DE202018004479U1 - Wheelchair lighting control system - Google Patents

Abstract

Wheelchair lighting control system (1) comprising:
a. a control unit (10) for controlling LED lights (50, 52, 54) of a wheelchair; and
b. a smartphone app (30);
c. wherein the smartphone app (30) is arranged to wirelessly communicate with the control unit (10) and is further configured to operate the control unit (10) via the smartphone app (30) to control the driving of the LED lights (50 , 52, 54).

Description

Technical area

The present invention relates to a wheelchair lighting control system for wheelchair lighting, wheelchair lighting and a wheelchair with wheelchair lighting.

State of the art

Wheelchairs are technical aids that enable a person with reduced mobility to be autonomously mobile in a larger environment. A wheelchair can be designed as a manual or electric wheelchair. With a manual wheelchair, the wheelchair user drives the two large wheels of the wheelchair himself with his arms. In an electric wheelchair, the wheelchair user only needs to operate a corresponding control device on the wheelchair in order to move the wheelchair. An electric motor on the wheelchair then takes over the drive of the wheels.

The electric motor on the wheelchair is powered by a power source, which is also located on the wheelchair. This power source is usually a rechargeable battery. Due to the existing power source, electric wheelchairs often have lighting to increase the visibility and road safety of the electric wheelchair. The lighting is often attached to the side armrests of the wheelchair and radiates essentially light forward so that the wheelchair user is visible from afar.

The movement of the wheelchair depends essentially on the characteristics of the floor on which the wheelchair is moved. A comfortable movement of the wheelchair is usually possible on flat surfaces such as asphalt or paved roads and sidewalks. Small bumps on the way are e.g. dampened by the rubber tires of the wheelchair and can be run over. However, larger bumps, such as potholes or larger stones, lead to a significant comfort restriction and can in the worst case lead to tipping over of the wheelchair. In particular, in limited or poor visibility conditions, such as at dusk or in the dark, such bumps can pose a serious threat to the wheelchair user.

Therefore, there are also various concepts for equipping manual wheelchairs with bulbs. The operability and the ergonomics of the control of the bulbs on the wheelchair play a major role in everyday use. Decisive for the acceptance of a wheelchair lighting is therefore an ergonomic operation also for people with limited motor skills.

The publication CN 104 905 917 A shows a lighting for a wheelchair, which has a simple electrical switch to turn the lights on and off. However, the switch is located in the lamp itself and this is located at the bottom of the frame side of the footrest. Therefore, the switch for a user of the wheelchair is only very unergonomic or not accessible depending on mobility.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a wheelchair lighting control system for a lighting of a wheelchair, which overcomes the above problems and in particular is more ergonomic to use.

Summary of the invention

The above-mentioned problems are solved according to the invention by a wheelchair lighting control system according to claim 1, a wheelchair lighting according to claim 14 and a wheelchair according to claim 15.

In particular, the above-mentioned problems are solved by a wheelchair lighting control system comprising a control unit for driving LED lights of a wheelchair, and a smartphone app, wherein the smart phone app is adapted to wirelessly communicate with the control unit and is further configured, to operate the control unit via the smartphone app to control the driving of the LED lights.

By operating the LED lights through a smartphone app on a smartphone, no additional installation effort for the user interface is required. As a smart phone is widely used nowadays, no additional hardware needs to be provided for the user interface of the wheelchair lighting control system. Ergonomic brackets on wheelchairs are also available for smartphones, so that the smartphone is already in an ergonomic position for the user so that the wheelchair lighting can also be controlled ergonomically.

The smartphone app also has the advantage that any complex settings of the wheelchair lighting can be made in a simple manner, such as adjusting the brightness of the LED lighting. In addition, information about the wheelchair lighting can be displayed to the user via the smartphone app, for example the state of charge of the voltage source or the presumed lighting duration for a selected brightness. Furthermore, the controller may be equipped with automatically running control routines that make certain settings on the lighting, for example, reduce the light intensity to save energy at certain events, such as a low state of charge of the voltage source.

