Active Controls Develops JoyBar II

The JoyBar II, the latest innovation of the Active Controls’ JoyBar technology, features digital, rather than analog circuitry design. Use of digital sensors provides additional benefits for dealers and manufacturers of electric wheelchairs because the new electronics are compatible with many of the digital controllers already in use on existing wheelchairs. The digital sensors also provide users with more precise control which results in smoother operation of the electric wheelchair.   

Although the first JoyBar has satisfied the needs of first-time users who had difficulties with joysticks, it did not allow the operation of more than two seating functions, a requirement for a severely disabled person and Medicare funding in the US market. It also required the dealers and manufacturers to use a specific controller in place of the one that was originally designed for the electric wheelchair.

After some research, the Active Controls engineering team found that the digital PSC-360 Hall Effect Sensor manufactured by Piher Sensors & Controls, would enable the JoyBar to be compatible with many of the existing controllers that have unlimited actuator functions. Size-wise, the Piher PSC-360 Sensor was a simple drop-in-place solution, fitting easily into the existing hand control.   It required only minimal tooling to make up for the slightly larger space than the previous analog sensors originally designed for the unit. The PSC-360 sensor has a permanent magnet as the only moving component, making it extremely durable for long service life up to 50 million cycles. Further durability is incorporated with the fully sealed magnet and the sensor’s electronics (sensing system) encapsulated in molded plastic, providing a completely sealed IP67 rated sensor. 

Not only did the Piher PSC-360 Sensor allow the JoyBar to comply with the insurance reimbursement regulations for control of more than two actuators, it also provided some unexpected benefits. “We were pleasantly surprised to find that with Piher’s electronic sensor, the JoyBar could now interface with a series of existing electric wheelchairs and their electronic controllers,” explains Flowers. “For electric wheelchairs with these controls, there would be no need to change out that component like we had to do with the analog sensors.”

Despite the original JoyBar’s breakthrough innovation in wheelchair technology – really the first new way to control electric wheelchairs since they were first invented over 70 years ago – getting the industry to adopt the technology has been slow. The issue was that it required changing the controller power module.

In addition, a significant cost for dealers and wheelchair manufacturers is the special programmers required to set custom parameters to meet individual needs. Programmers can adjust chairs to be more responsive, less responsive, stop faster or stop more slowly.  Individualized programming can even provide a dampening function to prevent tremors of a Parkinson’s patient from engaging speed or turning. To achieve these customizations, the controller manufacturers have designed a different programmer for each of their controllers. 

Dealers use the controller-specific programmers to dial in exactly the performance that a consumer needs.   To date, many of the electric wheelchair manufacturers have been unwilling to offer the original JoyBar, because it would require an additional investment, not only in training people on how to use new programmers, but also capital costs of subsidizing programmers for  their dealers. 

“With the JoyBar II’s use of the Piher PSC-360 digital Sensors, there is no need for most of the manufacturers to invest in changing controllers – the JoyBar II is now compatible with many of the existing controllers and electronics,” sums up Flowers. “With the new ease of incorporating this technology, the intuitive control provided by the JoyBar should become much more accessible for people with disabilities who need it”.

For more information, visit activecontrols.com.