EP2727568B1 - Wheelchair and method for operating a wheelchair - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a wheelchair with a frame, comprising a seat comprising a seat part for sitting on a person and a backrest part, with wheels for rolling the wheelchair and with a drive means for driving at least one of the wheels, wherein the seat and the wheels on the frame are attached.

Generic wheelchairs are well known in the art to provide temporarily or permanently sitting at least some mobility to impaired patients or persons. In addition to hand-driven wheelchairs, which are moved with muscle power of each user, there are also motor-driven wheelchairs, which, however, by weight, build heavier and can not be used as flexible. Hand-driven wheelchairs are characterized by the fact that a user can manually drive the drive wheels of the wheelchair either directly on the drive wheels rigidly arranged grip tires or indirectly via an alternative drive means with, for example, forward and backward pivotable lever arms. While this quite good travel options can be achieved, the seating comfort leaves despite many adjustment options often to be desired. Especially with regard to permanently seated persons, this can lead to chronic complaints and postural damage.

Moreover, it is off GB 05907 A a wheelchair is already known, comprising a frame, a seat comprising a seat part for sitting on a person and a backrest part, wheels for rolling the wheelchair and a drive means for driving at least one of the wheels, wherein the seat and the wheels are fixed to the frame. The drive device is mechanically coupled to the seat part and / or to the backrest part such that the seat part and / or the backrest part can be displaced relative to the frame by means of the drive device in order to be able to move at least the buttocks of the person sitting on the seat. Here, the seat part and / or the backrest part are / is movably supported about a horizontal axis, which runs transversely to a seat direction of the seat, which coincides with a forward straight-ahead direction of travel.

Furthermore, it is off WO 2014/000115 A1 a wheelchair comprising a frame, a seat comprising a seat part for sitting on a person and a backrest part, wheels for rolling the wheelchair and a drive means for driving at least one of the wheels, wherein the seat and the wheels are fixed to the frame. Furthermore, the drive device is mechanically coupled to the seat part and / or to the backrest part such that the seat part and / or the backrest part can be displaced relative to the frame by means of the drive device in order to be able to move at least the buttocks of the person sitting on the seat. The seat part is mounted by means of a seat suspension device on the frame such that it is rotatable by means of the drive means about a horizontal axis, which is arranged in alignment with a seat direction of the seat. In addition, the seat part is operatively connected to the drive device for generating driving forces acting on the wheels of the wheelchair.

The invention has for its object to further develop generic wheelchairs such that in particular the disadvantages mentioned above can be overcome.

The object of the invention is achieved by a wheelchair with a frame, with a seat comprising a seat part for sitting on a person and a backrest part, with wheels for rolling the wheelchair and with a drive device for driving at least one of the wheels, wherein the seat and the Wheels are attached to the frame, and in which according to the invention the drive means with the seat part and / or with the backrest part is mechanically coupled such that the seat part and / or the backrest part by means of the drive means is displaceable relative to the frame to at least the buttocks of in particular, during the rolling of the wheelchair, the seat part and / or the backrest part being operatively connected, bypassing the generation of driving forces acting on the wheels, and wherein the seat part and / or the backrest part are neither an exclusive I still represent an additional drive means for driving the wheels / represents.

According to the invention there is a mechanical coupling between components of the drive device and at least the seat part, and preferably also the backrest part.

In this respect, the seat part and preferably also the backrest part of the seat is mounted on the frame, that ideally both by means of the drive means are displaceable relative to the frame to at least the buttocks and preferably the back of the person sitting on the seat, in particular during the rolling of Wheelchair move.

Characterized in that at least the seat part of the seat is mounted relative to the frame that it is actively displaced by the drive means relative to the frame of the wheelchair, the present wheelchair is characterized by a dynamic seat construction, whereby it is possible, the buttocks of a user of the Wheelchair, especially paralyzed body parts of the user to actively move, making a longer sitting is much more pleasant to endure. As a result, the seating comfort can be significantly improved.

As an advantageous side effect in particular chronic discomfort due to insufficient movement of these body parts and the associated postural damage can be prevented or at least reduced. Especially the risk of degeneration of the spine, the intervertebral discs and / or the back muscles due to a lack of movement can be completely avoided or at least greatly reduced in the present case.

This is not or only insufficiently possible with conventional wheelchairs, as these only provide static sitting for the user.

In this respect, it is advantageous if the movements of the seat in the sense of the present invention are coupled to the driving movement of the wheelchair at least in a main direction of travel of the wheelchair.

The seat part embodies that part of the seat on which the user ultimately sits. In this respect, the seat part is characterized by a seat for the respective user.

The mechanical coupling between the components of the drive device and the seat part and / or the backrest part is advantageously such that driving forces can only be transmitted from the drive device to the seat part and / or the backrest part, but conversely not at all or due to the design only negligible in a negligible Measure of the seat part and / or the backrest part on components of the drive device or on the wheels of the wheelchair.

The seat part and / or the backrest part are not components of the drive device for driving the wheels of the wheelchair.

