FR2506154A1 - Wheelchair lift mechanism for side loading vehicle - uses electrically controlled lifting arm mounted on screws running across vehicle floor - Google Patents

Abstract

The wheelchair lift is fitted to a light, van type vehicle with a side loading door, and has arms extending out from the vehicle and carrying a platform of suitable dimensions to accept and keep in place a wheelchair. The carrier for the arms is mounted on rails and is driven by screws running across the floor of the vehicle, so when the wheelchair is at the correct height the unit is moved into the vehicle. The unit is electrically controlled and actuated. A hand controller on a flexible lead carries control buttons (37-38). The electric motor (12) has a reversing contactor (33) protected by fuses and connected to relays (34,35) controlled by the controller, an emergency stop button (42) and by limit switches (39,40) on the transverse guide rails.

Description

 The invention relates to a combined lifting and translating device for loads, intended in particular to equip vehicles to facilitate access for the disabled.

 The object of the invention relates mainly to the technical sector of load handling means in general.

 The invention can find numerous and varied applications. In a particularly targeted manner, although not limiting, the device which is the subject of the invention is intended to be adapted to a vehicle such as a motor vehicle intended for the transport of loads and / or people. In particular on vehicles of the light utility type mini-car, or spacious van, in order to give disabled people in a wheelchair, convenient, easy, safe access, either sideways or from the rear of the vehicle.

 We have more particularly designed and developed a device directly adaptable to mass-produced vehicles, without significant modification of their structure, and allowing entry into and exit from the vehicle by the disabled person moving in a wheelchair, which can be set up in the vehicle and come out independently, without being helped, or possibly being helped in maneuvers by a third person. We wanted to make equipment that is not visible inside the vehicle, except during periods of lifting or lowering and traveling.

 According to a first characteristic, the device comprises a fixed part or installation linked and acting in combination with mobile means, the means of the fixed part or installation being integral with a plane located at a different level and in general above d 'a second plane that the mobile means can reach or from which they can move away by descent or ascent and combined translations; the mobile means comprise a platform or equivalent surface and at least one and more generally two profiled lifting and translating arms acting as a lever; one end of the arm or arms being connected with free articulation to the platform, the other end being linked in an articulated manner and guided in translation relative to the fixed means, the arm or arms each bear on a roller or support integral section at the end of the fixed part, means combined with the fixed means ensuring the displacement in traction or in pushing of the arm (s).

 Another characteristic is found in the fact that the ascent or descent and translation trajectory of the platform, obtained by the conjugation of the swan neck profile of the arm (s), of the positioning of the connecting points in translation with the fixed means and points of articulation to the platform, relative to the rollers or profile supports of the fixed part, is such that a substantially vertical displacement is obtained for a very reduced horizontal displacement of the platform, then a rapid horizontal translation movement.

 These characteristics and others will emerge from the following description.

To fix the object of the invention, without however limiting it, in the accompanying drawings
Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating only by way of example of embodiment and use of the starter, a light commercial vehicle equipped with the lifting / transladon device according to the invention, shown in the extended position of the vehicle.

 Figure 2 is a schematic view, in cross section of the vehicle equipped with the device according to the invention, shown in the extended position or ready for entry. Illustrated in broken lines, a disabled wheelchair placed on the platform of the device which is resting on the ground.

 Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the vehicle equipped with the device according to the invention which is shown in the retracted position. We have illustrated, in broken lines, a disabled person installed in the vehicle by the effect of the device.

 Figure 4 is a partial plan view in section of the vehicle equipped with the device according to the invention.

 Figure 5 is, on a larger scale, a partial side view considered along arrow F of Figures 1 and 4, which illustrates in particular the guiding elements in translation of the lifting platform in a position where the platform is outside the vehicle and placed on the ground.

 FIG. 6 is a plan view and in section taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 5. This view illustrates in addition to the guiding elements, an exemplary embodiment of the means for controlling the platform.

 FIG. 7 is a side view with an interruption in the length considered according to arrow F1 of FIGS. 1 and 4, which illustrates the guiding elements in translation of the elevating platform on the right side, and in the retracted position .

 Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 8-8 of Figure 4, which shows the means and elements of the device according to the invention, installed in the vehicle.

 Figure 9 is a sectional view taken along line 9-9 of Figure 6, which shows a detail of the guiding elements in translation on one side of the device.

 FIG. 10 is a schematic view showing the extreme and intermediate displacements of the lifting and translating arms of the platform.

 The figure there is a diagram of the electrical installation for controlling the device.

