Development of frontal impact crashworthy wheelchair seating design criteria using computer simulation

When designing wheelchairs for use as motor vehicle seats, special design c riteria must be followed to assure the crash safety of the wheelchair user. Failure of seating system components under crash loading conditions could lead to serious injury or fatality. In this study, seat and seat-back loadi ng in a frontal crash are explored using computer simulation techniques. A previously validated simulation model consisting of a powerbase wheelchair and a seated 50th-percentile male test dummy subjected to a 20g/30mph front al impact were used for the study. Since such a wide range of seating syste ms are available, parametric analyses were conducted to evaluate the influe nce of surface stiffness and seat-back angle on wheelchair seat and back lo ading. Seat loading varied with stiffness, ranging from 819-3,273 lb., whil e seat-back loading was found to be between 1,427-2,691 lb., depending upon back stiffness and recline angle.