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WO1992004200A1 - Fauteuil roulant pliant a entrainement optionnel motorise ou manuel - Google Patents

Fauteuil roulant pliant a entrainement optionnel motorise ou manuel Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO1992004200A1
WO1992004200A1 PCT/US1991/006335 US9106335W WO9204200A1 WO 1992004200 A1 WO1992004200 A1 WO 1992004200A1 US 9106335 W US9106335 W US 9106335W WO 9204200 A1 WO9204200 A1 WO 9204200A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
wheelchair
baseplate
battery
pair
secured
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/US1991/006335
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Paul V. Garin, Iii
Donald E. Lusk
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Fortress Life Style Inc
Original Assignee
Fortress Life Style Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US07/579,156 external-priority patent/US5197559A/en
Application filed by Fortress Life Style Inc filed Critical Fortress Life Style Inc
Publication of WO1992004200A1 publication Critical patent/WO1992004200A1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M50/00—Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the non-active parts of electrochemical cells other than fuel cells, e.g. hybrid cells
    • H01M50/20—Mountings; Secondary casings or frames; Racks, modules or packs; Suspension devices; Shock absorbers; Transport or carrying devices; Holders
    • H01M50/249—Mountings; Secondary casings or frames; Racks, modules or packs; Suspension devices; Shock absorbers; Transport or carrying devices; Holders specially adapted for aircraft or vehicles, e.g. cars or trains
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61G—TRANSPORT, PERSONAL CONVEYANCES, OR ACCOMMODATION SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PATIENTS OR DISABLED PERSONS; OPERATING TABLES OR CHAIRS; CHAIRS FOR DENTISTRY; FUNERAL DEVICES
    • A61G5/00—Chairs or personal conveyances specially adapted for patients or disabled persons, e.g. wheelchairs
    • A61G5/02—Chairs or personal conveyances specially adapted for patients or disabled persons, e.g. wheelchairs propelled by the patient or disabled person
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61G—TRANSPORT, PERSONAL CONVEYANCES, OR ACCOMMODATION SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PATIENTS OR DISABLED PERSONS; OPERATING TABLES OR CHAIRS; CHAIRS FOR DENTISTRY; FUNERAL DEVICES
    • A61G5/00—Chairs or personal conveyances specially adapted for patients or disabled persons, e.g. wheelchairs
    • A61G5/04—Chairs or personal conveyances specially adapted for patients or disabled persons, e.g. wheelchairs motor-driven
    • A61G5/041—Chairs or personal conveyances specially adapted for patients or disabled persons, e.g. wheelchairs motor-driven having a specific drive-type
    • A61G5/045—Rear wheel drive
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61G—TRANSPORT, PERSONAL CONVEYANCES, OR ACCOMMODATION SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PATIENTS OR DISABLED PERSONS; OPERATING TABLES OR CHAIRS; CHAIRS FOR DENTISTRY; FUNERAL DEVICES
    • A61G5/00—Chairs or personal conveyances specially adapted for patients or disabled persons, e.g. wheelchairs
    • A61G5/08—Chairs or personal conveyances specially adapted for patients or disabled persons, e.g. wheelchairs foldable
    • A61G5/0808—Chairs or personal conveyances specially adapted for patients or disabled persons, e.g. wheelchairs foldable characterised by a particular folding direction
    • A61G5/0816—Chairs or personal conveyances specially adapted for patients or disabled persons, e.g. wheelchairs foldable characterised by a particular folding direction folding side to side, e.g. reducing or expanding the overall width of the wheelchair
    • A61G5/0825—Chairs or personal conveyances specially adapted for patients or disabled persons, e.g. wheelchairs foldable characterised by a particular folding direction folding side to side, e.g. reducing or expanding the overall width of the wheelchair comprising a scissor-type frame, e.g. having pivoting cross bars for enabling folding
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61G—TRANSPORT, PERSONAL CONVEYANCES, OR ACCOMMODATION SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PATIENTS OR DISABLED PERSONS; OPERATING TABLES OR CHAIRS; CHAIRS FOR DENTISTRY; FUNERAL DEVICES
    • A61G5/00—Chairs or personal conveyances specially adapted for patients or disabled persons, e.g. wheelchairs
    • A61G5/10—Parts, details or accessories
    • A61G5/1054—Large wheels, e.g. higher than the seat portion
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60K—ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES
    • B60K1/00—Arrangement or mounting of electrical propulsion units
    • B60K1/02—Arrangement or mounting of electrical propulsion units comprising more than one electric motor
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60L—PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
    • B60L15/00—Methods, circuits, or devices for controlling the traction-motor speed of electrically-propelled vehicles
