Electric Wheelchairs - Brushed vs Brushless Motors
When finding the perfect electric wheelchair for yourself, you may begin to come across brushed and brushless motors during your research. The consensus is that brushless motors are better in the wider context of brushed and brushless motors. However, in the context of electric wheelchairs, this isn’t the case because it is different for each user.
We will go through the brushed motors, our most popular and flagship electric wheelchair to begin. Firstly, brushed motors are more affordable, so if you have a particular budget, this may be a better option. Additionally, the brushed motor electric wheelchairs are simpler to use. But what does that mean? The design is simpler and has fewer components, therefore it is less of a hassle to work with and removes any doubt you may have about using an electrical item.
Of course, brushed motors, will require periodic maintenance because the brushes can begin to wear out over time once the motor rotates. However, the maintenance is simple and be done without specialised tools or prior knowledge. It is advised to approach us at Etech Mobility if you have purchased a wheelchair from us before. In addition, if you use your electric wheelchair every day, you will get 5-6 years out of it, but if you use it less than every day, then it will last you a longer period. The rotations of the motor are less in comparison to other items that may use brushed motors such as drills. In applications such as drills which require high revolutions per minute (RPM), brushless motors shine most. This is because when the higher the RPM, the more heat and friction is generated which leads to a higher rate of wear, hence why brushed motor drills would require frequent maintenance. In the context of electric wheelchairs, the RPM is slower and therefore causes less heat and friction, hence the wear being less. If the wear is less, then the maintenance required is less. As well as this, brushed motors provide excellent low-speed torque, so when applied to an electric wheelchair, it is beneficial. Having low-speed torque ensures smooth operation at low speeds, making it easier for users to navigate tight spaces or go up inclines slowly and safely. But why is this important and beneficial for an electric wheelchair? Having low-speed torque allows you to operate smoothly at slow speeds, therefore you will be able to navigate around your house, at the supermarket or in similar environments because you will not worry about a lack of control.
On the other hand, we have brushless motors. As you may have already gauged, brushless motors require significantly less maintenance because there are no brushes in the motor. With less maintenance, in the long term, it will be more cost-efficient and save you time. Because there are no brushes, the lifespan of brushless motors is much longer, making the wheelchair more durable and longer lasting. Additionally, if your electric wheelchair has a brushless motor, then the joystick is more responsive and reactive. This results in better performance, including increased acceleration and improved handling, making the wheelchair more responsive and easier to manoeuvre. Furthermore, brushless motors are compatible with more advanced electronic controls, which can provide more precise speed and torque regulation. This can enhance the user experience by offering smoother acceleration, deceleration, and more refined control over the wheelchair’s movements.
When choosing between brushed and brushless motors for your electric wheelchair, you may sometimes have to compromise. The trade-off between the brushed and brushless motor is if we prioritise a more affordable wheelchair with higher low-speed torque or you instead prioritise a longer-lasting wheelchair with advanced control. When applying the context of brushed and brushless motors to an electric wheelchair, we now know having low-speed torque is important, which is why having a brushed motor is a good trade-off to make.