Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61G—TRANSPORT, PERSONAL CONVEYANCES, OR ACCOMMODATION SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PATIENTS OR DISABLED PERSONS; OPERATING TABLES OR CHAIRS; CHAIRS FOR DENTISTRY; FUNERAL DEVICES
  • A61G5/00—Chairs or personal conveyances specially adapted for patients or disabled persons, e.g. wheelchairs
  • A61G5/04—Chairs or personal conveyances specially adapted for patients or disabled persons, e.g. wheelchairs motor-driven
  • A61G5/048—Power-assistance activated by pushing on hand rim or on handlebar
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61G—TRANSPORT, PERSONAL CONVEYANCES, OR ACCOMMODATION SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PATIENTS OR DISABLED PERSONS; OPERATING TABLES OR CHAIRS; CHAIRS FOR DENTISTRY; FUNERAL DEVICES
  • A61G5/00—Chairs or personal conveyances specially adapted for patients or disabled persons, e.g. wheelchairs
  • A61G5/02—Chairs or personal conveyances specially adapted for patients or disabled persons, e.g. wheelchairs propelled by the patient or disabled person

Definitions

• the present invention relates to the field of mobility for disabled people, and more particularly relates to an electric assistance device for a wheelchair.
• fully manual wheelchairs which typically feature two large rear wheels and two small front wheels.
• the front wheels are movable in rotation around a transverse axis and the rear wheels are locked in rotation around the same transverse axis.
• annular handle is placed on the side of each rear wheel.
• the propulsion and guidance of the chair is provided either by the user using the ring handles to turn the rear wheels, or by a third person pushing the chair.
• a second type of known wheelchairs are motorized chairs.
• These chairs are often much more massive and heavier than manual chairs. Traditionally, these chairs have four or six wheels, small in diameter compared to the rear wheels of a manual chair. In addition, the chair incorporates electric motors, large batteries and a guidance system. In fact, known motorized chairs can only be operated with a guidance system. Most often, this is a "joystick" type handle. This arrangement makes the wheelchair particularly useful in the case of a multiple handicap, but prohibits any manual operation.
• manual chairs are known in which a motor is integrated into the hub of each rear wheel.
• the motor is an electric assist motor. This means that the motors alone do not allow the wheelchair to be moved, but they provide additional force requiring less effort from the user.
• the control of the chair is always carried out with the ring handles. This solution is particularly advantageous because it allows for assistance when the user is climbing, for example, or to avoid fatigue over long distances.
• this solution can only be used on a wheelchair specifically adapted for. In other words, this solution is not adaptable to every manual wheelchair.
• Another solution for motorizing a manual wheelchair consists of adding to the wheelchair a device with a motorized wheel. Most often, this device takes the form of a front wheel, with a handlebar. The device is then attached to the front of the chair.
• the handlebars work like a motorcycle handlebar with one rotating handle to control engine speed, and another handle, to brake.
• This device is not an assistance system, but a complete motorization system. Thus, the user no longer uses his arms to move and orient the chair. In the event of a breakdown, as with a standard power chair, it is impossible for the user to move the chair.
• the utility certificate application FR1860425 filed by one of the applicants responds to its shortcomings by providing a new electric assistance solution that can be universally adapted to a large number of wheelchairs, and which does not have the disadvantages of prior art.
• This application describes an electric assistance device for a wheelchair which comprises at least one motor having a rotor connected to a toothed pinion adapted to engage a complementary toothing of a tire of a wheel of the wheelchair.
• the present invention aims to improve an electric assist device for a wheelchair.
• the invention provides an electric assistance device for a wheelchair having a seat, and at least one rear wheel having a tire.
• the electrical assistance device includes:
• At least one motor having a rotor connected to a toothed pinion adapted to engage a complementary toothing of the tire
• the mobile arm makes it possible to maneuver said motor between an engaged position in wherein the pinion is in contact with the complementary teeth of said tire, a disengaged position in which the pinion is not in contact with the complementary teeth of said tire and a transport position in which the pinion is moved away from the tire and retracted under the seat .
• the mobile arm between three positions makes it possible both to be able to engage / disengage the device at will, and to place the device in a retracted position, under the seat, particularly suitable for transport. In fact, in the transport position, the device is less likely to be damaged, for example when the wheelchair is in a vehicle trunk.
