A power wheelchair has two electric motors, and each one drives a wheel situated on either side of the wheelchair. The motors extract power from the batteries, which in turn power movement through the wheels.
There are different motor options available with choices with different battery types, and motors can be either two-pole or four-pole.
What Are Electric Scooters and Wheelchair Motors?
An electric wheelchair motor is a component that converts electrical power into mechanical power to enable an electric wheelchair to move.
Electric wheelchairs are a type of motorized wheelchair that is powered by batteries or an electric motor that can be plugged into a wall outlet. The battery or motor powers the chair drive system, allowing it to move with the push of a button or lever.
Batteries are typically rechargeable, while motors operate off of electricity delivered from an external source. Battery-powered electric wheelchairs are also known as powered wheelchairs.
Electric wheelchairs are powered by a motor that is designed to be powerful enough to move the driver around for a specific period of time before it needs to be recharged. Some electric wheelchairs can be used for 24 hours before they need to be recharged. This makes it easier for the user to plan their day and determine how far they can travel before needing to recharge their chair.
If you’re going to be manufacturing electric wheelchairs or scooters, you should familiarize yourself with various motors. For example, it is important to have a basic understanding of brushless DC motors, AC motors, etc.
The Details of Two-Pole and Four-Pole Motors Wheelchair Motors
The quantity of poles is associated with the amount of brush sets and magnets. Therefore, a two-pole motor has two sets of brushes and magnets, and a four-pole motor has four sets of brushes and magnets situated within the motor. This means that electricity sourced from the battery will access the motor and output at two sites corresponding to a two-pole motor and four sites corresponding to a four-pole motor.
The advantages and disadvantages of both motor types are as follows:
A two-pole motor:
- Has fewer brushes and induces reduced power from the battery than a four-pole motor can do.
- Will operate more smoothly when performed using slow movements than four-pole motors. This fact renders two-pole motors a sound option for those restricted indoor environments.
- Will fail if a motor brush fails. The wheelchair will become inoperable as there will be insufficient power to move the wheelchair.
- Is not proper for wheelchair users who need heavy-duty movement due to their overall weight or movement along rugged terrain.
A four-pole motor:
- Can still operate and power the wheelchair if one of its brushes fails for any reason.
- Has more torque than a two-pole, and can perform on rough, outdoor terrain with a heavier weight capacity. This performance will require more power drawn from the battery source, resulting in the batteries depleting faster.
- While a two-pole motor can operate adequately at low speeds, the equivalent notion is not applicable to a four-pole motor.
- Will not traverse smoothly at lower speeds than a two-pole motor can.
For the reasons outlined above, it is essential to understand the user’s requirements and the actions that will be conducted to ensure the right wheelchair motor will be suitable for the user.
Scooter Motors
Virtually all mobility scooters utilize either a 12-volt or 24-volt motor. If two motors are used, they will be a 12-volt series; if one motor is used, it will be a 24-volt motor. Generally, most scooters will draw between 350 and 650 watts of lasting power.
Importantly, the precise pulling power of a mobility scooter is restricted by both the motor’s power and the type and power of the electronic controller. The more brushes a mobility scooter motor has, the more current that can be delivered at any instant of time.
How to Choose An Electric Wheelchair Motor
Medical and restorative versatility wheelchairs need a high torque DC brushless, or brush, gear motor in order to deliver the long-term performance and reliability that users require.
Choosing a Wheelchair Motor
Wheelchair motors are powerful motors, and they can adequately handle heavy loads (in excess of 300 pounds). Relatively cheap for their size, they can be readily sourced online or in retail stores.
Controlling Wheelchair Motors
Wheelchair motor experts recommend that wheelchair motors have a differential drive – i.e., two motor-driven wheels, with one caster at the front. This makes drive system control simple and allows for easy turning.
Power Your Electric Wheelchairs and Scooters with Telco Motors for Top Performance!
If you’re in the market for an electric wheelchair market, come to Telco. Our motors are made with quality and efficiency in mind.
When you want to be known for selling the best electric wheelchairs and scooters that money can buy, you’ll want a Telco motor to power them. Telco is respected for building motors that last. More importantly, we’re known for building motors that businesses can rely on.
Contact us today to learn more about choosing the right motor for you!
