Manual or electric wheelchair assistance module and installation including it

Abstract

Manual or electric wheelchair assistance module and installation comprising it. Manual or electric wheelchair assistance module (1) (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 rotatable about the longitudinal axis of said steering front axle (10), said manual or electric assistance module (1) further comprising a wheelchair (2) attachment system (13), characterized in that said steering front axle (10) is pivotally mounted, relative to said attachment system (13), about an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said steering front axle (10). [Fig. 1]

Description

Title of the invention: Manual or electric wheelchair assistance module and installation comprising it 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, in particular 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 essentially comprises a frame surmounted by a seat and a backrest, resting on the ground via large rear wheels and two small front steering wheels. At the front, this frame also receives a footrest attached to uprights of the front frame, which are typically tubular.

[0005] While the small front steering wheels facilitate the orientation of 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 irregular 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, in particular an electric motor, said wheelchair also having a steering handlebar.

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

[0008] The problem with these 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 can be understood, a person with a disability that limits their mobility must necessarily have two distinct types of wheelchairs, one of which has a specific configuration depending on the desired sporting use. This is particularly true not only for getting around in an urban environment, but also for traveling off paved roads. The small wheels of a traditional wheelchair are indeed unsuitable for travel on rough terrain.

[0010] There are adaptable wheelchair devices, also called electric assists, comprising at least one central locking system to which is attached at least one steering mechanism for receiving, in a pivoting manner, a front steering fork connected to a handlebar. A wheelchair attachment system, equipped with a central or peripheral shaft, is also attached to this central locking system.

[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 combined vehicle into a quadricycle. The resulting assembly is rigid and overall stability is improved since the assembly rests on four wheels.

[0013] However, the rigid assembly, the geometry of the front axle, and the absence of suspension mechanically cause the outside front wheel to lift off the ground when cornering, thus generating a loss of grip and traction proportional to the angle of the turn. This phenomenon is known 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 only a rigid assembly generating a heavy direction because it supports the weight of the assembly, including the weight of the user and the wheelchair.

[0015] The other consequence of this stiffening of the assembly is that the wheelchair frame is subjected to very high torsional stresses which can generate a break in certain welds or joints of the wheelchair.

[0016] The object of the patent is to solve all the problems set out 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 induces an additional degree of freedom between the wheelchair and the manual or electric assistance module. This will result in the elimination of torsion of the wheelchair frame when the wheels of the manual or electric assistance module are turned to the left or right.

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

[0020] 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.

[0021] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, said transverse axis passes at the level of the median height of said front steering train.

[0022] 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 lengths.

[0023] 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.

[0024] 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.

[0025] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the manual or electric assistance module includes a means suitable for selecting said predetermined angle.

[0026] 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.

[0027] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, two fastening arms extend from said lashing system.

[0028] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the manual or electric assistance module comprises only two steering wheels.

[0029] 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.

[0030] 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.

[0031] The present invention also relates to an installation comprising a wheelchair equipped with a manual or electric wheelchair assistance module according to the invention.

[0032] A motorized quadricycle assembly is thus simply formed by assembling the manual or electric assistance module to a wheelchair.

[0033] 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.

[0034] 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.

[0035] 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.

[0036] Similarly, the set of large rear wheels of a wheelchair suitable for everyday use does not allow for satisfactory use for sporting purposes.

[0037] In fact, once the module is assembled on the wheelchair equipped with large rear wheels intended for everyday use, the user can easily replace this set of rear wheels with a set of large rear wheels intended for sports use. This replacement can be done without getting up from the seat, or with the help of another person.

[0038] 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

[0039] [Fig. 1] is a schematic representation of the front and side of a wheelchair equipped with a manual or electric assistance module according to the prior art with straight wheels.

[0040] [Fig.2] is a schematic representation of the front and side views of a wheelchair equipped with a manual or electric assistance module according to prior art with the wheels turned.

[0041] [Fig.3] is a schematic representation of the front and side of a wheelchair equipped with a manual or electric assistance module according to the invention with straight wheels.

[0042] [Fig.4] is a schematic representation of the front and side views of a wheelchair equipped with a manual or electric assistance module according to the invention with the wheels turned.

[0043] [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

[0044] As shown in [Fig. 3] [Fig. 4], the present invention relates to a manual or electric assistance module 1 for a wheelchair 2. This wheelchair 2 typically comprises a seat 3 extending at the rear into a backrest 4. This 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 said wheelchair, and in particular its backrest. The front face of said backrest is intended to support the user's back, while the rear face is the free face when the user is seated in the wheelchair.

