PL228166B1 - Transport or rehabilitation vehicle for persons with motor disability - Google Patents

Abstract

A transport or rehabilitation vehicle for people with mobility disabilities, containing a self-propelled base platform with a drive-support system, energy sources and technical means used by a disabled vehicle operator, is characterized by the fact that the drive-support system of the self-propelled base platform is connected to the main frame of the base platform , has a replaceable suspension system, four wheels, two of which are separately driven and have built-in electric motors, and two wheels are self-aligning, while the base platform allows for separate mounting of electric power sources, replaceable functional additional modules and technical means of a disabled operator in the form of a manual a wheelchair (40), a car-type seat (52) or a standing frame with a separate electric drive.

Description

The invention relates to land transport in the field of four-wheeled transport or rehabilitation vehicles for persons with mobility impairments.

Many proprietary electric wheelchairs for transporting adults and children are known in the art (Invacare, Otto Bock, Meyra). It is the most advanced and, at the same time, diversified group of technology assistants. Some can move over rough terrain, others are equipped with a raised or tilting seat, with additional drive control systems or wheelchair lighting. However, they do not take the form of a platform for another wheelchair device or vehicle, e.g. an active manual wheelchair. Individual models are sometimes structured as an all-terrain tracked handcart transporter (eg Scout Trawler by Otto Bock) or a crawler handcart transporter for climbing stairs (eg Treppen Lift by Treppenkuli or Meyra model 1.440). There are also known transporters for a manual wheelchair on a tricycle (eg, US Patent No. 4415056 of December 11, 1981, "Handicapped-driven sidecar") or a tricycle and on a six-wheel trolley trolley platform. The group of light vehicles for the disabled also includes three-wheeled scooters (eg US patent description 3099326 of July 11, 1961 entitled "Powered vehicle") and four-wheeled scooters with an electric seat.

In the patent description US 4,919,225 (dated April 24, 1990) entitled "Platform oriented transportation vehicle - Platform-based transport vehicle", a three-wheeled platform with multiple structures of elements for detachable mounting of equipment (handrails, seats, storage compartments) was presented.

In the patent description US 6,517,443 (dated January 18, 2001), entitled "Wheelchair accessible amusement ride" presents a movable "base" for the driving and entertainment of disabled people in wheelchairs or non-disabled people, mainly children. The device is equipped with a folding seat and a rear gate, which, when removed, serves as a ramp for the ramp of the wheelchair.

In the patent description US 3921740 (dated June 12, 1974) entitled "Self-propelled vehicle" describes a self-propelled three-wheeled vehicle with a body mounted on a frame, driven by at least one of the wheel sets operated by a manual steering device. The vehicle has a ramp for the access of a wheelchair at the rear. A similar solution is presented in the earlier patent specification US 3204709 (dated January 20, 1964) entitled Motor-powered vehicle for handicapped persons, where the access ramp is located at the front of the vehicle in a powered three-wheeled vehicle.

In the patent description US 5,094,314 (dated November 8, 1989) entitled "Low slung small vehicle" depicts a low, stable, self-propelled vehicle suitable for the transportation of disabled people in wheelchairs or elderly, the floor of which can be lowered to facilitate wheelchair entry or access. The wheelchair is secured to the vehicle.

An all-terrain vehicle is also known (patent description US 6688414 of January 25, 2002 entitled "All-terrain vehicle") which enables a disabled person sitting on a bench or in a wheelchair, to drive and operate in any terrain. The tilting front wall of the vehicle allows the wheelchair to enter the vehicle.

From the description of the German utility model DE 20121823 U1, a small vehicle is known, in particular a wheelchair based on the classic solution of an electric four-wheel scooter with a foldable structure.

US 4,407,543 discloses a "Mechanized wheelchair" showing a single wheelchair structure with reconfigurable positions of the seats, backs and legs in a movable body frame to allow the wheelchair user to sit, stand or move away.

