Semi-automatic retractable handrail utilizing opening/closing movement of sliding door supporting elderly people to walk independently.

Authors

  • Kinjirou Saitou Yahata Rolling Mechanical Engineering Department, Engineering Division, Mechanical Engineering Unit, NIPPON STEEL TEXENG. CO., LTD., Kitakyushu-shi, Fukuoka, Japan
  • Nao-Aki Noda Kyushu Institute of Technology https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7983-7070
  • Yoshikazu Sano Department of Mechanical Engineering, Kyushu Institute of Technology, Kitakyushu-Shi, Fukuoka, Japan
  • Yasushi Takase Department of Mechanical Engineering, Kyushu Institute of Technology, Kitakyushu-Shi, Fukuoka, Japan
  • Shuqiong Li Department of Mechanical Engineering, Kyushu Institute of Technology, Kitakyushu-Shi, Fukuoka, Japan
  • Hiroyuki Tanaka Department of Mechanical Engineering, Kyushu Institute of Technology, Kitakyushu-Shi, Fukuoka, Japan
  • Yoshitaka Kubo Architecture Engineering Department, Development Division, Kei Products Co., Ltd., Kitakyushu-shi, Fukuoka, Japan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17411/jacces.v11i1.327

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to install a handrail on the sliding doors used in hospitals and nursing facilities to support seniors and people with disabilities to walk by themselves. The semi-automatic lifting equipment is utilized for the retractable handrail to make sure people in bad health are able to open the door using a weak force. To design the handrail for this purpose, the theoretical formula for opening force is derived. Then the simulation is performed with varying geometry conditions confirming the results are in good agreement with the experiment results. The opening force is designed to be less than the target value previously reported. The sliding door developed in this study is useful for elderly people walking by themselves safely.

Author Biography

Nao-Aki Noda, Kyushu Institute of Technology

Department of Mechanical Engineering, Kyushu Institute of Technology, Kitakyushu-Shi, Fukuoka, Japan Professor

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Published

2021-05-31

How to Cite

Saitou, K., Noda, N.-A., Sano, Y. ., Takase, Y. ., Li, S. ., Tanaka, H., & Kubo, Y. (2021). Semi-automatic retractable handrail utilizing opening/closing movement of sliding door supporting elderly people to walk independently . Journal of Accessibility and Design for All, 11(1), 1–19. https://doi.org/10.17411/jacces.v11i1.327

Issue

Vol. 11 No. 1 (2021): Journal of Accessibility and Design for All

Section

Engineering

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Copyright (c) 2021 Kinjirou Saitou, Nao-Aki Noda

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