    • B60L15/20—Methods, circuits, or devices for controlling the traction-motor speed of electrically-propelled vehicles for control of the vehicle or its driving motor to achieve a desired performance, e.g. speed, torque, programmed variation of speed
    • B60L15/2036—Electric differentials, e.g. for supporting steering vehicles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60L—PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
    • B60L50/00—Electric propulsion with power supplied within the vehicle
    • B60L50/50—Electric propulsion with power supplied within the vehicle using propulsion power supplied by batteries or fuel cells
    • B60L50/52—Electric propulsion with power supplied within the vehicle using propulsion power supplied by batteries or fuel cells characterised by DC-motors
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60L—PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
    • B60L50/00—Electric propulsion with power supplied within the vehicle
    • B60L50/50—Electric propulsion with power supplied within the vehicle using propulsion power supplied by batteries or fuel cells
    • B60L50/60—Electric propulsion with power supplied within the vehicle using propulsion power supplied by batteries or fuel cells using power supplied by batteries
    • B60L50/64—Constructional details of batteries specially adapted for electric vehicles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60L—PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
    • B60L50/00—Electric propulsion with power supplied within the vehicle
    • B60L50/50—Electric propulsion with power supplied within the vehicle using propulsion power supplied by batteries or fuel cells
    • B60L50/60—Electric propulsion with power supplied within the vehicle using propulsion power supplied by batteries or fuel cells using power supplied by batteries
    • B60L50/66—Arrangements of batteries
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60L—PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
    • B60L58/00—Methods or circuit arrangements for monitoring or controlling batteries or fuel cells, specially adapted for electric vehicles
    • B60L58/10—Methods or circuit arrangements for monitoring or controlling batteries or fuel cells, specially adapted for electric vehicles for monitoring or controlling batteries
    • B60L58/18—Methods or circuit arrangements for monitoring or controlling batteries or fuel cells, specially adapted for electric vehicles for monitoring or controlling batteries of two or more battery modules
    • B60L58/21—Methods or circuit arrangements for monitoring or controlling batteries or fuel cells, specially adapted for electric vehicles for monitoring or controlling batteries of two or more battery modules having the same nominal voltage
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M50/00—Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the non-active parts of electrochemical cells other than fuel cells, e.g. hybrid cells
    • H01M50/20—Mountings; Secondary casings or frames; Racks, modules or packs; Suspension devices; Shock absorbers; Transport or carrying devices; Holders
    • H01M50/204—Racks, modules or packs for multiple batteries or multiple cells
    • H01M50/207—Racks, modules or packs for multiple batteries or multiple cells characterised by their shape
    • H01M50/209—Racks, modules or packs for multiple batteries or multiple cells characterised by their shape adapted for prismatic or rectangular cells
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M50/00—Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the non-active parts of electrochemical cells other than fuel cells, e.g. hybrid cells
    • H01M50/20—Mountings; Secondary casings or frames; Racks, modules or packs; Suspension devices; Shock absorbers; Transport or carrying devices; Holders
    • H01M50/244—Secondary casings; Racks; Suspension devices; Carrying devices; Holders characterised by their mounting method
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M50/00—Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the non-active parts of electrochemical cells other than fuel cells, e.g. hybrid cells
    • H01M50/50—Current conducting connections for cells or batteries
    • H01M50/543—Terminals
    • H01M50/547—Terminals characterised by the disposition of the terminals on the cells
    • H01M50/55—Terminals characterised by the disposition of the terminals on the cells on the same side of the cell
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M50/00—Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the non-active parts of electrochemical cells other than fuel cells, e.g. hybrid cells
    • H01M50/50—Current conducting connections for cells or batteries
    • H01M50/543—Terminals
    • H01M50/552—Terminals characterised by their shape
    • H01M50/553—Terminals adapted for prismatic, pouch or rectangular cells
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61G—TRANSPORT, PERSONAL CONVEYANCES, OR ACCOMMODATION SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PATIENTS OR DISABLED PERSONS; OPERATING TABLES OR CHAIRS; CHAIRS FOR DENTISTRY; FUNERAL DEVICES
