LT6831B - Vehicle with transforming seat - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a vehicle with a transforming seat, which is configured to transform from a sitting position, where the rider is sitting on a relatively flat seat surface like sitting on a normal chair, to a riding position, where the rider is sitting on a saddle type seat like sitting on a horse or on a bicycle, and includes a seat lifting mechanism, configured to lift the rider sitting on a seat to the eye level with a standing person, maintaining parallel and linear, relatively vertical nature of the motion of the seat, keeping the rider's torso generally upright during lifting and lowering operations and also maintaining relatively linear vertical movement of the rider's centre of gravity.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a vehicle with a transformable seat having a lifting mechanism.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A number of seats are designed for vehicles, and more specifically for wheelchairs, to lift the user from a seated position to the level of a standing human eye. Wheelchairs with an automatic lifting function that can lift and tilt the user to a standing position, as well as lower the user back to a sitting position, are often referred to as "stand-up" wheelchairs. Examples of such devices are described in US5346280A and US6773032B2. One disadvantage of building wheelchairs is the high transfer of user weight to the lower extremities when the wheelchair is in a standing position, the use of such a device is difficult for paraplegics and users without legs. Another disadvantage of the known seats with lifting and tilting function is the lack of stability of the user when the user is in a standing position, partially supported from the back. Another disadvantage of parking wheelchairs is the difficult control of the center of gravity position, in some cases the control of the center of gravity is important, especially in the case of self-balancing vehicles. In wheelchairs with a parking function, an additional mechanism is usually required to maintain a stable position of the center of gravity on the vertical axis. Wheelchairs with an automatic lifting function that can lift the user up and down in a sitting position are often referred to as "lift" wheelchairs, examples of such devices are described in US20190192362A1, EP3082706B1, US5209322A. One disadvantage of lifting wheelchairs is the unnaturally looking high seating position when the wheelchair is in the raised position. Another disadvantage of lifting wheelchairs is the high need for space in the raised position.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is a vehicle with a transformable seat which overcomes the drawbacks of the previous devices described above and which is configured to be transformed from a sitting position when the user is sitting on a relatively flat seat surface as sitting on a normal chair to a riding position, when the user is sitting on a saddle-type seat as on a horse or bicycle.

The vehicle of the present invention includes:

- a transformable seat designed to support the user;

- a base platform configured to support the load, including a transformable seat;

- a movement device connected to the base platform and adapted to propel the vehicle.

The transformable seat consists of:

- a saddle-type seat configured to support the user's bowl;

- thigh supports configured to support the user's thighs;

- a footrest mechanism designed to support the user's feet;

- a lifting mechanism configured to support the saddle-type seat and to perform seat transformation and lifting and lowering operations.

The transformable seat of the present invention is configured to be transformed from a first position, equal to a sitting position in a conventional chair, where the saddle-type seat and thigh supports form a relatively smooth and horizontal surface and the leg supports are in front of the seat when the user's knees and hip joints are bend at an angle of approximately 90 degrees to a second position equal to the riding position, where the saddle-type seat is raised relatively vertically in a relatively horizontal position, the thigh supports are inclined downwards with respect to the saddle-type seat and the leg supports are pulled up and back and rotated about the axis, which is approximately perpendicular to the sagittal plane to give the user a natural riding position. Since the saddle-type seat remains horizontal during the transformation of the seat, i.e. there is a saddle-type seat that does not tip, the user's pelvic support remains constant, so there is no need for multiple supports or additional immobilization of the user's body or lower extremities. In addition, when the user is in the riding position, the spatial support of the pelvis and thighs increases his stability compared to sitting on a flat seat.

The thigh supports of the transformable seat are pivotally connected to the saddle-type seat in such a way that the thigh supports can rotate from a first relatively horizontal position where the saddle-type seat and thigh supports form a relatively flat surface, and a second position when the thigh supports are tilted down respect. The rotation of the thigh supports can be performed by actuators or by a system of levers and joints operatively connected between the thigh supports and the lifting mechanism. The angle between the saddle-type seat and the thigh supports can be adjusted to suit the user's desired thigh angles.

The lifting mechanism of the present invention connected between the base platform and the saddle-type seat is configured to elevate the user sitting on the saddle-type seat to the level of a standing human eye while maintaining parallel and linear relatively vertical saddle-type seat movement while maintaining the wearer's torso vertical during operations, as well as maintaining a relatively linear vertical movement of the user’s center of gravity position.

