Brakes
There are three types of braking. Two of these are electronic. One is a manual brake.
The SnapDragon is normally delivered with a torque controller and its braking is therefore
different from most other powerchairs which have velocity controllers. If you let go of the
joystick, you stop powering the SnapDragon, so it coasts to a halt. This allows movement
to be more natural and less jerky.
There are, however, 3 braking systems built in.
1. If you need to stop in a hurry, instantaneous computer braking is applied if the joystick is
pulled over centre in the opposite direction to the direction of travel, and the SnapDragon
will stop quickly and safely. This is the way that speed can be regulated going downhill, or
for very precise manouevring. New users may need to be supervised more closely on
slopes at first, until this technique is mastered, especially if they have been used to a
velocity controller or a rear wheel drive powerchair, which tend to have different braking
characteristics.
2. When the machine is stationary, the computer applies an electronic parking brake. This
brake is intended to hold the SnapDragon stationary on a 1 in 4 slope. The forces
experienced during transport in a bus, car or train are greater than this brake is designed to
withstand, however, so . . .
3. There is a third type of braking which
consists of two manual hand brakes which
can be applied by an attendant by operating
the orange levers just behind each drive
wheel. (see Fig:8) These should be used for
vehicle transport, when the SnapDragon is
being jolted by a moving floor surface
underneath it, or if for some reason the
SnapDragon needs to be immobilised
completely on a slope.
NOTE that when the SnapDragon is in Free
Wheel (see below) the electronic braking
cannot operate, and this manual braking
system is the only way to prevent free
movement.
SnapDragon
– Owner's Manual
Dragonmobility Ltd
Issue 1,8
Page 8
© Dragonmobility Ltd, Sept 2016
Fig:8
Manual Brake in
"ON" Position