It is particularly advantageous if the seat part is mounted on the frame in such a way and is operatively connected to the drive device or components thereof in such a way that the seat part can pass through an oscillating movement sequence. As a result, the seating comfort can be improved particularly well.

If, in particular, the seat part is mounted on the frame by means of a seat suspension device such that it can be deflected laterally about a seat part center position by means of the drive device, paralyzed body parts of a user of the wheelchair can be very well stimulated, whereby the seating comfort is substantially improved. Ideally, consequential damage due to sitting in a wheelchair can advantageously be at least reduced as a result.

For these reasons alone, the object of the invention is also achieved by a generic wheelchair, which is characterized in that the drive device is mechanically coupled to the seat part and / or with the backrest part such that the seat part and / or the backrest part by means of the drive means relative to the frame is displaceable in order to move at least the buttocks of the person sitting on the seat, wherein the seat part is mounted by means of a seat suspension device on the frame so that it is laterally deflectable by means of the drive means about a Sitzteilmittenlage.

For example, the seat suspension device may be such that the seat part can be moved translationally transversely displaceable to the seating direction.

But also a movement along a circular path and / or about a pivot axis or the like can be advantageously provided in the present case.

It has been found that the object of the invention is also achieved by a generic wheelchair, in which the drive device with the seat part and / or with the backrest part is mechanically coupled such that the seat part and / or the backrest part by means of the drive means relative to the Frame is displaced to move at least the buttocks of the person sitting on the seat, wherein the seat part is mounted by means of a seat suspension device on the frame such that it is rotatable by means of the drive means about a horizontal axis, which is arranged in alignment with the seat direction.

Cumulatively or alternatively, the object of the invention is also achieved by a generic wheelchair, in which the drive means is mechanically coupled to the seat part and / or with the backrest part such that the seat part and / or the backrest part by means of the drive means is displaceable relative to the frame , around at least to be able to move the buttocks of the person sitting on the seat, wherein the seat part is mounted by means of a seat suspension device on the frame such that it is rotatable about a vertical axis by means of the drive means.

It is therefore particularly advantageous if cumulative or alternatively the seat part is mounted by means of a seat suspension device on the frame such that it is rotatable about a vertical axis and / or about a horizontal axis by means of the drive means.

These variants can advantageously be selected individually or in any combination.

The seat comfort can be further improved, although the backrest part by means of the drive means relative to the frame is relatively displaced.

If, in this connection, the backrest part can be deflected laterally transversely to the seat direction by means of the drive device about a backrest part center position, the effects described above can be further improved.

For this purpose, the backrest part can be displaceably mounted on an, for example, curved cross-member element.

In this respect, the drive device is mechanically coupled to the backrest part in such a way that the backrest part can be displaced relative to the frame by means of the drive device in order in particular to be able to additionally move the lower back part of the person sitting on the seat.

It is understood that the backrest part can be driven mechanically varied. For example, it is operatively connected directly to a component of the drive device via a drive element.

If the seat comprises a backrest part, which is operatively connected to the seat part in this way, the movements of the seat part and of the backrest part can be adapted to one another structurally in a particularly simple manner.

A particularly noteworthy variant embodiment provides that the present drive device comprises at least one muscle-operated lever arm element, preferably two muscle-operated lever arm elements, by means of which or which at least one of the wheels and the seat part and / or the backrest part are manually handleable.

In particular, by a movement sequence in which two lever arm elements on both sides by arm movements of the user periodically or alternately moved back and forth, the upper body can already be trained well. Is rhythmically to these alternating arm movements by means of the lever elements at least moves the seat part, in addition to the completed movements in the shoulder area at the same time in particular also the lower back muscles and almost the entire spinal column system can be stimulated and thereby trained.

Advantageously, in particular, the displacements or the movements of the seat part are such that natural walking or running movements are simulated here, especially on the paralyzed parts of the body, simultaneously with the upper body parts.

An advantageous variant of the method thus provides that the backrest part of the seat is moved in an oscillating manner about a backrest part center position by means of the at least one muscle-operated lever arm element.

Preferably, the backrest part is displaced transversely to the seat direction translationally along a curved path.

It is understood that the drive means for simultaneously driving relevant components of the seat and at least one of the wheels may comprise variously structured and operating gear. For example, this transmission may comprise a circumferential eccentric shaft, by means of which in particular the seat part can be driven to oscillate.

A preferred embodiment provides that the drive device comprises a transmission unit with two rotatably driven input shaft elements and a rotatably driven output shaft element for driving at least the seat part and with a continuously circumferentially driven output shaft element for driving at least one of the wheels. In this way, at least one of the wheels and at least the seat part of the seat can be driven differently in a structurally and in an extraordinarily simple manner at the same time.

Thus, the rotatably driven output shaft member rotatable and the continuously rotating driven output shaft member can be continuously driven in rotation of the input shaft elements.

Preferably, with the rotatably driven output shaft member and the backrest part rotatably driven or the like.

In this respect, it is advantageous if the input shaft elements, which can be driven in a rotationally oscillating manner, are arranged so as to be operatively connected to the output shaft elements are that on the one hand the seat part and / or the backrest part of the seat oscillating and on the other hand a Radachsenelement the wheelchair are continuously driven in rotation of these input shaft elements.

