WO2017199116A1 - A control device for a motor unit that can be fixed to a wheelchair - Google Patents

A control device for a motor unit that can be fixed to a wheelchair Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2017199116A1
WO2017199116A1 PCT/IB2017/052481 IB2017052481W WO2017199116A1 WO 2017199116 A1 WO2017199116 A1 WO 2017199116A1 IB 2017052481 W IB2017052481 W IB 2017052481W WO 2017199116 A1 WO2017199116 A1 WO 2017199116A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
control lever
handlebar
fixed
end stroke
motor unit
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IB2017/052481
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Angelo Vitali
Davide STASOLLA
Original Assignee
Moretti S.P.A.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Moretti S.P.A. filed Critical Moretti S.P.A.
Publication of WO2017199116A1 publication Critical patent/WO2017199116A1/en

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61G—TRANSPORT, PERSONAL CONVEYANCES, OR ACCOMMODATION SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PATIENTS OR DISABLED PERSONS; OPERATING TABLES OR CHAIRS; CHAIRS FOR DENTISTRY; FUNERAL DEVICES
    • A61G5/00—Chairs or personal conveyances specially adapted for patients or disabled persons, e.g. wheelchairs
    • A61G5/10—Parts, details or accessories
    • A61G5/1051—Arrangements for steering
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61G—TRANSPORT, PERSONAL CONVEYANCES, OR ACCOMMODATION SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PATIENTS OR DISABLED PERSONS; OPERATING TABLES OR CHAIRS; CHAIRS FOR DENTISTRY; FUNERAL DEVICES
    • A61G5/00—Chairs or personal conveyances specially adapted for patients or disabled persons, e.g. wheelchairs
    • A61G5/04—Chairs or personal conveyances specially adapted for patients or disabled persons, e.g. wheelchairs motor-driven
    • A61G5/041—Chairs or personal conveyances specially adapted for patients or disabled persons, e.g. wheelchairs motor-driven having a specific drive-type
    • A61G5/042—Front wheel drive
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61G—TRANSPORT, PERSONAL CONVEYANCES, OR ACCOMMODATION SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PATIENTS OR DISABLED PERSONS; OPERATING TABLES OR CHAIRS; CHAIRS FOR DENTISTRY; FUNERAL DEVICES
    • A61G5/00—Chairs or personal conveyances specially adapted for patients or disabled persons, e.g. wheelchairs
    • A61G5/04—Chairs or personal conveyances specially adapted for patients or disabled persons, e.g. wheelchairs motor-driven
    • A61G5/047—Chairs or personal conveyances specially adapted for patients or disabled persons, e.g. wheelchairs motor-driven by a modular detachable drive system
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62K—CYCLES; CYCLE FRAMES; CYCLE STEERING DEVICES; RIDER-OPERATED TERMINAL CONTROLS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR CYCLES; CYCLE AXLE SUSPENSIONS; CYCLE SIDE-CARS, FORECARS, OR THE LIKE
    • B62K5/00—Cycles with handlebars, equipped with three or more main road wheels
    • B62K5/02—Tricycles
    • B62K5/023—Tricycles specially adapted for disabled riders, e.g. personal mobility type vehicles with three wheels
    • B62K5/025—Tricycles specially adapted for disabled riders, e.g. personal mobility type vehicles with three wheels power-driven
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61G—TRANSPORT, PERSONAL CONVEYANCES, OR ACCOMMODATION SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PATIENTS OR DISABLED PERSONS; OPERATING TABLES OR CHAIRS; CHAIRS FOR DENTISTRY; FUNERAL DEVICES
    • A61G2203/00—General characteristics of devices
    • A61G2203/10—General characteristics of devices characterised by specific control means, e.g. for adjustment or steering