• the movable arm makes it possible to protect the device.
• the arm may include a cam for positioning and maintaining the electric assistance device in the engaged position, in the disengaged position or in the transport position.
• the cam may have at least three notches, and a substantially flat surface, each adapted to cooperate with a roller of a movable lever, to hold the electric assistance device in the engaged position, in the disengaged position or in the transport position.
• the lever movable in rotation with respect to the arm may include the roller adapted to be engaged in a notch or on the substantially flat surface of the cam to maintain the electric assistance device in the engaged position, in the disengaged position or in the transport position.
• the lever may include at one end the roller maintaining a force against the cam by means of a return spring.
• the arm may include a distal portion intended to be connected to the wheelchair and a proximal portion connected to the motor.
• the distal part and the proximal part can be hinged to each other by a hinge concentric with the cam.
• the invention provides a wheelchair comprising a seat and two rear wheels each having a tire.
• the wheelchair includes at least one electric assist device of the invention.
• the wheelchair can include a frame made up of a plurality of tubes, a seat, and two rear wheels, and two electric assistance devices, positioned on the underside of the seat, each connected to a tube and each adapted to engage a tire of a corresponding rear wheel.
• the wheelchair may include a power assist device in which the distal portion of the arm of each power assist device is connected to a tube.
• Figure 1 is a partial representation, in perspective, of a wheelchair provided with an electric assistance device according to the invention, in the engaged position.
• FIG. 2 is a partial representation, in perspective, of a wheelchair provided with an electric assistance device according to the invention, in the engaged position, from another angle of view.
• FIG. 3 is a partial representation, in perspective, of a wheelchair provided with an electric assistance device according to the invention, in the disengaged position.
• FIG. 4 is a partial representation, in perspective, of a wheelchair provided with an electric assistance device according to the invention, in the disengaged position, from another angle of view.
• FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view of a wheelchair provided with an electric assistance device according to the invention, in the transport position.
• FIG. 6 is a partial representation, in perspective, of a wheelchair provided with an electric assistance device according to the invention, in the transport position, from another angle of view.
• Figure 7 is a detailed perspective view of a cam of an electric assist device according to the invention.
• FIG. 8 is a partial schematic representation, in perspective, of a wheelchair equipped with two electric assistance devices according to the invention.
• FIG. 9 is a partial schematic representation, in perspective, of a wheelchair equipped with two electric assistance devices according to another embodiment of the invention.
• FIG. 10 is a partial representation, in perspective, of a wheelchair provided with an electric assistance device according to another embodiment of the invention, in the engaged position.
• similar elements bear identical references.
• the invention relates to an electric assistance device 1 for a wheelchair 100 shown in Figures 8 and 9.
• the electric assistance device 1 essentially comprises a motor 2, a pinion 4 and an arm 6.
• the electric assistance device 1 comprises a preferably electric motor 2.
• the motor 2 has a rotor 22 and a stator 21. According to the embodiment presented here, it is a motor 2 of the motor 2 type with an outer rotor 22. It could be an alternative to a more conventional motor 2 with internal rotor 22.
• the rotor 22 is connected to the pinion 4.
• the rotor 22 is mounted on the stator 21 by means of ball bearings.
• Pinion 4 is driven directly by rotor 22. Alternatively, it can be driven by rotor 22 via a freewheel.
• the pinion 4 is intended to cooperate with a tire 110 of a wheel 104, 105 of the wheelchair 100, ie to come into contact with a tread 110a or, preferably, a sidewall 110b of this tire 110, so to be able to transmit to it a force making it possible to set the tire 110 in rotation and move the wheelchair 100.
• the pinion is toothed, that is to say that it is not smooth and has toothing, in other words a plurality of projecting elements improving the contact and friction between the pinion 4 and the tire. 110.
• the tire 110 is also cleverly toothed in a complementary manner, ie so as to be able to mesh with the toothing of the pinion 4. It is then understood that the force is transmitted much more effectively directly by pressing the toothings. , and not by simple friction.
• each tire 110 has toothing on at least one side and can equally well be used for a right wheel 104 or a left wheel 105 of the wheelchair 100, without being constrained by the particular geometry of the toothing when the latter has a symmetrical profile.
