FR3063963A1 - HANDLING APPARATUS WITH ELECTRICAL ASSISTANCE AND FOOT DRIVER - Google Patents

Abstract

Hand-assisted handling device with a chassis having a load-receiving zone, at least one wheel fixed to the chassis, an electric power train driving, discontinuously, at least one rotating wheel , a control member (7, 12) of the power unit comprising at least one operating arm (7) of the apparatus, said arm being provided with at least one control handle (12) movable in translation in one direction parallel to the direction of movement of the apparatus, said handle (12) being adapted to move between a first said neutral position inducing the stopping of the powertrain and at least a second position inducing a maximum rotation of the powertrain, characterized in that the control member (7, 12) comprises, at the junction zone (19) between one end (18) of the operating arm (7) and said control handle (12), a support member (15) of a portion of the hand of the driver, said support member (15) being adapted to allow movement in one direction or the other of the control handle (12) independently of the thrust or traction exerted on the control handle (12).

Description

® FRENCH REPUBLIC

NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY © Publication number: 3,063,963 (to be used only for reproduction orders) (© National registration number: 17 52191

COURBEVOIE © Int Cl ⁸ : B 62 B 1/18 (2017.01), B 62 B 5/00, B 62 D 51/04

A1 PATENT APPLICATION

©) Date of filing: 17.03.17. (© Applicant (s): GB Limited liability company - (© Priority: FR. @ Inventor (s): DE FRESSANGES FRANÇOIS, DAR- GNAT GUILLAUME and THEALLIER DELPHIN. (43) Date of public availability of the request: 21.09.18 Bulletin 18/38. ©) List of documents cited in the report preliminary research: Refer to end of present booklet (© References to other national documents ©) Holder (s): GB Limited liability company. related: ©) Extension request (s): (© Agent (s): ABSAROKA.

ELECTRIC ASSISTED HANDLING APPARATUS AND FOOT CONDUCTOR.

FR 3 063 963 - A1 \ 57) Electrically assisted handling device and driver on foot comprising a chassis provided with a load receiving zone, at least one wheel fixed on the chassis, an electric powertrain driving, discontinuously, at least one wheel in rotation, a control member (7,12) of the powertrain comprising at least one operating arm (7) of the apparatus, said arm being provided with at least one control handle ( 12), movable in translation in a direction parallel to the direction of movement of the device, said handle (12) being adapted to move between a first so-called neutral position causing the powertrain to stop and at least one second position inducing maximum rotation of the powertrain, characterized in that the control member (7,12) comprises, at the junction zone (19) between one end (18) of the operating arm (7) and said wrist e control (12), a support member (15) of a part of the driver's hand, said support member (15) being adapted to allow movement in one direction or the other of the handle control (12), regardless of the push or pull on the control handle (12).

i

ELECTRICALLY ASSISTED HANDLING APPARATUS AND CONDUCTOR

FOOT

The present invention relates to a handling device with electric assistance and driver on foot.

Within the framework of the invention, the expression “handling device” designates an device suitable for the discontinuous handling of a load which may be a package with flexible or rigid packaging, an object, a container, at least one passenger , a bulk or powdered product. Such an apparatus is provided with at least one wheel. He is a driver on foot, which implies that the operation of such a device is carried out by a driver moving on foot, next to the device on which any load rests.

The invention relates to handling devices of the type described above, said to be electrically assisted. In this case, the aircraft are equipped with an electrically driven powertrain, the implementation of which is not permanent.

Thus the electric assistance only intervenes discontinuously, to facilitate the movement of the device, either according to determined criteria, and therefore automatically, or voluntarily, by action of the driver.

By way of nonlimiting examples, among such devices include wheelbarrows, carts, serving trolleys, rolling trays, stackers, lifting tables, hand trucks, wheelchairs or medical beds.

These devices include a bucket or at least a load receiving platform, at least one wheel and a steering member, also called an operating device, as well as an electric powertrain. The presence of an electric assistance makes it possible, when heavy loads are transported and / or when the configuration of the terrain makes moving the device difficult and / or when the transport of the load is repeated over a significant period, to facilitate the use of a handling device by a single person, this by limiting user fatigue.

In order to optimize the ergonomics of such a device, WO-A-2011 023 952 discloses a wheelbarrow equipped with four wheels distributed around an axle receiving the electric powertrain. WO-A-2014 127 375, WO-A-2009 091 524 or WO-A-2004 113 148 disclose handling devices, wheelbarrow type, provided with electric assistance on the single front wheel of the wheelbarrow. These documents relate to motorization solutions for a wheelbarrow. The latter is always fitted with a stand allowing the load to be kept in a substantially horizontal position when the wheelbarrow is stopped. Such a wheelbarrow is steered by a driver on foot from two parallel operating arms.

