EP3831239A1 - Individual passenger transport device and method for operating an individual passenger transport device - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an individual passenger transport device (1) with a carrying container (2) which can be worn on the body of a user (3) and in which a transport means (5) intended and designed for passenger transport is stowed in a transport position at least in some areas. It is provided that the passenger transport device (1) is provided and designed to move the transport means (5) at least partially automatically and without the user (3) having to put down the carrying case (2) and / or without a spatial position of the carrying case (2) shifting the changing movement of the user (3) from the transport position into a position of use in which the transport means (5) for transporting the user (3) is arranged. The invention also relates to a method for operating an individual passenger transport device (1).

Description

The invention relates to an individual passenger transport device with a carrying container which can be worn on the body of a user and in which a transport means provided and designed for passenger transport is stowed in a transport position at least in some areas. The invention also relates to a method for operating an individual passenger transport device.

From the prior art, for example, is the document EP 3 357 371 A1 known. This describes a rucksack carrying system for hands-free back transport of a bicycle with a frame equipped with shoulder straps and a bicycle holder for securing the bicycle to the frame, the bicycle holder comprising a first and a second anchorage that are spatially separated from one another.

The publication also describes US 8,454,031 B2 a carrying device with the ability to be converted into a wheeled land vehicle. Further carrying devices can be found in the publications US 2012/0286011 A1 , US 2002/0104863 A1 , US 2017/0196346 A1 as WO 2012/016899 A1 known.

It is the object of the invention to propose an individual passenger transport device which has advantages over known individual passenger transport devices, in particular ensures a high degree of mobility for the user, namely by quickly providing the means of transport from the carrier and at least optionally also quickly stowing the means of transport in the carrier.

According to the invention, this is achieved with an individual passenger transport device having the features of claim 1. It is provided that the passenger transport device is provided and designed to move the means of transport at least partially automatically and without the user having to lower the carrier and / or without a movement of the user that changes a spatial position of the carrier from the transport position into a position of use in which the means of transport is arranged for transporting the user.

The passenger transport device is provided and designed as an individual passenger transport device and consequently serves the personal mobility of the user, that is to say the at least temporary transport of the user. For this purpose, the passenger transport device has the means of transport, which is provided and designed to transport the user, as well as the carrying container or transport container connected in particular to the means of transport. To carry out the transport, the means of transport preferably has one or more wheels, so it is designed, for example, as a means of transport with wheels. The means of transport is designed for the transportation of people by the user. For example, for this purpose it has a seat and / or a standing area for the user. The means of transport is a means of transport that is portable or at least temporarily carried by the user and accordingly preferably has a low weight, which enables the means of transport to be carried by the user. For example, the weight of the passenger transport device, which has at least the transport container and the means of transport, is a maximum of 20 kg, a maximum of 15 kg, a maximum of 10 kg or a maximum of 5 kg. The means of transport is particularly preferably used to carry out an independent or autonomous driving operation. This means that the means of transport can be operated independently or autonomously and accordingly transports the user at least temporarily or even permanently during the driving operation with as little as possible or even completely without his intervention.

In order to be able to handle the means of transport extremely simply and flexibly, it is at least temporarily arranged in the carrying container, namely at least in some areas or even completely. The carrying container is designed to at least partially accommodate the means of transport. The user carries the means of transport at least temporarily by means of the carrying case or in the carrying case, in particular in the context of normal movement of the user, for example walking on foot. For example, the user arranges the means of transport in the carrying case and carries it in this if the means of transport cannot be used at the moment, for example due to a surface that is not suitable for the means of transport and / or due to insufficient space and / or environmental conditions for the means of transport and / or legal requirements that do not allow the use of the means of transport on site. This makes it possible for the user, for example, to carry the means of transport in another means of transport or when using it, for example in a means of passenger transport, such as an elevator, an escalator or a passenger car, a public means of transport, such as a bus, train, railroad or Hyperloop, or the like. On the other hand, it is the use of the means of transport possible and desired for transporting the user, the means of transport is shifted out of the transport position and brought into the use position. For this purpose, the means of transport is at least partially deployed from the carrying container and / or removed from it. In the use position, the means of transport is ready to transport the user, that is to say to carry out the driving operation, and is arranged accordingly for this purpose.

In known passenger transport devices, in preparation for using the means of transport for passenger transport, the user must first set down the carrying container, remove the means of transport therefrom and usually bring it into a ready-to-use state, for example by assembling the means of transport. This, and in particular the space and time required for it, is omitted in the case of the passenger transport device described here. This is designed in such a way that it shifts the means of transport at least partially automatically from the transport position to the use position, namely without the user having to put down the carrying case and / or without making a movement that changes the spatial position of the carrying case. In particular, the user carries the carrier on his body, preferably on his back, and the means of transport is shifted from the transport position to the use position without the carrier moving relative to the user or at least moving to a relevant extent and / or the user not having his Position changed or at least changed significantly. In other words, during the shift from the transport position to the use position, the means of transport is shifted both with respect to the carrier and with respect to the user, whereas the carrier is stationary with respect to the user and / or the position and / or posture of the user remains unchanged.

The carrying case is preferably in a transport position with respect to the user, while the means of transport is in the transport position with respect to the carrying case, that is to say before the means of transport is shifted from the transport position into the position of use. During the displacement of the transport means from the transport position into the use position, the transport container remains in the transport position with respect to the user. It is particularly preferred that the user does not need to intervene in order to shift the means of transport from the transport position into the use position, in particular after the shift has first been initiated. The shifting of the means of transport from the transport position into the use position takes place without interaction of the user or without intervention by the user. That means that the user is motionless respectively during the shift can remain motionless or does so. It is therefore not necessary for the user to move which is aimed at changing the spatial position of the carrier in order to enable the transport means to be displaced from the transport position to the use position, and such a movement is also preferably omitted. The passenger transport device is designed in such a way that the transport means is shifted from the transport position into the use position without the user undertaking such a movement that changes the spatial position of the carrier. Of course, such a movement is not excluded, but not necessary for successfully relocating the means of transport. Incidentally, the spatial position is preferably to be understood as an absolute position of the carrying container in space, for example with respect to the ground.

