Electric wheelchair battery: Provide reliable power for your electric wheelchair

Electric wheelchair battery: Provide reliable power for your electric wheelchair

In today’s society, electric wheelchairs have become an indispensable means of travel for many people with limited mobility. As one of its core components, electric wheelchair batteries are directly related to the performance, safety and service life of the wheelchair. If you are an international wholesale buyer who is planning to purchase an electric wheelchair, it is crucial to have a deep understanding of the requirements for electric wheelchair batteries. This article will give you a comprehensive analysis of the various requirements for electric wheelchair batteries to help you make wise decisions during the procurement process.

1. Safety requirements
Battery type: The batteries commonly used in electric wheelchairs are mainly lead-acid batteries and lithium-ion batteries. Lead-acid batteries are mature in technology and low in cost, but they are also heavy, and flammable and explosive gases may be generated during charging, so good ventilation conditions must be ensured. Lithium-ion batteries have the advantages of high energy density, light weight, and low self-discharge rate, but the cost is relatively high, and the requirements for battery management systems are also high to prevent safety accidents caused by battery overcharging, over-discharging, and short circuits.
Explosion-proof and fire-proof: The battery should have explosion-proof and fire-proof characteristics, and use high-quality battery materials and advanced manufacturing processes to ensure that there will be no explosion or fire in normal use and accidental situations. For example, a safety valve should be set inside the battery to automatically release the pressure when the internal pressure of the battery is too high to prevent explosion. At the same time, the battery shell should also have certain fire-proof properties and be able to withstand high temperatures without being ignited or melted.
Battery Management System: For lithium-ion batteries, it is crucial to be equipped with a complete battery management system (BMS). BMS can monitor the battery’s voltage, current, temperature and other parameters in real time to prevent abnormal situations such as overcharging, over-discharging, overheating and short circuiting of the battery, effectively extending the battery’s service life and improving safety. For example, when the battery temperature is too high, BMS can automatically cut off the charging or discharging circuit to prevent the battery from being damaged or causing safety accidents due to overheating.

2. Performance Requirements
Endurance: Endurance is one of the important performance indicators of electric wheelchair batteries. Generally speaking, the range of an electric wheelchair should be no less than 20 kilometers to meet the user’s daily travel needs. For example, for some elderly or disabled people with limited mobility, they may need to take a wheelchair to parks, supermarkets, etc. If the battery life is too short, it may cause inconvenience to their travel. Some high-performance electric wheelchair batteries can have a battery life of 50 kilometers or even longer, providing users with a wider range of activities.
Power performance: The battery should provide sufficient power to ensure that the electric wheelchair can travel smoothly and quickly, and has a certain climbing ability. Generally speaking, the speed of an electric wheelchair should not be less than 5 kilometers per hour, and it can easily cope with common slopes, such as slopes of about 5 degrees. For example, in some communities, parks or public places with slopes, electric wheelchairs need to have sufficient power to pass smoothly, otherwise it may affect the normal use of users.
Charging time: A shorter charging time can improve the efficiency of the electric wheelchair and facilitate users to charge anytime and anywhere. Generally speaking, the charging time of lithium-ion batteries should be around 4-8 hours, while the charging time of lead-acid batteries may take 8-12 hours or even longer. The application of fast charging technology has also gradually attracted attention. Some new batteries can be quickly charged within 1-2 hours, which greatly improves the convenience of electric wheelchairs.
Service life: The service life of the battery directly affects the long-term use cost of the electric wheelchair. Generally speaking, the service life of lead-acid batteries is about 1-2 years, while the service life of lithium-ion batteries can reach 3-5 years or even longer. Under normal use conditions, the battery should be able to withstand multiple charge and discharge cycles without obvious capacity decay. For example, after 500 charge and discharge cycles, the capacity of high-quality lithium-ion batteries can still be maintained at more than 80%, providing users with a more economical and reliable choice.

