Mobility aid, especially rollator

Abstract

Mobility aid (1), in particular rollator, with at least three wheels (2, 2a), at least one of which is designed as a front wheel (2a) and by means of which the mobility aid can be driven over a surface (3), wherein the at least three wheels (2, 2a) define a forward rolling direction (R) when the mobility aid is traveling in a forward direction (F), furthermore comprising a lifting device by means of which the at least one front wheel (2a) can be lifted over an obstacle (4), in particular a step, located in the direction of forward travel (F) in front of the front wheel (2a) and raised above the ground level (3). a lever support (5) pivotable about a pivot axis (A1) extending transversely to the forward direction (F) of the mobility aid (1), which has at least one guide wheel (5a) at its free end, and an electric actuating mechanism designed to move the lever support (5) from a rest position to a lifting position by means of a pivoting movement in the forward rolling direction (R), in which the guide wheel (5a) can be supported on the obstacle (4) in such a way that the at least one front wheel (2a) can be lifted into a position higher than the ground plane (3).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a mobility aid, in particular a rollator, intended for persons with limited walking ability.

[0002] Rollators are a known technology and serve to facilitate movement in a defined forward direction and to increase safety when walking.

[0003] However, with conventional rollators, a problem arises: when overcoming obstacles, especially steps or raised edges, the rollator must be lifted manually. This requires considerable strength and coordination, which is often difficult or even impossible for elderly or physically impaired individuals.

[0004] Furthermore, rollators equipped with an operable pedal, which allows the front wheel to be raised by means of a lifting mechanism, are known from the prior art. The front wheel is raised by pressing and holding the pedal with the foot. However, this design has the disadvantage that the user must then balance and push the rollator over the obstacle while standing on one leg, which can significantly reduce the person's stability and increase the risk of falling.

[0005] The present invention therefore aims to provide a mobility aid that can significantly facilitate the user's ability to overcome obstacles, particularly steps. In particular, it should prevent the user from having to lift the rollator manually and / or stand on one leg while lifting it.

[0006] The problem is solved according to the invention by a device having the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are described in the dependent claims.

[0007] The present invention thus relates to a mobility aid, in particular a rollator, with at least three wheels, at least one of which is designed as a front wheel and by means of which the mobility aid can be moved across a surface. When the mobility aid is moving forward, the wheels define a forward rolling direction.

[0008] Furthermore, the mobility aid features a lifting device by means of which at least one front wheel can be lifted over an obstacle, in particular a step, located in front of the front wheel in the direction of forward travel and raised above the ground level. The lifting device comprises a lever support pivotable about a pivot axis extending transversely to the forward direction of travel of the mobility aid, which has at least one guide wheel at its free end opposite the pivot axis. The lifting device also includes an electric actuating mechanism designed to move the lever support from a rest position to a lifting position by means of a pivoting movement in the forward direction of travel. In this lifting position, the guide wheel can be supported against the obstacle in such a way that the at least one front wheel can be lifted into a position elevated above the ground level.

[0009] The invention is based on the idea of ​​using an electric actuating mechanism to lift the front wheel, thus assisting the user in overcoming obstacles. The activation of the electric actuating mechanism can be designed to be more comfortable and require less effort than with known pedal mechanisms, which can be particularly advantageous for elderly or physically impaired individuals. The electric actuating mechanism can, for example, be designed so that it can be easily activated manually via a control element or automatically, without requiring the user to perform any complicated movements or significantly impair their stability.

[0010] In particular, the mobility aid defines a vertical direction, with the wheels located in a lower area and typically one or more handles located in an area above the wheels to guide and support the user.

[0011] For the purposes of the present invention, the term "ground plane" refers in particular to the plane or driving surface on which the lowest contact points of the wheels of the mobility aid rest during normal operation and along which the mobility aid can be moved, typically the ground or sidewalk. The ground plane itself is not part of the invention.

[0012] For the purposes of the present invention, the forward direction of travel is defined as the direction in which the mobility aid moves forward in normal operation when all wheels are in contact with the ground plane at their lowest contact points.

[0013] For the purposes of the present invention, an obstacle is defined in particular as an element raised above the ground level, such as a step, edge, or threshold, which must be overcome when driving forward. The obstacle itself is not part of the invention.

[0014] In the context of the present invention, the term "rest position" refers in particular to the starting position of the lever support in which the mobility aid is operated during normal operation. Preferably, in the rest position, the guide wheel is arranged at least above the height of a rolling axis of the front wheel, and more preferably above the overall height of the front wheel, so that the area immediately in front of the front wheel remains largely unobstructed, thus facilitating the steering of the mobility aid.

