Lifting devices for wheelchairs and motor vehicles

Abstract

The invention relates to a lifting device for lifting a wheelchair into and out of a rear loading space of a motor vehicle, the lifting device comprising: a lifting assembly which can be fastened to a loading space floor or to mutually opposite loading space side walls of the loading space and in each case has a pivot bearing which can be fastened to the loading space floor or to one of the loading space side walls, a lifting arm which is connected to the pivot bearing via a first end so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis, an actuator engaged on the lifting arm for pivoting the lifting arm about the pivot axis and an actuator engaged on the lifting arm for telescoping the lifting arm, a transverse strut which extends in the transverse direction of the vehicle and is connected to the free end of the lifting arm, and a coupling unit which is arranged on the transverse strut and is at least indirectly coupled to the wheelchair in a coupled state and is detached from the wheelchair in a detached state.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a lifting device for lifting a wheelchair, preferably an electric wheelchair, into a rear loading space of a motor vehicle and for lifting the wheelchair out of the loading space. The invention also relates to a motor vehicle having a rear loading space and a lifting device for lifting a wheelchair, preferably an electric wheelchair, into the loading space and for lifting the wheelchair out of the loading space. Background Art

[0002] Loading a wheelchair, preferably an electric wheelchair, into a motor vehicle is a problem for the mobility-impaired person himself who wants to drive the motor vehicle. For simplicity, the wheelchair will be referred to as an electric wheelchair below. An electric wheelchair has to be disassembled manually by a person sitting in the driver's seat, so that the separate and possibly dirty parts of the electric wheelchair have to be lifted and arranged on the passenger side of the motor vehicle, which is associated with a high expenditure in terms of time and effort. Alternatively, a cost-intensive mechanical system can be installed in or on the motor vehicle, respectively, which may have, for example, a mechanical arm that requires a lot of time in order to extend from the rear of the motor vehicle towards the front or the front side of the motor vehicle, respectively, to obtain the electric wheelchair, then move the electric wheelchair to the rear of the motor vehicle, and finally lift the electric wheelchair into the rear loading space of the motor vehicle.

[0003] The video provided at this link https: / / www.youtube.com / watch?v=KPUnNYOPAhU shows the automatic operation of the electric wheelchair. The automatic operation includes the autonomous driving function of the electric wheelchair, whereby the electric wheelchair can be autonomously driven from the driver's door area of ​​the motor vehicle to the rear of the motor vehicle and vice versa. The automatic operation also includes the autonomous loading and unloading function of the lifting device, which is respectively arranged in the loading space on or at the rear of the motor vehicle, whereby the electric wheelchair positioned on the liftable platform of the lifting device to the rear of the motor vehicle can be lifted into the rear loading space of the motor vehicle and lifted out of the loading space.

[0004] The constraints in the design of the autonomous loading and unloading function, respectively, or of the lifting device equipped with such a function, are that firstly no structural modifications to the vehicle, for example changes to the tailgate mechanism, modifications to the motor vehicle floor pan, etc., should be required, and all equipment parts required for the loading and unloading function, respectively, or for the lifting device, should be defined so as to be easily arranged on the motor vehicle and possibly subsequently removed from the motor vehicle again without damaging the accessories of the motor vehicle. Furthermore, it is advisable to provide the equipment parts required for the loading and unloading function, respectively, or for the lifting device, as optional equipment parts of the motor vehicle available for ordering, so that the costs and complexity of the motor vehicle can be minimized. For example, the opening of the tailgate by means of an actuator should be based on an existing item of vehicle equipment and not on a new design.

[0005] DE 20 2014 100 151 U1 relates to a loading device for selectively loading a wheelchair into a motor vehicle and unloading a wheelchair from the motor vehicle. The wheelchair loading device is releasably connected to the motor vehicle and comprises: a body releasably coupled to the motor vehicle, different from the motor vehicle and for releasably connecting the wheelchair loading device to the motor vehicle; two pivot arms pivotably attached to the body and spaced apart from each other transversely to the respective longitudinal extent of the pivot arms; a container device for receiving a wheelchair, wherein the container device is connected to each pivot arm so that the wheelchair coupled via the container device can be moved by a joint pivoting of the two pivot arms; and a drive device for driving the pivoting movement of the two pivot arms.

