WO2018211400A1

WO2018211400A1 - External auxiliary power drive apparatus and method for carriages

Info

Publication number: WO2018211400A1
Application number: PCT/IB2018/053341
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mottie LEIBOVICI
Original assignee: Leibovici Mottie
Priority date: 2017-05-19
Filing date: 2018-05-14
Publication date: 2018-11-22

Abstract

Aspects of embodiments concern an external auxiliary power drive apparatus for assisting a user in displacing a carriage in a desired travelling direction. The apparatus comprises a drive wheel; a transmission gear; a motor that is operably coupled with the drive wheel by the transmission gear to transmit rotative force generated by the motor to the drive wheel; and a power unit for powering the motor; wherein the transmission gear, the motor and the power unit are enclosed by the drive wheel.

Description

EXTERNAL AUXILIARY POWER DRIVE APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CARRIAGES

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to carrier vehicles and, in particular, to small carriages.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Non-motorized carrier vehicles, which may hereinafter also be referred to as "carriages" or "carts" have to be pulled and/or pushed using muscle power in order to displace them from one location to another. Relying solely on muscle power may be strenuous, in particular if the carriage has to be pushed or pulled uphill. Examples of carriages that have to be pushed include baby strollers.

[0003] The description above is presented as a general overview of related art in this field and should not be construed as an admission that any of the information it contains constitutes prior art against the present patent application.

[0004] References considered to be relevant as background to the presently disclosed subject matter are listed below:

[0005] [1] CN105235734

[0006] [2] KR200437546

[0007] [3] KR200474422

[0008] [4] US2011121541

[0009] [5] US7699128

[0010] [6] DE202004004270U1

[0011] [7] KR200248112Y

[0012] [8] GB197181A

[0013] [9] GB188800A [0014] Acknowledgement of the above references herein is not to be inferred as meaning that these are in any way relevant to the patentability of the presently disclosed subject matter.

OVERVIEW

[0015] Aspects of embodiments pertain to an external auxiliary power drive apparatus for assisting a user in displacing a carriage in a desired travel direction.

[0016] In Example 1, the apparatus comprises a drive wheel; a transmission gear; a motor that is operably coupled with the drive wheel by the transmission gear so as to transmit rotative force generated by the motor to the drive wheel; and a power unit for powering the motor; wherein the transmission gear, the motor and the power unit are enclosed by the drive wheel.

[0017] Example 2 includes the subject matter of example 1 and, optionally, further comprises a wheel housing, wherein the motor, the power unit and the drive wheel are coaxially mounted within the wheel housing.

[0018] Example 3 includes the subject matter of example 2 and, optionally, wherein the motor and/or the power unit are stationary coupled with and relative to the wheel housing.

[0019] Example 4 includes the subject matter of any one of examples 1 to 3 and, optionally, wherein the power unit has an outer cylindrical contour.

[0020] Example 5 includes the subject matter of example 4 and, optionally, wherein the power unit comprises a cylindrical battery housing that includes battery compartments that are configured to slidably and axially receive a plurality of batteries.

[0021] Example 6 includes the subject matter of example 5 and, optionally, wherein the battery compartments are circumferentially arranged around the longitudinal axis of battery housing such that when all batteries are operably inserted into or removed from the battery compartments, the weight of power supply unit is substantially equally distributed around the power supply unit's longitudinal axis [0022] Example 7 includes the subject matter of example 6 and, optionally, wherein the drive wheel comprises a tire that covers an outer gear shaft of the transmission gear.

[0023] Example 8 includes the subject matter of example 7 and, optionally, wherein the outer gear shaft has a cylindrical shaped contour and is rotatably mounted on a wide cylindrical tube-shaped body portion that is operably coupled with the wheel housing; and wherein, during operation, the outer gear shaft rotatably slides over the outer surface of the wide cylindrical tube-shaped body portion.

[0024] Example 9 includes the subject matter of any one of the examples 2 to 8 and, optionally, wherein a width W of wheel housing is sufficiently narrow such that during operation, the user's feet can pass by the left and right side of wheel housing.

