Construcción de un prototipo de asistencia en la conducción de un automóvil para personas con paraplejia basado en un sistema de control electromecánico

Abstract

The aim of this work was the prototypical structure of a car driver assistance system for paraplegics based on an electromechanical control. The bibliographic study provided information on paraplegia and its physical consequences, statistical data on people with disabilities in the country and in the province of Chimborazo, on existing driver assistence systems on the market, and on operating principles and control elements of the car and simulation environments. A driving algorithm was developed for manual transmission cars and a cockpit structure was designed in SolidWorks as an environment for driving experiments. The prototype was based on the selection of mechanical and electromechanical elements into which a 3D-printed accessory was integrated to enable automated control. A static analysis of the structure was performed evaluating parameters of stresses, displacements, and unit deformations; A force of 925 Newtons was applied and it is concluded that the cold rolled carbon steel structure is not affected by this force as the critical elastic limit is larger (3,5e+08 N/m2). A graphical interface for user interaction was developed on the Raspberry platform, which the prototype could be configured. Finally, postures tests were conducted by measuring comfort angles in subgjets 165, 170, 175 cm tall, with the result that subjects 175 cm tal may feel discomfort when using the protype. It is concluded that the use of opensource elements is fundamental for the development of the prototype and it is recommended to review the safe procedure for using the prototype to ensure the correct use and the safety of the user.