EP2100577B1 - Shower and toilet chair - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a shower and toilet chair with a height-adjustable seat and a lifting device.

A shower and toilet chair of the type in question is for example from the NL 1022812 known. Such shower and toilet chairs are used, for example, in the home and nursing homes to support or carry out the care of elderly or people in need of care.

Chairs of the type in question have a lifting device by means of which the seat can be raised and lowered. Such a lifting device has a drive device and a system of levers and joints, which serves to convert the movement of the drive device in a lifting or lowering movement of the seat.

The WO 2006/123332 A2 discloses a chair which can by means of an electric drive a person sitting on the chair from a sitting to a standing position spend. For this purpose, a drive element is pivotally connected to a strut assembly.

The invention has for its object to provide a shower and toilet chair of the aforementioned type, in which this lifting device is designed advantageously, in particular in terms of manufacturing as well as in terms of function and functionality.

The solution of this problem is specified in claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are defined in the subclaims.

The shower and toilet chair according to the invention has a height-adjustable seat and a lifting device which serves to raise and lower the seat. The lifting device has a support strut, which is connected to the seat. Furthermore, the lifting device has a first strut, which is pivotally connected to the support strut, whereby a first pivot axis is defined. The first strut is also hingedly connected to a fixed strut member defining a second pivot axis. Furthermore, the lifting device has a drive device, which is arranged pivotably on the fixed strut element, and a drive element movable by the drive element, which is pivotally connected to the support strut, whereby a third pivot axis is defined, which is spaced from the first pivot axis. The articulation of the drive device to the fixed strut element is designed so that the drive device is pivotable about the second pivot axis.

The coaxial mounting of the pivotable drive device with the first strut results in a common bearing element being used, i. a multifunctional component, which performs both functions, namely the storage of the first strut and the drive device. This results in a material savings, which leads to the reduction of costs and also by the conservation of resources is environmentally friendly. Furthermore, the number of assembly steps is reduced and allows a corresponding time savings during assembly. A further cost reduction is made possible by the savings on threadlocker and other aids. Finally, the stresses are reduced in the corresponding components, since the forces are introduced into a common axis of rotation.

The lifting device also has a further strut, which is articulated to the fixed strut element and the support strut, wherein the articulation of the second strut on the support strut is designed so that the second strut is pivotable about the third pivot axis, and the linkage of the second strut to the fixed strut element is adapted to define a fourth pivot axis spaced from the second pivot axis. With this advantageous embodiment, a parallelogram structure is realized which, with a corresponding design, can realize a lifting movement which is particularly suitable for the present application.

Preferably, two such lifting devices are provided and arranged parallel to each other. It can therefore be realized two drive devices and two lever structures, in particular parallelogram, which are arranged on each side of the shower and toilet chair and together wear the seat and raise and lower.

The second pivot axis, i. that pivot axis, which is both pivot axis for the first strut and pivot axis for the drive device, may preferably be formed by a bearing pin. On the bearing pin, a first bearing seat for supporting the first strut and a second bearing seat for supporting the drive device may be formed, wherein between the first bearing seat and the second bearing seat a hexagon and at the end of the bearing bolt a threaded pin may be formed with which the bearing pin in can be screwed to the solid strut element. The hexagon, which separates functionally and spatially the first bearing seat from the second bearing seat, can be used to attach a wrench when screwing the bearing bolt in the fixed strut element.

It is understood that instead of an external thread at the end of the bearing pin and a bore with internal thread can be provided so that the bearing pin can be screwed via a corresponding threaded pin, which is provided on the fixed strut element.

The bearing pin can be made of solid material. Depending on the choice of material and dimensioning the respective components of the bearing pin can also be made hollow inside or with corresponding remote inner diameters.

The diameters of the two bearing seats can be the same size or different sizes, depending on the selected lever ratios and resultant forces, both in the axial length of the bearing seats and in terms of diameter.

As the drive device, both an electric motor can be used, wherein in the parallel arrangement of two lifting devices two electric motors can be used, as well as hydraulic, pneumatic or manually operated mechanical drive units.

The shower and toilet chair according to the invention may also have a tilting device, which causes a tilting of the seat. In addition, the chair can be equipped with four castors, i. Wheels having one or more freely rotatable rollers mounted on supports having vertical axes of rotation, the horizontal axes of rotation of the rollers being spaced from the vertical axes of rotation of the supports, i. have a so-called caster.

