Rekayasa Mesin
Vol. 17 No. 1 (2026)

Design of a Portable Quick‑Release Drive System for Conventional Manual Wheelchairs to Enhance Comfort and Accessibility

Siregar, Rolan (Unknown)
Owen, Michael (Unknown)
Purba, Samuel Parsadaanta (Unknown)



Article Info

Publish Date
26 May 2026

Abstract

Conventional manual wheelchairs are widely used for indoor mobility; however, their operation is limited by the user’s ability to generate propulsion force, which affects travel range and the level of independence. This study presents the design and development of a portable drive system equipped with a quick-release mechanism, enabling fast installation and removal without permanent modification to the wheelchair. The proposed system employs a 120 W DC motor and a 24 V, 4.5 Ah battery. The research methods include mechanical and electrical power requirement calculations, CAD-based design, finite element analysis (FEA) for structural strength verification, and prototype fabrication. Simulation results indicate that the structure can support an 80 kg load with a safety factor of 1.23. The prototype achieves a maximum speed of approximately 15 km/h, with an operating time of about 1 hour at maximum load. The proposed quick-release portable drive system is expected to enhance user mobility and independence, thereby improving comfort and accessibility in everyday use.

Copyrights © 2026






Journal Info

Abbrev

rm

Publisher

Subject

Mechanical Engineering

Description

Rekayasa Mesin is published by Mechanical Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Brawijaya, Malang-East Java-Indonesia. Rekayasa Mesin is an open-access peer reviewed journal that mediates the dissemination of academicians, researchers, and practitioners in mechanical engineering. Rekayasa ...