The semiautomatic displacement of the means of transport is to be understood as meaning that the means of transport is automatically shifted, namely over at least part of the movement of the means of transport from the transport position to the position of use. The means of transport is shifted from the transport position to the use position without separating the means of transport from the carrying case, so that the means of transport is permanently connected to the carrying case, in particular mechanically and / or electrically.

The means of transport is preferably permanently connected to the carrying container, in particular also while it is arranged in the position of use. The connection between the means of transport and the carrying case is preferably made during the displacement of the means of transport from the transport position to the use position, while the means of transport is then in the use position and during a subsequent displacement of the means of transport from the use position back into the transport position.

The means of transport and the carrying case are to be seen as an integrated functional unit. Since the carrier is carried by the user on the body, even while the means of transport is in the use position, a position of the user with respect to the means of transport is stabilized or even fixed during its use. In this respect, the function of a safety belt is preferably implemented via the carrying container, so that higher movement speeds can also be implemented with the aid of the means of transport without endangering the user.

The passenger transport device is preferably designed in such a way that the transport means at least supports or completely supports the carrying container connected to it in its position of use especially when transporting the user. This means that the weight of the carrying case is introduced into the ground or a road surface via the means of transport, in particular only via the means of transport and only via a direct connection between the carrying case and the means of transport. Above all, it is provided here that the weight of the carrying container is only partially or not at all borne by the user while driving. In addition, it can be provided that at least part of the user's weight is introduced into the means of transport via the carrying container and into the ground via the latter. For example, the weight of the user acts partly on the carrier and partly on the means of transport or is introduced into the ground via this. In particular, the weight of the user acts partly directly on the means of transport and partly only indirectly via the carrier on the means of transport. For example, in this case the user stands or sits on the means of transport while he is carrying the carrying container, which is still connected to the means of transport, on his body.

For example, the means of transport is continuously shifted automatically from the transport position to the use position, so that the shifting is fully automatic. However, it can also be provided that the means of transport is only mechanically displaced out of the transport position or released from it and that the means of transport is further displaced, namely its further displacement into the position of use, manually and / or by the influence of gravity. For the semiautomatic or fully automatic relocation, for example, an actuator is provided which acts on the one hand on the means of transport and on the other hand on the carrier. For moving the means of transport with respect to the transport container, the actuator preferably has a drive, in particular an electric drive, for example an electric motor. As a result, the means of transport is made available to the user extremely quickly, namely without the user having to put down the carrying container which he is carrying on the body while the means of transport is being moved from the transport position to the position of use. The position of the carrier with respect to the user remains identical or at least almost identical during the displacement of the means of transport.

During the shifting of the means of transport from the transport position to the use position and / or vice versa, a center of gravity of the passenger transport device preferably changes, in particular in a horizontal plane which is arranged parallel to the ground and in particular is perpendicular to a vertical axis, in the direction of which a body size of the user changes is present. A horizontal axis and a lateral axis are perpendicular to the vertical axis and perpendicular to one another. The horizontal axis runs in the walking direction or the direction in which the user is looking, the lateral axis runs through both shoulders or both legs of the user. In this respect, the horizontal axis and the lateral axis are both arranged parallel to the ground. The shift of the center of gravity takes place particularly preferably in the direction of the horizontal axis. Here, in relation to the horizontal axis in the transport position, the center of gravity is in a first position and in the use position in a second position different from the first position. The second point is preferably further forward than the first point in relation to the direction of travel or viewing direction of the user.

The passenger transport device is particularly preferably designed in such a way that when the transport means are arranged in the use position, the carrying container is supported in a statically stable manner by the transport means. In this case, the means of transport is designed and arranged in such a way that it not only introduces the weight of the carrying case into the ground, but that no torque is produced here, in particular it is not exerted on the user. This means that when the means of transport is arranged in the use position by the user, no force has to be applied in order to stabilize the carrying container and to prevent the people transport device from tipping over. This preferably applies even if the user removes or puts down the carrying container, that is to say away from his body. In particular, when the means of transport is in use, the user's center of gravity is in a stable or at least metastable position relative to the means of transport, so that the user always maintains a stable position when using the means of transport. In addition, when the transport means is shifted from the transport position into the use position, the shifting of the center of gravity of the transport means is limited in such a way that the user always maintains a stable position.

The carrying case is provided and designed, for example, to be carried on a back of the user. For example, the carrying case is in the form of a rucksack or a carrying frame, in particular a rucksack carrying frame. If the rucksack is mentioned in the context of this description, the explanations can always be transferred to the carrying frame, which is an alternative to the rucksack. The backpack has, for example, one or more carrying straps by means of which it is arranged and held on one or more shoulders of the user. The carrying loops can in particular be designed as carrying straps and / or as a belt.

For example, the carrying container thus has at least one carrying strap and / or at least one belt. The carrying strap is provided and designed in particular to be carried over a shoulder of the user. The belt, on the other hand, is used to grip around a torso of the user. The carrying container particularly preferably has at least two carrying straps which are arranged at a distance from one another and which are provided and designed for carrying over the shoulders of the user. The at least one belt is preferably present in addition to the two carrying straps. During use of the passenger transport device, the user carries the carrier container over one or both shoulders, for example. Optionally, the carrying case is fixed by means of the strap that encompasses the torso of the user. The rucksack carrying frame and / or the carrying loops and / or carrying straps can also be designed as an integrated structure, which is preferably connected tightly to the user.

