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Driving electric wheel chairs: Different drive wheels make it more convenient

What is the first thing that comes to your mind when asked about a wheelchair? A patient or a physically disabled person is sitting on it and driving it manually with the movement of hands. Or else someone is pulling or pushing it from behind and thatâ€™s too manual. But what about electric wheel chairs? From the name itself you can pretty well predict that things wonâ€™t be manual over here and it is ought to be a wheelchair operated by an electric motor.

Now what are drive wheels of an electric wheelchair? It is basically the wheel connected with the electric motor that helps the rider to operate the wheelchair. Conventionally this drive wheel was fixed in the rear position but with the advancement of technology, changes have been brought in the position of the drive wheel to make it more convenient for the rider.

Three types of wheel drives are in vogue. They are prominently being used in electric wheelchairs now-a-days. Maintaining the convention, the rear-wheel drive still remains. Mid wheel drive and front wheel drive are newly introduced. Letâ€™s check how do these different drive wheels bring about a difference in driving an electric wheel chair.

Beginning from the front side: The modified front drive wheel

As the name itself states, the drive wheel is placed in front of the position of the chair where you sit. It becomes very easy to keep the grip on speed. The ride is also smooth. You can move up and down on an uneven ground without facing much difficulty. The only pitfall is that you have to be extra careful when you move backwards. The normal speed maintained by front wheel drive is 5 meter/ hr and the radius along which it moves is not more than 30â€.

The balance of mid-wheel drive

It has been based on the law of center of gravitation. Therefore you can keep the same control from the front as well as from the back. On even ground the ride through mid-wheel drive is superb. The radius of movement is around 25â€ and the speed followed on track is not more than 6 meter/hour. It is better not to cover a great distance on it.

The conventional model of rear-wheel drive

Who says that the conventional model is outdated? From the sophistication side, it might be a bit low in profile but the running capacity is really high. It can move along the largest radius around 33â€ and with the highest speed that starts from 6 meter per hour. While moving in the upward direction, you might fear of falling down but the control mechanism is such that will never allow you to fall back.

Each of the drive wheels has its own pros and cons. But if you are aware of them, you can choose the best type of electric wheelchair according to your convenience.