• Journal of The Korea Institute of Healthcare Architecture
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.57-65
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• 2024

Purpose: This study aims to evaluate the barrier-free environment at Fukui University's Bunkyo Campus, focusing on the mobility of students using manual wheelchairs. Methods: Data were collected on architectural plans, barrier-free facilities, and class schedules at Fukui University's Bunkyo Campus. Measurements included step heights, slopes, and the accessibility of classroom furniture for manual wheelchairs. Mobility was assessed by timing the movement between 19 classrooms used in the second semester of 2022 during breaks and summer vacation. Results: This study highlights that while Fukui University's Bunkyo Campus has some barrier-free buildings, significant improvements are needed. Issues include inadequate elevators, hand operated doors, and multi-purpose restrooms, as well as inefficient classroom's furniture layouts for wheelchair users. To enhance accessibility, future efforts should focus on reducing elevator wait times, automating doors, and optimizing classroom designs. Implications: The study indicates that Fukui University's Bunkyo Campus needs significant improvements in barrier-free accessibility. It provides foundational data for future detailed planning and implementation. Enhanced campus accessibility and better classroom designs are crucial for equal learning environments. Similar issues may exist at other Japanese universities, warranting broader investigation.

• 재활복지
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.211-233
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• 2016

The purpose of this study is to figure out problems and to suggest improvement scheme by examining 31 of the disabled who used power wheelchair developed for safe moving and standing support. The results are as follows. First, standing power wheelchair that enables the disabled to sit and stand up was developed. It can also be used as means of transportation for moving in narrow space and in a short distance. In the usability test of this prototype, two groups were respectively examined in 60 evaluation items. One group consisted of 16 people with disabilities using manual wheelchairs. And the other one consisted of 15 people with disabilities using automatic wheelchairs. The entire average figure of two groups was shown to be 2.72 and standard deviation was 0.820. Specifically, the average figure of the group in manual wheelchair was 2.85 and the one of the other group in automatic wheelchair was 2.57. And both group replied that the move to stand up and sit on both types of wheelchair was the most inconvenient thing. It shows why ergonomic design for persons with under extremity disabilities to stand up and sit is needed. Second, with further study based on the results of usability test of the disabled, it will make contribution to increase the quality of people with disabilities by helping them move and do daily lives on their own.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Precision Engineering Conference
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• 2013.05a
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• pp.523-524
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• 2013

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Precision Engineering Conference
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• 2010.05a
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• pp.49-50
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• 2010

• Journal of rehabilitation welfare engineering & assistive technology
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.251-258
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• 2014

A wheelchair is a typical mobility aid for the physically disabled or the old and the weak, and is the most commonly used rehabilitation aid. In general, most of users of manual wheelchair have difficulty though vocational rehabilitation and independent living is possible. The reason is that long-distance movement is always accompanied with wheelchair transfer problem because a wheelchair is used as direct means of transport. Hence, the wheelchair transfer problem should be first solved in order that a wheelchair user can independently live. Therefore, this study examined and analyzed the domestic and overseas launched products and patented technologies of wheelchair transfer system for vehicle, and proposed a wheelchair transfer mechanism of a new system for vehicle. This study proposed a wheelchair transfer mechanism for vehicle in order to remove the disadvantage of wheelchair transfer system for vehicle to support the conventional wheelchair user's movement, and in order to conform with the structure of domestic welfare vehicle for the disabled. Because a difference between storage space installed in the roof of vehicle and storage space for leisure, which is generally utilized, gets to disappear by applying this proposed mechanism, popularity among users can be increased. And storage space that has become smaller like this will be capable of decreasing the disadvantage of air resistance in traveling. Besides, because of getting to conform with the structure of welfare vehicle, restrictions on the application range will disappear from small sedan to SUV. Therefore, users can have more choices.

