DE102005055196A1 - Badelifter with rack drive - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a bath lifter with a rack and pinion drive, with an electric motor (20) which interacts directly or indirectly via a gear (28-31) with at least one rack (22) in such a way that a seat (1, 3, 16) for at least one person is movable, characterized in that the motor (20) is arranged in the lower region of the seat (1, 3, 16) and is designed to be submersible. The advantage is that with approximately the same height of the backrest of the seat, a comparable stroke travel of the rack is made possible and a top-heavyness of the backrest is avoided.

Description

The invention relates to a Badelifter rack drive according to the preamble of claim 1. Such a bath lifter is, for example, with the subject of EP 0 707 843 B1 known.

at However, the known Badelifter the disadvantage that the Rack and pinion drive is relatively complicated, because the rack out a straight rack piece and hingedly connected individual rack segments. reason for This measure is that you have an effective rack length of at least 40 centimeters needed and at the same time meet the requirement of having the engine in the top To arrange area of the rack. The reason for this measure is the demand that Engine so far over the water surface to prevent ingress of water into the engine.

Around the required, relatively large, usable rack length to allow for a relatively short backrest height, provided the known arrangement, the engine in the upper part of the backrest to arrange and here a multi-articulated divided rack to use.

disadvantage the arrangement is that the rack be elaborate must and is relatively susceptible to wear. Another disadvantage is the top weight of the backrest, because the engine on upper, pivoting part of the backrest must be arranged.

It by the way found that the arrangement of the drive motor in the upper part the backrest is therefore disadvantageous because the engine protrudes to the rear, d. H. from the side of the backrest turned away, at which the back plate for mooring of the back the user is located.

In order to the disadvantage is that the backrest is facing backwards (towards to the edge of the bathtub) a relatively large installation depth and a corresponding Distance needed, what in confined spaces causes that the entire bath lift in the direction of the longitudinal center axis of the bathtub inwards must be moved, reducing the usable legroom of the user highly limited becomes.

Of the Invention is therefore the object of a Badelifter with Rack drive of the type mentioned so educate, that he is at about the same height the backrest a comparable stroke of the rack allows and this a top-heaviness the backrest avoids.

to solution the object is the invention characterized in that that the drive motor for the rack in the lower area of the seat, in particular the Backrest, around in the vicinity the pivot bearing of the backrest, is laid and submersible is trained.

at the given technical teaching overcomes the prejudice, that it is absolutely necessary to keep the engine out of the water, even if the Badelifter in its lowest, lowered position located and the seat plate with the pivot bearing arranged thereon for the backrest at a depth of about 25 to 30 centimeters below the water surface is located. According to the invention, the engine now dips under the water surface, when Move the seat plate to its lower position lowered into the bathtub becomes.

By laying the engine in this area now gives the advantage that the aforementioned head restraint is avoided and that overall the rack are constructed much easier can.

Though The invention may also provide that the rack of individual, hinged segments, as shown in the prior art. However, an advantage of the invention lies in the fact that it is precisely this articulated arrangement of the rack segments can be dispensed with and instead use a rigid, continuous rack can.

With The given technical teaching makes it possible for the first time, the Motor now in the lower, usable toothed area of the rack to arrange and use a rigid rack, because the rigid rack to the entire stroke length of z. B. 40 centimeters parallel to the backrest into the backrest housing extends and no articulated bends and rack storage more needs.

In order to The structure is easier, less susceptible to wear, more stable and cheaper.

By overcoming the aforementioned prejudice that it is absolutely necessary to leave the engine outside the water surface on the backrest to arrange the advantage that it is now possible for the first time, to use a rigid rack, and the complete stroke length of the To take advantage of the rack these being perfect in the backrest housing is hidden away.

For housing an engine and the Rack and pinion drive, which dips below the water surface, this must be at least pressure water tight. That is, a splash guard is not enough, it must be protected against penetrating pressurized water. Here, the invention provides several different embodiments.

In a first embodiment it is envisaged that the engine is sealed with its drive pinion by a corresponding radial shaft seal through the sealed motor housing passes through where the (unsealed) reduction gear for the Displacement drive of the rack is arranged.

This means that it is not necessary, the drive gear itself to encapsulate waterproof, but only the motor housing.

In In another embodiment, it may be provided, including the drive gear to include in the pressurized water sealed engine housing, which, however requires the rack to be sealed through this housing.