In a preferred embodiment, the lifting mechanism of the present invention is designed as a two-parallel lifting mechanism comprising a support frame connected to a base platform, a lower lift, an intermediate frame, an upper lift and a lifting platform, wherein the lower lift is provided as a parallel the main connection and at least one support connection rotatably connected between the support frame and the intermediate frame, and the upper lift is provided as a system of parallel connections having at least one main connection and at least one support connection rotatably connected between the intermediate frame and the lifting platform, configured payload and to which the saddle-type sub-seat is connected.

The double hoist lifting mechanism further includes a synchronizing mechanism that is designed and arranged to maintain the respective angles of adjacent upper and lower hoists during lifting and lowering of the hoist. It is desirable for the synchronization mechanism to be built into the intermediate frame. A synchronization mechanism of a preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a pair of interlocking gear segments, the first having a common axis with the lower link main connection end and rigidly connected to said connection, the second having a common axis with the upper lift main connection end and rigidly connected to the lever, which is rotatably mounted in said intermediate frame and has a common axis with said end of the upper link main connection, and a compression connection which is rotatably connected between said lever and the main upper link connection. The gear ratio of the engaged gear segments is preferably 1. This design feature ensures linear and parallel movement of the lifting platform.

The lifting mechanism further comprises a drive adapted to support lifting and lowering operations of the lifting mechanism, wherein the drive of the preferred embodiment of the present invention is operatively connected between the support frame and said lever of the synchronizing mechanism. It is preferred that the actuator be a linear actuator.

The lifting mechanism may further comprise a resilient element which allows the lifting mechanism to act in addition as a suspension. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the compression connection of the synchronizing mechanism may further be replaced by a shock absorber with a spring or other resilient element to provide a more comfortable ride. The resilient element transforms the upper hoist of the lifting mechanism into a suspension of the longitudinal arms.

The leg support mechanism of the present invention may be designed as an independent mechanism or may be connected to a lifting mechanism, preferably via a system of joints and levers. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the footrests are pivotally connected to an intermediate frame of the lifting mechanism, wherein the axis of rotation is approximately perpendicular to the sagittal plane, and the angle of rotation of the footrests is controlled by a joint pivotally connected between said footrests and a lever. lever to form a crank lever. The position of the footrests and the angle of rotation can be adjusted to suit the user's desired foot angles.

The transformable seat may further include a backrest configured to support the wearer's back. It is desirable for the backrest to be connected to the saddle-type seat so that the angle between the backrest and the saddle-type seat remains the same during all movements of the transformable seat.

It is desirable that the lifting mechanism and the seat components be interconnected to achieve the desired position of the user with a minimum number of electromechanical components. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a single linear actuator is used for the seat transformation processes.

The propulsion device of a vehicle with a convertible seat may be any device capable of propelling the vehicle with the user, including, but not limited to, wheelchair chassis, motorized wheelchairs, self-balancing chassis, crawler chassis, propulsion devices with traction units, aircraft, ships, hovercraft and the like, or a combination of any of the foregoing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. shows a vehicle with a transformable seat occupied by the user in a second position - riding -, in an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the movement device is a two-wheel self-balancing chassis.

fig. shows a side view of a schematic illustration of a vehicle with a transformable seat in a preferred embodiment of the invention, in which the transformable seat is in the first position - sitting on a chair.

fig. shows a side view of a schematic illustration of a vehicle with a transformable seat in a preferred embodiment of the invention, in which the transformable seat is in the second position - riding.

fig. a fragmentary side view of a schematic illustration of a transformable seat with an alternative double lift lifting mechanism in the second - riding - position is shown.

fig. a fragmentary side view of a schematic illustration of a transformable seat with an alternative scissor lift mechanism in the second - riding - position is shown.

fig. a fragmentary side view of a schematic illustration of a transformable seat with an alternative telescopic lifting mechanism in the second - riding - position is shown.

fig. shows a front view of a schematic illustration of an embodiment of a vehicle with a transformable seat in which the lifting mechanism comprises a tilting axis.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION FIG. shows a perspective view of a vehicle with a transformable seat occupied by the user 1, where the movement device is a self-balancing chassis 6 connected to a base platform 9 and adapted to drive the vehicle, comprising: two wheels 7 which are substantially arranged next to each other on both sides of the base platform 9 perpendicular to the direction of travel, electric drives designed to transmit torque to the wheels, and a controller configured to control the traction device and balance the user's occupancy, where the speed and acceleration of the self-balancing traction device are controlled by shifting the center of gravity Fig. 1 the planes defining the orientation of the user and the transformable seat are also shown. Transformable seat Figure 1. is in the second - riding - position when the user on the transformable seat is lifted by a lifting mechanism 5 to the level of a standing human eye, where the user's pelvis is supported by a relatively horizontal saddle-type seat 2, the user's thighs are supported by thigh supports 3 which are tilted down by the saddle-type seat 2 and the user's feet are supported by footrests 4 which are pulled up and back and rotated about an axis approximately perpendicular to the sagittal plane to give the user 1 a natural riding position.