Definitions

  • the present invention refers to the technical field of wheelchairs for disabled and/or invalids, with particular reference to the control devices for motor units able to couple themselves with said wheelchairs.
  • a wheelchair comprises a supporting frame; a seat fixed to the frame and able to support a seated person; a couple of posterior wheels connected to the frame, that can be operated manually by the person on the seat; a couple of anterior wheels connected to the frame for allowing the stable support of the wheelchair on the ground; potential stopping devices preferably acting on the posterior wheels.
  • motor units are generally used, allowing to transform wheelchairs into a sort of three- wheels vehicles.
  • Motor units can be both with manual activation and with electrical activation.
  • motor units comprise:
  • a fork fixed to the sleeve and able to support rotatably a driving wheel
  • a battery connected to the frame, which feeds the electrical motor
  • a braking plate connected to the driving wheel;
  • - control means activatable by the handlebar, acting on the electric motor and/or on the braking plate, for adjusting the speed and for adjusting the braking action of the motor unit respectively;
  • a fixing device connected to the frame, for the rapid connection to a wheelchair.
  • Usual control means acting on the electric motor to adjust the speed and/or acting on a braking disk to adjust the braking action have generally a difficult activation for a disabled person.
  • control device described in such a publication is hardly activatable by disabled suffering from serious forms of paraplegia and quadriplegia. Disclosure of the invention
  • a further aim of the invention is to provide a control device for a motor unit which can be easily used also by disabled suffering from paraplegia and quadriplegia .
  • the aforementioned aims are therefore obtained through a control device for a motor unit that can be fixed to a wheelchair; with such a motor unit comprising: a frame; a steering sleeve connected to the frame; a handlebar fixed to the sleeve and graspable by a user seated on the wheelchair when the wheelchair is fixed to the motor unit; a fork fixed to the sleeve and able to support rotatably a driving wheel; a braking plate connected to the driving wheel; an electrical motor for activating the driving wheel; a battery for feeding the electrical motor; control means that can be activated by the handlebar, acting on the electric motor and/or on the braking plate for adjusting the speed and the braking action; a fixing device, connected to the frame, for the rapid connection/unfastening to a wheelchair; with said control device comprising: a
  • transmitting means comprise a support element fixed to the control lever and lower and upper end stroke means connected to the support element and extending parallel to the part of the handlebar graspable by the user; with the user that, as he holds the graspable part of the handlebar, he places the wrist interposed between such lower and upper end stroke means, thus allowing the activation of the control lever through the rotation of the wrist.
  • the proposed control device for a motor unit that can be fixed to a wheelchair can further comprise one or more of the following features, being considered individually or in combination :
  • the support element is fixed to the control lever in adjustable manner, in order to allow the correct positioning of the user's wrist, interposed between the lower and upper end stroke means;
  • control means acting on the electric motor for adjusting the speed comprise an accelerator unit provided with a potentiometer; with the control lever comprising a first end stroke element able to activate the potentiometer for sending to the electric motor a signal proportional to the rotation angle of the control lever;
  • the end stroke element preferably with cylindrical shape, is supported idle by the control lever according to an axis parallel to the handlebar;
  • such support means comprise a sleeve that can be fixed to the handlebar on whose outer surface the control lever can be supported in rotatable way;
  • Such support means comprise at least an end stroke element which can stop the control lever.
  • Figures 1, 2 show both lateral and aberl views of a motor unit and a wheelchair in coupled configuration
  • Figures 3, 3A show corresponding lateral and aberl views of the proposed control device during the adjustment of the braking action, in a first operational configuration
  • Figures .4, 4A represent also lateral and aberl views of the same control device shown in figures 3, 3A in a second operating phase;
  • Figures 5, 5A show the related naval and lateral views of the proposed control device during the speed adjustment, in a first operational configuration
  • Figures 6, 6A show corresponding diagraml and lateral views of the same control device shown in figures 5, 5A in a second operating configuration.
  • the motor unit 2 comprises:
  • a frame 4 A frame 4 ;
  • a steering sleeve 5 connected to the frame 4;
  • a fork 7 fixed to the sleeve 5 and able to support rotatably a driving wheel 8 ;
  • a braking plate 9 connected to the driving wheel
  • Control means activatable by the handlebar, acting on the electric motor and/or on the braking plate 9, for adjusting the speed and/or the braking action;
  • a fixing device 10 connected to the frame 4, for the rapid connection/unfastening to a wheelchair 3;
  • the proposed control device 1 comprises:
