EP3764967A1

EP3764967A1 - Wheelchair

Info

Publication number: EP3764967A1
Application number: EP19710767.5A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Jean-Pierre Aubert
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Np Technologies Holding Sarl
Priority date: 2018-03-15
Filing date: 2019-03-04
Publication date: 2021-01-20
Anticipated expiration: 2039-03-04
Also published as: FR3078885A1; EP3764967B1; WO2019175653A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to wheelchairs. The wheelchair according to the invention has a support frame 10, two wheels 21, 22 mounted rotatably with respect to the frame 10, an energy source 30, two electric motors 23, 24 coupled respectively to the two wheels 21, 22, these motors having two directions of rotation, two reversers 41, 42, each reverser having a reverser part 101 and a reverser part 102, these two reverser parts being movable with respect to each other, the two reversers 41, 42 being interposed in series between the source 30 and the inputs 25, 26 of the two electric motors 23, 24, one reverser part 101 having two contact poles 43, 44, and the other reverser part 102 having a lever 45, the two reverser parts being able to be displaced with respect to each other in such a way that the lever, starting from a rest position, can come into contact with one or other of the two poles 43, 44, means 53 for securely mounting the reverser part 101 on the frame 10, and means 50 for controlling the displacement of the reverser part 102 with respect to the reverser part 101, so as to bring the lever 45 into contact with one or other of the two poles 43, 44, depending on the rotation that is desired for the motors 23, 24.

Description

WHEELCHAIR

The present invention relates to wheelchairs which find a particularly advantageous application for the movement of people with severe disabilities, including with the help of a third person, and to help the latter to move the chair.

It is already known wheelchairs that have controllable means to move and drive. These means, such as control devices known as "joysticks", are available to the disabled person who can handle them himself, provided that it is physically and / or intellectually capable.

Such armchairs are for example described and illustrated in US5778996 and US8132634.

If this is not the case, so that the disabled person can still move, if only for example to walk, the chair is driven by a third person. It is also possible that the floor on which the chair must be moved is not very rolling, or even that the third person is not strong enough to push the chair, which limits the possibilities of movement of the chair.

Also, the present invention is intended to provide a wheelchair that helps a third person to move and drive.

More specifically, the subject of the present invention is a wheelchair comprising:

• a support frame with a seat to receive a person,

• at least two wheels,

Means for mounting said two wheels in rotation relative to the frame respectively in two substantially parallel planes,

• a source of energy,

_• two electric motors controllable from respective control inputs connected to said power source, said two electric motors being respectively coupled to the two wheels to drive them in rotation and being able to be controlled in two directions of rotation,

Two inverters, each inverter having two connection positions and having a first invertor part and a second invertor part movable relative to each other, the two inverters being interposed in series between said energy source and respectively the respective control inputs of the two electric motors, one of the two inverter parts having two contact poles and the other inverter part comprising a lever constituted by an elastic strip, the two said inverter parts being adapted to be controlled in displacement one by supply to the other so that the handle can come from a rest position, in contact with one of two poles or with the other,

Means for fixedly mounting the first inverter part of each inverter on said chassis, and

Means for controlling the displacement of the second inverter part of each inverter relative to the first inverter part so as to bring said handle into contact with one or the other of the two poles according to the direction of rotation which is desired for said two motors, said means for controlling the displacement of the second inverter part of each inverter relative to the first part comprising a tube, means for fixing this second inverter part of each inverter to tube and means for mounting this tube in displacement relative to the first inverter portion of each inverter, the means for fixing a first end of each lamella on the tube so that the second end of the blade is located in the rest position, between the two poles and without contact with them having a sleeve slidably mounted substantially congruent inside the tube, said sleeve comprises nt a slot in which is fixed the first end of the slat, characterized in that said tube is arranged so that its two ends surround in free movement, at least partially, the first inverter part of each inverter.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description given with reference to the accompanying drawings, by way of illustration but in no way limiting, in which:

FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view of an embodiment of the wheelchair according to the invention,

FIG. 2 is a block diagram, in accordance with FIG. 1, making it possible to explain the functional structure of the wheelchair according to the invention,

FIG. 3 is a cut-away and perspective view of an essential constituent element of the wheelchair according to the invention in accordance with FIGS. 1 and 2, and

Figure 4 a diagram for explaining the operation and use of the wheelchair according to the invention, in accordance with the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 to 3.