The solution according to the invention, on the other hand, consists in adapting to the structure interchangeable modules with detachable connections with the base platform. Replacing modules during operation completely changes the function of the vehicle, e.g. from an electrically powered transporter of a disabled person on an accompanying handcart into a four-wheeled electric scooter with a seat-type seat or changing the scooter into an electric standing frame while maintaining the user's independence in disassembling and assembling modules, when changing from a wheelchair manual on the electric vehicle or entering the transporter and in the working use of each version of the vehicle. When the function is changed, the electric chassis common to the entire structure of the vehicle family does not change. As indicated above, the replacement of modules during operation completely changes the function of the vehicle, with

These function changes take place with an unchanging base platform that becomes a common element of the vehicle family.

There are many different vehicles in the prior art which enable the transport of a disabled person in a wheelchair. All the vehicles for the disabled are fundamentally different from the inventive transport vehicle based on a self-propelled platform. And the differences result from the range of possible changes or extensions of functions by replacing modules, changes in the driving environment in closed or open terrain, and additional possibilities, e.g. upright standing of a disabled person. There is no vehicle with a simple, integrated platform structure with many possibilities of adaptation. In principle, all designs known in the art relate to vehicles running in open terrain, as opposed to a universal proprietary solution that allows driving inside and outside buildings. These solutions do not have a broader vision of extending vehicles with further functional modules, and the geometric requirements they meet make it impossible to use inside a building with a limited width of door openings. A transport or rehabilitation vehicle for people with mobility disabilities containing a self-propelled platform of the family of transport or rehabilitation vehicles for people with movement disabilities according to the invention has a unified structure of the propulsion and support system of the base platform, common to the entire family of transport or rehabilitation products. This family of vehicles includes:

• electric wheeled transporter of a disabled person, sitting on an associated active or passive wheelchair for independent driving on sidewalks, bicycle paths and in open terrain, • electric wheeled transporter of a disabled person, sitting in an associated passive wheelchair to assist hybrid transport by an accompanying person in public utility buildings (e.g. hospitals, sports facilities, supermarkets) or in close transport between buildings, • electric wheelchair with a seated person with a disability or an elderly person in a car seat (e.g. recycled) with universal transport applications in supermarkets, buildings residential and public utility buildings and in urban areas, • electric wheelchair with a disabled person on a raised car seat to increase the manipulation zone (with an electric lift) with universal transport applications in the market h, residential and public buildings and in urbanized areas, • mobile education or work station for a disabled person sitting in a wheelchair powered by an electric wheeled transporter and equipped with an education / work place, • electric mobile lift for a disabled person on a wheelchair with increased manipulation for shopping in supermarkets with cargo equipment (eg. shopping), • electric mobile rehabilitation stander for a disabled person lifted from a sitting position from their own wheelchair, • electric mobile rehabilitation stander for a disabled person lifted from a sitting position from a built-in standing chair, • electric mobile lift for a hospital bed.

This family of transport and rehabilitation products is in fact a modular segment system, the benefits of which are reaped in all departments of the manufacturer (one-time expenditure on construction work, combinations with non-segment elements, reduction of the excessive number of variants, short production preparation time) and by the user (deadline deliveries, new products through replacement of module segments, better service). The solution according to the invention is particularly useful in creating a range of many product variants resulting from market complexity, demand, competition, the production variety of which is reduced due to cost, price, development and manufacturing time.

The subject of the invention is a transport or rehabilitation vehicle for people with mobility disabilities, containing a self-propelled base platform with a drive and support system - which has a removable suspension system, four wheels, two of which are separately driven and have built-in electric motors, and two wheels are self-adjusting - sources electricity and technical means used by a disabled operator, in which the base platform costs po4

Thanks to the connector, it allows for detachable mounting of replaceable additional functional modules and technical means of a disabled operator in the form of a manual wheelchair, car-type chair or a standing frame seat with a separate electric drive enabling the adoption of an upright body posture.

It is preferable to releasably fix the power supplies to the base platform. Separate electric drives are used to reconfigure the position and body of the disabled user.

