Lift arrangement and the use thereof

Abstract

A lift arrangement (100) for loading and unloading a wheelchair into a compartment of a vehicle such as a bus, truck or train is provided. The lift arrangement comprises a bed configured to accommodate a wheelchair, and an actuating system (20) configured to set the bed (30) between a first position and a second position. The actuating system comprises a main unit (10) having a frame (11) configured to be fastened to the floor (2) or to a wall in the vehicle compartment. The actuating system further comprises a telescopic column (25) comprising a first part (21) and a second part (22) being axially slidingly connected to one another. The first part of the telescopic column is connected to the main unit via two or more link arms (23) in a four-bar linkage (24). The second part of the telescopic column is slidingly connected to the bed (30) such that the bed (30) may be slidingly displaced. The four-bar linkage and the telescopic column are connected to and configured to be actuated by at least one respective hydraulic or pneumatic actuator.

Description

[0001] LIFT ARRANGEMENT AND THE USE THEREOF

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The invention refers to a lift arrangement for loading a wheelchair into a compartment of a vehicle.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] Lift arrangements incorporated into or onto vehicles are essential for providing wheelchair-bound people access to vehicles, thereby allowing the freedom of travel to impaired people. Therefore, such lift arrangements are commonly seen incorporated onto automobiles, trains and buses in public transport. However, provided the diversity of public transport, it is not a seldom occurrence that the lift arrangement incorporated onto a transport fail in providing entry to or exit from the vehicle due to external factors. Therefore, there is a need for new technology which is more diverse, and which is able to provide access to and from the vehicle despite the diversities of public transport.

[0006] SUMMARY

[0007] It is an object of the present invention to provide a lift arrangement for loading a wheelchair into and out of a compartment of a vehicle.

[0008] The lift arrangement should be able to perform the task of loading a wheelchair into and out of the vehicle compartment, from a floor level of the vehicle compartment to a ground or platform level outside of the vehicle, regardless of whether the ground or platform level outside of the vehicle is above or below the floor level of the vehicle compartment.

[0009] The lift arrangement should be configured to be integrated into the compartment of the vehicle.

[0010] The lift arrangement should also be stowable to thereby take up as little space as possible when not in use.

[0011] These and other objectives will be apparent from the following summary, description, and appended claims.

[0012] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a lift arrangement for loading and unloading a wheelchair into a compartment of a vehicle such as a bus, truck or train, said lift arrangement comprising a bed defining a support surface configured to accommodate a wheelchair, and an actuating system configured to set the bed between a first position and a second position, where the first position is defined by the bed being fully positioned inside the vehicle compartment and in a vertical zero position in which the bed is arranged in contact with or is arranged immediately above a floor of the vehicle compartment with the support surface being arranged substantially in parallel with the floor of the vehicle compartment, and the second position is defined by the bed being oriented substantially horizontally in level and positioned in contact with, or immediately above a ground or a platform outside of the vehicle compartment and with the bed being positioned inside or outside the vehicle compartment, wherein the actuating system comprises a main unit having a frame configured to be fastened to the floor or to a wall in the vehicle compartment; the actuating system further comprises a telescopic column comprising a first part and a second part being axially slidingly connected to one another, wherein the first part of the telescopic column is connected to the main unit via two or more link arms in a four-bar linkage, and the second part of the telescopic column is slidingly connected to the bed such that the bed may be slidingly displaced; and wherein the four-bar linkage and the telescopic column are connected to and configured to be actuated by at least one respective hydraulic or pneumatic actuator.

[0013] Accordingly, there is provided a lift arrangement to be integrated into a vehicle compartment. The vehicle compartment is typically associated with an entrance to the vehicle which by way of example may be a vestibule on a train. The lift arrangement may be fastened to structural portions of a floor or a wall of the vehicle compartment via the frame of the main unit of the actuating system.

[0014] The bed of the lifting arrangement defines a substantially flat support surface onto which a wheelchair may be accommodated. The wheelchair may be rolled-on or rolled-off from the bed.

