Abstract
This paper presents a new approach to improving the battery performance and its longevity by the implementation of torque sensor pedal technology on the developed electric triwheeler vehicle (i.e., wheelchair). The paper has also discussed integration of the torque sensor technology with the overall electrical system of the vehicle. Incorporating the components of torque sensor technology reduces the human effort immensely by providing assistance from the battery bank to drive a hub motor while maneuvering the wheelchair using the torque sensor pedal. Field tests were carried out in three different stages, one with pedal, one with the throttle only, and with varying the load on the wheelchair, to distinguish the effect of load test on battery performance using the pedal. Results of the field tests reveal that the state of charge of batteries has been minimized using the pedal due to the contribution of the muscular energy of the user along with the battery energy to meet the total energy demand of the motor. Analyzing test results with the torque sensor pedal clarifies that the vehicle covers a longer distance, lessens power dissipation from the batteries, and reduces energy consumption from the batteries, which leads to improvement of the battery performance and its longevity ensuring sustainability of the electric vehicle.
Highlights
IntroductionAccording to the World Health Organization report, statistical data stated that almost 10–20% of the total world’s population have lived with disability [1]
Millions of people are leading their daily lives with various types of disability
The electric wheelchair was driven by the user continuously by the help of the torque sensor pedal only until the total voltage of the three fully charged sealed lead-acid batteries connected in series dropped from more than 100% state of charge (SOC) to precisely 50% SOC (36.3 V)
Summary
According to the World Health Organization report, statistical data stated that almost 10–20% of the total world’s population have lived with disability [1]. Among the total number of disabled people around the globe, nearly 80% live in developing countries [2] and an estimated 15–20% of the poorest people are physically impaired [3]. These physically handicapped people are among the world’s largest minority because of being neglected in the society and isolated from all types of mainstream development initiatives and social services such as health, education, housing, and jobs [2]. The lack of suitable and comfortable mobility devices for disabled children (such as orthotic devices, strollers, and walkers) hinders their choice of going to school for study [5]
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