1. Power
The advantage of an electric wheelchair is that it relies on electric power to drive the motor to move, freeing people’s hands. For an electric wheelchair, the power system is the most important, which can be divided into two systems: the motor and the battery life:
motor
A good motor has low noise, stable speed and long life. Motors commonly used in electric wheelchairs are divided into brush motors and brushless motors. The comparison and analysis of these two types of motors is as follows:
Motor category Scope of application Service life Use effect Future maintenance
Brushless motor Strictly control the speed of the motor, such as aircraft models, precision instruments and meters of the order of tens of thousands of hours Digital frequency conversion control, strong controllability, basically no need for daily maintenance
Carbon brush motor Hair dryer, factory motor, household range hood, etc. The continuous working life is hundreds to more than 1,000 hours. The working speed is constant, and the speed adjustment is not very easy. The carbon brush needs to be replaced
From the above comparative analysis, brushless motors have more advantages than brushed motors, but motors are related to brands, manufacturing processes, and raw materials. In fact, you don’t need to delve into various parameters, just look at the performance of the following aspects:
Can easily climb slopes less than 35°
Stable start, no upward rush
The stop is buffered and the inertia is small
low working noise
If the brand’s electric wheelchair meets the above conditions, it means that the motor is very suitable. As for the motor power, it is recommended to choose about 500W.
Battery
According to the battery category of the electric wheelchair configuration, it is divided into two categories: lead-acid battery and lithium battery. Although lithium battery is light, durable and has many cycle discharge times, it will have certain safety hazards, while lead-acid battery technology is more mature, although it is more bulky. It is recommended to choose the configuration of lead-acid battery if the price is affordable and easy to maintain. If you like light weight, you can choose the configuration of lithium battery. It is not recommended to choose the electric wheelchair scooter with low-priced and large-capacity lithium battery for simple long battery life.
controller
There is not much to explain about the controller. If the budget is sufficient, choose the British PG controller directly. It is the number one brand in the controller field. At present, the domestic controller is also making continuous progress, and the experience is getting better and better. This part Decide according to your own budget.
2. Security
It stands to reason that safety should be ranked ahead of power. For the elderly, buying an electric wheelchair is because of its simple operation, labor-saving and worry-free, so safe and easy to operate is very important. It is mainly divided into the following items:
No slippery slope
The point of “not slipping down the slope”. It’s best to test it with young, healthy family members to see if the wheelchair actually stops after it stops when going uphill and downhill.
Electromagnetic brake
It is very dangerous not to have an automatic braking function. I once read a report that an old man drove an electric wheelchair into a lake and drowned, so it must be equipped with an electromagnetic braking function.
n addition to these basic safety parameters, such as seat belts, stop when you let go, anti-rollover small wheels, the center of gravity moves forward and does not roll forward, etc. Of course, the more the better.
3. Comfort
In addition to the above two important system parameters, considering the comfort and convenience of the elderly, there are also specific references in terms of size selection, cushion material, and shock-absorbing performance.
Size: According to the national standard width standard, electric wheelchairs are defined as indoor type less than or equal to 70cm, and road type less than or equal to 75cm. At present, if the width of the narrowest door in the home is greater than 70cm, then you can rest assured to buy most styles of electric wheelchairs. Now there are many portable folding electric wheelchairs. All wheelchairs have a width of 58-63cm.
Sliding offset: Running deviation means that the configuration is unbalanced, and it should be within the inspection track of 2.5°, and the deviation of the wheelchair from the zero line should be less than 35 cm.
Minimum turning radius: do a 360° two-way turning on the horizontal test surface, no more than 0.85 meters. A small turning radius indicates that the controller, wheelchair structure, and tires are well coordinated as a whole.
Minimum reversing width: the minimum aisle width that can turn the wheelchair 180° in one reverse shall not be greater than 1.5 meters.
Seat width: the subject sits on a wheelchair with the knee joint flexed at 90°, the distance between the widest parts of the hips on both sides plus 5cm
Seat length: when the subject is sitting in a wheelchair with knee joint flexed at 90°, it is generally 41-43cm.
Seat height: The subject sits on a wheelchair with the knee joint flexed at 90°, the sole of the foot touches the ground, and the height from the popliteal fossa to the ground is measured.
Armrest height: When the subject’s upper arm naturally hangs down and bends the elbow at 90°, measure the distance from the lower edge of the elbow to the chair surface, and add 2.5cm to this basis. If there is a cushion, add the thickness of the cushion.
Backrest height: The height depends on the function of the trunk, and can be divided into two types: low backrest and high backrest.
Footrest height: When the subject’s knee joint is flexed to 90°, the feet are placed on the footrest, and there is about 4cm of space between the front bottom of the thigh at the popliteal fossa and the seat cushion, which is the most suitable.
Foldable: Considering going out for fun, electric wheelchairs are foldable, divided into front and back folding, and X-shaped left and right folding. There is not much difference between these two folding methods.
Here I would like to remind everyone that electric wheelchairs are not considered non-motorized vehicles that can be used on the road, and can only be used on sidewalks.
Post time: Mar-11-2023