• Proceedings of the KIEE Conference
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• 2009.07a
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• pp.1976_1977
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• 2009

The number and percentage of people in need of a wheelchair are increasing every year, both manual and power wheelchair users express an interest in monitoring their weight. However, frequent measurements are not possible when relying on hospital scales and models designed for home use are expensive. So the goals of this study became to create a product that's relatively inexpensive, portable, and precise, which means varying little between measurements. Secondary goals were ease of use, compatibility with different kinds of wheelchairs, and accuracy, which means achieving proximity to an actual value and isn't as important when trying to monitor increases or decreases in weight.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.79-85
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• 2019

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between physical features, strength, function, and upper extremity musculoskeletal pain during rehabilitation of manual wheelchair users with spinal cord injuries. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: The degree and frequency of upper extremity musculoskeletal pain were measured in persons with spinal cord injuries using manual wheelchairs with the use of questionnaires. The pain scores of the hand, wrist, and shoulder joints were calculated by multiplying the seriousness and frequency of pain. We collected data on the manual muscle test, Spinal Cord Independent Measure-III, and the Body Mass Index. Statistical analysis was performed by descriptive analysis and Pearson's correlation analysis. Results: A total of 47 patients participated in this study and the neurological level of the injuries ranged from C2 to S5. Pain in the shoulder joints was the most common in persons with tetraplegia and paraplegia. Pain was experienced as mild to moderate, and occurred one or more times a week. Of the 32 persons with paraplegia, the most common area of complaint was the shoulder. Of the 15 persons with paraplegia, the shoulder joints were the most common site of pain. The independence levels of the persons with spinal cord injuries were highly correlated to muscle strength levels (p<0.05). Conclusions: This study investigated upper extremity musculoskeletal pain during rehabilitation of manual wheelchair users with spinal cord injuries and the relationship between physical features, strength, and function. In most persons with spinal cord injuries, pain and frequency of shoulder joints were high and pain levels were also related to functional levels.

• Journal of rehabilitation welfare engineering & assistive technology
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.257-263
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• 2015

The purpose of this study was to survey the elderly patients through Basic information, Problems Wheelchair, Wheelchair Satisfaction, Usage and Requirements. The meaning of purpose is identify the problems and difficulties of wheelchair use in geriatric patients and an alternative for the correct use of wheelchairs elderly patients. The study investigated through questionnaires. That used questionnaires to modified to Gu Hyeon-Mo questionnaire (2005) and Quebec User Evaluation of Satisfaction with assistive Technology 2.0. 120 of 150 questionnaires were collected and one of them is excluded. Analysis results suggest the following. It was often feel joint pain results from physical damage. In addition when you use a wheelchair it was often feel discomfort in lower back and pelvis. And it feels uncomfortable when moving the tilt. Wheelchair satisfaction of the participants responded to the most 'Normal'. Results of the wheelchair operation ability is as follows. In the case of manual wheelchairs was feeling the difficulty to cross the threshold, Wheel lying, Stairs usage. Also In the case of an electric wheelchair was feeling the difficulty to use Tilt and Decline, Separate from the motor, and Replacement battery. In conclusion, To reduce of back pain and hip joints of elderly patients need to modify design and appearance of the wheelchair. In a later study will find to reduce discomfort and to improve satisfaction of the elderly who use wheelchairs. It will have to periodically examine the usage and satisfaction with them.

• Journal of Power Electronics
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.798-804
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• 2016

This paper proposes a new operation and control strategy for Power-Assisted Wheelchairs (PAW) using one brushless DC (BLDC) motor. The conventional electrical wheelchairs are too heavy and large for one person to move because they have two electric motor wheels. On the other hand, the proposed PAW system has a small volume and is easy to move due to the presence of a single wheel motor. Unlike the conventional electric wheelchairs, this structure for a PAW does not have a control joystick to reduce its weight and volume. To control the wheelchair without a joystick, a special control system and algorithm are needed for proper operation of the wheelchair. In the proposed PAW system uses only one sensor to detect the acceleration and direction of PAW's movement. By using this sensor, speed control can be achieved. With a speed control system, there are three kinds of operations that can be done on the speed of a PAW: the increment of PAW speed by summing external force, the decrement of PAW speed by subtracting external force, and emergency breaking by evaluating the time duration of external force. The validity of the proposed algorithm is verified through experimental results.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.14 no.11
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• pp.5392-5395
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• 2013

Application of electric wheelchair, sort of wheelchair which is playing important role in transporting patients and old people, has been increasing. In this study, we designed the electric wheelchairs' driving system. Using the multi-step gear, the driving system can get great power, even though the small capacity of motors. First, we designed the multi-step gear, test its bending strength and contact strength, as well as verified its performance. We installed 'B-type electric brake(Multiple plate clutch, Anti-magnetization) in same axle of the driving system, so it is possible to stop under huge torque and small size. Using this driving system of the multi-step gear which we designed, it's possible to improve driving gear efficiency 30% up and create the high-competitive electric wheelchair. And, it is easy to repair and control.