Design and Fabrication of Pneumatically Operated Wheelchair convertible Ambulated Stretcher

摘要

The transfer of a patient from a wheelchair to a stretcher or bed has become one of the most difficult tasks in hospitals and also at homes. Hence the proposed project aims at designing and fabricating a pneumatically operated wheelchair cum stretcher. This will overcome the drawback of patient transfer and reduce the physical exertion of the patient while being transferred. The proposed system consists of a compressor, two pneumatic cylinders, a 5/2 solenoid direction control valve and push buttons to operate the system. Initially, the required pressure for the compressor, which is from the range of 5 to 10 Bars is applied. From the compressor the air is sent to the 5/2 Solenoid Direction Control Valve which will direct the air from there towards the cylinder based on the type of the required conversion. The system will operate in three different modes, which will be, lifting of the wheelchair, and conversion of the wheelchair to a stretcher and conversion of the stretcher back to the wheelchair. There are two push buttons placed at the hand rest portion. On pressing one button, the lifting mechanism takes place and on pressing the other button the wheelchair to be conversion will take place. On actuation, Cylinder C1 which is placed vertically will provide the movement for lifting of the wheelchair, and on actuation, the Cylinder C2 which is placed horizontally will provide the movement for the wheelchair to the stretcher conversion, or vice versa. This prototype can be used by the elderly people at homes and also for the patient transfer in hospitals.