Structure of an electric wheelchair with an automatic balance adjustment function

Abstract

To provide an electric wheelchair structure that offers a more comfortable and safer riding experience. 【Solution means】 It is a structure of an electric wheelchair with an automatic balance adjustment function. The electric wheelchair includes a seat assembly, a rear wheel assembly, a front wheel assembly, and two operating devices. The seat assembly includes a wheelchair frame, two armrests, a user operation lever, a seat cushion, a backrest, a battery, and a main controller. The main controller is connected to a gyroscope and a speed sensor. The rear wheel assembly has two support tube sets, and both of the two support tube sets have an outer pipe and an inner pipe that are sleeved and connected to each other via a telescopic device. Also, at the ends of both of the two support tube sets, rear wheels are provided so that they can rotate. The front wheel assembly has two actuators and two front wheel frames, and at the ends of both of the two front wheel frames, front wheels are provided so that they can rotate.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the "structure of an electric wheelchair with an automatic balance adjustment function", and particularly discloses an electric wheelchair that provides a more comfortable and safer riding experience.

Background Art

[0002] So far, wheelchairs have been able to serve as a means of transportation for disabled people, patients, paraplegics, the elderly, and other physically handicapped or disabled individuals. It is also convenient for caregivers (such as family members, long-term caregivers, medical staff, etc.) to push the wheelchair and go outside with it. However, since the above-mentioned wheelchair needs to be pushed manually, it not only requires physical strength in use but also cannot move at a faster speed. In view of this, among the practitioners in the industry, a certain practitioner has developed a structure of an electric wheelchair equipped with a motor and a manual control lever.

[0003] However, since the above-mentioned electric wheelchair has a high speed, if there is no method to automatically sense it in real time during driving and automatically adjust the height up or down, the center of gravity of the electric wheelchair may become too high and there is a risk of tipping over. On an uphill or downhill slope, it is very difficult for the above-mentioned passenger to apply force to the electric wheelchair, so it is difficult to support with the above-mentioned electric wheelchair, and there is a possibility that the passenger may tilt forward or backward excessively in the uphill or downhill section, resulting in a decline in riding comfort and safety.

[0004] Therefore, if a structure that can automatically adjust the balance of the electric wheelchair can be developed, by means of this automatically adjustable structure, it is possible to automatically raise or lower the height and adjust the horizontal position, and significantly improve the safety and comfort when the above-mentioned electric wheelchair is ridden. This is the problem that the inventor of the present invention intends to improve.

[0005] Therefore, in view of this, the inventor has come up with the idea of the invention, designed it with years of experience, and completed the present invention after a lot of discussions, prototype tests of samples, and several modifications and improvements.

Summary of the Invention

[0006] Technical points for solving problems In the structure of the electric wheelchair with an automatic balance adjustment function of the present invention, an electric wheelchair is provided, which includes a seat assembly, a rear wheel assembly, and a front wheel assembly, and two actuating devices are attached to the electric wheelchair to supply essential power when the electric wheelchair travels. The seat assembly has a wheelchair frame, and the wheelchair frame includes two armrests, a user operation lever, a seat cushion, a backrest, a battery, and a main controller. The main controller is connected to a gyroscope and a speed sensor, uses the gyroscope to measure the slope of the road surface, and further transmits the obtained result after measurement to the main controller. Through the main controller, the rear wheel assembly is controlled to expand and contract according to the change of the road surface slope. The battery supplies essential power to the main controller, the rear wheel assembly, the front wheel assembly, and the actuating device, and also operates the main controller, the rear wheel assembly, the front wheel assembly, and the actuating device smoothly. The rear wheel assembly is attached to both sides behind the wheelchair frame and has two support tube sets that protrude obliquely downward. Each of the two support tube sets has an outer pipe and an inner pipe that are sleeved with each other, and a telescopic device is connected between the outer pipe and the inner pipe. By the operation of the telescopic device, the inner pipe can axially expand and contract displace in the outer pipe. Also, the ends of the two support tube sets are both provided so that the rear wheels can rotate. The front wheel assembly has two actuators and two front wheel frames. The two actuators are respectively attached to both sides in front of the bottom of the wheelchair frame. Each of the two front wheel frames has a main body part and an extension part. The main body part is provided horizontally and is sleeved and connected with the actuator. The main body part is moved by the operation of the actuator to cause a horizontal displacement. The extension part protrudes obliquely downward from one end of the main body part, and the extension part and the support tube set can be shaped so that the tips face outward.Wheels are provided at the ends of the extension parts of the frames of the two front wheels so that the front wheels can turn, thereby enabling the structure of the electric wheelchair with an automatic balance adjustment function to be achieved.

