The power of the elderly tricycle is weakened

The power of the elderly tricycle is weakened

1. Common reasons for weakened power
1.1 Battery problem
The battery is the core power source of the elderly tricycle, and its performance directly affects the power performance of the vehicle. As the use time increases, the battery capacity will gradually decrease. Generally speaking, the service life of lead-acid batteries is about 1-2 years, and the service life of lithium batteries is about 3-5 years. When the battery capacity drops to a certain extent, the power of the vehicle will be significantly weakened. For example, a brand new lead-acid battery can support the vehicle to travel at a maximum speed of about 30 kilometers, but after the battery has been used for 1 year, its cruising range may drop to 20 kilometers, and it will obviously feel insufficient power and slow acceleration during driving. In addition, the battery’s charging state will also affect the power. If the battery is undercharged or overcharged for a long time, it will accelerate the sulfidation of the battery plate and further reduce the battery performance.
1.2 Motor failure
The motor is a key component that converts electrical energy into mechanical energy. Motor failure can cause abnormal power output. Common motor failures include short circuit, open circuit or grounding of the motor winding. When the motor winding is short-circuited, the current will increase, causing the motor to overheat and the power output to decrease. According to statistics, in the maintenance cases of elderly three-wheeled scooters, motor winding short-circuit faults account for about 30% of motor failures. Wear of motor bearings can also cause power reduction. When the bearings are worn, the running resistance of the motor increases, which not only increases energy consumption, but also makes the power output of the vehicle unstable. If the bearings are severely worn, the vehicle may shake during driving, affecting driving safety.
1.3 Insufficient tire pressure
Insufficient tire pressure will increase the rolling resistance of the vehicle, resulting in reduced power. When the tire pressure is lower than the standard value, the contact area between the tire and the ground increases and the friction increases. For example, when the tire pressure is 20% lower than the standard value, the rolling resistance will increase by about 10%. This will require the motor to output more power to overcome the resistance, resulting in slow acceleration and insufficient power of the vehicle. In addition, insufficient tire pressure will also affect the handling performance and driving stability of the vehicle, and increase the risk of tire blowout.

2. Analysis of battery-related issues
2.1 Battery aging
Battery aging is one of the important reasons for the weakening of the power of the elderly tricycle. During the use of lead-acid batteries, the plates will gradually sulfide, resulting in an increase in the internal resistance of the battery. Studies have shown that when the internal resistance of a lead-acid battery increases to three times the initial value, its discharge capacity will drop to about 60% of the rated capacity. Taking the common 12V12Ah lead-acid battery as an example, its initial discharge capacity is 12Ah. After one year of use, the discharge capacity may drop to about 7.2Ah, and the power performance of the vehicle will be significantly reduced. Although the performance of lithium batteries is relatively stable, it will also be affected by the number of charge and discharge cycles. Generally, after 500 charge and discharge cycles, the capacity of a lithium battery will drop to about 80% of the initial capacity. This means that a lithium battery that can support a vehicle to travel 40 kilometers may only support a mileage of about 32 kilometers after 500 charge and discharge cycles, and the power output will also be weakened accordingly.
2.2 Insufficient battery power
Insufficient battery power will cause insufficient power in the elderly tricycle. When the battery power is less than 20%, the output power of the vehicle will drop significantly. This is because when the battery is in a low power state, the voltage will decrease and the current output capacity will also weaken. For example, a 12V battery can stabilize at around 12V when the power is sufficient, but when the power is insufficient, the voltage may drop to around 10V. According to the power formula P=VI, when the current remains unchanged, the voltage reduction will cause the power to drop. Taking a 300W motor as an example, when the battery voltage drops from 12V to 10V, the actual output power of the motor will drop from 300W to around 250W, the vehicle’s power performance will drop significantly, the acceleration will be slow, and the climbing ability will also be weakened.
2.3 Poor battery contact
Poor battery contact will affect the power output of the elderly tricycle. When the contact resistance between the battery and the connecting wire increases, the voltage drop will increase. For example, under normal circumstances, the contact resistance between the battery and the connecting wire should be less than 0.1Ω, but when the contact is poor, the contact resistance may increase to around 0.5Ω. According to Ohm’s law V=IR, when the current remains unchanged, the increase in contact resistance will cause the voltage drop to increase. Taking a circuit with a current of 10A as an example, when the contact resistance increases from 0.1Ω to 0.5Ω, the voltage drop will increase from 1V to 5V. This means that the actual voltage obtained by the motor will decrease, resulting in insufficient power output. In addition, poor contact may also cause sparking, which will not only damage the battery and connecting wires, but also cause safety accidents such as fire.

