141 results about "Powered wheelchairs" patented technology

A self-propelled battery-powered wheelchair replaces an ordinary wheelchair and provides improved access to homes. The wheelchair includes stair climbing, slope climbing, and reclining while requiring only minimal driver skill and strength. Operation on level ground is similar to the operation of a conventional wheelchair. Support for normal operation is provided by a rear caster and wheels on the front corners. Its compact width and length enable negotiating narrow doorways and turning in small spaces. To ensure stability on stairs, moveable skids are mounted to the four corners of the wheelchair. Parallelogram linkages move the front skids down and forward during climbing. Another parallelogram linkage moves the caster and rear skids up and at an angle during climbing. The wheelchair is steerable on stairs as needed to align with the stair path and accommodate slightly spiraling stairs. The wheelchair accommodates stair steps of different riser heights and tread lengths. A pair of spoked or spider wheels with small wheels at the ends of the spokes are rotably mounted to the sides of the wheelchair. The spider wheels engage the stairs to propel and stabilize the wheelchair during climbing of stairs. Methods are provided to monitor and control the pitch attitude of the wheelchair and nearness of wheelchair supporting components to the stairs. Motion and control are provided by electric motors, sensors, a computer, and driver inputs. Propulsion power for conventional level operation, slope climbing, and stair climbing operation is transmitted through the same motors and wheels.

The present disclosure relates to an actigraphic device based on a universal actigraphic platform. Parameters from a plurality of sensors are acquired and correlated for determining a profile of use of the device. The device may be installed on a vehicle, for example a powered wheelchair, or be worn by a user. Two or more devices may form a network of communicating devices worn by a user. A method of using the actigraphic device for acquiring a profile of use is also provided.

A powered propulsion apparatus that is attachable to and detachable from, a wide range of conventional wheelchairs without modification of the propulsion apparatus or the wheelchairs. The propulsion apparatus converts a conventional manually powered wheelchair into a power driven wheelchair. The apparatus clamps to the front wheels of a conventional wheelchair with a clamping mechanism that is adjustable to accommodate a wide range of wheel-spacings and wheel sizes and accommodates an inexactitude of alignment between the clamps and the wheelchair. The clamping mechanism secures the wheel chair to the propulsion apparatus without damage or stress to the wheelchair components.

Drive-control systems for personal-transportation vehicles can function as active driving aids that enable autonomous and semi-autonomous cooperative navigation of electric-powered wheelchairs (EPWs) and other vehicles both indoors, and in dynamic, outdoor environments. The systems can help to compensate for the loss of cognitive, perceptive, or motor function in the driver by interpreting the driver's intent and seeing out into the environment on the driver's behalf. The systems can incorporate intelligent sensing and drive-control means that work in concert with the driver to aid in negotiating changing terrain, avoiding obstacles / collisions, maintaining a straight trajectory, etc. In addition, the systems can be configured to facilitate higher-level path planning, and execution of non-linear routes of travel in a safe and efficient manner.

A powered wheelchair comprises three or more wheels for supporting the wheelchair relative to a supporting surface. The three or more wheels are adapted to be steered independently of one another to steer the wheelchair in virtually any direction. At least one of the wheels is adapted to be driven for propelling the wheelchair on the supporting surface.

Apparatus for reprogramming a programmed controller of a power driven wheelchair comprises: a reprogrammable, non-volatile memory programmed with a plurality of programs executable by the controller to operate the wheelchair, the non-volatile memory disposed at the wheelchair and coupled to the wheelchair controller; a general-purpose computer programmed to reprogram the non-volatile memory while disposed at the wheelchair, the programmed computer for storing main programs for use in reprogramming the non-volatile memory, the programmed computer being coupleable to the wheelchair controller for accommodating an exchange of data therebetween; and wherein the wheelchair controller being operative to communicate with the programmed computer to reprogram the non-volatile memory with the main programs while the non-volatile memory is disposed at the wheelchair. Methods for reprogramming the non-volatile memory are also disclosed.

A positioning and control system to selectively position and to monitor and record the position of the seat frame, back rest frame and leg rest supports of a powered wheelchair wherein the positioning and control system comprises a seat positioning mechanism including a seat tilt positioning assembly and a back rest recline positioning assembly to position the tilt of the seat frame and the recline of the back rest frame respectively, and a leg rest positioning mechanism including leg rest positioning assemblies to position the leg rest supports, and a system control including an operator input control and a microprocessor to control, monitor and record the position of the seat frame, back rest frame and the leg rest supports.

