Manual or electric power assistance module for wheelchair and facility comprising same

Abstract

Manual or electric assistance module (1) for wheelchair (2) comprising at least one central locking system (9) to which is attached a steering front axle (10) comprising at least two forks (11) and at least two steering wheels (12), the steering front axle assembly comprising at least two forks and at least two steering wheels being mobile in rotation around the longitudinal axis of said steering front axle (10), said manual or electric assistance module (1) further comprising a system for securing (13) to the wheelchair (2), characterized in that said steering front axle (10) is mounted pivotally, relative to said securing system (13), around an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said steering front axle (10).

Description

technical field

[0001] The invention relates to a manual or electric wheelchair assistance module capable of forming a motorized vehicle once attached to a wheelchair. This module comprises at least one central locking system to which is attached a steering mechanism at the end of which is associated a fork with at least two steering wheels, said central locking system also being attached to a coupling system capable of being attached to the front of a wheelchair frame.

[0002] The present invention relates more particularly to the field of wheelchairs for people with mobility difficulties, especially elderly or disabled people.

[0003] The invention also relates to an installation comprising a wheelchair equipped with such a manual or electric wheelchair assistance module. Previous technique

[0004] Typically, a wheelchair consists of a frame topped with a seat and backrest, resting on the ground via large rear wheels and two small front steering wheels. At the front of the frame, a footrest is attached to tubular uprights.

[0005] While the small front steering wheels make it easier to orient the wheelchair when moving at low speed and on regular ground, it is essential that these two small front steering wheels be replaced by one or more steering wheels of a larger diameter when one seeks to subject this wheelchair to a higher speed of movement and / or to rolling on uneven ground.

[0006] Thus, it is known that wheelchairs for sports practice have a crank drive system, similar to a bicycle crankset, allowing a handlebar to be formed to steer the wheelchair, knowing that such a manual drive system can still be replaced by suitable motor means, including an electric motor, the said wheelchair also having a steering handlebar.

[0007] Moreover, just as with bicycles, there are now manual or electrically assisted drive systems for such wheelchairs used for sports.

[0008] The problem with these devices is, most of the time, that they cannot replace a traditional wheelchair, whose size and maneuverability are more suited to everyday use.

[0009] Therefore, as one can understand, a person with a disability that limits their mobility must necessarily have two distinct types of wheelchairs, one of which is specifically configured for the desired sporting activity. This is particularly important not only for getting around in an urban environment, but also for traveling off-road. The small wheels of a traditional wheelchair are indeed unsuitable for moving on rough terrain.

[0010] There are adaptable wheelchair assistive devices, also known as power-assisted devices, that include at least one central locking system to which is attached at least one steering mechanism for pivoting a front steering fork connected to a handlebar. This central locking system is further secured to a wheelchair attachment system equipped with a central or peripheral shaft.

[0011] These solutions, when they include a motorized front wheel, for example by an electric motor, are very maneuverable but their stability in turns or on slopes deteriorates, which can cause users to fall.

[0012] These solutions, when they include two motorized front wheels, for example each powered by an electric motor, transform the vehicle into a quadricycle. The resulting assembly is rigid, and overall stability is improved since it rests on four wheels.

[0013] However, the overall rigidity, the geometry of the front axle, and the absence of suspension mechanically cause the outside front wheel to lift off the ground in corners, resulting in a loss of grip and traction proportional to the angle of the turn. This phenomenon is known to occur on the chassis of four-wheeled vehicles with rigid frames, such as go-karts or certain single-seater racing cars.

[0014] The two parts thus joined together constitute a rigid unit generating a heavy steering force because it supports the weight of the whole, including the weight of the user and the wheelchair.

[0015] The other consequence of this overall stiffening is that the wheelchair frame is subjected to very high torsional stresses which can cause some welds or joints of the wheelchair to break.

[0016] The purpose of the patent is to solve all the problems described above by proposing a device, of the 'interface' type, allowing independent rotation of each part of the joined assembly in order to allow the two rear wheels of the wheelchair and the two front wheels of the electric assistance to be in contact with the ground independently and permanently. Summary of the invention

[0017] To this end, the invention relates to a manual or electric wheelchair assistance module comprising at least one central locking system to which is attached a front steering axle comprising at least two forks and at least two steering wheels, the front steering axle assembly comprising at least two forks and at least two steering wheels, each being movable around a separate steering axis called left steering axis and right steering axis, which steering axes being substantially parallel, said manual or electric assistance module further comprising a wheelchair attachment system, characterized in that said front steering axle is mounted pivotally, relative to said attachment system, around a transverse axis substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal plane passing through said two steering axes.

[0018] Thus, the presence of an additional transverse axis of rotation introduces an extra degree of freedom between the wheelchair and the manual or electric assistance module. This will eliminate torsion of the wheelchair frame when the wheels of the manual or electric assistance module are turned left or right.

