Wheelchairs

Wheelchairs are the most essential mobility aids in the daily lives of people with reduced mobility. They are widely used in medical institutions, care homes, communities, and households. They enhance the independence of people with disabilities in terms of two-point mobility and access to indoor and outdoor spaces, making it easier for them to visit public places such as schools and workplaces, thereby strengthening their sense of connection with society. In the field of assistive technology, wheelchair systems incorporating electric linear actuators have ushered in a new era, bringing users greater convenience and comfort in their daily lives.

In traditional wheelchairs, the seat height, backrest angle, and leg rest position are typically fixed or manually adjustable, making it difficult to meet the needs of users of different body types and diverse usage scenarios. Our electric linear actuator system is a precision drive component specifically designed for multi-dimensional posture adjustment in wheelchairs. By receiving commands from the control system or controls, the actuators precisely control the seat height, backrest recline angle, and leg rest elevation angle, and can even provide standing assistance.


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Linear actuators
Introduction

System configuration

● Miniature linear actuator (seat height adjustment, backrest recline, leg rest adjustment, standing assistance)

● Control box (optional)

● Controls (optional)

Key features and benefits

Multi-dimensional posture adjustment to meet individual comfort requirements

The electric linear actuators provide comprehensive electric actuator system solutions designed for various types of wheelchairs, offering patients a wider range of comfort options, including height adjustment, back and leg support adjustment, lifting functions, and standing assistance. Users can independently adjust the seat height, backrest recline angle, and leg rest elevation angle according to their individual needs, freely switching between various positions such as sitting, semi-reclined, fully reclined, and standing assistance. From adjusting the wheelchair's height to optimizing the leg rests or altering the backrest position, every feature contributes to improved ergonomics.

Standing assistance function — the transition from "sitting" to "standing"

Some high-end electric wheelchairs incorporate a standing assistance function, which uses the electric linear actuator system to smoothly raise the user from a seated to a standing position. This feature holds significant rehabilitative value for patients with lower limb impairments who require standing training—it helps promote blood circulation in the lower limbs, prevent muscle atrophy, and improve bone health. The actuator provides smooth, controlled lifting and lowering movements, enabling users to transition from a seated to a standing position safely.

Compact and lightweight, suited to the limited space within wheelchairs

Wheelchairs require the integration of multiple systems—including the actuator, battery, controller, and drive motor—within a limited chassis space. Our miniature electric actuators are known for their ultra-compact design and lightweight construction, enabling them to fit seamlessly into the limited space between the wheelchair chassis and the seat. This compact structure not only provides greater design flexibility but also preserves the wheelchair's overall appearance and ease of folding.

Smooth and quiet operation, enhancing the user's daily experience

Wheelchair users rely heavily on their wheelchairs for daily tasks and generally wish to lead normal lives rather than constantly relying on the assistance of caregivers. Electric actuators provide users with movement they cannot control themselves, enabling reliable applications that reduce the inconvenience faced by people with disabilities. Our electric actuators operate at extremely low noise levels; the raising and lowering of the seat, the reclining of the backrest, and the adjustment of the leg rests are all performed silently. Smooth and seamless movement allows users to feel more at ease and confident when using their wheelchairs in public spaces.

Precise position feedback, enabling intelligent control

Our actuators are equipped with built-in Hall effect sensors, which provide real-time feedback on the actuator's travel position and operational status via pulse signals. The customer's control system can use this data to precisely manage key parameters such as seat height, backrest angle, and leg rest position, enabling intelligent functions such as one-touch reset and position memory.

Richmat's engineers provide end-to-end technical support—from requirements analysis and solution design through to product delivery—safeguarding every movement and every moment of independent mobility with reliable, medical-grade linear drive systems.


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Other Applications
Patient lifts
Patient lifts

Patient lifts (also known as patient transfer devices or patient hoists) are the most essential patient transfer equipment in medical care and rehabilitation. They are widely used in hospital wards, rehabilitation centers, care homes, community care, and home care settings. With the global aging population continuing to grow, the demand for personalized long-term care services is gradually gaining greater attention. Caring for patients with limited mobility is a challenging task, particularly when helping them get up and move around—whether transferring them from the bed to a wheelchair or assisting them in and out of the bath, patient lifts offer significant benefits to both patients and caregivers. In long-term care, patient lifts enhance patients' mobility and comfort while reducing the physical strain and stress on caregivers, enabling patient transfers to be carried out in a safer and more reliable manner.

In our product applications, linear actuators serve as the core drive components for the lifting mechanisms of patient lifts. By receiving commands from the control system or controls, the actuators precisely control the lifting height and speed of the sling or harness—gently raising the patient from a seated position to a suspended state during ascent, and gently lowering them back onto wheelchairs, hospital beds, or shower chairs during descent. The actuator operates smoothly, with controllable movements and extremely low noise levels, while maintaining stable and reliable lifting performance even when bearing the patient's body weight. The actuator is supplied as a component, featuring a built-in Hall sensor, and is designed to be integrated into the customer's control system.