The control unit preferably has a radio interface which is set up to communicate with the smartphone app via Bluetooth, and / or WLAN, and / or NFC. The above-mentioned transmission modes of wireless connections are supported by virtually all current smartphones available on the market, and are very well suited for the present control task. Particularly preferably, the Bluetooth standard is used for communication. Since these wireless standards are available in virtually every available smartphone, the smartphone app can be implemented for many smartphones, for example on smartphones with Android or Apple iOS operating system.

Preferably, the control unit and the smartphone app are set up to switch the LED lights on and off via the smartphone app. Switching on and off via the smartphone app is a basic functionality, which takes place via the smartphone app in a particularly ergonomic way.

Preferably, the control unit and the smartphone app are set up to adjust the brightness of at least one of the LED lights by entering them on the smartphone app, in particular by means of a slide control of the smartphone app. By adjusting the brightness, optimal illumination can be selected by the user. This allows the brightness to be adjusted to provide adequate illumination of the path in front of the wheelchair to any ambient brightness without dazzling the user or other road users. Furthermore, the brightness of a rear, red-emitting LED light can be adjusted. In addition, the brightness can be set by the user so that a particularly long operating time without recharging the voltage source is given.

Preferably, the control unit and the smartphone app are configured to signal a state of charge of the voltage source by optical signals of at least one of the LED lights to the user. Here, the user is informed about the state of charge or the remaining capacity of the voltage source without having to look away from the way or have to look at the smartphone. This allows the user to continue to follow the traffic and to perceive possible obstacles or other events and to react in a timely manner. This method of charging indicator is thus particularly safe and ergonomic.

Preferably, at least one of the LED lights comprises RGB LEDs. Through the use of RGB LEDs, the LED lights can preferably shine in any colors that can be selected and controlled by the user or the control unit arbitrarily.

Preferably, at least one of the LED lights RGB LEDs and the control unit and the smartphone app are adapted to signal the state of charge of the voltage source by changing the color of at least one of the LED lights to the user. Depending on the battery level, the control unit can display a different color through the LED lights. By assigning a color to a certain state of charge, the user can determine the state of charge of the voltage source at a glance with the illumination of the LED lights in a particular color. The display of the state of charge via a color change of the LED light is particularly ergonomic, since the user does not have to look at a separate display or the smartphone app.

Preferably, the smartphone app is adapted to the state of charge of the voltage source by pulsing the LED light, or by flashing the LED light, or by the number of powered LEDs of a LED strip in the LED light, or by the frequency of a pulsation or flashing of the LED light signal to the user.

By the different ways of lighting up and changing the number of LEDs lighting up in at least one of the LED lights, the user can be signaled the urgency to recharge the power source soon. It is possible to indicate different urgencies by different flashing frequencies, intensities or other optical changes. For example, the user can be signaled by an approaching depletion of the voltage source, such as a rechargeable battery, by a faster flashing or pulsing.

The control unit and the smartphone app are preferably set up to set an energy-saving function in which a certain maximum brightness of at least one of the LED lights is not exceeded. The energy-saving function reduces the brightness of the LED lamp and thus reduces the power consumption, thus ensuring a particularly long battery life. Preferably, the user can manually select the energy-saving function via the smartphone app, or the control unit automatically activates the energy-saving function programmatically if the state of charge drops below a defined value in order to ensure the availability of the lighting over a long period of time. Preferably, the brightness of the LED light when using the energy saving function by the user can be preset. In addition, the state of charge can be preset, from which the energy-saving function is activated automatically and programmatically.

Preferably, the control unit and the smartphone app are set up to set a so-called "power mode" in which the maximum brightness of at least one of the LED lights can be selected. The power mode allows the user to illuminate the most dimly lit environments with the maximum luminous intensity of the LED lights for a better view. The power mode thus increases the safety for the user. The power mode may preferably include a time limit that prevents the power mode from causing excessive draining of the voltage source should the user forget to turn off the power mode. After a certain period of time, the power mode can be switched off automatically.

