Structural Analysis and Mass Optimization of Mobility Walkers Using Lightweight Polymer Matrix Composites
Journal Title: Precision Mechanics & Digital Fabrication - Year 2024, Vol 1, Issue 3
Abstract
This study investigates the structural performance and mass optimization of traditional walkers by comparing aluminum alloy and polymer matrix composites (PMCs) through advanced finite element analysis (FEA) using the ANSYS simulation platform. The FEA results reveal that peak stress, reaching 251.9 MPa, is concentrated at the front wheel support region, highlighting a critical area prone to structural vulnerability. Special attention is required to address potential mechanical limitations in key zones, such as the rear suspension, to prevent premature failure. Comparative analysis demonstrates that walkers fabricated from carbon-epoxy PMCs offer superior stiffness, reduced weight, and enhanced resistance to deformation compared to aluminum alloy counterparts. Notably, under descent conditions, the maximum elastic strain in the carbon-epoxy walker reaches 0.00399 mm/mm, localized in the front wheel support area, as indicated by the simulation results. These findings underscore the significant role of material selection in improving structural integrity and performance across varying operational conditions. The equivalence of stress and strain energy distributions further substantiates the advantages of composite materials over conventional alloys, suggesting that PMCs enable enhanced durability without compromising weight efficiency. The research emphasizes a human-centred approach, aligning material performance with user needs to develop mobility aids that offer long-term structural reliability. Beyond addressing immediate structural concerns, the findings lay the groundwork for future studies involving optimization algorithms and the exploration of alternative composites for assistive devices. The study provides valuable insights into stress distribution, deformation behaviour, and mechanical response, promoting continuous innovation in the design and development of mobility aids.
Authors and Affiliations
Okta Bani, Bharat Kumar Humagai
A Gearbox Vibration Signal Compressed Sensing Method Based on the Improved GLOW Flow Model
In response to the complex characteristics of gearbox vibration signals, including high frequency, high dimensionality, non-stationarity, non-linearity, and noise interference, this paper proposes a data processing metho...
Analysis and Experimental Study of the Composite Mechanical Bulging Process for Medium-Duty Commercial Vehicle Drive Axle Housing
A novel composite mechanical bulging process suitable for the manufacture of medium-duty commercial vehicle drive axle housings is proposed. The analytical expression for the limit bulging forming coefficient of tube bla...
Structural Analysis and Mass Optimization of Mobility Walkers Using Lightweight Polymer Matrix Composites
This study investigates the structural performance and mass optimization of traditional walkers by comparing aluminum alloy and polymer matrix composites (PMCs) through advanced finite element analysis (FEA) using the AN...
Comparative Analysis of Aerodynamic and Structural Performance of Aircraft Wings Using Boron Aluminum Metal Matrix Composites and Aluminum Alloys: A CFD and FSI Approach
The aerodynamic and structural performance of aircraft wings constructed from Boron Aluminum Metal Matrix Composites (Boron Al MMC) and conventional aluminum alloys has been comprehensively evaluated through Computationa...
A Remaining Useful Life Prediction Method for Rolling Bearings Based on Broad Learning System - Multi-Scale Temporal Convolutional Network
Rolling bearings play a critical role in various industrial applications. However, the complexity and diversity of data, along with the challenge of selecting the most representative features from a large set and reducin...