[0025] Example 10 includes the subject matter of any one of the examples 2 to 9 and, optionally, further comprises a length-adjustable bar that comprises a coupling portion from which an extension member extends substantially perpendicularly and terminates in the wheel housing. [0026] Example 11 includes the subject matter of example 10 and, optionally, wherein the coupling portion is positioned centered on the length-adjustable bar.

[0027] Example 12 includes the subject matter of example 10 or 11 and, optionally, wherein the length-adjustable bar is removably coupleable with a frame of a carriage.

[0028] Example 13 concerns a method for providing auxiliary drive force to a carriage, the method comprising: operably coupling the auxiliary power drive to a carriage; and powering the auxiliary power drive apparatus.

[0029] Example 14 concerns the use of the auxiliary power drive apparatus according to any one of the examples 1 to 12.

[0030] This Overview introduces a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Brief Description of the Figures and the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0031] Some non-limiting exemplary embodiments or features of the disclosed subject matter are illustrated in the following drawings.

[0032] Identical, duplicate, equivalent or similar structures, elements, or parts that appear in one or more drawings are generally labeled with the same reference numeral, optionally with an additional letter or letters to distinguish between similar entities or variants of entities, and may not be repeatedly labeled and/or described.

[0033] Dimensions of components and features shown in the figures are chosen for convenience or clarity of presentation and are not necessarily shown to scale or true perspective. For convenience or clarity, some elements or structures are not shown or shown only partially and/or with different perspective or from different points of view. References to previously presented elements are implied without necessarily further citing the drawing or description in which they appear.

[0034] The number of elements shown in the Figures should by no means be construed as limiting and is for illustrative purposes only.

[0035] Figure 1 is a schematic 3D view illustration of a carriage with an external auxiliary power drive apparatus operably coupled thereto, according to some embodiments;

[0036] Figure 2 is a schematic 3D view illustration of the external auxiliary power drive apparatus, according to some embodiments; [0037] Figure 3 is a schematic rear view illustration of the external auxiliary power drive apparatus, according to some embodiments;

[0038] Figure 4 is a side view illustration of the external auxiliary power drive apparatus, according to some embodiments;

[0039] Figure 5 is a schematic 3D exploded view illustration of the external auxiliary power drive apparatus, according to some embodiments;

[0040] Figure 6 is a schematic rear and exploded view illustration of the external auxiliary power drive apparatus, according to some embodiments; [0041] Figure 7 is a schematic 3D view illustration of the external auxiliary power drive apparatus, according to some other embodiments;

[0042] Figure 8A is another schematic 3D view illustration of the carriage with the external auxiliary power drive apparatus operably coupled thereto, according to some embodiments; and

[0043] Figure 8B is a schematic 3D view illustration of a user control interface of the apparatus, according to some embodiments; and

[0044] Figure 9 is a schematic flow chart of a method for providing auxiliary drive force to a carriage, according to some embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0045] Aspects of embodiments disclosed herein concern external auxiliary power drive apparatus that can be removably coupled to carriages, e.g., to assist a user in pushing or pulling (non-motorized) carriages configured to carry a payload in a desired travelling direction. Examples of carriages or carts or other non-motorized carrier vehicles may include, for example, baby strollers, prams, shopping carts, tool carts, handcarts, stretchers, trolleys, wheelchairs, slides and/or the like.

[0046] Generally, the external auxiliary power drive apparatus is configured to have a comparatively reduced or minimized geometric footprint, such that while the apparatus is operably coupled to the carriage, the person or user of the non-motorized carrier vehicle can for example ambulate normally in a desired travelling direction, as if the apparatus was not coupled with the carriage. For example, the external auxiliary power drive apparatus may not get in the way with user's legs during ambulation and pushing of the carriage and may therefore allow normal walking movement.

[0047] In some embodiments, the external auxiliary power drive apparatus comprises a drive assembly that includes a drive wheel, a transmission gear and a motor that is included, enclosed or embedded in the cylindrical space formed by the body of the drive wheel. Optionally, the motor and transmission gear may be confined within the physical boundaries of the drive wheel. Optionally, embedding or including the motor and the transmission gear in the cylindrical space formed by the body of the drive wheel frees up space that may otherwise be occupied by the motor if it was separated or not embedded within the space of the drive wheel. Thusly configured, the external auxiliary power drive apparatus is comparatively compact in size.

