A folding electric wheelchair

Abstract

This utility model discloses a folding electric wheelchair, including a front wheel bracket, a rear wheel bracket, and a backrest bracket hinged together at their ends. A seat cushion bracket is hinged to the backrest bracket. A first hinge axis is provided between the front wheel bracket and the backrest bracket. The rear wheel bracket is formed by the portion of the front wheel bracket extending beyond the first hinge axis. A rear wheel support is hinged to the rear wheel bracket. A limiting plate is fixedly provided on the rear wheel support. A connecting bracket is provided below the seat cushion bracket. At least one limiting groove is radially formed in the limiting plate. The connecting bracket is provided with a limiting mechanism for use with the limiting groove. When the limiting mechanism is embedded in the limiting groove, a V-shaped structure with a fixed included angle is formed between the rear wheel support and the connecting bracket. This utility model has the advantage of preventing changes in the included angle orientation and angle angle of the rigid triangular stable structure, thus ensuring the structural stability of the device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model belongs to the field of electric wheelchair technology, and in particular relates to a folding electric wheelchair. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, in order to meet the travel needs of people with disabilities and the elderly, electric wheelchairs are often designed to be stored in the trunk of a vehicle, which places high demands on portability and space utilization.

[0003] However, existing electric wheelchairs still have certain limitations in terms of folding and unfolding mechanisms. The main problems are that the folding process is cumbersome and the locking mechanism is not reliable enough. This not only increases the user's burden, but may also cause safety hazards during use due to unreliable locking, thus affecting the overall safety and reliability of the electric wheelchair. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, a folding electric wheelchair is provided.

[0005] This utility model is achieved using the following technical solution:

[0006] A folding electric wheelchair includes a front wheel bracket, a rear wheel bracket, and a backrest bracket hinged together at their ends. A seat cushion bracket is hinged to the backrest bracket. A first hinge axis is provided between the front wheel bracket and the backrest bracket. The rear wheel bracket is formed by the portion of the front wheel bracket that extends beyond the first hinge axis. The rear wheel bracket is bent relative to the front wheel bracket. A rear wheel strut is hinged to the end of the rear wheel bracket away from the first hinge axis. A limiting plate is fixedly provided on the rear wheel strut. A connecting bracket for cooperating with the rear wheel strut is provided below the seat cushion bracket. The end of the connecting bracket away from the seat cushion bracket is hinged to the axis of the limiting plate. At least one limiting groove is radially formed in the limiting plate. A limiting mechanism for cooperating with the limiting groove is provided on the connecting bracket. When the limiting mechanism is embedded in the limiting groove, a V-shaped structure with a fixed included angle is formed between the rear wheel strut and the connecting bracket.

[0007] When the user needs to fold the electric wheelchair, the limiting mechanism is unlocked and the rear wheel pillar is swung towards the front wheel, causing the direction and angle of the angle between the rear wheel pillar and the connecting bracket to change until the end of the rear wheel pillar away from the front wheel bracket swings to below the front wheel bracket. Then, the seat cushion bracket and backrest bracket are swung towards the front wheel bracket one by one until they are horizontal, until they are stacked on top of each other, thus completing the folding and storage of the electric wheelchair.

[0008] Preferably, the limiting groove extends along the axial direction of the limiting disk, and the cross-sectional shape of the limiting groove is U-shaped.

[0009] The radial fit between the limiting mechanism and the limiting plate is achieved by setting a limiting groove. Compared with a semi-open limiting groove, this avoids the situation where the limiting mechanism is shifted or not centered during the pressing process into the limiting plate, which could lead to scratches on the mating surface or local deformation of the limiting mechanism. It also makes it easier to remove the limiting plate for cleaning and avoids the accumulation of dust, oil, metal shavings and other contaminants at the bottom of the semi-open limiting groove.