It is firstly noted that the figures represent a preferred embodiment of the object according to the invention, but that there may be other embodiments that meet the definition of this invention.

It is also specified that, when, according to the definition of the invention, the subject of the invention comprises "at least one" element having a given function, the embodiment described may comprise several of these elements. Conversely, if the embodiment of the object according to the invention as illustrated has several elements of identical function and if, in the description, it is not specified that the object according to this invention must obligatorily comprise a number particular of these elements, the object of the invention may be defined as comprising "at least one" of these elements.

Lastly, it is specified that when, in the present description, an expression defines, by itself, without a specific particular mention concerning it, a set of structural characteristics, these characteristics can be taken, for the definition of the object of the protection requested, when technically possible, either separately or in full and / or partial combination.

It is also stated that, in the present description, if the adverb "substantially" is associated with a given qualifier, this qualifier must be understood in the strict sense or approached.

With reference to the appended figures, the present invention relates to a wheelchair for a disabled person.

The wheelchair according to the invention comprises a support frame 10 with a seat 11 for receiving a person, at least two wheels 21, 22, and means for mounting these two wheels 21, 22 in rotation relative to the frame 10 respectively in two substantially parallel shots.

These two wheels can be of any type, preferably pneumatic as shown in Figure 1. But they could be, for example, chenille type or the like.

The chair further comprises a power source 30 and two electric motors 23, 24 controllable from respective control inputs 25, 26 connected to the energy source 30, for example a rechargeable battery, these two electric motors being respectively coupled to the two wheels 21, 22 to drive them in rotation and being able to be controlled in two directions of rotation.

All the means described above are well known in the prior art and will therefore not be more fully defined here, for the sole purpose of simplifying the present description.

According to a characteristic of the invention, the chair further comprises two inverters of the electric type, known in themselves, 41, 42, each inverter having two connection positions and having a first inverter portion 101 and a second portion of the inverter. inverter 102, these two inverter parts being movable relative to each other. These two inverters 41, 42 are interposed in series, FIG. 2, between the energy source 30 and respectively the respective control inputs 25, 26 of the two electric motors 23, 24, One of the two inverter parts 101 has two contact poles 43, 44 and the other inverter portion 102 has a handle 45, the two inverter parts being able to be controlled in displacement one by supply to the other so that the lever can come from a rest position (in which it is not in contact with one or the other of the two poles), in contact with one two poles 43, 44 or with the other.

Means 53 are also provided for fixedly mounting the first inverter part 101 of each inverter on the chassis 10 via fastening means 12 schematically illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4, and means 50 for controlling the displacement of the second inverter part 102 of each inverter relative to the first inverter part so as to bring the lever 45 into contact with one or other of the two poles 43, 44.

For example, the fixing means 53 mentioned above may consist of tabs, angles or the like and, as illustrated, hollow bends 53-1, 53-2 forming an integral part of the frame 10 via the fastening means 12, as shown in FIG. those illustrated in Figures 1, 3 and 4.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the means 50 for controlling the displacement of the second inverter part 102 of each inverter 41, 42 relative to the first part 101 comprise a tube 51, on which a valid person can act by push or traction, as will be explained hereinafter, means 53 for fixing this second inverter portion 102 of each inverter 41, 42 to the tube 51, and means for mounting the tube in displacement relative to the first inverter portion 101 of each inverter.

The tube 51 may be made of any material, preferably of an electrical insulating material such as plastic, or even of a metallic material, but taking care to provide, if necessary according to the structure of the inverters, insulators between the tube and the inverters.

Preferably the second inverter portion 102 of each inverter 41, 42 having a handle 45 and this lever being constituted by an elastic blade, are provided means 52-1, 52-2 for fixing a first end of each strip on the tube 51 so that the second end of the strip is, in the rest position, that is that is to say when no force (manual or otherwise) is exerted on the tube 51 relative to one of the two parts of inverter, located between the two poles 43, 44 and without contact with them. These means 52-1, 52-2 comprise a sleeve mounted to slide substantially congruently inside the tube, the sleeve having a slot in which is fixed the first end of the blade 45.

In addition, preferably, tube 51 is arranged so that its two ends freely, at least partially or completely, respectively surround the inverter portion 101 of each inverter 41, 42, FIG.

