Improving Tricycle Biomechanics: Concept

1
Improving Tricycle Biomechanics Concept

• Tricycle Biomechanics Team
• March 22, 2007
• Xin He, Katherine Wong, Mario Bollini, Elizabeth
  Au, Lindsay Todman

2
Community Partnership

• Abdullah tricycles versus wheelchairs
• Medical, environmental, stigmatic reasons
• Rory synchronous versus asynchronous crank
• Power efficiency, mobility
• General difficulty in communication

3
Concept Modify Current System

• Provides tangible results for community partners
  by the end of the term.
• Will seek to optimize
• Gear ratio
• Crank configuration (synchronous vs.
  asynchronous)
• Crank position
• Steering system

4
Modules

• Steering
• Gears
• Ratio, derailers, speed, arms
• Crank
• Symmetric and Asymmetric
• Adjustability
• Position

5
Next StepTesting power output

• Find the maximum power output for different
  people using the hand crank
• This power output should be measured for a
  reasonable period of time to ensure it is
  sustainable
• Vary the position of the crank and see how the
  power output changes