[0048] According to some examples, the motor is confined within or embedded in the drive assembly, e.g., to reduce or minimize the apparatus' geometric footprint. Generally, the apparatus' geometric footprint is the space occupied by it when operably coupled with the carriage.

[0049] For instance, the geometric footprint may be reduced or minimized at least with respect to the ground or floor area "covered" or "occupied" by the apparatus, as seen from a top view and/or rear view. By reducing the apparatus' geometric footprint, the area onto which the user can tread during ambulation to push and/or steer the carriage with the help of the external auxiliary power drive apparatus may be comparatively increased.

[0050] In some embodiments, the auxiliary power drive apparatus comprises a coupling mechanism configured to allow removably coupling the external auxiliary power mechanism to the carriage. Optionally, the coupling mechanism is adjustable to allow the coupling of the auxiliary power drive apparatus to carriages of varying shapes and/or sizes. In some embodiments, the auxiliary power drive apparatus comprises a power unit for powering the motor, and a control unit for controlling the operation of the motor and/or the power source, e.g., by the user. In some embodiments, the power unit and the control unit may also be enclosed in the drive wheel. In some other embodiments, the power unit may be enclosed in or externally coupled with a connecting frame that is operable (e.g., configured or adapted) to removably connect the external power drive apparatus to the carriage.

[0051] Referring now to FIG. 1. An external auxiliary power drive apparatus 1000 is configured to be removably attachable to a carriage500, which is herein exemplified as a stroller. Without being construed in a limiting manner, the terms "carriage" and "stroller" may herein be used interchangeably. Moreover, the "external auxiliary power drive apparatus" may herein be referred to as "power drive apparatus" or, simply, "apparatus". Power drive apparatus 1000 comprises a drive assembly 1100 and a connecting frame 1200 for removably connecting power drive apparatus 1000 to stroller 500. [0052] Auxiliary power drive apparatus 1000 may include a user control interface 1300 that is operably coupleable or coupled with drive assembly 1100 and which allows the user to control the operation of the drive assembly, e.g., as outlined herein below in more detail.

[0053] Further referring to FIGs. 2 to 4, connecting frame 1200 may be configurable to be removably attachable to a variety of carriages. In some embodiments, connecting frame 1200 may be T-shaped and may comprise a length-adjustable bar 1210 and an extension member 1230 that may extend perpendicularly from a coupling section 1212 of length- adjustable bar 1210. Extension member 1230 may terminate in a wheel housing 1240. A drive wheel 1110 of drive assembly 1100 may be housed in and rotatably mounted to wheel housing 1240 to rotate around a rotation axis Z_rotation. Connecting frame 1200 can be operably coupled with frame elements 510 (e.g., left and right rod elements 510A and 510B) of non-motorized carrier vehicle or carriage 500 such that drive wheel 1110 drivably engages with the ground 15, allowing to impart a driving force from drive wheel 1110 onto carriage500.

[0054] According to some embodiments, wheel housing 1240 may have a width W of, e.g., equal or less than 17 centimeters, equal or less than 15 centimeters, equal or less than 12 centimeters, or equal or less than 10 centimeters. In any case, width W of wheel housing 1240 may be sufficiently narrow such that the user's feet may or can pass by the left and right side of wheel housing 1240 (schematically illustrated as left and right clearance widths Cleft and Cright extending from the outer left and right surfaces of wheel housing 1240), allowing the user to walk regularly while pushing carriage 500. Correspondingly, due to the comparatively narrow width of wheel housing 1240, the user does not have to adjust his/her walking pattern to avoid inadvertent kicking of apparatus 1000 by his/her feet.

