FR3076449A1 - PROPULSION AID DEVICE FOR A WHEELCHAIR, AND A WHEELCHAIR EQUIPPED WITH SUCH A DEVICE. - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (100) for assisting the propulsion of a wheelchair (102) comprising an axle (104) and at least two wheels (106), said device (100) characterized in that it comprises at least one motor (114), at least one drive shaft (108) connected to said motor (114) and configured to be arranged in said axle (104), and for at least one wheel (106), at least one transmission means (110) configured to transmit the rotation of said at least one drive shaft (108) to said wheel (106). The invention also relates to a wheelchair (102) equipped with the device (100).

Description

"Propulsion assistance device for wheelchairs, and wheelchair equipped with such a device" The invention relates to a propulsion assistance device for wheelchairs and an armchair provided with such a device.

The field of the invention is the field of wheelchairs and all types of similar carriers, and more particularly, the field of propulsion and motorization of wheelchairs and all types of similar carriers.

STATE OF THE ART

There is a need for assistance with the movement of carriers such as manual wheelchairs, for example to climb elevations or reduce user fatigue.

Motorized wheels are known which are compatible with a manual wheelchair. Such a motorized wheel comprises a motor connected to a wheel and a battery for supplying said motor. However, such a motorized wheel is very bulky making it difficult to install on a wheelchair. In addition, it has a significant weight considerably increasing the total weight of the wheelchair so that the assistance provided remains low or very limited. In addition, motorized wheels are expensive to make and maintain.

There are also known propulsion devices comprising a wheel, a motor and a battery and which can be adapted on an axle of the manual wheelchair temporarily. These thrusters require a certain dexterity of the user or the intervention of a third person to install them on the wheelchair and remove them. In addition, they are bulky and expensive.

An object of the present invention is to remedy these drawbacks.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a device for assisting in the propulsion of a wheelchair less expensive to produce, install and maintain.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a device for assisting the propulsion of a less bulky wheelchair.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a device for assisting the propulsion of a wheelchair which is simpler to install and to use.

STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION

At least one of the abovementioned objectives is achieved by a device for assisting in the propulsion of a wheelchair comprising an axle and at least two wheels, said device being characterized in that it comprises: -at least one motor, -at at least one drive shaft connected to said motor and configured to be arranged in said axle, and for at least one wheel, at least one transmission means configured to transmit the rotation of said at least one drive shaft to said wheel.

With the device according to the invention, the modifications made to the wheelchair are reduced. The device according to the invention is thus less expensive to install, to make and to maintain.

In addition, only a drive shaft and transmission means are introduced into the axle of the chair. The device according to the invention therefore has a lower weight compared to the system of the prior art.

The device according to the invention is also less bulky.

In addition, the device according to the invention, once installed, requires no user intervention to operate. Its use is thus simpler.

Preferably, the device according to the invention can comprise a transmission means for each wheel.

Preferably, the transmission means can be configured to be arranged in part, or totally, in the axle.

The transmission means can be partly arranged in at least one wheel of the wheelchair.

In an advantageous embodiment, the transmission means can comprise a part, known as a coupling, driven by the at least one drive shaft and retractable between: - a position, known as deployed, in which it is coupled to the wheel for transmitting a torque from said at least one drive shaft to said wheel, and - a position, called retracted, in which said wheel is free to rotate relative to said coupling part.

The coupling piece can be arranged rotatable in the axle and free in translation.

The coupling part can pass from a retractable to deployed position by a manual user control and / or automatic according to a wheel speed or a gradient.

The coupling piece can be arranged in the axle or in the wheel or in between.

In particular, the coupling piece may be a tooth positioned in an opening arranged in the wheel in its deployed position and positioned in the axle without contact with the wheel in its retracted position.

Alternatively, the wheel can be free to rotate on an axle and mounted on a bearing. The coupling piece may be a stop intended to block the bearing in rotation. The wheel is thus secured to its axis. The wheel and axle assembly can be rotated by the coupling part receiving a rotation of the drive shaft.

Preferably, the device according to the invention may comprise means for controlling the position of the coupling part.

The control means can modify the position of the coupling piece from a retracted position to a deployed position and vice versa.

The control means may include manual control means such as a lever arm or a control button.

Alternatively, or in addition, the control means may comprise an automatic control means as a function of a speed or an acceleration of the wheel, a time of use, a difference in level, etc.

The control means may or may not receive control instructions.

In a particular embodiment of the device according to the invention, the transmission means can comprise a part, called a link, arranged to transmit the rotation of the at least one drive shaft to the coupling part.