[0015] The actuating system of the lift arrangement comprises the main unit having a frame which is connected to the first part of a telescopic column via two or more link members. The frame, link members and the first part of the telescopic column thereby form a four-bar linkage. The four-bar linkage is actuated by a hydraulic or pneumatic first actuator.

[0016] A second part of the telescopic column is coaxially and slidingly connected to the first part of the telescopic column such that the first and second parts of the telescopic column may be telescopically displaced relative to one another. The second part of the telescopic column is further connected to the bed.

[0017] The displacement of the first and second parts of the telescopic column is actuated by a hydraulic or pneumatic second actuator. Each of the first and second hydraulic or pneumatic actuators of the actuator system may be operated simultaneously or cooperatively.

[0018] The operation of the actuating system may be configured to be controlled by a number of controllers receiving input from a human operator using a controller interface. Some of the operations performed by the actuating system may include cooperative actuation by several actuators, while other operations are performed by one actuator at a time. Several actuators may be operated concurrently. Some operations of the actuating system may be performed automatically without any input from the human operator.

[0019] Accordingly and in short, a lift arrangement is provided which allows a vertical setting of the bed in view of the zero-position, no matter if the bed is in its first position or in its second position. This is allowed, no matter if the ground or train platform is at a level that is higher or lower than the floor of the vehicle compartment.

[0020] By way of example, should a train platform be on a level that exceeds the floor of the vehicle compartment, the telescopic column together with the four-bar linkage may be used to increase the elevation of the bed from its vertical zero position to thereby allow a wheelchair on the bed to be rolled-off onto the platform. This can be made with the bed being arranged inside the vehicle compartment. The sliding connection between the bed and the second part of the telescopic column allows the relative horizontal position between the bed and the vehicle compartment to be adjusted. Hence, any gap between the vehicle and the train platform can be bridged by slidingly displacing the bed.

[0021] Correspondingly, should the train platform be on a level that is lower than the floor of the vehicle compartment, the four-bar linkage can be used to move the bed in and out of the vehicle compartment, and the four-bar linkage together with the telescopic column may be used to lower the bed. Further, the sliding connection between the bed and the second part of the telescopic column may be used to displace the bed in view of the second part of the telescopic column to further adjust the relative horizontal position between the bed and the vehicle compartment. This allows any gap between the vehicle and the train platform to be bridged. Further, it allows a very space efficient over-all design of the lift arrangement which is easy to stow away but still allows the bed to be set to its full second position.

[0022] The second part of the telescopic column may be slidingly connected to the bed such that the bed may be slidingly displaced relative to the actuating system.

[0023] The second part of the telescopic column may be slidingly connected to the bed via a sliding rail. The sliding rail may extend the length of a side portion of the bed that connects to the second part of the telescopic column.

[0024] As given above, the actuating system is configured to set the bed between the first position and the second position, or vice versa.

[0025] When the bed is in its first position the bed is fully positioned inside the vehicle compartment and in a vertical zero position in which the bed is arranged in contact with or is arranged immediately above a floor of the vehicle compartment. Further, the bed is arranged substantially horizontally level. The intent and purpose of the position of the bed while in the first position is to make the support surface of the bed accessible to the rolling on, or rolling off, of a wheelchair while the bed is positioned on an inside of the vehicle compartment.

[0026] Similarly, the intent and purpose of the position of the bed while in a second position is to make the support surface of the bed accessible to the rolling on, or rolling off, of a wheelchair to / from an outside of the vehicle compartment. Hence, the position of the bed while in a second position is such that the bed is oriented substantially horizontally level and positioned in contact with, or immediately above, the ground or a platform outside of the vehicle compartment. The bed can be positioned either inside or outside the vehicle compartment when in the second position.

[0027] With regard to the second position, it is to be understood that there is more than one position of the bed relative to the floor of the vehicle compartment that could qualify the bed as being in a second position. The position of the bed relative to the floor of the vehicle compartment when the bed is in a second position is dependent on a height difference between the floor of the vehicle compartment and the ground, or platform outside the vehicle compartment. The height difference between the floor of the vehicle compartment and the ground, or platform, outside the vehicle compartment may be either positive or negative.