[0019] By doing so, all four wheels of the vehicle are always in contact with the ground, which improves the vehicle's traction.

[0020] In the context of the present invention, the term "steering wheel axis" refers to the axes substantially perpendicular to the ground allowing the wheels (and therefore the wheelchair) to be oriented to the left or to the right.

[0021] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, said front steering axle is mounted pivotally, relative to said attachment system and relative to said central locking system, around said transverse axis.

[0022] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, said transverse axis passes at the median height of said front steering axle.

[0023] In the context of the present invention, the term "median height" is meant to designate the straight section of said front steering axle which separates said front steering axle into two portions of equal length.

[0024] Within the framework of the present invention, it is considered that said transverse axis passes at the level of the median height provided that said transverse axis passes in a portion of the front steering axle, which includes said straight section, the length of which is less than 20%, preferably 10% and even more preferably 5% of the total length of said front steering axle.

[0025] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the pivoting around said transverse axis is limited, on either side of the vertical, to a predetermined angle.

[0026] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the manual or electric assistance module includes a means suitable for selecting said predetermined angle.

[0027] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the pivoting around said transverse axis is ensured by two opposite plates, a first plate associated with said central locking system and a second plate associated with said front steering axle.

[0028] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, two fastening arms extend from said lashing system.

[0029] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the manual or electric assistance module comprises only two steering wheels.

[0030] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, each fixing arm comprises, at its end, a clamp, suitable for being attached to a post of the gantry tubes or to the axle of the rear wheels of a wheelchair, said clamp comprising two jaws, as well as manual clamping means.

[0031] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, each fixing arm comprises successive sections that can be oriented relative to each other, configured to allow the fixing arm to position its clamp opposite a post of the gantry tubes or the axle of the rear wheels of a wheelchair.

[0032] The present invention also relates to an installation comprising a wheelchair equipped with a manual or electric wheelchair assistance module according to the invention.

[0033] A motorized quadricycle assembly is thus simply formed by assembling the manual or electric assistance module to a wheelchair.

[0034] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, said assembly comprises a set of large rear wheels for an all-terrain wheelchair and a set of large rear wheels for a wheelchair suitable for general use.

[0035] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, said assembly includes quick means for connecting to either set of large rear wheels of the installation.

[0036] All-terrain wheels are particularly suited to sporting use on rough terrain, but are not very suitable because they are bulky and difficult to maneuver in everyday use.

[0037] Similarly, the large rear wheels of a wheelchair suitable for everyday use do not allow for satisfactory use for sports.

[0038] In fact, once the module is mounted on the wheelchair equipped with large rear wheels for everyday use, the user can easily replace these rear wheels with a set of large rear wheels designed for sports use. This replacement can be done without getting up from the seat, or with the assistance of another person.

[0039] And at the end of sporting use, the user can put back the large rear wheels intended for everyday use. Brief description of the figures

[0040] [ Fig. 1 ] is a schematic representation, front and side views, of a wheelchair equipped with a manual or electric assistance module according to prior art, with straight wheels. Fig. 2 ] is a schematic representation, front and side views, of a wheelchair equipped with a manual or electric assistance module according to prior art, with the wheels turned. Fig. 3 [ ] is a schematic representation, front and side views, of a wheelchair equipped with a manual or electric assistance module according to the invention, with straight wheels. Fig. 4 [ ] is a schematic representation, front and side views, of a wheelchair equipped with a manual or electric assistance module according to the invention, with the wheels turned. Fig. 5] is a schematic representation of a tie-down system attached to a 2-wheeled assistance according to the invention, on which arrows illustrate the additional rotation permitted around the transverse axis. Detailed description of the invention

[0041] As represented in the [ Fig. 3 ] ] Fig. 4 The present invention relates to a manual or electric assistance module 1 for a wheelchair 2. This wheelchair typically comprises a seat 3 extending at the rear into a backrest 4. The wheelchair 2 also includes, at the rear, two large wheels 5, while at the front, it is equipped with small steering wheels 6. The terms "front" and "rear" are defined in relation to the seat of the wheelchair, and in particular its backrest. The front face of the backrest is designed to support the user's back, while the rear face is the free face when the user is seated in the wheelchair.

[0042] At the level of this front part of the wheelchair 2, it still has a front chassis 7. On this latter, in particular on the uprights 8 of the front chassis 7, the manual or electric assistance module 1 can be fixed, for example.

[0043] This essentially comprises a central locking system 9 on which is fixed a front steering axle 10 for receiving, pivotally around two distinct steering axes, parallel and coinciding with a longitudinal plane A, forks 11 receiving in their lower part and in a rotational manner at least two steering wheels 12. In the illustrated embodiment the fork 11 receives two steering wheels 12.