Furthermore, it is advantageous if the two input shaft elements which can be driven in a rotationally oscillating manner are in each case operatively connected to the output shaft element which can be driven in rotation by bevel gear elements and, on the other hand, to the output shaft element which can be continuously driven in rotation by a freewheel device.

Advantageously, the two input shaft elements are always in operative contact with each other via the bevel gear elements.

As a result, driving forces that are applied irregularly in particular by means of two force-actuated lever arm elements can accelerate and drive in particular uniformly in one direction of rotation the continuously revolving output shaft element.

A further preferred embodiment thus provides, in particular from the standpoint of a robust lightweight construction, that an output bevel wheel element of the output shaft element that can be driven in rotation simultaneously meshes with an input bevel wheel element of the two input shaft elements which can be driven in a swinging manner. As a result, the relevant components of the seat can be driven in an oscillating manner in the narrowest space within the meaning of the invention.

Advantageously, the two input bevel gear elements of the input shaft elements rotate about a common input axis of rotation.

By contrast, the output bevel wheel element of the output shaft element which can be driven in rotation with these two input bevel wheel elements rotates about an output rotational axis, which is arranged perpendicular to the input rotational axis.

Advantageously, the Ausgangskegelrad is at least partially disposed between the two input bevel gears, wherein the Ausgangskegelrad opposite arranged free shaft end of the rotatably driven output shaft member facing the seat or in particular the seat part is arranged in the wheelchair.

It is also advantageous if a Ausgangskegelradelement the rotatably driven output shaft element at the same time in each case with a Eingangskegelradelement of the two rotatably driven input shaft elements meshes. As a result, a compact construction gear can be realized.

In the present case, a very low-maintenance drive device can be provided if the output shaft element which can be driven in a rotationally oscillating manner comprises a bevel gear element and the output shaft element which can be continuously driven around in rotation comprises a chain pinion element.

Preferably, the continuously rotating driven output shaft member can be operatively connected here via a chain robust and low maintenance with a wheel axle of the wheelchair.

It is understood that in the present case, other transmission means between the continuously circumferentially driven output shaft member and the wheel axle can be used.

For a structurally very simple drive of components of the seat and the wheelchair itself, it is advantageous if in each case a muscle-operated lever arm element is arranged on the two rotatably driven input shaft elements.

On the one hand, the shoulder system of the user undergoes a good training effect, while on the other hand a stimulation especially of paralyzed lower body parts of the user succeeds when, at the same time, through these two muscle-powered lever arm elements, which are alternately moved back and forth to achieve a driving movement of the wheelchair the seat part in response to the alternately moving lever arm, for example oscillating transversely to the seat direction and / or swinging about a rotation axis.

It is clear that the movements of the seat part and / or the backrest part can be coupled differently depending on the lever arm positions.

Ideally, the movements of the lever arm members and the seat portion or the backrest portion are linked together in a predetermined manner, so that a movement of the lever arm elements always a predetermined movement of the seat part and / or the backrest part entails. It does not matter whether one or two lever arm elements are provided.

Preferably, a mechanical coupling by means of the present transmission in such a way that the seat part is rotated counterclockwise about the vertical axis when viewed in the seat direction, the left lever arm is displaced forward in the direction of travel. Here, the right lever arm moves in the opposite direction to the rear.

Ideally, the backrest portion correspondingly moves toward the left side of the left forwardly urged lever member.

Accordingly, the seat part rotates clockwise relative to the seat direction about the vertical axis when the right lever arm member is moved forward in the direction of travel.

The backrest part may in this case be displaced in the direction of the right side of the right-hand pushed forward lever element.

It is understood that the seat part not only moves in a horizontal plane or parallel to this but also can be pivoted with respect to this horizontal plane, so that the seating comfort can be further improved.

Also cumulative or alternatively rocking movements of the seat part are possible if the wheelchair is driven accordingly.

A further possible embodiment variant provides that the input shaft elements can be decoupled from the continuously circulating driven output shaft element for driving at least one of the wheels, whereby in particular the seat part of the seat can be driven by the lever arm elements or the like without the wheelchair moving. This also allows the seating comfort on the wheelchair can be significantly increased.

In this respect, it is advantageous if the present transmission comprises a corresponding coupling device, by means of which at least at least one of the wheels or a relevant wheel axle element can be decoupled from the input shaft elements.

In any case, it is advantageous if the two muscle-operated lever arm elements are pivoted manually in or against the seat direction and thereby swing the seat part and / or the backrest part transversely to the sitting direction to improve the seating comfort in the sense of the invention.

It is understood that such a coupling device can also be realized elsewhere, such as outside the proposed transmission.

It is particularly advantageous if a freewheel device is arranged between the seat part and / or backrest part and components of the drive device in such a way that the seat part and / or the backrest part are arranged decoupled relative to the drive device in such a way that driving forces are transmitted exclusively from components of the drive device to the seat part and Be transferred to the backrest part, but not from the seat part and / or the backrest part on components of the drive device or wheels or drive wheels of the wheelchair.