• Fig. 1 eine perspektivische Darstellung einer Ausführungsform des erfindungsgemäßen Dusch- und Toilettenstuhls zeigt,
• Fig. 2 eine vergrößerte perspektivische Darstellung der Einzelheit Z gemäß Fig. 1 zeigt,
• Fig. 3 eine Seitenansicht der Ausführungsform gemäß Fig. 1 in einer Stellung zeigt, in der der Sitz abgesenkt ist,
• Fig. 4 eine Fig. 3 entsprechende Darstellung ist, in der der Sitz angehoben ist, und
• Fig. 5 eine Ausführungsform eines Lagerbolzens zeigt.
  In den Figuren dargestellt ist ein elektrisch betriebener Dusch- und Toilettenstuhl mit einem Sitz 101, der eine Rückenlehne 102, eine Kopfstütze 103, Armlehnen 104 und Fußstützen 105 aufweist. Auf einem Fahrgestell ist eine Hubmechanik angeordnet, mittels derer der Sitz 101 in der Höhe verstellt werden kann. Fig. 3 zeigt den Sitz 101 in einer abgesenkten Stellung und Fig. 4 zeigt den Sitz 101 in einer angehobenen Stellung.
  An den vier äußeren Punkten des Fahrgestells sind Lenkrollen 109 angeordnet.
  Die Hubmechanik weist zwei parallel zueinander angeordnete Hubeinrichtungen auf, von denen jeweils eine auf einer Seite des Dusch- und Toilettenstuhls angeordnet ist. Der Sitz 101 ist auf jeder seiner beiden Seiten jeweils mit einem Halteelement 145 verbunden, welches Bestandteil der Hubeinrichtung ist. Hierdurch ergibt sich auf jeder Seite des Sitzes 101 ein Befestigungspunkt 107. Jeweils ein weiterer Befestigungspunkt 108 ergibt sich durch Verbindung mit zwei Elementen einer Neigeeinrichtung 180, die dazu ausgelegt ist, den Sitz 101 in seiner Neigung zu verstellen.
  Im Folgenden wird die auf der linken Seite des Dusch- und Toilettenstuhls angeordnete Hubeinrichtung beschrieben. Es versteht sich, dass eine entsprechende Hubeinrichtung parallel hierzu auf der rechten Seite des Dusch- und Toilettenstuhls vorgesehen ist. Entsprechend sind auf der linken Seite eine Antriebsvorrichtung in Form eines Elektromotors 150L und auf der rechten Seite ein entsprechender Elektromotor 150R vorgesehen. Der linke Elektromotor 150L und der rechte Elektromotor 150R können identisch und lediglich seitenverkehrt zueinander auf den jeweiligen Seiten verbaut sein.
  Ein festes Strebenelement 141 ist ortsfest, d. h. nicht schwenkbar mit dem Fahrgestell des Dusch- und Toilettenstuhls verbunden. An dem festen Strebenelement 141 sind schwenkbar eine erste Strebe 142 und eine zweite Strebe 143 angeordnet. Die erste Strebe 142 und die zweite Strebe 143 sind schwenkbar mit einer Tragstrebe 144 verbunden, an der das Halteelement 145 befestigt ist. Der Schwenkpunkt der ersten Strebe 142 mit der Tragstrebe 144 definiert eine erste Schwenkachse 146. Der Schwenkpunkt der ersten Strebe 142 mit dem festen Strebenelement 141 definiert eine zweite Schwenkachse 147. Der Schwenkpunkt der zweiten Strebe 143 mit der Tragstrebe 144 definiert eine dritte Schwenkachse 148 und der Schwenkpunkt der zweiten Strebe 143 mit dem festen Strebenelement 141 definiert eine vierte Schwenkachse 149. Alle vier Schwenkachsen 146, 147, 148 und 149 sind voneinander beabstandet und das feste Strebenelement 141, die erste Strebe 142, die zweite Strebe 143 und die Tragstrebe 144 bilden eine Parallelogrammstruktur.
  Der Elektromotor 150L ist verschwenkbar an dem festen Strebenelement 144 angelenkt, wobei die Schwenkachse des Elektromotors 150 L um das feste Strebenelement 141 die zweite Schwenkachse 147 ist. Mit dem Elektromotor 150L verbunden ist ein Antriebselement 151. Je nach Drehrichtung des Elektromotors 150L wird das Antriebselement 151 eingefahren, d.h. in Richtung auf den Elektromotor 150L hin bewegt, oder ausgefahren, d.h. in Richtung von dem Elektromotor 150L weg bewegt. Das dem Elektromotor 150L gegenüberliegende Ende des Antriebselements 151 ist gelenkig mit der Tragstrebe 144 verbunden, wobei der Schwenkpunkt der Tragstrebe 144 gegenüber dem Antriebselement 151 die dritte Schwenkachse 148 ist.
  Wenn der Elektromotor 150L und der ihm entsprechende Elektromotor 150R auf der rechten Seite des Dusch- und Toilettenstuhls (in Fig. 3 nicht gezeigt) so betrieben werden, dass die jeweiligen Antriebselemente 151 ausgefahren werden, wird der Sitz 101 angehoben. Bei Einfahren des Antriebselements 151 zu dem jeweiligen Elektromotor 150L, 150R hin wird der Sitz 101 abgesenkt. Aus dem Vergleich der Darstellungen gemäß den Figuren 3 und 4 ergibt sich, dass hierbei der Elektromotor 150L und selbstverständlich auch der auf der anderen Seite angeordnete Elektromotor 150R eine Schwenkbewegung um die zweite Schwenkachse 147 ausführen. Die erste Strebe 142 führt ebenfalls eine Schwenkbewegung um die zweite Schwenkachse 147 aus.
  Im Folgenden wird anhand von Fig. 5 die Ausführungsform eines Lagerbolzens erläutert, dessen Mittellinie auf der zweiten Schwenkachse 147 liegt und der somit die erläuterten Schwenkbewegungen ermöglicht. In Verbindung mit Fig. 5 ist Fig. 2 zu sehen, die in einer vergrößerten Detaildarstellung die Anordnung weiterer Bauteile auf dem Lagerbolzen 170 zeigt.
  Der Lagerbolzen 170 verfügt über einen Gewindezapfen 174, über den der Lagerbolzen 170 mit dem festen Strebenelement 141 verschraubt ist. Zwischen dem Gewindezapfen 174 und einem auf dem Lagerbolzen 170 ausgebildeten Sechskant 173 ist ein Lagersitz 171 zur Lagerung der ersten Strebe 142 ausgebildet. Auf der gegenüberliegenden Seite des Sechskants 173 ist ein Lagersitz 172 zur Aufnahme des Elektromotors 150L ausgebildet. Es versteht sich, dass die Befestigung des Lagerbolzens 170 an dem festen Strebenelement 141 auch durch andere geeignete Ausführungsformen bewirkt werden kann, beispielsweise durch Verwendung eines Innenmehrkants, einer Bohrung oder eines Schlitzes oder dergleichen. Es versteht sich zudem, dass die Dimensionierung der Lagersitze in Abhängigkeit der einzuleitenden Kräfte erfolgt und von der dargestellten Ausführungsform abweichen kann.