Very particularly preferably, the people transport device is provided and designed to move the means of transport at least partially automatically and without the user having to put down the carrying case carried on the user's back from the transport position into a position of use in which the means of transport is arranged for transporting the user. In this case, the distance between the carrying case and the ground is preferably greater than an extension of the carrying case in a direction in which it has its greatest dimensions. For example, the carrier remains at a height of at least 1 m, at least 1.1 m or at least 1.2 m and has a corresponding distance from the ground, regardless of whether the means of transport is in the transport position or in the use position.

The means of transport itself can in principle be designed as desired, as long as it is objectively suitable for transporting the user after it has been moved into the position of use. The means of transport is, for example, in the form of a multi-wheeled vehicle, in particular a two-wheeled, three-wheeled or four-wheeled vehicle. For example, the means of transport is designed as a scooter, for example as a kick scooter, or as a scooter or electric scooter. However, the means of transport can also be in the form of a unicycle, in particular an electrically driven unicycle. The means of transport can be a driven or a non-driven means of transport. In the first case, the means of transport preferably has an electric drive device.

A further development of the invention provides that the transport means both in the transport position and in the use position via a connecting element having at least one Lifting mechanism is connected to the carrying container, which is provided and designed for moving the means of transport from the transport position into the use position and vice versa. The lifting mechanism thus establishes a permanent connection between the carrying container and the means of transport, which connection is present both in the transport position and in the use position. The connection is established via the connecting element, which acts on the one hand on the carrier and on the other hand on the means of transport.

The connecting element is designed in such a way that it allows a displacement of the means of transport with respect to the carrying case, namely between the transport position and the use position and vice versa, while at the same time it establishes the permanent connection between them. For this purpose, the connecting element is preferably designed to be variable in length, with a first length in the transport position and a second length in the use position which is greater than the first length. In order to allow sufficient displacement of the means of transport with respect to the carrying container, the second length is preferably greater than the first length by a factor of at least 2, at least 3 or at least 4.

The passenger transport device, in particular the connecting element, is particularly preferably designed such that the passenger transport device has a first extension in one direction in the transport position and a second extension in the same direction in the use position, the second extension being greater than the first extension. In particular, the second extension is greater than the first extension by a factor of at least 2, at least 3 or at least 4. This ensures easy transport of the passenger transport device by the user, in particular on the user's body. The first extent is preferably smaller than a body size of the user, in particular an average user, also referred to as a 50% person. In particular, the first extension is at most 50%, at most 40% or at most 30% of this body size. The second extension, however, is greater, preferably it is at least 60%, at least 70% or at least 80% of the body size.

With the help of the lifting mechanism, the means of transport is shifted from the transport position to the position of use as well as the shift from the position of use to the transport position. The lifting mechanism is designed accordingly. For example, the lifting mechanism shifts the transport means from the transport position into the use position in a first setting and from the use position into the transport position in a second setting. The lifting mechanism works partially automatically in at least one of the directions or even fully automatically. It can also be provided that it works partially or fully automatically in one direction and manually in the other direction. It is particularly preferred, however, that it works fully automatically in both directions, that is to say realizes a mechanical displacement of the means of transport both from the transport position into the use position and, conversely, from the use position into the transport position. In any case, however, the means of transport remains permanently connected to the carrying container, so that the means of transport can always be quickly shifted from the use position to the transport position as soon as the means of transport can no longer be used.

A further development of the invention provides that the carrying case is designed as a rucksack or rucksack frame and is arranged on the user's back both in the transport position and in the use position. This has already been pointed out. It is particularly preferable for the carrying case to remain on the user's body, namely on his back, during the displacement. Accordingly, it is carried on the user's back before, during and also after the displacement.

A further development of the invention provides for an embodiment of the people transport device in such a way that during the displacement of the means of transport with respect to the carrier from the transport position to the use position and / or vice versa, a shift of a center of gravity of the people transport device takes place within an imaginary straight cylinder, the longitudinal center axis of which is through one in the Transport position present focus of the passenger transport device and which has dimensions in the radial direction with respect to the longitudinal center axis that are at most twice as large as the dimensions of the carrier in the same direction or at most correspond to these dimensions. The imaginary cylinder describes an area within which the center of gravity is continuously located during the displacement of the means of transport with respect to the carrier, that is to say in particular also at the beginning of the displacement and at the end of the displacement. The imaginary cylinder is in the form of a straight cylinder, in particular a straight circular cylinder. However, the cylinder can of course also have a basic shape that deviates from the circular shape. For example, the basic shape is polygonal, in particular rectangular, preferably square.

A further development of the invention provides that the means of transport are shifted from the transport position to the use position in such a way that the user's positional stability is not impaired and / or that a focus of the user - in particular without any movement of the user during the shift - in the Use position of the means of transport is in a stable position above the means of transport. After the displacement, the means of transport is thus arranged in such a way that the user's center of gravity is above the means of transport and this in a stable position. This means in particular that the means of transport carries the user in a statically stable manner. In the position of use, it is thus arranged in such a way that the user is reliably carried by the means of transport even without appropriate measures, in particular in such a way that the means of transport does not tilt. This arrangement of the means of transport is achieved, in particular, without the user moving during the displacement, that is, without having to adjust his center of gravity.

A further development of the invention provides that the lifting mechanism for moving the means of transport has a drive, in particular an electric or electro-hydraulic drive or a spring drive. The drive ensures the mechanical displacement of the means of transport or causes this. If the drive is an electric drive, it has, for example, an electric motor or an electromagnetic actuator which is drive-connected to the means of transport and / or the carrier. An electro-hydraulic drive can also be implemented. Finally, the spring drive uses mechanical energy that is temporarily stored in a spring to move the means of transport mechanically. For example, the spring drive is coupled to an electric or electro-hydraulic drive, so that the means of transport is shifted in one direction with the spring drive and in an opposite direction by means of the electric or electro-hydraulic drive. The drive enables a particularly pronounced mobility of the user, because it ensures that the means of transport is both ready and stowed away quickly.