[0007] Compare the effects of the prior art

[0008] (1) In the structure of the electric wheelchair with an automatic balance adjustment function of the present invention, the electric wheelchair can adjust the angle at which a person is sitting by means of the rear wheel assembly, avoiding the situation where the body bends excessively backward on an uphill section and the body leans excessively forward on a downhill section, making the riding comfort more comfortable; (2) In the structure of the electric wheelchair with an automatic balance adjustment function of the present invention, when the traveling speed of the electric wheelchair is relatively high, the front wheel assembly can automatically lower the center of gravity of the seat assembly, bringing the electric wheelchair closer to the ground, avoiding tipping during higher-speed travel, and greatly improving the safety of use.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] To better understand and recognize the object, features, and effects of the present invention, the following will be described in detail with reference to the drawings in the brief description of the drawings.

[0011] First, according to the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1, an electric wheelchair is provided, and the electric wheelchair includes a seat assembly (10), a rear wheel assembly (20), and a front wheel assembly (30). Two operating devices (40) are attached to the electric wheelchair to supply essential power when the electric wheelchair travels. The seat assembly (10) has a wheelchair frame (11), and the wheelchair frame (11) includes two armrests (12), a user operation lever (13), a seat cushion (14), a backrest (15), a battery (16), and a main controller (17). The main controller (17) is connected to a gyroscope (171) and a speed sensor (172). The gyroscope (171) is used to measure the gradient of the road surface, and the result obtained after measurement is transmitted to the main controller (17). The main controller (17) controls the rear wheel assembly (20) to expand and contract according to the change in the gradient of the road surface. The battery (16) supplies essential power to the main controller (17), the rear wheel assembly (20), the front wheel assembly (30), and the operating device (40). The main controller (17), the rear wheel assembly (20), the front wheel assembly (30), and the operating device (40) are operated smoothly. The rear wheel assembly (20) is attached to both sides behind the wheelchair frame (11) and has two support tube sets (21) that protrude obliquely downward. Each of the two support tube sets (21) has an outer pipe (211) and an inner pipe (212) that are sleeved together. An expansion and contraction device (213) is connected between the outer pipe (211) and the inner pipe (212). By the operation of the expansion and contraction device (213), the inner pipe (212) can be coaxially displaced and expanded and contracted within the outer pipe (211). Rear wheels (22) are provided at the ends of the two support tube sets (21) so that they can rotate. The front wheel assembly (30) has two actuators (31) and two front wheel frames (32).The two said actuators (31) are respectively attached to both sides in front of the bottom of the respective said wheelchair frames (11). Both of the two said front wheel frames (32) have a main body portion (321) and an extension portion (322). The main body portion (321) is provided horizontally and is connected by a sleeve to the said actuator (31). The main body portion (321) is moved by the operation of the said actuator (31) to cause a horizontal displacement. The extension portion (322) projects obliquely downward from one end of the main body portion (321). The extension portion (322) and the said support tube set (21) can be in a shape with the toes facing outward. Front wheels (33) are provided at the ends of the extension portions (322) of the two said front wheel frames (32) so as to be able to turn.

[0012] The present invention provides a structure of an electric wheelchair with an automatic balance adjustment function, and the said electric wheelchair is a foldable type.

[0013] The present invention provides a structure of an electric wheelchair with an automatic balance adjustment function. A flat plate (111) is provided on the said wheelchair frame (11), and the said battery (16) and the said main controller (17) can all be attached and fixed to the flat plate.

