A real-world wheelchair speed testing device

Abstract

The utility model relates to medical rehabilitation engineering technical field more specifically, relate to a kind of field driving wheelchair speed testing device, including test support, synchronous wheel and encoder, the test support upper end is provided with clamp, and lower end is provided with fixed base, the synchronous wheel and encoder are all set on fixed base, and synchronous wheel is connected with encoder. The device is clamped on the handle of wheelchair by clamp, does not damage the original mechanical or electrical system of wheelchair, and compatible different wheel diameter, driving mode wheelchair, strong adaptability, by test support, synchronous wheel is fixed on wheelchair, so that it can follow the running track of wheelchair, the maximum speed, acceleration and deceleration of wheelchair are tested, test support has certain strength and rigidity, can form downward pressure to synchronous wheel, so that it always keeps the ground state, prevent synchronous wheel from skidding, idling or from ground bumping during testing.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of medical rehabilitation engineering technology, and more specifically, to a field wheelchair speed testing device. Background Technology

[0002] Electric wheelchairs, as an important assistive tool, play an indispensable role in improving the quality of life for people with mobility impairments. They not only provide an independent mode of transportation for the elderly and those with mobility difficulties, allowing users to easily operate the wheelchairs to their desired destinations even without assistance, but also reduce their dependence on external aids, thereby lessening the burden on families and society. This empowers them to travel independently, participate in social activities, and improve their mental health. However, the maximum speed of an electric wheelchair directly affects its safe use in various environments. For example, if the maximum speed is too high, the user may find it difficult to control the wheelchair on sidewalks or in public areas, increasing the risk of accidents. Excessive acceleration may cause discomfort or loss of balance, while excessive deceleration may affect the effectiveness of emergency braking. Therefore, measuring the speed, acceleration, and deceleration of electric wheelchairs is crucial for ensuring their safety, performance, and user experience. However, while there are many types of electric wheelchairs on the market, devices for measuring their speed are scarce. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The present invention aims to overcome at least one of the defects (deficiencies) of the prior art and provide a field driving wheelchair speed testing device to solve the problem of the lack of devices on the market for measuring the speed of electric wheelchairs.

[0004] The technical solution adopted by this utility model is a real-world wheelchair speed testing device, which includes a test bracket, a synchronous wheel, and an encoder. The test bracket is provided with a clamp at the upper end and a fixed base at the lower end. The synchronous wheel and the encoder are both mounted on the fixed base, and the synchronous wheel is connected to the encoder.

[0005] In use, the device is secured to the wheelchair by clamping the upper clamp of the test bracket onto the wheelchair's handle, ensuring the synchronous wheelchair wheeled with its wheels on the ground. The speed of the wheelchair is measured by the rotation of the synchronous wheelchair and the encoder. The clamping method prevents damage to the wheelchair's original mechanical or electrical systems and is compatible with wheelchairs of different wheel diameters and drive types, offering strong adaptability and suitability for rapid testing of multiple wheelchairs. The test bracket possesses sufficient strength and rigidity, applying downward pressure to the synchronous wheelchair and keeping it grounded. This prevents slippage, spinning, or lifting off the ground due to uneven surfaces, which would affect test accuracy. The synchronous wheel's direct contact with the ground and complete decoupling from the wheelchair tires avoids speed measurement distortion caused by tire slippage, resulting in high test accuracy and low cost.

[0006] Furthermore, the test bracket is a U-shaped bracket, including a horizontal plate and two vertical plates. The lower ends of the two vertical plates are respectively connected to the two ends of the horizontal plate, and the clamp is set at the upper end of the vertical plates.

[0007] The test stand is set as a U-shaped stand, with clamps installed on the two vertical plates of the stand. The two clamps are symmetrically clamped on the push handles on the left and right sides, which can counteract the tilting of the stand caused by unilateral pressure and clamp more firmly. In addition, the U-shaped structure forms a closed force-bearing frame, which is more resistant to lateral swaying when pushing than a single-arm stand, and can be used even on bumpy roads.

[0008] Furthermore, the fixing seat is located in the middle of the horizontal plate.

[0009] Because the synchronizer wheel is mounted on a fixed base, with the base positioned in the middle of the horizontal plate, it ensures the synchronizer wheel is centered within the wheelchair. This centered positioning allows for even pressure distribution between the two vertical plates of the U-shaped frame, preventing uneven stress that could cause the frame to twist or tilt. It also ensures the synchronizer wheel remains perpendicular to the ground, reducing measurement errors and preventing frame deformation or uneven wear of the synchronizer wheel over time. When the wheelchair travels in a straight line, the drive wheels on both sides rotate at the same speed. However, when the path is not straight, the drive wheel speeds will differ. Positioning the synchronizer wheel in the middle ensures symmetry in the drive wheel speeds, allowing speed measurement data to more accurately reflect the wheelchair's true performance.

