How Power Wheelchairs Work
Published: October 14, 2013
Your power wheelchair is a complex machine, not unlike a car. It has a power source, a fuel source, and a means of transmitting power into forward motion through a mechanical connection. Having a better understanding of the various working mechanisms of your power wheelchair or scooter can give you:
- A better appreciation for your new mobility device; and
- A better understanding of how to maintain it and when it may require service.
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Like a car, your power wheelchair or scooter needs to be properly cared for and maintained to stay in best working order. Before you can undertake these basic steps, however, you need a working knowledge of the fundamentals. Your power wheelchair or scooter can be broken down into these simple elements:
The Battery
There are various types of electric motors used in power wheelchairs, including two-pole, four-pole, and gearless/brushless. The type of electric motor that is used depends primarily on the design parameters of the wheelchair. If a wheelchair is intended primarily for indoor use, it will likely utilize a two-pole electric motor; by comparison, outdoor electric wheelchairs use four-pole or brushless electric motors. Though electric motors vary in design specification, most work on the following principle:
- • An electrical charge (run through windings) produces a magnetic field (stored in the stator), which in turn generates force which is transmitted into mechanical motion (by way of the rotor).
If your motor requires service, one of our skilled service technicians can repair or replace it. Knowing how it works is important, however, if you wish to fully understand the mechanisms that are in place to allow you freedom and mobility.
The Drivetrain
Power is transmitted to the wheels by way of the electric motor's rotor, which spins, turning the drive wheels. As cars come in a variety of drive configurations, so too do wheelchairs. The drive wheels will differ depending on the type of wheelchair that you have, and may include front-wheel, center-wheel, rear-wheel, or four-wheel drive.
Rear-wheel and center-wheel drive configurations are great for flat terrain and offer swift speed and good turning radiuses. If you intend to travel over uneven terrain or outside, front-wheel or four-wheel drive configurations may be preferred. Though in some cases these drive configurations aren't quite as swift, they do provide an extra level of stability and traction.
The Controller
There are many different types of controllers available for power wheelchairs and scooters, including handles, joysticks, motion sensitive tubes, head-to-chin controllers, and eye-to-computer controllers. The type of controller that is utilized will depend on the degree of disability that the wheelchair's user has. However, all controllers are designed to accomplish the same task, and that is to manipulate and operate the power wheelchair or scooter.
With your controller, you can control all aspects of your power wheelchair or scooter, including forward and rearward motion and directional changes. Unlike a car, all of these motions can be accomplished using the controller alone; with a single interface or input device, you have complete control. Also unlike many cars, which have mechanical connections between the input devices and the various operating components, the controller is an electric device.
Contact Precision Repair Network to Learn More
We'd love to speak with you if you have additional questions regarding our services, our power wheelchairs and scooters, or the basics of how your power wheelchair or scooter works. We are dedicated to customer service at Precision Repair Network and will do everything that we can to ensure a satisfying experience for you and your family. Simply contact us today!