[0028] In the context of the invention - by the meaning of a negative height difference, it is meant that the ground, or platform, outside the vehicle compartment is at a distance below the floor of the vehicle compartment. Correspondingly, by the meaning of a positive height difference, it is meant that the ground, or platform, outside the vehicle compartment is at a distance above the floor of the vehicle compartment. Hence, when the bed is in a second position where the height difference between the floor of the vehicle compartment and the ground, or platform, outside the vehicle compartment is positive, the bed is positioned above its vertical zero position, i.e., in a positive vertical position. Similarly, when the bed is in a second position where the height difference between the floor of the vehicle compartment and the ground, or platform, outside the vehicle compartment is negative, the bed is positioned below its vertical zero position, i.e., in a negative vertical position.

[0029] When the actuating system sets the bed from the first position to a second position, or vice versa, where the ground, or platform, outside the vehicle compartment is at a distance below the floor of the vehicle compartment, the lift arrangement is said to perform a negative lifting operation. Correspondingly, when the actuating system sets the bed from a first position to a second position, or vice versa, where the ground, or platform, outside the vehicle compartment is at a distance above the floor of the vehicle compartment, the lift arrangement is said to perform a positive lifting operation.

[0030] The telescopic column may be configured to allow the bed, when set to the first position, to be raised into a positive elevation relative to the vertical zero position. Correspondingly, the telescopic column may be configured to allow the bed to be lowered from a positive elevation relative to the vertical zero position into the first position.

[0031] When performing a positive lifting operation, starting from the first position, the actuation system is configured to displace the second part of the telescopic column upwardly by actuating the second actuator of the telescopic column. Thereby the bed connected to the same is raised from its vertical zero position to a second position, wherein the bed is positioned immediately above the ground or a platform outside of the vehicle compartment. Should there after such a positive lifting operation exist a gap between the support surface of the bed and the ground or platform outside the vehicle, then the bed may be slidingly displaced in a horizontal direction such that such gap is reduced or substantially eliminated.

[0032] A negative lifting operation starting from the second position is performed in a corresponding but reverse order.

[0033] The four-bar linkage is configured to allow the bed to be lowered into a negative elevation relative to the vertical zero position. Additionally, the four-bar linkage is configured to allow the bed to be raised from a negative elevation relative to the vertical zero position to an intermediate position.

[0034] The four-bar linkage of the actuating system may be configured to keep the bed horizontally level during its actuation.

[0035] When performing a negative lifting operation, starting from the first position, the actuation system may be configured to first displace the bed to a position outside of the vehicle compartment by slidingly displacing the bed relative to the second part of the telescopic column, thereby reaching an intermediate position. Such displacement may be achieved by the means of actuators or by manually displacing the bed. The displacement will in most cases be substantially horizontal. While in the intermediate position, the bed is horizontally level and at least partly outside of the vehicle compartment. The bed can also be arranged fully outside the vehicle compartment. From the intermediate position, the bed is lowered by actuating the first actuator of the four-bar linkage, such that the telescopic column, and the bed connected thereto, is lowered to the second position wherein the bed is positioned in contact with or immediately above the ground, or platform, outside of the vehicle compartment.

[0036] Accordingly, by combining the lifting operation provided by the four-bar linkage with the lifting operation provided by the telescopic column, a more diverse lifting arrangement is achieved which can provide access to a vehicle regardless of whether the ground or platform outside the vehicle compartment is above or below the floor of the vehicle compartment.

[0037] The actuation of the telescopic column of the lift arrangement may also be utilized during a negative lifting operation, particularly for achieving a clearance between the bed and the floor of the vehicle compartment prior to displacing the bed to its intermediate position or, prior to the actuation of the four-bar linkage. A clearance may be achieved by raising the bed from the floor of the vehicle compartment, such that the bed gains a positive elevation relative to its vertical zero position.