[0010] Furthermore, the vertical plate and the horizontal plate are connected by corner brackets, and the two ends of the horizontal plate are respectively provided with strip holes for adjusting the position of the corner brackets.

[0011] The horizontal and vertical plates are connected perpendicularly. Bolt holes are located at the bottom of the vertical plates and the vertical section of the corner bracket. Bolts and nuts are used to secure the vertical section of the corner bracket to the vertical plates. Bolt holes are also located on the horizontal section of the corner bracket. Slotted holes are located at both ends of the horizontal plates, which are then secured to the horizontal sections of the corner brackets using bolts and nuts. By making the holes at both ends of the horizontal plates slotted, the position of the corner brackets can be adjusted by adjusting the position of the bolts within these slots, thus adjusting the distance between the two vertical plates. Two slotted holes can be provided at each end of the horizontal plate for a more secure fixation to the corner brackets. Currently, there are many types of electric wheelchairs on the market, and the width between the two push handles may differ between different types. The slotted holes allow for adjustment of the width between the two vertical plates, making it suitable for a wider range of wheelchair types.

[0012] Furthermore, the diameter of the synchronous pulley is 15~25cm.

[0013] If the diameter of the synchronous pulley is too small, its circumference is too short, resulting in fewer encoder pulses for the same displacement, lower resolution, and difficulty in detecting minute speed fluctuations, thus affecting test accuracy. Furthermore, a small synchronous pulley has poor anti-interference capability, is easily affected by uneven ground, struggles to cross obstacles, and frequently lifts off the ground, leading to data interruptions. Conversely, if the diameter of the synchronous pulley is too large, its mass distribution is far from the axis, resulting in high inertial resistance during acceleration and deceleration, hindering rapid response to speed changes, causing longer delays, and affecting the test accuracy in transient conditions such as emergency braking and starting. An excessively large synchronous pulley also increases cost and weight. Therefore, the diameter of the synchronous pulley is set at 15~25cm to achieve the optimal balance between accuracy, response speed, and environmental adaptability.

[0014] Furthermore, the synchronizing pulley is covered with a rubber layer.

[0015] Rubber has a much higher coefficient of friction with the ground than metal or plastic. Coating the synchronous pulley with a rubber layer can enhance friction and reduce slippage. Secondly, the rubber layer can also attenuate vibrations transmitted from road bumps to the encoder, reducing signal jitter and noise.

[0016] Furthermore, the upper end of the support is provided with a height adjustment device, and the clamp is connected to the height adjustment device.

[0017] Different wheelchairs have different push handle heights. The height adjustment device at the upper end of the bracket can adjust the height of the clamp to make it suitable for various wheelchairs and ensure that the synchronous wheel at the lower end of the bracket is in contact with the ground so as to realize the speed test of the wheelchair.

[0018] Furthermore, the height adjustment device includes an elongated hole and a hand-tightening bolt at the upper end of the bracket. The clamp is provided with an internal threaded hole, and the hand-tightening bolt passes through the elongated hole and connects to the internal threaded hole on the clamp.

[0019] The height adjustment device consists of an elongated hole at the upper end of the bracket and a hand-tightening bolt disposed within the elongated hole. The clamp has an internal threaded hole; the bolt of the hand-tightening bolt passes through the elongated hole and connects to the internal threaded hole on the clamp. Tightening the hand-tightening bolt secures the clamp to the bracket. The hand-tightening bolt can move along the elongated hole, thereby adjusting the height of the clamp.

[0020] Furthermore, multiple hand-tightening bolts are installed inside a long, narrow hole.

[0021] First, multiple hand-tightened bolts provide a more secure fix than a single hand-tightened bolt. Second, when using a single hand-tightened bolt, the test bracket may rotate around the bolt due to friction or impact from the timing wheel. Using multiple hand-tightened bolts for fixation can prevent this from happening.

[0022] Furthermore, the clamp includes a first clamping arm, a second clamping arm, and an adjusting rod. The first clamping arm and the second clamping arm are rotatably connected at one end and open at the other end. Both the first clamping arm and the second clamping arm are provided with threaded holes. The adjusting rod is provided with threads and is connected to the first clamping arm and the second clamping arm through the threaded holes.

[0023] In use, this clamp is adjusted so that the wheelchair handle is positioned within the opening between the first and second clamping arms. The size of the opening is adjusted by rotating the adjusting rod, allowing the clamp to hold the handle. The threads in the threaded holes of the first and second clamping arms are in opposite directions. When the adjusting rod is rotated, the first clamping arms move in opposite directions, thus adjusting the size of the opening. Wheelchair handles are typically cylindrical; therefore, the opposing surfaces of the first and second clamping arms can be curved to increase the contact area with the handle and make the clamp more secure. This clamp is easy and quick to install and remove, and provides a firm grip.