[0015] In the context of the present invention, the term "lift position" refers in particular to a pivoted position of the lever support in which the guide wheel can be supported against an obstacle located in front of the front wheel, so that the at least one front wheel can be raised to a position higher than the ground plane. Preferably, in the lift position, the lever support is located at least partially in a front area that lies below the height of the front wheel's rolling axis and in front of the front wheel. This area can also be referred to as the driving area. If an obstacle is located in this area, the position of the lever support, or its pivoting, can cause the lever support to be supported against the obstacle while the rear wheels remain in contact with the ground plane, thus raising the front wheel to a position higher than the ground plane.

[0016] In other words, the mobility aid is designed so that an electric actuating mechanism can be used to overcome steps, pivoting the lever support into a lifting position. In this position, the lever support rests against the step, raising the front wheel above the ground level and thus facilitating the overcoming of the obstacle.

[0017] According to one aspect of the mobility aid according to the invention, the electric actuating mechanism is designed to move the lever support from the raised position to the rest position by means of a pivoting movement against the forward rolling direction. This design enables a controlled change to the starting position of the lever support for normal operation of the mobility aid, thereby restoring the rollator's steerability and ensuring safe guidance.

[0018] According to a further aspect of the mobility aid according to the invention, in the rest position of the lever support, the angle between an imaginary straight line connecting the pivot axis of the lever support with a rolling axis of the guide wheel and the direction of travel is 20° to 70°, preferably 40° to 60°. This angle definition ensures that the lever support does not protrude disruptively into the driving area during normal operation and that the rollator's steerability remains improved.

[0019] According to a further aspect of the mobility aid according to the invention, the lever support, in its lifting position relative to its rest position, is pivoted in the forward rolling direction by an angle between 50° and 120°, preferably between 70° and 100°. This design enables the lever support to achieve a sufficient support position against the obstacle, thereby reliably lifting the front wheel.

[0020] According to a further aspect of the mobility aid according to the invention, the lifting device is designed to provide a lifting height of the front wheel of at least 50% of the obstacle height, preferably at least 80%, when the obstacle height corresponds to 0.25 to 1 time the diameter of the front wheel, preferably 0.5 to 1 time the diameter of the front wheel. This ensures that sufficient lifting of the front wheel is achievable for various obstacles, so that, for example, typical step heights can be reliably overcome. The lifting height here refers in particular to the vertical distance by which the front wheel is raised relative to the ground.

[0021] According to a further aspect of the mobility aid according to the invention, the distance between the pivot axis of the lever support and a rolling axis of the guide wheel corresponds to 1.5 to 2.5 times the diameter of at least one front wheel. This geometric design enables a suitable leverage effect, which allows for efficient force transmission when lifting the front wheel.

[0022] According to a further aspect of the mobility aid according to the invention, it is provided that an end of the lever support opposite the free end of the lever support is mounted on the pivot axis. In this way, a compact design of the lifting device can be achieved. Furthermore, a sufficiently large pivot range of the lever support can be provided to reliably overcome, for example, higher steps.

[0023] According to a further aspect of the mobility aid according to the invention, it has a control element via which the electric actuating mechanism for executing the pivoting movement can be operated. This can enable intuitive and convenient operation, as the user can activate the lifting device without significant effort. The control element can be designed, for example, as a push button, rocker switch, rotary switch, or touch sensor. Preferably, the control element is arranged on a handle of the mobility aid and / or in the immediate vicinity of the handle. In this way, the user can remain stably supported during operation. The immediate vicinity of the handle is defined here in particular as the area that the user can reach with one finger without having to release the corresponding handle with the other fingers.

[0024] According to a further aspect of the mobility aid according to the invention, it has a detection device for recognizing an obstacle located in front of the front wheel in the direction of forward travel and raised above the ground level, wherein the electric actuating mechanism is designed to automatically move the lever support from the rest position to the raised position by means of a pivoting movement in the forward rolling direction upon detection of the obstacle. This can enable largely autonomous overcoming of steps, which can improve comfort and safety for the user. In particular, the detection device has a sensor, especially a proximity sensor, which enables reliable obstacle detection. Furthermore, the mobility aid can have a control and / oror have a control unit designed to receive the sensor signal and, depending on the detection of an obstacle in the driving area, to control the electrical actuating mechanism.