The vehicle according to the invention is equipped with four wheels, two of which have built-in electric motors and are driven separately. The two wheels are self-aligning. Such a drive ensures movement and steering on the road surface at a given speed of travel, turning and turning. The drive system of the base platform in this configuration allows for forward and backward movement with variable travel speed. The movement of the platform may be a rectilinear movement with the same speed values and directions of the drive wheels' rotation, or a curvilinear movement with different wheel speeds monitored by an electronic differential.

In the variant, the drive and support system of the self-propelled platform has a replaceable suspension system. The optimal solution according to the invention is when in the replaceable suspension system - depending on the driving conditions - there may be an independent spring suspension of the rear drive wheels with a rigid suspension of the front caster wheels or a rigid suspension of all wheels in the base platform frame.

It is also permissible when the base platform has a system for lowering the frame of the base platform in relation to the ground with a folding ramp system that allows a disabled person to enter the platform on a separate manual wheelchair. The plane of the support frame remains at a constant working height when the vehicle functions as an electric wheelchair or wheelchair, standing frame for a patient with paralysis of the lower limbs, with a system for changing from a manual wheelchair to a platform chair or with a folding tablet system for the mental work of a disabled person.

In yet another embodiment, the removable, functional add-on module is a system for entering a manual wheelchair with a user, a system for transferring from a wheelchair to a platform and vice versa, a system for electric drive control by a disabled person or an assistant, a system for carrying hand luggage in a vehicle, a system for dynamic upright standing. the body of a person with paralysis of the lower limbs or the vehicle seat lifting system when changing the scope of manipulation of a seated disabled person, e.g. in an apartment.

The common features of the self-propelled platform of the vehicle family are revealed by its easy adaptation for use in many applications. These applications require changing the structure of the structure, i.e. dismantling one of the detachably attached structural elements called equipment modules and replacing them with other detachably attached modules in the space of the platform frame. The resulting new vehicle has changed technical or rehabilitation functions. Controlling the vehicle functions directly by the disabled user is convenient and independent from other people.

The subject of the invention in the exemplary embodiments is shown in the drawing in which:

Fig. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a family of transport and rehabilitation vehicles based on a common self-propelled base platform.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a self-propelled base platform;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the self-propelled base platform in a driving position;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view in the lowered position of the base driving platform (of Fig. 3) configured with elements providing a variable height of the transport surface by changing the position of the driving and caster wheels with respect to the frame.

Fig. 5 shows the independent compliant suspension of the rear driving wheels on torsionally flexible elastomeric links;

Fig. 6 shows the independent, rigid suspension of the rear driving wheels;

Fig. 7 shows the transport position of the wheeled electric transporter, built on the base platform and adapted for independent driving in open or closed terrain of a disabled person, sitting on an associated active or passive wheelchair;

Fig. 8 shows the entry / exit position of a wheelchair from an electric wheeled transporter (in Fig. 7) with the base platform ramp extended;

PL 228 166 B1

Fig. 9 shows an electric wheelchair with universal transportation application in the transfer position of a disabled person from a manual wheelchair, built on the base platform;

Fig. 10 shows an electric wheelchair for universal transportation in the driving position built on the base platform;

Fig. 11 shows an electric wheelchair with universal transport use in the work or education position using an unfolded desktop, built on the base platform:

Fig. 12 shows the mobile standing device built on the base platform in the initial position with the folded out bench for changing from a manual wheelchair to a disabled person's standing device;

Fig. 13 shows the mobile standing device built on the base platform in the working position of a disabled person with the raised seat and a diagram of the lifting mechanism.