    • A61G2203/00—General characteristics of devices
    • A61G2203/10—General characteristics of devices characterised by specific control means, e.g. for adjustment or steering
    • A61G2203/14—Joysticks
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60L—PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
    • B60L2200/00—Type of vehicles
    • B60L2200/34—Wheel chairs
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60L—PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
    • B60L2220/00—Electrical machine types; Structures or applications thereof
    • B60L2220/40—Electrical machine applications
    • B60L2220/44—Wheel Hub motors, i.e. integrated in the wheel hub
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60L—PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
    • B60L2250/00—Driver interactions
    • B60L2250/24—Driver interactions by lever actuation
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E60/00—Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
    • Y02E60/10—Energy storage using batteries
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02T—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION
    • Y02T10/00—Road transport of goods or passengers
    • Y02T10/60—Other road transportation technologies with climate change mitigation effect
    • Y02T10/64—Electric machine technologies in electromobility
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02T—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION
    • Y02T10/00—Road transport of goods or passengers
    • Y02T10/60—Other road transportation technologies with climate change mitigation effect
    • Y02T10/70—Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02T—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION
    • Y02T10/00—Road transport of goods or passengers
    • Y02T10/60—Other road transportation technologies with climate change mitigation effect
    • Y02T10/72—Electric energy management in electromobility

Definitions

  • the electrical connection between the battery and the controller/motor of the whealchaii also comprises an exposed *.;irs which co.ld loosen, corrode, or snag while the wheelchair is in use, possibly disabling the wheelchair and stranding the occupant.
  • the batteries are sufficiently heavy that they significantly affect the center of gravity of a wheelchair. This is particularly true when the batteries are located behind the seat. In order to provide adequate stability, it has usually been necessary to move the rear wheels rearward to a position behind the seat and thereby increase the length of the wheelbase. This makes the wheels very difficult to reach for manual propulsion of the wheelchair by an occupant.
  • the rear drive wheels for motor driven wheelchairs are made smaller than conventional 22-26 inch diameter wheelchair wheels.
  • the larger wheelbase means that the wheelchair is less maneuverable. Even if the occupant could reach the rear wheels to self propel the wheelchair, there would be no way for the occupant to disconnect the wheels from the drive motors. Manual self-propulsion of a motorized wheelchair by an occupant has thus been completely impractical.
  • Many examples of battery-powered wheelchairs may be found on the market.
  • One such battery-powered wheelchair is foldable and has two batteries supported under the seat of the wheelchair on a foldable baseplate. The two batteries of the wheelchair must be removed from the side of the wheelchair and they must be removed together, that is, one of the batteries cannot be removed by itself.
  • a foldable, portable motorized wheelchair in accordance with the invention may be either power driven or manually propelled by the occupant.
  • the wheelchair includes opposed side frames supporting a seat having a back support between them. Also secured to the side frames are a motor drive system, a pair of rear wheels, a pair of castor mounted front wheels, a pair of footrests and a folding battery support assembly that supports two batteries beneath the seat with front access for removal and insertion of batteries.
  • the rear wheels are implemented as large, 24 inch diameter wheels with a center of rotation placed in front, under or behind the seat back support.
  • a hand ring is mounted on the outside of the rear wheels and a manually operated quick release hub drive mechanism enables the wheelchair occupant to selectively disengage the rear wheels from the motor drive system.
  • the wheelchair may thus be selectively operated as either a motorized battery powered wheelchair or as a manually self-propelled wheelchair.
  • the folding baseplate assembly supports the required battery or batteries beneath the seat and, when the batteries are removed, enables the wheelchair ' to be folded to a laterally more compact condition. When folded, the wheelchair may be stored or transported much like a conventional nonpowered wheelchair.
  • the battery support assembly includes a folding baseplate and battery units that are secured by slide rails to the baseplate.