A further development of the invention provides that the connecting element has a telescopic rod and / or a rotary connector and / or a spring accumulator. As already explained, the connecting element engages on the one hand on the carrier and on the other hand on the means of transport. In order to enable the means of transport to be shifted from the transport position to the use position in a particularly simple mechanical manner, the connecting element has the telescopic rod, which is adjustable or adjustable in length. In the transport position, the telescopic rod has, for example, a smaller first length and in the use position a larger second length. In addition or as an alternative to the telescopic rod, the connecting element can be via the rotary connector and / or an actuator or energy storage in spring construction. The rotary connector is used to rotate the means of transport with respect to the carrier, namely about an axis of rotation.

For example, the axis of rotation is horizontal or vertical. In the case of the horizontal axis of rotation, it is preferably arranged in the lateral or lateral direction, which extends, for example, between or at the level of two shoulders of the user or between or at the level of his legs. To this extent, the lateral direction is perpendicular to a straight-ahead direction of the user. The straight-ahead direction is to be understood as the direction in which the user moves when walking forward along an imaginary straight line, that is when walking straight ahead. The axis of rotation running in the lateral direction enables the means of transport to be folded forwards or backwards starting from the carrying container.

By means of a rotary movement about the axis of rotation, the means of transport can thus be displaced at least partially to a side of the user opposite the carrier container in the straight running direction of the user. If the user carries the carrier container on his back, for example, it can be moved in front of the user by pivoting the transport means about the axis of rotation by means of the rotary connector. Conversely, the means of transport can be shifted behind the user when the carrier is carried on a chest or on a stomach of the user.

In the case of the vertical axis of rotation, provision is made, for example, to pivot the means of transport between the user's legs, namely in such a way that the user only has to lift one of his legs while pivoting and, after pivoting, the means of transport is at least partially arranged between his legs. The vertical axis of rotation is preferably aligned parallel to a spinal column of the user and runs in particular behind the user at a distance from the user. Both the telescopic rod and the rotary connector enable the means of transport to be made available in a particularly simple and rapid manner or to prepare it for transporting the user. An electrical, electro-hydraulic or spring-type actuator and / or energy store on the connecting element can be used to carry out the described telescopic and rotary movements with minimal effort by the user.

A further development of the invention provides that the means of transport has a chassis with a first wheel arrangement and a second wheel arrangement, the first wheel arrangement and the second wheel arrangement each have a wheel or a pair of wheels, the pair of wheels having at least two wheels which are rotatably mounted about a common wheel axis and are spaced apart from one another in the axial direction with respect to the wheel axis. The chassis is used to carry out a driving operation of the means of transport for transporting the user. The chassis has the first wheel assembly and the second wheel assembly, which are arranged at a distance from one another in a main direction of travel of the chassis or of the means of transport. The first wheel arrangement is, for example, a front wheel arrangement and the second wheel arrangement is a rear wheel arrangement. The wheel axle can be a real or a virtual wheel axle. The wheels are preferably rotatable about the axis of rotation synchronously with one another or independently of one another, for example by means of the drive, which for example has an electric wheel hub motor per wheel.

When it is moved into the use position, the means of transport is preferably arranged in such a way that the first wheel arrangement is arranged in the straight ahead direction of the user on one side and the second wheel arrangement is arranged on the other side of the user, so that, in other words, the means of transport is present in such a way that the User located between the first wheel assembly and the second wheel assembly, in particular stands between them. The first wheel arrangement is therefore, for example, in front of the user and the second wheel arrangement is behind the user, so that an at least statically stable driving operation of the means of transport is ensured. Preferably, one of the wheel assemblies is passed through between the legs of the user or passed on the outside of the legs.

The first wheel arrangement and the second wheel arrangement can each have one wheel or a plurality of wheels, that is to say, for example, a pair of wheels. The two wheel arrangements preferably each have the same number of wheels, that is to say they have either exactly one wheel each or several wheels, in particular two wheels. However, it can also be provided that the first wheel arrangement has a smaller or a larger number of wheels than the second wheel arrangement. For example, the first wheel arrangement has only one wheel and the second wheel arrangement has two wheels, so that the means of transport is designed as a tricycle as a whole. If one of the wheel arrangements has the pair of wheels, it has two wheels that are rotatably mounted about the common wheel axle. The wheels are spaced apart from one another in the axial direction with respect to the wheel axis in order to ensure that the means of transport is highly stable.

A further development of the invention provides that the wheels of the first wheel arrangement have a different spacing from the wheels of the second wheel arrangement in the axial direction. In other words, the wheels of the two wheel arrangements have different wheel spacings in the axial direction, that is, in the direction of the respective wheel axis, for example the wheel spacing of the first wheel arrangement is greater than the wheel spacing of the second wheel arrangement. The wheel spacing of the first wheel arrangement is preferably greater than the wheel spacing of the second wheel arrangement by a factor of at least 1.5, at least 2.0 or at least 2.5. This makes it possible to move the wheels of the first wheel assembly past or around the user when the means of transport is shifted into the position of use, so that the wheels are subsequently on the side of the user facing away from the carrier, so that the means of transport is highly stable is.

A further development of the invention provides that the carrier has a certain width in the axial direction with respect to the wheel axis and the distance between the wheels of the first wheel assembly and / or the second wheel assembly is greater than the width of the carrier, at least in the use position. The width of the carrier is determined with respect to the wheel axis when the means of transport is arranged in the transport position. Alternatively, the width of the carrying case is in the lateral direction defined above, that is, perpendicular to the straight ahead direction of the user and perpendicular in the vertical direction.

The distance between the wheels of at least one of the two wheel arrangements, preferably between the wheels of the first wheel arrangement, should now be greater in the use position than the width of the carrying case. As a result, the wheels of the respective wheel arrangement can easily be displaced past the user starting from the carrying case, so that one of the wheel arrangements comes to rest on a first side and a second of the wheel arrangements on the opposite side of the user. It can be provided that the distance between the wheels of the respective wheel arrangement remains the same during the displacement of the transport means from the transport position into the use position. It is particularly advantageous, however, that the distance between the wheels increases before they are shifted out of the transport position or during the shift into the use position, so that the means of transport is particularly resistant to tipping over.