The connecting piece can be mounted tight on the one hand to at least one drive shaft and on the other hand to the coupling piece.

The connecting piece can be arranged to rotate in the axle, for example arranged on a bearing mounted in the axle.

The connecting piece may include a means for fixing a ball pin provided for locking the wheel in translation. This fixing means can be an opening or a stop intended to receive a ball of said spindle.

The connecting piece can be arranged in the axle or in the wheel or in between.

In a preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention, the transmission means can comprise a universal joint connecting the at least one drive shaft to the connecting piece and configured to transmit the rotation of the at least one shaft d 'drive at an angle between 5 ° and 60 ° relative to the at least one drive shaft.

The gimbal makes it possible to limit the modifications made to the wheelchair and makes it possible to transmit the rotation to the wheel while respecting its inclination relative to the axle in standard wheelchairs.

The gimbal can be arranged in the axle.

Advantageously, the motor can be configured to be arranged on the axle and connected to the at least one drive shaft.

The motor can provide power between 100 and 250 watts.

The device according to the invention may comprise a battery configured to supply the engine.

The battery can be arranged removably on the axle.

The battery and the motor can be arranged in a housing arranged on the axle. The housing may include an opening for accessing the engine and / or the battery.

In one embodiment, the device according to the invention may comprise a motor arranged in the axle and connected to the at least one drive shaft.

Preferably, the device according to the invention may comprise a removable connection means connecting the motor to the at least one drive shaft.

This characteristic allows a simpler and less expensive maintenance of the device according to the invention.

In particular, the connecting means can comprise, on the side of the motor at least one first gear, and on the side of the at least one drive shaft at least one second gear.

The first gear can be arranged on the axle and the second gear in the axle. The axle may include an opening to allow the connection between the two gears.

The first and second gears can be arranged parallel or perpendicular to each other.

In one embodiment, the device according to the invention may comprise at least one force sensor configured to measure a force at the level of at least one wheel.

The force sensor can transmit the measured data at at least one wheel to the control means.

The control means can control the coupling part as a function of the data from the force sensor.

The device according to the invention may comprise a means for measuring the speed and / or the acceleration of at least one wheel. The measuring means can be arranged at at least one wheel and can communicate the speed and / or acceleration data measured by the control means.

The control means can regulate the speed of the motor as a function of the data from the force sensor and / or as a function of the speed and / or acceleration of at least one wheel and / or as a function of the environment of the wheelchair, for example on a slope, in a home, office, shop, on asphalt, etc.

The device according to the invention may comprise a transmission means further provided for receiving an instruction from the user such as a desired speed or the deployment or retraction of the coupling position, and transmit it to the control means.

The transmission means can be a wired or non-wired transmission means.

In a particular embodiment, the device according to the invention may comprise, for each pair of wheels, a single drive shaft and two transmission means arranged on either side of said drive shaft.

In another particular embodiment, the device according to the invention may comprise, for each wheel, a drive shaft connected to a transmission means.

The device according to the invention can comprise a single motor connected to the two drive shafts.

In particular, the device according to the invention may comprise a differential gear connected to each drive shaft, designed to drive the rotation of the drive shafts at different speeds. The differential gear makes it possible to adapt the speed of the wheels when passing a curve.

The device according to the invention can comprise for each drive shaft, a motor arranged in or on the axle.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a wheelchair comprising a device according to the invention.

In an advantageous version of the chair according to the invention, the motor can be arranged on a central part of the axle.

This arrangement allows a better distribution of the weight on the wheelchair increasing the efficiency of the wheelchair and reducing its imbalance. This makes the wheelchair easier to use and more reliable.

In particular, the chair according to the invention may comprise a removable housing comprising the motor and at least one battery provided for supplying said motor.

The housing can include the control means. The housing may further include an opening or a hatch allowing access to the engine and / or the battery. This feature facilitates maintenance of the wheelchair.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES AND EMBODIMENTS Other advantages and characteristics will appear on examining the detailed description of nonlimiting exemplary embodiments, and the appended drawings in which: FIGURE 1 is a schematic representation of a first example of the device according to the invention; - FIGURE 2 is a schematic representation of a second example of the device according to the invention; and FIGURES 3a and 3b are schematic representations of a third example of the device according to the invention.

It is understood that the embodiments which will be described below are in no way limiting. It is possible in particular to imagine variants of the invention comprising only a selection of characteristics described hereinafter isolated from the other characteristics described, if this selection of characteristics is sufficient to confer a technical advantage or to differentiate the invention from the state of the prior art. This selection includes at least one characteristic, preferably functional, without structural detail, or with only part of the structural details if this part only is sufficient to confer a technical advantage or to differentiate the invention from the state of the prior art.

