Transport system with motorised front swivel wheels

Abstract

The invention is a hand-pushed transport system (1), comprising: - a load bearing frame (2); - two rear wheels (3); - two front swivel wheels (41, 42); - power means (5) operatively associated with the two front wheels (41, 42).

Description

[0001] TRANSPORT SYSTEM WITH MOTORISED FRONT SWIVEL WHEELS. DESCRIPTION

[0002] The technical field of the invention is that of hand-pushed transport systems, such as a wheelchair for the disabled, a shopping trolley, an industrial trolley or a pushchair.

[0003] Transport systems are currently known in which the front wheels are mounted on an axle that allows them to turn or “pivot”. This allows for greater manoeuvrability, especially in tight spaces, as the orientation of the wheels can be easily changed to follow the desired direction.

[0004] Such a system is applied in particular in wheelchairs for the disabled.

[0005] As a rule, wheelchairs for the disabled comprise a frame which is provided with a seat for the disabled person and to which a pair of main, generally larger rear wheels and a pair of smaller, front swivel wheels are revolvingly coupled.

[0006] Wheelchairs are usually equipped with push handles on either side of the backrest, which are available for an attendant who is in charge to push the wheelchair manually.

[0007] In addition, wheelchairs for the disabled are usually equipped with special grip elements at the rear wheels, by means of which the user pushes and steers the wheelchair.

[0008] However, disadvantageously, this simple configuration of the wheelchairs intended to be pushed manually does not allow the attendant or user to push the wheelchair for long distances, or on particularly steep slopes, as the effort required would be excessive and, in addition, there is a risk for the safety of the disabled person being transported.

[0009] To overcome these problems, motorised wheelchairs for the disabled have been developed and placed on the market in the past, as well as propulsion devices that can be fitted to manual wheelchairs of the known type.

[0010] In particular, motorisation systems for the rear wheels were developed, as well as propulsion systems suited to be attached to the wheelchair frame.

[0011] Although these solutions are motor-assisted, they have several drawbacks.

[0012] Firstly, the added motorisation systems significantly increase the overall dimensions of the wheelchair. This extra bulk can make it difficult to transport the wheelchair in confined spaces, such as car or van luggage compartments, which makes the wheelchair more difficult to transport and handle, especially for those who need to transport it frequently. Secondly, these systems increase the overall weight of the wheelchair, further complicating its manual use when the motorised devices are not in operation. Due to its greater mass, the wheelchair requires more effort to be pushed manually, which affects the autonomy of the disabled user.

[0013] Another limitation of these solutions lies in that, compared to manual wheelchairs, motorised ones offer less manoeuvring sensitivity and precision, which can result in a less comfortable and less safe user experience.

[0014] Finally, motorised systems, whether integrated directly into the rear wheels or fitted as additional accessories, have the disadvantage of involving high costs for both the manufacturer and the end user. This can limit access to such technologies, making them unaffordable to many people who could benefit from them, and creating a significant economic barrier.

[0015] The task of the present invention is to develop a transport system that is capable of overcoming the above-mentioned drawbacks and limitations of the known technique.

[0016] In particular, it is the object of the present invention to provide a transport system, in particular a wheelchair for the disabled, with a motorised aid system that is less cumbersome compared to the known technology.

[0017] Again, another object of the invention is to develop a transport system, in particular a wheelchair for the disabled, which is equipped with a lighter motorised aid system than those used in the known art.

[0018] In addition, it is an object of the present invention to provide a transport system equipped with a motorised aid system that offers the user greater manoeuvring sensitivity than the known systems.

[0019] Finally, it is the object of the present invention to develop a transport system, in particular a wheelchair for the disabled, which is equipped with a motorised aid system that is more economical than those used in the known art.

[0020] The task and the objects mentioned above are fulfilled by a transport system according to claim 1 .

[0021] Further characteristics of the transport system according to claim 1 are described in the dependent claims.

[0022] The task and the above-mentioned objects, together with the advantages that will be mentioned below, are highlighted in the description of an embodiment of the invention, which is provided byway of non-limiting example, with reference to the attached drawings, wherein: - Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the transport system according to the invention;

[0023] - Figure 2 shows a different perspective view of the transport system shown in Figure 1 ;

[0024] - Figure 3 shows a detail of Figure 2;

[0025] - Figure 4 shows a further perspective view of the transport system shown in Figure 1 ;

[0026] - Figure 5 shows a detail of Figure 4;

[0027] - Figure 6 shows a top view of the transport system shown in Figure 1 ;

[0028] - Figure 7 shows a top view of the transport system shown in Figure 1 in a possible different operating position during use.