[0055] When in operable position, extension member 1230 may extend about perpendicularly from length-adjustable bar 1210 from an elevated level 10 above ground to ground level 15 (FIGs. 3 and 4). Extension member 1230 may extend from length- adjustable bar 1210, for example, in an arcuate manner (as exemplarily illustrated for instance in FIG. 4), in a straight manner (not shown), and/or according to any other suitable geometry. In some embodiments, extension member 1230 may be length-adjustable. [0056] In some embodiments, length-adjustable bar 1210 may comprise a first and a second telescopic arm 1214A and 1214B that extend from coupling section 1212 perpendicularly with respect to extension member 1230. Optionally, first and second telescopic arms 1214 A and 1214B may be independently length-adjustable. Optionally, first and second telescopic arms 1214A and 1214B may be operably coupled with each other such that coupling section 1212 always remains centered with respect to a first and a second end 1216A and 1216B of length-adjustable bar 1210 during the adjustment of the latter. For example, for a user to adjust the length of first and second telescopic arms 1214A and 1214B, about equal pulling or pushing force may have to be imparted onto the first and second telescopic arms 1214A and 1214B, as shown schematically in FIG. 3 by arrows Fpuiii/2 and F_pushi/2.

[0057] Length-adjustable bar 1210 may comprise one or more frame coupling assemblies 1218 that allow securely coupling and decoupling of power drive apparatus 1000 from carriage 500. The one or more frame coupling assemblies 1218 may be embodied, for example, by mechanical fasteners (e.g., clamps, brackets, clamp brackets, clips, etc.), magnetic fastener arrangements, and/or the like; for force and/or form-fittingly removably coupling auxiliary power drive apparatus 1000 with carriage 500.

[0058] Optionally, the distal ends of first and second telescopic arms 1214A and 1214B may terminate in first and second frame coupling assemblies 1218A and 1218B, as for example shown schematically in FIG. 3. In some embodiments, the one or more frame coupling assemblies 1218 may be rotatable around the longitudinal axis Zbar of length- adjustable bar 1210, as schematically illustrated by arrows Tl and T2 (FIG. 2).

[0059] Further reference is now made to FIGs. 5 and 6. Drive assembly 1100 comprises drive wheel 1110 (see FIGs 3 and 4), a motor 1120, power supply unit 1130 for powering motor 1120, and a transmission gear 1140 that is operably coupled with motor 1120 for the transmission of torque (also: rotative force) generated by motor 1120 to drive wheel 1110. Structural axle and bearing components 1170 are employed for rotatably mounting drive wheel 1110 in wheel housing 1240. Drive assembly 1100 may be configured to embed motor 1120, power supply unit 1130, transmission gear 1140 and at least some of structural bearings and axle components 1170. In addition, motor 1120, power supply unit 1130, transmission gear 1140 and at least some of structural bearing and axle components 1170 may have a generally cylindrical outer contour and are coaxially coupleable with each other. More specifically, when drive assembly 1100 is assembled, the longitudinal axes of motor 1120, power supply unit 1130, and transmission gear 1140 coincide with each other and with the rotation aXIS Zrotation-

[0060] A first cogwheel (not shown) of transmission gear 1140 may be operably coupled with a motor drive shaft (not shown) of motor 1120. The motor drive shaft (not shown) can rotate relative to both wheel housing 1240 and the cylindrical housing of motor 1120 that are axially aligned with each other. [0061] One or more additional gear components (not shown) may be operably coupled with the cogwheel to impart a rotative force (relative to the wheel housing 1240) to one or more planet gear components (not shown) to further impart, in turn, a rotative force on an outer gear shaft 1142. Optionally, gear components can include cogwheels, ring gears and/or other types of gear components. Optionally, transmission gear 1140 may be configured as a planetary gear mechanism.

