Wheelchair speed restrictor
Our client has multiple sclerosis and has suffered from the condition for 50 years, and it affects her co-ordination. In this case, the problem was an inability to finely control the position of the joystick on her electric wheelchair which then results in jerky operation. Even at the slowest of the 4 selectable speeds available, she still felt out of control with it as she tends to use the joystick either full on or off.
The solution
Our solution was to create a restrictor mainly from recycled materials, with three carefully machined polythene interchangeable inserts, to provide a surface against which the joystick can be pressed, without the excessive speed. Other options such as changes to chair gearing, or attempting to modify the electronic control were ruled out as being too invasive.
The benefit
This simple gadget markedly improved the level of control and confidence for our client.
- Skills involved:
- Issues Addresses:
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- Solution:
Wow, This is something I’m looking for at the moment for my wife who is a new powerchair user. From the photos it is the same controller as the one my wife has. She is having trouble controlling the chair even at its slowest setting. As when the joystick is moved fully forward it increases the minimum speed so she has to try and keep it at a certain point to go slowly so she control it a bit better bit sometimes moves it forward a bit more and the chair speeds up. So I’m looking for something exactly like this. Are these for sale anywhere? Was just talking about a joystick restrictor when I then came across this.
Hi Brett, thank you for your comment. All of our items are custom made free of charge, so they’re not for sale. However, if you complete our referral form with some more information, then we can see if we can help your wife with something similar: http://www.remap.org.uk/help
Hi Ian, Thanks for your welcome reply, it lets me know there’s hope.
Although disabled, I am still pretty competent with my hands and mind, so if I had all the dimensions & destructions, I could have a go at making it myself.
As regards re-programming, this wheelchair is a Chinese Con, made by a Company which has dissappeared off the face of the earth, so there are no manuals or anyone to help.
Cheers, Angus
Hi Angus – this was made specifically for the wheelchair in question, but it may be possible for your local Remap group to replicate something similar. It is also possible to re-programme the controllers on many wheelchairs to limit the speed (many disabilities companies have the software and cable to do this as the controllers are often similar) – but of course, that limits the speed for all types of use which may not be desirable. I’ll drop you an email directly. Regards, Ian
Hi,
As I suffer from a similar disease, {Ataxia}, which produces all of the above problems, I would be gratefull if you could supply me with all relevant details of the above restrictor, sizes etc. for which me and the doorposts in my home, will be indebted to you.