FitConnect: A recreational basketball wheelchair with adjustable seat width
Z.H. Zhao (TU Delft - Industrial Design Engineering)
A.J. Jansen – Mentor (TU Delft - Materializing Futures)
K.W. Song – Mentor (TU Delft - Human-Centred Artificial Intelligence)
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Abstract
Wheelchair basketball, the most popular wheelchair sport, plays a vital role in promoting inclusion and physical engagement among wheelchair users. However, despite the availability of government and institutional subsidies in the Netherlands, the processes of funding, customization, and maintenance remain lengthy and complex, mainly due to the high cost and extensive customization required for specialized wheelchairs. Users’ fitting needs, particularly among newcomers and teenagers, are constantly changing, yet the limited accessibility and adjustability of existing wheelchairs often forces players to rely on poorly fitted or no longer suitable, shared, or previously used equipment, creating notable pain points in comfort and performance.
In response to these situations, this thesis emphasis the importance of seat width fitting in recreational wheelchair basketball context, and proposes a novel improvement in basketball wheelchair design by integrating a quick and convenient seat width adjustment function with existing adjustable dimensions. The design achieved seat width adjustment by applying screw drive and Scott-Russell mechanism, and its ability to adjust to a high level of seat width fit has been verified through user testing.
Overall, Fitconnect helps to fill the gap in research and design of basketball wheelchair seat width adjustment. The design enhanced the wheelchair’s ability to maintain a high level of fit for both the changing physical conditions of a single user and the needs of different users. By introducing seat width adjustment, it not only better connect users to their wheelchair seats, but also enhances the user's connection to the community.