A further development of the invention provides that the means of transport has a standing surface and / or a seat surface and / or a handle and / or at least one armrest, which can be displaced relative to one another. The standing area is used for the user to stand on the means of transport, while he moves with this. The user therefore arranges at least one of his feet on the standing surface. The seat, on the other hand, is used to seat the user and the handle is used to hold the user. The handle can additionally have a steering function and, for this purpose, can be correspondingly mechanically actuated, for example rotatable. The handle can take over the control function of the means of transport directly or it can act as a joystick in order to differentially control the electric motors driving the wheels of the means of transport and thereby enable the means of transport to be steered. The armrest is used to support an arm of the user while he is using the means of transport. Preferably, several armrests are arranged on opposite sides of the user, which are used to support the arms of the user. The elements mentioned, that is to say the standing surface, the seat surface, the handle and the armrest, can be displaced relative to one another, in particular pivoted relative to one another, if they are each provided. This enables the means of transport to be stowed in a space-saving manner in the carrying container in the transport position.

A further development of the invention provides that the carrying container has at least one electrical energy store, which is electrically connected to an electrical drive device of the means of transport, at least in the use position. The electric drive device is used to drive and / or steer the means of transport, to the extent that it provides a drive torque directed at driving the means of transport and / or a steering force directed to a transverse guide of the means of transport or a corresponding steering torque. The electric drive device preferably has an electric motor, which can also be referred to as an electric traction machine. If the electric drive device is also used to steer the means of transport, it preferably has several electric motors which independently adjust the speed of the wheels of a wheel pair or several wheel pairs.

The electrical energy required to operate the electrical drive device is provided with the aid of the electrical energy store. The electrical energy store is arranged in the carrying container, whereas the electrical drive device is present on or in the means of transport. An electrical connection between the energy store and the drive device is established, for example, via the connecting element, on which an electrical line is arranged for this purpose, for example. The energy store is preferably part of the carrying case. This applies in particular with regard to its weight, which is introduced into the ground via the means of transport in the position of use, in particular exclusively and not about the user. The use of the drive device enables particularly comfortable driving of the means of transport.

Additionally or alternatively, the energy store is connected to the drive of the lifting mechanism, so that the lifting mechanism can be actuated with the energy taken from the energy store. The drive is, for example, an electric, electromagnetic or electro-hydraulic drive. The lifting mechanism is used to move the means of transport from the transport position to the position of use and / or vice versa, so that ultimately the energy stored in the energy store is used to move the means of transport.

A further development of the invention provides for the passenger transport device to be designed in such a way that, in the use position, the weight of the carrying container and / or at least part of a weight of the user is transferred via the means of transport to a base carrying the means of transport, in particular via the lifting mechanism. This has already been pointed out above. Such a configuration enables fatigue-free use of the means of transport by the user.

A further development of the invention provides that the electric drive device of the means of transport has at least one electric wheel hub motor, the rotational speed of which can be adjusted by the user by means of an operating element of an operating device. For example, such a wheel hub motor is assigned in terms of drive technology to the wheel or to the pair of wheels at least one or both of the wheel arrangements. Particularly preferably, a separate wheel hub motor is assigned to each wheel of one or both of the wheel arrangements in terms of drive technology. In this way, a particularly efficient drive of the means of transport is implemented. The speed of rotation of the at least one wheel hub motor and consequently the speed of travel of the means of transport that corresponds to it can be set with the aid of the operating element, for example a rotary knob, a slide control or the like. The operating element can be in the form of hardware or can be provided on a screen, in particular a touchscreen. The operating element is part of the operating device that is used to operate the means of transport.

A further development of the invention provides that the means of transport are controlled electrically or mechanically by means of a further operating element of the operating device. In addition or as an alternative to the operating element, the operating device has the further operating element. What has been said about the control element in the context of this description applies to this. The Another operating element is used to control, in particular a directional control, that is, a steering, of the means of transport. The control is done mechanically or electrically, for example. In the first case, for example, a control handle is provided as a further operating element, on which the user acts in order to control, in particular to steer, the means of transport. In the latter case, the further control element is electrically connected to a steering actuator, for example a servomotor. Alternatively, if at least two wheel hub motors are present, the further operating element is connected to a control system which controls the speeds of the wheel hub motors independently and thus simultaneously controls the direction and speed of the means of transport. In any case, effective tracking of the means of transport is achieved.

A further development of the invention provides that the means of transport is controlled by determining a body position of the user with respect to the means of transport and determining a target travel direction and / or a target travel speed of the means of transport from the body position. The body position is preferably determined on the basis of the carrying case. In particular, a force acting between the carrier and the transport means and / or a relative position of the carrier with respect to the transport means is determined, in particular measured. The force is exerted by the user on the carrier and via this on the means of transport, and the relative position is set by the user. For example, a mechanical stress present between the carrying container and the means of transport is determined, in particular a mechanical stress present in the connecting element. The setpoint travel direction and / or the setpoint travel speed are then determined from the force or the voltage. As an alternative or in addition, the relative position is first ascertained and the target travel direction and / or the target travel speed are then determined from this.

As an alternative or in addition, it can be provided that the carrying container and the means of transport can be displaced relative to one another within a displacement game, in particular as long as the means of transport is in the use position. The displacement play is preferably present in a direction which is different from a displacement direction of the means of transport with respect to the carrying container between the carrying position and the use position. The tolerance is preferably in the horizontal plane. The displacement play is so small that the means of transport continues to carry the carrying container reliably, in particular in a statically stable manner, as soon as it is in the position of use. A position of the carrier with respect to the means of transport within the displacement play is determined, and the target travel direction and / or the target travel speed are determined from this position.