EP-A-867 353 describes an electrically assisted wheelbarrow equipped with two handles provided with axial thrust force sensors, therefore parallel to the direction of movement of the wheelbarrow. A push on the handles induces, from a defined threshold, the activation of the electric assistance.

Such a means of starting the electric assistance makes it possible to obtain automatic operation of the electric assistance. However, it makes the implementation of this electrical assistance subject to predefined thrust values. However, in certain cases, the user may wish to implement the assistance under other conditions or, conversely, not to implement the assistance.

It is to these drawbacks that the invention more particularly intends to remedy by proposing a handling device with electrical assistance and driver on foot, the implementation of which can be adjusted according to the needs of the driver, while offering electrical assistance adapted to the various types of movement of the device, whether in forward or reverse.

To this end, the subject of the invention is a handling device with electric assistance and driver on foot, comprising a chassis provided with a zone for receiving a load, at least one wheel fixed to the chassis, an electric powertrain driving , discontinuously, at least one wheel in rotation, a drive unit control member comprising at least one operating arm of the apparatus, said arm being provided with at least one control handle, movable in translation in a direction parallel to the direction of movement of the apparatus, said handle being adapted to move between a first so-called neutral position inducing the powertrain to stop and at least a second position inducing maximum rotation of the powertrain, characterized in that that the control member comprises, at the level of the junction zone between one end of the operating arm and said control handle mmande, a support member of a part of the driver's hand, said support member being adapted to allow movement in one direction or the other of the control handle, regardless of the push or pull exerted on the control handle.

Such a configuration of the handle makes it possible to be able to implement the electric assistance at any time and not only from a determined threshold. In other words, whether or not the handling device is in motion and whether the movement is carried out easily or not, the driver has free will to trigger or not the electrical assistance of the device. Furthermore, the electric assistance is no longer reserved, as in the prior art, for moving in forward direction but also possible when the device is moving in reverse.

Such flexibility of use, by so-called ergonomic movements, that is to say as close as possible to a natural movement, makes it possible to be able to benefit from assistance at any time whatever the conditions of movement of the device.

According to advantageous but not compulsory aspects of the invention, such an apparatus may include one or more of the following characteristics:

- the support member is a lug or a trigger mounted on a fixing ring.

- the support member is a ring mounted on a fixing ring.

- the device comprises two operating arms, one with a fixed handle and the other with a control handle.

- The device includes two operating arms, each provided with a control handle.

- At least one control handle comprises a fixed part and a part which can move in translation and which covers the fixed part.

- The device comprises at least one crutch provided with at least one caster.

The invention will be better understood and other advantages thereof will appear more clearly on reading the description which will follow of several embodiments of the invention, given by way of nonlimiting example and made with reference to following drawings in which:

- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a handling device according to an embodiment according to the invention, here a wheelbarrow containing a load,

FIG. 2 is a front view, on another scale, of the apparatus of FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is a perspective view, partial and on a larger scale, of a control handle, as well as part of the operating arm, of the apparatus of FIG. 1,

FIG. 4 is a view, on another scale and from another angle, of a part of the control handle of the apparatus of FIG. 1,

- Figures 5 and 6 are sections along lines V-V and VI-VI in Figure 4 and

- Figure 7 is a simplified diagram illustrating the operation of the control handle.

FIG. 1 illustrates a type of handling device with electrical assistance and wheelbarrow type driver on foot 1. It is again reaffirmed here that the invention is not limited to this type of handling device but also relates to other types of handling equipment, such as, for example, those mentioned above.

The wheelbarrow 1 comprises a metal frame 2 formed of tubes. The load receiving area, here illustrated by bags of cement 3, is defined by a box 4, also known as a tipper.

The wheelbarrow 1 is provided, in the example, with a single wheel 5. The purpose of this wheel 5 is to ensure the movement of the wheelbarrow 1. In other words, the wheel 5 is a load-bearing and directional wheel. Maintaining the bucket 4 in a substantially horizontal position, when stationary, is achieved by at least one, here two crutches 6. The crutches 6 are positioned behind the wheel 5, under the body 4, in the vicinity of at minus one, here of two operating arms 7 of the apparatus 1.