[0014] The present invention provides a structure of an electric wheelchair with an automatic balance adjustment function. A handgrip (112) is provided on the said wheelchair frame (11) so that the said electric wheelchair can also travel in a manual push mode.

[0015] The present invention provides a structure of an electric wheelchair with an automatic balance adjustment function. A footrest (not shown) is provided on the said wheelchair frame (11), and an assistant can stand on the footrest and be carried on the said electric wheelchair to move forward.

[0016] The present invention provides a structure of an electric wheelchair with an automatic balance adjustment function. The user operation lever (13) allows the user to control the electric wheelchair to move forward, backward, or turn through the user operation lever (13), and the user operation lever (13) is a joystick controller, a button control interface, or a dashboard control interface.

[0017] The present invention provides a structure of an electric wheelchair with an automatic balance adjustment function. A pressure receiving membrane (141) is provided in the seat cushion (14). The pressure receiving membrane (141) is used to sense whether a user is sitting on the seat cushion (14). After the user sits firmly on the seat cushion (14), the main controller (17) is activated and operated using the pressure receiving membrane (141).

[0018] The present invention provides a structure of an electric wheelchair with an automatic balance adjustment function. The gyroscope (171) and the speed sensor (172) are directly provided on the main controller (17).

[0019] The present invention provides a structure of an electric wheelchair with an automatic balance adjustment function. The support tube set (21) is an electric cylinder.

[0020] The present invention provides a structure of an electric wheelchair with an automatic balance adjustment function. The actuator (31) is a servo motor equipped with a gear (not shown). A toothed portion (not shown) is provided on the main body portion (321) of the front wheel frame (32). By meshing the toothed portion with the gear, the front wheel frame (32) can be smoothly interlocked and translated by the actuator (31).

[0021] The present invention provides a structure of an electric wheelchair with an automatic balance adjustment function. The front wheel (33) is larger than the rear wheel (22).

[0022] The present invention provides a structure of an electric wheelchair with an automatic balance adjustment function, and the front wheel (33) has a wheel diameter of 16 inches.

[0023] The present invention provides a structure of an electric wheelchair with an automatic balance adjustment function, and the two operating devices (40) are in-wheel motors, and the two in-wheel motors are respectively attached to the two front wheels (33).

[0024] When this structure is actually used, when encountering an uphill slope, after measuring the gradient of the road surface using the gyroscope (171), the inner pipe (212) can be moved and extended by the telescopic device (213) through the main controller (17) (as shown in Figure 2), and the seat cushion (14) can be maintained in a horizontal state, so that the passenger can be prevented from tilting backward excessively. On the other hand, when getting on the wheelchair and encountering a downhill slope, similarly, after measuring the gradient of the road surface using the gyroscope (171), the inner pipe (212) can be moved and significantly retracted by the telescopic device (213) through the main controller (17) again (as shown in Figure 3), and the seat cushion (14) can also be maintained in a horizontal state, so that the passenger can be prevented from tilting forward excessively.

[0025] Subsequently, as shown in Figure 4, when the speed sensor (172) measures that the traveling speed of the electric wheelchair is too fast (set to 10 km / h on the system), the front wheel frame (32) is moved forward and extended by the actuator (31) through the main controller (17), so that the wheelbase between the front wheel (33) and the rear wheel (22) becomes larger, and the seat assembly (10) automatically descends, and the center of gravity is lowered. With this design method, the electric wheelchair can maintain balance and stability during high-speed driving, thus greatly improving the safety of use.

[0026] According to the structure of the electric wheelchair with the automatic balance adjustment function described above, there are the following advantages: (1) The electric wheelchair can adjust the angle at which a person is sitting by the rear wheel assembly (20), avoiding the situation where the body bends too far backward on an uphill section and the body leans too far forward on a downhill section, making the riding comfort more comfortable. (2) When the running speed of the electric wheelchair is relatively fast, the front wheel assembly (30) can automatically lower the center of gravity of the seat assembly (10), bringing the electric wheelchair closer to the ground and avoiding tipping during higher-speed running, greatly improving the safety of use.

