| The creation of the electric wheelchair was science's | | | | wheels and bigger rear wheels. |
| answer to the problems encountered with motorized | | | | The control system is responsible in managing the |
| chairs. Though motorized options can provide mobility, | | | | speed, braking and turning operations of the chair. |
| they have limited external power source. There was a | | | | Special interfaces are offered to suit the physical |
| need to create a more reliable and energy efficient | | | | abilities of its user. Lastly, rechargeable lead acid, |
| machine to give disabled individuals the assistance that | | | | sealed wet batteries or gel batteries are currently |
| they need. With that, electric-powered wheelchairs | | | | used on most products manufactured today. U1 group |
| with easy-to-use navigational controls have been | | | | is a type of battery that is highly recommended as |
| developed. | | | | they can go longer than any other kind of batteries in |
| Either belts or gears are used to power these modern | | | | between charges. |
| devices today. In some designs, both belts and gears | | | | Though rechargeable types are heavier than any |
| are used in the mechanism. Belt driven electric models | | | | other types of wheelchairs, they are given additional |
| are known for their quiet operation; however, they | | | | adaptive equipment, which offers more of what a |
| require more thorough maintenance. Electric models | | | | manual style wheeled chair can offer. |
| that use modern gear drives have fairly quiet and | | | | Electric wheelchairs may also be give special features |
| low-maintenance operations. The only downside is that | | | | such as the power tilt and power recliner feature. The |
| they tend to wear easily compared to belt drives. | | | | power tilt feature gives the machine the ability to tilt the |
| Once the wheelchair operations get noisier, it needs to | | | | entire seat assembly and footrest upwards up to |
| be checked for possible wears and tears as well as | | | | 45-degrees. The power recliner feature makes it |
| to do necessary gear or belt replacements. | | | | convenient for the user to tilt the seat back and raise |
| The frame, brakes, tires and wheels, control system | | | | the leg rests. |
| and batteries make up an electric wheelchair. This type | | | | In many ways, an electric wheelchair became a boon |
| of chair uses a fixed frame though some brands offer | | | | to users since they add power, speed and comfort to |
| foldable variants with cross brace frames for stability. | | | | its user. In response to the growing demand for this |
| Thanks to the invention of lighter and sturdy materials, | | | | type of product, different brands have developed a |
| the weight of modern electric-powered wheelchair | | | | huge variety of electric wheelchair designs. This is also |
| styles has been significantly reduced. The brakes, | | | | to make the machine suit the specific needs of its |
| which are controlled by a joy stick or other interface | | | | user. Special designs were made to suit the needs of |
| of controls, are designed to engage automatically | | | | individuals in terms of physical abilities, deformities, |
| when the chair is stationary or switched off. Solid tires | | | | mental state, sitting posture, sensory level, wheelchair |
| and wheels, either pneumatic or semi-pneumatic, are | | | | transfer ability and average time spent by the person |
| used. Some designs include the use of small caster | | | | on the wheelchair. |