  • the support assembly provides the wheelchair occupant with convenient access to the batteries while mating slides and electrical connectors on the baseplate and battery units enable battery units to be easily slid into or out of automatic connection on the baseplate. All electrical connections are automatically made or broken by the mating electrical connectors and no separate wiring connections are required.
  • the quick release hub drive mechanism has a handle that is readily reached by a wheelchair occupant and selectively engages or disengages the rear wheels from the motors. Different, tactiley distinguishable surfaces are provided on opposite sides of the engagement control handle. This enables the wheelchair occupant to be able to detemine without visual observation whether a hub drive mechanism is in the engaged or disengaged position.
  • FIG. 1 is a simplified perspective view of a selectively power driven or occupant self propelled wheelchair in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention
  • Fig. 2 is a partly phantom perspective view of a battery support assembly used in the wheelchair shown in Fig. 1;
  • Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional end view of the base of the battery support assembly shown in Fig. 2 taken along lines 3-3;
  • Fig. 4 is a front view of a foldable base plate used in the support assembly shown in Fig. 2, the baseplate assembly being shown in a folded configuration;
  • Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a pivotable bearing connection between a wheelchair frame and the foldable baseplate shown in Fig. 4;
  • Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a wheelchair showing a releasable wheel drive assembly in accordance with the invention
  • Fig. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the releasable wheel drive assembly in accordance with the invention
  • Fig. 8 is a cross sectional view of the wheel drive assembly shown in Fig.- 7 with locking pins in an engaged position;
  • Fig. 9 is a cross sectional view of the wheel drive assembly shown in Fig. 7 with locking pins in. a disengaged position;
  • Fig. 10a is a front perspective view of a
  • Fig. 10b is a rear perspective view of a U-shaped toggle handle used in the releasable wheel drive assembly shown in Fig. 7;
  • Fig. 11 is a simplified rear perspective view of a power driven wheelchair in accordance with the invention with the battery support assembly removed.
  • a foldable, selectively power driven or manually self propelled wheelchair 10 in accordance with the invention includes opposed right and left side frames 12, 14 providing the primary structural support for wheelchair 10.
  • a seat 16 having a back support 18. extends between frames 12, 14 to support a wheelchair occupant (not shown) .
  • the rear wheels 20, 22 are identically mounted on a frame 10 by a selectively releasable hub drive mechanism 40 as illustratively shown for rear wheel 20.
  • the wheelchair side frames 12, 14 are made primarily of strong, lightweight tubing of a metal such as aluminum or steel alloy.
  • the side frames are connected by a foldable supporting structure 42.
  • the side frames 12, 14 include a pair of vertically extending members 44, 46 which support seat back 18 between them and also support a pair of rearwardly extending handles 48, 50.
  • the side frames 12, 14 further include longitudinally extending tubular members 52, 54 which support assembly 34.
  • Front vertical frame members 56, 58 extend upwardly from longitudinal frame members 52, 54.
  • the seat 16 is either removable or foldable to allow the wheelchair 10 to be folded to a more laterally compact condition.
  • the battery support assembly 34 includes a foldable baseplate assembly 70 and energy supply units in the form of battery units or batteries 72, 74.
  • the foldable baseplate assembly 70 includes two coplanar support plates 78, 80 mounted in side-by-side relationship with opposed, abutting edges 82, 84 extending in a longitudinal direction.
  • Plate 78 has a planar top surface 82 and a planar bottom surface 84, while plate 80 has a planar top surface 86 and a planar bottom surface 88.
  • first hinge member 90A is secured by welding or other suitable means to bottom surface 84 of plate 78 while a second hinge member 90B is secured to bottom surface 88 of plate 80.
  • Plate 80 may be wider than plate 78 so that abutting edges 82, 84 extend beyond the pivot point 96 and to the right thereof as viewed looking rearward in Figs. 1-4. As a result, the plates 78, 80 are free to fold with the center pivot point 91 moving upward and the bottom surfaces 84, 88 moving toward opposed, facing relationship. As the plates 78, 80 are unfolded and reach a side-by-side coplanar relationship, the hinge member 90A comes into engagement with bottom surface 88 of plate 80 and serves as a stop to prevent further unfolding of plates 78, 80. A stable firm flat battery support base is thus formed by plates 78, 80 when they are unfolded to their coplanar relationship. Two longitudinally extending pairs of rails 102,
  • Each rail includes a vertically extending bar portion 112 and a horizontally extending bar portion 114 which is cantilevered atop the vertical bar portion 112 and extends horizontally inward toward the other rail of the pair to form an inverted L-shape.