The desired direction of travel is to be understood as a direction in which the user would like to move the means of transport. The target travel speed represents the travel speed desired by the user. The drive and / or the steering of the means of transport are preferably set and / or controlled according to the target travel direction and / or the target travel speed or to achieve the target travel direction and / or the target travel speed.

A further development of the invention provides that the carrying container and the means of transport are integrated into a prosthesis for the user. In the case of an amputated user, for example, the carrying container is provided and designed to be carried instead of the respective amputated body part. For example, the carrying container is in the form of a shaft system connected to the remaining body, the shaft system being connected to the body itself or directly to a metal implant connected to the user's bone, as is the case, for example, with intraosseous transcutaneous prosthesis amputation (ITAP) Use comes, is connected. The integrated design of the carrying container, means of transport and prosthesis is to be understood as meaning that the elements mentioned are attached to one another, in particular permanently. For example, the carrying container is formed by the prosthesis or is present in it. The means of transport, on the other hand, is movably connected to the carrying container, in particular permanently. The prosthesis is in particular a leg prosthesis which forms or at least has the carrying container. In this way, a particularly high mobility is achieved even with an amputated user.

The invention further relates to a method for operating an individual passenger transport device, in particular a passenger transport device according to the embodiment within the scope of this description, wherein the passenger transport device has a carrying container carried on the body of a user by a transport means provided and designed for passenger transport in a transport position at least in some areas is stowed away. It is provided that the means of transport is at least partially automatically shifted from the transport position to a use position in which the means of transport is arranged for transporting the user without the user having to put down the carrying case and / or without a movement of the user changing a spatial position of the carrying case .

In addition, an embodiment of the passenger transport device is preferred as an individual passenger transport device with a carrying container designed as a rucksack or rucksack support frame, which can be worn on the body of a user and in which a transport device intended and designed for passenger transport is at least partially stowed in a transport position, the passenger transport device being provided for this purpose and is designed to displace the means of transport at least partially automatically and without the user having to put down the carrying case carried on the user's back from the transport position into a position of use in which the means of transport is arranged for transporting the user, the means of transport being both in the transport position as is also connected in the use position via a lifting mechanism having at least one connecting element with the carrier, which is used to move the means of transport from the transport position to the use position and vice versa is provided and designed and both in the use position and in the transport position permanently connects the carrying case to the means of transport by the connecting element engaging on the one hand on the carrying case and on the other hand on the means of transport.

Reference has already been made to the advantages of such an embodiment of the passenger transport device or of such a procedure. Both the passenger transport device and the method for operating it can be developed in accordance with the explanations in the context of this description, so that reference is made to them in this respect.

Figur 1

eine schematische Darstellung einer Personentransporteinrichtung in einer ersten Ausführungsform, welche einen Tragebehälter sowie ein Transportmittel aufweist,

Figur 2

eine schematische Darstellung des Transportmittels in einer zweiten Ausführungsform der Personentransporteinrichtung,

Figur 3

eine schematische Darstellung einer dritten Ausführungsform der Personentransporteinrichtung,

Figur 4

eine schematische Darstellung des Prozesses der Verlagerung des Transportmittels der Personentransporteinrichtung der zweiten Ausführungsform aus einer Transportstellung in eine Benutzungsstellung, insbesondere durch Verschwenken einer ersten Radpaaranordnung um den Benutzer und Rotation einer zweiten Radpaaranordnung hinter dem Benutzer,

Figur 5

eine schematische Darstellung einer vierten Ausführungsform der Personentransporteinrichtung, welche insbesondere zur Benutzung durch einen beinamputierten Benutzer vorgesehen ist, wobei das Transportmittel in der Transportstellung vorliegt, sowie

Figur 6

eine schematische Darstellung der Personentransporteinrichtung in ihrer vierten Ausführungsform, wobei das Transportmittel in der Benutzungsstellung vorliegt.

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the exemplary embodiments shown in the drawing, without restricting the invention. It shows:

Figure 1

a schematic representation of a passenger transport device in a first embodiment, which has a carrier and a means of transport,

Figure 2

a schematic representation of the means of transport in a second embodiment of the passenger transport device,

Figure 3

a schematic representation of a third embodiment of the passenger transport device,

Figure 4

a schematic representation of the process of shifting the means of transport of the passenger transport device of the second embodiment from a transport position into a position of use, in particular by pivoting a first wheel pair arrangement around the user and rotating a second wheel pair arrangement behind the user,

Figure 5

a schematic representation of a fourth embodiment of the passenger transport device, which is intended in particular for use by a leg amputee user, wherein the means of transport is in the transport position, and

Figure 6

a schematic representation of the passenger transport device in its fourth embodiment, the means of transport being in the use position.

The Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a passenger transport device 1, which has a carrying container 2 which can be carried by a user 3 of the passenger transport device 1 (not shown here). In the exemplary embodiment shown here, the carrying container 2 is in the form of a rucksack and to that extent has one or more straps 4 a, by means of which it can be arranged on a shoulder of the user 3. Optionally, a hip belt 4b is provided, which enables an at least partial transfer of weight from the shoulders to the hip bones of the user. In addition to the carrying container 2, the passenger transport device 1 has a transport means 5 which is shown several times for purposes of illustration, namely once in a transport position (shown in dashed lines) and once in a use position. In the transport position, the transport means 5 is at least partially accommodated in the carrying case 2, namely, for example, in a storage space 6 of the carrying case 2. In the use position, however, the transport means 5 is arranged for transporting the user.

