Abstract
An electric wheelchair control system is described that offers an increased ease of operation to conventional wheelchair users and makes it possible for persons with severe pathologic hand movements to control wheelchairs in a safe and satisfactory manner. The control system is designed so that its characteristics are easily adjusted by the therapist to match the patient's control abilities. Chair acceleration, maximum speed and joystick-position averaging are adjusted by means of plug-in modules. There is only a disconnect relay that is activated when the joystick is grasped or addressed with a mouth stick. This relay functions as a ‘deadman control’ by applying dynamic braking when the joystick is released. The absence of other relays results in noise-free operation. Cruise control is included to permit the drive motors to develop full torque automatically when required, regardless of the joystick position. This control system can be applied to any existing wheelchair that uses two motors for steering/propulsion, provided two batteries are used to provide a +6, 0, −6 or +12, 0, −12V supply. The design focused on portability so that the control system does not interfere with folding the wheelchair.
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