[0029] With reference to the above-mentioned figures, a transport system according to the invention is indicated as a whole by the number 1.

[0030] Said transport system 1 is, for example, a wheelchair for the disabled, a shopping trolley, an industrial trolley, a pushchair or any hand-pushed vehicle equipped with front swivel wheels.

[0031] Said hand-pushed transport system 1 comprises:

[0032] - a load bearing frame 2;

[0033] - two rear wheels 3;

[0034] - two front swivel wheels 41 , 42;

[0035] - power means 5 operatively associated with the two front wheels 41 , 42.

[0036] In particular, in the preferred configuration of the invention, the transport system 1 is a wheelchair for the disabled 10, in which said load bearing frame 2 comprises: a seat 21 , a backrest 22 and a footrest 23.

[0037] In addition, the two rear wheels 3 are revolvingly attached to the load bearing frame 2 and include a grip element 31 suited to be used by the user to manually push said wheelchair 10.

[0038] The two front wheels 41 , 42 are associated with the load bearing frame 2 in proximity to the footrest 23.

[0039] Advantageously, said configuration makes it possible to obtain a transport system, in particular a wheelchair for the disabled, with a motorised aid system that is less bulky than those known in the art, because the power means associated with the two front wheels have a smaller volume than the known power means associated with the rear wheels.

[0040] Advantageously, therefore, the transport system obtained in this way also weighs less than the known motorised transport systems.

[0041] In addition, advantageously, while reducing the volume and weight of the transport system, the configuration described above allows the same torque to be obtained as in the known transport systems, without affecting the performance of the system itself.

[0042] A further advantage offered by the described configuration lies in the greater manoeuvring sensitivity of a transport system designed in this way in comparison to the known transport systems. Advantageously, the manoeuvrability of the transport system, in particular of the wheelchair, will be high.

[0043] Still advantageously, the described configuration makes it possible to obtain a final product that costs less than the known products, with obvious benefits for both user and manufacturer.

[0044] In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the power means 5 comprise a first motorisation system 51, clearly visible in Figures 4 and 5, operatively associated with a first front wheel 41 , and a second motorisation system 52, clearly visible in Figures 2 and 3, operatively associated with a second front wheel 42.

[0045] Said first motorisation system 51 comprises:

[0046] - first means for causing motion 53’, configured to set the first front wheel 41 rotating;

[0047] - first detection means 54’, configured to detect a first steering angle a1 , visible in Figure 7, of the first front wheel 41.

[0048] Similarly, the second motorisation system 52 comprises:

[0049] - second means for causing motion 53”, configured to set the second front wheel 42 rotating;

[0050] - second detection means 54”, configured to detect a second steering angle a2, visible in Figure 7, of the second front wheel 42.

[0051] In the preferred configuration of the invention, the first and second means for causing motion 53’, 53” are constituted by an electric motor arranged within the hub of the two front wheels 41 , 42.

[0052] In addition, the first and second detection means 54’, 54” are arranged on the supports 41a, 42a of the two front wheels 41 , 42.

[0053] As can be seen in Figure 1 , the first and the second motorisation system 51, 52 each comprise a battery pack 56 arranged on the corresponding support 41a, 42a.

[0054] The power means 5 further comprise at least one logic unit 55’, 55” operatively connected to at least one between said first and said second motorisation system 51 , 52 and configured to adjust one of the functional parameters selected between rotation speed and torque of the first and / or of the second front wheel 41, 42 depending on the first and / or the second steering angle a1, a2.

[0055] This configuration provides excellent steering control.

[0056] According to a possible configuration of the invention, said at least one logic unit 55’, 55” is configured to decrease the rotation speed of the first and / or the second front wheel 41, 42 when the first and / or the second steering angle a1, a2 increase.

[0057] According to a further possible configuration of the invention, said at least one logic unit 55’, 55” is configured to decrease the torque of said first and / or second front wheel 41, 42 when the first and / or the second steering angle a1, a2 increase.

[0058] Said configurations advantageously allow for easy and effortless steering.

[0059] Such configurations, therefore, also greatly improve the manoeuvrability of the transport system.

[0060] In particular, a motorised wheelchair with such a configuration has greater sensitivity and manoeuvrability than the known systems.

[0061] Furthermore, the wheelchair that is the subject of the invention essentially gives the user the same feeling, in terms of manoeuvrability, as a standard non-motorised wheelchair.