Preferably, the control unit further comprises a microphone, and the control unit and the smartphone app are arranged to change the color and / or flashing frequency of at least one of the LED lights due to noises picked up by the microphone. Thus, a so-called "club mode" or "disco mode" can be provided, in which the wheelchair is illuminated in color to the beat of music.

Preferably, the smartphone app is set up to display several preset brightness values for at least one of the LED lights selectable for the user. Thus, the desired brightness, in addition to a continuous adjustment by a software slider, in certain preset levels can be selected. This particularly supports users with limited hand motor skills who only need to press software buttons. Preferably, the user can deposit several brightnesses adapted to his needs on the buttons and call them up as needed.

The control unit preferably has a rechargeable voltage source. Unlike traditional batteries, rechargeable power sources such as lithium-ion batteries or nickel-metal-hydride batteries can be recharged and are the greener alternative. To recharge the power source it only needs a suitable charger and a power outlet. The user can thus charge the voltage source anywhere, such as a coffee house, or while traveling in the hotel room.

Preferably, the wheelchair lighting control system includes a wireless transmitter separate from the smartphone app, which wirelessly communicates with the control unit to turn the LED lights on or off. A radio transmitter, to turn on and off the LED lights, in addition to the smartphone app ensures operability of lighting without a smartphone. This is particularly advantageous for quickly switching on and off the wheelchair lighting. The wireless connection of the radio transmitter to the control unit can be dispensed with an electrical line, which reduces the installation costs. In addition, the radio transmitter can be attached to an ergonomic position on the wheelchair, which is also suitable for people with limited hand motor skills.

The above objects are also achieved by a wheelchair lighting comprising a wheelchair lighting control system as described above, as well as a front LED lamp and a rear LED lamp controlled by the wheelchair lighting control system, the front LED lamp having white LEDs and RGB LED has and / or the rear LED light has RGB LEDs.

The front LED light essentially serves to illuminate the way in front of the wheelchair and thus increases the visibility. Therefore, the front LED light uses white LEDs that are high in light with low power consumption. As a result, objects and bumps are better detected at night and the user can respond to them. To indicate the state of charge of the power source or for other purposes, the front LED light also has RGB LEDs that can be lit in all colors. The rear lamp also includes RGB LEDs, which are preferably red and alert other road users to the wheelchair, which also increases passive safety. In addition, the RGB LEDs of the rear LED lamp can also be lit in any desired colors.

The above objects are also achieved by a wheelchair having a wheelchair lighting described above with a wheelchair lighting control system as described above.

list of figures

• 1 eine schematische Darstellung eines Rollstuhlbeleuchtungs-Steuerungssystems mit der Steuerungseinheit, den LED-Leuchten und einem Smartphone mit der Smartphone-App, sowie einem separaten Funksender; und
• 2 eine Ansicht einer bevorzugten Ausführungsform der Smartphone-App auf einem Smartphone.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings. Showing:

• 1 a schematic representation of a wheelchair lighting control system with the control unit, the LED lights and a smartphone with the smartphone app, and a separate radio transmitter; and
• 2 a view of a preferred embodiment of the smartphone app on a smartphone.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 shows a schematic representation of a wheelchair lighting control system 1 for controlling LED lights 50 . 52 . 54 a wheelchair lighting a wheelchair (not shown). The wheelchair lighting control system 1 includes a control unit 10 via radio using a smartphone app 30 from a smartphone 5 can be controlled from. The control unit 10 includes an electronic control system 14 and a radio interface 12 that are electrically connected to each other and that of an accumulator 60 be powered.

The control unit is preferably firmly connected to a wheelchair, in particular screwed under the seat of the wheelchair, or it is attached by means of cable ties to straps a seat covering a wheelchair.

The rechargeable power source 60 is preferably a lithium-ion battery or a nickel-metal-hydride battery, which in the control unit 10 is removably mounted so that it can be conveniently loaded outside the wheelchair. The voltage source 60 preferably has a capacity that can power the wheelchair lighting for many hours. Preferably, the voltage source 60 the LED lights 50 . 52 . 54 operate at a medium brightness for about 20 hours.