fig. and Figure 3. shows a preferred embodiment of the present invention when the vehicle with the transformable seat comprises:

- a transformable seat designed to support the user;

- a base platform 9 configured to withstand a load, including a transformable seat;

- a movement device connected to the base platform 9 and adapted to propel the vehicle.

The transformable seat consists of:

- a saddle-type seat 2 configured to support the user's bowl;

- thigh supports 3 configured to support the user's thighs;

- a footrest mechanism 22 configured to support the user's feet and calves;

- a lifting mechanism 21 configured to support the saddle-type seat and to perform seat transformation and lifting and lowering operations.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the thigh supports 3 are pivotally connected to the saddle-type seat 2 in such a way that the axis of rotation is approximately perpendicular to the sagittal plane and the thigh supports can rotate from a relatively horizontal position, as shown in Figure 2. the supports 3 form a relatively smooth surface, to a position where the thigh supports 3 are tilted down relative to the saddle-type seat 2, as shown in FIG. The rotation of the thigh supports is performed by a system of joints 23 which is rotatably mounted between the thigh supports 3 and the connection 14 of the upper lift 24 of the lifting mechanism 21.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the lifting mechanism 21 is provided as a flexible two-parallel lifting mechanism comprising a support frame 10 connected to the base platform 9, a lower lift 27 presented as a parallel connection system having a main connection 12 and a support connection 11, a support connection 11 a support frame 10 and an intermediate frame 15, and an upper lift 24 provided as a system of parallel connections having a main connection 14 and a support connection 13 pivotally connected between the intermediate frame 15 and the lifting platform 16. Preferably, the upper and lower lift support connections 11 and the ends 13 rotatably connected to the intermediate frame 15 share a common axis of rotation 28.

The lifting mechanism of a preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a synchronizing mechanism mounted in the intermediate frame and comprises: a pair of engaging gear segments, the first 18 having a common axis 29 with the end of the main connection 12 of the lower lift 27 and rigidly connected to said connection, the second 19 having a common shaft 30 with the end 14 of the main connection 24 of the upper lift 24 and rigidly connected to a lever 33 rotatably attached to said intermediate frame and sharing an axis 30 with the end 14 of the main connection 14 of the upper lift 24 and a compression connection 35 rotatably mounted between said lever 33 and the main connection 14 of the upper lift 24. Preferably, the gear ratio of the engaged gear segments is 1.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the compression connection 35 of the synchronizing mechanism is an air shock absorber which transforms the upper lift 24j of the lifting mechanism 21 into a suspension of the longitudinal arms to provide a more comfortable ride. In some embodiments of the invention, the compression connector 35 of the timing mechanism may be replaced by a spring-loaded shock absorber or any other resilient member.

The lifting mechanism of a preferred embodiment of the invention further comprises an actuator which is a linear actuator 38 operatively connected between the support frame 10 and the lever 33 of the synchronizing mechanism.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the transformable seat further comprises a footrest mechanism 22 comprising legrests 4 configured to support the user's feet and calves. The footrest mechanism is designed so that the footrest 4 can move from the first seating position with the footrest 4 in front of the saddle-type seat 2 as shown in Figure 2 and the user's knees and hip joints bent at an angle of approximately 90 degrees. , to the second riding position, where the footrests 4 are pulled up and back and rotated about an axis of rotation 25 which is approximately perpendicular to the sagittal plane, in order to give the user a natural riding position, as shown in Fig. 3. In this preferred embodiment of the invention, the footrest mechanism is connected to a lifting mechanism, wherein the footrests 4 are pivotally connected to the intermediate frame 15 of the lifting mechanism, the pivot axis 25 is approximately perpendicular to the sagittal plane and the pivot angle of the footrests 4 is controlled by a connection 26 a footrest and a lever 36 which is rigidly connected to the toothed lever 33 of the synchronizing mechanism to form a crank arm.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the components of the transformable seat are interconnected to achieve the desired position of the user with a minimum number of electromechanical components. A single linear actuator is used for seat transformation and lifting and lowering operations 38.

