Análise de um sistema de geração de resistência eletromagnético utilizado em um ergômetro para cadeirantes

Abstract

At the present, there are few equipments dedicated to application of tests for wheelchairs user, which motivated the development of projects for this population. The aim of this work is to analyze the application of an electromechanical resistance generator module linked to an ergometer prototype to evaluate the physical condition of wheelchairs users. The ergometer prototype was projected to solve the biomechanical problems, with the development standard tests through an effective simulation of wheelchair motion. The propulsion module is similar to a standard wheelchair structure with a mechanical transmission adaptation. The electromagnetic resistance module developed the generated resistance torque to simulate the loads during the movement of a wheelchair. This electromagnetic brake uses electromagnets based on Foucault theory for braking action. The prototype gets a feedback data from a generator clamped to the transmission system. An analytic model was developed to estimate the braking force. The different levels of torque and rotational speed were calibrated using a torque sensor and an inductive sensor, respectively. A software interface in LabVIEW for acquisition and data analysis to determinate the parameters of physical conditioning of wheelchair users was developed. To evaluate the module clamped to the ergometer prototype ERG-CR09 the Wingate test was used. It was observed that the software and equipments developed were adequate for the physical evaluation with the levels of resistance offered by the module.