[0025] According to a further aspect of the invention, the electric actuating mechanism comprises an electric hub motor that is arranged in or on the wheel hub of the front wheel. In this way, a compact design with few externally accessible moving parts can be achieved.

[0026] According to a further aspect of the invention, the mobility aid has two front wheels, each front wheel having its own lever support, which can be moved between the rest position and the raised position by means of the electric actuating mechanism. This design allows the mobility aid to remain stable even over wider obstacles or uneven surfaces, since both front wheels can be raised. In particular, the two lever supports are rigidly connected to each other via a transverse support extending transversely to the direction of travel.

[0027] An exemplary embodiment and further advantages of the invention are presented and explained in more detail below in purely schematic terms in connection with the following figures. These figures show: Fig. 1a an embodiment of a mobility aid according to the invention, which moves towards an obstacle over a ground plane; Fig. 1b the mobility aid from Fig. 1a, where the front wheel is in contact with the obstacle while the lever support is in its rest position; Fig. 1c the mobility aid from Fig. 1b, in which the lever support was moved into its lifting position by pivoting; Fig. 1d the mobility aid from Fig. 1c, in which the raised front wheel was moved over the edge of the obstacle; and Fig. 1e the mobility aid from Fig. 1d, in which the lever support was returned to its rest position by pivoting.

[0028] Fig. Figure 1a shows an embodiment of a mobility aid 1 according to the invention, in particular a rollator, with at least three wheels 2, 2a, at least one of which is designed as a front wheel 2a and by means of which the mobility aid 1 can be moved over a surface 3. When moving in a forward direction F, the wheels 2, 2a define a forward rolling direction R.

[0029] Furthermore, the mobility aid 1 has a lifting device by means of which the at least one front wheel 2a can be lifted over an obstacle 4, in particular a step, located in front of the front wheel 2a in the direction of forward travel F and raised above the ground level 3. The lifting device comprises a lever support 5 pivotable about a pivot axis A1 extending transversely to the direction of forward travel F, which has at least one guide wheel 5a at its free end. Furthermore, an electric actuating mechanism (not shown) is provided, which is configured to move the lever support 5 from a rest position shown in this figure to a lifting position by means of a pivoting movement in the direction of forward rolling R (see figure). Fig. 1c and Fig. 1d) to transfer, in which the guide wheel 5a can be supported on the obstacle 4 in such a way that at least one front wheel 2a can be lifted into a position higher than the ground level 3.

[0030] The mobility aid 1 defines a vertical direction H, wherein the wheels 2, 2a are arranged in a lower area and one or more hand grips 7 are provided in an area above the wheels 2, 2a, which serve to guide and support the user.

[0031] In Fig. 1a The mobility aid 1 approaches the obstacle 4. The obstacle 4 has an obstacle height h1, which lies within the area of ​​the driving area 11, which extends in front of the front wheel 2a and below the rolling axis of the front wheel 2a.

[0032] Furthermore, the mobility aid 1 in this case has an actuating element 6 by means of which the electric actuating mechanism for carrying out the swiveling movement can be activated. The actuating element 6 is preferably arranged on a handle 7 or in its immediate vicinity, so that the user can operate the lifting device comfortably and without loss of stability.

[0033] Fig. 1b shows the mobility aid 1 according to Fig. 1a, in which the front wheel 2a rests against the obstacle 4. The lever support 5 remains in its rest position, with the guide wheel 5a positioned above the front wheel 2a. In this rest position, the angle α between an imaginary straight line g, connecting the pivot axis A1 of the lever support 5 with the roll axis A2 of the guide wheel 5a, and the direction of travel F is preferably 40° to 60°. This design ensures that the lever support 5 does not protrude into the driving area 11 during normal operation, thus improving the steering of the mobility aid 1. Furthermore, the lever support 5 is positioned in its rest position so that even higher obstacles 4 can be allowed to approach the front wheel 2a without the guide wheel 5a colliding with them.

[0034] Fig. 1c shows the mobility aid 1 according to Fig. 1b, in which the lever support 5 is pivoted from its rest position to its lifting position by the electric actuating mechanism. In this lifting position, the lever support 5 is pivoted relative to its rest position (indicated by dashed lines) in the forward rolling direction R by an angle β, which is preferably between 70° and 100°. The guide wheel 5a rests against the obstacle 4, so that the front wheel 2a is raised above the ground level 3. In this case, the lifting height h2 of the front wheel 2a exceeds the obstacle height h1, which significantly facilitates overcoming the obstacle 4.