 In order to make the object of the invention more concrete, it is now described in a nonlimiting embodiment and application illustrated in the figures of the drawings, from a minicar or light utility vehicle (V) with door. sliding side access (V1).

 The device essentially consists of a fixed part and a mobile part.

 The fixed part comprises two U-section rails, right and left (i), fixed transversely to the floor (V2) of the vehicle, with an internal spacing between them (e) (Figure 4) sufficient for the passage of the platform. lifting form, and arranged a little inside the surface of the floor corresponding to the door frame (V1).

At the end (door side) of each rail, a yoke (2) carries free rotation a support roller (3), the groove (3a) of which is disposed substantially above the rail. On the outside of the rail, the yokes (2) also each form a support bearing (4) for an endless screw (5). This vislonge the rail and it is rotatably mounted on a support bearing (6) fixed to the other end of the rail (Figures 6 and 8) where a movement transmission and drive means is provided
For example, this transmission and the drive are produced in the form of two pinions or toothed wheels (7) wedged at the end of the screws (5) and connected by a chain (8).

A motor pinion (9) wedged on one of the screws, is connected by chain (10) to a pinion (11) wedged on the output shaft of an electric motor (12) powered by the vehicle battery (figure 6).

 Of course, variants can be provided for the control of the worms (5). For example, the wheel and chain transmission can be replaced by gear pairs, bevel gearboxes with bevel couples, ...

 The mobile part comprises a platform (13) of dimensions and characteristics suitable for receiving a disabled person (H) in his wheelchair (R). The transverse dimension of the platform is chosen to use the useful width of the access door (V1) as much as possible and its length is at least equal to the size of the wheelchair.

 The platform is constituted by a tubular frame covered with a sheet metal or decking (13a) which forms at least on one side for example a wide V-shaped groove (13b) so as to position and retain on the platform, during the maneuvers in particular, the wheels (R1) of the wheelchair, as seen in Figure 2.

 On the side of the access to the platform (side opposite to the vehicle), the latter has a ramp (14) articulated at (15) at the edge of said platform, so that it can be raised vertically (FIG. 3 ) by the disabled, using a flexible link (16) attached on the one hand to the ramp and, on the other hand, to one of the lateral uprights (17 - 18) integral with the platform in its middle part. It is not excluded to provide other access ramps on the platform.

 The uprights (17 - 18) are integral, in a freely articulated manner in (19), with the ends of the two lifting and translating arms respectively (2û - 21) which have a tubular section (for example circular or ovoid) and which are suitably sized taking into account the efforts they bear, this by the effect of levers resulting from the load represented by the disabled person and his wheelchair, or other load possibly, suspended in the end of the arms. The latter are also each in linear contact, during elevation and translation, on a roller (3) or profiled support, carried by the yoke (2) fixed at the end of each of the rails (15.

 At the other end, each arm is articulated and held by a yoke (20a - 21a) carrying a guide and retaining roller (22) which rolls in the rails (1), as can be seen in Figures 5 to 8 drawings.

 On the side according to arrow F (FIGS. 1 and 4>, the vertical upright (17) is higher than the upright- (18) so as to be De in an articulated manner in (23) to a connecting rod (24) also articulated in (25) to a carriage (26). On this carriage, is mounted the carrier roller (22) -and at the front of the carriage is mounted a follower roller (27), so as to constitute a running gear The carriage is also guided by rollers (28) with a horizontal axis of rotation, as illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 9.

 The connecting rod (24) constitutes with the lifting arm (20), the carriage (26) and the vertical upright (17), a deformable para-paraglogram ensuring the horizontal attitude of the platform during the maneuvers.

 The connection between the worm (5) and the lifting arms (20 - 21) is ensured by stud nuts, namely: a left nut (29) carried by a support (30) attached to the carriage ( 26) and a straight nut (31? Mounted between a lug (32) integral with the yoke (21a) of the arm (21) and the axis of rotation of its carrier roller (22), as illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 8.

 The electrical control circuit of the device which is illustrated in FIG. 11, comprises: the motor (12) equipped with a reversing contactor (33) protected by fuses and linked to relays (34 35) by means of electric lock switches (36); engine rotation control buttons (37 - 38) for lowering (D) and raising (M) control of the platform; and limit switches (39 - 40) intended to cut off the power supply to the motor at the end of translation and descent or at the end of climb and translation. To this end, the down limit switch (39 ) is, for example, fixed under the platform so as to act when it is in contact with the surface or loading level (FIG. 2), while the limit switch (40) for raising and translating of the platform, is fixed to one end of one of the rails (1), for example on the wall of the vehicle (FIG. 3), in order to act when it is in contact with the carriage (26) or the yoke (21a) of the lifting arm (21).