[0038] The sliding rail may be pivotably connected to the second part of the telescopic column, and a hydraulic or pneumatic third actuator may be provided between the second part of the telescopic column and the sliding rail, thereby allowing an angle between said telescopic column and said sliding rail to be set.

[0039] Setting the sliding rail at an angle relative to the telescopic column will also set the bed at said angle relative to the telescopic column. Setting an angle of the bed relative to the telescopic column may be useful to ensure that the bed is kept horizontally level, even if the vehicle compartment is not.

[0040] The hydraulic or pneumatic third actuator may be configured to keep the bed in a horizontally level position, particularly during the actuation of the lift arrangement. Keeping the bed horizontally, i.e., controlling the third actuator of the telescopic column for that purpose, may be performed automatically by a control system.

[0041] The hydraulic or pneumatic third actuator may be configured to set the sliding rail between a substantially horizontally level position and a substantially vertical position. Setting the sliding rail to a substantially vertical position will also set the bed to a substantially vertical position.

[0042] The bed may be hingedly connected to the sliding rail, thereby allowing the bed to be folded against the main unit of the actuating system into a stow-away position. The folding of the bed against the main unit of the lift arrangement may be performed from a position when the bed is in a horizontal position. In the stow-away position, the lift arrangement takes up less space in the vehicle compartment when it is not in use.

[0043] The bed may be configured to be folded against the main unit while the sliding rail is set to a substantially vertical position. Folding the bed against the main unit while the sliding rail, i.e., the bed, already is in the vertical position, requires considerably less force than folding the bed up against the main unit from a horizontal position.

[0044] Regardless of whether the bed is folded against the main unit from a horizontal or a vertical position, the support surface of the bed is arranged in a substantially vertical position while in the stow-away position.

[0045] Two opposing ends of the bed may be provided with hingedly connected flaps. Each of said flaps may be independently operable to receive a respective folded-up or folded- down position. While in the folded-down position, a flap may be used to bridge a gap, or to act as a ramp to further facilitate the rolling-on or rolling-off a wheelchair. While in the folded-up position, a flap may be used as a roll-stop, hindering an accommodated wheelchair from rolling off the bed during lift operation.

[0046] According to another aspect, the invention refers to the use of the lift arrangement according to any of claims 1-12 for loading and unloading a wheelchair into a compartment of a vehicle such as a bus, truck or train.

[0047] The features and functionality of the lift arrangement have been thoroughly described above. Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be obvious to a person skilled in the art reading the detailed description given below describing different embodiments.

[0048] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0049] The invention will be described in detail with reference to the schematic drawings.

[0050] Fig. 1 discloses the lift arrangement when the bed is arranged in the first position and wherein the ground or platform outside the vehicle compartment is above the floor or the vehicle compartment.

[0051] Fig. 2 discloses the actuating system of the lift arrangement.

[0052] Fig. 3 discloses the lift arrangement when the bed is arranged in the second position when the ground or platform outside the vehicle compartment is above the floor of the vehicle compartment.

[0053] Fig. 4 discloses the lift arrangement when the bed is arranged in the intermediate position and wherein the ground or platform outside the vehicle compartment is below the floor of the vehicle compartment.

[0054] Fig. 5 discloses the lift arrangement when the bed is arranged in the second position and when the ground or platform outside the vehicle compartment is below the floor of the vehicle compartment.

[0055] Fig. 6 discloses the lift arrangement when in the stow-away position.

[0056] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0057] For an improved understanding of the technology, the main elements of the lift arrangement 100 will be discussed below with reference to Fig. 1.

[0058] Fig 1. shows the lift arrangement 100 when installed in a vehicle compartment. The vehicle compartment is typically associated with an entrance 4 to the vehicle, in the present example a vestibule of a train. The vehicle compartment is schematically shown to facilitate understanding. The lift arrangement 100 comprises a main unit 10 forming part of an actuating system 20, and a bed 30. The actuating system 20 is configured to set the bed 30 between a first position and a second position as will be discussed later.

