Coupling mechanism

Abstract

Coupling mechanism (10) for a motor-driven wheel of a wheelchair, with an actuating element (12) by actuating which a brake can be released or a clutch can be disengaged, wherein the actuating element (21) has a drive section (14) which can be coupled to and disengaged from a transmission arrangement (18), wherein the transmission arrangement (18) is connected to an activation element (24) with which a brake can be activated and deactivated or a clutch can be engaged and disengaged.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a coupling mechanism for a motor-driven wheel of a wheelchair.

[0002] A motorized wheelchair must perform various functions to be safe to operate. For example, it should automatically activate a brake if the motor loses power. This ensures the wheelchair remains stationary. A user should be able to release this automatically activated brake and manually propel the wheelchair, for instance, to escape a dangerous situation. Conversely, it must also be possible to brake the wheelchair while it is in motion, i.e., under power. These functions should be as easy for the user to operate as possible.

[0003] WO 2021 / 175 359 A1 discloses a braking device and a contact element movable relative to the braking unit that can engage with it. The braking unit has an activation element and at least one braking element, wherein the activation element engages the transmission element to move the braking element towards the contact element until the brake shoe makes contact with the latter.

[0004] DE 10 2005 059 590 A1 relates to a drum brake with an electromechanical actuating device. The invention proposes to convert a rotary drive movement of the actuating device into translational movements for pressing brake shoes against a brake drum by means of a gear and two racks meshing with it on opposite sides and driven in opposite directions by the gear.

[0005] The DE 25 20 285 A1 reveals another drum brake.

[0006] The object of the present invention is therefore to provide an arrangement that allows a user to realize the different functions described above.

[0007] This problem is solved according to the invention by a coupling mechanism for a motor-driven wheel of a wheelchair, with an actuating element by whose actuation a brake can be released or a clutch can be disengaged, wherein the actuating element has a drive section that can be coupled to and disengaged from a transmission arrangement, wherein the transmission arrangement is connected to an activation element with which a brake can be activated and deactivated or a clutch can be engaged and disengaged.

[0008] Preferably, the actuating element has a freewheel section in the area of ​​the drive section, particularly next to the drive section. If the freewheel section is located in the area of ​​the transmission assembly, the transmission assembly is not coupled to the actuating element. In this state, a wheelchair wheel can be braked or the brake released during operation. Alternatively, a clutch can be engaged and disengaged. If, on the other hand, the drive section interacts with the transmission assembly, this interaction can release an automatically activated brake, thus enabling manual operation of the wheelchair on which the coupling mechanism is installed.

[0009] Particular advantages arise when the activation element, with the actuating element decoupled from the transmission arrangement, can be moved, especially by an actuator, preferably against a restoring force. While it is conceivable that the activation element could be actuated manually, it is preferable to use an actuator, particularly an electrically controlled actuator, such as an electromagnet, to move the activation element. Specifically, the electromagnet can move the activation element in such a way that a brake is released. When the electromagnet is not energized, a restoring element, which can be designed as a spring element, particularly a tension spring, automatically activates the brake. This provides a significant safety feature for a wheelchair.

[0010] However, the actuator allows the brake to be activated and deactivated while driving.

[0011] Preferably, the actuating element is movable between two end positions. In one end position, the actuating element is decoupled from the transmission arrangement. When the actuating element moves from this free-running or decoupled position to the other end position, the drive section engages with the transmission arrangement and can introduce a force, in particular movement, into the transmission arrangement in order to release a brake or a clutch.

[0012] Advantageously, the actuating element can be locked in two end positions. In one end position, the freewheel position is defined. In the other end position, the brake is held open, allowing manual operation of a wheelchair. The two end positions can be locked, for example, by a detent mechanism. In particular, spring-loaded pressure pieces can be provided that engage in corresponding recesses on the actuating element. The pressure pieces can, for example, be arranged on a hub. The actuating element can be movable relative to a wheel hub.