Advantageously, the present wheelchair is also characterized by ratchet elements on its drive wheels in order to move the wheelchair with a very high flexibility. So far, it is customary to equip a wheelchair either gripping elements or lever arm elements. Preferably, however, both ratchet elements and lever arm elements are used here for manually moving the wheelchair.

The agility of the wheelchair, in particular when using the lever arm elements, can be achieved if a brake actuating means, for example a brake lever element, is provided on the lever arm elements, by means of which a single brake of a drive wheel can be actuated.

For example, each of the drive wheels has a disc brake device, by means of which the respective drive wheel can be braked individually with the associated brake lever element. This allows the wheelchair to be steered very well.

At this point, it should again be explicitly pointed out that the present wheelchair is a patient wheelchair, in particular for chronically impaired persons, and not a bicycle-like locomotion vehicle or the like in which a seat movement initiated by the driver is used to generate a driving force for driving used by wheels.

Further advantages, objects and features of the present invention will be explained with reference to the accompanying drawings and the following description, in which exemplary hand-driven wheelchairs are shown and described with displaceable by a drive means seat and backrest parts.

Figur 1A

schematisch eine Vorderansicht eines ersten handangetriebenen Rollstuhls mit durch eine Antriebseinrichtung verlagerbaren Sitz- und Rückenlehnenteilen jeweils in einer Ruhebetriebsstellung in ihren Mittenlagen;

Figur 1B

schematisch eine Aufsicht des ersten handangetriebenen Rollstuhls aus der Figur 1A in der Ruhebetriebsstellung;

Figur 1C

schematisch eine perspektivische Ansicht des ersten handangetriebenen Rollstuhls aus den Figuren 1A und 1B in der Ruhebetriebsstellung;

Figur 2A

schematisch eine Vorderansicht des ersten handangetriebenen Rollstuhls in einer ersten Betriebsstellung mit aus den jeweiligen Mittenlage unterschiedlich ausgelenkten Sitz- und Rückenlehnenteilen;

Figur 2B

schematisch eine Aufsicht des ersten handangetriebenen Rollstuhls aus der Figur 2A in der ersten Betriebsstellung;

Figur 2C

schematisch eine perspektivische Ansicht des ersten handangetriebenen Rollstuhls aus den Figuren 2A und 2B in der ersten Betriebsstellung;

Figur 3A

schematisch eine Vorderansicht eines ersten handangetriebenen Rollstuhls mit durch eine Antriebseinrichtung verlagerbaren Sitz- und Rückenlehnenteilen jeweils in wieder in ihren Mittenlagen;

Figur 3B

schematisch eine Aufsicht des ersten handangetriebenen Rollstuhls aus der Figur 3A;

Figur 3C

schematisch eine perspektivische Ansicht des ersten handangetriebenen Rollstuhls aus den Figuren 3A und 3B;

Figur 4A

schematisch eine weitere Vorderansicht des ersten handangetriebenen Rollstuhls in einer weiteren Betriebsstellung mit aus den jeweiligen Mittenlage entgegengesetzt ausgelenkten Sitz- und Rückenlehnenteilen;

Figur 4B

schematisch eine Aufsicht des ersten handangetriebenen Rollstuhls aus der Figur 4A in der weiteren Betriebsstellung;

Figur 4C

schematisch eine perspektivische Ansicht des ersten handangetriebenen Rollstuhls aus den Figuren 4A und 4B in der weiteren Betriebsstellung;

Figur 5A

schematisch eine perspektivische Ansicht eines herkömmlichen Rollstuhls;

Figur 5B

schematisch eine weitere perspektivische Ansicht des herkömmlichen Rollstuhls aus der Figur 5A mit demontiertem Sitz;

Figur 5C

schematisch eine perspektivische Ansicht des herkömmlichen Rollstuhls aus den Figuren 5A und 5B und eines nicht erfindungsgemäßen Nachrüstsatzes mit Sitz- und Rückenlehnenteile eines neuen Sitzes, mit einer Antriebseinrichtung umfassend eine Getriebeeinheit mit zwei Hebelarmelementen zum Antreiben von Rädern des Rollstuhls und der Sitz- und Rückenlehnenteile des neuen Sitzes;

Figur 5D

schematisch eine perspektivische Ansicht des herkömmlichen Rollstuhls aus den Figuren 5A, 5B und 5C in einem montierten betriebsbereiten Zustand;

Figur 6A

schematisch eine Ansicht des Getriebes der Antriebseinrichtungen;

Figur 6B

schematisch eine teilweise geschnittene Ansicht des Getriebes entlang einer Schnittlinie B-B; und

Figur 6C

schematisch eine weitere teilweise geschnittene Ansicht des Getriebes entlang einer Schnittlinie A-A.