[0010] Preferably, the limiting mechanism includes a horizontal bar arranged horizontally on the inner side of the connecting bracket and limiting sliders fixed at both ends of the horizontal bar in the axial direction. A limiting slide is provided on the connecting bracket corresponding to the position of the limiting slider, and the limiting slider can slide along the length direction of the connecting bracket within the limiting slide.

[0011] By setting a limiting slider that can slide along the limiting slide and cooperate with the limiting groove, the angle of the rear wheel pillar is limited and self-locking is maintained. This prevents the tilt angle of the rear wheel pillars on both sides from being unrestricted due to the disengagement of the limiting slider on one side, thereby ensuring the included angle of the V-shaped structure formed between the rear wheel pillar and the connecting bracket.

[0012] Preferably, the connecting bracket is provided with an elastic element that can reset the limiting slider.

[0013] The elastic element can be a spring connected between the connecting bracket and the limiting slider, or an elastic filler filling between the connecting bracket and the limiting slider, or a magnetic element with the same magnetic pole disposed between the connecting bracket and the limiting slider.

[0014] Preferably, the limiting slider includes a protrusion located in the limiting slide rail and a limiting part connected to both ends of the crossbar axially. The limiting part abuts against the inner surface of the connecting bracket at the position corresponding to the limiting slide rail. The abutting surface of the limiting part and the inner surface of the connecting bracket are both planes. The protrusion extends outward from the abutting end of the limiting part and is embedded in the limiting groove.

[0015] Compared to using only a single protrusion as a limiting slider, this method can limit the axial position of the crossbar by using the limiting part, preventing the protrusion from disengaging from the limiting groove along the axial direction of the crossbar, which would cause the rear wheel support on one side to lose its restraint.

[0016] Preferably, the end face of the limiting part facing away from the protrusion is also provided with a connecting part, the connecting part protruding outward along the axial direction of the crossbar, and a connecting post is fixedly provided on the connecting bracket at a position corresponding to the sliding direction of the connecting part. The elastic element is provided between the connecting post and the connecting part, thereby facilitating the installation of the elastic element.

[0017] Preferably, both the rear wheel strut and the rear wheel bracket have stepped portions at their respective ends that are close to each other. The rear wheel strut and the rear wheel bracket are hinged together by a second hinge shaft located on the vertical sidewall of the stepped portion, thereby enabling the rear wheel strut and the rear wheel bracket to form an integral structure without protruding end faces, avoiding the waste of space.

[0018] Preferably, the rear wheel bracket and the rear wheel strut are provided with a planar abutment surface and an arc surface extending laterally from the abutment surface at one end of the horizontal bottom wall near the step portion. The curvature of the arc surface coincides with the rotation path of the rear wheel strut and the relative rotation path of the rear wheel bracket, thereby preventing the rear wheel strut from rotating out of position through the abutment surface and restricting the rear wheel strut to rotate only in a single direction.

[0019] Preferably, the length of the rotating arm of the V-shaped structure formed by the connecting bracket is greater than the length of the rotating arm of the V-shaped structure formed by the rear wheel strut.

[0020] Preferably, the connecting bracket includes a first connecting segment, a second connecting segment, and a third connecting segment connected between the first and second connecting segments. The third connecting segment has a bent structure relative to the first and second connecting segments. The bending direction between the first connecting segment and the third connecting segment is opposite to the bending direction between the second connecting segment and the third connecting segment. The length directions of the first connecting segment and the second connecting segment are parallel. A reinforcing rib is provided between the outer surfaces of the first connecting segment and the third connecting segment.

[0021] Compared to designing the connecting bracket as a planar structure, increasing the moment of inertia of the connecting bracket section makes it difficult for the connecting bracket to bend when subjected to loads perpendicular or parallel to the bending direction. This ensures the fatigue strength of the connecting bracket during the folding of the electric wheelchair, thereby improving the performance and service life of the connecting bracket.