  • the outer rails 102, 108 are positioned approximately 3/8 inch longitudinally farther forward than the inner rails 104, 106.
  • 118, 120 are secured to the top surfaces 82, 86 proximate the pairs of rails 112, 114 and 116, 118. More particularly the connectors 118, 120 are secured midway between the respective pairs of rails 112, 114 and 116, 118 with a longitudinal position rearward of the halfway position.
  • the connectors 118, 120 couple electrical power to the motor drive system 32.
  • a spacer bar 122 and spacer washer 124 provide proper height adjustment of connector 118 above surface 82.
  • the electrical connectors 118, 120 each have two internal flat planar contacts 126, 128.
  • the contacts 126, 128 are secured at the rear thereof to the body of the connector as well as to wires 130 and extend longitudinally forward to enable secure engagement with mating contacts on the battery units 78, 80.
  • the abutting edges 82, 84 can rise as they pivot about pivot point 96 of hinge 90.
  • each of the pivot bearings 132, 134, 136, 138 is generally cylindrical in shape and has two end regions with internal enlarged bores 150, 152. Bores 150, 152 receive low friction plastic bearing inserts 154, 156 to prevent binding as the pivot bearing 132 is rotated relative to longitudinal side frame member 52. A small gap (not shown) in the circumference of cylindrical inserts 154, 156 enable them to be positioned at the enlarged bores 150, 152 and then expanded to mate therewith.
  • the battery units 72, 74 may be identical and, as represented by unit 74, include a bottom plate 160 supporting a battery housing 162 having a container portion 164 and a lid portion 166.
  • a strap 168 forms a first loop as it extends from between plate 160 and housing 162 at the left front of the battery unit 74 to a fastener 170 on a front wall of container 164.
  • a second, larger loop is formed as strap 168 extends from fastener 170 diagonally over the top of battery unit 74 to securement between housing 162 and bottom plate 160 at the lower right rear of housing 162 (as viewed in Fig. 3) .
  • the .first loop thus provides a convenient handle for sliding battery unit 74 in and out of position on support plate 80 while the second loop provides a convenient carrying handle.
  • a battery 180 having positive and negative terminals 182, 184 is disposed within housing 162.
  • Battery unit 74 further includes a pair of longitudinally extending L-shaped rails 190, 192 secured to a bottom surface of bottom plate 160. Rails 190, 192 each have a vertical bar 194 extending downward from the bottom of plate 160 and a cantilevered horizontally extending bar 196 which extends horizontally outward away from the rail in the pair 190, 192 a short distance.
  • the rails 190, 192 are laterally spaced to fit just inside of a pair of rails 112, 114 or 116, 118 to form a secured, longitudinally slidable mating relationship with rails 116, 118 on support plate 80.
  • Horizontal bar 196 slides beneath horizontal bar 114 to assure that battery unit 74 is securely retained in place on support plate 80.
  • the rails 190, 192 and 116, 118 thus form a slide assembly having mating pairs of slides that provide convenient insertion and removal of the battery units 74 with access through the front of the wheelchair
  • a cross plate 200 is longitudinally positioned approximately midway along rails 190, 192 at a pair of recesses 202, 204 and extends laterally between the rails 190, 192.
  • Cross plate 288 supports a two contact battery side electrical connector 210 which is shaped to matingly engage and make electrical contact with the drive system electrical connectors 118, 120.
  • Connector 210 also connects with a wire set 212 (see Fig. 2) which passes through a hole 214 in bottom plate 160 to provide electrical connection to battery terminals 182, 184.
  • Battery unit 74 may thus be removed from or inserted into wheelchair 10 with no need to make a separate connection to the battery terminals 182, 184.
  • Electrical connector 210 remains connected to the terminals and as it mates with connector 120 during insertion a full electrical circuit is automatically completed from battery 180 to controller/motor drive system 32. The need for the wheelchair occupant or other person to deal with the battery connections upon inserting or removing a battery unit 72, 74 is eliminated.
