The team discussed the pros and cons of each concept in order to decide how to move forward.
Pros and Cons
Concept 1: Recliner
Pros:
- Thigh/calf support
- Feet flat on the ground – no interference when standing up from chair
- Relatively unobtrusive – contained underneath seat
- Eliminates footrest problems
Cons:
- No foot support
- Unsure how to actuate
Concept 2: Linkage
Pros:
- Thigh/calf support
- Feet flat on the ground – no interference when standing up from chair
- Relatively unobtrusive – contained underneath seat
- Eliminates footrest problems
Cons:
- No foot support
- Kinematically complex – expensive
- Sharp pressure point – under most stress
Concept 3: Pulley
Pros:
- Simplest and cheapest
- Provides foot support, not just calf support
- Unobtrusive
- Fits all wheelchair sizes
Cons:
- No calf support
- Footrest not flush with ground
- Some of problems with current footrests remain