FIGURE 1 is a schematic representation of a first example of the device according to the invention.

The device 100 is provided for a wheelchair 102. The chair can be a standard wheelchair. The wheelchair 102 comprises a hollow axle 104 and two wheels 106i and IO62.

The device 100 comprises two drive shafts IO81 and IO82 arranged in the axle 104 and provided for driving the rotation, respectively, of the wheels IO61 and IO62.

The device 100 comprises, for each drive shaft IO81 and IO82, a transmission means 110i and IIO2, respectively, arranged in the axle 104 and arranged to transmit the rotation of the drive shaft IO81 and IO82 to the wheel IO61 and IO62, respectively.

Each transmission means 110i and IIO2 is equipped with a part 112i and 1122, called a coupling, provided retractable between: - a position, called deployed, in which it is coupled to the wheel IO61 and IO62 to transmit a torque of l drive shaft IO81 and 1082 to the wheel IO61 and IO62, respectively, and - a position, called retracted, in which the wheel IO61 and IO62, respectively, is free relative to the transmission means 110i and IIO2, respectively.

The coupling part 112 is in the form of a tooth disposed, in its deployed position, in an opening of the wheel 106, and in its retracted position, for example disposed in an opening provided in the transmission means 110.

The device 100 further comprises a motor 114 drives the rotation of the drive shafts 108 through a gear 116. The motor 114 is arranged in a housing 118 disposed on the axle 104 in a removable manner, for example by clips or by tightening straps. The housing 118 is disposed centrally on the axle 104 for a more homogeneous distribution of the forces on the axle 104.

The device 100 includes a battery 120 arranged in the housing 118 supplying the engine 114. The battery 120 can be rechargeable.

The device 100 also comprises a control means 122 arranged in the housing 118 provided for controlling the motor 114 and the transmission means 110.

The control means 122 communicates, wired or not, with two force sensors 124i and 1242 equipping the wheels 106i and IO62. The force sensors 124 measure the forces applied by a user of the chair 102.

The control means 122 controls the position of the coupling pieces 110 as a function of the data measured by the force sensors 124. For example, the control means 122 engages the deployed position of the coupling piece 110 when the forces applied to the wheels 106 are above a predetermined threshold.

The control means 122 can also control the position of the coupling piece 110 as a function of a command from the user received wired or not.

The device 100 may include manual control means such as a control button for controlling the coupling piece 110.

The control means 122 also regulates the speed of the motor 114 and therefore of the wheels 106 as a function of the data measured by the force sensors 124.

In addition, the control means 122 can control the position of the coupling piece 110 and / or the speed of the motor 114 as a function of at least one of the following parameters: - a duration of use of the chair 102, - a speed d 'at least one wheel 106, - a drop in height that the wheelchair 102 encounters, and / or - an environment of the wheelchair 102, for example inside a home or outside.

The device 100 may include a means for measuring a speed and / or an acceleration of at least one wheel 106.

The housing 118 includes a hatch allowing access to the engine 114, the battery 120 and to the control means 122, for their maintenance for example.

FIGURE 2 is a schematic representation of a second example of the device according to the invention.

The device 200 comprises the same elements as the device 100 of FIGURE 1. Unlike the device 100, the device 200 comprises two motors 114i and 1142 connected, respectively, to the drive shafts 108i and IO82. The motors 114 are arranged in the axle 104 symmetrically. The forces in the axle 104 are thus better distributed and do not disturb the balance of the chair 102.

FIGURES 3a and 3b are schematic representations of a third example of the device according to the invention.

FIGURE 3a is an overall sectional view of the device 300 according to the invention and FIGURE 3b is an enlargement of an area A of FIGURE 3a.

The device 300 is provided for a standard type wheelchair 302. The wheelchair 302 includes a hollow axle 304 and two wheels 306i and 3062.

The device 300 comprises two drive shafts 308i and 3082 arranged in the axle 304 and designed to drive the rotation, respectively, of the wheels 306i and 3002.

The device 300 comprises two transmission means 310i and 3102 arranged in the axle 304 and provided for transmitting the rotation of the drive shafts 308i and 3082 to the wheels 306i and 3062, respectively. The wheel 3062 and transmission means 3102 assembly is shown in more detail in FIGURE 3b.

