EP1787615A1 - Bath lift having a rack and pinion drive - Google Patents

Abstract

Bath elevator comprises a submersible motor, which is formed and arranged in the lower range of the seat (1,3,16) and the backrest. The motor shafts of the motor and the transmission output shaft of the transmission are essentially aligned horizontal in the bath elevator.

Description

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

In the known Badelifter, however, there is the disadvantage that the rack and pinion drive is relatively complicated, because the rack consists of a straight rack piece and hingedly connected individual rack segments. The reason for this measure is that you need an effective rack length of at least 40 centimeters and at the same time meet the requirement to arrange the motor in the upper part of the rack. Reason for this measure is the requirement to keep the engine so far above the water surface to prevent ingress of water into the engine.

To allow the required, relatively large, usable rack length at a relatively short backrest height, the known arrangement provided to arrange the motor in the upper region of the backrest and in this case to use a multi-articulated divided rack.

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

Incidentally, it has been found that the arrangement of the drive motor in the upper part of the seatback is disadvantageous because the motor protrudes to the rear, that is, the rear end of the seat. H. is turned away from the side of the backrest, where the back plate for applying the user's back is.

This has the disadvantage that the backrest to the rear (towards the edge of the bathtub) requires a relatively large installation depth and a corresponding distance, which in confined spaces causes the entire bath lifter in the direction of the longitudinal center axis of the bathtub must be moved inward, whereby the usable legroom of the user is severely limited.

The GB-2234491 A discloses a Badelifter with a very complex sealing of the engine and its transmission, which is therefore relatively expensive, heavy, space-consuming and susceptible to wear. Furthermore, the relatively high center of gravity of the Badelifters is disadvantageous because both the engine longitudinal axis and the motor shaft and the output shaft of the transmission in the height direction of the Badelifters extend and are arranged vertically standing in Badelifter. In addition, here is a cylindrical spindle as height adjustment means available, which has a relatively high weight.

The invention is therefore the object of a Badelifter with rack and pinion drive of the type mentioned, starting from the EP 0 707 843 B1 so educate, that at about the same height of the backrest allows a comparable stroke of the rack and this avoids a headstrike of the backrest and that it is relatively inexpensive, lightweight, compact and low maintenance.

To achieve the object, the invention is characterized by the features of independent claim 1.

It is essential that the drive motor for the rack is submersible formed and in the lower region of the seat, and the backrest, in particular approximately in the vicinity of the pivot bearing of the backrest, laid and wherein at least one of the motor shafts of the motor and / or the output shaft of the transmission is aligned substantially horizontally in Badelifter / are.

This has the advantage that the center of gravity and the total weight of the Badelifters can be significantly reduced, since thus the heavy components of the engine and possibly the transmission are horizontal in Badelifter and not vertical as in the prior art GB-2234491 A , Also, this is only a use of a relatively light Rack without force deflection allows, whereby the total weight of the bath lifter is lowered again.

In a preferred embodiment, all motor shafts of the engine and also the output shaft of the transmission are aligned substantially horizontally in the bath lifter.

In another embodiment, however, the main motor shaft of the motor is substantially vertically aligned in the bath lifter, a follower motor shaft (e.g., bevel gear shaft or worm wheel shaft for 90 ° power deflection) of the motor, as well as the output shaft of the transmission are aligned substantially horizontally in the bath lifter.

In particular, in both embodiments, the Umlenkmotorwelle the engine and the output shaft of the transmission connected to the engine in the sitting and facing a user, so that the engine can be positioned close to the vertical axis, which also has a favorable effect on a central center of gravity. In the given technical teaching, the prejudice is overcome that it is absolutely necessary to keep the engine out of the water, even if the Badelifter is in its lowermost, lowered position and the seat plate with the thereto arranged pivot bearing for the backrest in a Water depth of about 25 to 30 inches below the water surface is located. According to the invention, the engine now dips under the water surface when the seat plate is moved to its lower, lowered into the bathtub position.

By laying the engine in this area, there is now the advantage that the above-mentioned top-heaviness of the backrest is avoided and that overall the rack can be constructed much simpler.

Although the invention can also provide that the rack consists of individual, articulated segments, as shown in the prior art. However, an advantage of the invention lies in the fact that can be dispensed with just this articulated arrangement of the rack segments and instead a rigid, continuous rack can be used.

With the given technical teaching, it is now possible to arrange the motor now in the lower, usable toothing of the rack and this case to use a rigid rack, because the rigid rack to the entire stroke length of z. B. 40 centimeters parallel to the backrest in the backrest housing extends into it and no longer requires articulated bends and rack storage.

This makes the construction simpler, less susceptible to wear, more stable and less expensive.

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

For the accommodation of a motor and the rack and pinion drive, which dives below the water surface, it must be at least watertight. That is, a splash guard is not enough, it must be protected against penetrating pressurized water. Here, the invention provides several different embodiments.