  • the motor drive system 32 includes a manual joy stick controller 222 receiving energy from an energy supply system and two motors 226, 228 independently driving the rear wheels 20, 22 in response to manipulation of the. joy stick controller 222.
  • the front wheels 24, 26 are castor mounted and have no independent steering capability. They are • passively responsive to the steering motion of the wheelchair 10. Steering may thus be completely controlled through the independent motion of rear wheels 20, 22.
  • Occupant manual propulsion of wheelchair 10 is enabled by providing large, 24 inch diameter rear wheels 20, 22 by providing a center of rotation for wheels 20, 22 at or in front, under or behind the seat back support 18, by mounting a manual propulsion or drive ring 230 on the outside of wheels 20, 22 and by coupling the wheels 20, 22 to their respective drive motors 226, 228 through a manually releasable hub assembly 300.
  • hub assembly 300 is disengaged the associated rear wheel 20, 22 of wheelchair 10 is completely disconnected from drive motors 226, 228.
  • a separate hub assembly 300 connects each drive motor 226, 228 to its associated rear wheel 20, 22 respectively.
  • hub assembly 3DO coupling motor 226 to rear wheel 20 is illustrated and described in detail, it will be appreciated that a substantially identical hub assembly connects drive motor 228 to rear wheel 22.
  • Hub assembly 300 includes a drive axle 312 having an inner driven end permanently coupled through an axially extending worm gear assembly 314 to motor 226 which has an axis of rotation extending perpendicular to drive axle 312. While most of drive axle 312 is cylindrical in shape, an opposite, free end 316 of drive axle 312 has a square shape and is received in mating relationship by an axially or laterally extending square aperture 318 in a generally cylindrical drive hub 320.
  • end 316 and aperture 318 serve as a key to prevent relative rotation between shaft 312 and drive hub 320.
  • a bolt 328 secures drive hub 320 to free end 316 of drive axle 312.
  • Worm gear assembly 314 and correspondingly shaft 312 carried thereby are mounted by bolts 322 to a metal plate 324 which forms part of side frame 14 and is positioned longitudinally in front of vertical member 44, which supports seat back support 18.
  • Drive axle 312 receives and rotationally supports a central hub 326 of rear wheel 20 laterally outside of side frame 14.
  • the central axis 330 about which wheel 20 (and similarly wheel 22) rotates is thus positioned longitudinally forward of seat back support 18.
  • a wheelchair occupant can conveniently reach the center of wheels 20, 22 to toggle releasable hub assembly 300 between states of engagement and disengagement.
  • the occupant can also conveniently reach the hand rail 230 to manually self propel and guide wheelchair 10.
  • the releasable hub assembly 300 includes a spider 336 which engages central hub 326, a pair of locking pins 338, 340, a pair of springs 342, 344, a toggle handle 346, and a pair of pivot pins 348, 350 for pivotally securing handle 346 to the locking pins 338, 340.
  • Central hub 326 is preferably made of plastic and has a cylindrical center hub 352 that is connected by multiple radial spokes 354 to a cylindrical middle hub 356.
  • Bearings 358 rotationally mount center hub 352 and hence wheel 20 on drive axle 312.
  • Spider 326 is a.- generally cup-shaped member having a generally cylindrical sidewall 360 and . a disk-shaped end wall 362 affixed thereto. Sidewall 360 has multiple axial slots 364 which mate with spokes 354 as spider 326 is slid into engagement with central hub 326. The engagement between spokes 354 and slots 364 precludes relative rotation between spider 336 and central hub 326 of wheel 20.
  • the end wall 362 of spider 336 has a large central bore 370 that concentrically mounts over center hub 352 and receives drive axle 312 and multiple axially extending, circumferentially spaced, diametrically opposed pairs of locking pin holes 372 distributed at equal radii about central axis 330.
  • Spider 336 is made of metal with hardened bushings forming locking pin receptacles 372 that can receive locking pins 335, 340 without sustaining damage that might be inflicted if locking pins 338, 340 were allowed to directly engage the plastic central hub 326.
