- Also called:
- electric-powered wheelchair, motorized wheelchair, or powerchair
- Related Topics:
- wheelchair
- motor vehicle
electric wheelchair
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What is an electric wheelchair?
An electric wheelchair is a seating surface with wheels propelled by an electric power source, typically motors and batteries. The first models appeared in the early 1900s, but demand increased after World War II. Early versions were heavy-duty manual folding-frame wheelchairs powered by lead-acid batteries and controlled with a joystick.
Modern electric wheelchairs have power bases with the motor and batteries beneath the seat, allowing for mechanical advancements and better postural support. They feature programmable performance settings and can be controlled by various voluntary movements, such as head or tongue movement. Most contemporary electric wheelchairs use a power base with a direct drive system and rechargeable batteries. They are classified by drive wheel location: front-wheel, center-wheel, or rear-wheel drive.
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How does an electric wheelchair differ from a manual wheelchair?
The primary distinction between electric and manual wheelchairs lies in their propulsion mechanism. A manual wheelchair relies on human power, either from the user or an assistant, while an electric wheelchair uses an electrically based power source, typically batteries and motors.
Manual wheelchairs are propelled in different ways. Those with enough upper body strength can use their upper extremities. Those with a stroke affecting one side can use one upper and one lower extremity. Others may use their lower extremities if they lack the strength or endurance to walk with a cane or walker. If the user cannot propel themselves, an assistant can do so.
Electric wheelchairs use a joystick or other control system, responding to voluntary movements like head or tongue movement. They come with different drive mechanisms and battery types, with the majority using a power base with a direct drive system.
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What are the main parts of an electric wheelchair?
An electric wheelchair has a seating surface with wheels and an electrically based power source, usually motors and batteries. The first models used heavy-duty manual folding frames powered by lead-acid batteries, motors, drive belts, and pulleys. A joystick controlled movement, and the seat offered limited postural support.
Modern electric wheelchairs have a power base with the motor and batteries beneath the seat, separating mobility and postural support. Electronic advancements include power tilt, recline systems, and programmable performance settings, such as speed and acceleration. Control systems allow users to operate the wheelchair through various voluntary movements, like head or tongue movement.
Electric wheelchairs use indirect (pulleys and drive belts) or direct drive (gear boxes) systems, with most current models using a power base with a direct drive system. They typically need two 12-volt batteries (24-volts total) and can be classified by drive wheel location: front-wheel, center-wheel, or rear-wheel drive.
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How is an electric wheelchair powered and controlled?
Electric wheelchairs are powered by rechargeable batteries, typically two 12-volt batteries connected in a series to provide 24-volts. These batteries can be wet cell, gel, or absorbent glass mat (AGM).
Movement is controlled using a joystick, which may resemble those used with computer game consoles. However, advancements in control systems now allow users to control electric wheelchairs through various voluntary movements, such as head movement, breath actuation, tongue movement, or lower extremity control.
Most modern electric wheelchairs use a power base with a direct drive system, where the motor and batteries are located beneath the seat. This design separates the mobility and postural support components, enabling significant mechanical and electrical advancements, such as programmable performance settings and power tilt and recline systems.
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Who might need to use an electric wheelchair and why?
Electric wheelchairs are for individuals who cannot use manual wheelchairs. These chairs are useful for those lacking the strength and endurance to propel themselves.
People who might benefit from electric wheelchairs:
* Individuals with severe spinal cord injuries can use upper extremity control.
* Those with stroke-related impairments can use head movement, breath actuation, tongue movement, or lower extremity control.
* People affected by skeletal deformities.Electric wheelchairs have evolved to include features like power bases, direct drive systems, and improved electronic controls, enhancing mobility and comfort.
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What are some advantages and challenges of using electric wheelchairs?
Electric wheelchairs offer mobility to individuals with limited strength or endurance. They provide independence and the ability to participate more fully in social activities. Modern electric wheelchairs have advanced control systems, allowing operation through various voluntary movements, such as head or tongue movement.
However, electric wheelchairs also present challenges. Early models were heavy and simplistic, and even now weight and ease of transport can be issues. The initial sling seats offered limited postural support, though modern designs have improved ergonomics.
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electric wheelchair, any seating surface with wheels affixed to it that is propelled by an electrically based power source, typically motors and batteries. The first motor-powered wheelchairs appeared in the early 1900s; however, demand for them did not exist until after World War II.
The first commercially produced electric wheelchairs were merely heavy-duty manual folding-frame wheelchairs that were powered by lead-acid batteries, motors, drive belts, and pulleys. Those systems, known as conventional power wheelchairs, were very simplistic. They required the use of a joystick to control the wheelchair’s movement, and programmability did not exist. The seating system typically consisted of a sling seat and back upholstery, which significantly limited postural support for the individual.
The advent of the power base, which sits beneath the seat and contains the motor and batteries, allowed for significant mechanical advancements in electric wheelchairs. The power base separated the electric wheelchair into two components: the base, which provided the mobility, and the seating system, which provided the postural support. At the same time that a shift from a conventional power wheelchair to a power-base wheelchair was taking place, significant advancements were occurring in electronic systems. Some of those mechanical and electrical advancements included the ability to add power tilt and recline systems and programmable performance settings (e.g., forward speed, turning speed, and acceleration). Joysticks, the most basic and common devices used to control electric wheelchairs, came to resemble those used with computer game consoles. Advancements in control systems allowed individuals to control a wheelchair by using any voluntary movement. For example, some electric wheelchairs can be controlled by using head movement, breath actuation, tongue movement, or lower extremity control.
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Two types of drive mechanisms are used on electric wheelchairs: indirect drive and direct drive systems. Indirect drive systems (pulleys and drive belts) are used on conventional electric wheelchairs, whereas direct drive systems (gear boxes) are used on power-base wheelchairs. The vast majority of contemporary electric wheelchairs use a power base with a direct drive system. Typically, two 12-volt batteries in series (24-volts total) are needed to power an electric wheelchair. Wet cell batteries, gel batteries, or absorbent glass mat (AGM) batteries may be used in electric wheelchairs. Electric wheelchair batteries typically are rechargeable.
Electric wheelchairs also can be classified on the basis of the location of the drive wheels. There are three types of electric wheelchairs: front-wheel drive, mid- or centre-wheel drive, and rear-wheel drive. Traditionally, rear-wheel drive electric wheelchairs were preferred because of their similarity to manual wheelchairs in design and maneuverability. However, centre-wheel drive wheelchairs have gained popularity because they provide increased maneuverability.
Push-rim-activated power-assisted wheelchairs (PAPAWs) incorporate features of both manual and electric wheelchairs. A PAPAW typically consists of an ultralight manual wheelchair with an external power source (batteries and motors). It complements rather than replaces an individual’s ability to manually propel the wheelchair. The push-rim contains sensors that detect the direction and magnitude of force applied to it by the individual. The motors are then activated and assist in the propulsion of the wheelchair.