  • a control lever 11 articulated to the handlebar 6 and able to rotate according to a plane orthogonal to the handlebar 6;
  • the transmission means (12, 13, 14) can comprise:
  • Lower 13 and upper 14 end stroke means connected to the support element 12 extending parallel to the handlebar 6 part 60, which can be held by the user.
  • the wrist is positioned between the lower 13 and upper 14 end stroke means, allowing the activation of the control lever 11 by rotating it, being fastened to the support element 12, by rotating the wrist.
  • the proposed control device 1 can also comprise means 20 for limiting the rotation angle of the control lever 11.
  • the support element 12 can be fastened to the control lever 11 in adjustable manner.
  • control means acting on the electric motor for adjusting the speed comprise an accelerator assembly 22 provided with a potentiometer.
  • control lever 11 comprises a first end stroke element 120 able to activate the potentiometer to send to the electric motor a signal proportional to the rotation angle of the control lever 11.
  • Such a first end stroke element 120 is supported idle by the control lever 11 according to an axis parallel to the handlebar 6.
  • control means activatable by the handlebar 6 and acting on the braking disk 9 to adjust the braking action comprise a brake assembly 15 comprising, in turn, a support body 16 fixed to the handlebar 6 and a handle 17 articulated to the support body 16 according to an axis parallel to the handlebar 6.
  • control lever 11 advantageously comprises a second end stroke element 110 able to intercept the handle 17 so as to bring the handle 17 in rotation according to the activation of the control lever 11.
  • control lever 11 performs rotations of the same width of the detected handle 17.
  • the second end stroke element 110 preferably of cylindrical shape, is supported idle by the control lever 11 according to a parallel axis to the handlebar 6.
  • the proposed control device 1 can further comprise means 18, which can be fixed to the handlebar 6, for supporting the control lever 11 and the body 16 of the brake assembly 15.
  • Such support means 18 can comprise a sleeve 19 which can be fixed to the handlebar 6, for example by means of a screw, on whose outer surface can be supported rotatably the control lever 11.
  • They can comprise, near the sleeve 19, at least one end stroke element 20 which can stop the control lever 11, such as a pivot 20 with an axis parallel to the handlebar 6.
  • Figures 1 and 2 illustrate both naval and lateral views of a wheelchair 3 and a motor unit 2 provided with the proposed control device 1 in coupled configuration .
  • Figures 3, 3A show corresponding naval and lateral views of the proposed control device 1 in an inoperative configuration in which the user maintains the wrist at rest, so as not to activate the control lever 11.
  • the second end stroke element 110 which is connected idle to the control lever 11, can advantageously be placed on the lower part of the handle 17.
  • Figures 4, 4A show corresponding naval and lateral views of the same control device 1 in an operative configuration of braking adjustment, in which the user rotates the wrist upwards so as to operate the control lever 11 (in a clockwise direction with respect to figure 4A) .
  • the second feedback element 110 connected idle to the control lever 11, detects and drags the handle 17 so as to allow the activation of the brake assembly 15 and of the corresponding braking plate 9 to adjust the braking action of the motor unit 2.
  • control lever 11 and its related handle 17 of the brake assembly 15 can take any intermediate configuration between the inoperative configuration (figures 3, 3A) and the operational configuration (figures 4, 4A) .
  • Figures 5, 5A show corresponding naval and lateral views of the proposed control device 1 in an inoperative configuration in which the user maintains the wrist at rest, so as not to activate the control lever 11 and the accelerator assembly 22.
  • the first end stroke element 120 connected idle to the control lever 11, does not interact with the potentiometer of the accelerator assembly 22.
  • Figures 6, 6A represent corresponding naval and lateral views of the same control device 1 in a speed adjusting configuration in which the user rotates the wrist downwards so as to activate the control lever 11 (in a counterclockwise direction with respect to figure 6A) .
  • the first end stroke element 120 connected idle to the control lever 11, activates the potentiometer of the accelerator assembly 22 and controls the electric motor proportionally to the rotation angle of the control lever 11 to adjust the speed of the motor unit 2.
  • control lever 11 and the potentiometer of the accelerator assembly 22 can acquire any intermediate configuration between the inoperative configuration (figures 5, 5A) and the operational configuration (figures 6, 6A) .
  • the proposed control device for a motor unit fixed to a wheelchair can advantageously facilitate the adjustment of speed and/or braking action of the same motor unit.
  • the proposed control device can also be easily used by disabled suffering from paraplegia and tetraplegia, thanks to the particular shape of the transmission means which includes lower and upper end stroke means, between which the user' s wrist is interposed as he holds the graspable part of the handlebar, thus allowing the activation of the control lever through the rotation of the wrist.