 The buttons (37 - 38) for controlling the rotation of the motor (12) are gathered in a box (41) suspended at the end of its connecting cabal and easily accessible from the outside by the disabled person in a wheelchair (FIG. 2). The box (41) can be clipped or otherwise fixed against the wall of the vehicles within easy reach of the disabled person, when the disabled person is on board the vehicle (FIG. 3).

 Provision is also made, independently of the button box (41), for an emergency maneuver stop button (42) accessible from the access door (V1) by a third person.

 It is emphasized, as illustrated in broken lines in FIG. 8, that in the event of a motor failure (12), the platform can be moved manually, for example by means of a crank (43) preferably disengageable and which can be the crank of the vehicle jack. One acts by means of this crank on an additional transmission (44) with sprockets and chain for example which is associated with one of the worms (5).

 We will now describe, with particular reference to Figures 2, 3 and 10, the operation of the device. The disabled person can himself place his chair next to the access door (V1) to open it and grab the button box (41) placed against the wall inside the vehicle. The disabled person can thus control the motor (12) in the direction ensuring the translation of the platform (13) out of the vehicle and then its descent to ground level, that is to say until the limit switch (39) cuts power to the motor.

 The disabled person still holding the button box (41), places himself on the platform (figure 2), the rear wheels (R1) of the chair being wedged in the depression (13b) of the platform, then he commands (at using the button box), reverse rotation of the motor (12) so that the stud nuts (2931) connected to the lifting arms (20-21), move along the worms (S) in thus pulling the arms in abutment on the rollers (3) then on teflon-coated pads (45) at the ends of the rails (1). When the platform (13) which has been raised to the level of the vehicle floor and then moved horizontally inside the vehicle (FIG. 3), is fully retracted, the limit switch (40) cuts the power to the motor (12). The disabled person then raises the ramp (14) of the platform.

 The disabled user can be transported in this position on the platform, or else he can transfer alone (with the help of traction and suspension points fitted in the vehicle) to another seat, a bed or the driving seat which can be provided for this purpose to facilitate this transfer (swivel seat intermediate between the wheelchair and the driving seat, sliding intermediate passenger seat to become driving seat ...).

 One of the advantages of the invention lies in the combination of the lifting or lowering and translational movements of the platform (13) using a single motor (12) acting (by nuts and worm) on lifting arms (20 - 21). The design of these arms as illustrated, and their size, have been carefully determined and calculated in their camber and their straight extension to play the role of a cam with a profile linearly in continuous support in the groove (3a) of the rollers support (3), so as to ensure first an almost vertical elevation of the platform to the level of the vehicle floor, then a rapid rectilinear translation inside the vehicle.

 As seen more particularly in FIG. 10, the swan neck profile of the lifting arms (20 - 21), combined with the position of the support rollers (3), the support rollers (22) and the articulations ( 19) on the uprights (17 - 18) of the platform, make it possible to obtain a trajectory (T) of the platform comprising in the elevation phase a substantially vertical displacement (y) significant for a very reduced horizontal displacement (x) , so that the platform in the raised position (broken lines) is still entirely outside the vehicle (which avoids the risk of hooking the chair and the person's feet).

Of course, the best ratio Y that one wants to obtain must not lead to an exaggerated value We the tensile force provided by the worms (5).

 The almost vertical movement (y) stops when in the right part of the lifting arms (20 - 21) arrives at the level of the support rollers (3). The platform (13) is then animated with a horizontal translational movement equal to that of the stud nuts (29 31), over the entire remaining travel (z) of the support rollers (22) corresponding to the complete penetration of the platform in the vehicle.

 It is emphasized that the applications of the device according to the invention are not limited to the problem of convenient transportation of the disabled inside or outside of vehicles. Many other applications to elevations-descents and translations of various loads are possible. One can for example adapt the device to the loading and unloading of transport vehicles, railway wagons, air carriers, for the handling of various loads. The device can be installed at a fixed post in premises or at the edge of a quay, or constitute a compact autonomous assembly with integral rails.

The advantages are apparent from the description. Cl notes in particular the easy, quick and safe maneuvering of the platform> its complete retraction in the vehicle without protruding roughness outside the adaptation in series vehicles without modification,
The invention is in no way limited to that of its modes of application any more than to those of the embodiments of its various parts which have been more particularly indicated; on the contrary, it embraces all its variants.