[0024] Compared with existing technologies, the advantages of this utility model are as follows: By fixing the synchronous wheel to the test bracket, and then fixing the test bracket to the wheelchair, the synchronous wheel is secured to the wheelchair, allowing it to follow the wheelchair's trajectory and enabling testing of the wheelchair's maximum speed, acceleration, and deceleration. Fixing the synchronous wheel to the test bracket prevents slippage, free spinning, or lifting off the ground due to uneven ground conditions during testing. The test bracket is a U-shaped bracket with a horizontal plate and two vertical plates at both ends. The synchronous wheel is positioned in the middle of the horizontal plate, preventing the bracket from twisting or tilting due to uneven force on the vertical plates. It also prevents deformation of the bracket or uneven wear of the synchronous wheel after long-term use. Furthermore, it avoids inaccurate test data caused by inconsistent drive wheel speeds in the wheelchair. Clamps are provided at the upper ends of the two vertical plates to hold the wheelchair's two push handles, ensuring a more secure fixation. The U-shaped structure forms a closed force-bearing frame, which is more resistant to lateral swaying during pushing than a single-arm bracket. Using clamps to hold the wheelchair's push handles does not damage the wheelchair's original mechanical or electrical systems. The upper end of the vertical plate has elongated holes for adjusting the height of the clamp, and both ends of the horizontal plate also have elongated holes for adjusting the distance between the two vertical plates, thus making the device suitable for wheelchairs with handles of different heights and widths. The synchronous wheels have a diameter of 15-25cm, ensuring measurement accuracy and response speed while also providing a certain degree of maneuverability. The synchronous wheels are covered with a rubber layer to increase their coefficient of friction with the ground, reduce slippage, and also dampen vibrations transmitted from road bumps to the encoder, reducing signal jitter and noise. Attached Figure Description

[0025] Figure 1 This is a structural diagram of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 2This is a structural diagram of the present invention from another angle.

[0027] Figure 3 A structural diagram showing the installation of a buffer device between the horizontal plate and the fixed base.

[0028] Figure 4 This is the left view of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 5 This is a structural diagram of the fixture of this utility model.

[0030] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the use of this utility model. Detailed Implementation

[0031] The accompanying drawings are for illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as limiting the scope of this invention. To better illustrate the following embodiments, some components in the drawings may be omitted, enlarged, or reduced, and do not represent the actual dimensions of the product; it is understandable to those skilled in the art that some well-known structures and their descriptions may be omitted in the drawings.

[0032] like Figure 1 As shown, a real-world wheelchair speed testing device includes a test bracket 1, a synchronous wheel 2, and an encoder 3. The test bracket has a clamp 4 at its upper end and a fixed base 5 at its lower end. The synchronous wheel 2 and the encoder 3 are both mounted on the fixed base 5, and the synchronous wheel 2 is connected to the encoder 3.

[0033] Specifically, such as Figure 1 , Figure 2As shown, the test bracket 1 is a U-shaped bracket, including a horizontal plate 11 and vertical plates 12 set at both ends of the horizontal plate 11. The lower ends of the two vertical plates 12 are connected to the two ends of the horizontal plate 11 through angle brackets 13. The upper ends of the two vertical plates 12 are respectively provided with clamps 4. The angle bracket 13 has a vertical section and a horizontal section, and two bolt holes are provided on the vertical section and the horizontal section respectively. Two bolt holes are also provided on the lower ends of the two vertical plates 12. Two strip holes 111 are provided at both ends of the horizontal plate 11 along the length direction of the horizontal plate 11, and the two strip holes 111 are parallel to each other. Bolts are used to pass through the bolt holes at the lower ends of the vertical plates 12 and the bolt holes in the vertical section of the angle bracket 13, as well as the strip holes 111 at both ends of the horizontal plate 11 and the bolt holes in the horizontal section of the angle bracket 13, and then connected with nuts to fix the horizontal plate 11 and the vertical plate 12 together to form a U-shaped bracket. The bolts connecting the horizontal plate 11 and the horizontal section of the corner bracket 13 can move along the strip hole 111, thereby adjusting the distance between the two vertical plates 12. The upper ends of the two vertical plates 12 are respectively provided with elongated holes 121. The clamp 4 is provided with two internal threaded holes 41. Two hand-tightening bolts 122 pass through the elongated holes 121 and connect to the internal threaded holes 41 on the clamp 4. The hand-tightening bolts 122 can move along the elongated holes 121, thereby adjusting the height of the clamp 4. The two hand-tightening bolts 122 are provided to prevent the vertical plates 12 from rotating relative to the clamp 4 around the hand-tightening bolts 122.

