Dragonmobility SnapDragon Owner's Manual - Page 10

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SnapDragon – Owner's Manual

Dragonmobility Ltd

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.

Manual Brake in

"ON" Position

NOTE that when the SnapDragon is in Free

Wheel (see below) the electronic braking

cannot operate, and this manual braking

Fig:8

system is the only way to prevent free

movement.

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