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

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

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

In a third embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the motor housing itself is not sealed, but only the motor itself. This is then a submersible motor having a pressure-tight housing, so that only the power supply to this motor sealed in accordance the submersible motor are introduced.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention (watertight encapsulation of the motor in a surrounding housing) there is the advantage that the motor itself does not have to be designed as a submersible motor. It may be a conventional, DC-driven windscreen wiper motor, in which at low voltages of z. B. 12 volts high torque is achieved and relatively high motor currents in the range can flow to 8 amps.

Such low voltages are absolutely safe and require no electrical safety measures.

When this description is made in the following description, this is to be understood as an example only, without limiting the scope of the invention. Thus, it is only described for reasons of simplification, the embodiment in which the motor is arranged in a waterproof encapsulated housing compartment and its output shaft sealed in the no longer waterproof encapsulated gear part is performed.

In a further development of the invention, it is provided that a completely novel arrangement (installation location) of the motor is given. It is envisaged that the motor is installed for space saving reasons in the space between the backrest and the front of the backrest in the spaced back plate. It is thus used an unused place of installation, which is associated with the advantage that the motor with its drive units no longer protrudes to the rear of the backrest and claimed a rearward, necessary in the pivoting of the backrest pivot space.

This results in the significant advantage that the motor is now integrated directly in the backrest housing to save space, without protruding to the rear on the back of the backrest housing.

This results in a much better useable leg length for the user, because the entire Badelifter can now be moved as far as possible backwards towards the edge of the bathtub, without any of the backrest protruding parts would disturb this space.

Incidentally, it is also very advantageous for optical reasons, to allow a very compact backrest with an integrated motor there without an outstanding engine disturbs the visual impression.

Another advantage of the arrangement of the engine in the lower region of the backrest is that then above the engine, the space for a battery housing is created, which is preferably arranged centrally in the backrest area. This has the advantage that even when used in the bathtub Badelifter the battery case is very accessible, because it is located exactly in the center. It then no longer requires spreading the bath lifter, for example, to take a battery located in the corner of the bath lifter and be able to expand.

The compact design of the backrest results in the other hand, the advantage that it is now possible to arrange an operating button in the upper, easily accessible area of the backrest (topmost front page), in its operation, the connecting flaps are posted to the base frame, so as the backrest of to move an erect work position into a folded-down position of rest. In this folded position, the transport and storage position of the bath lifter is given.

In the following the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to drawings showing only one embodiment. Here are the drawings and its description further features essential to the invention and advantages of the invention.

Figur 1:

Seitenansicht der Rückenlehne eines Badelifters nach der Erfindung

Figur 2:

die Innenansicht der vom Benutzer abgewandten Gehäuseschale als Draufsicht in Pfeilrichtung II der Figur 1

Figur 3:

Schnitt gemäß der Linie III-III in Figur 2

Figur 4:

Schnitt gemäß der Linie IV-IV in Figur 2

Figur 5:

die Außenansicht der vom Benutzer abgewandten Gehäuse (Rückansicht auf Rückenlehne)

Figur 6:

Innenansicht auf die dem Benutzer zugewandte Gehäuseschale

Figur 7:

Draufsicht in Pfeilrichtung VII der Figur 1 auf die dem Benutzer unmittelbar zugewandte Stützplatte der Rückenlehne

Show it:

FIG. 1:

Side view of the backrest of a bath lift according to the invention

FIG. 2:

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

FIG. 3:

Section along the line III-III in Figure 2

FIG. 4:

Section along the line IV-IV in Figure 2

FIG. 5:

the outside view of the user-facing housing (rear view on backrest)

FIG. 6:

Interior view of the user facing housing shell

FIG. 7:

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

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

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

In Figure 1, a facing away from the user housing shell 4 can be seen, which is connected via a parting line 6 with a user facing housing shell 5.

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

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

In a beyond this housing part 8, 9 arranged transmission compartment 39, the complete reduction gear for the drive of the rack 22 is provided.

It is important that it is not absolutely necessary to make the transmission compartment 39 watertight. It is sufficient to carry out this part splash-proof, because the corresponding motor shaft 27 (see Figure 4) sealed from the motor housing part 8, 9 protrudes and engages in the transmission compartment 39.

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

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

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

It goes without saying that the toothed region 23 of the rack 22 can also go further than shown in FIG. He can therefore extend down to the vicinity of the support head 12 of the support leg 11. However, this is not necessarily required for manufacturing reasons, because it is sufficient to start the toothing region where the drive for the rack 22 attaches, as shown in Figure 2.

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

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

According to FIGS. 2 and 3, the gear reduction takes place as follows:

The motor 20 according to FIG. 4 has a motor shaft 27 which, with a radial shaft seal 33, passes through the sealed motor compartment 8, 9 and engages in the aforementioned transmission compartment 39.

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

This reduction gear 31 is rotatably mounted on the output shaft 29 and is in turn rotatably connected to the drive pinion 30 for the rack 22.

An engine speed of z. B. 40 revolutions per minute is reduced to a reduction of the drive pinion of 20 revolutions per minute.

The entire backrest is pivotally mounted in a pivot bearing 15 and is tilt-adjustable about this pivot bearing 15.

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

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

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

In order to remove the entire backrest of the seat plate, it is also necessary to bring the pivoting flaps 10 out of engagement with the seat plate.