[0006] US 2016 / 0023586 A1 relates to a lifting device for a vehicle, the lifting device having a mounting member conceived to be fastened to the vehicle, a lifting arm rotatably connected to the mounting member, and a docking structure supported by the lifting arm and conceived to lift a personal mobility device, wherein the docking structure includes an electrical connector for electrically connecting to an electrical connector of the personal mobility device.

[0007] US 4 616 972 A discloses a device for loading a wheelchair into the luggage space of a passenger motor vehicle. The chassis comprises an upper part and a lower part, the upper part defining guide rails in which a slide can roll, and the lower part being fastened to the lower surface of the luggage space. A folding support device is arranged between the upper part and the lower part so that the upper part can be lowered in the direction of the lower part during the loading process. A crank and lever arrangement is used so that when the chair is lifted and rotated into the rear loading space, the slide moves from the rearmost position of the slide to the forwardmost position when the upper part is lowered. There is a locking mechanism for preventing any undesired movement of the slide when the slide is in its rearmost loading or unloading position.

[0008] US 2012 / 0275891 A1 discloses a wheelchair lifting device for loading a wheelchair into a trunk space of a motor vehicle, the wheelchair lifting device comprising a main frame installable in the trunk space of the motor vehicle, a wheelchair platform for holding the wheelchair, a sliding frame for shifting the wheelchair platform into or out of the trunk space, and a pivotable lifting mechanism for raising and lowering the wheelchair platform.

[0009] US 2007 / 0189885 A1 relates to a device for removing a wheelchair from the luggage space of a motor vehicle. The device is foldable and can be easily fitted into the luggage space of a motor vehicle in its folded state.

[0010] US 2005 / 0105995 A1 relates to a lifting assembly having a first telescopic element having a flange for fastening the lifting assembly to a vehicle, a second telescopic element connected to the first telescopic element, and a tool coupled to the second telescopic element, wherein the tool is movable along two orthogonal axes of motion established by the two telescopic elements.

[0011] US 7 306 422 B2 discloses an operably connected wheelchair lifting device, which has: a platform for supporting a passenger; a lifting mechanism to which the platform is pivotably connected adjacent its inwardly directed end, wherein the mechanism is suitable for being fastened to a vehicle so that the platform can be moved between a floor level position, a transfer level position and a vertical retracted position, and vice versa; wherein the lifting mechanism has at least one parallelogram structure, which includes a vertical lifting arm and an articulated lever assembly, which can be activated by the parallelogram structure so that the platform can be pivoted out of the transfer position and into the retracted position; wherein the articulated lever assembly has a connection system, which extends between the vertical lifting arm and the platform and has a thrust arm pivotably connected to the inwardly directed end of the platform; a blocking plate pivotably fastened to the platform adjacent the inwardly directed end of the platform and movable between a raised safety locking position and a lowered bridging position when the platform is in the transfer level position. The connection system also includes a lock activation connection element for moving the blocking plate between a raised safety lock position and a lowered bridge position, wherein the lock activation connection element is connected to be pivotable between the thrust arm and the blocking plate.

[0012] US 9 139 122 B2 relates to a device for loading a wheelchair into a vehicle and for automatically mounting the wheelchair in a housing which protects the wheelchair and the mechanism of the device from the weather during transport. The housing is arranged on a portion of the loading floor of a pickup truck so that the loading floor can be used for other purposes when the mechanism of the device is in the storage position.

[0013] The publication "SCOOTERBOY - Examples of Installation" available at the link http: / / www.rausch-technik.com / products / wheelchairloadingsy- / scooterboy / wheelchair-or-scooter-in-the-trunk / examples-of-installation / #! discloses a lifting assembly for lifting an electric wheelchair into a rear loading space of a motor vehicle and for lifting the electric wheelchair out of the loading space. For this purpose, the lifting assembly comprises a platform which can be raised from the floor into the loading space or vice versa and on which the electric wheelchair can be positioned. Summary of the invention

[0014] The object of the present invention is to provide a lifting device for a wheelchair, thus for an electric wheelchair, on a motor vehicle which can be implemented in a structurally simple and cost-effective manner.

