A common type of conventional electric stair climbing wheelchair is the track wheelchair. It is equipped with a special track device and multiple small wheels at the bottom of the wheelchair. When it is necessary to climb stairs, the wheelchair's drive system will roll these small wheels along the track. For example, the shape and angle of the track at the bottom of the wheelchair are designed to fit the slope of the stairs, and the small wheels, guided by the track, cross the stair steps one by one in a certain order and rhythm. Just like a train running on a rail, the track provides a precise movement path for the small wheels, thereby enabling the wheelchair to climb the stairs.
Another type is the track design. When this wheelchair is walking on normal flat ground, the track may be in a retracted state. When encountering stairs, the track unfolds and wraps around the stair steps. The electric drive device drives the track to rotate. Since there is enough friction between the track and the surface of the stair steps, the wheelchair can gradually rise or fall along the stairs like a tank moving on the track. Tracked wheelchairs can adapt to a certain degree of stair shape changes and have relatively low requirements for the flatness of the stair steps.
Some wheelchairs use alternating support to climb stairs. Through the clever design of the mechanical structure, the wheelchair has two or more sets of support components. During the process of climbing stairs, these support components alternately contact the stair steps and provide support. For example, one set of support components is fixed on the current step, and the other set is lifted up and moved to the previous step, then fixed, and then cycled in sequence to push the wheelchair as a whole to climb up. This method is similar to the action of alternating the force of the legs when a person climbs stairs, and is achieved through precise mechanical control and power transmission.
The conventional electric stair climbing wheelchair pays great attention to the control of the center of gravity. In terms of design, the center of gravity of the wheelchair is designed to be in the center as much as possible, and the center of gravity is dynamically adjusted through complex mechanical and electronic systems. For example, the wheelchair is equipped with sensors such as gyroscopes, which can sense the tilt angle and movement state of the wheelchair in real time. When the wheelchair shows signs of center of gravity shifting during the process of climbing stairs, the control system will automatically adjust the power output of each part of the wheelchair to bring the center of gravity back to a stable range, just like a tightrope walker adjusts the
The overall structural strength of the wheelchair and the stability of the connection between the components are crucial to stability. The frame of the wheelchair is usually made of high-strength metal materials, such as aluminum alloy or steel, which can withstand the various forces generated during the process of climbing stairs. In addition, the connection between the various components is made of strong bolts, welding, etc. to ensure that there will be no loosening or deformation during frequent up and down stairs. For example, the part connecting the wheelchair seat and the stair climbing mechanism will undergo rigorous strength testing to ensure the safety of the user.
There are anti-slip designs on the parts where the wheelchair contacts the stairs, such as the tire surface of the track wheel or the contact surface of the track. The tire may be made of special rubber material to increase the friction with the stair surface. The track may have raised patterns or anti-slip spikes and other structures. These anti-slip designs can prevent the wheelchair from slipping during the process of climbing stairs, especially when the stair surface is relatively smooth or wet, which can effectively ensure the stable operation of the wheelchair.
The safety brake system is an important guarantee for the stability of the conventional electric stair climbing wheelchair. Wheelchairs are usually equipped with multiple brake devices, including mechanical brakes and electronic brakes. When the wheelchair encounters an emergency during the process of climbing stairs, such as motor failure or user error, the brake system can respond quickly. For example, when the wheelchair reaches the top or bottom of the stairs, the brake device will automatically activate to fix the wheelchair in place, preventing the wheelchair from continuing to move or sliding due to inertia, thereby ensuring the safety of the user.