In some embodiments of the invention, the rotation of the thigh supports can be performed by actuators or a coupling system 23 operatively connected between the thigh supports 3 and the lifting mechanism 21, 50, 60. The angle between the saddle type seat 2 and the thigh supports 3 can be adjusted to suit the user's thigh corners.

In some embodiments of the invention, the leg support mechanism may be designed as an independent mechanism or may be connected to the lifting mechanism via a system of joints and levers, examples of such systems 72, 63, 53 are shown in Figure 4, Figure 5. and Figure 6. The footrests 4 can be connected to the lifting mechanism by a connection system 51, 52, as shown in Fig. 5. and Fig. 6 to provide the vertical and horizontal components of the footrest movements, and the rotation of the footrests 4 about the axis 25 may be performed by actuators (not shown) or by joints 26 rotatably mounted between said footrests 4 and said joint system connection 51. the position and angle of rotation can be adjusted to suit the desired angles of the user's feet.

In some embodiments of the invention, the transformable seat may include an elastic member that is incorporated into the lifting mechanism and allows the lifting mechanism to function in addition to the suspension. In some embodiments of the invention, the resilient member may be incorporated into the drive of the lifting mechanism.

In embodiments of the invention using a two-parallel lifting mechanism, the lifting mechanism may include a synchronizing mechanism, preferably mounted in an intermediate frame. In some embodiments of the invention, the timing mechanism may be provided as a system of joints and levers, or as a pair of engaged gear segments or other systems known in the art.

In some embodiments of the invention, the lifting mechanism may comprise at least one drive, which may be a hydraulic, electric, pneumatic or similar drive, operatively coupled to the lifting mechanism and capable of performing seat transformation and lifting and lowering operations. In some embodiments of the invention, when the moving device of the vehicle with the transformable seat is a military vehicle, the drive of the lifting mechanism may be designed as an impact absorbing element.

In some embodiments of the invention, the lifting mechanism may be any known lifting mechanism capable of performing relatively parallel and linear lifting and lowering operations, including, but not limited to, a scissor lifting mechanism, an example of a scissor lifting mechanism shown in Figure 5, or a telescopic lifting mechanism. an example of a telescopic lifting mechanism 60 is shown in Figure 6, or a double hoist lifting mechanism, an example of a double hoist lifting mechanism 70 is shown in Figure 4, where lifting and lowering operations are performed by separately controlled electric motors operatively connected at the pivot points 71 of the lifting mechanism 70.

In some embodiments of the invention, the motion device of a vehicle with a convertible seat may be any device capable of driving the vehicle with the user, including, but not limited to, wheelchair chassis, motorized wheelchairs, self-balancing chassis, crawler chassis, and traction units. , aircraft, automobiles, ships, hovercraft, and the like, or a combination of any of the foregoing.

In an embodiment of the invention in which the movement device is a self-balancing movement device that is unstable for overturning when at rest on the surface and the power or balancing mode is off, the vehicle with the transformable seat further comprises retractable stabilizer legs for the vehicle rollover protection . An example of the stabilizing legs 37 in the retracted position is shown in Figure 2, and an example of the stabilizing legs 37 in the extended position is shown in Figure 3.

In some embodiments of the invention, conventional occupancy sensors can be used to detect when a user enters or exits a vehicle. Occupancy sensors may be located on the seat or on footrests or in other suitable locations.

In some embodiments of the invention, the transformable seat may further include a backrest configured to support the user's back. It is desirable for the backrest 8 to be connected to the saddle-type seat, so that the angle between the backrest and the saddle-type seat remains the same during all movements of the transformable seat.

In some embodiments of a vehicle with a convertible seat, the lifting mechanism is connected to the main platform 9 via an inclined axis 82 which is relatively perpendicular to the front plane and allows the lifting mechanism to tilt in the front plane relative to the axle support frame 81 connected to the main platform 9. as shown in Figure 7. The rotation of the lifting mechanism relative to the base platform can be performed by gears, preferably linear actuators. Said rotation of the lifting mechanism can be controlled by inputs from gyroscopes, inclinometers and force transducers or the like to increase the roll-over resistance of the vehicle with the transformable seat when moving on uneven surfaces, slopes or turns.

In some embodiments of the invention, the saddle-type seat 2 is mounted on a lifting platform 16, 55, 65 using sliding rails to precisely adjust the position of the center of gravity by selectively moving said saddle-type seat back and forth in the sagittal plane. Said movement can be controlled by an electric or manual linear actuator connected between said lifting platform and said saddle-type seat.

In some embodiments of the invention, the transformable seat of the present invention may not include the thigh supports 3 or the leg supports 4.