[0015] According to the invention, this object is achieved by a lifting device having the features of claim 1, which has at least two lifting assemblies which can be fastened to the load space floor so as to be spaced apart from one another in the vehicle transverse direction or to mutually opposite load space side walls of the load space and in each case has one pivot bearing fastened to the load space floor or to one of the load space side walls, at least one telescopic lifting arm connected to the pivot bearing by a first end so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis extending in the vehicle transverse direction, at least one actuator engaged on the lifting arm for pivoting the lifting arm about the pivot axis, and at least one actuator engaged on the lifting arm for telescopically extending the lifting arm. Furthermore, the lifting device according to the invention comprises at least one transverse strut extending in the vehicle transverse direction and connected to the free ends of the lifting arms, and at least one electrically actuatable coupling unit arranged on the transverse strut and at least indirectly coupled to the electric wheelchair in the coupled state and at least indirectly decoupled from the electric wheelchair in the decoupled state.

[0016] It should be pointed out that the features and measures mentioned individually in the following description can be combined with each other in any desired technically meaningful manner and disclose further configurations of the present invention. The description further characterizes and specifically explains the present invention, especially in conjunction with the drawings.

[0017] The present invention can preferably be combined with an autonomous drive function of an electric wheelchair, whereby the electric wheelchair can be autonomously driven around the motor vehicle by additionally utilizing functions of the motor vehicle, such as a perimeter monitoring function. Thus, the electric wheelchair can be driven from the driver's door area of ​​the motor vehicle to the rear of the motor vehicle when a person gets off it, to a loading position, in which the lifting device according to the invention can be engaged on the electric wheelchair so that the electric wheelchair is lifted into the rear loading space. In the loading position, the rear side of the electric wheelchair preferably faces the rear of the motor vehicle. Furthermore, the autonomous drive function of the electric wheelchair is used for an electric wheelchair that has been lifted out of the rear loading space by the lifting device according to the invention and can be autonomously driven from an unloading position of the electric wheelchair arranged behind the rear of the motor vehicle to a seating position next to the motor vehicle, wherein a person sitting in the driver's seat of the motor vehicle can sit on the electric wheelchair. The tailgate (upon manual activation of an operating element on the motor vehicle or on a remote control device (e.g. on a smartphone or the like) which is coupled to the motor vehicle in terms of signal technology) can be moved into its open position before or while the electric wheelchair is autonomously driven to the stowage position of the electric wheelchair behind the rear of the motor vehicle. When the person with reduced mobility has moved from the electric wheelchair to the driver's seat, the person can activate the autonomous drive function of the electric wheelchair manually and / or by voice control, e.g. directly on the electric wheelchair or by a remote control which can be formed, for example, by the motor vehicle or a smartphone, so that the electric wheelchair is driven autonomously to the rear stowage position. Subsequently, an autonomous stowage process by means of the lifting device according to the invention can be carried out, whereby the electric wheelchair is lifted into the rear stowage space of the motor vehicle.

[0018] In order to lift the electric wheelchair from its rear loading position, wherein the rear side of the electric wheelchair is preferably facing the rear of the motor vehicle, into the rear loading space of the motor vehicle, the lifting arms can first be pivoted in a synchronous manner from their rest position about a positionally fixed pivot axis in the direction of the rear loading space opening of the loading space, which loading space opening is released into its open position by previously pivoting the tailgate, which closes the loading space opening in the closed position and releases the loading space opening in the open position. The lifting arms can be deployed simultaneously or subsequently in a temporally overlapping manner. Due to the simultaneous movement of the lifting arms, the transverse struts and the coupling units arranged on the transverse struts can be moved into close proximity with the electric wheelchair or the rear side of the electric wheelchair, respectively, or can contact the electric wheelchair.

[0019] The coupling unit can then be activated or switched from its decoupled state to its coupled state, whereby the electric wheelchair is coupled to the lifting device. The lifting arms can thereafter be retracted, whereby the electric wheelchair is rolled in the direction of the motor vehicle until the rear wheels of the electric wheelchair contact the rear part of the motor vehicle, which rear part adjoins the load space opening on the floor of the load space opening, said rear part having a rear bumper and / or an underbody protection device arranged thereon.