The radio interface 12 is via a wireless connection 16 with a smartphone 5 connected. The wireless connection 16 between control unit 10 and smartphone 5 or the smartphone app running on it 30 can be done via one of the wireless standards Bluetooth, WLAN or NFC connection, preferably the Bluetooth standard is used.

The smartphone app 30 serves as a universal user interface for setting and controlling the LED lights 50 . 52 . 54 by means of the control unit 10 , The smartphone app 30 In addition, it can have additional functions to the LED lights 50 . 52 . 54 automatically and programmatically to control, with such functions run independently of user input.

The LED lights 50 . 52 . 54 are each by means of a line 56 with the control unit 10 connected and can by the control electronics 14 be controlled in different ways. The LED lights 50 . 52 . 54 Can a front LED light 50 which radiates forward on the wheelchair, a rear LED light 52 which emits backwards and one or more other LED lights 54 include, which are attached to other locations on the wheelchair.

The front LED light 50 may preferably be mounted on the underside of a wheelchair foot rest (not shown) and oriented to illuminate the floor in front of the wheelchair. The width of the LED light 50 can be adapted to the respective width of the wheelchair footrests. The front LED light 50 In a preferred embodiment, it includes an LED strip with four RGB LEDs as well 20 white LEDs. The four RGB LEDs make the front LED light 50 able to shine in different colors. The white LEDs provide good illumination of the area in front of the wheelchair, with low energy consumption. The front LED light 50 can also be divided into two separate LED strips, each one may be attached to a footrest half with split footrests.

The rear LED light 52 and is attached to the back of the wheelchair and can be attached to the frame or seat. In normal operation, the rear LED light is used 52 as a tail light and consists exclusively of RGB LEDs. These are preferably controlled by the color red.

In addition, the wheelchair lighting one or more other LED lights 54 which are attached to other locations on the wheelchair and may have both white LEDs and / or RGB LEDs. For example, more LED lights could 54 used as a turn indicator or ambient lighting of the wheelchair. With foldable wheelchairs could be the more LED light 54 for example, also be another rear, red glowing LED light. This could be the LED light 52 For example, perpendicular to a left rear frame part of the wheelchair and the other LED light 54 be arranged on a right rear frame part of the wheelchair.

2 shows a schematic Dartstellung the smartphone app 30 on a smartphone 5 , The smartphone app 30 includes a charge status indicator 34 the state of charge of the voltage source 60 the control unit 10 displays. A runtime display 36 on the smartphone app 30 shows the user the currently remaining runtime of the voltage source 60 at the currently selected brightness value.

About a software switch 32 can the LED lights 50 . 52 . 54 to be turned on and off altogether. The light output of the LED lights 50 . 52 . 54 can also by a software controller 38 , preferably a slider 38 , are infinitely adjustable by the user.

In addition, the user can by means of several brightness buttons 40 , three brightness button, a brightness level, in particular for the front LED light preferred 50 and / or the rear LED light 52 , choose. When pressing one of the brightness buttons 40 chooses the control unit 10 the voltage or current of the LED lights 50 . 52 so that they radiate the desired brightness value.

By activating the "Power Mode" button, the user can activate a power mode and the maximum possible light intensity of at least one of the LED lights 50 . 52 . 54 , especially the front LED light 50 and / or the rear LED light 52 recall.

The power mode can by pressing the button "power mode" in box 40 the smartphone app 30 manually switched on and off.

In a further embodiment, the power mode can also be switched off automatically after a preset period of time, whereby the brightness value of the LED lights 50 . 52 falls back to the previously set value. The duration for the power mode, the user can also in the smartphone app 30 preset.

On a message board 42 can the wheelchair lighting control system 1 Show messages and / or warnings to the user. For example, a warning regarding the heavy energy consumption or a possible glare from other road users in power mode or an approaching depletion of the voltage source can be displayed.