A powered propulsion apparatus that is attachable to and detachable from, a wide range of conventional wheelchairs without modification of the propulsion apparatus or the wheelchairs. The propulsion apparatus converts a conventional manually powered wheelchair into a power driven wheelchair. The apparatus clamps to the front wheels of a conventional wheelchair with a clamping mechanism that is adjustable to accommodate a wide range of wheel-spacings and wheel sizes and accommodates an inexactitude of alignment between the clamps and the wheelchair. The clamping mechanism secures the wheel chair to the propulsion apparatus without damage or stress to the wheelchair components.

A method of adjusting globally performance parameters of a power driven wheelchair for a plurality of drive programs thereof comprises the steps of: programming a microcontroller with a plurality of drive programs for operating the wheelchair, each drive program including a multiplicity of adjustable performance parameters; adjusting a selected performance parameter of the multiplicity to a desired result; setting a global flag to a desired status; storing the desired result of the selected performance parameter solely in memory allocated to a selected drive program of the plurality when the global flag is set to a first status; and storing the desired result of the selected performance parameter globally in memory allocated to each of the drive programs of the plurality when the global flag is set to

A drive motor assembly for a power driven wheelchair comprises: a stator housing for containing field coils of a stator of the motor assembly; at least one sensor disposed in the stator housing for sensing rotation of the motor; a memory storing motor error parameter data including data of errors of the at least one sensor, the memory being embedded in the stator housing; and a connection for accessing the error parameter data of the memory from the stator housing. The motor error parameter data may be accessed from the embedded memory of the drive motor by a programmed motor controller for use in controlling the drive motor. Also, the motor error parameter data may be embedded in the drive motor by the steps of: controlling the motor through at least one predetermined drive pattern; sensing motor rotation during the drive pattern and generating signals representative thereof; deriving error parameter data of the drive motor from the generated signals; programming a memory with the derived error parameter data; and embedding the memory in the drive motor.

The invention relates to an intelligent wheelchair, which comprises a wheelchair body, batteries, two drive motors and a motor drive, wherein, the wheelchair body comprises a desktop and two foot-treadles; the desktop is internally provided with an electric wheelchair control system for controlling the movement of the wheelchair. The invention is characterized in that the intelligent wheelchair also comprises a mechanical arm system arranged on one side of the wheelchair, a control computer, a mechanical arm control system and a remote control system used for controlling the mechanical arm system, wherein, the mechanical arm system has seven free angles. Based on the original single riding instead of walking function, the invention is provided with a mechanical arm system, which helps the seniors of insufficient self-care ability or the disabled with basic actions, and has good safety, thereby meeting the requirement and improving life quality of the disadvantaged population, such as some of the seniors and the disabled.

The invention discloses a starting and barrier avoiding system of an electrically powered wheelchair. The starting and barrier avoiding system comprises a master controller, a sensor module, a power management module and an auxiliary module. The sensor module comprises a position sensor. The power management module comprises a power source and a power source self-starting device, and the self-starting device serves as a power switch and is in a normally-open state to switch off power supply. When the self-starting device bears pressure, the switch is closed, and the power source is switched on. After the system is powered on, the position sensor sends sitting position information of a user of the electrically powered wheelchair to the master controller in real time, and the master controller judges whether the user is at the safe position or not according to the received position information. If the user is at the safe position, the master controller controls a power source control module to supply power to a driving device of the wheelchair. If it is judged that the user is not at the safe position, the master controller controls the power source control module not to supply power to the driving device of the wheelchair, and meanwhile the master controller controls a voice module in the auxiliary module to send a voice alarm signal that the user is not at the safe position. Through the starting and barrier avoiding system, the use safety and the convenient degree are improved for the user.

A method of programming parameters of a power driven wheelchair for a plurality of drive modes comprises: displaying a menu image on an interactive display screen, the menu image including settings of a plurality of wheelchair parameters for a plurality of drive modes of the wheelchair; selecting a wheelchair parameter for a drive mode from the displayed menu image; and programming the setting of the selected wheelchair parameter to a desired setting.

A cellular or cordless telephone system with hands-free voice-activated features is mounted to and carried by an electrically powered wheelchair. A triggering device such as a toggle type push button switch or a voice-command input microphone / amplifier is mounted on the outside of the left armrest to arm the system to initiate and terminate calls. A microphone is mounted in the left armrest and the speaker is mounted under the right armrest of the chair. The telephone system is powered by one or both of the 12-volt batteries used to supply drive power to the chair.