3. Motor fault troubleshooting
3.1 Internal motor fault
Internal motor fault is one of the key factors that lead to the weakening of the power of the elderly three-wheeled scooter. In addition to the short circuit, open circuit or grounding problems of the motor winding mentioned above, other component failures inside the motor will also have a significant impact on the power output.
Aging of motor winding insulation: As the use time increases, the insulation material of the motor winding will gradually age. Studies have shown that when the insulation material ages to a certain extent, its insulation resistance will drop significantly. For example, the insulation resistance of a new motor is usually above 10MΩ, and after 3-5 years of use, the insulation resistance may drop to about 1MΩ. This will cause the motor to leak, and the current cannot pass through the winding effectively, thereby reducing the output power of the motor and weakening the power of the vehicle.
Motor rotor wear: During long-term operation, the motor rotor will gradually wear due to friction and vibration. When the rotor is severely worn, the gap between it and the stator will increase, resulting in a weakening of the magnetic field strength. Experimental data show that when the gap between the rotor and the stator increases by 10%, the output power of the motor will drop by about 15%. This will make the vehicle feel underpowered and accelerate slowly during driving.
Motor bearing failure: The motor bearing is a key component that supports the motor rotor. When the bearing is worn or damaged, the running resistance of the motor will increase significantly. According to maintenance data, bearing failure will cause the energy consumption of the motor to increase by 20% – 30%, while making the power output of the vehicle unstable. For example, when the bearing is severely worn, the vehicle may shake during driving, or even fail to drive normally.
3.2 Poor motor heat dissipation
Poor motor heat dissipation will cause the motor temperature to be too high, thus affecting its performance and life. The main reasons for poor heat dissipation are as follows:
Cooling fan failure: The cooling fan is an important part of the motor cooling system. When the cooling fan is damaged or fails, the heat dissipation efficiency of the motor will drop significantly. For example, when the air volume of the cooling fan is reduced by 50%, the temperature of the motor will rise by about 20℃. High temperature will accelerate the aging of the insulation material of the motor winding and reduce the output power of the motor.
Heat sink blockage: The motor heat sink is easily blocked by dust, debris, etc. during long-term use. When the heat sink is blocked, the air circulation is not smooth and the heat dissipation effect is poor. Experiments show that when the heat sink is blocked by 70%, the temperature of the motor will rise by about 15℃. This will not only reduce the performance of the motor, but also cause the motor to overheat and damage.
Excessive ambient temperature: Using a three-wheeled scooter for the elderly in a high temperature environment will increase the difficulty of heat dissipation of the motor. For example, when the ambient temperature rises from 25℃ to 40℃, the temperature of the motor will rise by about 10℃. In a high temperature environment, the output power of the motor will drop by about 10% – 15%, resulting in a weakening of the vehicle power.
3.3 Motor controller problem
The motor controller is the core component that controls the operation of the motor, and its performance directly affects the power output of the motor.
Controller failure: The electronic components inside the motor controller are easily damaged by high temperature, humidity, vibration, etc. According to statistics, controller failure accounts for about 20% of the repair cases of elderly three-wheeled scooters. When the controller fails, it may cause the motor to not work properly, the output power to be unstable, or even no power output.
Improper controller parameter settings: The controller parameter settings have an important impact on the performance of the motor. If the parameters are set improperly, the motor’s output power may be insufficient. For example, if the current limit is set too low, it will limit the motor’s output power and weaken the vehicle’s power; improper voltage regulation will cause the motor voltage to be unstable, affecting its normal operation.
Controller and motor matching problems: The matching of the controller and the motor will also affect the power output. If the power of the controller does not match the motor, the motor may not be able to fully exert its performance. For example, when the power of the controller is lower than the rated power of the motor, the actual output power of the motor will be limited, and the vehicle will be underpowered.
: Controller and motor matching problems