In the drawing show:

Figure 1A

schematically a front view of a first hand-operated wheelchair with displaceable by a drive means seat and backrest parts in each case in a rest mode position in their middle positions;

FIG. 1B

schematically a plan view of the first hand-driven wheelchair from the Figure 1A in the resting mode position;

Figure 1C

schematically a perspective view of the first hand-operated wheelchair from the Figures 1A and 1B in the resting mode position;

FIG. 2A

schematically a front view of the first hand-operated wheelchair in a first operating position with different from the respective center position differently deflected seat and backrest parts;

FIG. 2B

schematically a plan view of the first hand-driven wheelchair from the FIG. 2A in the first operating position;

Figure 2C

schematically a perspective view of the first hand-operated wheelchair from the FIGS. 2A and 2B in the first operating position;

FIG. 3A

schematically a front view of a first hand-operated wheelchair with displaceable by a drive means seat and backrest parts in each case again in their middle layers;

FIG. 3B

schematically a plan view of the first hand-driven wheelchair from the FIG. 3A ;

FIG. 3C

schematically a perspective view of the first hand-operated wheelchair from the FIGS. 3A and 3B ;

FIG. 4A

schematically another front view of the first hand-operated wheelchair in a further operating position with oppositely deflected from the respective center position seat and backrest parts;

FIG. 4B

schematically a plan view of the first hand-driven wheelchair from the FIG. 4A in the further operating position;

FIG. 4C

schematically a perspective view of the first hand-operated wheelchair from the FIGS. 4A and 4B in the further operating position;

FIG. 5A

schematically a perspective view of a conventional wheelchair;

FIG. 5B

schematically another perspective view of the conventional wheelchair from the FIG. 5A with disassembled seat;

FIG. 5C

schematically a perspective view of the conventional wheelchair from the FIGS. 5A and 5B and a retrofit kit not according to the invention with seat and backrest parts of a new seat, with a drive device comprising a gear unit with two lever arm elements for driving wheels of the wheelchair and the seat and backrest parts of the new seat;

FIG. 5D

schematically a perspective view of the conventional wheelchair from the FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C in a mounted operational state;

FIG. 6A

schematically a view of the transmission of the drive means;

FIG. 6B

schematically a partially sectioned view of the transmission along a section line BB; and

FIG. 6C

schematically another partially sectioned view of the transmission along a section line AA.

The in the FIGS. 1 to 4 shown manual wheelchair 1 has a frame 2, a seat 3 and rear two drive wheels 4 and 5 and the front two smaller steering wheels 6 and 7 (see only Figures 1C . 2C . 3C . 4C ) on. The seat 3 consists essentially of a seat part 8 and a backrest part 9. The smaller steering wheels 6 and 7 are rotatably mounted on the frame 2 in each case about a vertical axis not shown here separately. The drive wheels 4, 5 each comprise a gripping tire 10 (numbered only by way of example), by means of which they can be manually rotated. Both drive wheels 4 and 5 have a common Radachsenelement 11 and are hereby rotatably mounted in the present case not shown bushings on the frame 2.

Alone by the arrangement of the seat part 8 and the backrest part 9, the seat 3 of the wheelchair 1 defines a seat direction 12 on the wheelchair 1, the seat direction 12 coinciding with the forward straight-ahead direction 13.

In addition, the wheelchair 1 has a drive device 15 for driving the two drive wheels 4 and 5.

The drive device 15 comprises two muscle-operated lever arm elements 16 and 17, which can be alternately pushed forward by the user of the wheelchair 1 manually in the seat direction 12 and manually retracted against the viewing direction 12.

In addition, the drive device 15 comprises a gear unit 20, which is placed below the seat 3 in the frame 2 of the wheelchair 1. This transmission unit 20 will also be described below in connection with the illustrations of Figures 6A, 6B and 6C described in more detail.

In any case, by means of the gear unit 20, the alternating manual drive movements of the two lever members 16 and 17 are transmitted to the Radachsenelement 11 so that the drive wheels 4 and 5 can rotate continuously in a direction of rotation and the wheelchair 1 thus moves, for example, in the forward straight ahead 13 can be.

In addition, these alternating manual drive movements of the two lever members 16 and 17 can be used according to the invention to relocate the seat part 8 and the backrest part 9 relative to the frame 2 in order to move the buttocks of sitting on the seat 3 user.

A drive of the drive wheels 4 and 5 by the movements of the seat 3 and the backrest part 9 is hereby excluded by a constructively designed according to the transmission unit 20.

For this purpose, the seat part 8 and the backrest part 9 are mounted by means of a seat suspension device 21 not shown in detail on the frame 2, that both the seat part 8 and the backrest part 9 to a Sitzteilmittenlage 22 and a Rückenlehnenteilmittenlage 23 (see FIGS. 1 and 3 ) are laterally deflectable.

Here, the seat part 8 is rotatably supported about a vertical axis 24. It can thus be deflected in a horizontal plane 25 with respect to its front end 26 and its rear end 27 with respect to the seat direction 12 radially 28 oscillating.

In addition, the seat part 8 could advantageously swing around a horizontal axis 24A, which is arranged in the horizontal plane 25 in the seat direction 12 in alignment, according to the Kipprichtungen 28A, so that the seat part 8 can also be tilted out of the horizontal plane 25 when the two lever members 16 and 17 are moved by hand. In this embodiment, this variant of the sake of completeness is indeed drawn, but is dispensed with this additional function to keep the wheelchair 1 structurally very simple.

