Department of Applied Mechanics and Biomechanics, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Cracow University of Technology, Kraków, Poland.
Laboratory of Techno-Climatic Research and Heavy Duty Machines, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Cracow University of Technology, Kraków, Poland.
Acta Bioeng Biomech. 2023;25(1):137-149.
The aim of this experimental study was to compare the ability of polyurethane cushions of three arbitrary selected thicknesses to minimize vibrations transmitted from the wheelchair to its user.
Measurements were made during passive motion on five different surfaces often found in public spaces. Two tests were carried out during the measurements. In the first test, the sensor was located directly on the surface of the wheelchair seat. In the second test, a polyurethane cushion was placed on the seat, on which the measuring sensor was then placed.
The study showed that regardless of the surface on which the wheelchair user moves, the threshold defined in the ISO standard for frequencies in the range of 4-40 Hz was exceeded. However, thanks to the use of polyurethane cushions, vibration damping was visible for frequencies ranging from 10 to 40 Hz. The impact of the user's weight on the magnitude of the perceived vibrations was also observed.
Studies show that wheelchair users are exposed to whole body vibration that can negatively affect their health. Cushions made of polyurethane seem to be a promising solution to reduce whole body vibration in the frequency range that is burdensome and harmful to human health.
本实验研究的目的是比较三种任意选择厚度的聚氨酯垫在最小化轮椅传递给使用者的振动方面的能力。
在公共空间中常见的五种不同表面上进行被动运动时进行了测量。在测量过程中进行了两项测试。在第一项测试中，传感器直接位于轮椅座位的表面上。在第二项测试中，将聚氨酯垫放置在座位上，然后将测量传感器放置在其上。
研究表明，无论轮椅使用者在哪个表面上移动，都超过了 ISO 标准中 4-40 Hz 频率范围内的阈值。然而，由于使用了聚氨酯垫，在 10-40 Hz 的频率范围内可以看到减振效果。还观察到使用者的重量对感知振动幅度的影响。
研究表明，轮椅使用者会受到全身振动的影响，这可能会对他们的健康产生负面影响。由聚氨酯制成的坐垫似乎是一种有前途的解决方案，可以减少对人体健康有负担和有害的频率范围内的全身振动。