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  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Steering Devices For Bicycles And Motorcycles (AREA)
  • Motorcycle And Bicycle Frame (AREA)
  • Fittings On The Vehicle Exterior For Carrying Loads, And Devices For Holding Or Mounting Articles (AREA)

Abstract

The proposed control device (1) for motor unit (2) that can be fixed to a wheelchair (3) comprises: a control lever (11) articulated to the handlebar (6) of the motor unit (2); a support element (12) fixed to the control lever (11); lower (13) and upper (14) end stroke means, connected to the support element (12) and extending parallel to the part (60) of the handlebar (6), which can be held by the user; with the wearer's wrist that, when holding the graspable part (60) of the handlebar (6), can be positioned interposed between said lower (13) and upper (14) end stroke means (14), so as to allow the user to activate the control lever (11) fixed to the support element (12) by means of the rotation; with the rotation of the control lever (11), led by the user's wrist, which allows the activation of the control means of the motor unit (2) acting on the electric motor and/or on the braking disk (9) to adjust the speed and/or the braking action.

Description

TITLE
A CONTROL DEVICE FOR A MOTOR UNIT THAT CAN BE FIXED
WHEELCHAIR
Technical field
The present invention refers to the technical field of wheelchairs for disabled and/or invalids, with particular reference to the control devices for motor units able to couple themselves with said wheelchairs.
Prior art
According to known ways, a wheelchair comprises a supporting frame; a seat fixed to the frame and able to support a seated person; a couple of posterior wheels connected to the frame, that can be operated manually by the person on the seat; a couple of anterior wheels connected to the frame for allowing the stable support of the wheelchair on the ground; potential stopping devices preferably acting on the posterior wheels.
To facilitate the motion of said wheelchairs on medium/long paths, motor units are generally used, allowing to transform wheelchairs into a sort of three- wheels vehicles.
Motor units can be both with manual activation and with electrical activation.
In this further case, motor units comprise:
a supporting frame;
a steering sleeve connected to the frame;
a handlebar fixed to the sleeve;
a fork fixed to the sleeve and able to support rotatably a driving wheel;
- an electrical motor which operates the driving wheel ;
a battery, connected to the frame, which feeds the electrical motor;
a braking plate connected to the driving wheel; - control means, activatable by the handlebar, acting on the electric motor and/or on the braking plate, for adjusting the speed and for adjusting the braking action of the motor unit respectively;
a fixing device, connected to the frame, for the rapid connection to a wheelchair.
Usual control means acting on the electric motor to adjust the speed and/or acting on a braking disk to adjust the braking action have generally a difficult activation for a disabled person.
In the case of disabled suffering from serious forms of paraplegia and quadriplegia, the activation of such control means, normally provided on the handlebar, is even more difficult.
For example, it is known the publication US8684113 which corresponds to the preamble of claim 1.
The control device described in such a publication is hardly activatable by disabled suffering from serious forms of paraplegia and quadriplegia. Disclosure of the invention
It is therefore the aim of the present invention to solve said inconveniences by proposing a control device for a motor unit that can be fixed to a wheelchair and able to simplify the adjustment of the speed and/or of the braking action of the same motor unit.