The backrest part 9 is connected via a bracket member 29 with the seat suspension device 21 such that it is deflected laterally in the deflection of the seat part 8 about the vertical axis 24 from its backrest part center position 23.

In this embodiment, the backrest part 9 always moves laterally opposite to the direction in which the rear end 27 of the seat part 8 is deflected, whereby the buttocks and the lower back of the user are moved accordingly.

So that the backrest part 9 is stable and well guided even under load, it is additionally supported by slide elements 30 and 31 on a curved cross-member element 32 of the frame 2.

In this respect, the backrest part 9 is additionally mounted radially displaceably on the frame 2 along a curved cam track 33.

While the wheelchair 1 according to the representations of FIGS. 1 is in a rest mode position 34, in which the seat part 8 in the Sitzteilmittenlage 22 and the backrest part 9 are in the Rückenlehnenteilmittenlage 23, the wheelchair 1 according to the representations of Figures 2 shown in a first operating position 35, in which the left lever member 17 is pushed forward in the seat direction 12 and the right lever member 16 is pulled back accordingly against the seat direction 12. Here, the seat part 8 is rotated about the vertical axis 24 and with its rear end 27 in the direction of the right lever arm member 16 from the Sitzteilmittenlage 22 out. Accordingly, the backrest part 9 is deflected out of its backrest part center layer 23 out in the direction of the left lever arm element 17.

According to the representations of Figures 3 the wheelchair 1 is shown again in the idle mode position 34.

If the right lever arm element 16 is then pressed forward in the seat direction 12 and the left lever arm element 17 is pulled backwards against the seating direction 12, the rear end 27 of the seat part 8 pivots in the direction of the left lever arm element 17 and the backrest part 9 in the direction of the right lever arm element 16 Accordingly, the wheelchair 1 is in a further operating position 36, as shown in the illustrations of FIGS. 4 shown.

Subsequently, this process can be repeated, wherein both the seat part 8 and the backrest part 9 again swing through the middle layers 22 and 23, respectively.

The transmission unit 20 already mentioned above comprises a housing, not shown here, for protecting the individual transmission components (see in particular FIG FIGS. 6 ).

These transmission components comprise two rotatably driven input shaft elements 40 and 41, each with an outer pin 42 and 43, to each of which one of the two lever arm members 16 and 17 is rotatably mounted. In this respect, movements of the two lever arm elements 16 and 17 can be transmitted to the corresponding input shaft element 40 or 41.

In addition, the transmission components comprise a rotatably driven output shaft member 44 for driving the seat part 8 and the backrest part 9. The rotatably driven output shaft member 44 has an outer pin 45 on which on the one hand the bracket member 29 with a corresponding hub member (not shown) is fixed. In this respect, firstly rotational movements of the rotatably driven output shaft element 44 can be transmitted directly to the backrest part 9. On the other hand corresponds to this outer pin 45 an eccentric (not shown) of the seat suspension device 21 such that secondly by means of the rotational movements of the rotatably driven output shaft member 44, the seat part 8 can be deflected corresponding to the vertical axis 24. The vertical axis 24 is different from a vertical axis of rotation 46 about which rotatably driven output shaft member 44 rotates. In this respect, the vertical axis 24 and the vertical axis of rotation 46 do not coincide.

Furthermore, the transmission components comprise a continuously rotating driven output shaft member 47 for driving the drive wheels 4 and 5. The continuously rotating driven output shaft member 47 carries this a sprocket gear 48 for driving a chain 49, by means of which in turn the rotational movements of the continuously rotating driven output shaft member 47 on a pinion 50 of the Radachsenelements 11 can be transmitted. The pinion 50 is advantageously seated directly on a housing shell 51 of a differential part 52 of the Radachsenelements 11, whereby the Radachsenelements 11 builds very compact overall. With the differential part 52 a very good cornering of the wheelchair 1 is guaranteed.

The continuously rotating driven output shaft member 47 is located together with the two input shaft elements 40 and 41 on a common input shaft axis of rotation 55. Namely, the continuously circumferentially driven output shaft member 47 for this purpose each with a freewheel device 56 and 57 (see Figure 6C) with the respective input shaft member 40th or 41 operatively connected. For this purpose, the two freewheel devices 56 and 57 are seated on bearing seat regions 58 and 59 of the continuously rotating output shaft member 47, wherein the bearing seat portion 58 is supported within a bushing portion 60 of the first input shaft member 40 and the bearing seat portion 59 within a bushing portion 61 of the second input shaft member 41.

The two freewheel devices 56 and 57 are selected in this embodiment such that with them from the muscle-operated lever arm elements 16 and 17 respectively to the two input shaft elements 40 and 41 initiated driving forces can be transmitted directly to the continuously rotating driven output shaft member 47 when the muscle-operated lever arm elements 16 and 17 are manually pressed by the user each in the sitting direction 12 forward.