In some embodiments of the invention, where the vehicle of the vehicle with the transformable seat is a propulsion device having traction units coupled to a platform on which the user stands, the transformable seat can significantly reduce load transfer to the user's lower extremities.

Several embodiments of the present invention have been described above, although various other modifications and configurations may be apparent to those skilled in the art, and the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but to the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (13)

DEFINITION OF THE INVENTION 1. A vehicle with a convertible seat comprising a base platform, a movement device coupled to the base platform and adapted to propel the vehicle, a seat connected to the base platform and adapted to support the user, characterized in that the seat is a transformable seat comprising: - a saddle-type seat (2) configured to support the user's bowl; - a lifting mechanism (5, 21, 70, 60, 50) connected between said base platform and the saddle-type seat and adapted to maintain a relatively parallel, linear and vertical movement of the saddle-type seat during lifting and lowering operations between the first - lowered - position , where the user is in a seated position, and a second - raised - position, where the user is in a riding position, keeping the center of gravity of the user in a substantially vertical line; - a footrest mechanism (22, 72, 63, 53) comprising footrests and means for performing footrest movements when in said first position the footrests are in front of the saddle-type seat, forming an approximately right angle with the saddle-type seat to provide the user with seating; on the chair, and in said second position, the footrests are pulled up and back relative to said first position and rotated about an axis approximately perpendicular to the sagittal plane to provide the riding position for the user. 2. A vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that the transformable seat further comprises thigh supports (3) for supporting the user's thighs, wherein in said first position the thigh supports form a relatively horizontal surface with the saddle-type seat (2) and in said second position, where the saddle-type seat remains parallel to the first position, the thigh supports are inclined downwards in relation to the saddle-type seat. 3. A vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that the lifting mechanism is a flexible two-parallel lifting mechanism comprising: a support frame (10) connected to the base platform (9), a lower lift (27), an intermediate frame (15), an upper a hoist (24), a lifting platform (16), a synchronizing mechanism constructed and arranged to support the respective angles of the adjacent upper and lower hoists, and at least one gear arranged to service the lifting and lowering operations of the hoist, wherein the lower hoist (27) ) is implemented as a system of parallel connections having at least one main connection (12) and at least one support connection (11) rotatably connected between the support frame (10) and the intermediate frame (15), and the upper lift (24) is realized as a system of parallel joints with at least one main joint (14) and at least one support joint (13) pivotally connected between the intermediate frame (10) and the lifting platform ( 16) which is configured to withstand a payload and to which a saddle-type seat (2) is attached. 4. Vehicle according to claim 3, characterized in that the synchronizing mechanism (17) mounted in the intermediate frame (15) comprises a pair of interlocking gear segments, the first (18) of which has a common axle (29) with the lower lift (27). the end of the main connection (12) and is rigidly connected to said connection, the second (19) having a common shaft (30) with the end of the main connection (14) of the upper lift (24) and rigidly connected to a lever (33) rotatably mounted in said intermediate frame and has a common shaft (30) with the end of the main connection of said upper lift, and a compression connection (35) rotatably connected between said lever (33) and the main connection (14) of the upper lift (24). 5. A vehicle according to claim 3, characterized in that the drive is electric, pneumatic or hydraulic. A vehicle according to claim 3, characterized in that the drive (38) is operatively connected between the support frame (10) and the lever (33) of the synchronizing mechanism (17). 7. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the transformable seat further comprises a suspension. 8. Vehicle according to claim 4, characterized in that the compression connection (35) of the synchronizing mechanism (17) is replaced by an elastic element which transforms the upper lift (24) of the lifting mechanism (21) into a suspension of the longitudinal arms. 9. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the transformable seat further comprises a backrest (8) for supporting the user's back, wherein the backrest is connected to the saddle-type seat (2). Vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lifting mechanism (5, 21, 70, 60, 50) is connected to the base platform (9) via an axis (82) which allows the transformable seat to tilt in the frontal plane. 11. Vehicle according to claim 10, characterized in that the tilting of the transformable seat relative to the base platform is performed by gears. 12. A vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that the saddle-type seat (2) is slidably connected to the lifting platform (16, 75, 65, 55) via a rail and guide system and comprises a linear actuator connected between said lifting platform and said seats for selectively moving said seat back and forth. 13. A vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that the device for moving the vehicle with a transformable seat can be any device capable of driving a vehicle with a user, including wheelchairs, motorized wheelchairs, self-balancing chassis, tracked chassis, propulsion devices, with traction units, aircraft, cars, ships, hovercraft and the like, or any combination of the foregoing.