[0022] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of this utility model are:

[0023] The V-shaped structure formed between the rear wheel strut and the connecting bracket, along with the matching limiting slider and limiting plate, together constitute a rigid triangular stabilizing structure. The radial insertion of the limiting slider achieves mechanical locking of the limiting plate, thereby realizing the transformation of the device from the folded state to the unfolded state. It can also prevent changes in the included angle orientation and included angle angle of the rigid triangular stabilizing structure, thus ensuring the structural stability of the device. Attached Figure Description

[0024] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of a folding electric wheelchair according to the present invention;

[0025] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the lower structure of the seat cushion support in this utility model;

[0026] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the front wheel bracket, rear wheel bracket, and rear wheel strut in this utility model;

[0027] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the rear wheel support, connecting bracket and limiting mechanism in this utility model;

[0028] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the rear wheel support and the limiting mechanism in this utility model;

[0029] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the present invention in a folded state.

[0030] Reference numerals: 11. Front wheel bracket; 111. Front wheel; 12. Rear wheel bracket; 13. Rear wheel support; 131. Rear wheel; 14. Backrest bracket; 15. Seat cushion bracket; 16. Battery; 17. Step section; 171. Abutment surface; 172. Arc surface; 18. Connecting bracket; 181. First connecting section; 182. Second connecting section; 183. Third connecting section; 184. Limiting slide; 19. Reinforcing rib; 20. Limiting slider; 21. Protrusion; 22. Limiting part; 23. Connecting part; 24. Connecting column; 25. Tension spring; 26. Limiting plate; 27. Limiting groove; 28. Crossbar; 100. First hinge shaft; 200. Second hinge shaft; 300. Third hinge shaft; 400. Limiting mechanism. Detailed Implementation

[0031] The present invention will now be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0032] like Figures 1 to 6 As shown, this embodiment discloses a folding electric wheelchair, including a front wheel bracket 11, a rear wheel bracket 12, and a backrest bracket 14 hinged together at their ends. A first hinge axis 100 is provided between the front wheel bracket 11 and the backrest bracket 14. The rear wheel bracket 12 is formed by the portion of the front wheel bracket 11 that extends beyond the first hinge axis 100. The rear wheel bracket 12 is bent relative to the front wheel bracket 11, and the included angle between the rear wheel bracket 12 and the front wheel bracket 11 is greater than 90 degrees. A seat cushion bracket 15 is hinged to the backrest bracket 14 via a third hinge axis 300, which is located above the first hinge axis 100.

[0033] Both the rear wheel support 13 and the rear wheel bracket 12 have a stepped portion 17 at their respective ends. The rear wheel support 13 and the rear wheel bracket 12 are hinged together by a second hinge shaft 200 located on the vertical side wall of the stepped portion 17. The rear wheel bracket 12 and the rear wheel support 13 have a planar abutment surface 171 and an arc surface 172 extending laterally from the abutment surface 171 at their respective ends near the horizontal bottom wall of the stepped portion 17. The curvature of the arc surface 172 coincides with the rotation path of the rear wheel support 13 and the relative rotation path of the rear wheel bracket 12.

[0034] The lower end of the seat support 15 is also fixed with a battery 16 for driving the device and providing power to the functional components of the device that are the same as those in the prior art. The front wheel support 11 and the rear wheel support 13 are respectively provided with a front wheel 111 and a rear wheel 131 that are the same as those in the prior art. The rear wheel support 13 is provided with a braking mechanism (not shown in the figure) for controlling the braking of the rear wheel 131.