[0062] In some embodiments, a tire 1160 of drive wheel 1110 may be fixedly coupled with outer gear shaft 1142, such that rotation of outer gear shaft 1142 imparts a rotating force on tire 1160, without causing tire 1160 to slip around outer gear shaft 1142. The rotation axis Z of tire 1160 is identical to or defines the rotation axis Z_rotation of drive assembly 1100. [0063] Optionally, tire 1160 comprises an annular circular body having an inner diameter Dtire. Dtire may be smaller than an outer diameter D_gear of outer gear shaft 1142 (cf. FIG. 6A) such that tire 1160, which may be made of elastically deformable material (e.g., a soft compound material), may have to be stretched to be pulled over the curved surface of outer gear shaft 1142. In this way, tire 1160 tightly engages against or tightly covers the curved surface of outer gear shaft 1142. In other words, tire 1160 is tightly wrappable around the curved surface of outer gear shaft 1142.

[0064] Optionally, the inner surface of tire 1160 and/or the outer surface of outer gear shaft 1142 may have a structured surface to increase friction between the two surfaces. For instance, the inner surface 1162 of tire 1160 and/or of the outer cylindrical surface of outer gear shaft 1142 may be textured or patterned and comprise, for example, ridges, teeth, undulations, protrusions, slits, ribs, and/or the like. As shown schematically in FIGs. 5 and 6, the outer cylindrical surface of outer gear shaft 1142 may comprise axially extending grooves 1144, and the inner surface 1162 of tire 1160 may have matching ribs 1164 for engaging (e.g., interlockingly) with axially extending grooves 1144. [0065] Tire 1160 and the components of transmission gear 1140 for example may be rotatably coupled with wheel housing 1240. For example, one or more axles and bearing components 1170 may be stationary or rotatably coupled with wheel housing 1240 for rotatably bearing the components of transmission gear 1140.

[0066] For example, a tube-shaped axle 1170A may comprise a wide cylindrical tube- shaped body portion 1172 that extends and terminates, on one side thereof, in a first narrow axle body portion 1174. Outer gear shaft 1142, which optionally has a cylindrically shaped contour, may be rotatably mounted on wide cylindrical tube-shaped body portion 1172 that is retained stationary and coaxially to wheel housing 1240 by first narrow axle body portion 1174. During operation, outer gear shaft 1142 may, optionally, rotatably slide over the outer surface of wide cylindrical tube-shaped body portion 1172. First narrow axle body portion 1174 may extend through a bore of a disk-shaped, first internal housing seal 1150 A and be operably coupled with a first axle holder (not shown) (e.g., bracket) of wheel housing 1240. When mounted onto tire 1160, first internal housing seal 1150 A (mounted to the left in forward pushing direction Dtravel shown in FIG. 1) protects the components operably receivable by the tube-shaped cylindrical cavity of tire 1160 against dirt, water, etc. Analogously, second internal housing seal 1150B can be fixedly mounted onto the right side of tire 1160 for protecting the components that are operably receivable by the tube- shaped cylindrical cavity of tire 1160. As indicated herein, tube-shaped axle 1170A may be rotatably stationary with respect to wheel housing 1240, i.e., tube-shaped axle 1170A may not rotate relative to wheel housing 1240 during the propelling of carriage 500 by driven tire 1160.

[0067] First and second internal housing seals 1150 A and 1150B may slidably engage with an inner surface of wheel housing 1240 and rotate around longitudinal axis Z_rotation. In other words, first and second internal housing seals 1150A and 1150B rotate with tire 1160 and, optionally, slidably engage, during the rotation, with an inner surface of wheel housing 1240. Optionally, first and second internal housing seals 1150 A and 1150B may rotate on a spacer element (not shown) of wheel housing 1240.

[0068] Static axle and gear box bearing 1170B may include a wide cylindrical body section 1175 and a second narrow axle portion 1176 extending through the bore of the disk- shaped, second internal housing seal 1150B, and be operably coupled with a second axle holder of wheel housing 1240. The second axle holder retains the static axle and gear box bearing 1170B stationary and coaxially in position relative to the wheel housing 1240.

[0069] Fasteners arrangements 1177 may be employed for securing one or more components of drive assembly to one or more other components. Appropriate spacer elements 1178 (e.g., an intermediate ring) may be coaxially positioned between two components of drive assembly 1100.

