Washington Technology Center - Magic Wheels, Inc.

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Magic Wheels, Inc.

Seattle

http://www.magicwheels.net

RTD Award: Phase III Project Title: “Testing and Optimization for Low Cost Composite 2-Gear Wheelchair Wheels” Research Partner: Brian Flinn, Ph.D., Department of Materials Science & Engineering, University of Washington Project Began: 2007 Magic Wheels Inc., a Seattle-based maker of a patented, two-gear manual wheelchair wheel, has teamed with University of Washington Materials Science and Engineering researcher Brian Flinn to provide mechanical, endurance and environmental testing for a cost-effective wheel manufacturing process that will benefit wheelchair users. The company-researcher team has received $99,938 in Phase III Research and Technology Development funding from the State of Washington to further develop their project titled "Testing and Optimization for Low Cost Composite 2-Gear Wheelchair Wheels." Users of manual wheelchairs suffer limited mobility on inclines and uneven surfaces. The physical exertion needed to overcome these obstacles takes a significant toll on the users - 20-80% experience shoulder pain and 30-70% experience wrist pain. MagicWheels has created a two-gear manual wheelchair wheel that enables users to navigate challenging surfaces with less physical strain. While the carbon composite wheels used by MagicWheels have proven to be as strong, flexible and durable as traditional spoke wheels, the cost of the current wheel manufacturing process is high. For their project, Magic Wheels and Dr. Flinn will conduct mechanical, endurance and environmental testing and analysis required to optimize the design of a lower-cost wheel using compression molding technology. The cost savings associated with the manufacturing of this innovative wheelchair component will make this strain-reducing technology available to more users.				“Kudos to Magic Wheels Inc., for its groundbreaking partnership with the University of Washington. Through their joint work, wheelchair users will benefit from a model that requires less exertion. Collaborative efforts such as this one also have the benefit of sharing resources and minds as they create innovative solutions.” Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Welles, (D-Seattle) "Congratulations and thanks to these Washington firms for their creativity and leading-edge research." Rep. Helen Sommers, (D-Seattle)

Project Began: 2004

In this Phase II RTD project, Dr. Flinn will continue testing the endurance, reliability, and environmental resistance of Magic Wheels' new two-speed manual wheelchair wheels. This two-speed drive contains composite wheels and provides multiple benefits to the manual wheelchair user, including easier navigation on uneven terrain and possible reduction of arm pain.

Researcher: Dr. Brian Flinn, University of Washington Dept. of Materials Science & Engineering

Project Began: 2003

Wheelchair users have long sought to transport themselves more efficiently to increase their mobility and independence and to reduce the strain on their arm joints. Current wheelchairs allow limited mobility on inclines and uneven terrains. Magic Wheels, Inc. has developed a simple, cost-effective mechanism in a two-speed geared drive wheel that enables wheelchair users to negotiate obstacles such as slopes and challenging surfaces with less strain.

Magic Wheels™ (also the product) incorporates a patent-pending two-speed gear drive in quick-release wheels that can be easily installed on existing wheelchairs. In addition to the extra climbing power provided by the gears, it also offers an advanced hill-holding feature (with pushrim override) and a pushrim-operated downhill assisted braking feature (for fingertip braking -- no more burned hands), without relying on complex electronics or cumbersome motors and batteries. Dr. Brian Flinn is working with the company to test the structural strength of this new manual wheelchair wheel, which contains a carbon-fiber composite wheel core.