Here, FIG. 1 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the invention in which the two crutches 6 are each equipped with a wheel 8. Such wheels promote the movement of the wheelbarrow 1 without it being necessary to tilt the body 4 and take off the crutches 6 from the ground. It is understood that this variant is not compulsory, a handling device according to the invention can be fitted only with crutches 6.

Similarly, a handling device according to the invention may include two or more wheels and / or different crutches, in shape, number and / or dimensions. The wheel 5 includes, at its axle, an electric drive train 9, known per se.

Here, the powertrain 9 includes an electric motor which is integral with the rotation shaft of the wheel 5 and drives, on demand, the latter in rotation. Such a powertrain 9 offers minimal bulk and optimizes the rotation of the wheel. The powertrain 9 has, here, an output power close to 300 Watts and a maximum nominal rotation speed of 280 revolutions / minute. It can drive wheel 5 with a minimum diameter of 30 cm.

The power of the powertrain 9 is supplied by a battery 10, advantageously rechargeable. Such a battery delivers approximately 10 Ah at 48 V. In all cases, the battery 10 makes it possible to power the powertrain 9 for a minimum time of continuous use of the electric assistance, namely at least six hours of operation. from group 9 continuously.

The battery 10 is advantageously of the rechargeable type on the sector. For example, a full charge takes about twelve hours. As a variant, the battery 10 is removable, which makes it possible to replace it with another, charged battery, if necessary. The battery 10 is mounted under the body 4, in order to preserve a low center of gravity and an optimal weight distribution. Such a battery 10 is advantageously inserted in a protective box 11. In an embodiment not illustrated, the battery is made up of several elements distributed in the chassis 2 and / or the arms

7.

At one end of the chassis 2 of the wheelbarrow 1 in a position distal to the wheel 5, the chassis 2 is equipped with at least one, advantageously with two operating arms 7. The arms 7 each end in a handle 12, 13. Here, one of the handles is a cylindrical handle 13 with a circular base, without moving part. It includes a protective sleeve 14 promoting grip. The handle 13 has the function of allowing the arm 7 to be taken in hand and participating in the lifting and steering of the wheelbarrow 1.

The other handle 12 is also cylindrical in shape with a circular base. Like the handle 13, the handle 12 is covered by a sleeve 16 facilitating handling. In addition to the same functions as those of the handle 13, the handle 12 also makes it possible to start the electric assistance, therefore to control the powertrain 9.

The handle 12 is called the control handle. It manages the electric assistance, both in terms of power transmitted to the wheel 5, therefore of the speed of movement of the wheelbarrow 1, and of the direction of movement, therefore in forward or reverse of the wheelbarrow 1.

Connection cables, not visible, between the control handle 12, the powertrain 9 and the battery 10 are advantageously hidden in the constituent tubes of the chassis 2. Here, a general switch, not visible in the various figures, is positioned at the level of a wall of the box 11. As a variant, it is located at another location, for example near a handle 12 or 13. Similarly, a light and / or sound signal, known per se, can be provided for inform the driver of the device 1 of the state of charge of the battery 10 and therefore of the available usage time.

As can be seen in FIG. 3, a support member 15, here configured as a cylindrical lug with circular base, is located at the junction zone between the handle 12 and the end 18 of the operating arm 7 on which the handle 12 is mounted. The lug 15 is fixed to a removable fixing ring 19. The ring 19 defines the junction zone between the handle and the arm 7.

This lug 15 allows the driver of the handling device 1 to have a fulcrum facilitating the operation of the handle 12. More specifically, in the example illustrated, the position and the shape of the lug 15 make it possible to hold the driver's hand in place by passing a finger around the lug 15. It is understood that, in other embodiments of the invention, the support member is different and / or of a other form. This is, for example, a ring or trigger 15A for a finger, as shown in Figure 7, a fingerprint for a finger or part of the driver's hand.

With this support member 15, the driver has a support point allowing him to move, in one direction or the other, the handle 12 when the handling device 1 is stopped or in movement. The driver can thus start and manage the powertrain 9 on demand.

As mentioned previously, the starting of the powertrain 9, and therefore the direction of rotation of the wheel 5 as well as its speed of rotation, are controlled by the movement of the handle 12, in a direction parallel to the main longitudinal axis A of the handle 12 and illustrated by the double arrow F.

As shown in Figures 4 to 6, the handle 12 comprises a fixed part 17, of cylindrical shape with a circular base. Part 17 is fixed to the end 18 of the maneuvering arm 7, upstream of the ring 19 with respect to the direction of movement in front of the wheelbarrow 1.

