Electric Wheelchair & Scooter Motors
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.
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 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 for 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 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.
Why not contact the Electric Wheelchair Motor experts at Telco Intercon, and they will gladly discuss all of your electric wheelchair motor needs, and they can both advise and deliver the right optimized solution that will satisfy all of your requirements.
