you need to | | That means, if something breaks, you need to |
Line 30: |
Line 32: |
| **Schedule another appointment with the repair shop and the van once the part comes in (another 1-3 weeks) | | **Schedule another appointment with the repair shop and the van once the part comes in (another 1-3 weeks) |
| **Wait in the shop again while they fix the problem (several more hours sitting in their waiting room, still without access to a functioning chair) | | **Wait in the shop again while they fix the problem (several more hours sitting in their waiting room, still without access to a functioning chair) |
− | *And finally head back home with a working chair | + | *And finally head back home with a working chair. Maybe. |
| | | |
− | In our experience, this can take up to 2 months or more, depending on the issue. It can be worse if there are no local wheelchair repair shops. | + | In our [[experience]], this can take up to 2 months or more, depending on the issue. It can be worse if there are no local wheelchair repair shops. |
| | | |
| If you're not using insurance, it might be quicker, however the costs associated can be quite high. US$10,000+ for the initial chair, $200+ for a single battery (you generally need 2), $400 for an seat cushion, and so on. | | If you're not using insurance, it might be quicker, however the costs associated can be quite high. US$10,000+ for the initial chair, $200+ for a single battery (you generally need 2), $400 for an seat cushion, and so on. |
Line 46: |
Line 48: |
| We've broken the chair down to its component pieces, examined how they relate to each other, and what we'd like to be able to do. | | We've broken the chair down to its component pieces, examined how they relate to each other, and what we'd like to be able to do. |
| | | |
− | *[[Wheels]] - More Rolling than Rocking | + | *[[Wheels]] - Rolling Down the Highways |
| *[[Motors]] - Moving Forward (or Backward) | | *[[Motors]] - Moving Forward (or Backward) |
| *[[Frame]] - Something to Build on | | *[[Frame]] - Something to Build on |
| + | *[[Suspension]] - Suspend Your Disbelief |
| *[[Controllers]] - Keeping Control | | *[[Controllers]] - Keeping Control |
| *[[Batteries and Chargers]] - Power to the People! | | *[[Batteries and Chargers]] - Power to the People! |