• identical tires 110 are used each comprising a helical toothing with a symmetrical profile on an internal flank 110b, which toothing cooperates with identical pinions 4 (it is understood that having identical toothings) arranged one from the right rear wheel 104 side and one from the left rear wheel 105 of wheelchair 100.
• symmetrical toothing it is understood, a toothing allowing the engagement and transmission of a force, whatever the direction of rotation of the pinion 4 (as opposed to an asymmetrical toothing in which a single direction of rotation of the pinion 4 would allow transmission of forces).
• the toothing has a pitch of between 1 and 4 millimeters.
• the toothing has a pitch of approximately 3 millimeters, which makes it possible to have an optimal transmissible torque for a reduced noise level.
• Pinion 4 is preferably made of metal, for example steel by superimposing stamped sheets with a thickness of between 0.5 and 2 mm or by milling.
• the toothing of the sidewall 110b, 110c of the tire is preferably made of a rubber mixture of a Shore A hardness preferably between 55 and 95 and even more preferably between 75 and 95 to promote the value of the driving force transmissible by the engine .
• the toothing is molded at the same time as the tire 110 or else it can be attached to a tire 110 previously molded.
• the motor 2 is connected to the wheelchair by the mobile arm 6.
• the mobile arm 6 makes it possible to maneuver the motor between three positions, an engaged position (FIGS. 1 and 2) in which the teeth of the pinion 4 are in contact (ie meshed) with the toothing of the tire 110 (electric assistance is then possible), a disengaged position ( Figures 3 and 4) in which the pinion 4 is not in contact with the tire 110 (i.e. not meshed with the toothing of the tire 110, in other words - slightly - away from the tire 110) (the wheelchair 100 returns to manual mode) and a transport position ( Figures 5 and 6) in which the pinion 4 is moved away from the tire 110 and retracted under the seat 103.
• the arm 6 makes it possible to approach or move away the pinion 4 of the tire 110.
• a proximal portion 63 of the arm 6 fixed to the motor 2 is oriented along an axis substantially parallel to a plane of the rear wheel 104 or 105.
• This arrangement allows a user to easily position the assistance device electric 1 in the engaged position, if desired.
• the motor is retracted under the seat 103, away from the wheel 104 or 105 (ie in the transport position, the motor 2 is further from the wheel 104 or 105 than in the disengaged position) .
• the proximal part 61 of the arm 6 is oriented along an axis substantially perpendicular to the plane of the rear wheel 104 or 105.
• a disengaged position and a transport position are particularly advantageous. Indeed, the disengaged position is particularly practical when driving, the proximity of the motor 2 to the wheel 104 or 105 makes it possible to quickly engage the electric assistance device 1.
• the disengaged position does not allow the wheelchair to be folded up. 100, or at least does not allow the wheelchair 100 to be folded up in a compact manner, the system part 1 forming an impractical protuberance for transport.
• the transport position for its part, allows the wheelchair 100 to be folded up without protrusion of the system 1.
• the arm 6 comprises a clamp 61 adapted to grip a tube 102 of the wheelchair 100.
• the clamp 61 has two half-jaws.
• the two half jaws are screwed together. This assembly makes it possible at the same time to be able to fix, at will, the device 1 on a wheelchair 100, while guaranteeing maximum safety. Indeed, when the two half-jaws are screwed they guarantee a reliable hold of the device 1.
• the arm 6 comprises a distal part 62 and a proximal part 63, articulated to one another.
• the distal part 62 is comprises the jaw 61 and the proximal part 63 is connected to the motor 2.
• a joint connects the distal part 62 and the proximal part 63.
• the joint is a pivot connection of axis A.
• the joint is provided with a cam 7.
• the cam 7 has a central bore 71 and a substantially oblong outer casing 72, and three inner holes 74.
• Three notches 76, 77, and 78 are formed in the outer casing 72.
• a substantially planar surface 79 on the outer casing 72 acts as a work surface in the engaged position mode.
• the notches 76 and 77 make it possible to lock in rotation for the transport and disengaged modes respectively the proximal part 63 relative to the distal part 62.