The invention provides an intelligent electric wheelchair, which is suitable for the technical field of wheelchairs, including: a navigation path module, used for the intelligent electric wheelchair to generate a navigation path according to the departure place and destination; a location acquisition module, used for obtaining the location of the intelligent electric wheelchair Current position; distance perception module, used to obtain obstacle distance perception information, and calculate the travel path of the smart electric wheelchair to avoid the obstacle; state monitoring module, used to obtain status information of the working parts of the smart electric wheelchair , to generate status prompt information; the wheelchair control module is used to control the operation of the intelligent electric wheelchair according to the currently input control command and the travel path. The invention also provides a method for using the intelligent electric wheelchair. Thereby, the present invention can effectively reduce the operation difficulty, make the wheelchair more convenient, intelligent, simple and humanized, and can control the operation independently or with the assistance of others.

The invention relates to an adjustment device for vehicle seats, in particular for power driven wheelchairs or rehabilitation vehicles, comprising at least one mounting plate and one bearing plate with a lifting device. In order to allow for an individual adjustment of the seat, the lifting device consists of two to four scissor fittings, which are adjustable in height by driving means. Depending on the height setting of each scissor fitting, a lateral inclination or a tilting forwards or backwards can be achieved in addition to the lifting and lowering.

The invention relates to a mechanical self-powered wheelchair for walking up and down stairs, which belongs to the technical field of wheelchairs. The mechanical self-powered wheelchair comprises a seat self-balancing adjusting mechanism, a wheelchair frame, a hand wheel, crawler walking mechanisms, a multi-path power transmission system, hand wheel elevating mechanisms, guide wheel mechanisms, a one-way ratchet wheel mechanism and braking mechanisms, wherein the seat self-balancing adjusting mechanism is arranged on the upper part of the wheelchair frame; the multi-path power transmission system is arranged on the lower part of the seat self-balancing adjusting mechanism and at the middle part position of the wheelchair frame; the hand wheel elevating mechanisms are arranged on both sides of the wheelchair frame; the walking mechanisms are arranged on both sides of the lower part of the wheelchair frame; the guide wheel mechanisms are arranged on the front two sides of the wheelchair frame; the braking mechanisms are arranged both sides of the wheelchair frame close to seat handrails; and a one-way ratchet wheel is arranged at the front end of the wheelchair frame. The invention provides a mechanical self-powered wheelchair for walking up and down stairs, which is economical and reasonable in price, moves stably and continuously, has safe and reliable performance, can be used for assisting a user in walking up and down stairs without help of other people, and is convenient to operate.

This invention is a power-driven wheelchair undercarriage device comprising a main carframe unit, a front-wheel set pivoted at front interconnecting piece of the main carframe unit, a elastic recovery unit joined between the main carframe unit and the front-wheel set, a driving wheel carrier unit pivoted with the front-wheel set, a connecting device pivoting the main carframe unit and the driving wheel carrier unit, and a rear-wheel set arranged at the main carframe unit back. When crossing barrier, the elastic recovery unit is compressed to release elastic energy, and the energy is enhanced by the front-wheel set backward withdrawing; meanwhile the connecting device drives the carframe unit to make the power-driven wheelchair have a best angular variable and contact counteracting force.

A method of programming parameters of a power driven wheelchair for a plurality of drive modes comprises: displaying a menu image on an interactive display screen, the menu image including settings of a plurality of wheelchair parameters for a plurality of drive modes of the wheelchair; selecting a wheelchair parameter for a drive mode from the displayed menu image; and programming the setting of the selected wheelchair parameter to a desired setting.

A control system for a powered wheelchair that detects when a user is in a first orientation to cause movement of the powered wheelchair. The control system inhibits movement of the wheelchair when the user is not in the first orientation.

The invention discloses an intelligent brain-computer interface wheelchair based on multi-mode hierarchical control. The intelligent brain-computer interface wheelchair comprises an electroencephalogram signal collection module, an electroencephalogram signal processing module, a motion control module and an electronically powered wheelchair. From the aspect of multi-mode hierarchical control, electroencephalogram signals caused by motion imagery conceptual work for expressing control intentions are collected, imagery right-left hands for reflecting human motion control wishes and eye opening and closing for reflecting selective control behaviors are combined, and thus the information transmission rate of a control system and the reliability of control information are improved. The electroencephalogram signals after amplification and filter are input to the signal processing module for conducting denoising, feature extraction and classification, the motion wishes of an operator are sent to the control module through an order, and therefore the motion such as going forward, turning left, turning right, drawing back, stopping, accelerating and decelerating of the electrically powered wheelchair can be achieved. The intelligent brain-computer interface wheelchair can meet the need for actual control operation of the wheelchair, can control the speed of the wheelchair, and has great value in the aspects like medical rehabilitation training and the disabled service.