[0070] In some embodiments, a U-shaped bracket 1400 may be employed for coaxial coupling of drive assembly 1100 to wheel housing 1240. U-shaped bracket 1400 may comprise first and second legs 1402A and 1402B extending (e.g., about perpendicularly) from a connecting member 1404. Connecting member 1404 can be securely coupled with connecting frame 1200. First and second legs 1402A and 1402B may be configured such as to function or comprise the first and second axle holders. For example, first and second legs 1402A and 1402B may terminate in first and second axle holders 1406A and 1406B, herein exemplified as curved connecting plates. [0071] Further referring to FIG. 7, auxiliary drive assembly 1000 may comprise a motor control unit 1002 for controlling the operation of motor 1120. In some embodiments, motor control unit 1002 be (e.g., externally) coupled with connecting frame 1200. For instance, motor control unit 1002 may be coupled with coupling section 1212 of length- adjustable bar 1210). In some other embodiments, the motor control unit may comprise an annular and disk-shaped circuit board (also: Printed Circuit Board or PCB) that is operably coupled with motor 1120. Optionally, the circuit board may be mounted on or comprised in wide cylindrical body section 1175 of static axle and gear box bearing 1170B. In some embodiments, motor control unit 1002 may be encased within connecting frame 1200. In some embodiments, motor control unit 1002 may be coupled externally to connecting frame 1200. [0072] According to some embodiments, power supply unit 1130, which may be mounted stationary relative to wheel housing 1240, may comprise a cylindrical battery housing 1132 that includes battery compartments 1133 which are configured to slidably and axially receive a plurality of batteries 1134. Battery compartments 1133 may be circumferentially arranged around the longitudinal axis of battery housing 1132 in rotational symmetry, e.g., of the order of 8, 9, or 10. When all batteries 1134 are operably inserted into or removed from battery compartments 1133, the weight of power supply unit 1130 may be substantially equally distributed around the power supply unit's longitudinal axis. As already mentioned herein, the longitudinal axis of power supply unit 1130, when drive assembly 1100 is assembled, coincides with the rotation axis Z_rotation. Optionally, batteries 1134 may be rechargeable batteries or non-rechargeable batteries. Optionally, batteries 1134 may be chargeable by an electric generator (not shown) converting mechanical energy of the travelling carrier drive 500 to electrical energy. For example, rotation of wheels of carriage 500 may be used to harvest energy by batteries 1134. Optionally, batteries 1134 may be chargeable using solar energy.

[0073] According to some embodiments, power supply unit 1130 may have an annular shape including a bore for slidably receiving motor 1120. Motor 1120 can be secured in the bore of power supply unit 1130, and be rotationally stationary relative thereto. In some embodiments, power supply unit 1130 may be coupled externally to connecting frame 1200.

[0074] In some embodiments, drive assembly 1100 may have sufficient weight to ensure that drive wheel 1110 substantially continuously engages with ground 15, thereby ensuring that drive wheel 1110 can impart through rotation in direction Ml a driving force Fdrive onto carriage 500 via connecting frame 1200. Drive assembly 1100 may weigh, for example, at least 2 kg, 3 kg, or at least 4kg.

[0075] Referring now to FIGs. 8A and 8B, the operation of motor 1120 may be remotely controllable through the motor control unit (not shown) via user control interface 1300. User control interface 1300 may be removably coupleable to a frame element of carriage 500 such as, for example, a handlebar 510C, and comprise a forward and rearward tiltable lever 1310 (arrow Q in FIG. 7B) for selectively generating a forward or backward propelling force by drive assembly 1100. In some embodiments, motor 1120 may be set into a "rocking" operating mode, e.g., by providing a corresponding input via user control interface 1300. In the rocking operating mode, drive wheel 1110 can alternatingly impart a forward and backward motion on carriage 500. [0076] Optionally, drive assembly 1100 may comprise an acceleration sensor (not shown) that is operative to detect a direction of acceleration and deceleration forces imparted by the user on 500. Data descriptive of the sensed direction of acceleration or deceleration may be provided to the motor's control unit (not shown) for causing motor 1120 to correspondingly accelerate or decelerate drive wheel 1110. [0077] According to some embodiments, auxiliary power drive apparatus 1000 may comprise one or more sensors (not shown) operative to provide the user with information concerning carriage 500 and/or its payload (e.g., the infant sitting in stroller 500). The information may be provided to the user via computerized device 2000.