The transmission means 310i and the wheel 306i comprise the same elements as the transmission means 31O2 and the wheel 3062, described below.

The wheel 3062 is assembled free to rotate around a hub 3122 mounted on a first bearing, called the first primary bearing 3142, and a second bearing, said the second primary bearing, 3162. The wheel 3062 is locked in translation relative to the chair 302 by a ball spindle 3182 passing through the hub 3122 and fitting into the axle 304.

The transmission means 3102 comprises a part, called a coupling part, 3202 arranged to transmit the rotation of the drive shaft 3082 to the wheel 3062, when it is in a deployed position. The coupling piece 3202 is placed next to the first primary bearing 3142 of the wheel 3062.

The coupling part 3202 comprises a deployable tooth which when it is deployed causes the first primary bearing 3142 to be blocked. In this case, the wheel 3062 is integral with its hub 3182.

The transmission means 3102 comprises a cardan joint 3222 assembled by clamping on the drive shaft 3082 and transmitting the rotation of the drive shaft 3082 at an angle of approximately 10 ° relative to the drive shaft 3082 .

The transmission means 3102 also comprises a part, called a link, 3242 arranged freely in translation in the axle 304 arranged on a first bearing, said first secondary bearing 3262, and a second bearing, said second secondary bearing, 3282. The connecting piece 3242 is mounted tightly, on one side to the universal joint 3222 and on the other side to the coupling piece 3202. The connecting piece 3242 thus transmits the rotation of the universal joint 3222 to the coupling piece 3202. The piece link 3242 comprises two stops provided for blocking the translation of the ball spindle 3182 and therefore of the wheel 3062.

In addition, the drive shafts 308 are connected to a motor not shown in FIGURE 3a. A differential gear 330 is arranged between the motor and the drive shafts 308 and transmits the rotation of the motor to said drive shafts 308 at different speeds or equal depending on the movement of the chair 302.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the examples which have just been described and numerous modifications can be made to these examples without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims (15)

1. Device (100; 300) for assisting in the propulsion of a wheelchair (102; 302) comprising an axle (104; 304) and at least two wheels (106; 306), said device (100; 300) characterized in that it comprises: -at least one motor (114), -at least one drive shaft (108; 308) connected to said motor (114) and configured to be arranged in said axle (104; 304), and - for at least one wheel (106; 306), at least one transmission means (110; 310) configured to transmit the rotation of said at least one drive shaft (108; 308) to said wheel (106; 306) . 2. Device (100; 300) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the transmission means (110; 310) is configured to be arranged in part, or totally, in the axle (104; 304). 3. Device (100; 300) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transmission means (110; 310) comprises, a part, called a coupling (112; 320), driven by the at least a drive shaft (108; 308) and retractable between: - a position, called deployed, in which it is coupled to the wheel (106; 306) for transmitting a torque of said at least one drive shaft (108; 308) to said wheel (106; 306), and - a so-called retracted position in which said wheel (106; 306) is free relative to said coupling part (112; 320). 4. Device (100) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises control means (122) of the position of the coupling part (112). 5. Device (300) according to any one of claims 3 or 4, characterized in that the transmission means (310) comprises a part, called a link (324), arranged to transmit the rotation of the at least one drive shaft (308) to the coupling piece (320). 6. Device (300) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the transmission means (310) comprises a universal joint (322) connecting the at least one drive shaft (308) to the connecting piece (324) and configured to transmit the rotation of the at least one drive shaft (308) at an angle between 5 ° and 60 ° relative to the at least one drive shaft (308). 7. Device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the motor (114) is configured to be arranged on the axle (104) and connected to the at least one drive shaft (108 ). 8. Device (100) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises a removable connection means (116) connecting the motor (114) to the at least one drive shaft (108). 9. Device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least one force sensor (124) configured to measure a force at the level of at least one wheel (106). 10. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises, for each pair of wheels, a single drive shaft and two transmission means arranged on either side of said drive shaft. 11. Device (100; 300) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it comprises, for each wheel (106; 306), a drive shaft (108; 308) connected to a means transmission (110; 310). 12. Device (300) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises a differential gear (330) connected to each drive shaft (308), designed to drive the rotation of the drive shafts (308) at different speeds. 13. wheelchair (102; 302) comprising a device (100; 300) according to any one of the preceding claims. 14. Chair (102) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the motor (114) is arranged on a central part of the axle (104). 15. Armchair (102) according to any one of claims 13 or 14, characterized in that it comprises a removable housing (118) comprising the motor (114) and at least one battery (120) provided for supplying said motor ( 114).