4. Tire problem inspection
4.1 Severe tire wear
Severe tire wear will significantly affect the power performance of the elderly three-wheeled scooter. When the tire tread depth is less than 1.6 mm, the tire’s grip will drop significantly. Studies have shown that for every 1 mm reduction in tire tread depth, the vehicle’s rolling resistance will increase by about 5%. For example, when the tire tread depth is worn from the standard 3 mm to 1 mm, the rolling resistance will increase by about 10%, which will require the motor to output more power to maintain the same driving speed, resulting in reduced power. In addition, the braking distance of severely worn tires on slippery roads will increase by 30% – 50%, which not only affects the power output, but also reduces the safety of the vehicle.
4.2 Insufficient tire pressure
Insufficient tire pressure is one of the common reasons for the weakening of power of elderly tricycles. When the tire pressure is lower than the standard value, the rolling resistance will increase. Experimental data show that when the tire pressure is 20% lower than the standard value, the rolling resistance will increase by about 10%. For example, for a tire with a standard pressure of 2.5 bar, if the pressure drops to 2.0 bar, the energy consumption of the vehicle will increase by about 15%, and the actual output power of the motor will decrease by about 10%. In addition, insufficient tire pressure will also cause tire deformation, affect the vehicle’s handling performance and driving stability, and increase the risk of tire blowout.
4.3 Tire leakage
Tire leakage will cause the air pressure to continue to drop, further affecting the power and safety of the vehicle. The causes of tire leakage may include failure of the tire pressure monitoring system, puncture of the tire by foreign objects, or poor sealing between the tire and the wheel hub. According to statistics, about 20% of tire leaks are caused by puncture of the tire by foreign objects. After the tire leaks, the air pressure drops rapidly, usually falling below 50% of the standard air pressure in a short time. For example, when the tire pressure drops from 2.5 bar to 1.2 bar, the rolling resistance of the vehicle will increase by about 20%, the energy consumption of the motor will increase by about 25%, and the power output will drop significantly. In addition, the leaking tire may deviate or shake during driving, affecting driving safety.
: The impact of tire leakage on driving stability

5. Other possible factors
5.1 Excessive vehicle load
The vehicle load has a significant impact on the power performance of the elderly three-wheeled scooter. When the vehicle load exceeds the designed load capacity, the motor needs to output more power to drive the vehicle, resulting in reduced power.
Relationship between power output and load: Studies have shown that when the vehicle load increases by 20%, the actual output power of the motor needs to increase by about 15% to maintain the same driving speed. For example, a three-wheeled scooter with a maximum design load of 200 kg may have difficulty climbing and slow acceleration when the actual load reaches 240 kg.
Increased energy consumption: Excessive load will not only weaken the power, but also increase energy consumption. Experimental data show that for every 10 kg increase in vehicle load, energy consumption will increase by about 5%. This means that the vehicle’s cruising range will be shortened accordingly, further affecting its performance.
Vehicle design load limit: Most elderly three-wheeled scooters are designed to carry a load between 150 and 250 kg. Beyond this range, the vehicle’s power system will have difficulty working properly, and long-term overloading will also cause damage to the vehicle’s structure and components.
5.2 Transmission system failure
The transmission system is a key component connecting the motor and the wheel. Its failure will lead to a decrease in power transmission efficiency, thereby affecting the vehicle’s power performance.
Chain or belt wear: The chain or belt is an important part of the transmission system, and long-term use will cause it to wear or loosen. When the chain or belt is severely worn, the transmission efficiency will drop significantly. For example, a severely worn chain will reduce the transmission efficiency by about 10% – 15%. This means that the power output of the motor cannot be fully transmitted to the wheels, and the vehicle’s power performance will be significantly weakened.
Gear failure: The gear is the core component of the transmission system, and its failure will cause interruption or instability in power transmission. Common gear failures include gear wear, tooth surface peeling, and gear breakage. According to statistics, gear failure accounts for about 30% of transmission system failures. When the gear fails, the vehicle may make abnormal noises, shake, or fail to drive normally.
Drive shaft failure: The drive shaft is a transmission component that connects the motor and the wheel, and its failure will cause poor power transmission. The imbalance or damage of the drive shaft will cause the vehicle to shake during driving and reduce the power transmission efficiency. Maintenance data shows that drive shaft failure will cause a decrease in power transmission efficiency of about 15% – 20%.
5.3 Electrical circuit failure
The electrical circuit is an important part that connects the battery, motor, and controller. Its failure will cause unstable or insufficient power output.
Line aging: The electrical circuit will gradually age during long-term use, resulting in increased line resistance. Studies have shown that when the line resistance increases by 20%, the voltage drop increases by about 10%. This will reduce the actual voltage obtained by the motor, resulting in insufficient power output.
Line short circuit or open circuit: Line short circuit or open circuit is a common fault in electrical circuits. Short circuit will cause excessive current and damage the battery and controller; open circuit will cause the motor to not work properly. According to statistics, electrical circuit short circuit or open circuit failure accounts for about 15% of the repair cases of elderly three-wheeled scooters.
Loose contact points: Loose contact points in electrical circuits will increase contact resistance and affect the transmission of current. For example, when the contact points are loose, the contact resistance may increase to about 5 times the normal value. This will not only reduce power output, but may also cause ignition and increase safety hazards.
: The impact of loose contact points on contact resistance