[0034] like Figure 5 As shown, the clamp 4 includes a first clamping arm 42 and a second clamping arm 43. One end of the first clamping arm 42 and the second clamping arm 43 are rotatably connected, and the other end is open. The opposite sides of the open ends are arc-shaped, and anti-slip protrusions are provided on the opposite arc-shaped surfaces of the first clamping arm 42 and the second clamping arm 43. Two internal threaded holes 41 are provided on the side of the connected end. The first clamping arm 42 and the second clamping arm 43 are also respectively provided with threaded holes 44, and the threaded holes 44 on the first clamping arm 42 and the second clamping arm 43 are in opposite directions. The clamp 4 also includes an adjusting rod 45, which is provided with external threads. The adjusting rod 45 is connected to the first clamping arm 42 and the second clamping arm 43 through the threaded holes 44. When the adjusting rod 45 is rotated, the first clamping arm 42 and the second clamping arm 43 can move in opposite directions through the threaded engagement, thereby adjusting the opening size of the clamp 4. A handle 46 is also provided at the top of the adjusting rod 45 to facilitate rotation of the adjusting rod 45.

[0035] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 As shown, the fixing seat 5 is located in the middle of the lower part of the horizontal plate 11 and is fixedly connected to the horizontal plate 11. Figure 3As shown, a buffer device 6 can also be provided between the fixed base 5 and the horizontal plate 11 to adapt to uneven road surfaces and improve test accuracy. The buffer device 6 includes bolts connecting the fixed base 5 and the horizontal plate 11, and springs sleeved on the bolts. The synchronous pulley 2 is mounted on the fixed base 5 and rotatably connected to it. The encoder 3 is mounted on the fixed base 5, and its shaft is connected to the synchronous pulley 2. When the synchronous pulley 2 rotates, it drives the shaft of the encoder 3 to rotate. Figure 4 As shown, the diameter D of the synchronous wheel 2 is 15~25cm. While ensuring measurement accuracy and response speed, it also ensures that it has a certain degree of passability. The synchronous wheel 2 is also covered with a rubber layer to increase its friction coefficient with the ground, reduce slippage, and at the same time, it can also attenuate the vibration transmitted to the encoder by road bumps, reduce signal jitter and reduce noise.

[0036] like Figure 6 As shown, when using this device, first adjust the distance between the two vertical plates 12 so that the clamp 4 can just clamp onto the two push handles of the wheelchair. Rotate the adjusting rod 45 to adjust the opening of the clamp 4 to make it clamp securely. Then, adjust the position of the hand-tightened bolt 122 in the elongated hole 121 to make the synchronous wheel 2 touch the ground.

[0037] Obviously, the above embodiments of this utility model are merely examples for clearly illustrating the technical solution of this utility model, and are not intended to limit the specific implementation of this utility model. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the claims of this utility model should be included within the protection scope of the claims of this utility model.

Claims

1. A field-based wheelchair speed testing device, characterized in that, The test includes a test bracket, a timing pulley, and an encoder. The test bracket has a clamp at the upper end and a fixed base at the lower end. The timing pulley and the encoder are both mounted on the fixed base, and the timing pulley is connected to the encoder.

2. The field driving wheelchair speed testing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The test bracket is a U-shaped bracket, including a horizontal plate and two vertical plates. The lower ends of the two vertical plates are respectively connected to the two ends of the horizontal plate, and the clamp is set at the upper end of the vertical plates.

3. The field driving wheelchair speed testing device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The fixing seat is located in the middle of the horizontal plate.

4. The field driving wheelchair speed testing device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The vertical plate and the horizontal plate are connected by corner brackets, and the two ends of the horizontal plate are respectively provided with strip holes for adjusting the position of the corner brackets.

5. A field driving wheelchair speed testing device according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, The diameter of the synchronous pulley is 15~25cm.

6. The field driving wheelchair speed testing device according to claim 5, characterized in that, The timing pulley is covered with a rubber layer.

7. The field driving wheelchair speed testing device according to claim 5, characterized in that, The upper end of the bracket is equipped with a height adjustment device, and the clamp is connected to the height adjustment device.

8. The field driving wheelchair speed testing device according to claim 7, characterized in that, The height adjustment device includes an elongated hole and a hand-tightening bolt at the upper end of the bracket. The clamp is provided with an internal threaded hole, and the hand-tightening bolt passes through the elongated hole and connects to the internal threaded hole on the clamp.

9. The field driving wheelchair speed testing device according to claim 8, characterized in that, Multiple hand-tightening bolts are installed inside a long, narrow hole.

10. The field driving wheelchair speed testing device according to claim 5, characterized in that, The clamp includes a first clamping arm, a second clamping arm, and an adjusting rod. The first clamping arm and the second clamping arm are rotatably connected at one end and open at the other end. Both the first clamping arm and the second clamping arm are provided with threaded holes. The adjusting rod is provided with threads and is connected to the first clamping arm and the second clamping arm through the threaded holes.

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