[0020] By means of electric actuation of the actuator provided for pivoting the lifting arm, the lifting arm is then pivoted about a positionally fixed pivot axis in the direction of the rear loading space and in particular upwards, whereby the electric wheelchair is lifted. The rear wheels of the electric wheelchair here roll along the rear of the motor vehicle. During the described pivoting movement of the lifting arm, the lifting arm is deployed in order to prevent the electric wheelchair from tilting backwards when the electric wheelchair is lifted. As a result, the electric wheelchair can be kept in an upright position during the entire loading process or when being lifted into the rear loading space, respectively.

[0021] As soon as the electric wheelchair has been lifted high enough, or as soon as the rear wheels of the electric wheelchair are arranged substantially or completely above the lower edge of the loading space opening, the lifting arms are retracted again, while the pivoting movement of the lifting arms into the rear loading space continues. The simultaneous movement of the lifting arms pulls the electric wheelchair into the rear loading space, wherein the electric wheelchair rolls across the loading space floor in the forward direction of the motor vehicle until the electric wheelchair has assumed its desired loading position, in which it is completely arranged in the rear loading space.

[0022] The lifting device can remain coupled to the electric wheelchair in the loading position of the electric wheelchair so that the loading position of the electric wheelchair relative to the motor vehicle can be secured. Alternatively, the lifting device can be detached from the electric wheelchair in the loading position of the electric wheelchair and transferred to the stationary position. In this case, the loading position of the electric wheelchair relative to the motor vehicle must be mechanically secured in another way. The unloading process or lifting of the electric wheelchair out of the rear loading space, respectively, is performed by carrying out the above steps in reverse order.

[0023] The lifting device according to the invention is fastened to the loading space floor or to mutually opposite loading space side walls of the loading space by means of two pivot bearings. An actuator engaged on the respective lifting arm for pivoting the lifting arm about a positionally fixed pivot axis can be supported on the lifting arm on the one hand and on a part of the pivot bearing on the other hand. As a result, the actuator does not have to be additionally supported on the loading space floor or on the respective loading space side wall, which simplifies the assembly of the lifting device. The actuator can be electrically actuatable and in particular have at least one electric motor. The actuator can further have a gearbox interacting with the electric motor. The actuator can be connected to the power supply of the motor vehicle, wherein the power supply can be controlled by an electronic system according to a predetermined power supply configuration so that the above-mentioned loading process or unloading process, respectively, can be implemented.

[0024] Each lifting arm comprises two, three or more elements which are linearly displaceable relative to each other and linearly displaceable relative to each other in order to telescope the lifting arm. The actuator for telescoping the respective lifting arm is supported on two different elements of the lifting arm which are linearly displaceable relative to each other. The actuator may be electrically actuatable and in particular have at least one electric motor. The actuator may additionally have a gearbox which interacts with the electric motor. The actuator may be connected to the power supply of the motor vehicle, wherein the power supply may be controlled by an electronic system according to a predetermined power supply configuration so that the above-mentioned loading process or unloading process, respectively, can be implemented.

[0025] The transverse strut can be designed, for example, as a hollow profile or solid. For example, the coupling unit can be arranged centrally on the transverse strut. The coupling unit can be directly engaged on a component of the electric wheelchair or directly connected to the electric wheelchair. Alternatively, the coupling unit can be indirectly engaged on a component of the electric wheelchair or indirectly connected to the electric wheelchair via a component additionally arranged on the electric wheelchair. The lifting device can also have two or more coupling units arranged on the transverse strut.

[0026] In the case of a motor vehicle retrofit, the entire lifting device can be easily arranged on the motor vehicle. The lifting device can in particular be an optional equipment item for the motor vehicle, which is installed in the motor vehicle according to the requirements of the customer. Since only two pivot bearings need to be connected to the motor vehicle, no structural modifications of the motor vehicle are required in order to implement the invention. Furthermore, the lifting device can be easily unloaded from the motor vehicle again without damaging the motor vehicle. Furthermore, no special actuators are required on the electric wheelchair in order to implement the invention or to load and unload the electric wheelchair.

[0027] A motor vehicle, in particular a passenger motor vehicle, has a rear loading space that can be closed by a tailgate, which is constructed as at least one component, wherein the tailgate can be pivoted between a closed position of the tailgate, closing a loading space opening of the loading space, and an open position, which releases the loading space opening, by at least one electric actuator of the motor vehicle.