[0013] The transmission arrangement can include a lever that pivots about an axis of rotation and is connected to the activation element. The lever thus couples the transmission arrangement to the activation element. For example, pivoting the lever can move the activation element to release a brake.

[0014] The lever can be coupled to the activation element via a transmission element. The transmission element can be located on the activation element and project into an elongated hole in the lever. This type of connection allows both a small linear movement of the transmission element relative to the lever and a rotational movement of the lever relative to the activation element.

[0015] The transmission arrangement can comprise a shaft non-rotatably connected to the lever, the shaft having at one end a drive section that can be coupled to the drive section of the actuating element. The drive section can, for example, be designed as a gear. Similarly, the drive section on the actuating element can be designed as a toothed section. Thus, when the actuating element is engaged with the transmission arrangement via the drive section and moved further, the drive section of the actuating element can cause a rotational movement of the shaft, which in turn causes a pivoting movement of the lever, so that the activation element coupled to the lever is moved, in particular rotated.

[0016] The activation element can be rotatably arranged. In particular, the axis of rotation of the activation element can, for example, correspond to a wheel axle of a wheel on which the coupling mechanism is located. The activation element can be movably arranged relative to a wheel hub component.

[0017] In principle, it is conceivable to arrange the actuating element so that it can move in a straight line. However, advantages arise if the actuating element is arranged so that it can rotate. The axis of rotation of the actuating element can also correspond to the axle of a wheel on which the coupling mechanism is located. The actuating element can be arranged so that it can move relative to a wheel hub component.

[0018] The actuating element can be connected to a handle. For example, the handle can be designed as a ring. The handle can have markings that indicate the position of the handle and thus of the actuating element. If the handle is designed as a ring, it can be designed in such a way that it has no protruding contours that could be an obstacle when operating a wheelchair.

[0019] The activation element and the actuating element can be arranged concentrically in different planes. The distance between the planes can be bridged by the transmission arrangement. This results in a compact arrangement on a wheel to implement coupling / decoupling with a brake and a freewheel.

[0020] The invention also includes a wheel, in particular a wheelchair wheel, with a coupling mechanism according to the invention.

[0021] Particular advantages arise when the wheel has a gearless hub drive. In such a case, where no gearbox is used, it is especially advantageous to provide an automatically activated brake that engages when the drive is de-energized. This is because braking cannot be achieved through a stiff gearbox.

[0022] The wheel may preferably have a brake that can be activated by the activation element.

[0023] Furthermore, a wheelchair with a wheel according to the invention falls within the scope of the invention.

[0024] Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the invention with reference to the figures in the drawing, which shows essential details of the invention, as well as from the claims. The features shown therein are not necessarily to scale and are depicted in such a way that the inventive features are clearly visible. The various features can be implemented individually or in any combination in variants of the invention. The schematic drawing shows exemplary embodiments of the invention at various stages of use, which are explained in more detail in the following description.

[0025] They show: Fig. 1 a perspective view of a coupling mechanism according to the invention with the brake activated during driving; Fig. 2 a perspective view of the coupling mechanism according to the invention with the brake open during driving; Fig. 3 a perspective view of the coupling mechanism according to the invention in manual operation; Fig. 4 a top view of the coupling mechanism according to the invention in driving operation; Fig. 5 a sectional view corresponding to line VV of the Fig. 4; Fig. 6. A top view of the coupling mechanism in manual operation; Fig. 7 a sectional view according to line VII-VII of the Fig. 6; Fig. 8 A top view of the coupling mechanism in operation with the handle shown only in dashed lines; Fig. 9 one of the Fig. 8 corresponding representation in manual operation.