However, if the user withdraws, for example, the muscle-operated lever arm element 16 backwards against the seating direction 12, no driving forces can be transmitted directly from the input shaft element 40 to the continuously rotating output shaft element 47 due to the freewheel effect of the freewheel device 56. Rather, the transmission of forces from the input shaft member 40 via a bevel gear 64 to the input shaft member 41 and from there via the freewheel device 57 to the continuously circulating driven output shaft member 47th

In this respect, it is generally particularly advantageous in connection with the transmission 20 of the wheelchair 1, if a relevant transmission of manual drive forces via a component component of the rotatably driven output shaft member 44 for driving parts 8 and 9 of the seat 3 takes place.

In this respect, it is ensured by means of the two free-wheel devices 56 and 57 that the output shaft element 47, which can be driven continuously in a continuous manner, only in one circumferential direction 62 (see FIG FIG. 6B ), while the rotatably driven output shaft member 44 compellingly follows the forward and backward movements of the two muscle operated lever members 16 and 17 in both directions through the bevel gear 64, thereby forcing a torsional vibration 65 about the vertical rotation axis 46.

This circulation direction 62 allows movement of the wheelchair 1, in particular in the straight-ahead direction 13. In order to drive backwards with the wheelchair 1, the drive wheels 4 and 5 can be actuated correspondingly manually via the grip tires 10.

The two freewheel devices 56 and 57 are each supported in this embodiment by means of roller or needle bearings.

The bevel gear 64 consists essentially of a Ausgangskegelradelement 65 of the rotatably driven output shaft member 44 and each a Eingangskegelradelement 66 of the first input shaft member 40 and a Eingangskegelradelement 67 of the second input shaft member 41st

The Ausgangskegelradelement 65 is fixed on the rotatably driven output shaft member 44 by means of a clamping set not shown here in detail and the Eingangskegelradelemente 66 and 67 are respectively glued to the respective input shaft member 40 and 41. It is understood that the bevel gear elements 65, 66 and 67 may alternatively also be shrunk.

The Ausgangskegelradelement 65 is always with the two Eingangskegelradelementen 66 and 67 in engagement, whereby the structure of the gear unit 20 is structurally simple and robust.

In addition, the Ausgangskegelradelement 65 meshes with the two Eingangskegelradelementen 66 and 67 on a side facing the seat, so that the rotatably driven output shaft member 44 structurally simple directly with the components of the seat suspension device 21 can be mechanically connected.

And while the two input shaft elements 40 and 41 are each mounted with a ball bearing device 68 and 69 in the housing (not shown) of the gear unit 20, the output shaft member 44 is mounted with another ball bearing device 70 also in this housing.

In this respect, with the gear unit 20 described above, an extremely compactly constructed drive device 15 is provided, by means of which not only factory-built wheelchairs 1 can be equipped.

Advantageously, there is also the possibility, with a corresponding retrofit kit 80 conventional wheelchairs 101, as exemplified in the FIGS. 5A to 5C shown is to retrofit.

So that is in the FIG. 5A shown conventional wheelchair 101 in approximately the same as in the FIGS. 1 to 4 In this respect, the conventional wheelchair 101 has a frame 102, which, however, is hinged, a seat 103 and two drive wheels 104 and 105 and two smaller steering wheels 106 and 107th

From this conventional wheelchair 101, as shown FIG. 5B the seat 3 dismantled and then removed and replaced by the retrofit kit 80, which includes a complete drive means 115.

Since the drive device 115 is almost identical to the drive device 15 of the wheelchair 1, the components of the drive device 115 are provided with identical reference numerals. A new functional description is omitted in order to avoid repetition. Rather, in this regard, the figure description of FIGS. 1 to 4 and specifically with regard to the structure of the transmission unit 20 is on the FIGS. 6 directed.

In this respect, the drive device 115 of the retrofit kit 80 includes the seat suspension device 21, by means of which the seat part 8 and the backrest part 9 of the seat 3 is displaceable relative to the frame 102. Accordingly, also in the Retrofit kit 80, the transmission 20 mechanically coupled to the seat suspension device 21 in the manner described above or operatively connected. To drive the drive device 115, the two muscle-operated lever arm elements 16 and 17 are again provided. And the drive wheels 104, 105 are connected by the Radachsenelement 11 with the drive means 115.

It is understood that the embodiments described above are only first embodiments of a wheelchair according to the invention and a retrofit kit. In this respect, the embodiment of the invention is not limited to these embodiments.

