Clutch Operating Mechanism for Disabled People with Leg Amputee
33
Fig. 1 Steering control of a
vehicle for disabled driver
and pinion with the wheels’ axle is shown in Fig. 1. Mechanical steering system
was modified to mechatronics-based system by replacing mechanical linkages with
motor and PIC microcontroller whereas operation of clutch is not included in the
paper [5].
Therefore, it is required to develop vehicle control system in order to be driven
by a disabled person. The main controlling operations are steering, acceleration,
braking, clutching and gearing. Based on the type of disabilities, these five operations
need to be managed by fully functional limbs. The work presented in this paper
is focused on the development of clutch operation in an existing four-wheeler for
lower limbs disabled people (legs are not functional). The developed clutch operating
mechanism can be fitted in an existing four-wheeler without modification (very little
adjustments) and does only include mechanical components. The development of
such a mechanism is explained in the following section.
3 Clutch Operating Mechanism for Disabled People
The study of existing designs, commercially available and explained in literature,
has been conducted and picked out the pitfalls so that they could be avoided in
our design. Some of the pitfalls are explained in section: literature review. Design
for the clutch operating mechanisms was iteration-based, i.e. for making the foot
pedals hand controlled, various ideas were put forward and based on that idea’s
ideation, sketches were created and then feasibility of each design was checked.
This methodology will not only keep errors out but will also reduce time resulting
in a better design. Outcomes of this project are totally based on the innovation and
ideas generated. The present invention is intended to provide a mobility solution by
33
Fig. 1 Steering control of a
vehicle for disabled driver
and pinion with the wheels’ axle is shown in Fig. 1. Mechanical steering system
was modified to mechatronics-based system by replacing mechanical linkages with
motor and PIC microcontroller whereas operation of clutch is not included in the
paper [5].
Therefore, it is required to develop vehicle control system in order to be driven
by a disabled person. The main controlling operations are steering, acceleration,
braking, clutching and gearing. Based on the type of disabilities, these five operations
need to be managed by fully functional limbs. The work presented in this paper
is focused on the development of clutch operation in an existing four-wheeler for
lower limbs disabled people (legs are not functional). The developed clutch operating
mechanism can be fitted in an existing four-wheeler without modification (very little
adjustments) and does only include mechanical components. The development of
such a mechanism is explained in the following section.
3 Clutch Operating Mechanism for Disabled People
The study of existing designs, commercially available and explained in literature,
has been conducted and picked out the pitfalls so that they could be avoided in
our design. Some of the pitfalls are explained in section: literature review. Design
for the clutch operating mechanisms was iteration-based, i.e. for making the foot
pedals hand controlled, various ideas were put forward and based on that idea’s
ideation, sketches were created and then feasibility of each design was checked.
This methodology will not only keep errors out but will also reduce time resulting
in a better design. Outcomes of this project are totally based on the innovation and
ideas generated. The present invention is intended to provide a mobility solution by