[0045] At the level of this front part of the wheelchair 2, it still includes a front chassis 7. On the latter, in particular on the uprights 8 of the front chassis 7, the manual or electric assistance module 1 can, for example, be fixed.

[0046] 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 rotatable manner at least two steering wheels 12. In the illustrated embodiment the fork 11 receives two steering wheels 12.

[0047] According to the embodiment presented, the front steering axle consists of a steering unit pivoting around its longitudinal axis, at the end of which are associated the forks 11 and the wheels 12.

[0048] The front steering axle 10 is mounted pivoting around an axis B. The latter is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal plane A. Comparison between [Fig.2] (representing a module of the prior art) and [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.

[0049] 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.

[0050] 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.

[0051] 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.

[0052] Said plates 60, 70 preferably each comprise a flat face opposite the other. To ensure rotation about the 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 the axis B.

[0053] Advantageously, said part combining the two rotating plates 60, 70 is a cylinder passing through all or part of said plates.

[0054] 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.

[0055] According to an even more preferred embodiment of the invention, said sliding plate is made of polymer.

[0056] It may be advantageous to limit the maximum angle of rotation of the plates 60, 70 relative to each other. For this purpose, the assembly of plates 60, 70 may advantageously include one stop and even more preferably two stops.

[0057] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the plates 60, 70 further comprise a means suitable for 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.

[0058] Said stops can be arranged interchangeably on either plate 60, 70. Each stop corresponds to a contact element on the other plate. The stop and the corresponding contact element are arranged so as to block the rotation of the two plates 60, 70 relative to each other at a predefined position.

[0059] In order to be able to adapt the maximum angle of rotation around the axis B, the position of said stop and / or said contact element can be advantageously adjusted via corresponding adjustment means.

[0060] 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.

[0061] Note that various means for contributing to the drive of the steering wheel(s) 12 can be attached to the central locking system 9 and / or the front steering axle 10. In particular, a battery support 15 attached to the front of the front steering axle 10 for supplying electrical energy to an electric drive motor not shown is illustrated in [Fig.1] - [Fig.4].

[0062] It should also be noted, as illustrated in [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. A fastening system 13 is also fixed to the central locking system 9, from which extend two defined fastening 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.

[0063] 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.

[0064] Preferably, these jaws pivot about the same substantially vertical axis. Advantageously, the grip of said jaws is semi-cylindrical in shape so as to be able to grip the uprights of cylindrical-shaped support tubes 7.

[0065] Note that each of these fixing arms can be defined by several successive sections which, as appropriate, can pivot relative to each other around axes extending in different directions for tilt adjustment, in 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 in relation to each other.

[0066] Some of these sections can still be telescopic relative to each other, for example for adjusting the spacing of the clamps according to the 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.

[0067] 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.

[0068] In this lowered, so-called resting position, the clamps of this lashing system 13 are defined to engage, in order to be fixed thereon, on the wheelchair 2. By tilting around the lifting axis of the lashing system 13 relative to the central locking system 9, this lashing system 13 reaches its raised position in which the front steering wheels 12 of the wheelchair 2 are lifted off the ground.

[0069] According to the invention, the manual or electric assistance module 1 comprises 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 the case may be, from its raised position to its lowered position or vice versa. This manual control lever 14 forms manually operated actuation means 14.

[0070] 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.

[0071] 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.

[0072] This simply forms an installation comprising a wheelchair and a module according to the invention, connected and equipping said wheelchair.

[0073] According to a complementary embodiment of this installation not illustrated here, the installation advantageously comprises 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.

[0074] 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.

[0075] These rapid means of connection may take the form, for example, of a drilled shaft through which a pin passes, or any other known alternative solution.

[0076] The sets of large rear wheels of the wheelchair can thus be easily interchanged according to the expected use of the installation on rough or non-rough terrain.

Claims

Demands

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 being 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 attaching (13) to the wheelchair (2), characterized in that said steering front axle (10) is pivotally mounted, relative to said attachment system (13), about 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 that said front steering axle (10) is mounted pivotally, relative to said tie-down 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 axle (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 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).

5. Manual or electric assistance module (1) for wheelchair (2) according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that two fixing arms extend from said tie-down system (13).

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

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

8. Manual or electric assistance module (1) for wheelchair (2) according to claim 5, characterized in that each fixing arm has, at its end, a clamp, suitable for being attached to the uprights of the outrigger 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 the claim, characterized in that each fixing arm has successive sections orientable relative to each other configured to allow the fixing arm to position its clamp opposite a front post 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.

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