6. Daily maintenance recommendations
6.1 Check the battery regularly
In order to ensure the power performance of the elderly three-wheeled scooter, it is essential to check the battery regularly. The following are specific maintenance recommendations:
Check the battery power: It is recommended to check the battery power once a week to ensure that the battery power remains above 20%. When the battery charge is less than 20%, the vehicle’s power output will drop significantly. For example, a 12V battery can stabilize at around 12V when it is fully charged, but when it is low on power, the voltage may drop to around 10V. According to the power formula P=VI, when the current remains unchanged, a voltage reduction will result in a power reduction. Taking a 300W motor as an example, when the battery voltage drops from 12V to 10V, the actual output power of the motor will drop from 300W to around 250W, and the vehicle’s power performance will drop significantly.
Check the appearance of the battery: Check the appearance of the battery once a month to see if there is bulging, leakage or corrosion. Bulging is usually caused by excessive internal pressure in the battery, which may be caused by overcharging or battery aging. Leakage and corrosion may damage the battery connection wires and battery box, affecting the normal operation of the battery.
Check the battery connection: Check the contact between the battery and the connection wire once a month,

Ensure good contact. When the contact resistance between the battery and the connecting wire increases, the voltage drop will increase. For example, under normal circumstances, the contact resistance between the battery and the connecting wire should be less than 0.1Ω, but when the contact is poor, the contact resistance may increase to about 0.5Ω. According to Ohm’s law V=IR, when the current remains unchanged, the increase in contact resistance will cause the voltage drop to increase. Taking a circuit with a current of 10A as an example, when the contact resistance increases from 0.1Ω to 0.5Ω, the voltage drop will increase from 1V to 5V. This means that the actual voltage obtained by the motor will decrease, resulting in insufficient power output.
Regular charging and discharging: It is recommended to perform a complete charge and discharge cycle every 3 months to maintain the activity of the battery. For lead-acid batteries, it is recommended to charge when the power drops to about 30% to avoid long-term undercharging or overcharging. For lithium batteries, it is recommended to charge when the power drops to about 20% to avoid deep discharge.
6.2 Check the motor regularly
The motor is one of the core components of the elderly three-wheeled scooter. Regularly checking the motor can effectively avoid the problem of power reduction. The following are specific maintenance recommendations:
Check the motor appearance: Check the motor housing once a month for damage, deformation or looseness. Damage to the motor housing may affect the heat dissipation effect of the motor, causing the motor temperature to be too high, thus affecting its performance and life.
Check the motor cooling system: Check the motor cooling fan and heat sink once a month to see if they are working properly. When the air volume of the cooling fan is reduced by 50%, the temperature of the motor will rise by about 20°C. When the heat sink is blocked by 70%, the temperature of the motor will rise by about 15°C. High temperature will accelerate the aging of the insulation material of the motor winding and reduce the output power of the motor.
Check the running status of the motor: Before each use, start the motor and observe its running status to check for abnormal sounds, jitters or overheating. If the motor is found to be running unsteadily or making abnormal sounds, check whether there is any fault inside the motor in time, such as winding short circuit, open circuit or bearing wear.
Lubricate the motor bearings regularly: It is recommended to lubricate the motor bearings once every 6 months to reduce wear. Bearing wear will increase the running resistance of the motor, resulting in increased energy consumption and unstable power output.
6.3 Check tires regularly
Tires are key components that affect the power and safety of elderly tricycles. Regularly checking tires can effectively avoid power reduction and safety hazards. The following are specific maintenance recommendations:
Check tire pressure: It is recommended to check tire pressure once a week to ensure that it remains within the standard range. When tire pressure is 20% lower than the standard value, rolling resistance will increase by about 10% and the actual output power of the motor will decrease by about 10%. The standard air pressure is generally between 2.0 and 2.5 bar, and the specific value should be adjusted according to the recommendations of the vehicle manufacturer.
Check tire wear: Check the tire tread depth once a month to ensure that it is not less than 1.6 mm. For every 1 mm reduction in tire tread depth, the rolling resistance of the vehicle will increase by about 5%. When the tire tread depth is less than 1.6 mm, the tire should be replaced in time to ensure the power and safety of the vehicle.
Check the appearance of the tire: Check the tire for cracks, bulges, or foreign body punctures once a month. Cracks and bulges may be caused by tire aging or excessive wear, while foreign body punctures may cause tire deflation. Tire leaks can cause the air pressure to continue to drop, further affecting the power and safety of the vehicle.
Replace tires regularly: It is recommended to replace tires every 2-3 years to ensure the performance and safety of the vehicle. Even if the tire tread depth has not yet fallen below 1.6 mm, tires that have been used for a long time will lose elasticity due to aging, increasing rolling resistance and the risk of tire blowouts.