[0035] A limiting plate 26 is fixedly installed on the rear wheel pillar 13. A connecting bracket 18 that works with the rear wheel pillar 13 is hinged below the seat support 15. The end of the connecting bracket 18 away from the seat support 15 is hinged to the axis of the limiting plate 26. At least one limiting groove 27 is radially opened in the limiting plate 26. The limiting groove 27 passes through the limiting plate 26 along the axial direction. The cross-sectional shape of the limiting groove 27 is U-shaped. The connecting bracket 18 is provided with a limiting mechanism 400 for use with the limiting groove 27. When the limiting mechanism 400 is embedded in the limiting groove 27, a V-shaped structure with a fixed included angle is formed between the rear wheel pillar 13 and the connecting bracket 18. The length of the rotating arm of the V-shaped structure formed by the connecting bracket 18 is greater than the length of the rotating arm of the V-shaped structure formed by the rear wheel pillar 13.

[0036] The limiting mechanism 400 includes a horizontal bar 28 transversely disposed inside the connecting bracket 18 and limiting sliders 20 fixedly disposed at both ends of the horizontal bar 28. A limiting slide 184 is provided on the connecting bracket 18 at the position corresponding to the limiting slider 20. The limiting slider 20 can slide along the length direction of the connecting bracket 18 within the limiting slide. The connecting bracket 18 is provided with an elastic element that can reset the limiting slider 20. The elastic element is a tension spring 25.

[0037] The limiting slider 20 includes a protrusion 21 located in the limiting slide 184 and a limiting part 22 connected to both ends of the crossbar 28. The limiting part 22 abuts against the inner surface of the connecting bracket 18 at the position corresponding to the limiting slide 184. The abutting surface 171 of the limiting part 22 and the inner surface of the connecting bracket 18 are both planes. The protrusion 21 extends outward from the abutting end of the limiting part 22 and is embedded in the limiting groove 27.

[0038] The end face of the limiting part 22 facing away from the protrusion 21 is also provided with a connecting part 23. The connecting part 23 protrudes outward along the axis of the crossbar 28. A connecting column 24 is fixedly provided on the connecting bracket 18 at a position corresponding to the sliding direction of the connecting part 23. A tension spring 25 is provided between the connecting column 24 and the connecting part 23.

[0039] The connecting bracket 18 includes a first connecting segment 181, a second connecting segment 182, and a third connecting segment 183 connected between the first connecting segment 181 and the second connecting segment 182. The third connecting segment 183 has a bent structure relative to the first connecting segment 181 and the second connecting segment 182. The bending direction between the first connecting segment 181 and the third connecting segment 183 is opposite to the bending direction between the second connecting segment 182 and the third connecting segment 183. The end of the first connecting segment 181 away from the limiting plate 26 is hinged to the middle section of the seat cushion bracket 15. The length directions of the first connecting segment 181 and the second connecting segment 182 are parallel. A reinforcing rib 19 is provided between the outer surfaces of the first connecting segment 181 and the third connecting segment 183.

[0040] When the user needs to fold the electric wheelchair, holding the crossbar 28 causes the limiting sliders 20 on both sides to move away from the limiting plate 26 and stretch the tension spring 25, thereby causing the protrusion 21 to disengage from the limiting groove 27. At this time, the rear wheel support 13 is no longer restricted, and then the rear wheel support 13 swings towards the front wheel bracket 11. During this process, the direction and angle of the V-shaped structure formed between the rear wheel support 13 and the connecting bracket 18 change. The angle of the V-shaped structure shifts towards the direction closer to the front wheel 111, and the first connecting section 181 of the connecting bracket 18 moves towards the front wheel 111. The wheelchair swings towards the first hinge shaft 100, and the end of the first connecting section 181 lifts the seat cushion support 15. Since the position of the third hinge shaft 300 is fixed, the force exerted by the first connecting section 181 in lifting the seat cushion support 15 is converted into an assist that makes the seat cushion support 15 and the backrest support 14 fit together. This continues until the end of the rear wheel pillar 13 away from the front wheel support 11 swings to below the front wheel support 11. Then, the seat cushion support 15 and the backrest support 14 swing towards the front wheel support 11 one by one until they are horizontal, until they are stacked on top of each other, thus completing the folding and storage of the electric wheelchair.

