• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.38 no.10
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• pp.1109-1116
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• 2014

The wheelchair mechanism for a car that is proposed in this study primarily consists of a transfer mechanism and storage mechanism. The wheelchair transfer mechanism consists of a manipulator installed in the roof of a car, and performs the function of transferring the wheelchair from the driver's seat to the trunk. The wheelchair storage mechanism consists of a lifting hoist installed in the trunk of car, and performs the function of storing the transferred wheelchair in the trunk and safely fastening it in place. This study analyzed and reviewed various manipulators, including a vertical type, Scara type, and telescopic type, with the goal of selecting the best type of manipulator for the wheelchair transfer mechanism. The telescopic type was selected and applied because of its good load support and storage capabilities. In addition, with regard to the wheelchair storage mechanism, a slide hoist type that used a slide rail and lift wire and a rotating link hoist type that used a rotating mechanism consisting of a worm gear and link were analyzed and reviewed. The slide hoist type was selected and applied because it had an advantage in relation to trunk space utilization. This study proposed a wheelchair transfer mechanism for a car to support a conventional wheelchair user's movements, and in order to conform to the structure of a domestic welfare car for the disabled.