Article

Previous studies found that select titanium ultralight rigid wheelchairs (TURWs)
had fewer equivalent cycles and less value than select aluminum ultralight
folding wheelchairs (AUFWs). The causes of premature failure of TURWs were not
clear because the TURWs had different frame material and design than the AUFWs.
We tested 12 aluminum ultralight rigid wheelchairs (AURWs) with similar frame
designs and dimensions as the TURWs using the American National Standards
Institute/Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North
America and International Organization for Standardization wheelchair standards
and hypothesized that the AURWs would be more durable than the TURWs. Across
wheelchair models, no significant differences were found in the test results between the AURWs and TURWs, except in their overall length. Tire pressure,
tube-wall thickness, and tube manufacturing were proposed to be the factors
affecting wheelchair durability through comparison of the failure modes, frames,
and components. The frame material did not directly affect the performance of
AURWs and TURWs, but proper wheelchair manufacture and design based on mechanical
properties are important.

Langue : ANGLAIS