In A third embodiment of the invention provides that the motor housing itself is not sealed, but only the engine itself. It acts itself then a submersible motor, which has a pressure-tight housing, so that only the power supplies sealed to this motor in the submersible motor are introduced.

at the preferred embodiment of the invention (waterproof encapsulation of the motor in a surrounding Casing) There is the advantage that the engine itself is not considered a submersible motor must be trained. It can be a conventional, DC driven windscreen wiper motor act in the case of low voltages of z. B. 12 volts achieved a high torque is and relatively high motor currents in the range up to 8 amps flow can.

Such low voltages are absolutely safe and do not require anything electrical security measures.

If in the following description of this embodiment This is only to be understood as an example without the scope of protection limited to the invention becomes. So it is only for reasons of simplification that embodiment described in which the motor encapsulated in a watertight housing compartment is arranged and its output shaft sealed in the not more waterproof encapsulated transmission part is performed.

In a development of the invention, it is provided that a completely new arrangement (installation) of the engine is given. in this connection It is envisaged that the engine for space - saving reasons in Space between the backrest and the front of the backrest spaced back plate is installed. It is thus used an unused location, which is associated with the advantage that the engine with its drive units no longer back from the backrest protrudes and a backward, in the pivoting of the backrest required pivot space claimed.

In order to The main advantage is that the engine now saves space in the backrest housing directly is integrated, without at the back the backrest housing after stand out behind.

In order to results in a much better useable leg length for the user, because the entire Badelifter can now maximally backwards in the direction be moved to the edge of the bathtub, without any from the backrest projecting rear parts would disturb this space.

Incidentally, is it for visual reasons too very advantageous, a very compact backrest with a built-in there To allow engine without that an outstanding engine disturbs the visual impression.

Another Advantage of the arrangement of the engine in the lower part of the backrest is also that then created above the engine, the space for a battery case which is preferably arranged centrally in the backrest region becomes. This has the advantage that even when used in the bathtub Badelifter the battery case very accessible is, because it is located right in the middle. It then needs no longer an overlap the bath lifter, for example, one in the corner of the bath lifter seize and remove the battery.

By the compact structure of the backrest By the way the advantage that it is now possible is, in the upper, easily accessible Area of the backrest (top end) an operating button to arrange, when actuated the connecting flaps are posted to the base frame, so as the backrest from an upright working position to a folded down position Rest position to move. In this folded position is given the transport and storage position of the bath lifter.

The subject invention of the present Invention results not only from the subject of the individual claims, but also from the combination of the individual claims with each other.

All in the documents, including Summary of information and features, in particular the spatial training shown in the drawings as claimed essential to the invention, as far as they individually or in Combination opposite the prior art are new.

in the Below, the invention will be described with reference to only one embodiment illustrative drawings closer explained. Here are more from the drawings and their description Essential to the invention features and advantages of the invention.

It demonstrate:

1 : Side view of the backrest of a bath lifter according to the invention

2 : the interior of the facing away from the user housing shell as a plan view in the direction of arrow II of 1

3 Section according to the line III-III in 2

4 Section according to the line IV-IV in 2

5 : the exterior view of the user-facing housing (rear view on backrest)

6 : Interior view of the user facing housing shell

7 : Top view in the direction of the arrow VII of the 1 on the user directly facing support plate of the backrest

The backrest according to the invention consists essentially of a back plate 1 , on the front (right) side after 1 directly supports the back of a user.

This back plate 1 is about locking elements 2 releasably secured to the actual backrest, wherein the backrest of a at least two-shell backrest housing 3 consists.

In 1 is a facing away from the user housing shell 4 recognizable by a parting line 6 with a user facing housing shell 5 connected is.

According to the invention is now in the space between the back plate 1 and the backrest housing 3 the battery case 7 for the removable storage of a battery 37 provided and at the same time in this room is the drive part for the rack 22 intended.

It is important that the engine in a motor housing 8th is housed, which is formed in two parts. The motor housing 8th itself is material integral with the housing shell 5 connected and is sealed to the front covered by a capsule-shaped engine cover 9 , which the entire housing 8th . 9 forms watertight watertight.

In one beyond this housing part 8th . 9 arranged transmission compartment 39 is the complete reduction gearbox for driving the rack 22 intended.