[0026] The Fig. Figure 1 shows a coupling mechanism 10 according to the invention with an actuating element 12, which in the illustrated embodiment is ring-shaped. The actuating element 12 has a drive section 14. In the illustrated embodiment, the drive section 14 is designed as a toothed section. In the illustrated embodiment, the drive section 14 is not in engagement with a drive section 16 of a transmission arrangement 18. The drive section 16 is designed as a gear. The transmission arrangement 18 has a shaft 20, at one end of which the drive section 16 is arranged to be rotationally fixed. At the other end of the shaft 20, a lever 22 is arranged to be rotationally fixed. The lever 22 is coupled to an activation element 24.

[0027] The coupling is realized by a transmission element 26, which is arranged on the activation element 24 and projects into an elongated hole 28 of the lever 22. The activation element 24 is movable against the restoring force of a spring element 30. The activation element 24 can, in particular, activate or deactivate a brake or, alternatively, engage or disengage a clutch. In the position of the activation element 24 shown, it activates a brake (not shown) or engages a clutch (not shown). To release or deactivate the brake, or alternatively, to disengage a clutch, the activation element 24 can, in the illustrated embodiment, be moved counterclockwise against the action of the restoring force of the spring element 30, which is designed as a tension spring. This position is shown in the Fig. 2 shown. Fig. Position 2 thus corresponds to a freewheel position. The transmission arrangement 18 has allowed this movement because it is not coupled to the actuating element 12.

[0028] The movement of the activation element 24 can be caused, for example, by an actuator (not shown here), such as an electromagnet. In particular, the actuator can move the activation element 24 in the position shown in the Fig. Hold position 2 as shown while the actuator is powered.

[0029] It can be seen that the transmission element 26 has moved along the elongated hole 28 to enter the space in the Fig. to reach the position shown in Figure 2. It can also be seen that the spring element 30 is now tensioned. The elongated hole 28 ensures length compensation. If the actuator is not energized and is therefore no longer able to move the activation element 24 into the position shown in the Fig. To maintain the position shown in 2, the spring element 30 ensures that the activation element 24 automatically moves into the position shown in the Fig. The transmission assembly 18, or its shaft 20 with the lever 22 attached to it, is moved back to the position shown in Figure 1 and a brake is activated or a clutch is engaged. In doing so, the transmission assembly 18, or its shaft 20 with the lever 22 attached to it, is pivoted again.

[0030] The representations of Fig. 1 and Fig. Figure 2 corresponds to driving operation, i.e., when a drive is used on a wheel on which the coupling mechanism 10 is arranged. The drive is thus engaged (the engagement / disengagement of the drive is not shown in the figures).

[0031] When the drive is disengaged and / or de-energized, the activation element 24 takes over the position described above. Fig. The position shown in Figure 1 indicates that a wheel on which the coupling mechanism 10 is located is automatically braked (or a clutch is engaged). If manual operation is required, the brake must be released or the clutch disengaged. This is done by actuating the actuating element 12, specifically by rotating it counterclockwise. When the actuating element 12 is rotated counterclockwise, the drive section 14 engages with the drive section 16 and, with further movement of the actuating element 12, rotates the shaft 20 and thus the lever 22. The lever 22 engages the transmission element 26 and thus the activation element 24, so that the activation element 24 is moved against the spring force of the spring element 30, as shown in Figure 1. Fig. 3 is shown. This releases the brake or disengages the clutch.

[0032] The Fig. Figure 4 shows a top view of the coupling mechanism 10. In particular, a handle 32 can be seen, which is connected to the actuating element 12. The handle 32 is ring-shaped. It can be rotated about a pivot axis 34. The actuating element 12 is also arranged concentrically to the pivot axis 34 (is shown in the Fig. 4 under handle 32 and in Fig. 5 shown). On the actuating element 12 (see Fig. 1 - 3) and / or on the handle 32, markings 36, 38 may be provided by means of which it can be determined in which position the actuating element 12 or the handle 32 is located. Fig. Figure 4 shows the position corresponding to a driving operation. The carrying sections 14, 16 and the shaft 20 are in the Fig. 4 can also be seen.