[0027] The above is only one embodiment of the present invention and does not limit the scope of implementation of the present invention. That is, changes, modifications, etc. made within the scope of the claims of the utility model registration of the present invention should also belong to the scope of the present invention.

Explanation of Signs

[0028] 10 Seat assembly 11 Wheelchair frame 111 Flat plate 112 Hand grip 12 Armrest 13 User operation lever 14 Seat cushion 141 Pressure-receiving membrane 15 Backrest 16 Battery 17 Main controller 171 Gyroscope 172 Speed sensor 20 Rear wheel assembly 21 Support tube set 211 Outer pipe 212 Inner pipe 213 Telescopic device 22 Rear wheel 30 Front wheel assembly 31 Actuator 32 Front wheel frame 321 Body part 322 Extension part 33 Front wheel 40 Actuating device

Claims

1. A structure of an electric wheelchair with automatic balancing function, the electric wheelchair includes a seat assembly, a rear wheel assembly, and a front wheel assembly, and two operating devices are attached to the electric wheelchair, the operating devices supplying the necessary power for the electric wheelchair to run; The seat assembly has a chair frame, the chair frame includes two armrests, a user-operated lever, a seat cushion, a backrest, a battery, and a main controller, the main controller is connected to a gyroscope and a speed sensor, the gyroscope is used to measure the gradient of a road surface, and the measurement result is transmitted to the main controller, the rear wheel assembly is controlled to extend and retract according to the change of the gradient of the road surface through the main controller, the battery supplies the necessary power to the main controller, the rear wheel assembly, the front wheel assembly, and the operating device, and the main controller, the rear wheel assembly, the front wheel assembly, and the operating device are operated smoothly; The rear wheel assembly has two support tube sets attached to both sides of the rear of the chair frame and protruding obliquely downward, each of the two support tube sets has an outer pipe and an inner pipe that are sleeve-connected to each other, and is connected between the outer pipe and the inner pipe via a telescopic device, and the inner pipe can be coaxially telescopically displaced within the outer pipe by the operation of the telescopic device, and the rear wheels are provided at both ends of the two support tube sets so that they can rotate; The structure of an electric wheelchair with automatic balancing function, characterized in that the front wheel assembly has two actuators and two front wheel frames, the two actuators are attached to both sides of the front of the bottom of the chair frame, each of the two front wheel frames has a main body and an extension, the main body is arranged horizontally and is sleeve-connected between the actuator, the main body is moved by the operation of the actuator, causing a horizontal displacement, the extension protrudes diagonally downward from one end of the main body, the extension and the support tube set can be shaped so that the toes point outward, and both of the ends of the extension of the two front wheel frames are arranged so that the front wheels can rotate.

2. 2. The structure of an electric wheelchair with automatic balance adjustment function according to claim 1, wherein the electric wheelchair is of a foldable type.

3. 2. The structure of an electric wheelchair with automatic balance adjustment function according to claim 1, characterized in that a flat plate is provided on the frame of the chair, and the battery and the main controller can all be attached and fixed to the flat plate.

4. 2. The structure of the electric wheelchair with automatic balancing function according to claim 1, wherein a hand grip is provided on the frame of the chair.

5. 2. The structure of the electric wheelchair with automatic balancing function according to claim 1, wherein said user operated lever is a joystick controller.

6. 2. The structure of the electric wheelchair with automatic balance adjustment function according to claim 1, wherein a pressure-receiving membrane connected to said main controller is provided in said seat cushion.

7. 2. The structure of the electric wheelchair with automatic balancing function according to claim 1, wherein the gyroscope and the speed sensor are directly installed in the main controller.

8. 2. The structure of the electric wheelchair with automatic balancing function according to claim 1, wherein said support tube set is an electric cylinder.

9. 2. The structure of the electric wheelchair with automatic balancing function according to claim 1, wherein said front wheels are larger than said rear wheels.

10. The structure of the electric wheelchair with automatic balancing function of claim 1, characterized in that the two actuating devices are in-wheel motors, and the two in-wheel motors are mounted on each of the two front wheels.

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