A further aim of the invention is to provide a control device for a motor unit which can be easily used also by disabled suffering from paraplegia and quadriplegia . The aforementioned aims are therefore obtained through a control device for a motor unit that can be fixed to a wheelchair; with such a motor unit comprising: a frame; a steering sleeve connected to the frame; a handlebar fixed to the sleeve and graspable by a user seated on the wheelchair when the wheelchair is fixed to the motor unit; a fork fixed to the sleeve and able to support rotatably a driving wheel; a braking plate connected to the driving wheel; an electrical motor for activating the driving wheel; a battery for feeding the electrical motor; control means that can be activated by the handlebar, acting on the electric motor and/or on the braking plate for adjusting the speed and the braking action; a fixing device, connected to the frame, for the rapid connection/unfastening to a wheelchair; with said control device comprising: a control lever articulated to the handlebar and able to rotate according to an orthogonal plane to the handlebar; transmission means able to transmit to the control lever the rotation of the user's wrist holding the graspable part of the handlebar; with the rotation of the control lever, led by the user's wrist rotation, which allows the activation of control means acting on the electric motor and/or on the braking disk to adjust the speed and/or the braking action.
According to the invention, in order to make the control device easily usable also by disabled suffering from serious forms of paraplegia and quadriplegia, transmitting means comprise a support element fixed to the control lever and lower and upper end stroke means connected to the support element and extending parallel to the part of the handlebar graspable by the user; with the user that, as he holds the graspable part of the handlebar, he places the wrist interposed between such lower and upper end stroke means, thus allowing the activation of the control lever through the rotation of the wrist.
According to particular embodiments, the proposed control device for a motor unit that can be fixed to a wheelchair can further comprise one or more of the following features, being considered individually or in combination :
• means for limiting the rotation angle of the control lever are comprised;
• the support element is fixed to the control lever in adjustable manner, in order to allow the correct positioning of the user's wrist, interposed between the lower and upper end stroke means;
• the control means acting on the electric motor for adjusting the speed comprise an accelerator unit provided with a potentiometer; with the control lever comprising a first end stroke element able to activate the potentiometer for sending to the electric motor a signal proportional to the rotation angle of the control lever;
• the control means that can be activated by the handlebar and acting on the braking plate to adjust the braking action comprise a brake assembly comprising a support body fixed to the handlebar and a handle articulated to the support body according to an axis parallel to the handlebar; with the control lever comprising a second end stroke element able to intercept the handle so as to bring the handle in rotation in function of the activation of the control lever;
• the end stroke element, preferably with cylindrical shape, is supported idle by the control lever according to an axis parallel to the handlebar;
• means that can be fixed to the handlebar are comprised for supporting the control lever and the body of the brake assembly;
• such support means comprise a sleeve that can be fixed to the handlebar on whose outer surface the control lever can be supported in rotatable way;
• such support means comprise at least an end stroke element which can stop the control lever.
Brief description of drawings
The features of the invention will be highlighted further and some preferred but not exclusive embodiments will be described as example, with reference to the attached drawings, wherein:
Figures 1, 2 show both lateral and perspectival views of a motor unit and a wheelchair in coupled configuration;
Figures 3, 3A show corresponding lateral and perspectival views of the proposed control device during the adjustment of the braking action, in a first operational configuration;
Figures .4, 4A represent also lateral and perspectival views of the same control device shown in figures 3, 3A in a second operating phase;
Figures 5, 5A show the related perspectival and lateral views of the proposed control device during the speed adjustment, in a first operational configuration;