Very preferably, the means for mounting the tube 51 in displacement relative to the first inverter portion 101, of each inverter comprise elastic means able to act elastically directly or indirectly on the tube relative to the frame in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tube 51.

These elastic means able to act along a perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tube 51 can be constituted in several ways, for example as illustrated by at least one annular seal 58 made of a material of very low elasticity, for example foam, interposed between the first portion 101 of each inverter and the inner wall of the tube 51.

Such annular seals 58 made of an elastic material are therefore capable of being crushed in a diametral direction by application of a force, in particular transmitted by the tube 51, and to return to their initial state when this force is canceled. These seals may furthermore constitute means for preventing impurities, dusts or the like from entering the inverters and / or the tube 51.

However, according to a more preferred embodiment, while maintaining the annular seals 58 in their protective function as defined above, the elastic means able to act along a perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tube 51 consist of the lamella resilient 45 itself and means for securing the second end of the lamella to the inverter portion 101, which is fixed to the frame, having the two contact poles 43, 44 so that the lamella portion between its first and second ends passes between these two poles 43, 44.

The means for securing the second end of the lamella to the inverter part 101 concerned may be constituted by two lugs 103, 104 made of electrically insulating material and integral with this inverter part, which firmly pinch the second end of the coverslip. This embodiment has not been specifically illustrated, but is relatively visible in the magnifying effect part Lo in FIG.

In this way, when no force is exerted on the tube, the blade is not subjected to any elastic deformation, it is in the rest position and is not in contact with either of the two Poles 43, 44.

In this way too, if, for example, forces are applied on the tube 51 both perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tube and to the direction in which the inverters act (this direction is advantageously chosen so that it is parallel to the rolling plane of the chair and perpendicular to the plane of the slat), that is to say if the third person presses the tube 51 in the plane of the slat 45, no command is sent to the motors (the slats are moving between poles 43, 44 without coming into contact with them). The tube 51 can be used as a simple handle, without the engines consume energy from the source 30.

According to an advantageous embodiment, such as that illustrated in the appended figures, the tube 51 consists of two half-tubes 51-1, 51-2 and means 60 for abutting them one to the other. substantially coaxial.

These means 60 are advantageously constituted by a housing, the electronic control circuit of the motors then being at least partially housed in this housing. As for the means for connecting the energy source 30 to the two electric motors 23, 24, they are constituted by wire links via the electronic circuit, the wire links passing inside the half-tubes 51 -1, 51- 2. According to another preferred embodiment, the chair further comprises means 200 for determining the intensity of the force exerted on the slats to control the speed of rotation of the motors.

These means 200, very schematically illustrated in FIG. 3, comprise, for example, force sensors (or strain gauges), four in number, two per inverter, these sensors being capable of outputting signals which are a function of the force which is exerted on the tube 51 and therefore on the lamellae, and an electronic control circuit which processes these signals to control the motors so as to modulate their rotational speed according to the value of the intensity of the electrical signal delivered by the sensors . Such an electronic control circuit is in the field of the art in the field of electronics and will not be further defined here, always for the sole purpose of simplifying the present description.

Similarly, it is preferable that the motors 23, 24 are brushless motors known in themselves and designated by the technicians in the terminology of "brushless".

These brushless motors themselves comprise control elements to rotate them in one direction or the other and elements to modulate their rotational speed.

The structure of the wheelchair according to the invention, a preferred embodiment of which is described above, namely in the case where the second parts 102 of the inverters comprising the handles are integral with the tube 51 as illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4, makes it easy to obtain the goals defined in the preamble of the present description. However, it is clearly specified that the embodiment opposite to that illustrated in the figures is possible, namely with the handles (second parts of inverter 102) integral with the frame 10 and the first inverter parts 101 fixed on the tube 51.

Indeed, the wheelchair as described above can be used as follows:

So that the valid third party can easily drive the chair, it is sufficient for him to push or pull on the tube 51 in the plane of the direction in which the inverters act, according to combinations of the four arrows A, BC and D (Figure 4) which schematically illustrate the four possible forces.

For example :

(i) by exerting two identical forces according to the pair of arrows C-D or A-B, it is possible, thanks to the force sensors, to accelerate the movement of the chair, either forwards or backwards.

(ii) by exerting a force according to one of the arrows A to D, it is possible to rotate the chair by acting only the motor associated with it, the chair then pivoting around the wheel whose engine does not is not controlled.