A transport or rehabilitation vehicle for people with mobility disabilities includes a self-propelled base platform with a drive-and-drive system, electricity sources and technical means used by the disabled vehicle operator. Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of a self-propelled base platform with a propulsion and support system as the basic unit of the family of transport and rehabilitation vehicles. The base platform has the form of a main support frame 11 with a frame side member 12 and a battery transverse beam 13. It is equipped with a drive and drive system consisting of two rear driving wheels with built-in electric motors 20, two caster wheels 16 and a power supply and control system which includes two batteries are included 17. Not shown in the illustration of the driver and motion controller. The base platform in this embodiment is configured with elements ensuring a constant height of the transport surface, i.e. two rigidly mounted 18 two caster wheels 16 and independently and flexibly suspended two drive wheels 20. In the drive system of the base platform, electromagnetic vehicle travel brakes and a recovery system are installed. battery energy. The front surface of the support frame 11 is used to fasten vehicle modules to the base of the platform. Two accumulator batteries 17 are mounted on the crossbeam 13 and two longitudinal members 12 of the frame 11. The frame 11 is the mainstay of mounting the actuator 21 of the frame lowering mechanism on the wheels 20. The spatial arrangement of the dimensions of the frame 11 and other platform elements allows the configuration of the entire family of vehicles from the schematic diagram Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 shows another embodiment in a perspective view of the driving platform as the basic unit of the family of transport and rehabilitation vehicles in the driving position. In this example, the base platform is in the form of a support frame 11 equipped with a drive-and-drive system consisting of two rear driving wheels with built-in electric motors 20, two caster wheels 16 and a power supply and control system consisting of two batteries 17, a controller not shown in the drawing. and a traffic controller. In this embodiment, the base platform has a system of elements ensuring variable height of the transport surface, of which the rear wheel lifting system and the front self-aligning front wheel rotation system are essential. The rear driving wheels 20 are fixed in the arms of lifting the rear wheel 35 and lifted by means of a linear actuator 21 in relation to the frame 11. The lifting of the rear wheels is caused by the rotation of the housing 33 in relation to the frame 11 due to the rotation of the arm 34 connected to the housing by the movement of the actuator 21. The front wheels are self-aligning. 16 are rotatable in the driving plane thanks to the lowering mechanism system. The frame lowering mechanism 11 consists of a linear actuator of the frame lowering mechanism on caster wheels 22 driving the sliding beam of the caster lowering mechanism 23 rigidly connected to the guides 26 and sliding in the grooves of the guides 27 arms of the caster lowering mechanism 24, which are pivotally connected to the forks of the lowering mechanism arms. caster wheels 25.

Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 show an example of a unified construction solution for the platform suspensions. Fig. 5 shows an exemplary resilient independent suspension of the support frame 11 (from Fig. 2) in the platforms of the construction family used outdoors, while the embodiment shown in Fig. 6 shows the rigid suspension used in platforms used on smooth and even surfaces, for example inside the building. In the example with the resilient damper of Fig. 5, the damper arm 35 is mounted on the shaft of the elastomeric link 32, which through the elastic damping elastomer link of the suspension 31 and the housing

The part of the elastomeric connector 33 rigidly connected to the rear beam of the rear wheel suspension 15 and the lifting arm of the rear drive wheel 34 and the linear actuator 21. The pins of the shafts of the elastomeric connectors are embedded in the openings of the frame 11. In the solution with the rigid shock absorber shown in Fig. 6, no there is an elastic-damping elastomeric connector. The shaft 36 is directly connected to the rear wheel lifting arm 37 and the rigid shock absorber arm 35.

Fig. 7 shows an embodiment in the form of a transport vehicle in the raised driving position. The wheelchair 40 (together with the disabled person) is tied to the support frame 11, and its running wheels are on the running wheel guide 41 adapted to the variable width of the wheelchair 40. The folding ramp 42 by means of the upper hinge mechanism 44 and the lower hinge mechanism 43 is located up in a stable, raised position. 8 shows an example of a transport vehicle with a lowered base position of the platform (from Fig. 4) for the entry or exit of the wheelchair 40. In this case, the foldable ramp 45 with the appropriate ramp angle provides the possibility to enter the wheelchair transporter 40 with a person. with disabilities.

Fig. 9, Fig. 10 and Fig. 11 show a vehicle in the form of an electric wheelchair 50 for a seated disabled or elderly person in a car seat 52 (e.g. recycled) for universal transportation applications in supermarkets, residential and public buildings. and in the urbanized area. The electric wheelchair 50 can also be a passable education or work station of a person due to the separate equipment of the workplace / education.