The invention is explained below with reference to a preferred embodiment in conjunction with the drawings, in which

• Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the shower and toilet chair according to the invention,
• Fig. 2 an enlarged perspective view of the detail Z according to Fig. 1 shows,
• Fig. 3 a side view of the embodiment according to Fig. 1 in a position in which the seat is lowered,
• Fig. 4 a Fig. 3 corresponding representation is in which the seat is raised, and
• Fig. 5 shows an embodiment of a bearing pin.
  Shown in the figures is an electrically operated shower and toilet chair with a seat 101 having a backrest 102, a headrest 103, armrests 104 and footrests 105. On a chassis a lifting mechanism is arranged, by means of which the seat 101 can be adjusted in height. Fig. 3 shows the seat 101 in a lowered position and Fig. 4 shows the seat 101 in a raised position.
  At the four outer points of the chassis castors 109 are arranged.
  The lifting mechanism has two mutually parallel lifting devices, one of which is arranged on each side of the shower and toilet chair. The seat 101 is connected on each of its two sides in each case with a holding element 145 which is part of the lifting device. This results in an attachment point 107 on each side of the seat 101. In each case a further attachment point 108 results from connection to two elements of a tilting device 180, which is designed to adjust the seat 101 in its inclination.
  In the following, the lifting device arranged on the left side of the shower and toilet chair will be described. It is understood that a corresponding lifting device is provided parallel to this on the right side of the shower and toilet chair. Accordingly, a driving device in the form of an electric motor 150L is provided on the left side, and a corresponding electric motor 150R is provided on the right side. The left electric motor 150L and the right electric motor 150R may be identical and installed only side-inverted to each other on the respective sides.
  A solid strut element 141 is stationary, ie not pivotally connected to the chassis of the shower and toilet chair. On the fixed strut element 141, a first strut 142 and a second strut 143 are pivotally arranged. The first strut 142 and the second strut 143 are pivotally connected to a support strut 144 to which the support member 145 is attached. The pivot point of the first strut 142 with the support strut 144 defines a first pivot axis 146. The pivot point of the first strut 142 with the fixed strut element 141 defines a second pivot axis 147. The pivot point of the second strut 143 with the support strut 144 defines a third pivot axis 148 and Pivot point of the second strut 143 with the fixed strut element 141 defines a fourth pivot axis 149. All four pivot axes 146, 147, 148 and 149 are spaced apart and the strut 141, the first strut 142, the second strut 143 and the support strut 144 form a parallelogram.
  The electric motor 150L is pivotably coupled to the fixed strut element 144, wherein the pivot axis of the electric motor 150 L about the fixed strut element 141 is the second pivot axis 147. Connected to the electric motor 150L is a drive member 151. Depending on the direction of rotation of the electric motor 150L, the drive member 151 is retracted, ie, moved toward the electric motor 150L, or extended, ie, moved in the direction away from the electric motor 150L. The electric motor 150L opposite end of the drive member 151 is pivotally connected to the support strut 144, wherein the pivot point of the support strut 144 relative to the drive member 151 is the third pivot axis 148.
  When the electric motor 150L and its corresponding electric motor 150R on the right side of the shower and toilet chair (in FIG Fig. 3 not shown) are operated so that the respective drive elements 151 are extended, the seat 101 is raised. When retracting the Drive member 151 to the respective electric motor 150L, 150R down the seat 101 is lowered. From the comparison of the representations according to Figures 3 and 4 shows that in this case the electric motor 150L and, of course, also the electric motor 150R arranged on the other side execute a pivotal movement about the second pivot axis 147. The first strut 142 also performs a pivotal movement about the second pivot axis 147.
  The following is based on Fig. 5 explains the embodiment of a bearing pin whose center line is located on the second pivot axis 147 and thus allows the described pivoting movements. Combined with Fig. 5 is Fig. 2 to see the arrangement of other components on the bearing pin 170 in an enlarged detail.
  The bearing pin 170 has a threaded pin 174, via which the bearing pin 170 is screwed to the fixed strut element 141. Between the threaded pin 174 and a hexagon 173 formed on the bearing pin 170, a bearing seat 171 for mounting the first brace 142 is formed. On the opposite side of the hexagon 173, a bearing seat 172 for receiving the electric motor 150L is formed. It is understood that the attachment of the bearing pin 170 to the fixed strut element 141 can also be effected by other suitable embodiments, for example by using a polygonal socket, a bore or a slot or the like. It is also understood that the dimensioning of the bearing seats takes place as a function of the forces to be introduced and can deviate from the illustrated embodiment.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