A switch "Color / Disco Mode" 44 may activate a club mode in the control unit. In this club mode, the LED lights can 50 . 52 . 54 their color and / or their flashing frequency due of ambient noise, for example, to the beat of the music. For this purpose, the control unit 10 a microphone 18 on that with the control electronics 14 connected is.

The LED lights 50 . 52 can still have a slider 38 be set to any brightness. In addition, the smartphone app brightness buttons 40 to the LED lights 50 . 52 operate at certain operating points. The power values of the brightness buttons 40 can by the user in the smartphone app 30 be preset. In a first operating point ("power mode"), the maximum brightness of the LED lights 50 . 52 be retrieved with 660 lumens. This is what the control unit provides 10 by means of cables 56 a current of preferably 600mA of the LED light 50 ready.

In normal operation, the user has further preferred operating points with exemplary performances of 30%, 60% and 90% available via the brightness buttons 40 can choose. At 90% power, approximately 528 to 475 lumens are achieved at a current of approximately 480 mA. At 60% power, approximately 432 to 389 lumens are achieved at a current of approximately 400 mA. At 30% power, approximately 240 to 216 lumens are achieved at a current of approximately 200 mA.

The state of charge of the voltage source 60 can preferably by colors and / or different pulse widths of the front LED light 50 are displayed. For this purpose, the white LEDs are switched off during the duration of the charge status display and only the RGB LEDs are activated. The following five states of charge are preferably displayed as follows: State of charge in% Color of the LEDs Pulse width in ms Duration in s 90 pulsating green 50 5 50 pulsating orange 50 5 25 pulsating red 50 5 15 flashing red 20 10 5 flashing red 20 10

The smartphone app 30 includes an automatic power-saving feature designed to maximize the life of the lighting. If the state of charge falls below a preset minimum value, for example a minimum state of charge of 30%, the control unit 10 the energy saving function is activated. When the energy saving function is activated, at least one of the LED lights will turn on 50 . 52 . 54 , especially the front LED light 50 and / or the rear LED light 52 , operated for the remaining time until emptying of the voltage source in the third operating point with a maximum current consumption of 200 mA. The smartphone app 30 This automatically reduces the power consumption to a value of 200 mA if a higher power was set. If a power lower than 200 mA was set, it will be maintained. The parameters of the energy-saving function are preferred by the user via the smartphone app 30 adjustable. Here, the user can adjust the brightness of the LED lights 50 . 52 . 54 in the energy-saving mode, and the state of charge, from which the control unit 10 set the energy-saving mode to active. In addition, the user can use the smartphone app 30 also manually activate the energy saving function.

In addition to the control of the wheelchair lighting control system 1 via the smartphone app 30 can also control a radio transmitter 70 respectively. The radio transmitter 70 can with the control unit 10 preferably communicate via Bluetooth or another radio protocol, such as the "emylo" protocol. The radio transmitter 70 is preferably battery-operated and can be attached to a wheelchair with almost any size due to its small dimensions. About the radio transmitter 70 it is preferably possible, the control unit 10 to at least turn the wheelchair lighting on or off. When a pressure switch on the radio transmitter is pressed 70 will be a signal to turn the LED lights on or off 50 . 52 . 54 sent to the control unit in the last setting. Through the wireless connection of the control unit 10 with the radio transmitter 70 , this can be attached to the most ergonomic place on the wheelchair.

To establish a Bluetooth connection between the smartphone 5 and the control unit 10 must preferably the power switch 32 be pressed for five seconds. A in the smartphone app 30 timer counts the duration of the operation and activates a Bluetooth synchronization mode of the control unit after five seconds 10 , The visualization of activation Bluetooth synchronization mode of the control unit 10 can also through the front LED light 50 respectively. This can be the front LED light 50 For example, alternately green and blue flashing. Now the control unit appears 10 with her name in the smartphone's usual Bluetooth menu 10 , After the successful connection or the Expire 60 seconds without connection, the Bluetooth synchronization mode is automatically turned off.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Wheelchair lighting control system