[0028] According to an advantageous design embodiment, the coupling unit comprises at least one electromagnet. As a result, the coupling unit can be coupled to the electric wheelchair at least indirectly, since the electromagnet is energized to generate a magnetic field, by which a metal component of the electric wheelchair or an additional metal component fastened to the electric wheelchair is attracted by the electromagnet. The coupling force thus generated between the coupling unit and the metal component is strong enough to be able to implement the required lifting process of the electric wheelchair. Alternatively, the electromagnet can be used to activate or reposition a coupling element of the coupling unit, respectively, and a form fit between the coupling unit and a component of the electric wheelchair or a component additionally arranged on the electric wheelchair is established by repositioning the coupling element. Of course, permanent magnets of corresponding strength can also be used; however, the permanent magnets should be embodied in such a way that the required holding force is provided and the required release force is not too large.

[0029] The lifting device advantageously comprises at least one metal plate which is at least indirectly fastenable to the electric wheelchair and which, in the case of the coupling unit being in its coupled state, is attracted by the electromagnet via a magnetic field generated by the electromagnet. The metal plate is magnetic, in particular ferromagnetic, so that the metal plate can be attracted by the electromagnet. Existing electric wheelchairs can easily be retrofitted with the metal plate.

[0030] According to a further advantageous design embodiment, the lifting device comprises at least one joint, which is connected to the metal plate and by which the metal plate can be connected to the electric wheelchair so as to be pivotable about a rotation axis parallel to the transverse direction of the vehicle. As a result, the metal plate can be pivoted about the rotation axis relative to the electric wheelchair or relative to the backrest of the electric wheelchair, respectively, when being lifted into or out of the rear loading space, respectively, so that a reliable contact is ensured between the coupling element and the metal plate.

[0031] A further advantageous design embodiment provides that the transverse strut is designed to be adjustable in its length. As a result, the lifting device can be produced in a standardized manner and can be easily adapted to different loading space widths or vehicle models during assembly. This reduces production costs. The transverse strut can have, for example, at least two profiled elements, which can be fixed in different relative positions to one another, wherein one profiled element can be guided in the other profiled element. At least one mechanical fixing device for fixing the respective relative position between the profiled elements can be provided on the transverse strut.

[0032] According to a further advantageous design embodiment, the lifting device comprises at least one actuating electronics system which is connected to the actuator and the coupling unit and is arranged to actuate the actuator and the coupling unit in such a way that the electric wheelchair remains upright when being lifted into or out of the loading space, respectively, and the rear wheels of the electric wheelchair roll along the rear of the motor vehicle. The actuating electronics system can be implemented by an on-board electronics system or by a separate electronics system. The electronics system can be remotely controllable, for which purpose it can be connected wirelessly or by wire to a signal unit which can be activated by activating the signal unit. Since the electric wheelchair is supported on the rear of the motor vehicle by its rear wheels during the loading process or the unloading process, respectively, only very small transverse forces act on the lifting device in a manner transverse to the plane of movement of the lifting arms, so that in this respect the lifting device can be constructed to be less sturdy and therefore lighter in weight. At the same time, a reliable guidance of the electric wheelchair is ensured during the loading process or the unloading process, respectively.

[0033] The actuating electronics are advantageously configured to actuate the actuator and the coupling unit in such a way that the lifting arm in the idle state of the lifting device extends from the pivot bearing in the forward direction. As a result, the loading space volume of the rear loading space is impaired as little as possible by the lifting device. Furthermore, manual loading of the rear loading space with other goods is not hampered by the lifting device being present in the loading space. The lifting arm can extend flat across the loading space floor and point in the direction of the rear seats of the motor vehicle.

[0034] Furthermore, the actuation electronics are advantageously configured to actuate the actuator and the coupling unit in such a way that the coupling unit, in which the electric wheelchair has been lifted into the loading space, is held in the coupled state of the coupling unit. The lifting device can thus be used to hold the electric wheelchair securely in its loading position relative to the motor vehicle, in particular when the motor vehicle is moving.

[0035] According to the invention, the above object is also achieved by a motor vehicle having the features of claim 9, wherein the lifting device is configured according to any arbitrary combination of one of the preceding design embodiments or at least two of said design embodiments.