[0059] The main unit 10 having a frame 11 is configured to be fastened to a floor 2 of the vehicle compartment. The frame 11 is configured to support the entire lift arrangement 100 during operation. The fastening may be made by using fastening means such as screws or bolts. The fastening may alternatively be made by e.g., welding. The skilled person realises that frame 11 of the main unit 10 with maintained functionality may be configured to be fastened to a structural portion of a wall (not shown) of the vehicle compartment.

[0060] The bed 30 of the lifting arrangement 100 defines a substantially flat support surface 31 onto which a wheelchair (not shown) may be accommodated. The bed 30 comprises two flaps 32a, 32b that are hingedly connected to the bed 30. Each of the flaps 32a, 32b is independently operable to receive a respective folded-up or folded-down position. The flaps 32 a, 32b may be electrically, pneumatically, or hydraulicly operated. They may even be manually operated.

[0061] In the present example, flap 32a is in the folded-down position and may be used to further facilitate the rolling-on or rolling-off of a wheelchair by acting as a ramp between the support surface 31 and the level of a surface, in the present example the floor 2, from which a wheelchair is to be loaded / unloaded. Flap 32b is shown in the folded-up position, where flap 32b instead functions as a roll-stop to hinder an accommodated wheelchair from rolling off the bed 30 during lift operation.

[0062] The main unit 10 and the bed 30 are connected via the actuating system 20 which will be described next with reference to Fig 2.

[0063] Now turning to Fig. 2. The frame 11 of the main unit (omitted in Fig. 2) is connected to a first part 21 of a telescopic column 25 via two or more link members 23. The link members 23 are of equal lengths and are each pivotally connected to the frame 11 and to the first part 21 of the telescopic column 25. The points of connection of the link members 23 to the frame 11 and the first part 21 of the telescopic column 25 are arranged such that the link members 23 are offset and parallel to one another. The frame 11, the link members 23 and the first part 21 of the telescopic column 25 thereby form a four-bar linkage arrangement 24.

[0064] A second part 22 of the telescopic 25 column is coaxially and slidingly connected to the first part 21 of the telescopic column 25 such that the first part 21 and second part 22 of the telescopic column 25 may be telescopically displaced relative to one another. The second part 22 of the telescopic column 25 is further slidingly connected to the bed 30, such that the bed 30 may be slidingly displaced relative to the actuating system 20. In the present example, the second part 22 of the telescopic column 25 is slidingly connected to the bed 30 via a sliding rail 33. The sliding rail 33 extends the length of the side of the bed 30 that connects to the second part 22 of the telescopic column 25.

[0065] The four-bar linkage 24 is provided with a pneumatic or hydraulic first actuator A which is arranged between the frame 11 of the main unit and one of the link members 23. The first actuator A of the four-bar linkage 24 is configured to bring about a cooperative pivotal motion of the four-bar linkage 24. Due to the equal lengths of the link members 23, they remain parallel to one another during the cooperative pivotal motion resulting from the actuation of the first actuator A. Consequently, the orientation of the telescopic column 25, and hence the bed 30 connected thereto, will remain unchanged during the actuation of the four-bar linkage 24. With the meaning of "unchanged" in this regard, it is here meant that an angle between the telescopic column 25, or the bed 30, and the floor 2 of the vehicle compartment remains unchanged during the actuation of the four-bar linkage 24. Accordingly, the four-bar linkage 24 of the actuating system is configured to keep the bed 30 horizontally level during its actuation.

[0066] A second hydraulic or pneumatic actuator B is connected between the first part 21 and the second part 22 of the telescopic column 25. The second actuator B is configured to slidingly displace the first part 21 and the second part 22 of the telescopic column 25 in view of each other. Accordingly, the telescopic column 25 is configured to raise or lower the bed 30 that is connected thereto via the second part 22 of the telescopic column 25.