[0044] According to the embodiment presented, the front steering axle consists of a steering system pivoting around its longitudinal axis, at the end of which are associated the forks 11 and the wheels 12.

[0045] The front steering axle 10 is mounted to pivot around an axis B. The latter is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal plane A. The comparison between the [ Fig. 2 ] (representing a module of the prior art) and the [ Fig. 4 ] (representing a module according to the invention) shows that the possibility of pivoting the front steering axle 10 around the axis B makes it possible to keep the two steering wheels 12 on the ground regardless of their steering angle.

[0046] The height of the point of passage of said axis B at the level of the front steering axle 10 is preferably at the level of the mid-length of said axle 10. However, to adapt to particular conditions, this point of passage may be shifted upwards or downwards.

[0047] In order to facilitate the adjustment of the height of said point of passage of said axis B at the level of the front steering axle 10, the module 1 according to the invention may advantageously include adjustment means (not shown) dedicated to this function.

[0048] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, said rotation around the axis B is implemented between the central locking system 9 and the front steering axle 10 via two opposite plates 60, 70, a first plate 60 associated with said central locking system 9 and a second plate 70 associated with said front steering axle 10.

[0049] The plates 60, 70 preferably each comprise a flat face opposite the other. To ensure rotation about axis B, one of the faces may comprise a cylinder extending perpendicularly from said face, and the opposite face may comprise a recess congruent to said cylinder. Alternatively, both faces may comprise a recess capable of receiving, when the two plates are in place, a part joining the two plates 60, 70 in rotation about axis B.

[0050] Advantageously, the said part combining the two rotating plates 60, 70 is a cylinder passing through all or part of the said plates.

[0051] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the two flat faces are separated by a plate called a "sliding plate" interposed between the two flat faces capable of minimizing friction between the two plates.

[0052] According to an even more preferred embodiment of the invention, said sliding plate is made of polymer.

[0053] It can be advantageous to limit the maximum angle of rotation of the plates 60 and 70 relative to each other. For this purpose, the assembly of plates 60 and 70 can advantageously include one stop, and even more preferably two stops.

[0054] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the plates 60, 70 further comprise a means capable of resisting rotation about the axis B. Advantageously, the resistance provided by said means increases with the angle of rotation of the front steering axle 10 relative to the vertical.

[0055] These stops can be positioned interchangeably on either plate 60, 70. Each stop corresponds to a contact element on the other plate. The stop and its corresponding contact element are arranged to prevent the rotation of the two plates 60, 70 relative to each other at a predefined position.

[0056] In order to adapt the maximum angle of rotation around axis B, the position of said stop and / or said contact element can be advantageously adjusted via corresponding adjustment means.

[0057] Module 1 according to the invention, once assembled to a wheelchair 2, thus forms a more stable assembly than the prior art and less subject to accidental tipping at high speed, particularly in turns, or when the handlebars pivot rapidly.

[0058] Note that various means for assisting the drive of the steering wheel(s) 12 can be attached to the central locking system 9 and / or the front steering axle 10. This is illustrated in particular on the [ Fig. 1 ] - [ Fig. 4 ] a battery support 15 attached to the front of the front steering axle 10 for supplying electrical power to an electric drive motor not shown.

[0059] Also noteworthy, as illustrated on the [ Fig. 1 ] - [ Fig. 4], that the front steering axle 10 is advantageously fixed to the central locking system 9 or to the plate 70 at two points, by pairs of bolts and nuts passing through both holes in the front steering axle 10 and the central locking system 9. On the central locking system 9 is also fixed a lashing system 13 from which extend two defined fixing arms suitable for being secured to the wheelchair 2, in particular to the uprights of the support tubes 7 or to the axle of the rear wheels of the latter.

[0060] For this purpose, these fixing arms advantageously include, at their end, fixing means advantageously taking the form of a clamp comprising two jaws, at least one of which is movable to be tightened on the other.

[0061] Preferably, these jaws pivot around a similarly vertical axis. Advantageously, the grip of said jaws is semi-cylindrical in shape so as to be able to grip the uprights of cylindrical gantry tubes 7.

[0062] Note that each of these fixing arms can be defined by several successive sections which, depending on the case, can be pivoted relative to each other around axes extending in different directions for the adjustment in inclination, height, etc. of the clamps so that each of them can cooperate, with ease, with the wheelchair 2. Thus, by an orientation or a pivoting of the successive sections relative to each other.

[0063] Some of these sections can still be telescopic relative to each other, for example for adjusting the spacing of the clamps according to constraints encountered such as, for example, the spacing of said uprights 7 in the case of using the manual or electric assistance module 1 on another model of wheelchair 2.