[0036] The advantages mentioned above in the case of the lifting device apply in an analogous manner to the motor vehicle. The motor vehicle can be in particular a passenger motor vehicle. The motor vehicle can be configured to communicate with the electric wheelchair in terms of signal technology, for example in order to support the electric wheelchair in an autonomous driving operation of the electric wheelchair or in order to be able to intervene in the autonomous driving of the electric wheelchair, which should not be moved to a desired loading position or too close to the motor vehicle during the autonomous driving operation. For this purpose, the motor vehicle can have, for example, a surrounding sensor system, by means of which objects and their respective positions in the vicinity of the motor vehicle can be detected. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0037] Further advantageous configurations of the invention are disclosed in the dependent claims and in the following description of the drawings. In the drawings:

[0038] Figure 1 shows a schematic perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a motor vehicle according to the invention having a lifting device in a rest position;

[0039] Figure 2 shows the first loading state Figure 1 A schematic perspective view of a motor vehicle shown in ;

[0040] Figure 3 shows the second loading state Figure 1 a schematic perspective view of a motor vehicle shown in ; and

[0041] Figure 4 The third loading state is shown. Figure 1 A schematic perspective view of a motor vehicle is shown in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] In the various figures, identical components are always provided with the same reference symbols and are therefore usually also described only once.

[0043] Figure 1 A schematic perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a motor vehicle 1 in the form of a passenger motor vehicle according to the invention is shown.

[0044] The motor vehicle 1 has a rear loading space 2 with a rear loading space opening 3 and a tailgate 4 which in a closed position (not shown) closes the loading space opening 3 and in the open position shown releases the loading space opening 3. Adjoining the loading space opening 3 on the floor of the loading space opening 3 is a rear part 5 of the motor vehicle 1 which is provided with a rear bumper (not shown) of the motor vehicle 1 and has a protective element 6 which is arranged offset relative to the bumper towards the floor.

[0045] The motor vehicle 1 also has a lifting device 7 for lifting the electric wheelchair ( Figure 1 The lifting device 7 is a lifting device 7 for lifting an electric wheelchair (not shown) into the rear loading space 2 and for lifting the electric wheelchair out of the loading space 2. The lifting device 7 has two lifting assemblies 10 and 11 which are fastened to the loading space floor 8 so as to be spaced apart from each other in the vehicle transverse direction or alternatively fastened to mutually opposite loading space side walls 9 of the loading space 2.

[0046] Each lifting assembly 10 or 11 has a pivot bearing 12 or 13, respectively, which is fastened to the load space floor 8 or alternatively to one of the load space side walls 9, respectively, a telescopic lifting arm 15 or 16, respectively connected to the pivot bearing 12 or 13 by a first end so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis 14 extending in the vehicle transverse direction, respectively, an actuator (not shown) engaged on the lifting arm 15 or 16, respectively, for pivoting the lifting arm 15 or 16, respectively, about the pivot axis 14, and an actuator (not shown) engaged on the lifting arm 15 or 16, respectively, for telescoping the lifting arm 15 or 16, respectively.

[0047] The lifting device 7 further has a transverse strut 17 which extends in the vehicle transverse direction and is connected to the free ends of the lifting arms 15 and 16. The transverse strut 17 may be configured to be adjustable in its length.

[0048] Furthermore, the lifting device 7 has an electrically actuatable coupling unit 18, which is arranged on the transverse strut 17 and is at least indirectly coupled to the electric wheelchair in the coupled state and is detached from the electric wheelchair in the detached state. The coupling unit 18 may have at least one electromagnet (not shown). The lifting device 7 here may have at least one metal plate (not shown), which is at least indirectly fastenable to the electric wheelchair and is attracted by the electromagnet through the magnetic field generated by the electromagnet when the coupling unit 18 is in the coupled state. For this purpose, the lifting device 7 may also have at least one joint (not shown), which is connected to the metal plate and by which the metal plate can be connected to the electric wheelchair so as to be pivotable about a rotation axis parallel to the transverse direction of the vehicle.

