Components of All Power Wheelchairs

The evolution of the wheelchair is astounding and shares little resemblance to the first illustrated wheelchair which is in a portrait of King Phillip II of Spain in 1595.  In 530 BC, there are records of Greeks who placed wheels on beds in order to transport the disabled.  In 525 AD, the Chinese attached wheels to chairs and various cultures have tinkered with the wheelchair ever since.

Serious production of the wheelchair commenced in the late 19th century when push rims were added for self propulsion and when wire-spoked wheels replaced wooden wheels.

The first motorized wheelchairs were built in 1918.  Herbert B. Everest, a paralyzed miner, who developed the first folding wheelchair along with his friend Harold C. Jennings, a mechanical engineer.  By the 1970’s many manufacturers began to mass produce lightweight, foldable aluminum wheelchairs.

As the Baby Boomers come of age and as the global trend for overweight populations continues to increase, the wheelchair industry can only be described as booming.  Fortunately, today’s technology has provided power wheelchairs that can provide a mobile solution for just about any disability.

The Parts of the Power Wheelchair

There are two types of power wheelchairs; lightweight and heavyweight.  Every power wheelchair has six components.

• Frame – Most power wheelchairs are not foldable although some manufacturers do produce a foldable power chair.  The use of strong, sturdy lightweight materials has greatly reduced the weight of the chairs.
• Tires and Wheels – Electric wheelchairs use pneumatic, semi-pneumatic or solid wheel tires.  Often the front two wheels are caster wheels.
• The Control System – The purpose of the control system is to control the speed, the braking and turning abilities of the chair. The most common control systems are operated with a joystick, although options like push buttons, voice control and computerized head-chin are offered.
• Batteries – Several different types of sealed lead batteries are used by power wheelchairs.  U1 group 24 batteries are the most popular because they hold the charge longer than others.  Battery chargers should be included with the purchase.
• Brakes – The braking system is controlled by the controller.  Brakes usually lock themselves when  the chair is stationary or in the off position.
• The Motor – Two pole motors are used for lightweight chairs while four pole motors are used for heavyweight power wheelchairs.  Today’s power chairs come with front wheel drive, rear wheel drive, center wheel drive or four wheel drive.  For chairs that will be used outdoors, four wheel or front wheel drive is recommended.

As the user will discover, there are many computerized programs that can be customized to fill a need.  Manufacturers will work closely with purchasers to come up with a highly personalized power wheelchair that can dramatically improve the user’s quality of life.