Figures 6, 6A show corresponding perspectival and lateral views of the same control device shown in figures 5, 5A in a second operating configuration.
Description of a preferred embodiment
With reference to the aforementioned charts, it is suitable to indicate with the general reference 1 the proposed control device for a motor unit 2 that can be fixed to a wheelchair 3.
According to known ways described in the introductive preamble, with reference to figure 1 and 2, the motor unit 2 comprises:
A frame 4 ;
A steering sleeve 5 connected to the frame 4;
A handlebar 6 fixed to the sleeve 5 and that can be held by a user seated on the wheelchair 3 when the same wheelchair 3 is fixed to the motor unit 2 ;
A fork 7 fixed to the sleeve 5 and able to support rotatably a driving wheel 8 ;
A braking plate 9 connected to the driving wheel
8;
An electrical motor for activating the driving wheel 8;
A battery for feeding the electrical motor;
Control means, activatable by the handlebar, acting on the electric motor and/or on the braking plate 9, for adjusting the speed and/or the braking action;
A fixing device 10, connected to the frame 4, for the rapid connection/unfastening to a wheelchair 3;
In a completely innovative way, the proposed control device 1 comprises:
A control lever 11 articulated to the handlebar 6 and able to rotate according to a plane orthogonal to the handlebar 6;
- Transmission means (12, 13, 14) able to transmit to the control lever 11 the rotation of the wrist of a user holding the graspable part 60 of the handlebar 6.
The rotation of the control lever 11, led by the rotation of the user's wrist, advantageously enables the actuating means acting on the electric motor and/or on the braking plate 9 to adjust the speed and/or the braking action . According to a preferred embodiment, illustrated in the drawings, the transmission means (12, 13, 14) can comprise:
A support element 12 fixed to the control lever 11;
Lower 13 and upper 14 end stroke means, connected to the support element 12 extending parallel to the handlebar 6 part 60, which can be held by the user.
Thus, when the user holds the graspable handlebar 6 part 60, the wrist is positioned between the lower 13 and upper 14 end stroke means, allowing the activation of the control lever 11 by rotating it, being fastened to the support element 12, by rotating the wrist.
The rotation of the control lever 11, led. by the user's wrist, therefore enables to activate the control means acting on the electric motor and/or braking disk 9 to adjust the speed and/or the braking action.
The proposed control device 1 can also comprise means 20 for limiting the rotation angle of the control lever 11.
To allow a correct positioning of the wearer's wrist between the lower 13 and upper 14 end stroke means, the support element 12 can be fastened to the control lever 11 in adjustable manner.
According to the embodiment shown if figures 5-6A, the control means acting on the electric motor for adjusting the speed comprise an accelerator assembly 22 provided with a potentiometer.
In this case, the control lever 11 comprises a first end stroke element 120 able to activate the potentiometer to send to the electric motor a signal proportional to the rotation angle of the control lever 11.
Such a first end stroke element 120, preferably of cylindrical shape, is supported idle by the control lever 11 according to an axis parallel to the handlebar 6.
According to the embodiment illustrated in figures 3, 3A, 4, 4A, the control means activatable by the handlebar 6 and acting on the braking disk 9 to adjust the braking action comprise a brake assembly 15 comprising, in turn, a support body 16 fixed to the handlebar 6 and a handle 17 articulated to the support body 16 according to an axis parallel to the handlebar 6.
In that case, the control lever 11 advantageously comprises a second end stroke element 110 able to intercept the handle 17 so as to bring the handle 17 in rotation according to the activation of the control lever 11.
In the embodiment illustrated in figures 3, 3A, 4, 4A, the control lever 11 performs rotations of the same width of the detected handle 17.
Also, the second end stroke element 110, preferably of cylindrical shape, is supported idle by the control lever 11 according to a parallel axis to the handlebar 6.