[0064] In a particularly advantageous manner, the lashing system 13 is secured to the central locking system 9 by means of articulation means. These means are designed to allow the lashing system 13 to pivot relative to the central locking system 9 around a lifting axis substantially parallel to the ground and to the longitudinal plane A, within a limited stroke between a raised position, referred to as the active lifting position, and a lowered position, referred to as the rest position.

[0065] In this lowered, so-called resting position, the clamps of this tie-down system 13 are defined to engage, in order to be fixed, on the wheelchair 2. By tilting around the lifting axis of the tie-down system 13 relative to the central locking system 9, this tie-down system 13 reaches its raised position in which the front steering wheels 12 of the wheelchair 2 are lifted off the ground.

[0066] According to the invention, the manual or electric assistance module 1 includes a manual control lever 14 mounted to pivot on the central locking system 9 and cooperating with the lashing system 13 to push the latter, as appropriate, from its raised position to its lowered position or vice versa. This manual control lever 14 forms manually operated actuation means 14.

[0067] According to a preferred embodiment, said manually operated actuation means (14) are complemented by manually operated unlocking locking means to ensure that the lashing system (13) is maintained in its active raised position.

[0068] Such a manual or electric assistance module 1 for a wheelchair 2 may advantageously also include means for controlling the orientation and rotation of the steering wheels 12, not shown here. These means for controlling the orientation and rotation are connected, for example, to the wheels 12 by wired or wireless communication means. These means for controlling the orientation and rotation may include a control unit mounted on the central locking system 9 or attached to the wheelchair 2.

[0069] This simply forms an installation comprising a wheelchair and a module according to the invention, connected to and equipping said wheelchair.

[0070] According to a complementary embodiment of this installation not illustrated here, the installation advantageously includes a set of large rear wheels for an all-terrain wheelchair and a set of large rear wheels for a wheelchair suitable for regular use.

[0071] In addition, the wheelchair advantageously includes quick means of connection to either set of large rear wheels of the installation, at the level of axles of the wheelchair passing through the hubs of the large wheels.

[0072] These quick means of connection can take the form, for example, of a drilled shaft through which a pin passes, or any other known alternative solution.

[0073] This allows you to easily swap the sets of large rear wheels of the wheelchair depending on the expected use of the installation on rough or flat terrain.

Claims

1. Manual or electric assistance module (1) for wheelchair (2) comprising at least one central locking system (9) to which a steering front axle (10) is attached, the steering front axle assembly comprising at least two forks and at least two steering wheels, each movable about a separate steering axis called the left steering axis and the right steering axis, which left and right steering axes being substantially parallel, said manual or electric assistance module (1) further comprising a system for securing (13) to the wheelchair (2), characterized in that said front steering axle (10) is mounted pivoting, relative to said tie-down system (13), around a transverse axis (B) substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal plane (A) passing through said two steering axes.

2. Manual or electric assistance module (1) for wheelchair (2) according to the preceding claim characterized in thatsaid front steering axle (10) is mounted pivoting, relative to said lashing system (13) and relative to said central locking system (9), around said transverse axis (B).

3. Manual or electric assistance module (1) for wheelchair (2) according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that said transverse axis (B) passes at the level of the median height of said front steering train (10).

4. Manual or electric assistance module (1) for wheelchair (2) according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that the pivoting around said transverse axis (B) is ensured by two plates (60, 70) opposite each other, a first plate (60) associated with said central locking system (9) and a second plate (70) associated with said front steering axle (10).

5. Manual or electric assistance module (1) for wheelchair (2) according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in thatTwo fastening arms extend from said lashing system (13).

6. Manual or electric assistance module (1) for wheelchair (2) according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that the lashing system (13) is mobile relative to said central locking system (9) between, at least, an active raised position and a rest position, the manual or electric assistance module (1) further comprising manually operated actuation means (14) in the form of a lever arm (14) to push the lashing system (13) from its rest position into its active raised position and vice versa, said manually operated actuation means (14) being complemented by manually operated locking means to ensure that the lashing system (13) is held in its active raised position.

7. Manual or electric assistance module (1) for wheelchair (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the device only has two steering wheels (12).

8. Manual or electric assistance module (1) for wheelchair (2) according to claim 5, characterized by the fact that Each fixing arm has, at its end, a clamp, suitable for being attached to the uprights of the gallows tubes (7) or to the axle of the rear wheels of a wheelchair (2), said clamp comprising two jaws, as well as manual clamping means.

9. Manual or electric assistance module (1) for wheelchair (2) according to claim 8, characterized by the fact that Each fixing arm has successive sections that can be oriented relative to each other, configured to allow the fixing arm to position its clamp opposite a front upright of a wheelchair (2).

10. Installation comprising a wheelchair (2) equipped with a manual or electric wheelchair (1) assistance module (2) according to one of the preceding claims.

Images