A second part 20 of the handle 12 is of cylindrical shape with a circular base and movable in translation. The part 20 has an internal diameter greater than the external diameter of the part 17. The part 20 covers the part 17 from its free end 21. In other words, the parts 17 and 20 are coaxial and together define the handle 12 of which only the external visible part of the conductor 20 is movable in translation.

The part 17 fixed to the operating arm 7 is inserted into the mobile part 20. The displacement of the part 20 is carried out in a direction, illustrated by the double arrow F, parallel to the longitudinal axis A of the handle 12, this in both directions, therefore in approach or away from the end 18 of the arm 7.

The fixed part 17 houses a brass tube 22. The tube 22 is arranged parallel to the axis A. the tube 22 is movable in translation, along the axis A, in the two directions illustrated by the double arrow F. The tube 22 receives two magnets 220, 221, illustrated in dotted lines in FIG. 6, arranged one behind the other. The magnets 220, 221 are oriented so that their respective ends of the same polarity, north or south, are opposite. The magnets 220, 221 are stationary in translation in the lumen of the tube 22. In other words, the magnets are integral in translation with the tube 22.

The magnets 220, 221 are adapted to control, for one, the forward gear and, for the other, the reverse gear of the device 1. The tube 22 has a notch adapted to cooperate with a notch of complementary shape, not illustrated, formed in a brass bar 23. The notch is provided substantially vertically in line with the junction area 222 between the magnets 220, 221. The bar 23 is solid and it is perpendicular to the tube 22. The bar 23 is integral in translation with the tube 22.

One end of the bar 23 opens into a cutout 200 formed in the wall of the fixed part 17. Here, the cutout 200 is oblong. The end of the bar 23 is fixed to the internal face 201 of the wall of the part 20 movable in translation. The bar 23 ensures the movement of the tube 22. In this way, the part 20 is displaced relative to the part 17 by simultaneously moving the bar 23 and therefore the tube 22 and the magnets 220, 221. The cutout 200 has dimensions adapted to allow the displacement of the bar 23 along a stroke equivalent to the stroke of the part 20, during its displacement in translation, in one direction or the other.

During this movement, one of the magnets 220 or 221 of the tube 22 is induced, simultaneously and proportionally, in front of a Hall effect sensor.

1 70, fixed. Such a sensor makes it possible to measure the variations of the magnetic field during the displacement of the poles of the magnet 220 or 221, which makes it possible to produce a position sensor without contact.

When the tube 22, and therefore the magnets 220, 221, moves, its stroke is materialized by the position of the bar 23 relative to the hall effect sensor 170. The latter, in the event of movement, detects a variation in the proportional magnetic field and representative of the position of the magnets 220, 221 therefore of the movable part 22 of the handle.

The information relating to the position of the magnets 220, 221 as collected by the Hall effect sensor 170 is transmitted, by wire 223, to an electronic computer. This computer, not illustrated, is located in the vicinity of the battery 10, advantageously inside the protective box 11. As a variant, it is located elsewhere, for example in an arm 7.

In another embodiment, the transmission of information is wireless. According to the position of the handle 12 determined by the Hall effect sensor 170 with respect to predefined positions, the computer induces, by control of the powertrain 9, a rotation in one direction or the other of the wheel 5, therefore a forward or reverse operation of the device 1. Similarly, the computer controls a more or less significant rotation of the electric motor of group 9, de facto of the wheel, therefore a speed of movement of the device more or less important.

A first so-called neutral position of the handle 12 and therefore de facto of the part

20, due to the attachment zone 222 of the bar 23 on the tube 22, corresponds to the position where the electric assistance is not started, the ends of the same polarity, north or south, of the two magnets 220, 221 facing the hall effect sensor

1 70. In this configuration, no variation in magnetic field is detected. The neutral position of the handle 12 is a privileged position thereof. Thus, for safety, we prefer to stop the electric assistance when no force, in push or pull, is exerted on the handle 12.

To obtain this first position automatically, two return springs 26, 27 arranged parallel to the tube 22 and located on either side of the bar 23 return the latter to the neutral position when no push or traction is exerted on the movable part 20. Adjusting screws 28, known per se, make it possible to adjust the tension of each spring 26, 27 and therefore the return force in the neutral position of the tube 22. In other words, by adjusting these screw 28, a threshold of ίο is triggered, in push or pull, when the electric assistance is started. In an embodiment not illustrated, the screws 28 are accessible from the external face 202 of the part 20, the handle 12 being removable, therefore de facto the parts 20 and 17 being separable.