All disclosed in the application documents features are claimed as essential to the invention, provided they are new individually or in combination over the prior art.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

wheelchair

2

frame

3

Seat

4

right drive wheel

5

left drive wheel

6

right steering wheel

7

left steering wheel

8th

seat part

9

Backrest part

10

handrims

11

Radachsenelement

12

seat direction

13

Straight travel direction

15

driving means

16

right lever arm elements

17

left lever arm elements

20

gear unit

21

Seat suspension system

22

Squab center position

23

Backrest portion center position

24

vertical axis

24A

Horizontal axis

25

WL

26

front end

27

rear end

28

radial

28A

tilt directions

29

bracket element

30

first carriage element

31

second carriage element

32

Cross cross element

33

cam track

34

Quiescent operating positions

35

first operating position

36

further operating position

40

first input shaft element

41

second input shaft element

42

first outer pin

43

second outer pin

44

rotatably driven output shaft element

45

another outer pin

46

Vertical axis of rotation

47

continuously rotatable drivable output shaft element

48

Chain sprocket

49

Chain

50

pinion

51

shell

52

differential part

55

Input shaft axis of rotation

56

first freewheel device

57

second freewheel device

58

first bearing seat area

59

second bearing seat area

60

connector panel

61

connector panel

62

direction of rotation

64

Kegelradverbindung

65

Ausgangskegelradelement

66

first input bevel wheel element

67

second input bevel wheel element

68

first ball bearing device

69

second ball bearing device

70

further ball bearing device

80

retrofit kit

101

conventional wheelchair

102

frame

103

Seat

104

right drive wheel

105

left drive wheel

106

right steering wheel

107

left steering wheel

115

driving means

Claims (9)

1. Wheelchair (1 ; 101) with a frame (2 ; 102), with a seat (3 ; 103) comprising a seat element (8) for a person to sit on as well as a backrest element (9), with wheels (4, 5, 6, 7; 104, 105, 106, 107) for rolling the wheelchair (1; 101) and with a drive device (15; 115) for driving at least one of the wheels (4, 5; 104, 105), wherein the seat (3; 103) and the wheels (4, 5, 6, 7; 104, 105, 106, 107) are fastened to the frame (2; 102), the drive device (15; 115) being mechanically coupled with the seat element (8) and/or with the backrest element (9) in such a way that the seat element (8) and/or the backrest element (9) is displaceable with respect to the frame (2; 102) by means of the drive device (15; 115) to render possible moving a backside of the person sitting on the seat (3), wherein the seat element (8) is supported on the frame (2; 102) by a seat suspension device (21) in such a way that it is deflectable sideways around a seat element centre position (22) by means of the drive device (15; 115) and/or in such a way that it is rotatable by means of the drive device (15; 115) around a vertical axis (24) and/or around a horizontal axis (24A), which is arranged aligned with a seat direction (12) of the seat (3; 103),
   characterized in that
   the seat element (8) and/or the backrest element (9) are/is operatively connected to the drive device (15, 115) while avoiding a generating of drive forces acting on the wheels (4, 5, 6, 7; 104, 105, 106, 107), wherein the seat element (8) and/or the backrest element (9) present/presents neither an exclusive nor an additional drive element for driving the wheels (4, 5; 104, 105).
2. Wheelchair (1; 101) according to claim 1,
   characterized in that
   the backrest element (9) is deflectable sideways, transversely to the seat direction (12), around a backrest element centre position (23) by means of the drive device (15; 115).
3. Wheelchair (1; 101) according to one of claims 1 or 2,
   characterized in that
   the drive device (15; 115) comprises at least one muscle-driven lever arm element (16; 116), by means of which at least one of the wheels (4, 5; 104, 105) and the the seat element (8) and/or the backrest element (9) are manually drivable.
4. Wheelchair (1; 101) according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that
   the drive device (15; 115) comprises a drive unit (20) with two rotationally oscillatingly drivable input shaft elements (40, 41) and with a rotationally oscillatingly drivable output shaft element (44) for driving at least the seat element (8) and with a continually circulatingly drivable output shaft element (47) for driving at least one of the wheels (4, 5; 104, 105).
5. Wheelchair (1; 101) according to claim 4,
   characterized in that
   the rotationally oscillatingly drivable input shaft elements (40, 41) are arranged operatively connected to the output shaft elements (44, 47) in such a way that, on the one hand, the seat element (8) and/or the backrest element (9) of the seat (3) are oscillatingly drivable by said input shaft elements (40, 41) and, on the other hand, a wheel axle element (11) of the wheelchair (1; 101) is drivable in a continuously circulating fashion by said input shaft elements (40, 41).
6. Wheelchair (1; 101) according to claim 4 or 5,
   characterized in that
   the two rotationally oscillatingly drivable input shaft elements (40, 41) are arranged operatively connected, on the one hand, to the rotationally oscillatingly drivable output shaft element (44) via respective bevel wheel elements and, on the other hand, to the continuously circulatingly drivable output shaft element (47) via a respective free-wheeling device (56, 57).
7. Wheelchair (1; 101) according to one of claims 4 to 6,
   characterized in that
   an output bevel wheel element (65) of the rotationally oscillatingly drivable output shaft element (44) cogs simultaneously with a respective input bevel wheel element (66, 67) of the two rotationally oscillatingly drivable input shaft elements (40, 41).
8. Wheelchair (1; 101) according to one of claims 4 to 7,
   characterized in that
   the rotationally oscillatingly drivable output shaft element (44) comprises an output bevel wheel element (65), and the continuously circulatingly drivable output shaft element (47) comprises a chain pinion element (48).
9. Wheelchair (1; 101) according to one of claims 4 to 8,
   characterized in that
   at least one muscle force driven lever arm element (16) is arranged at the two rotationally oscillatingly drivable input shaft elements (40, 41).

Images