[0035] Fig. Figure 1d shows the mobility aid 1 according to Fig. 1c, in which the raised front wheel 2a was moved completely over the edge of the obstacle 4. During this process, the mobility aid 1 is supported by the guide wheel 5a and the rear wheels 2, ensuring a stable position. Thanks to the provided lifting device, the user can keep both hands on the handles 7 and safely guide and control the mobility aid 1.

[0036] After overcoming the obstacle 4, the lever support 5 can be returned to its rest position, as shown in Fig. Figure 1e shows the process. The front wheel 2a is placed on the obstacle 4. After the front wheel 2a has been placed on the obstacle 4, the rear wheels 2 can easily be driven onto the obstacle 4, thus successfully overcoming it. REFERENCE MARK LIST (Part of the description) 1 Mobility aid 2 rear wheel 2a Front wheel 3 Underground level 4th obstacle 5 Lever support 5a Guide wheel 6 Actuating element 7 handle 8 Driving area A1 Swivel axis of the lever support A2 Roll axis of the guide wheel F Direction of travel H Altitude R Forward rolling direction g imaginary straight line h1 Obstacle height h2 lifting height α angle in rest position β Angle in lifting position

Claims

[1] Mobility aid (1), in particular rollator, with at least three wheels (2, 2a), at least one of which is designed as a front wheel (2a) and by means of which the mobility aid can be driven over a surface (3), wherein the at least three wheels (2, 2a) define a forward rolling direction (R) when the mobility aid is traveling in a forward direction (F), furthermore comprising a lifting device by means of which the at least one front wheel (2a) can be lifted over an obstacle (4), in particular a step, located in the direction of forward travel (F) in front of the front wheel (2a) and raised above the ground level (3). a lever support (5) pivotable about a pivot axis (A1) extending transversely to the forward direction (F) of the mobility aid (1), which has at least one guide wheel (5a) at its free end, and an electric actuating mechanism designed to move the lever support (5) from a rest position to a lifting position by means of a pivoting movement in the forward rolling direction (R), in which the guide wheel (5a) can be supported on the obstacle (4) in such a way that the at least one front wheel (2a) can be lifted into a position higher than the ground plane (3). [2] Mobility aid (1) according to claim 1, wherein the electric actuating mechanism is configured to move the lever support (5) from the lifting position to the rest position by means of a pivoting movement against the forward rolling direction (R). [3] Mobility aid (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein in the rest position of the lever support (5) an angle (α) between an imaginary straight line (g) connecting the pivot axis (A1) of the lever support with a roll axis (A2) of the guide wheel (5a) and the direction of travel (F) is 20° to 70°, preferably 40° to 60°. [4] Mobility aid (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the lever support (5) in its lifting position is pivoted relative to its rest position in the forward rolling direction (R) by an angle (β) which is between 50° and 120°, preferably between 70° and 100°. [5] Mobility aid (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the lifting device (5) is designed to provide, in the lifting state, a lifting height (h2) of the front wheel (5a) of at least 50% of the obstacle height (h1), preferably at least 80% of the obstacle height (h1), when the obstacle height (h1) corresponds to an obstacle height (h1) corresponding to 0.25 times to 1 times the diameter of the front wheel (2a). [6] Mobility aid (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a distance (a) of the pivot axis (A1) of the lever support (5) to a rolling axis (A2) of the guide wheel (5a) corresponds to 1.5 times to 2.5 times the diameter of the at least one front wheel (2a). [7] Mobility aid (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein an end of the lever support (5) opposite the free end of the lever support (5) is mounted on the pivot axis (A1). [8] Mobility aid (1) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a control element (6) by means of which the electric actuating mechanism for performing the swiveling movement can be actuated. [9] Mobility aid (1) according to claim 8, wherein the control element (6) is arranged on a handle (7) of the mobility aid (1) and / or in the immediate vicinity of the handle (7). [10] Mobility aid (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a detection device for detecting an obstacle (4) located in the direction of forward travel (F) in front of the front wheel (5a) and raised above the ground level (3), wherein the electric actuating mechanism is designed to automatically move the lever support (5) from a rest position to a lifting position by means of a pivoting movement in the forward rolling direction (R) upon detection of the obstacle (4). [11] Mobility aid (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the electric actuating mechanism has an electric hub motor arranged in the wheel hub of the front wheel (2a) or on the wheel hub of the front wheel (2a). [12] Mobility aid (1) according to any of the preceding claims, comprising two front wheels (2a), wherein each front wheel (2a) is assigned its own lever support (5) which can be moved between the rest position and the lifting position by means of the electric actuating mechanism.

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