[0062] Thus, to advantage, learning how to use it will be simple and straightforward for the user.

[0063] In a possible configuration of the invention, said decrease in the rotation speed or torque of the first and / or the second front wheel 41, 42 depends on the increase of the first and / or the second steering angle a1 , a2 obtained via a step function.

[0064] In a further possible embodiment of the invention, said decrease in the rotation speed or torque of the first and / or the second front wheel 41 , 42 depends on the increase of the first and / or the second steering angle a1 , a2 obtained via a linear function.

[0065] In the preferred configuration of the invention, the power means 5 comprise:

[0066] - a first logic unit 55’ operatively connected to the first motorisation system 51 and configured to adjust the rotation speed of the first front wheel 41 depending on the first steering angle a1 ;

[0067] - a second logic unit 55” operatively connected to the second motorisation system 52 and configured to adjust the rotation speed of the second front wheel 42 depending on the second steering angle a2.

[0068] Therefore, in this case, the first motorisation system 51 , operatively connected to the first logic unit 55’, and the second motorisation system 52, operatively connected to the second logic unit 55”, operate independently of each other, which means that the two front wheels 41 , 42 are controlled independently of each other.

[0069] In particular, in the preferred configuration of the invention, the first logic unit 55’ is configured to decrease the rotation speed of the first front wheel 41 when the first steering angle a1 increases.

[0070] Analogously, the second logic unit 55” is configured to decrease the rotation speed of the second front wheel 42 when the second steering angle a2 increases.

[0071] In a possible configuration of the invention, the decrease in the speed of the first front wheel 41 depends on the increase of the first steering angle obtained via a step function.

[0072] Furthermore, the decrease in the speed of the second front wheel 42 also depends on the increase of the second steering angle obtained via the same step function.

[0073] In the example shown in Figure 7, if the first detection means 54’ detect the first steering angle a1 of the first front wheel 41 as equal to 20°, the first logic unit 55’ will decrease the rotation speed of said first front wheel 41 by 20%.

[0074] At the same time, if the second detection means 54” detect the second steering angle a2 of the second front wheel 42 as equal to 16°, the second logic unit 55” will decrease the rotation speed of said second front wheel 42 by 10%.

[0075] In a further possible configuration of the invention, the decrease in the speed of the first front wheel 41 depends on the increase of the first steering angle obtained via a linear function.

[0076] Furthermore, the decrease in the speed of the second front wheel 42 also depends on the increase of the second steering angle via the same linear function.

[0077] It is not excluded that in further possible embodiments of the invention the decrease in the speed of the first and the second front wheel 41 , 42 depends respectively on the increase of the first and the second steering angle a1 , a2 via other known types of functions.

[0078] In a possible example of embodiment, not shown in the figures and alternative to the preferred embodiment of the invention, the transport system 1 comprises a single logic unit operatively connected to the first and to the second motorisation system 51 , 52 and configured to adjust the rotation speed of the first and the second front wheel 41 , 42 depending on the first and the second steering angle a1 , a2.

[0079] In particular, said logic unit is configured to adjust the rotation speed or torque of the first front wheel 41 depending exclusively on the first steering angle a1 and is configured to adjust the rotation speed or torque of the second front wheel 42 depending exclusively on the second steering angle a2.

[0080] It is not excluded, however, that said logic unit may be configured to adjust the rotation speed or torque of the first front wheel 41 and the second front wheel 42 depending on the first steering angle a1 in conjunction with the second steering angle a2.

[0081] A further aspect of the invention, which may constitute a new main claim, lies in that the rear wheels 3 of the wheelchair 10 comprise a sensor designed to detect the manual pushing action carried out by the user.

[0082] Said sensor is operatively connected to control means suited to control the power means 5 based on detection of the manual pushing action.

[0083] Said configuration allows for perfect control of the power means by the user.

[0084] In particular, the sensor is suited to detect the direction of the manual pushing action.

[0085] For example, the sensor can be positioned at the grip element 31.

[0086] In a further example, the sensor can be positioned at the hub of the rear wheels 3.

[0087] The control means are suited to activate the power means 5 in the case where said pushing direction is the same as the travelling direction of the transport system 1 and to deactivate said power means 5 in the case where said pushing direction is different from said travelling direction of the transport system 1.

[0088] It should also be pointed out that the two front wheels 41 , 42 can be fixed to the frame 2.

[0089] As an alternative, said two front wheels 41, 42 may be removable and provided with a quick coupling system designed to allow said two front wheels to be attached to the frame 2.