It is important that it is not absolutely necessary, the transmission compartment 39 to perform watertight watertight. It is sufficient to carry out this part splash water, because the corresponding motor shaft 27 (S. 4 ) sealed from the motor housing part 8th . 9 protrudes and into the transmission compartment 39 intervenes.

For pivotal mounting of the entire backrest are two mutually symmetrical pivoting flaps 10 (S. 1 and 2 ), each in a common pivot bearing 21 are pivotally mounted.

With the bent lower ends of the hinged flaps 10 engages under the backrest, the seat plate and is thus releasably held to the seat plate.

In the space between the two pivoting flaps 10 is the in the direction of the arrow 13 and in the opposite direction extendable support leg 11 arranged, the material einstückig in its upper area with the rack 22 connected is.

It goes without saying that the gearing area 23 the rack 22 can go further than in 2 shown. So he can get down to near the support head 12 of the support foot 11 extend. However, this is not absolutely necessary for manufacturing reasons, because it is sufficient to start the toothing region where the drive for the rack 22 attaches to how it is in 2 is shown.

Important in this illustration is therefore that the engine with its entire drive range (transmission compartment 39 ) at the lower usable gearing area 23 attaches and thus the complete stroke length of the rack 22 is available.

2 shows the retracted rest position of Rack and when it is extended, then is the support head 12 at a distance of about 40 centimeters below the now drawn position and the upper end 40 the rack 22 is still in meshing engagement with the drive pinion 30 ,

According to 2 and 3 the gear reduction takes place as follows:
The motor 20 according to 4 has a motor shaft 27 on that with a radial shaft seal 33 sealed by the sealed engine compartment 8th . 9 passes through and in the aforementioned transmission compartment 39 intervenes.

There is the motor shaft 27 rotatably with a motor pinion 28 connected, in meshing engagement with a substantially enlarged diameter reduction gear 31 located.

This reduction gear 31 is rotatable on the output shaft 29 stored and in turn is rotationally fixed to the drive pinion 30 for the rack 22 connected.

A Engine speed of z. B. 40 revolutions per minute becomes so on a reduction of the drive pinion of 20 turns per Minute down.

The entire backrest is in a pivot bearing 15 pivoted and is around this pivot bearing 15 adjustable in inclination.

The pivot bearing 15 is through a bearing block 14 formed, which at its upper free end a bearing head 17 having.

The lower end of the bearing block 14 is fixed to the seat plate 16 connected.

The entire backrest is removable from the seat plate 16 educated. For this purpose, a coupling part 18 provided, which in the camp head 17 engages and at a certain pivot position of the backrest forward (near their transport position), the backrest completely from the bearing block 14 subtracted from. The camp head 17 then comes out of engagement with the coupling part 18 ,

In order to remove the entire backrest of the seat plate, it is also still necessary, the pivoting flaps 10 to disengage from the seat plate.

For this purpose is an operation button 19 at the upper end of the backrest housing 3 provided, when actuated according to 6 a push rod 34 on a connecting bridge 32 between the hinged flaps 10 acting and this connecting bridge pivoted together with the pivoting flaps to bring their lower free ends out of engagement with an associated locking receptacle on the seat plate.

Advantage of this arrangement is that the operating knob 19 now is particularly easy to access and is particularly easy to operate. It does not require space-consuming screw caps or rotary pivoting lever more, because a simple, spring-loaded actuator button 19 sufficient, the required actuation of the pivoting flaps 10 by pressure on the connection bridge 32 to enable.

As already stated several times, the connection between the engine cover 9 and the housing shell-fixed motor housing 8th by a pressure water sealed seal 24 educated.

It is then enough, the power supply 25 from the battery case 7 sealed via an associated sealing bushing 26 in the motor housing 8th . 9 introduce.

Thus, this part is completely sealed with pressurized water and the motor arranged there 20 is protected against ingress of pressurized water.

The rack 22 is a continuous plastic rack, the material integral with the lower support leg 11 connected is. It is in its effective area with recesses 35 provided by respective webs 36 are interrupted. In this way, the mechanical stability of the rack 22 guaranteed and achieved a low weight.

The longitudinal guide of the entire rack is in the region of its associated housing groove, wherein the groove in each half in both the rear housing shell 4 So also in the front housing shell 5 is arranged and the two grooves complement each other to a groove cross section by the rack is guided on all sides.