The proposed control device 1 can further comprise means 18, which can be fixed to the handlebar 6, for supporting the control lever 11 and the body 16 of the brake assembly 15.
Such support means 18 can comprise a sleeve 19 which can be fixed to the handlebar 6, for example by means of a screw, on whose outer surface can be supported rotatably the control lever 11.
They can comprise, near the sleeve 19, at least one end stroke element 20 which can stop the control lever 11, such as a pivot 20 with an axis parallel to the handlebar 6.
Figures 1 and 2 illustrate both perspectival and lateral views of a wheelchair 3 and a motor unit 2 provided with the proposed control device 1 in coupled configuration .
Figures 3, 3A show corresponding perspectival and lateral views of the proposed control device 1 in an inoperative configuration in which the user maintains the wrist at rest, so as not to activate the control lever 11.
In this inoperative configuration, the second end stroke element 110, which is connected idle to the control lever 11, can advantageously be placed on the lower part of the handle 17.
Figures 4, 4A show corresponding perspectival and lateral views of the same control device 1 in an operative configuration of braking adjustment, in which the user rotates the wrist upwards so as to operate the control lever 11 (in a clockwise direction with respect to figure 4A) .
In this operational configuration, the second feedback element 110, connected idle to the control lever 11, detects and drags the handle 17 so as to allow the activation of the brake assembly 15 and of the corresponding braking plate 9 to adjust the braking action of the motor unit 2.
It is implied that the control lever 11 and its related handle 17 of the brake assembly 15 can take any intermediate configuration between the inoperative configuration (figures 3, 3A) and the operational configuration (figures 4, 4A) .
Figures 5, 5A show corresponding perspectival and lateral views of the proposed control device 1 in an inoperative configuration in which the user maintains the wrist at rest, so as not to activate the control lever 11 and the accelerator assembly 22.
In this inoperative configuration, the first end stroke element 120, connected idle to the control lever 11, does not interact with the potentiometer of the accelerator assembly 22.
Figures 6, 6A represent corresponding perspectival and lateral views of the same control device 1 in a speed adjusting configuration in which the user rotates the wrist downwards so as to activate the control lever 11 (in a counterclockwise direction with respect to figure 6A) .
In this operative configuration, the first end stroke element 120, connected idle to the control lever 11, activates the potentiometer of the accelerator assembly 22 and controls the electric motor proportionally to the rotation angle of the control lever 11 to adjust the speed of the motor unit 2.
It is implied that the control lever 11 and the potentiometer of the accelerator assembly 22 can acquire any intermediate configuration between the inoperative configuration (figures 5, 5A) and the operational configuration (figures 6, 6A) .
It is evident from the description above that the proposed control device for a motor unit fixed to a wheelchair can advantageously facilitate the adjustment of speed and/or braking action of the same motor unit.
This is due to the transmission means able to transmit to the control lever articulated to the handlebar, the rotation of a user's wrist which holds the graspable handlebar portion.
In such a way, the rotation of the control lever, led by the rotation of the user's wrist, allows the activation of control means acting on the electric motor and/or braking plate to adjust the speed and/or the braking action.
The proposed control device can also be easily used by disabled suffering from paraplegia and tetraplegia, thanks to the particular shape of the transmission means which includes lower and upper end stroke means, between which the user' s wrist is interposed as he holds the graspable part of the handlebar, thus allowing the activation of the control lever through the rotation of the wrist.