(iii) by exerting two antagonistic forces according to the arrows A-D or B-C, it is possible to obtain the pivoting of the chair with a radius of curvature smaller than that obtained during the command according to item (ii) above.

These maneuvers facilitate the driving of the wheelchair by the third person accompanying who is positioned at the rear of the chair to grasp and manipulate the tube 51 is presented, as illustrated, in the form of an ergonomic touch handle that allows this third person to act in a two-handed, safe and comfortable way.

This practical armchair will allow disabled people who are entirely dependent or not, generalized accessibility without limitation or restriction to all areas of life: social life, education, schooling for young children and adolescents, adapted jobs, recreation and culture for adults.

It also finds its place in places where disabled people with reduced mobility or autonomous or autonomous mobility must be moved or move on medium or long journeys, whatever the quality of the soil on which these journeys must be made (obviously in certain limits, however).

Claims

1. Wheelchair comprising:

A support frame (10) with a seat (11) for receiving a person,

At least two wheels (21, 22),

Means for mounting said two wheels (21, 22) in rotation relative to the frame (10) respectively in two substantially parallel planes,

• a source of energy (30),

Two electric motors (23, 24) controllable from respective control inputs (25, 26) connected to said energy source (30), said two electric motors being respectively coupled to the two wheels (21, 22) for rotate them and being able to be controlled in two directions of rotation,

Two inverters (41, 42), each inverter having two connection positions and having a first inverter portion (101) and a second inverter part (102) movable relative to each other, both inverters (41, 42) being interposed in series between said power source (30) and the respective control inputs (25, 26) of the two electric motors (23, 24), one of the two inverter parts (101), ) having two contact poles (43, 44) and the other inverter part (102) comprising a lever (45) consisting of an elastic lamella, both said inverter parts being able to be controlled in displacement. one supply to the other so that the lever can come from a rest position, in contact with one of two poles (43, 44) or with the other,

Means (53) for fixedly mounting the first inverter portion (101) of each inverter to said frame (10), and

Means (50) for controlling the movement of the second inverter portion (102) of each inverter (41, 42) relative to the first inverter portion to cause said controller (45) to contact of one or other of the two poles (43, 44) according to the direction of rotation which is desired for said two motors (23, 24), said means (50) for controlling the displacement of the second part inverter (102) of each inverter (41, 42) relative to the first portion (101) having a tube (51), means (53) for securing the second inverter portion (102) of each inverter ( 41, 42) to the tube (51) and means for mounting said tube in displacement relative to the first inverter portion (101) of each inverter, the means for fixing a first end of each leaflet to the tube (51) so that the second end of the lamella is located, in the rest position, between the two poles (43, 44) and without contact with them having a sleeve slidably mounted substantially congruent within the tube, said sleeve having a slit in which is fixed the first end of the slat (45), characterized in that said tube is arranged so that its two ends loosely surround, at least partially, the first inverter portion (101) of each inverter (41, 42).

2. Armchair according to claim 1, characterized in that the means for mounting said tube in displacement relative to the first inverter part (101) of each inverter comprise elastic means able to act elastically on said tube relative to the frame, in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of this tube (51).

3. Armchair according to claim 2, characterized in that the resilient means adapted to act along a perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tube (51) are constituted by said elastic strip (45) and means for securing the second end of said lamella on the inverter portion (101) having the two contact poles (43, 44) so that the lamella portion between its first and second ends passes between these two poles (43, 44).

4. Armchair according to claim 3, characterized in that the resilient means adapted to act along a perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tube (51) consist of at least one annular seal (58) made of a material of very low elasticity interposed between the first part of each inverter and the inner wall of the tube.

5. Armchair according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that said tube (51) consists of two half-tubes (51-1, 51-2) and means (60) to abut them one by one. another substantially coaxially.

6. Armchair according to claim 5, characterized in that said means (60) for abutting the two half-tubes substantially coaxially are constituted by a housing, a portion of the electronic control circuit of the motors being housed in said housing, and that the means for connecting said power source (30) to the two electric motors (23, 24) are constituted by wire links via said electronic circuit, said wire links passing inside said half-tubes (51). 1, 51-2).

7. Armchair according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that it further comprises means (200) for determining the intensity of the force exerted on said lamellae to control the speed of rotation of the motors.

8. Chair according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said motors (23, 24) are brushless motors.