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dc.contributor.advisorDaniel Frey.en_US
dc.contributor.authorFalcone, Sara Elizabethen_US
dc.contributor.otherMassachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Mechanical Engineering.en_US
dc.date.accessioned2015-09-17T19:11:41Z
dc.date.available2015-09-17T19:11:41Z
dc.date.copyright2015en_US
dc.date.issued2015en_US
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/98782
dc.descriptionThesis: S.B., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Mechanical Engineering, 2015.en_US
dc.descriptionCataloged from PDF version of thesis.en_US
dc.descriptionIncludes bibliographical references (page 39).en_US
dc.description.abstractThis thesis analyses the front wheel of the Leveraged Freedom Chair (LFC) an all-terrain, off-road wheelchair with two distinct models: one for the developing world and one specifically for American riders. The functional requirements of performance and price, were designated by the start-up company Global Research Innovation and Technology (GRIT), which makes the LFC. This study includes comparisons between the original rubber wheel, which is currently being used as the front wheel of the LFC, and alternative wheels available for purchase. The goal was to find a new wheel which could be implemented for future manufacturing to increase the lifespan of the LFC, improve the ride quality and efficiency of production. Based on performance it is concluded that a pneumatic wheel of comparable geometry to the original rubber wheel is the best alternative for the American chair where maintenance is more routine and replacement parts and service are readily available. For the developing world future work is necessary to either improve the quality of the original rubber wheel or select a low cost, low maintenance alternative.en_US
dc.description.statementofresponsibilityby Sara Elizabeth Falcone.en_US
dc.format.extent39 pagesen_US
dc.language.isoengen_US
dc.publisherMassachusetts Institute of Technologyen_US
dc.rightsM.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission.en_US
dc.rights.urihttp://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582en_US
dc.subjectMechanical Engineering.en_US
dc.titleDesign of a rugged wheel for application in the Leveraged Freedom Chairen_US
dc.typeThesisen_US
dc.description.degreeS.B.en_US
dc.contributor.departmentMassachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Mechanical Engineering
dc.identifier.oclc921140891en_US


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