The means of transport 5 has a chassis 7 with a first wheel assembly 8 and a second wheel assembly 9. For example, both wheel assemblies 8 and 9 each have a pair of wheels 10 and 11, respectively, each of the pairs of wheels 10 and 11 each having a plurality of wheels around a respective one Wheel axle 12 and 13 are rotatably mounted. For example, the wheels of the first wheel arrangement 8 are arranged closer to one another in the axial direction than the wheels of the second wheel arrangement 9 Energy storage 27 refer. However, it can also be provided that the first wheel assembly 8 instead of the Wheel pair 10 has only exactly one wheel. A standing surface 14 is formed on the chassis 7, on which the user 2 can stand while the means of transport 5 is in motion. To this extent, the standing surface 14 can also be referred to as a step surface. Furthermore, the means of transport 5 has a seat surface 15, which is present on a seat 16, and a handle 17, which in particular has a handlebar with a handlebar or a handlebar. Arrows 18 indicate that the individual elements of the means of transport 5 can be displaced relative to one another; in particular, the standing surface 14, the seat surface 15 and the handle 17 can be displaced relative to one another. In the illustrated embodiment, the handle 17 is adjustable in length and can also be folded with respect to the chassis 7 or the standing surface 14, namely, for example, about the wheel axle 12.

The means of transport 5 is connected to the carrying container 2 via a lifting mechanism 19, namely in particular also in the position of use. The lifting mechanism 9 has a connecting element 20 which, in the exemplary embodiment shown here, has a telescopic rod. By means of the connecting element 20, the means of transport 5 can be displaced with respect to the carrying container 2, namely in particular between the transport position and the position of use and vice versa. This is indicated by the arrow 21. It is also indicated that the seat 16 is arranged on the connecting element 20 by means of the seat surface 15.

When the transport means 5 is shifted from the transport position to the use position, the transport means 5 is first shifted downwards in the vertical direction, namely by means of the lifting mechanism 19. The transport means 5 is then pivoted with respect to the lifting mechanism 19, namely by means of a rotary connector 22, which is part of the Lifting mechanism 9 is. In the exemplary embodiment shown here, the rotary connector 22 is used to pivot the transport means 5 with respect to the connecting element 20 about the wheel axis 13. When the transport means 5 is pivoted using the rotary connector 22, the transport means 5 is swiveled between the user's legs, so that the first wheel arrangement follows 8 is in front of the user and the second wheel assembly 9 is behind the user.

The Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of a second embodiment of the passenger transport device 1, only the means of transport 5 being shown. It can be clearly seen that the wheels of the first wheel assembly 8 are spaced further apart in the axial direction with respect to the wheel axle 12 than the wheels of the second wheel assembly 9 with respect to the wheel axle 13. This enables the first wheel assembly 8 to be pivoted easily around the user. In the transport position, the first wheel assembly 8 is on the same side of the User like the second wheel assembly 9, namely, for example, behind his back. During the shifting of the means of transport 5 into the use position, the first wheel assembly 8 engages around the user so that after shifting, i.e. when the means of transport 5 is arranged in the use position, it is on the side of the user opposite the second wheel assembly 9, namely in front of the user, for example . As a result, the user does not need to be involved in shifting the means of transport 5 from the transport position to the use position or vice versa, so that particularly convenient operation of the passenger transport device 1 is achieved.

The Figure 3 shows the passenger transport device 1 in a third embodiment. In this, the means of transport 5 is designed purely by way of example as a unicycle, with a wheel 23 of the means of transport 5 being arranged between the feet of the user 3. The means of transport 5 is shown in its position of use. The lifting mechanism 19 with the connecting element 20, which has the telescopic rod, is again used to move the transport means 5 between the transport position and the use position. The telescopic rod is connected to the transport means 5 via the rotary connector 22. In contrast to the first embodiment of the passenger transport device 1, however, the rotary connector 22 is now designed in such a way that it enables the transport means 5 to be pivoted about a vertically arranged axis of rotation 24. The rotary connector 22 also has a boom 25 which arranges the transport means 5 eccentrically to the axis of rotation 24.

By rotating the means of transport 5 about the axis of rotation 24, a shift in a straight-ahead direction of the user 3 or the direction in which he is looking can be achieved. In order to move the transport means 5 from the shown position of use into the transport position, provision is made, for example, to first rotate the transport means 5 about the axis of rotation 24, for example by at least 90 °. Here, the user 3 has to lift a leg at times so that the means of transport 5 can swing through under the leg. As a result of this pivoting, the means of transport 5 is displaced onto the side of the user 3 facing the carrying container 2. The means of transport 5 is then raised by means of the lifting mechanism 19 so that it is subsequently stowed in or on the carrying container 2 in a space-saving manner. The rotation of the transport means 5 about the axis of rotation 24 is indicated by the arrow 26.

The Figure 4 shows, from right to left, a sequence of movements that is necessary for the passenger transport device 1 in the second embodiment when it is displaced from the transport position in FIG the position of use occurs. For a basic description of the passenger transport device 1, reference is made to the above statements.

The Figure 5 shows the passenger transport device 1 in a fourth embodiment, which is suitable for leg amputees and whose means of transport 5 is designed similar or identical to the first embodiment. The transport means 5 is shown in its transport position. For example, the carrying container 2 is designed in the form of a prosthesis shaft system or a leg prosthesis, the prosthesis shaft system preferably carrying the electrical energy store 27. In the transport position, the transport means 5 is at least partially accommodated in or by the carrying container 2, namely, for example, in the storage space 6 of the prosthesis socket system or a lower part of the leg prosthesis. In the use position, however, the means of transport 5 is arranged for transporting the user.

The means of transport 5 has the chassis 7 with the first wheel arrangement 8 and the second wheel arrangement 9. The wheel arrangements 8 and 9 are connected to one another via lever arrangements 28 and 29 and via the prosthetic ankle joint. For example, the wheels are designed like those of the first embodiment. The lever arrangements 28 and 29 connected to the wheels or the associated wheel axles lock in a fixed position as soon as the means of transport is brought into the position of use. The drive device for driving the wheels is designed, for example, as one or more wheel hub motors arranged inside the wheels, which draw their drive energy from an energy store 27 arranged in the carrying container 2.