5

Smartphone

10

control unit

12

Radio interface

14

control electronics

16

Radio connection between radio interface and smartphone

18

microphone

30

Smartphone App

32

On-off switch

34

Ladzustandsanzeige

36

Running time display

38

slider

40

brightness button

42

message window

44

Switch for club mode

50

front LED light

52

rear LED light

54

additional LED light

56

cables

60

voltage source

70

radio transmitter

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• CN 104905917 A [0006]

Claims (15)

Wheelchair lighting control system (1) comprising: a. a control unit (10) for controlling LED lights (50, 52, 54) of a wheelchair; and b. a smartphone app (30); c. wherein the smartphone app (30) is arranged to wirelessly communicate with the control unit (10) and is further configured to operate the control unit (10) via the smartphone app (30) to control the driving of the LED lights (50 , 52, 54). Wheelchair lighting control system according to Claim 1 wherein the control unit (10) has a radio interface (12) which is set up with the smartphone app (30) via a. Bluetooth; and / or b. WiFi, and / or c. NFC to communicate. Wheelchair lighting control system according to one of Claims 1 or 2 wherein the control unit (10) and the smartphone app (30) are arranged to switch the LED lights (50, 52, 54) on and off by input on the smartphone app (30). Wheelchair lighting control system according to one of Claims 1 to 3 wherein the control unit (10) and the smartphone app (30) are adapted to adjust the brightness of the at least one of the LED lights (50, 52) by input on the smartphone app (30), in particular by means of a slide control (38 ) of the smartphone app (30). Wheelchair lighting control system according to one of Claims 1 to 4 wherein the control unit (10) and the smartphone app (30) are adapted to signal a state of charge of a voltage source (60) of the wheelchair lighting control system (1) to the user by visual signals of at least one of the LED lights (50). Wheelchair lighting control system according to Claim 5 in which at least one of the LED lights (50, 52) comprises RGB LEDs and the control unit (10) and the smartphone app (30) are set up, the state of charge of a voltage source (60) by changing the color of at least one of the LED lights ( 50, 52) to signal the user. Wheelchair lighting control system according to Claim 5 or 6 wherein the control unit (10) and the smartphone app (30) are arranged to control the state of charge of a voltage source (60) by a. pulsing the LED lamp (50); b. a flashing of the LED light (50); c. the number of LEDs connected to an LED strip in the LED light (50); d. the frequency of pulsing or flashing the LED lamp (50); signal to the user. Wheelchair lighting control system according to one of Claims 1 to 7 wherein the control unit (10) and the smartphone app (30) are adapted to set an energy saving function in which a certain maximum brightness of at least one of the LED lights (50, 52) is not exceeded. Wheelchair lighting control system according to one of Claims 1 to 8th wherein the control unit (10) and the smartphone app (30) are adapted to set a power mode in which the maximum brightness of at least one of the LED lights (50, 52) is selected. Wheelchair lighting control system according to one of Claims 1 to 9 wherein the control unit (10) further comprises a microphone (18), and the control unit (10) and the smartphone app (30) are adapted to change the color and / or flashing frequency of at least one of the LED lights (50, 52, 54 ) due to noises picked up by the microphone (18). Wheelchair lighting control system according to one of Claims 1 to 10 wherein the smartphone app (30) is arranged to select a plurality of fixed brightness values for at least one of the LED lights (50, 52) selectable for the user. Wheelchair lighting control system according to one of Claims 1 to 11 further comprising a rechargeable voltage source (60). Wheelchair lighting control system according to one of Claims 1 to 12 further comprising a wireless transmitter (70) separate from the smartphone app (30) and wirelessly communicating with the control unit to turn the LED lights (50, 52, 54) on or off. Wheelchair lighting comprising a wheelchair lighting control system (1) according to any one of Claims 1 to 13 a front LED lamp (50) and a rear LED lamp (52) controlled by the wheelchair lighting control system (1), the front LED lamp (50) having white LEDs and RGB LEDs and / or the rear LED light (52) has RGB LEDs. Wheelchair comprising a wheelchair lighting with a wheelchair lighting control system (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 14 ,

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