• the substantially flat surface 79 for its part serves to maintain a substantially force. constant between the pinion 4 and the toothing of the internal blank of the tire, in order to accommodate possible wheel warping and other positioning imperfections between the tire and the drive system.
• Notch 78 serves as a stopper in case the wheelchair wheel is removed while the system is in the engaged position, to limit the rotation of arm 63.
• the central bore 71 makes it possible to connect, in a pivot, the distal part 62 and the proximal part 63.
• the three interior bores 74 make it possible to fix the cam 7 to the proximal part 63, in a connection of the recess type.
• the cam 7 is movable in rotation with respect to the distal part 62 but is connected in rotation to the proximal part 63.
• a rotation of the cam 7 rotates the proximal part 63 with respect to the distal part 62 which is fixed and connected to the frame of the chair 100.
• the electric assistance device 1 comprises a lever 8 movable in rotation with axis A relative to the distal part 62.
• the lever 8 has one end provided with a roller 81.
• the roller 81 is configured to be engaged in the notches 76, 77 and 78, and resting on the substantially flat surface 79.
• a return spring 82 tends to maintain a contact force between the roller 81 and the cam 7.
• the roller is in the notches 76, 77 or 78 (the roller 81 in the notch 78 is only possible when the wheel is removed from the chair), these are stable positions in which the proximal part 63 is fixed in rotation with respect to the distal part.
• the contact force of the roller 81 on this substantially flat surface has the effect of exerting a torque of rotation of the proximal part of the arm 63 resulting in a force between the pinion 4 and the tire blank. This torque is due to the fact that the substantially planar surface 79 is not normal to a radius starting from the center of rotation of the cam 7.
• the passage from one position to another can be achieved by operating only the motor 2 or the proximal part 63. Under the force exerted, the roller 81 comes out of the notch 76, 77 or 78, or even from the surface. substantially planar 79 and slides on the outer casing 72.
• the electrical assistance device 1 comprises, in a known manner, a potentiometer (not shown) or other means making it possible to regulate the electrical energy supplied to the motor 2 and therefore to adjust its speed of rotation.
• a single potentiometer can control several motors 2.
• the electric assistance device 1 also includes one or more electric batteries for supplying the motor or motors 2.
• a person skilled in the art will be able to use known algorithms for controlling the motor or motors 2 to provide optimum electrical assistance.
• the invention relates to a wheelchair 100 equipped with one or more electric assistance devices 1.
• the wheelchair 100 is a known manual wheelchair, comprising a frame made up of a plurality of tubes 102, a seat 103, two rear wheels 104, 105 and two front wheels 107.
• the two rear wheels 104, 105 have a diameter significantly greater than the diameter of the two front wheels 107.
• the two rear wheels 104, 105 are each provided with an annular handle 106.
• the annular handles 106 allow a user to propel and steer the wheel. wheelchair 100.
• each rear wheel 104,105 is provided with a tire 110.
• Each tire 110 has a tread 110a intended to come into contact with the ground, two sidewalls 110b and 110c, including an internal sidewall 110b (oriented towards the middle of the chair 100 and an outer flank 110c (oriented towards the outside of the chair 100 and on the side of which there is the annular handle 106).
• the wheelchair 100 is equipped with at least one electric assistance device 1 adapted to cooperate with at least one wheel 104, 105, in particular the rear wheel 104 on the right or left 105 (since these are the larger wheels supporting the majority of the user's weight, and therefore capable of transmitting a significant tractive force to the ground without loss of grip between the tire and the ground).
• at least one wheel 104, 105 of the wheelchair is provided with the device 1.
• the wheelchair 100 is equipped with at least two electric assistance devices 1, ie at least one for each rear wheel 104 and 105, in particular one with the left rear wheel 105 and one the wheel. rear right 104.
• at least two electric assistance devices 1 ie at least one for each rear wheel 104 and 105, in particular one with the left rear wheel 105 and one the wheel. rear right 104.
• Such an embodiment allows more efficient symmetrical propulsion, and even allows the chair 100 to turn, if necessary, by applying different rotational speeds or torques to the left and to the right.