[0090] In practice, it has been shown that the invention fulfils its task and achieves the set objects.

[0091] In particular, the invention provides a transport system, namely a wheelchair for the disabled, which is equipped with a motorised aid system that is less cumbersome than those known in the art.

[0092] In addition, the invention provides a transport system, namely a wheelchair for the disabled, which is equipped with a lighter motorised aid system compared to those known in the art.

[0093] Furthermore, the present invention provides a transport system with a motorised aid system that offers the user a greater manoeuvring sensitivity compared to the known systems.

[0094] Finally, the invention provides a transport system, namely a wheelchair for the disabled, which is equipped with a motorised aid system that is more economical than those known in the art.

Claims

CLAIMS1 ) Hand-pushed transport system (1 ), comprising:- a load bearing frame (2);- two rear wheels (3);- two front swivel wheels (41 , 42);- power means (5) operatively associated with said two front wheels (41 , 42); characterized in that said power means (5) comprise:- a first motorisation system (51 ) operatively associated with a first front wheel (41 ) and comprising:- first means for causing motion (53’), configured to set said first front wheel (41 ) rotating;- first detection means (54’) configured to detect a first steering angle (a1 ) of said first front wheel (41 );- a second motorisation system (52) operatively associated with a second front wheel (42) and comprising:- second means for causing motion (53”), configured to set said second front wheel (42) rotating;- second detection means (54”) configured to detect a second steering angle (a2) of said second front wheel (42);- at least one logic unit (55’, 55”) operatively connected to at least one between said first and said second motorisation system (51 , 52) and configured to adjust one of the functional parameters selected between rotation speed and torque of said first and / or second front wheel (41 , 42) depending on said first and / or second steering angle (a1 , a2).2) Transport system (1 ) according to claim 1 , characterized in that said at least one logic unit (55’, 55”) is configured to decrease the rotation speed of said first and / or second front wheel (41 , 42) when said first and / or second steering angle (a1 , a2) increases.3) Transport system (1 ) according to claim 1 , characterized in that said at least one logic unit (55’, 55”) is configured to decrease the torque of said first and / or second front wheel (41 , 42) when said first and / or second steering angle (a1 , a2) increases.4) Transport system (1 ) according to any of claims 2 or 3, characterized in that said decrease in the rotation speed or torque of said first and / or second front wheel (41 , 42) depends on the increase of said first and / or second steeringangle (a1 , a2) via a step function.5) Transport system (1 ) according to any of claims 2 or 3, characterized in that said decrease in the rotation speed or torque of said first and / or second front wheel (41 , 42) depends on the increase of said first and / or second steering angle (a1 , a2) via a linear function.6) Transport system (1 ) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said at least one logic unit is operatively connected to said first and said second motorisation system (51 , 52) and is configured to adjust the rotation speed and the torque of said first and said second front wheel (41 , 42) depending on said first and said second steering angle (a1 , a2).7) Transport system (1 ) according to claim 6, characterized in that said logic unit is configured to adjust the rotation speed or torque of said first front wheel (41 ) depending exclusively on said first steering angle (a1 ) and is configured to adjust the rotation speed or torque of said second front wheel (42) depending exclusively on said second steering angle (a2).8) Transport system (1 ) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises:- a first logic unit (55’) operatively connected to said first motorisation system (51 ) and configured to adjust the rotation speed of said first front wheel (41 ) depending on said first steering angle (a1 );- a second logic unit (55”) operatively connected to said second motorisation system (52) and configured to adjust the rotation speed of said second front wheel (42) depending on said second steering angle (a2).9) Transport system (1 ) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is a wheelchair for disabled persons (10) in which said load bearing frame (2) comprises a seat (21 ), a backrest (22) and a footrest (23), said two rear wheels (3) being revolvingly constrained to said load bearing frame (2) and comprising a grip element (31 ) suited to be used by the user for manually pushing said wheelchair (10), said two front wheels (41 , 42) being associated with said load bearing frame (2) in proximity to said footrest (23).10) Transport system (1 ) according to claim 9, characterized in that said rear wheels (3) comprise a sensor designed to detect said manual pushing action and operatively connected to control means suited to control said power means (5) based on said detection of the manual pushing action.11 ) Transport system according to claim 10, characterized in that saidsensor is designed to detect the direction of said manual pushing action, said control means being suited to activate said power means (5) in the case where said pushing direction is the same as the travelling direction of said transport system (1 ) and to deactivate said power means (5) in the case where said pushing direction is different from the travelling direction of said transport system (1 ).

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