How Electric Wheelchair Performs on Different Terrain Conditions

The decision to use an electric wheelchair is not limited to indoor convenience: in the real life, one has to go on sidewalks, grass, ramps, and uneven pavement. The same wheelchair that moves so well along a hospital corridor will not move well on a gravel path or a steep driveway. At Ningbo Baichen Medical Devices Co., Ltd., we have put our power wheelchairs of aluminum, carbon fiber, steel and magnesium through various terrains. The performance of each material and design in the real world conditions is as shown below.

Indoor Hard Floors: Tile, Wood, and Polished Concrete

Most electric wheelchairs are most at ease in indoor settings. Flat surfaces are smooth, need minimal motor effort and offer good traction. The most important indoor factors include the turning radius and protection of the floor.

Our automatic folding mobility scooter and 3-wheel mobility scooter perform well in small indoor areas (hallways, doorways, elevators) because of the small turning radius. Power wheelchair users (polyurethane (PU) tires (which are found on our aluminum and magnesium wheelchair models) roll without making noise and leave no marks on the floor. Carbon fiber power wheelchairs are not too heavy to move around to congested rooms. Steel power wheelchairs are heavier, despite their durability, and they are more appropriate in bigger indoor setups such as warehouses or even clinics.

Paved Outdoor Surfaces: Sidewalks, Crosswalks, and Driveways

Outdoor surfaces paved add expansion joints, cracks and small slopes. An effective electric wheelchair should be vibration absorbing with straight tracking.

The power wheelchair is an aluminum one with pneumatic (air filled) tires that offer good shock absorption over uneven sidewalks. The curb climbs are easier because of the lighter frame (than steel). This is where carbon fiber power wheelchairs shine because they have natural vibration damping- the substance absorbs the chatter on the road before the user feels it. Steel power wheelchairs are stable and planted and are more transferring of vibration. In all models, the wider tires (as fitted on our 4-wheel mobility scooter) enhance stability on a crowned road and on steep driveways.

Grass, Gravel, and Packed Dirt

Many electric wheelchairs have problems with soft or loose terrain. Grass will form resistance in rolling; gravel will sink a wheel; compacted dirt can conceal ruts.

We have a steel power wheelchair that has a heavy frame and bigger drive wheels, which work well on grass and packed dirt. The additional weight enhances traction and high torque motors do not bog. In the case of gravel, we have our magnesium power wheelchair with foam filled tires which provides a good balance as it is lightweight and yet tough enough to withstand puncture. Carbon fiber models can be used on short grass that is firm but can be less planted on deep gravel. We suggest our 4-wheel mobility scooter for users who travel considerably through parks or campgrounds since four-wheel arrangement ensures that the scooter does not tip over on soft uneven surfaces.

Ramps, Inclines, and Curbs

Inclines are used to test motor power and battery draw and anti-tip stability. A wheelchair that works well on flat terrain might not fare well on a 6 degree driveway or a 10 degree ADA ramp.

The light frames of our aluminum and carbon fiber power wheelchairs make them best at climbing inclines due to the light load placed on their motors. Carbon fiber model, specifically, does not overheat when going through long ramps. Power wheelchairs that use steel wheels move steadily but use more battery power with each meter of elevation. In the case of curb climbs (2-4 inches), our power wheelchair made of magnesium, with front anti tip casters, makes the transition a smooth one. Every one of our automatic folding mobility scooters has hill hold capabilities that do not allow the scooter to roll backwards along a hill-a very important safety advantage.

Conclusion

Performance on terrain is based on frame material, tire selection and wheel arrangement:

Indoors: Aluminum or carbon fiber with PU tires.

Outside paving: Pneumatic tires on any frame; carbon fiber to dampen vibrations.

Grass/gravel: Steel or magnesium, foam filled or pneumatic tires.

Inclines: Carbon fiber or aluminum to be efficient; steel to be raw.

Ningbo Baichen Medical Devices Co., Ltd. sells electric wheelchair in four materials and mobility scooters in three models. Our more than 20,000 m2 production area and 4 assembly lines fit the suitable chair to your landscape. Get in touch with us today to find out what model fits in your day-to-day routes.