[0067] Each of the first A and second B actuators of the actuating system 20 may be operated simultaneously or cooperatively. The operation of the actuating system 20 is configured to be controlled by one or more controllers (not shown) receiving input from a human operator using a controller interface 40, see Fig. 1. Said controllers are preferably arranged within the main unit 10 of the lifting arrangement 100 to thereby be concealed. The controller interface 40 may by way of example be a set of buttons or a touch screen. Some of the operations performed by the actuating system 20 may include cooperative actuation from several actuators, while other operations may be performed by one actuator at a time. Some operations of the actuating system 20 may be performed automatically without any input from the human operator. The operation of the lift arrangement will be detailed later.

[0068] In the present example, the sliding rail 33 is pivotably connected to the second part 22 of the telescopic column 25. A hydraulic or pneumatic third actuator C is provided between the second part 22 of the telescopic column 25 and the sliding rail 33. The third actuator C is configured to set an angle a between the telescopic column 25 and the sliding rail 33. It is realized by the skilled person that, setting the sliding rail 33 at an angle a relative to the telescopic column 25 will also set the bed 30 at said angle a relative to the telescopic column 25. The third actuator C may be configured to keep the bed 30 in a horizontally level position, particularly in situations when the floor 2 of the vehicle compartment is not horizontally level. Keeping the bed 30 horizontally, i.e., controlling the third actuator C of the telescopic column 25 for that purpose, may be performed automatically by the control system.

[0069] The third actuator C may also be configured to set the sliding rail 33 between a substantially horizontally level position and a substantially vertical position. Setting the sliding rail 33 to a substantially vertical position will also set the bed 30 to a substantially vertical position. Orienting the bed 30 in a substantially vertical position may be used to set the lift arrangement to a stow-away position, as will be described later.

[0070] Now turning to Fig. 1 the operation of the lift arrangement 100 will be described.

[0071] The actuating system 100 is configured to set the bed 30 between a first position and a second position, or vice versa. When the bed 30 is in the first position, as shown in Fig. 1, the bed 30 is arranged inside the vehicle compartment, substantially horizontally level, and in contact with or positioned immediately above the floor 2 of the vehicle compartment. While the bed 30 is positioned in the first position, the bed 30 can be said to be positioned in its vertical zero position Z. While in the first position, the support surface 31 of the bed 30 is accessible to the rolling on, or rolling off, of a wheelchair from an inside of the vehicle. Any vertical gap between the support surface of the bed 30 and the floor 2 can be bridged by flap 32a being folded down.

[0072] When the bed 30 is positioned in a second position (not shown in Fig. 1), the bed 30 is oriented substantially horizontally level and positioned in contact with, or immediately above, the ground or a platform 3 outside of the vehicle compartment. While in the second position, the support surface 31 of the bed 30 is accessible to the rolling on or rolling off a wheelchair from an outside of the vehicle compartment. It is to be noted that the bed 30 may be arranged inside the vehicle compartment when set to its second position. This is disclosed in Fig. 3.

[0073] Accordingly, the position of the bed 30 relative to the floor 2 of the vehicle compartment when the bed 30 is in its second position is dependent on a height difference D between the floor 2 of the vehicle compartment and the ground or platform 3 outside the vehicle compartment. In the situation exemplified in Fig. 1, the ground or platform 3 outside the vehicle compartment is located a distance D above the floor 2 of the vehicle compartment. Accordingly, in the present situation, when the bed 30 is set to its second position, the bed 30 will be positioned above its vertical zero position Z but still inside the vehicle compartment.

[0074] When the actuating system 20 sets the bed 30 from the first position to the second position where the ground or platform 3 outside the vehicle compartment is at a distance D above the floor 2 of the vehicle compartment, best seen in Fig. 3, the lift arrangement 100 is said to perform a positive lifting operation. When performing a positive lifting operation, starting from the first position, as shown in Fig. 1, going to the position disclosed in Fig. 3, the actuation system 20 is configured to displace the second part 22 of the telescopic column 25 upwardly by actuating the second actuator B of the telescopic column. Thereby, the bed 30 which is connected to the second part 22 of the telescopic column 25 is raised from its vertical zero position Z to the second position. When in the second position, the bed is positioned immediately above the ground or platform 3 outside of the vehicle compartment as shown in Fig. 3. Accordingly, the telescopic column 25 is configured to allow the bed 30, when set to the first position, to be raised into a positive elevation relative to its vertical zero position Z.