For this purpose, an actuating knob 19 is provided on the upper end side of the backrest housing 3, in the actuation of Figure 6, a push rod 34 acts on a connecting bridge 32 between the pivoting flaps 10 and this connecting bridge pivoted together with the pivoting flaps to the lower free ends out of engagement to bring with an associated locking receptacle on the seat plate.

Advantage of this arrangement is that the operating knob 19 is now very easy to access and is particularly easy to operate. It requires no space-consuming screw caps or rotary pivoting lever more, because a simple, spring-loaded actuator button 19 is sufficient to allow the required actuation of the pivoting flaps 10 by pressure on the connecting bridge 32.

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

It then suffices to insert the power supply 25 sealed from the battery housing 7 via an associated sealing bush 26 into the motor housing 8, 9.

Thus, this part is completely waterproof protected against water pressure and there arranged motor 20 is protected against ingress of pressurized water.

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

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

It is also added that the battery 37 has at its upper end a drawbar eye 38, so that it can be easily pulled out of a battery housing 7 upwards.

With the given technical teaching, there is thus the advantage that now for the first time a submersible arrangement for the motor of the rack drive is proposed and thus a very compact construction with low top weight, more favorable weight distribution is proposed in a confined space.

There are no rearwardly projecting parts which could hinder the pivoting of the backrest and the user's foot freedom is ultimately not limited.

drawing Legend

1

backplate

2

locking element

3

Backrests housing

4

Housing shell (rear)

5

Housing shell (front)

6

parting line

7

battery case

8th

motor housing

9

engine cover

10

hinged flaps

11

Support foot

12

support head

13

arrow

14

bearing block

15

pivot bearing

16

seat plate

17

bearing head

18

coupling part

19

actuating button

20

engine

21

pivot bearing

22

rack

23

toothed area

24

poetry

25

power supply

26

sealing bush

27

motor shaft

28

pinion

29

output shaft

30

pinion

31

Reduction gear

32

connecting bridge

33

Radial shaft seal

34

pushrod

35

recess

36

web

37

battery pack

38

drawbar

39

gear compartment

40

End of 22

Claims (16)

Badelifter with rack drive, with an electric motor (20) with at least one motor shaft (27) directly or alternatively indirectly via a transmission (28-31) with output shaft (29), with at least one rack (22) cooperates such that a seat (1, 3, 16) is movable for at least one person, which comprises a seat plate (16) and a backrest (1, 3) for sitting and leaning on the at least one person, characterized in that the motor (20 ) is arranged submersible and in the lower region of the seat (1, 3, 16) and the backrest (1, 3) is arranged, wherein at least one of the motor shafts (27) of the motor (20) and / or the output shaft (27) of Gear (28-31) is oriented substantially horizontally in Badelifter is / are. Badelifter according to claim 1, characterized in that the motor (20) itself is not waterproof, but this in a watertight motor housing (8, 9) is arranged, from which the motor shaft (27) of the motor (20) is guided sealed out , Badelifter according to claim 2, characterized in that between the motor (20) and the at least one rack (22), the transmission (28-31) is provided, which is received in a transmission housing (39) from which the at least one rack (22 ) is passed. Badelifter according to claim 1, characterized in that the motor (20) is designed as a submersible motor and even has a watertight housing, in which electrical lines (25) are introduced sealed to the power supply. Badelifter according to claim 4, characterized in that the motor (20) is a low-voltage motor with eg 12 or 24 volts supply voltage. Badelifter according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the motor (20) with the seat (1, 3, 16) is firmly connected and the at least a rack (22) is supported with its support foot (11) directly or indirectly on a bottom plate of the bath lifter. Badelifter according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the at least one rack (22) with the seat (1, 3, 16) is fixedly connected and the motor (20) is supported directly or indirectly on a bottom plate of the Badelifters. Badelifter according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the backrest (1, 3) includes a back plate (1) for leaning the at least one person and the back plate (1) on a backrest housing (3) of the backrest (1, 3) is mounted. Badelifter according to claim 8, characterized in that the motor (20) between the back plate (1) and the backrest housing (3) is arranged and on the backrest housing (3) is fixed. Badelifter according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the motor (20) via a rechargeable battery (37) is supplied, said battery (37) between the back plate (1) and the backrest housing (3) is arranged and on the backrest housing (3) is attached. Badelifter according to one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that the transmission housing (39) is formed as a compartment in the backrest housing (3). Badelifter according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the at least one rack in the backrest housing (3) is guided axially displaceable. Badelifter according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that a single rigid, continuous rack (22) is used or a plurality of individual hinged rack segments. Badelifter according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the transmission (28-31) of the motor (20) is a reduction gear, so that the motor shaft (27) of the motor (20) rotates faster than the output shaft (29) of the gearbox (28-31). Badelifter according to one of claims 8 to 14, characterized in that the back plate (1) about a pivot bearing (21) is adjustable in its inclination angle. Badelifter according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that at least one of the motor shafts (27) and / or the output shaft of the transmission (28-31) is in the sitting and viewing directions of the user / -en.

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