  • Drive hub 320 is a generally cylindrical member having a laterally outward facing circular end surface 374 having a rectangular shaped slot or groove 376 defined therein to a depth of about 3/8 inch.
  • a pair of locking pin bores 378, 380 extend axially through drive hub 320 at radial positions matching the radial positions of locking pin bores 372 in spider 336.
  • Bores 342, 344 each have a large diameter section 382 that mates with and guides the large diameter laterally inward locking end 384 of locking pins 338, 340 and a small diameter section 386 that matingly receives a small diameter shank portion 388 of locking pins 338, 340.
  • the springs 342, 344 are inserted in the bores 3?0, 378 ahead of locking pins 348, 350 and thus tend to force locking pins 348, 350 laterally inward toward spider 336.
  • Handle 346 is a generally U-shaped member having a cross bar 394 with two oppositely positioned, parallel side bars 396, 398 extending therefrom.
  • the side bars 396, 398 terminate in ends 400, 402 having slots 404, 406 adapted to receive the outward ends of shank portions 388 of respective locking pins 338, 340.
  • a pair of transverse bores 410, 412 pass through the ends 400, 402 of side bars 396, 398 in a direction parallel to cross bar 394.
  • Handle 346 has first and second opposed parallel planar side surfaces 416, 418. Bores 410, 412 are located eccentrically with respect to these side surfaces 416, 418 and also with respect to ends 400, 402 to enable the axial positioning of locking pins 348, 350.
  • the shanks 388 of locking pins 348, 350 are sufficiently long relative to the depth of large diameter section 382 of bores 338, 340 and the thickness of drive hub 320 that they may be forced laterally outward to a position wherein transverse pivot pin bores 422, 424 located near the ends thereof extend beyond the outer surface of drive hub 320.
  • pivot pin 348 may be inserted into bores 422 and 410 to pivotally attach locking pin 338 to handle side member 396 and pivot pin 350 may be inserted into bores 424 and 412 to pivotally attach locking pin 340 to hand side member 398.
  • the locking pins 338, 340 thus attached to handle 346 they may be released to allow springs 342, 344 to force handle ends 400, 402 axially inwardly into rectangular groove 376.
  • the sidewalls of groove 376 then serve to restrain pivot pins 348, 350 to maintain the assembled arrangement.
  • the bores 410, 412 are eccentrically located closer to second surface 418 than first surface 416 and closer to first surface 416 than to ends 400, 402.
  • Handle 346 may thus be toggled by rotation between two stable positions 180 degrees apart.
  • the two surfaces 416, 418 are made tactilely distinguishable by roughening surface 416 at area 428, by defining letters in one of the surfaces or by means of some other technique which allows a wheelchair occupant to determine the toggle state of handle 346 simply by touching the handle surface and without visual inspection. The occupant may thus be able to readily determine whether or not the rear wheel hubs are engaged or disengaged.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Electrochemistry (AREA)
  • General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Power Engineering (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Sustainable Development (AREA)
  • Sustainable Energy (AREA)
  • Aviation & Aerospace Engineering (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Arrangement Or Mounting Of Propulsion Units For Vehicles (AREA)

Abstract

Un fauteuil roulant pliant léger et économique (10) peut fonctionner sélectivement en mode auto-propulsé entraîné par un moteur ou par l'occupant. Le fauteuil roulant (10) comprend deux cadres latéraux opposés (12, 14) se pliant de manière plus compacte latéralement, un ensemble d'entraînement à moteur (32) ainsi qu'un ensemble de support (70) du système d'alimentation en énergie pliant. L'ensemble de support (70) du système d'alimentation en énergie reçoit de manière coulissante deux batteries unitaires (72, 74) présentant un accès frontal pratique et une connexion électrique automatique. Le stockage sous le siège (16) assure un centre de gravité situé bien à l'avant des roues arrière (20, 22). Le système d'entraînement à moteur comprend un ensemble de commandes des roues déconnectable (32) relié à deux grandes roues arrière (22, 24) avec un centre de rotation situé derrière, devant ou au-dessous du dossier (18) du siège (16). Des cercles d'entraînement manuel (230) sont montés sur l'extérieur des roues arrière (22, 24) et l'occupant peut atteindre facilement une poignée articulée (346) montée sur le moyeu, destinée à l'ensemble d'entraînement (32) des roues, afin de commander l'engrènement des roues arrière (22, 24) avec le moteur d'entraînement (226, 228). Un occupant peut par conséquent utiliser l'ensemble d'entraînement à moteur (32) ou désengrener le moteur d'entraînement (226, 228) et propulser manuellement le fauteuil roulant (10) à l'aide des cercles d'entraînement manuel (230).