[0075] Correspondingly, the telescopic column 25 is configured to allow the bed 30 to be lowered back into its first position.

[0076] As can also be seen in Fig. 3, any remaining gap G between the support surface 31 of the bed 30 and the ground or platform 3 outside the vehicle compartment may be bridged by flap 32b being in a folded-down position. Alternatively, any gap G may be reduced or eliminated by slidingly displacing (not shown) the bed 30 in a horizontal direction such that it extends at least partly out of the vehicle compartment.

[0077] Fig. 4 shows a situation when the ground or platform 3 outside the vehicle compartment is located a distance D below the floor 2 of the vehicle compartment. Accordingly, in the present situation, when the bed 30 is set to its second position, the bed 30 will be positioned below its vertical zero position Z.

[0078] When the actuating system 20 sets the bed 30 from the first position to a second position where the ground or platform 3 outside the vehicle compartment is at a distance D below the floor 2 of the vehicle compartment, as in the present example, the lift arrangement 100 is said to perform a negative lifting operation.

[0079] When performing a negative lifting operation, starting from the first position, the lift arrangement 100 is configured to first displace the bed 30 to a position outside of the vehicle compartment. This is achieved by slidingly displacing the bed 30 relative to the actuation system 20, thereby reaching an intermediate position as shown in Fig. 4. Such displacement may be achieved by the means of actuators (not shown) or by manually displacing the bed 30. The displacement will in most cases be substantially horizontal. While in the intermediate position, the bed 30 is horizontally level and outside of the vehicle compartment. From the intermediate position, the bed 30 is lowered by actuating the first actuator A of the four-bar linkage 24. The telescopic column 25, and the bed 30 connected thereto, is thereby lowered to the second position as shown in Fig. 5, wherein the bed 30 is positioned in contact with or immediately above the ground, or platform 3, outside the vehicle compartment. Returning the bed 30 into the vehicle compartment starting from the second position is performed in a corresponding but reverse order. Accordingly, the four-bar linkage 24 is configured to allow the bed 30 to be lowered into a negative elevation relative to, i.e., below, its vertical zero position Z and, to be raised from a negative elevation relative to the vertical zero position Z to the intermediate position. The four-bar linkage 24 maintains the bed in a substantially horizontal position throughout the whole operation.

[0080] The actuation of the telescopic column 25 of the lift arrangement 100 may also be utilized during a negative lifting operation. Particularly for achieving a clearance between the bed 30 and the floor 2 of the vehicle compartment prior to displacing the bed 30 to its intermediate position or, the actuation of the four-bar linkage 24.

[0081] Now returning to the example of Fig. 1 again, the bed 30 may be hingedly connected to the sliding rail 33 via hinges 34, thereby allowing the bed 30 to be folded against the main unit 10 of the actuating system 20 into a stow-away position. Fig. 6 discloses the lift arrangement 100 after the bed 30 has been folded against the main unit.

[0082] A stow-away position, see Fig. 6, may be achieved by first utilizing the third actuator as discussed earlier with reference to Fig. 2 to set the sliding rail 33, and hence the bed 30 to a substantially vertical position. While in the vertical position, the bed 30 is configured to be folded against the main unit. Alternatively, the bed 30 may be configured to be folded against the main unit of the actuating system when the bed is oriented horizontally, i.e. when from a position when the bed is in the first position.

[0083] Regardless of whether the bed 30 is designed to be folded against the main unit from a horizontal or a vertical position, the support surface of the bed 30 will be arranged in a substantially vertical position while in the exemplified strow-away position shown in Fig. 6.

