Powered Wheelchair

Overview

A powered wheelchair is a motorized mobility device that a seated user drives with a joystick rather than by pushing hand rims. This configuration is rear-wheel drive: two large driven wheels at the back provide traction and directional stability, front swivel casters steer passively, and rear anti-tip wheels guard against tipping under acceleration or on slopes. Independent left and right drive lets the chair turn in place, which is essential for navigating tight indoor spaces.

How it works

Each rear wheel is turned by its own Drive Module, a DC motor coupled to a reduction gearbox and an electromagnetic park brake. The brake is spring-applied and power-released, so it locks automatically whenever drive power is removed, holding the chair on slopes. Because the two sides are driven independently, steering is differential: speeding one side relative to the other rotates the chair, and reversing them spins it about its center. The driven wheels are Drive Wheel units, while passive Front Caster forks at the front swivel to follow.

The user commands motion through the Joystick Controller, whose hall-effect joystick reports stick position to a control board. That board sends speed and direction targets to the Power Module, a dual H-bridge driver that switches current to each motor and enforces the selected speed profile. Energy comes from the Battery Pack, two series sealed lead-acid batteries forming a 24 V supply with an onboard charge port.

The rider sits in the Seat Assembly, a padded assembly with armrests, headrest, and a linear actuator for powered recline. All modules are tied together by the Wiring Harness, which distributes power and signals and carries fusing. A latching emergency stop cuts drive power directly, and a status display reports battery state and the active speed profile. The result is a stable, precisely controllable mobility platform tuned for both indoor maneuvering and outdoor travel.