[0033] The Fig. Figure 5 shows a cross-sectional view along line VV of the Fig. 4. The elements of the coupling mechanism 10 are designated with the reference numerals used previously. It can be seen here that the coupling mechanism 10 is arranged on a wheel hub with a hub drive 40. A recess 44 is provided in the hub 42, in which a spring-loaded pressure piece 46 is arranged. The pressure piece 46 interacts with a recess 48 on the actuating element 12 and thus engages the Fig. 4 and Fig. The position of the actuating element 12 shown in Figure 5 is fixed. In this position, the transmission arrangement 18 is decoupled from the actuating element 12. In particular, the drive sections 14 and 16 are not engaged with each other.

[0034] The Fig. 6 shows one of the Fig. 4 corresponding representation, in comparison to Fig. 4. The actuating element 12 was moved counterclockwise to the second end position via the handle 32. The drive sections 14 and 16 engaged with each other, and the drive section 14, upon transitioning to the end position now shown, carried the drive section 16 along with it, thereby rotating the shaft 20.

[0035] A sectional view along line VII-VII of the Fig. 6 is in the Fig. Figure 7 shows that the drive section 14 is engaged with the drive section 16 and that the shaft 20, and thus the lever 22, has been rotated. Even in the current position of the actuating element 12, the pressure piece 46 interacts with a recess 50 on the actuating element 12 and positions the actuating element 12 in the position shown in the Fig. Position 7 shown is fixed.

[0036] The Fig. 8 essentially corresponds to the Fig. 4, where the handle 32 is shown only with dashed lines, so that it can be seen that fastening means 52, 54, 56 are provided, which protrude through the elongated holes 58, 60, 62 of the actuating element 12 and thus hold the actuating element 12 adjustable relative to the hub 42.

[0037] The Fig. 9 shows one of the Fig. 6 corresponding representation with handle shown only in dashed lines 32.

Claims

[1] Coupling mechanism (10) for a motor-driven wheel of a wheelchair, comprising an actuating element (12) by actuating which a brake can be released or a clutch can be disengaged, wherein the actuating element (21) has a drive section (14) which can be coupled to and disengaged from a transmission arrangement (18), wherein the transmission arrangement (18) is connected to an activation element (24) by which a brake can be activated and deactivated or a clutch can be engaged and disengaged. [2] Coupling mechanism according to claim 1, characterized by , that the activation element (24) is movable when the actuating element (12) is decoupled from the transmission arrangement (18), in particular by an actuator, preferably against a restoring force. [3] Coupling mechanism according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the actuating element (12) is movable between two end positions. [4] Coupling mechanism according to claim 3, characterized by , that the actuating element (12) can be fixed in the end positions. [5] Coupling mechanism according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the transmission arrangement (18) comprises a lever (22) which can be pivoted about an axis of rotation and which is connected to the activation element (24). [6] Coupling mechanism according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the lever (22) has an elongated hole (28) into which a transmission element (26) arranged on the activation element (24) projects. [7] Coupling mechanism according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the transmission arrangement (18) comprises a shaft (20) which is non-rotatably connected to the lever (22) and which has at one end a drive section (16) which can be coupled to the drive section (14) of the actuating element (12). [8] Coupling mechanism according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the activation element (24) is rotatably arranged. [9] Coupling mechanism according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the actuating element (12) is rotatably arranged. [10] Coupling mechanism according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the actuating element (12) is connected to a handle (32). [11] Coupling mechanism according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the activation element (24) and the actuating element (12) are arranged concentrically in different planes. [12] Wheel with a coupling mechanism (10) according to one of the preceding claims. [13] Wheel according to claim 12, characterized by , that the wheel has a gearless hub drive (40). [14] Wheel according to claim 12 or 13, characterized by that the wheel has a brake that can be activated by the activation element (24). [15] Wheelchair with one wheel according to any one of claims 12 to 14.

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