[0084] It is realized by the skilled person that the elements discussed herein may be combined with one another to provide further alternative embodiments.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A lift arrangement (100) for loading and unloading a wheelchair into a compartment of a vehicle such as a bus, truck or train, said lift arrangement (100) comprising a bed (30) defining a support surface (31) configured to accommodate a wheelchair, and an actuating system (20) configured to set the bed (30) between a first position and a second position, where the first position is defined by the bed (30) being fully positioned inside the vehicle compartment and in a vertical zero position in which the bed (30) is arranged in contact with or is arranged immediately above a floor (2) of the vehicle compartment with the support surface (31) being arranged substantially in parallel with the floor (2) of the vehicle compartment, and the second position is defined by the bed (30) being oriented substantially horizontally in level and positioned in contact with, or immediately above a ground or a platform (3) outside of the vehicle compartment and with the bed (30) being positioned inside or outside the vehicle compartment, wherein the actuating system (20) comprises a main unit (10) having a frame (11) configured to be fastened to the floor (2) or to a wall in the vehicle compartment; the actuating system (20) further comprises a telescopic column (25) comprising a first part (21) and a second part (22) being axially slidingly connected to one another, wherein the first part (21) of the telescopic column (25) is connected to the main unit (10) via two or more link arms (23) in a four-bar linkage (24), and the second part (22) of the telescopic column (25) is slidingly connected to the bed (30) such that the bed (30) may be slidingly displaced; and wherein the four-bar linkage (24) and the telescopic column (25) are connected to and configured to be actuated by at least one respective hydraulic or pneumatic actuator (A, B).

2. The lift arrangement (100) according to claim 1, wherein the four-bar linkage (24) is configured to allow the bed (30) to be lowered into a negative elevation relative to the vertical zero position.

3. The lift arrangement (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the telescopic column (25), by sliding its first part (21) in view its second part (22) is configured to allow the bed (30), when set to the first position, to be raised into a positive elevation relative to the vertical zero position.

4. The lift arrangement (100) according to any of the previous claims, wherein the four-bar linkage (24) of the actuating system (20) is configured to keep the bed (30) horizontally level during its actuation.

5. The lift arrangement (100) according to any of the previous claims, wherein the bed(30) is slidingly connected to the second part (22) of the telescopic column (25) via a sliding rail (33).

6. The lifting arrangement (100) according to claim 5, wherein the sliding rail (33) is pivotably connected to the second part (22) of the telescopic column (25), and wherein a hydraulic or pneumatic third actuator (C) is provided between the second part (22) of the telescopic column (25) and the sliding rail (33), thereby allowing an angle between said telescopic column (25) and said sliding rail (33) to be set.

7. The lifting arrangement (100) according to claim 6, wherein said hydraulic or pneumatic third actuator (C) is configured to keep the bed (30) horizontally level.

8. The lifting arrangement (100) according to claim 6 or 7, wherein said hydraulic or pneumatic third actuator (C) is configured to set the sliding rail (33) between a substantially horizontally level position and a substantially vertical position.

9. The lift arrangement (100) according to any of claims 5 - 8, wherein the bed (30) is hingedly connected to the sliding rail (33), thereby allowing the bed (30) to be folded against the main unit (10) of the actuating system (20) into a stow-away position.

10. The lift arrangement (100) according to claim 9, wherein the bed (30) is configured to be folded against the main unit (10) while the sliding rail (33) is set to a substantially vertical position.

11. The lift arrangement (100) according to claims 9 or 10, wherein the support surface(31) of the bed (30) is arranged in a vertical position while in the stow-away position.

12. The lift arrangement (100) according to any of the previous claims, wherein two opposing ends of the bed (30) are provided with hingedly connected flaps (32a, 32b), and wherein each of said flaps (32a, 32b) are independently operable to receive a respective folded-up or folded-down position.1513. Use of the lift arrangement (100) according to any of claims 1-12 for loading and unloading a wheelchair into a compartment of a vehicle such as a bus, truck or train.

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