[0049] The lifting device 7 also has an actuation electronics system (not shown) which is connected to the actuator and to the coupling unit 18 and is arranged to actuate the actuator and the coupling unit 18 in such a way that the electric wheelchair remains upright and the rear wheels of the electric wheelchair roll here along the rear part 5 of the motor vehicle 1 when being lifted into the loading space 2 or out of the loading space 2, respectively. The actuation electronics system is arranged to actuate the actuator and the coupling unit 18 in such a way that the lifting arms 15 and 16 of the lifting device 7 in the illustrated static state extend in the forward direction starting from the pivot bearings 12 and 13. Furthermore, the actuation electronics system is arranged to actuate the actuator and the coupling unit 18 in such a way that the coupling unit 18 (in which the electric wheelchair has been lifted into the loading space 2) remains in the coupled state of said coupling unit 18, as Figure 4 shown.

[0050] Figure 2 shows the first loading state Figure 1 1. In addition, an electric wheelchair 19 is shown, which is arranged in a loading position behind the motor vehicle 1, with the rear side of the electric wheelchair 19 facing the motor vehicle 1. Therefore, the rear wheels 20 of the electric wheelchair 19 are positioned facing the motor vehicle 1.

[0051] The lifting device 7 has been Figure 1 The rest position shown is transferred to the loading state shown, in that the lifting arms 15 and 16 have been pivoted about the pivot axis 14 and the lifting arms 15 and 16 have here or subsequently been deployed so that the transverse strut 17 and the coupling unit 18 arranged on the transverse strut 17 are arranged close to the backrest 21 of the electric wheelchair 19. The coupling unit 18 is then transferred from its uncoupled state to its coupled state, whereby the electric wheelchair 19 is coupled to the lifting device 7. Next, the lifting arms 15 and 16 are retracted, whereby the electric wheelchair 19 is pulled in the direction of the motor vehicle 1 in a manner corresponding to the arrow 22, until the rear wheels 20 come into contact with the rear part 5, as shown in FIG. Figure 3 shown.

[0052] Figure 3 shows the second loading state Figure 1 A schematic perspective view of a motor vehicle 1 is shown in FIG. Figure 2The loading state shown is transferred to the loading state shown in that, by electrical actuation of actuators (not shown) provided for pivoting the lifting arms 15 and 16, the lifting arms 15 and 16 have been pivoted in the direction of the rear loading space 2 and in particular upwards about the pivot axis 14 in a manner corresponding to the arrow 23, whereby the electric wheelchair 19 has been lifted. The rear wheels 20 of the electric wheelchair 19 have here rolled substantially vertically along the rear part 5 of the motor vehicle 1. During said pivoting movement of the lifting arms 15 and 16, the lifting arms 15 and 16 have also been deployed in order to prevent the electric wheelchair 19 from tilting backwards when the electric wheelchair 19 is lifted.

[0053] Figure 4 The third loading state is shown. Figure 1 A schematic perspective view of a motor vehicle 1 is shown in FIG. Figure 3 The illustrated loading state thereof is transferred to the illustrated loading state in that once the electric wheelchair 19 has been lifted sufficiently high or once the rear wheels 20 of the electric wheelchair 19 are arranged substantially or completely above the lower edge of the loading space opening 3, the lifting arms 15 and 16 have been retracted again while the pivoting movement of the lifting arms 15 and 16 into the rear loading space 2 has continued. Due to said simultaneous movement of the lifting arms 15 and 16, the electric wheelchair 19 has been pulled into the rear loading space 2, wherein the electric wheelchair 19 has been rolled across the loading space floor 8 in the forward direction of the motor vehicle 1 until said electric wheelchair 19 has assumed the illustrated loading position in which it is completely arranged in the rear loading space 2. Finally, the tailgate 4 can be pivoted in a manner corresponding to the arrow 24 in order to close the loading space 2.

[0054] The lifting device 7 can remain coupled to the electric wheelchair 19 in the loading position of the electric wheelchair 19 so as to be able to secure the loading position of the electric wheelchair 19 relative to the motor vehicle 1. Alternatively, the lifting device 7 can be detached from the electric wheelchair in the loading position of the electric wheelchair 19 and transferred to the electric wheelchair 19. Figure 1 In this case, the loading position of the electric wheelchair 19 relative to the motor vehicle 1 must be mechanically fixed in another way.

[0055] By executing the above steps in reverse order, the unloading process or lifting of the electric wheelchair 19 out of the rear loading space 2 is performed, respectively.

