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Evaluation of temperature on different wheelchair cushions using infrared thermography method

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Abstract

Newly developed wheelchair cushions, nowadays, promise to offer more comfort and protection against injury for wheelchair users. Therefore, developing novel wheelchair cushions has become a real challenge for manufacturers in recent years. In particular, thermal properties of the wheelchair cushion and their effect on the user’s comfort are very important factors in the design and optimization. This paper reports the findings of an investigation into the thermal properties of wheelchair cushions using an infrared thermography system. The experimental results showed a variation in the temperature behavior of different trademarks of cushions depending on the heating zones and the C1 cushion made in TPU material has more advantages than the other cushions made in PU foam, pharmform, and visco-foam. The results and analysis from this research will help to find a better type of cushion and contribute to collecting useful medical information to prevent pressure ulcers for bedridden patients.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Danang - University of Technology and Education, Danang City, Vietnam

    He Thong Bui

  2. Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Danang - University of Science and Technology, Danang City, Vietnam

    Quang Bang Tao & Van Thanh Hoang

  3. Faculty of Mechanical Engineering (MATIM Lab), University of Reims Champagne-Ardenne, Reims City, France

    Philippe Lestriez, Karl Debray & Redha Taiar

Authors
  1. He Thong Bui
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  2. Quang Bang Tao
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  3. Philippe Lestriez
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  4. Karl Debray
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  5. Redha Taiar
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  6. Van Thanh Hoang
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Corresponding authors

Correspondence to He Thong Bui, Quang Bang Tao or Van Thanh Hoang.

Additional information

He Thong Bui is a Lecturer of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Technology and Education - The University of Danang, Vietnam. He obtained his Ph.D. in Biomechanical Engineering from University of Reims Champagne-Ardenne, France. His research interests include biomechanics and biomedical engineering, disability, pressure ulcers, finite element modeling, and numerical simulation.

Quang Bang Tao is a Lecturer of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Science and Technology, the University of Danang, Danang City, Vietnam. He received his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Paris Saclay University. His research interests include advanced materials, materials engineering and technology, numerical simulation.

Philippe Lestriez is an Associate Professor of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering (MATIM Lab), University of Reims Champagne-Ardenne, Reims City, France. He received his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the UTT Troyes, France (Ecole doctorale Sciences pour l’Ingénieur). His research interests include precision manufacturing, CAD/CAM/CNC, biomechanics, wheelchair cushion for disabilities.

Karl Debray is a Full Professor of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering (MATIM Lab), University of Reims Champagne-Ardenne, Reims City, France. He received his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Bordeaux 1, France. His research interests include precision manufacturing, CAD/CAM/CNC, biomechanics, wheelchair cushion for disabilities.

Redha Taiar is a Full Professor of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering (MATIM Lab), University of Reims Champagne-Ardenne, Reims City, France. He received his Ph.D. in Biomechanics from the University of Lyon 1, France. His research interests include biomechanics and human wheelchair.

Van Thanh Hoang is a Lecturer of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Science and Technology, The University of Danang, Danang City, Vietnam. He received his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Yeungnam University. His research interests include injection molding process for optical elements, numerical analysis, microfluidics, precision manufacturing, polymer blend, design of experiment.

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Bui, H.T., Tao, Q.B., Lestriez, P. et al. Evaluation of temperature on different wheelchair cushions using infrared thermography method. J Mech Sci Technol 37, 1455–1462 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12206-023-0231-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12206-023-0231-1

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