Claims

1. A folding electric wheelchair, comprising a front wheel bracket, a rear wheel bracket, and a backrest bracket hinged together at their ends, wherein a seat cushion bracket is hinged to the backrest bracket, characterized in that: A first hinge axis is provided between the front wheel bracket and the backrest bracket. The rear wheel bracket is formed by the portion of the front wheel bracket that extends beyond the first hinge axis. The rear wheel bracket is bent relative to the front wheel bracket. A rear wheel support is hinged to the end of the rear wheel bracket away from the first hinge axis. A limiting plate is fixedly provided on the rear wheel support. A connecting bracket that works with the rear wheel support is provided below the seat cushion bracket. The end of the connecting bracket away from the seat cushion bracket is hinged to the axis of the limiting plate. At least one limiting groove is radially formed in the limiting plate. A limiting mechanism is provided on the connecting bracket for working with the limiting groove. When the limiting mechanism is embedded in the limiting groove, a V-shaped structure with a fixed included angle is formed between the rear wheel support and the connecting bracket.

2. A folding electric wheelchair according to claim 1, characterized in that: The limiting groove extends along the axial direction of the limiting plate, and the cross-sectional shape of the limiting groove is U-shaped.

3. A folding electric wheelchair according to claim 2, characterized in that: The limiting mechanism includes a horizontal bar arranged horizontally inside the connecting bracket and limiting sliders fixed at both ends of the horizontal bar. A limiting slide is provided on the connecting bracket corresponding to the position of the limiting slider, and the limiting slider can slide along the length direction of the connecting bracket within the limiting slide.

4. The foldable electric wheelchair according to claim 3, wherein: The connecting bracket is equipped with an elastic element that can reset the limiting slider.

5. A foldable electrically powered wheelchair according to claim 3 or 4, characterised in that: The limiting slider includes a protrusion located in the limiting slide rail and a limiting part connected to both ends of the crossbar axially. The limiting part abuts against the inner surface of the connecting bracket at the position corresponding to the limiting slide rail. The abutting surface of the limiting part and the inner surface of the connecting bracket are both planes. The protrusion extends outward from the abutting end of the limiting part and is embedded in the limiting groove.

6. A folding electric wheelchair according to claim 5, characterized in that: The limiting part is also provided with a connecting part on the end face opposite to the protrusion. The connecting part protrudes outward along the axis of the crossbar. A connecting post is fixedly provided on the connecting bracket at a position corresponding to the sliding direction of the connecting part. The elastic element is provided between the connecting post and the connecting part.

7. The foldable electric wheelchair according to claim 6, characterized in that: Both the rear wheel strut and the rear wheel bracket have stepped portions at their respective ends that are close to each other. The rear wheel strut and the rear wheel bracket are hinged together by a second hinge shaft located on the vertical sidewall of the stepped portion.

8. A folding electric wheelchair according to claim 7, characterized in that: The rear wheel bracket and the rear wheel strut are provided with a planar contact surface and an arc surface extending laterally from the contact surface at one end of the horizontal bottom wall near the step. The curvature of the arc surface coincides with the rotation path of the rear wheel strut and the relative rotation path of the rear wheel bracket.

9. A folding electric wheelchair according to claim 8, characterized in that: The length of the rotating arm of the V-shaped structure formed by the connecting bracket is greater than the length of the rotating arm of the V-shaped structure formed by the rear wheel strut.

10. The foldable electric wheelchair according to claim 9, characterized in that: The connecting bracket includes a first connecting segment, a second connecting segment, and a third connecting segment connected between the first and second connecting segments. The third connecting segment has a bent structure relative to the first and second connecting segments. The bending direction between the first connecting segment and the third connecting segment is opposite to the bending direction between the second connecting segment and the third connecting segment. The length directions of the first connecting segment and the second connecting segment are parallel. A reinforcing rib is provided between the outer surfaces of the first connecting segment and the third connecting segment.

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