PCT/US1991/006335 1990-09-04 1991-09-04 Fauteuil roulant pliant a entrainement optionnel motorise ou manuel Ceased WO1992004200A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US07/579,156 US5197559A (en) 1990-09-04 1990-09-04 Foldable wheelchair with optional power or manual drive
US579,156 1990-09-04
CA002035745A CA2035745A1 (fr) 1990-09-04 1991-02-05 Fauteuil roulant repliable, motorise ou manuel au choix
CA2,035,745 1991-02-05

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1992004200A1 true WO1992004200A1 (fr) 1992-03-19

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Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0677413A1 (fr) * 1994-04-15 1995-10-18 Invacare Corporation Appareil pour l'interconnection des batteries d'un fauteuil roulant
US7431109B2 (en) 2003-10-08 2008-10-07 Pride Mobility Products Corporation Power supply assembly for motorized vehicles
US8267210B2 (en) 2003-10-08 2012-09-18 Pride Mobility Products Corporation Power supply assembly for motorized vehicles

Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2798565A (en) * 1954-12-23 1957-07-09 Rosenthal Motorized wheel chair steered by driving
US3107105A (en) * 1960-06-10 1963-10-15 Russell W Heriford Standing support for paraplegics
US3437164A (en) * 1966-02-14 1969-04-08 Rodney R Rabjohn Battery support device for power-operated vehicles and the like
DE2315390A1 (de) * 1972-04-05 1973-10-18 Semperit Gmbh Einrichtung zur befestigung eines batteriekastens
GB2102360A (en) * 1981-06-26 1983-02-02 Barrett Limited W And F Wheel-chair motorised drive unit
GB2134056A (en) * 1982-12-31 1984-08-08 Cecil James Watkins Folding, motorized wheelchair
GB2192161A (en) * 1986-07-05 1988-01-06 Spastics Soc Improved drive for electric wheelchairs
US4773495A (en) * 1984-02-24 1988-09-27 Gerhard Haubenwallner Drive motor, which is supplied by an energy source, for disk-shaped or wheel-shaped members with a control mechanism

Patent Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2798565A (en) * 1954-12-23 1957-07-09 Rosenthal Motorized wheel chair steered by driving
US3107105A (en) * 1960-06-10 1963-10-15 Russell W Heriford Standing support for paraplegics
US3437164A (en) * 1966-02-14 1969-04-08 Rodney R Rabjohn Battery support device for power-operated vehicles and the like
DE2315390A1 (de) * 1972-04-05 1973-10-18 Semperit Gmbh Einrichtung zur befestigung eines batteriekastens
GB2102360A (en) * 1981-06-26 1983-02-02 Barrett Limited W And F Wheel-chair motorised drive unit
GB2134056A (en) * 1982-12-31 1984-08-08 Cecil James Watkins Folding, motorized wheelchair
US4773495A (en) * 1984-02-24 1988-09-27 Gerhard Haubenwallner Drive motor, which is supplied by an energy source, for disk-shaped or wheel-shaped members with a control mechanism
GB2192161A (en) * 1986-07-05 1988-01-06 Spastics Soc Improved drive for electric wheelchairs

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0677413A1 (fr) * 1994-04-15 1995-10-18 Invacare Corporation Appareil pour l'interconnection des batteries d'un fauteuil roulant
US5522734A (en) * 1994-04-15 1996-06-04 Invacare Corporation Apparatus for interconnecting wheelchair batteries
US7431109B2 (en) 2003-10-08 2008-10-07 Pride Mobility Products Corporation Power supply assembly for motorized vehicles
US8267210B2 (en) 2003-10-08 2012-09-18 Pride Mobility Products Corporation Power supply assembly for motorized vehicles

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