Claims (10)

RESELL ILAT IONS -1- Combined lifting and translating device for char gels, intended in particular to equip vehicles to facilitate access for the disabled, characterized in that it comprises a part or fixed installation (1) linked and acting in combination with mobile means, the means of the fixed part or installation being integral with a plane located at a different level and in general above a second plane which the mobile means can reach or from which they can move away by descent or ascent and translations combined; the movable means comprise a platform (13) or equivalent surface and at least one and more generally two profiled arms C20 - 21) for lifting and translation acting as a lever; one end of the arm or arms being connected with free articulation (19) to the platform (13) the other end C20a -21a) being linked in an articulated manner and guided in translation relative to the fixed means (1), the arm (s) (20 - 21) each bear on a roller (3) or profiled support integral at the end of the fixed part (1) of the means combined with the fixed means ensuring the displacement in traction or in thrust of the arm (s) C2O - 21). -2- Device according to claim 1 characterized in that the trajectory (T) ascent or descent and translation of the platform (13) obtained by the conjugation of the swan neck profile of the arm (s) (20 - 21) the positioning of points (22) of eitranslation link with the fixed means (1) and of articulation points (19) on the platform (13), with respect to the rollers (3) or profiled supports of the fixed part ( 1), is such that a substantially vertical displacement (y) is obtained which is significant for a very reduced horizontal displacement (x) of the platform (13) then a rapid horizontal translational movement (z) of the platform . -3- Device according to claims 1 and 2 together, characterized in that the connecting points entranslation of the movable means with the fixed means, are constituted by carrier rollers (22) rolling in rails (1) and poile's by yokes (20a - 21a) arms (20 - 21); one of the rollers (22) being on the other hand integral with a carriage (26) carrying a follower roller (27) and guide rollers (28) and the upper end of which receives free articulation (25) the end of a connecting rod (24), the other end of which is articulated at (19) on one of the lateral uprights (17 - 18) of the platform (13); these various elements constituting a deformable parallelogram ensuring the horizontal attitude of the platform during the maneuvers. -4- Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the platform (13) is constituted by a tubular frame covered with a sheet or plate (13a) which forms at least on one side a hollow (13b) in Vee wide open, intended for positioning the rear wheels (R1) of the wheelchair (R) during maneuvers. -5- Device according to claims 1 and 4 together, characterized in that the platform (13) has on the side or sides of the access and at the edge, a ramp (14) articulated at (15) to be raised vertically using a flexible link (16) attached to the ramp and to one of the uprights (17 - 18). -6- Device according to claims 1 and 3 together, characterized in that the arms (20 - 21) for lifting and translating the platform (13) are moved in traction or in thrust by 1 'through a right nut (29) secured to a support (30) attached to the carriage (26) and to a left nut (31) mounted between a lug (32) secured to the yoke (21a) of the arm (21) and the axis of rotation of its carrier roller (22); the said nuts moving on endless screws (5) carried by bearings (4 and 6) integral with the rails (1) and controlled by any means of transmission such as toothed wheels (7 - 9 - 11) and chains (8 - 10) from a single motor (12). -7- Device according to claims 1 and 6 together, characterized in that in case of failure of the control motor (12), a manual device of the crank type (43) acting on an additional transmission (44) with sprockets and chain by example, which is associated with one of the worms (5), can be operated by the disabled person installed on the platform (13). -8- Device according to claims 1 and 6 together, charac terized in that the engine control members (12) ensuring the maneuvers of the platform (13) are grouped in a bauton box (41) suspended within reach hand of the handicapped person sitting in his armchair located near the plaice - form or on the platform. -9- Device according to claims 1, 6 and 8 together, characterized in that the electrical circuit for controlling the device comprises: the motor (12) with reversing contactor (33) protected by fuses and linked to relays (34 - 35) with electric locking switches (36) of the buttons (37 - 38) for controlling the motor rotation (12), limit switches (39-40) fixed respectively under the platform and at the end rear of the rails (1) intended to cut the power supply to the motor at the end of the cycle, and an emergency stop button (42) independent of the button box and accessible by a third person. -10- Device according to claim 1 adapted to a road vehicle to facilitate access to a disabled person in a wheelchair, characterized in that when the platform (13) has been raised and translated inside the vehicle the disabled person is transported to the position in which he is or is transferred using the traction and suspension points of the arms fitted to the vehicle> to a bed, a passenger seat or to the driving seat, possibly passing through intermediate layouts between the platform and the chosen location.