3. Adaptability requirements
Environmental adaptability: Electric wheelchairs may be used in a variety of different environmental conditions, so the battery needs to have good environmental adaptability. The battery should be able to work normally in a wide temperature range, generally required to be between – 20℃ and 60℃ to cope with cold winters and hot summers. At the same time, the battery should also have certain waterproof, dustproof and shockproof capabilities, and be able to be used in complex outdoor environments without damage. For example, when driving on rainy days or slippery roads, the waterproof performance of the battery can prevent moisture from penetrating into the battery and causing short circuits or other faults.
Compatibility with wheelchairs: The battery should be well matched with the motor, controller, charger and other components of the electric wheelchair to ensure the stability and reliability of the system. The battery’s voltage, capacity, size and other parameters should meet the design requirements of the electric wheelchair and work in conjunction with the wheelchair’s control system to achieve precise speed control, power output and energy recovery. For example, if the battery voltage is too high or too low, it may cause the motor to malfunction or damage components such as the controller, affecting the overall performance of the electric wheelchair.

4. Regulations and certification requirements
International transportation regulations: Since electric wheelchair batteries are dangerous goods, relevant regulations and standards need to be followed in international transportation. For example, according to the United Nations “Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods – Model Regulations”, lithium-ion batteries need to pass a series of tests during transportation, such as altitude simulation, high and low temperature cycle tests, vibration tests, impact tests, etc., to ensure their transportation safety. At the same time, the battery packaging also needs to meet the requirements for dangerous goods packaging, and be marked with the corresponding dangerous goods signs and transportation labels.
Product certification: In different countries and regions, electric wheelchair batteries may need to meet corresponding certification requirements before entering the market. For example, in the EU market, batteries need to obtain CE certification to prove that they meet the EU’s safety, health and environmental protection requirements; in the US market, batteries may need to pass FCC certification, etc. These certifications are not only a recognition of the quality and safety of battery products, but also an important pass for companies to enter the international market.

5. Maintenance and care requirements

Daily maintenance: Daily maintenance of batteries is essential to extend their service life and maintain good performance. Users should regularly check the appearance of the battery to ensure that there are no abnormal phenomena such as bulging, leakage, and deformation. At the same time, keep the battery clean and dry to avoid contamination of the battery surface with conductive substances such as dust and sweat, which will affect the safety performance of the battery. For removable batteries, the connection between the battery and the wheelchair should also be checked regularly to ensure that the connection is firm and reliable.
Charging maintenance: The correct charging method can effectively extend the service life of the battery. Users should follow the recommendations of the battery manufacturer and use the original or compliant charger to charge to avoid overcharging and over-discharging. Generally speaking, it is ideal to keep the battery power between 20%-80%. Do not wait until the battery power is completely exhausted before charging, and do not overcharge for a long time. For example, for lithium-ion batteries, it is recommended to charge when the power is 20%-30% remaining, and each charging time should not exceed 8 hours to reduce damage to the battery.
Regular testing: Regularly perform performance tests on the battery, such as capacity test, internal resistance test, etc., to keep abreast of the battery health status. If abnormal conditions such as a significant decrease in battery capacity or an increase in internal resistance are found, the battery should be replaced in time to ensure the safe use of the electric wheelchair. Generally speaking, it is recommended to conduct a comprehensive test on the battery every 6 months to 1 year, and the specific test cycle can be adjusted according to the frequency of battery use and the manufacturer’s recommendations.

6. Future Development Trends
Batteries with higher energy density: With the continuous advancement of science and technology, the energy density of electric wheelchair batteries will be further improved in the future, which means that at the same volume and weight, the battery can provide a longer driving range. For example, some new lithium-ion battery materials and structures are under development, which are expected to increase the energy density of batteries by 30%-50% or even higher, providing more powerful power support for the development of electric wheelchairs.
Smarter battery management system: The battery management system in the future will be more intelligent, with more accurate battery status monitoring, more efficient energy management and more complete fault diagnosis functions. Through deep integration with the wheelchair control system, BMS can achieve all-round intelligent control of electric wheelchairs, such as automatically adjusting power output and optimizing charging strategies according to road conditions and user needs, so as to improve the performance and user experience of electric wheelchairs.
More environmentally friendly battery technology: In the context of increasing global attention to environmental protection, the environmental performance of electric wheelchair batteries will also receive more attention. The development and application of more environmentally friendly battery materials and production processes, and the reduction of battery pollution to the environment will become an important direction for the development of battery technology in the future. For example, some degradable battery materials and battery technologies without heavy metal pollution are being researched and developed, which are expected to provide new solutions for the environmentally friendly development of electric wheelchair batteries.
In summary, the performance, safety and reliability of electric wheelchair batteries are crucial to the overall performance of electric wheelchairs and the user experience. When choosing electric wheelchair batteries, you should fully consider their safety, performance, adaptability, regulations and certification, maintenance and care requirements.