[0078] The one or more sensors may include, for example, one or more inertial sensors (not shown) and non-inertial sensors (not shown). The one or more inertial sensors may include one or more accelerometers and/or gyroscopes. The one or more non-inertial sensors may include, for example, one or more barometers, proximity sensors, altimeters, magnetometers, light sensors, touch screen sensors, receivers of a Global Positioning System (GPS), vital signs monitoring sensors, and/or a front and/or back camera. [0079] Computerized device 2000 may include, for example, a multifunction mobile communication device also known as "smartphone", a personal computer, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a server (which may relate to one or more servers or storage systems and/or services associated with a business or corporate entity, including for example, a file hosting service, cloud storage service, online file storage provider, peer-to-peer file storage or hosting service and/or a cyberlocker), personal digital assistant, a workstation, a wearable device, a handheld computer, a notebook computer, a vehicular device, a stationary device and/or a home appliances control system.

[0080] User control interface 1300 may be operably coupled with motor 1120, and computerized device 2000 with the one or more sensors of carriage 500, through wired and/or wireless communication infrastructure 3000 which may include, for example, Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), Personal Area Network (PAN), 2G, 3G, 3.5G, 4G, 5G, including for example Mobile Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WIMAX) or Long Term Evolution (LTE) advanced, Bluetooth^® (e.g., Bluetooth smart) ZigBee™, near- field communication (NFC) and/or any other current or future communication network, standard, and/or system.

[0081] Optionally, user control interface 1300 may comprise an interface power unit (not shown) to provide power to user control interface 1300 independent of drive assembly 1100. Optionally, user control interface 1300 may be fed with electrical energy from drive assembly 1100.

[0082] Further reference is made to FIG. 9. A method for providing auxiliary drive force to a carriage may comprise operably coupling the auxiliary power drive apparatus to the carriage (step 910); and powering the auxiliary power drive apparatus (step 920), e.g., by pressing button "On/Off" button 1250 (cf. FIG. 4). Optionally, the method may further include imparting, by the user, a motion on carriage 500 in a certain travel direction or suitably engaging user control interface 1300 to cause motor 1120 to impart a rotative force on drive wheel 1110 in a corresponding direction (Ml or M2). In some embodiments, the apparatus may be powered by the force imparted on the carriage and, as a result thereof, on apparatus 1000.

[0083] It is noted that the term "exemplary" is used herein to refer to examples of embodiments and/or implementations, and is not meant to necessarily convey a more- desirable use-case.

[0084] The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises" and/or "comprising" and/or "having" when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

[0085] Unless otherwise indicated or applicable, the word "or" in the description and claims is considered to be the inclusive "or" rather than the exclusive or, and indicates at least one of, or any combination of items it conjoins.

[0086] As used herein the term "configuring" and/or 'adapting' for an objective, or a variation thereof, implies using materials and/or components in a manner designed for and/or implemented and/or operable or operative to achieve the objective.

[0087] Unless otherwise specified, the terms 'about' and/or 'close' with respect to a magnitude or a numerical value may imply to be within an inclusive range of -10% to +10% of the respective magnitude or value.

[0088] Unless otherwise specified, the terms 'about' or 'close' imply at or in a region of, or close to a location or a part of an object relative to other parts or regions of the object.

[0089] In the discussion, unless otherwise stated, adjectives such as "substantially" that modify a condition or relationship characteristic of a feature or features of an embodiment of the invention, are to be understood to mean that the condition or characteristic is defined to within tolerances that are acceptable for operation of the embodiment for an application for which it is intended.

[0090] When a range of values is recited, it is merely for convenience or brevity and includes all the possible sub-ranges as well as individual numerical values within and about the boundary of that range. Any numeric value, unless otherwise specified, includes also practical close values enabling an embodiment or a method, and integral values do not exclude fractional values. A sub-range values and practical close values should be considered as specifically disclosed values. [0091] As used herein, ellipsis (...) between two entities or values denotes an inclusive range of entities or values, respectively. For example, A...Z implies all the letters from A to Z, inclusively.