7. Summary
The weakening of power in elderly tricycles is a complex multi-factor problem involving multiple key components such as batteries, motors, tires, and daily use and maintenance habits. Through in-depth analysis of the above aspects, the following conclusions can be drawn:
Battery problems are the core factor: Whether it is a lead-acid battery or a lithium battery, the natural attenuation of its performance and improper charging behavior during use will significantly reduce the power output of the vehicle. Battery aging leads to a decrease in capacity, insufficient power reduces voltage, and poor contact increases resistance, all of which will directly affect the power output of the motor, making the vehicle slow to accelerate and difficult to climb.
The impact of motor failure is significant: winding short circuits, circuit breaks, insulation aging, rotor wear, and bearing failures inside the motor will increase the energy consumption of the motor, reduce output power, and even cause the vehicle to be unable to drive normally. In addition, poor heat dissipation and controller problems will further weaken the performance of the motor and affect the vehicle’s power performance.
Tire condition cannot be ignored: insufficient tire pressure, severe wear or leakage will increase the rolling resistance of the vehicle, requiring the motor to output more power to maintain driving, resulting in reduced power. As the only part of the vehicle in contact with the ground, the condition of the tire is directly related to the driving efficiency and safety of the vehicle.
Daily maintenance is essential: regular inspection and maintenance of key components such as batteries, motors, and tires can effectively prevent the occurrence of power reduction problems. For example, reasonably control the battery power to avoid long-term undercharging or overcharging; regularly check the motor cooling system to ensure its normal operation; keep the tire pressure within the standard range, and replace severely worn tires in time. Good maintenance habits can not only extend the service life of the vehicle, but also improve its performance and safety.
Impact of vehicle load and use environment: Overloading will increase the burden on the motor, resulting in insufficient power, and will also cause damage to the structure and components of the vehicle. In addition, high temperature environment will make it more difficult to dissipate heat for the motor, reduce its output power, and affect the vehicle’s power performance. Therefore, during use, the design load limit of the vehicle should be strictly observed, and long-term driving in high temperature environments should be avoided as much as possible.
In summary, to solve the problem of weakened power of elderly tricycles, it is necessary to start from multiple aspects such as batteries, motors, and tires, strengthen daily maintenance and inspection, use vehicles reasonably, and avoid overloading and improper operation. At the same time, manufacturers should also improve product quality and optimize design to provide users with more reliable, safe, and efficient elderly tricycles.