Electric wheelchair maintenance should be treated like how we maintain a car as a owner. Frequent maintenance will reduce the likelihood of more severe problems in the future as problems will be detected early. It will cost more to repair a problematic electric wheelchair than a weekly 1 hour maintenance. By doing this, we are also extending the lifespan of the wheelchair by polishing or replacing squeaky and loose parts. Maintaining electric wheelchairs is more complex than a manual wheelchair as the former involves electronic components while the latter only mechanical parts. Wheelchair maintenance of any types can be summarized into 3 small but important steps: Inspect, Adjust and Clean the critical parts of the wheelchair motor and seating system. Tightening a bolt in the mobility system can go a long way improving the overall operation efficiency of the wheelchair and saving you time and money
You need not be an expert or qualified wheelchair specialist to do electric wheelchair maintenance of your own. Frequent checks of the core components will suffice. The first step is to apply war wax on the frame of the electric wheelchair on a regular basis. You also have to clean the wheelchair and tighten the bolts. Users with weak arms should engage the help of family to tighten the screws and bolts. This is to prevent them loosening during movements and go missing.
Doing self wheelchair maintenance gives the user the opportunity to develop ownership over his equipment. This can also build up the user’s trust and confidence in the reliability, safety and robustness of the electric wheelchair system.
The other step of electric wheelchair maintenance is to clean the dirt and sand from the wheelchair’s wheels as they might cause unbalance movement. Sand particles cause constant friction during wheelchair movements and, after prolonged periods, will wear off the wheel system and rusting will occur. Sometimes, hair can also be found lodged in the wheel axles and have to be removed as well.
Users also have to ensure that the axle and axle plate of the wheels are tight to prevent dirt and sand from creeping in. Loose axles will break under the weight of users and force of movements.
The tires are also important. They need to have the optimal pressure just like that of the car tires. Tires with low pressure will consume more power from the motors of the electric wheelchairs as it has to work harder to propel the wheelchair forward. Just imagine pushing a manual wheelchair with flat tires and you will know how much energy it consumes from a human, much less a motor. Consuming more power will consequently cause the battery to go flat faster and users have to search for points to recharge the electric wheelchair battery.
Electric wheelchair seat and backrest have to be tightened and straightened. This is for the benefit of the user in ensuring good seating posture and body support. Poor seating positions will cause physiological damage to the user in the long run. Spinal and back muscle injuries are common by effects of improper seat postures.
Lastly, for users who are unable to perform the above tasks on his own, please approach your friends and family for assistance. In any case, they are definitely cheaper and less hassle than when your electric wheelchair malfunctions.
Monthly Archives: September 2009
Electric wheelchair sports
Electric wheelchairs can be used for sports too! Electric wheelchair sport was designed for people who depends on used electric wheelchair for mobility. There are individual as well as team sports, from tennis to even rugby, hockey and soccer.
Things have definitely changed over the years. Technology advancement in the disabled sports arena from titanium and magnesium-framed wheelchairs customized for the individual user to prosthetic limbs with microchips in them to learn a person’s movements. We have had people breaking all the barriers that were set before us by all sorts of people disabled and able-bodied alike. All electric wheelchair users should enjoy extreme wheelchair sports.
One of the most interesting sports for people in electric wheelchairs is Electric wheelchair soccer. This is played with a large balloon with both sides aiming to score as many goals as possible. The intensity of the game is made even faster by the power and make of the used electric wheelchairs. Electric wheelchair soccer is not any less intense than normal soccer and require as much energy and technique.
Next will be electric wheelchair hockey which follows same rules as normal hockey. The hockey sticks are attached to the electric wheelchairs. However, the goal is smaller compared to Electric Wheelchair soccer.
Extreme wheelchair sports also also enjoy the same respect and status as able bodied sports, with the skills and professionalism not any less. For people with temporary disability, used electric wheelchairs can help them to enjoy these extreme sports. These athletes have served as role models of achievement and inspired others to take on challenges they otherwise would not have considered. Power wheelchair racing and snow skiing with electric wheelchairs are examples of extreme sports for different conditions.
For electric wheelchair skiing, the athlete adopts adaptive ski techniques such as 2 or 4 track skiing,3-track, mono-skiing and bi-skiing. Ski resorts and organizations in winter areas provide more information about this sport with coaching and even competitions.
Next is the most thrilling water skiing which poses the most challenge to people on wheelchairs. This require a lot of strength and dexterity to maintain a certain posture. Athletes will love the speed and excitement for sure. Conquerors of such sports despite their disability usually have immense confidence and can live like any other able-bodied beings.
Other extreme sports using used electric wheelchairs are skateboarding, surfing, snowboarding, jousting and jumping. Being a wheelchair user, you can also enjoy the exhilaration of sports and boost your confidence.
To be well-equipped for electric wheelchair sports, one must have a electric wheelchair, preferably fitted with foot guard to prevent injuries. The speed should be approximately 10km/h. Inflated soccer balls should be 650 to 675mm and hockey sticks should be of light weighted materials.
Electric wheelchair:History
Electric wheelchair was invented after WW2 by George Johann Klein,a Canadian inventor, for the injured war veterans. Electric wheelchair is considered to be one of Canada’s greatest inventions that have benefited mankind. George came up with the electric wheelchair while he was with the National Research Council of Canada in 1950s.Many war veterans have suffered severe injuries that affected their ability to walk and require long rehabilitation periods. There is also a shortage of caretakers for the injured personnel. Hence, the invention of electric wheelchairs is a result of the need to give them independence and mobility. Today, the electric wheelchair has changed the lives of millions by providing them a ray of hope that they can be as independent in movements as normal people and gave them optimism in life. Electric wheelchairs can also be called electric powered wheelchairs, motorized wheelchairs or power wheelchairs.
Electric powered wheelchair is essentially powered by electric motors located at the rear of the wheelchair. The motors run on batteries which can sometimes be a hassle for the user as it requires recharging through a wall outlet. Power ratings for electric wheelchair is around 3 to 6 amperes depending on the environment the wheelchair is used in. Batteries are available either in wet or gel cell, each having its pros and cons.
Today, more than half a century later, electric wheelchairs have widened its role in helping the disabled. Besides helping the permanently disabled to move around independently, it is also used during the physical therapy of injured people who could not walk temporarily. Current developments of electric wheelchairs center around improving its motor efficiency and user friendly controls. The iBOT is an example of taking electric wheelchairs to the next level,literally. It can climb stairs and has built in sensors and gyroscopes to help the user balance himself. The image of electric wheelchairs have taken a new image in the form of snazzy electric wheelchairs which has a very trendy and youthful look to an otherwise bored looking equipment.