Apparatus for a manually-powered wheelchair comprising a frame and first and second wheel rotatably coupled to the frame. Each wheel includes a hand rim and a drive wheel. For each of the first and second wheels, a multiple speed transmission coupled to the wheel comprises a transmission output coupled to the drive wheel, a transmission input coupled to the hand rim, and at least two gears selectively coupling the transmission output to the transmission input. The transmission allows the drive wheel and the hand rim to rotate concentrically with one another but at different speeds. A selector is provided for selecting one of the at least two gears. A controller controls the selector to operate the transmission for the first and / or second wheel.

A power drive apparatus is easily attachable to a conventional wheelchair for converting it into a powered wheelchair. The only change to the conventional wheelchair is the addition of a pair of mounting studs clamped to the front of the wheelchair. The power drive apparatus has an adjustable frame to adapt it to a range of wheelchair configurations and includes a novel mount for the drive motor. A severe-off-road-use version is shown which includes a separate, inboard, non-road-contacting ring for maintaining good driving and braking performance under adverse environmental conditions.

The invention relates to a multifunctional electrically powered wheelchair for disables, which pertains to a structure technical field of the electrically powered wheelchair. The multifunctional electrically powered wheelchair for the disables comprises a paratactic front wheel 56, a drive wheel 51; the multifunctional electrically powered wheelchair for the disables is characterized in that a universal steering system 55 is connected with a rotary wheel fork assembly 52 to drive the drive wheel 51; the drive wheel 51 is connected with one end of a support frame 53 by the wheel fork assembly 52; the middle of the frame 53 is provided with a seat box 54; other two ends of the frame 53 are fixedly supported by the intermediate shaft of the paratactic front wheel 56. The multifunctional electrically powered wheelchair for the disables of the invention provides the electrically powered wheelchair which can be automatically controlled without the help of others for the disables. The seat of the wheelchair can be changed into a bed and a reclining chair with any angle adjustable. Relieving Bags which can be electrically started and closed are arranged below a seating washer. The wheelchair has the functions of moving forwards and backwards, universally changing direction and driving manually; the multifunctional electrically powered wheelchair of disables is provided with an awning and a canopy.

A manually powered wheelchair includes a first lever associated with a first rear wheel and demountably coupled to a first drivetrain, the first lever having a first brake thereon. The wheelchair also includes a second lever associated with a second rear wheel and demountably coupled to a second drivetrain, the second lever having a second brake thereon. Each drivetrain includes a chainring, a chain, and a freewheel, and each drivetrain has a fixed gear ratio. The freewheel of each drivetrain is actuated by manual pivoting of the lever associated therewith. In use, the wheelchair achieves changes in mechanical advantage when a user shifts the user's hands up and down the first and second levers.

The present disclosure describes devices and systems that can be integrated with a foldable, manual wheelchair to convert the wheelchair into a hybrid chair capable of both manual operation and motor-powered operation. A wheelchair powering device includes a motor that is operatively coupled to a roller member so that rotation of the motor shaft causes rotation of the roller member. The roller member may be engaged against a tire of the wheelchair so that rotation of the roller member causes rotation of the tire via friction between the roller member and tire.

Apparatus for reprogramming a programmed controller of a power driven wheelchair comprises: a reprogrammable, non-volatile memory programmed with a plurality of programs executable by the controller to operate the wheelchair, the non-volatile memory disposed at the wheelchair and coupled to the wheelchair controller; a general-purpose computer programmed to reprogram the non-volatile memory while disposed at the wheelchair, the programmed computer for storing main programs for use in reprogramming the non-volatile memory, the programmed computer being coupleable to the wheelchair controller for accommodating an exchange of data therebetween; and wherein the wheelchair controller being operative to communicate with the programmed computer to reprogram the non-volatile memory with the main programs while the non-volatile memory is disposed at the wheelchair. Methods for reprogramming the non-volatile memory are also disclosed.