Classification of Electric Wheel Chairs by Drive Wheel Position and Function

The demand for electric wheelchairs is increasing year by year. It is crucial to select the right electric wheelchair to meet one’s own needs. Which group of people is suitable for the different types of electric wheelchairs available on the market? What are their features? Today, let’s take a brief look at the “family” of electric wheelchair products.

Electric wheelchairs are divided into three types according to the position of the driving wheel

Rear-wheel drive type

Currently, most electric wheelchairs on the market use rear-wheel drive. This type of electric wheelchair has good steering performance, flexible steering, but a large turning radius, making it difficult to complete turning operations in narrow spaces.

Mid-wheel drive type

This type of electric wheel chairs have the relatively small turning radius, can perform turning operations in narrow indoor spaces, and is suitable for home use, but its obstacle-crossing ability is poor.

Front-wheel drive type

This type of electric wheelchair has good obstacle-crossing performance. Due to the larger diameter of the drive wheel in the front, it is easier for the electric wheelchair supplies to cross small ditches and bumps than a rear-wheel drive wheelchair.

Electric wheelchairs are roughly classified into the following six types according to their functions:

Standing type

It can help people sitting in wheelchairs change to a standing position, greatly relieving the pressure of sedentary life and promoting blood circulation. When standing, it is recommended to use a knee front splash plate to prevent the wheelchair user from kneeling to the ground. It is suggested to choose and use under the guidance of professional personnel.

Seat-raising type

The seat can be raised or lowered electrically, and the backrest angle and sitting position are not affected. The wheelchair height can be freely adjusted, greatly increasing the convenience of life when using it.

Recline type

The angle of the backrest can be electrically adjusted, and the wheelchair user can freely adjust the backrest angle, which is convenient for relieving pressure, rest, and nursing operations. This type of electric wheelchair product is often accompanied by a leg rest that synchronously lifts up to prevent the wheelchair user’s back from slipping down due to the recline.

Full-recline type

The seat angle and size parameters remain unchanged, and the entire seat system tilts backwards in space to facilitate pressure relief, rest, and posture maintenance when going downhill.

Attendant-control type

This electric wheelchair has a controller added to the back of the seat back, making it convenient for caregivers to operate the wheel chairs.

Multi-functional type

It can be adjusted according to the needs of users, and a human-machine interaction system with multiple signal sources can be added, which is suitable for people with severe limb disabilities.

Electric wheel chairs are wheelchairs that are powered by electric motors instead of manual force. Electric wheelchairs are very useful for those who are unable to push a manual wheelchair or may need to travel long distances or on terrains that would cause fatigue on a manual wheelchair. They can be used not only by people with “traditional” physical disabilities, but also by people with cardiovascular diseases and fatigue-related diseases.