The direction and speed control of the means of transport 5 is carried out by an electrical control system attached to a handle 17, which regulates the rotational speed of the wheel hub motors, as well as the position of a servomotor, which controls the direction of the lane of the wheel arrangement 8, which is preferably in front of the user (in the direction of travel). The handle 17 is connected to the connecting element 20, in particular via a further telescopic arm 31. Arrows 30 indicate that the individual elements of the means of transport 5 can be displaced relative to one another. In the illustrated embodiment, the position of the handle and the position and length of the telescopic arm can be adjusted with the handle of the handle 17 and can also be folded with respect to the carrying case 2. The passenger transport device 1 in its fourth embodiment for leg amputees can be seamlessly integrated into existing leg prostheses and thus represents a significant improvement in mobility options Leg amputees, which in particular far exceeds the mobility of people without this disability.

The Figure 6 shows the passenger transport device 1 in its fourth embodiment, the transport means 5 being shown in its position of use.

Overall, the passenger transport device 1 enables the means of transport 5 to be made available quickly for use by the user 3 for locomotion and, conversely, just as quickly stowed away if the means of transport cannot or should not be used. The displacement of the transport means 5 with respect to the carrying case 2 takes place at least partially or even fully automatically, so that the transport means 5 is brought from the transport position into the use position or vice versa, for example, at the push of a button. This is extremely convenient for the user 3.

Claims (18)

Individual passenger transport device (1) with a carrying container (2) which can be carried on the body of a user (3) and in which a transport means (5) provided and designed for passenger transport of the user (3) is stowed in a transport position at least in some areas, characterized in that the Passenger transport device (1) is provided and designed to move the means of transport (5) at least partially automatically and without the user (3) having to put down the carrying case (2) and / or without a movement of the user (3) that changes a spatial position of the carrying case (2) ) to move from the transport position into a position of use in which the transport means (5) for transporting the user (3) is arranged. Individual passenger transport device according to claim 1, characterized in that the transport means (5) is connected to the carrying container (2) both in the transport position and in the use position via a lifting mechanism (19) having at least one connecting element (20), which is used to move the Transport means (5) from the transport position into the use position and vice versa is provided and designed. Individual passenger transport device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the carrying container (2) is designed as a rucksack or rucksack frame and is arranged on the user's back both in the transport position and in the use position. Individual passenger transport device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a configuration such that during the displacement of the means of transport (5) with respect to the carrier (2) from the transport position to the use position and / or vice versa, a shift of a center of gravity of the passenger transport device (1) within a imaginary straight cylinder takes place, whose longitudinal center axis runs through a center of gravity of the passenger transport device (1) in the transport position and which has dimensions in the radial direction with respect to the longitudinal center axis that are at most twice as large as the dimensions of the carrying container (2) in the same direction or at most correspond to these dimensions. Individual passenger transport device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the displacement of the means of transport (5) from the transport position into the use position takes place in such a way that the positional stability of the user is not impaired and / or that a focus of the user - in particular without a movement of the user User during the shift - in the position of use of the means of transport (5) in a stable position above the means of transport (5). Individual passenger transport device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lifting mechanism (19) has a drive for displacing the means of transport (5). Individual passenger transport device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connecting element (20) has a telescopic rod and / or a rotary connector (22) and / or a spring accumulator. Individual passenger transport device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the means of transport (5) has a chassis (7) with a first wheel arrangement (8) and a second wheel arrangement (9), the first wheel arrangement (8) and the second wheel arrangement ( 9) each have a wheel or a pair of wheels (10, 11), the pair of wheels (10, 11) having at least two wheels which are rotatably mounted about a common wheel axis (12, 13) and which are axially oriented with respect to the wheel axis (12, 13) are spaced apart. Individual passenger transport device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the wheels of the first wheel arrangement (8) have a different spacing in the axial direction from one another than the wheels of the second wheel arrangement (9). Individual passenger transport device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the carrying container (2) has a certain width in the axial direction with respect to the wheel axis (12, 13) and the distance between the wheels of the first wheel arrangement (8) and / or the second wheel arrangement (9) is greater than the width of the carrying case (2), at least in the position of use. Individual passenger transport device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transport means (5) has a standing surface (14) and / or a seat surface (15) and / or a handle (17) and / or an armrest, which can be displaced relative to one another. Individual passenger transport device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the carrying container (2) has at least one electrical energy storage device which is electrically connected to an electrical drive device of the transport means (5) at least in the use position. Individual passenger transport device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a design such that, in the position of use, the weight of the carrying case (2) and / or at least part of a weight of the user is transferred via the means of transport (5) to a substrate carrying the means of transport, in particular via the lifting mechanism (19). Individual passenger transport device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electric drive device of the means of transport has at least one electric wheel hub motor, the rotational speed of which can be adjusted by the user by means of an operating element of an operating device. Individual passenger transport device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the means of transport (5) is controlled electrically or mechanically by means of a further operating element of the operating device and / or that the means of transport (5) is controlled by a body position of the user in relation to the means of transport determined and a target travel direction and / or a target travel speed of the means of transport is determined from the body position, and / or that the means of transport (5) is controlled by determining a position of the carrying container (2) with respect to the means of transport (5) within a displacement game. Individual passenger transport device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the speed and direction control of the means of transport takes place by independent regulation of the speeds of the several wheels, in particular of several wheel hub motors of the means of transport, said regulation being controlled by one or more operating elements. Individual passenger transport device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the carrying container and the transport means are integrated into a prosthesis for the user. A method for operating an individual passenger transport device (1), in particular a passenger transport device (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the passenger transport device (1) has a carrying container (2) carried on the body of a user (3) in which a of the user (3) provided and designed means of transport (5) is stowed at least partially in a transport position, characterized in that the means of transport (5) at least partially automatically and without the user (3) having to put down the carrying case (2) and / or without a a spatial position of the carrier (2) changing movement of the user (3) is shifted from the transport position into a use position in which the transport means (5) for transporting the user (3) is arranged.

Images