• said tire 1 10 of a wheel 104, 105 provided with the device 1 has a toothing complementary to a toothing of the pinion 4 connected to the rotor 22 of said motor 2 of the electric assistance device 1
• At least one of the flanks 1 10b, 1 10c, and in particular the internal flank 1 10b, and preferably each of the flanks 1 10b, 1 10c, has a symmetrical helical toothing, complementary to the symmetrical helical toothing of the pinion 4
• the toothing of the sidewall 110b has a pitch of between 1 and 4 millimeters.
• the toothing of the sidewall 110b has a pitch of approximately 3 millimeters, which makes it possible to have an optimum transmissible torque for a reduced noise level.
• each of the rear wheels 104 is provided with a device 1, while having the same tire 110 (having symmetrical toothing on each of its sidewalls 110b, 110c).
• each motor 2 is fixed by an arm 6 near each rear wheel 104, 105. So that the pinion 4 connected to each motor 2 can be meshed with the teeth of the tire 1 10 of the rear wheel 104, 105 corresponding.
• the device 1 is oriented so that the motor 2 is towards the front wheels 107.
• the motor 2 is towards the front wheels 107.
• this embodiment by traversing the device 1 in a direction going from the front wheels 107 to the rear wheels 104, 105, there is first of all the motor 2 then the pinion 4.
• the device 1 is oriented so that the pinion 4 is towards the front wheels 107.
• This second embodiment can provide a surplus of ergonomics for a user and can allow to avoid a possible collision of the motor 2 with objects at the front of the chair, such as table legs for example.
• this second embodiment makes the system more discreet, by concealing the motors behind the wheels, which is advantageous for the users.
• the arms 6 make it possible to maneuver the pinions 4 between an engaged position in which the pinions 4 are each meshed with a toothing of the corresponding tire 1 10, and a disengaged position in which the pinions 4 are spaced apart from the tires 1 10.
• the pinions 4 are meshed with the tires and the motors 2 can apply a torque to the rear wheels 104, 105.
• the pinions are remote from the tires and the motors 2 cannot. apply no torque to the rear wheels 104, 105.
• the arms also make it possible to maneuver the electric assistance devices 1 into the transport position.
• the pinions 4 are remote from the tires 110 and are retracted under the seat 103.
• This arrangement is particularly useful when the wheelchair is placed for example in the boot of a vehicle.
• This transport position is also useful when the user sits alone at the wheel of a motor vehicle, to pass the wheelchair frame laterally between his knees and the steering wheel, to the passenger seat, and vice versa to descend alone from the seat. vehicle and get back into your wheelchair.
• the electric assistance devices 1 are less exposed to possible collisions, or shocks, which could damage them.
• this arrangement is particularly advantageous, in the case of a folding wheelchair 100.
• a single potentiometer can be used to control the speed or the torque of the two motors 2.
• a user can activate the electric assistance by placing the arms 6 in the engaged position.
• the motors 2 will then be able to exert a torque on the rear wheels 104, 105.
• the force transmitted by the motors 2 will relieve the user who will have less effort to provide to move the wheelchair with the force of his arms.
• the electric assistance alone does not allow the wheelchair 100 to be moved.
• the potentiometer makes it possible to adjust the power of the electric assistance provided. The user can at any time place the arms 6 in the disengaged or transport position, thus disconnecting the electric assistance. In the disengaged, or transport, position, the user moves the wheelchair 100 using only the strength of his arms.
• the invention proposes an electric assistance device adaptable to a manual wheelchair 100, allowing use of the wheelchair 100 without electric assistance, and allowing the assistance devices to be retracted to facilitate transport of the wheelchair 100. .

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• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
• General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Public Health (AREA)
• Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
• Electric Propulsion And Braking For Vehicles (AREA)
• Handcart (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (2)

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ID=67514728

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (6)

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Family Cites Families (16)

• 2019
  • 2019-02-07 FR FR1901231A patent/FR3092489B1/fr active Active
• 2020
  • 2020-02-07 AU AU2020217975A patent/AU2020217975B2/en active Active
  • 2020-02-07 US US17/429,129 patent/US11413199B2/en active Active
  • 2020-02-07 CA CA3127270A patent/CA3127270C/fr active Active
  • 2020-02-07 WO PCT/FR2020/050218 patent/WO2020161447A1/fr not_active Ceased
  • 2020-02-07 EP EP20706801.6A patent/EP3920862B1/de active Active

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