101

Seat, height adjustable

102

backrest

103

headrest

104

armrests

105

footrests

107

Attachment point retaining element

108

Attachment point tilting device

109

castor

141

solid strut element

142

first strut

143

second strut

144

supporting strut

145

retaining element

146

first pivot axis

147

second pivot axis

148

third pivot axis

149

fourth pivot axis

150R, 150L

Electric motors, drive device

151

Spindle rod, drive element

170

bearing bolt

171

first bearing seat

172

second bearing seat

173

hexagon

174

threaded pin

180

tilt device

Claims (11)

1. Shower and toilet chair with a height adjustable seat (101) and a lifting means, the lifting means comprising:

   a supporting strut (144) connected to the seat (101),

   a first strut (142) hinged to the supporting strut (144), whereby a first swivelling axis (146) is defined and which is hinged to a fixed strut element (141), whereby a second swivelling axis (147) is defined,

   a drive device (150R, 150L) disposed at the fixed strut element (141) so as to swivel,

   a drive element (151) movable by the drive device (150R, 150L) which is connected to the supporting strut (144) with a hinge, whereby a third swivelling axis (148) is defined which is spaced apart from the first swivelling axis (146),

   wherein the linkage of the drive device (150R, 150L) at the fixed strut element (141) is designed such that the drive device (150R, 150L) can be swivelled about the second swivelling axis (147),

   a second strut (143) which is hinged to the fixed strut element (141) and disposed at the supporting strut (144),

   wherein the linkage of the second strut (143) at the supporting strut (144) is designed such that the second strut (143) can be swivelled about the third swivelling axis (148), and

   wherein the linkage of the second strut (143) at the fixed strut element (141) is designed such that a fourth swivelling axis (149) is defined which is spaced apart from the second swivelling axis (147).
2. Shower and toilet chair according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that two lifting means are provided and disposed in parallel to each other.
3. Shower and toilet chair according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second swivelling axis (147) is formed by a bearing bolt (170).
4. Shower and toilet chair according to claim 3, characterized in that on the bearing bolt (170), a first bearing seat (171) for bearing the first strut (142), and a second bearing seat (172) for bearing the drive device (150R, 150L) are formed.
5. Shower and toilet chair according to claim 4, characterized in that between the first bearing seat (171) and the second bearing seat (172), a hexagon (173) is formed.
6. Shower and toilet chair according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that at one end of the bearing bolt (170), a threaded pin (174) is formed by which the bearing bolt (170) can be screwed in the fixed strut element.
7. Shower and toilet chair according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the drive device (150R, 150L) comprises at least one electric motor.
8. Shower and toilet chair according to claim 7, characterized in that two electric motors (150R, 150L) are provided.
9. Shower and toilet chair according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the drive device comprises at least one hydraulic drive unit, at least one pneumatic drive unit, or at least one manually operated mechanical drive unit.
10. Shower and toilet chair according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an inclination device (180) is provided which causes the seat (101) to incline.
11. Shower and toilet chair according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that four guide rollers (109) are provided.

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