It is still added that the battery 37 at its upper end a drawbar eye 38 has, so it easily from a battery case 7 is pulled out to the top.

With The technical teaching thus gives the advantage that now for the first time a submersible Arrangement for the engine of the rack drive is proposed and thus a very crowded Structure with low top weight, better weight distribution is proposed in a confined space.

It There are no protruding parts, which the pivoting of the backrest could hamper and the foot freedom the user is ultimately not limited.

drawing Legend

1

backplate

2

locking element

3

Backrests housing

4

shell (Rear)

5

shell (Front)

6

parting line

7

battery case

8th

motor housing

9

engine cover

10

hinged flaps

11

Support foot

12

support head

13

arrow

14

bearing block

15

pivot bearing

16

seat plate

17

bearing head

18

coupling part

19

actuating button

20

engine

21

pivot bearing

22

rack

23

toothed area

24

poetry

25

power supply

26

sealing bush

27

motor shaft

28

pinion

29

output shaft

30

pinion

31

Reduction gear

32

connecting bridge

33

Radial shaft seal

34

pushrod

35

recess

36

web

37

battery pack

38

drawbar

39

gear compartment

40

End of 22

Claims (15)

Badelifter with rack drive, with an electric motor ( 20 ), directly or indirectly via a transmission ( 28 - 31 ) with at least one rack ( 22 ) cooperates in such a way that a seat ( 1 . 3 . 16 ) is movable for at least one person, characterized in that the engine ( 20 ) in the lower part of the seat ( 1 . 3 . 16 ) is arranged and formed submersible. Badelifter according to claim 1, characterized in that the engine ( 20 ) itself is not waterproof, but this in a watertight motor housing ( 8th . 9 ) is arranged, from which a motor shaft ( 27 ) of the motor ( 20 ) is led out sealed. Badelifter according to claim 2, characterized in that between engine ( 20 ) and the at least one rack ( 22 ) The gear ( 28 - 31 ) provided in a transmission housing ( 39 ) is taken, from which the at least one rack ( 22 ) is passed. Badelifter according to claim 1, characterized in that the engine ( 20 ) is designed as a submersible motor and even has a watertight housing into which electrical lines ( 25 ) are introduced sealed to the power supply. Badelifter according to claim 4, characterized in that the engine ( 20 ) is a low voltage motor with eg 12 or 24 volts supply voltage. Badelifter according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the engine ( 20 ) with the seat ( 1 . 3 . 16 ) is firmly connected and the at least one rack ( 22 ) with her support foot ( 11 ) is supported directly or indirectly on a bottom plate of the Badelifters. Badelifter according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the at least one rack ( 22 ) with the seat ( 1 . 3 . 16 ) and the engine ( 20 ) is supported directly or indirectly on a bottom plate of the bath lifter. Badelifter according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the seat ( 1 . 16 ) a seat plate ( 16 ) and a back plate ( 1 ) for the sitting and leaning of the at least one person and the back plate ( 1 ) on a backrest housing ( 3 ) is mounted. Badelifter according to claim 8, characterized in that the engine ( 20 ) in the lower part of the back plate ( 1 ) between this and the backrest housing ( 3 ) and on the backrest housing ( 3 ) is attached. Badelifter according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the engine ( 20 ) via a rechargeable battery ( 37 ), this battery ( 37 ) between the back plate ( 1 ) and the backrest housing ( 3 ) and on the backrest housing ( 3 ) is attached. Badelifter according to one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that the Getriebege housing ( 39 ) as a compartment in the backrest housing ( 3 ) is formed and this compartment is or the backrest housing ( 3 ) even. Badelifter according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the at least one rack in the backrest housing ( 3 ) is guided axially displaceable. Badelifter according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that a single rigid, continuous rack ( 22 ) is used or a plurality of individual hinged rack segments. Badelifter according to one of claims 2 to 13, characterized in that the transmission ( 28 - 31 ) of the motor ( 20 ) is a reduction gear, so that the motor shaft ( 27 ) of the motor ( 20 ) turns faster than an output shaft ( 29 ) of the transmission ( 28 - 31 ). Badelifter according to one of claims 8 to 14, characterized in that the back plate ( 1 ) about a pivot bearing ( 21 ) Is designed to be adjustable in its inclination angle.