Claims

A control device (1) for controlling a motor unit (2) of a wheelchair (3), said control device comprising:
A control lever (11) configured to be fixed in articulated manner to the handlebar (6) of the motor unit (2) so that it can rotate in use with respect to the handlebar (6) to which it is connected;
Transmission means (12, 13, 14) able to transmit to the control lever (11) the wrist rotation of a user which, in use, holds a graspable part (60) of the handlebar (6) so that, by means of the rotation of the control lever (11), led by the rotation of the user's wrist, it is possible to act on an adjustment of speed and/or braking action of the motor unit.
Characterized in that the transmission means (12, 13, 14) comprise:
A support element (12) fixed to the control lever ( 11 ) ;
Lower (13) and upper (14) end stroke means, connected to the support element (12) and distanced each other in such way that the user who holds the graspable part (60) of the handlebar (6) can place the wrist interposed between such lower (13) and upper (14) end stroke means, thus allowing the activation by rotation of the control lever (11) by rotating the wrist .
A device, according to claim 1, wherein the control lever (11) is configured for resulting rotatable around a plane orthogonal to the handlebar (6), when it is fixed to the handlebar in use.
3. A device, according to claim 1, wherein the lower (13) and upper (14) end stroke means are parallel each other .
A device, according to claim 1 or 3, wherein the lower (13) and upper (14) end stroke means extend parallel to the handlebar (6) part (60) which can be held by the user.
A device, according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein means (20) for limiting the rotation angle of the control lever (11) are comprised.
A device, according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the support element (12) is fixed to the control lever (11) in adjustable manner, for allowing a correct positioning of the user' s wrist interposed between the lower (13) and upper (14) end stroke elements.
A device, according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein an accelerator assembly (22) is further comprised provided with potentiometer and wherein the control lever (11) comprises an end stroke element (120) able to activate the potentiometer for sending a signal proportional to the rotation angle of the control lever (11) .
A device, according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein a brake assembly (15) is further comprised, comprising a support body (16) that can be fixed to the handlebar (6) and a handle articulated to the support body (16) according to an axis parallel to the handlebar (6), and wherein the control lever (11) comprises an end stroke element (110) able to intercept the handle (17) so as to lead the handle (17) to rotate depending on the activation of the control lever (11).
9. A device, according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the end stroke element (110, 120), preferably of cylindrical shape, is supported idle by the control lever (11) according to an axis parallel to the handlebar (6).
10. A device, according to one or more of the preceding claims, comprising means for supporting the control lever (11) and the body (16) of the brake assembly
(15), with such support means that can be fixed to the handlebar ( 6) .
11. A device, according to claim 10, wherein such support means (18) comprise a sleeve (19) that can be fixed to the handlebar (6) on whose outer surface the control lever (11) can be supported in rotatable way.
12. A device, according to claim 10 or 11, wherein such support means (18) comprise at least an end stroke element (20) which can stop the control lever (11) .
A motor unit for a wheelchair comprising at least a control device (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims.
A motor unit, according to claim 13, wherein two control devices are comprised, each one arranged at one end of the handlebar and wherein one is designated for adjusting the brake and the other for controlling the acceleration/deceleration.
PCT/IB2017/052481 2016-05-18 2017-04-28 A control device for a motor unit that can be fixed to a wheelchair WO2017199116A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
ITUA2016A003533A ITUA20163533A1 (en) 2016-05-18 2016-05-18 CONTROL DEVICE FOR A MOTORCYCLE UNIT FIXABLE WITH ONE BICYCLE
IT102016000050813 2016-05-18

Publications (1)

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WO2017199116A1 true WO2017199116A1 (en) 2017-11-23

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PCT/IB2017/052481 WO2017199116A1 (en) 2016-05-18 2017-04-28 A control device for a motor unit that can be fixed to a wheelchair

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WO (1) WO2017199116A1 (en)

Cited By (1)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
IT202000026368A1 (en) * 2020-11-05 2022-05-05 Pandhora Srl HANDLEBAR FOR WHEELCHAIR ELECTRIC DRIVE

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JP2006130302A (en) * 2004-10-05 2006-05-25 Suzuki Motor Corp Small electromotive vehicle and steering unit
ES2255773A1 (en) * 2001-03-09 2006-07-01 Gabriel Benet Soler Motorized equipment for manually guided sliding media has control lever for controlling moving body, and which is accessible by user
US8684113B1 (en) * 2012-02-28 2014-04-01 Gregory Edward Laconis Attachable, powered drive apparatus for wheelchairs

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US5050695A (en) * 1990-07-16 1991-09-24 Kleinwolterink Jr Henry Power attachment for wheelchair
GB2372022A (en) * 2001-02-12 2002-08-14 Pdq Mobility Ltd Wheelchair mobility unit
ES2255773A1 (en) * 2001-03-09 2006-07-01 Gabriel Benet Soler Motorized equipment for manually guided sliding media has control lever for controlling moving body, and which is accessible by user
JP2006130302A (en) * 2004-10-05 2006-05-25 Suzuki Motor Corp Small electromotive vehicle and steering unit
US8684113B1 (en) * 2012-02-28 2014-04-01 Gregory Edward Laconis Attachable, powered drive apparatus for wheelchairs

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
IT202000026368A1 (en) * 2020-11-05 2022-05-05 Pandhora Srl HANDLEBAR FOR WHEELCHAIR ELECTRIC DRIVE
EP3995120A1 (en) * 2020-11-05 2022-05-11 Pandhora S.r.l. Handlebar for electric thruster for wheelchair

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