The movement of the part 20 takes place to a second position corresponding to a maximum rotation of the powertrain 9, therefore a maximum speed of movement of the device 1, in one direction or the other. Such a position is defined beforehand for forward gear and for reverse gear. When this position is reached, a microswitch 25, known per se, ensures the locking in position of the part 20 and therefore limits the speed of rotation of the motor 9.

This is a so-called automatic operating mode of the control handle 12. In fact, the so-called automatic operation makes it possible to subject the electric assistance to a given stroke of the part 20: Because the displacement is axial , the more the driver encounters resistance to the movement of the device and the more, naturally, he pushes or pulls on the handlesl 2, 13. The travel of the part 20 of the handle 12 then triggers the starting of the group powertrain 9, in either direction of travel.

It is understood that, thanks to the support member 15; 15A the driver can control the powertrain 9, by moving, by pushing or pulling, the part 20 of the handle 12, without this implying, beforehand, a displacement of the handling device 1, therefore independently of the setting of the tension of return springs.

In other words, with the invention, the driver has the choice between automatic operation, the electric assistance being triggered as a function of the position of the part 20 when the appliance 1 is in motion or manual operation, the assistance being triggered by the driver, whether the device is stationary or in motion.

Thanks to the invention, the driver can accelerate or slow down the rotation of the powertrain 9, thus varying the speed of the device 1, without however modifying the thrust or the traction exerted on the part 20 of the handle 12. A such an operating mode limits the efforts of the driver on the handle and therefore optimizes ergonomics.

Manual operation, therefore the implementation of electrical assistance by the driver, regardless of the conditions of resistance to movement encountered, allows the driver to have modular electrical assistance if, for example, he wishes to anticipate a difficulty related to the nature of the terrain, when approaching a slope or to rest after numerous trips with the device 1.

Likewise, the driver can temporarily stop the electric assistance, by bringing the handle 12 to a so-called neutral position if, for example, the driver considers that the assistance is not justified or if he wishes to save the battery. It is also possible for the driver to speed up or slow down, temporarily, the movement of the device 1, for example depending on the nature of an area of the terrain.

Thanks to the invention, the driver can therefore vary the speed of the device 1. To implement this manual operation, the driver presses with a finger or part of his hand on the member 15; 15A. It can then move the part 20 in one direction or the other without exerting on the handle 12 a push or a pull capable of moving the device 1, only the movement of the part 20 is to be carried out which limits the painfulness of the process.

Whether in the case of automatic or manual operation, the implementation of the assistance is induced by the same type of translational movement, forwards or backwards, of the part 20 parallel to the longitudinal axis A of the handle 12, therefore by an ergonomic and natural movement. The driver takes a point of support also in an ergonomic and natural way.

In other embodiments, the handle 13 is also a control handle ensuring the implementation of the electric assistance.

Claims (2)

1.- Handling device (1) with electric assistance and driver on foot comprising 5 a chassis (2) provided with a receiving area (4) of a load (3), at least one wheel (5) fixed on the chassis (2), an electric powertrain (9) driving discontinuous, at least one wheel (5) in rotation, a control member (7,12) of the powertrain (9) comprising at least one operating arm (7) of the apparatus (1), said arm being provided with '' at least one control handle (12), movable in 10 translation in a direction (F) parallel to the direction of movement of the apparatus (1), said handle (12) being adapted to move between a first so-called neutral position causing the powertrain (9) to stop and at at least a second position inducing maximum rotation of the powertrain (9), characterized in that the control member (7, 12) comprises, at the level of the junction zone (19) 15 between one end (18) of the operating arm (7) and said control handle (12), a support member (15; 15A) of a part of the driver's hand, said support member (15 ; 15A) being adapted to allow movement (F) in one direction or the other of the control handle (12), regardless of the push or pull exerted on the control handle (12). 20 2, - Handling device according to claim 1, characterized in that the support member is a lug (15) or a trigger (15A) mounted on a fixing ring (19). 3. - handling device according to claim 1, characterized in that the support member is a ring mounted on a fixing ring (19). 4. - Handling device according to claim 1, characterized in that the device 25 comprises two operating arms (7), one of which is provided with a fixed handle (13) and the other of which is a control handle (12). 5. - Handling device according to claim 1, characterized in that the device comprises two operating arms (7) each provided with a control handle (12). 6. - Handling device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one control handle (12) comprises a fixed part (17) and a movable part (20). 7, - Handling device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device (1) comprises at least one stand (6) provided with at least one caster (8). 2/3