[0092] Positional terms such as "upper", "lower" "right", "left", "bottom", "below", "lowered", "low", "top", "above", "elevated", "high", "vertical" and "horizontal" as well as grammatical variations thereof as may be used herein do not necessarily indicate that, for example, a "bottom" component is below a "top" component, or that a component that is "below" is indeed "below" another component or that a component that is "above" is indeed "above" another component as such directions, components or both may be flipped, rotated, moved in space, placed in a diagonal orientation or position, placed horizontally or vertically, or similarly modified. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that the terms "bottom", "below", "top" and "above" may be used herein for exemplary purposes only, to illustrate the relative positioning or placement of certain components, to indicate a first and a second component or to do both. [0093] The terminology used herein should not be understood as limiting, unless otherwise specified, and is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosed subject matter. While certain embodiments of the disclosed subject matter have been illustrated and described, it will be clear that the disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described herein. Numerous modifications, changes, variations, substitutions and equivalents are not precluded.

[0094] Terms in the claims that follow should be interpreted, without limiting, as characterized or described in the specification.

[0095] It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments or example, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention, which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, example and/or option, may also be provided separately or in any suitable sub-combination or as suitable in any other described embodiment, example or option of the invention. Certain features described in the context of various embodiments, examples and/or options are not to be considered essential features of those embodiments, unless the embodiment, example and/or option is inoperative without those elements.

Claims

What is claimed is

An external auxiliary power drive apparatus for assisting a user in displacing a carriage in a desired travelling direction; the apparatus comprising: a drive wheel;

a transmission gear;

a motor that is operably coupled with the drive wheel by the transmission gear to transmit rotative force generated by the motor to the drive wheel; and

a power unit for powering the motor;

wherein the transmission gear, the motor and the power unit are enclosed by the drive wheel.

The external auxiliary power drive apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a wheel housing, wherein the motor, the power unit and the drive wheel are coaxially mounted within the wheel housing.

The external auxiliary power drive apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the motor and/or the power unit are stationary coupled with and relative to the wheel housing.

The external auxiliary power drive apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the power unit has an outer cylindrical contour.

5. The external auxiliary power drive apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the power unit comprises: a cylindrical battery housing that includes battery compartments that are configured to slidably and axially receive a plurality of batteries.

6. The external auxiliary power drive apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the battery compartments are circumferentially arranged around the longitudinal axis of battery housing such that when all batteries are operably inserted into or removed from the battery compartments, the weight of power supply unit is substantially equally distributed around the power supply unit's longitudinal axis.

7. The external auxiliary power drive apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the drive wheel comprises a tire that covers an outer gear shaft of the transmission gear.

8. The external auxiliary power drive apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the outer gear shaft has a cylindrical shaped contour and is rotatably mounted on a wide cylindrical tube-shaped body portion that is operably coupled with the wheel housing; and wherein, during operation, the outer gear shaft rotatably slides over the outer surface of the wide cylindrical tube-shaped body portion.

9. The external auxiliary power drive apparatus according to any one of the claims 2 to

8, wherein a width W of wheel housing is sufficiently narrow such that during operation, the user's feet can pass by the left and right side of wheel housing.

10. The external auxiliary power drive apparatus according to any one of the claims 2 to

9, further comprising a length-adjustable bar comprising a coupling portion from which an extension member extends substantially perpendicularly and terminates in the wheel housing.

11. The external auxiliary power drive apparatus according claim 10, wherein the coupling portion is positioned centered on the length-adjustable bar.

12. The external auxiliary power drive apparatus according to claims 10 or 11, wherein the length-adjustable bar is removably coupleable with a frame of the carriage.

13. A method for providing auxiliary drive force to a carriage, the method comprising: operably coupling the auxiliary power drive apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims to a carriage; and

powering the auxiliary power drive apparatus.

14. Use of the auxiliary power drive apparatus according to any one of the claims 1 to 12.