Fig. 9 shows by way of example a method of transferring a disabled person from a wheelchair seat 40 to a seat 51 of a car seat 52 with similar heights. The transfer is carried out by an extended and rotated bench 53 from the segment of the bench support 54 of the vehicle in the form of an electric wheelchair 50. The bench 53 has a specific triangular shape adapted to a typical transfer position from a wheelchair 40 to another vehicle seat. The feet of a disabled person are supported in the 55 foot footrest segment after changing over.

Fig. 10 shows a general view of a vehicle in the form of an electric wheelchair 50 in the driving position. In the segment of the console 56 a folded console 57 is slid, held in the driving position by the lock 59. The elbows of the disabled wheelchair operator 50 rest on the armrests 58.

Fig. 11 shows a general view of a vehicle in the form of an electric wheelchair 50 with a disabled person, not shown, in a work or education position with the desktop 60 unfolded. The wheelchair has a conventional driving controller 61.

Fig. 12 shows an example of a vehicle in the form of an electric mobile standing frame built on a base platform in the initial position with a folded out bench for changing from a manual wheelchair to a disabled person's standing frame. The standing frame has an armchair 62 and a knee area support element 63 with a horizontal adjustment of the knee support 64 and a vertical adjustment of the knee support 65. Additionally, it is equipped with a standing frame 67 bench with a bench support 68.

Fig. 13 shows a vehicle in the form of an electric mobile standing frame built on a base platform in the working position of a disabled person, with the seat seat raised by a linear actuator 71 and a diagram of the lifting mechanism based on the operation of an articulated quadrilateral 73 with relief of the system by tension springs 72. The standing device is equipped with an armrest 70 .

The distinguishing features of the platform and vehicles built on its basis are small size, relatively low cost of producing the platform itself, ease of changing the functions and construction of vehicles, the possibility of subsequent purchases of vehicle equipment modules and reconfiguration of the structure of the used vehicle, ecological electric drive with energy recovery, low cost of use for multi-purpose, independent use and simple direct control 330 ensuring the independence of a disabled person's life in the operation of vehicles. The family of vehicles based on the platform, which is the subject of the invention, included in the examples of implementation of the invention, can perform a number of technical and rehabilitation functions: provide transport inside or outside buildings, create a mobile position in education or professional work, enable an increase in the manipulation zone of a sitting person thanks to the raised seat, enable upright standing disabled person. Vehicles of this family based on a platform used in open terrain may have interesting designs, e.g. elements of fairing design, user canopies, wheel covers for a manual wheelchair, bumpers, baskets for light loads.

Claims (6)

1. A transport or rehabilitation vehicle for people with mobility disabilities, containing a self-propelled base platform with a drive-and-load system, which has a removable suspension system, four wheels, two of which are separately driven and have built-in electric motors, and two wheels are self-aligning, energy sources and technical means used by a disabled vehicle operator, characterized in that the base platform has connectors for detachable attachment of replaceable functional additional modules or technical means of a disabled operator in the form of a manual wheelchair (40), a car-type seat (52) or a standing frame seat (62). ) with separate electric drive 2. A vehicle according to claim A device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the base platform has connectors for releasable attachment of the electric power sources (17). 3. A vehicle according to claim The rear drive wheels (20) with a rigid suspension (18) of the front caster wheels (16), as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the replaceable suspension system has an independent spring suspension. 4. A vehicle according to claim 3. The system of claim 1 or 3, characterized in that the replaceable suspension system has a rigid suspension of all wheels in the frame of the base platform. 5. A vehicle according to claim 1, 2 or 4, characterized in that the base platform has a system for lowering the platform frame relative to the ground with a folding ramp system or a manual trolley to a platform chair transfer system or a folding tablet system. 6. The vehicle according to claim A system as claimed in claim 1 or 5, characterized in that the replaceable functional add-on module comprises an entry-exit system for a manual wheelchair with a user, a system for transferring from a wheelchair to a platform and vice versa, an electric drive control system for a disabled person or an assistant, a hand luggage transport system in a vehicle, a system of dynamic body standing for a person with lower limbs paralysis or a system for lifting the vehicle seat.