[0056] Reference numerals list

[0057] 1 Motor Vehicles

[0058] 2 Loading space

[0059] 3 Loading space opening

[0060] 4 Tailgate

[0061] 5 Rear

[0062] 6 Protection components

[0063] 7 Lifting device

[0064] 8 Loading space floor

[0065] 9 Loading space side walls

[0066] 10 Lifting assembly

[0067] 11 Lifting assembly

[0068] 12 10 pivot bearing

[0069] 13 11 pivot bearing

[0070] 14 Pivot line

[0071] 15 10 lift arm

[0072] 16 11 lift arm

[0073] 17 Horizontal support

[0074] 18 Connection unit

[0075] 19 Electric wheelchair

[0076] 20 19 rear wheel

[0077] 21 19 backrest

[0078] 22 Arrows (Wheelchair Sports)

[0079] 23 Arrow (pivoting motion)

[0080] 24 Arrows (Close motion)

Claims

1. A lifting device (7) for lifting an electric wheelchair (19) into a rear loading space (2) of a motor vehicle (1) and for lifting the electric wheelchair (19) out of the loading space (2), Features The invention relates to a method for producing a lifting device for a vehicle comprising at least two lifting assemblies (10, 11) which can be fastened to a loading space floor (8) so as to be spaced apart from one another in the vehicle transverse direction or to mutually opposite loading space side walls (9) of the loading space (2) and in each case have a pivot bearing (12, 13) which can be fastened to the loading space floor (8) or to one of the loading space side walls (9), at least one telescopic lifting arm (15, 16) which is connected to the pivot bearing (12, 13) by a first end so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis (14) extending in the vehicle transverse direction, a lifting arm (15, 16) for moving the lifting arm (15, 16) at least one actuator engaged on the lifting arms (15, 16) and pivotable about the pivot axis (14) and at least one actuator engaged on the lifting arms (15, 16) for extending and retracting the lifting arms (15, 16); at least one transverse support (17), the transverse support (17) extending in the transverse direction of the vehicle and connected to the free ends of the lifting arms (15, 16); and at least one electrically actuatable coupling unit (18), the coupling unit (18) being arranged on the transverse support (17) and being at least indirectly coupled to the electric wheelchair (19) in a coupled state and being separated from the electric wheelchair (19) in a separated state; wherein the rear wheels of the electric wheelchair roll along the rear of the motor vehicle with the pivoting movement of the telescopic lifting arm, the telescopic lifting arm is deployed during the pivoting movement of the telescopic lifting arm, and the telescopic lifting arm has been retracted when the rear wheels of the electric wheelchair are completely disposed above the lower edge of the loading space opening; The invention comprises at least one actuation electronics system which is connected to the actuator and to the coupling unit (18) and is arranged to actuate the actuator and the coupling unit (18) in such a way that the electric wheelchair (19) remains upright when being lifted into or out of the loading space (2), respectively.

2. The lifting device (7) according to claim 1, Features The coupling unit (18) has at least one electromagnet.

3. The lifting device (7) according to claim 2, Features It comprises at least one metal plate which can be at least indirectly fastened to the electric wheelchair (19) and which, with the coupling unit (18) in its coupled state, is attracted by the electromagnet via the magnetic field generated by the electromagnet.

4. The lifting device (7) according to claim 3, Features It comprises at least one joint, which is connected to the metal plate and through which the metal plate can be connected to the electric wheelchair (19) so as to be pivotable about a rotation axis parallel to the transverse direction of the vehicle.

5. A lifting device (7) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, Features The transverse strut (17) is configured to be adjustable in its length.

6. The lifting device (7) according to claim 1, Features The actuation electronics are configured to actuate the actuator and the coupling unit (18) in such a way that, in the stationary state of the lifting device (7), the lifting arms (15, 16) extend in the forward direction starting from the pivot bearings (12, 13).

7. The lifting device (7) according to claim 1 or 6, Features The actuation electronics system is configured to actuate the actuator and the coupling unit (18) in such a way that the coupling unit (18) remains in the coupled state of the coupling unit (18) when the electric wheelchair (19) has been lifted into the loading space (2).

8. A motor vehicle (1) having a rear loading space (2) and a lifting device (7), the lifting device (7) being used to lift an electric wheelchair (19) into the loading space (2) and to lift the electric wheelchair (19) out of the loading space (2), Features The lifting device (7) is configured as a lifting device (7) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims.

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