THE WHEELCHAIR DRIVE UNIT AND THE METHOD OF MOUNTING THE DRIVE UNIT TO A WHEELCHAIR

Abstract

After manually setting the length of the variable length connecting element (6) that connects drive unit to the wheelchair with the specified seat length, the drive control sub-assembly (10) starts. The element (6), driven by the drive sub-assembly (10), moves down until it rests on the axle connecting the wheelchair wheels. At the same time, the unit frame (1) whose horizontal segment is placed under the footrest of the wheelchair also moves.

The connecting element (6) that connects the drive unit to the wheelchair as well as the end of the drive sub-assembly (10) whose other end is connected to the connecting element (6) are attached to the frame (1) mounted on the clamp (2) located on the steering system (3). The frame comprises of a horizontal segment and a segment forming an obtuse angle with the ground, while the horizontal part, which, after connecting the unit with the wheelchair, fits under the footrest, has two components (12), (13).

Claims

1. The method of mounting the drive unit to a wheelchair by setting manually the length of a variable length element connecting the unit to a wheelchair, characterized in that the connecting element (6), that connects unit to a wheelchair, is driven by a drive sub-assembly (10) and it moves in the symmetry of the unit towards the wheelchair and towards the ground until the connecting element (6) rests on the axle connecting the large wheels of the wheelchair and simultaneously with the movement of the connecting element (6) that connects unit to a wheelchair unit frame (1) moves towards the wheelchair wherein the horizontal segment of the frame is placed under the horizontal element of the wheelchair i.e. footrest and lifts the small front wheels of the wheelchair upwards.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the driven connecting element (6) that connects unit to a wheelchair moves until it engages the locking part (7) on the axle of the wheelchair wherein the locking part (7) is located at the end of the connecting element (6).

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the horizontal segment of the frame (1) moves until the wheelchair frame is positioned behind the internal sub-assembly (13) belonging to the horizontal segment of the frame (1).

4. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the position of the horizontal segment of the frame (1) is additionally locked with the bolt (15) attached to the connecting element (6).

5. A wheelchair drive unit equipped with a steering system having a wheel and a steering wheel, to which a frame connected to a connecting element of variable length is attached, where the sides of the frame consist of two parallel plates, characterized in that the frame (1) is mounted on a clamp (2) mounted in parallel rotation on a vertical part of the steering system (3) where the frame (1), equipped with two parallel plates (8), comprises of two segments, i.e. a horizontal one with the edge line that is horizontal to the ground and a rising one that rises from the ground with the edge line forming preferably an acute angle with the ground and there is a connecting element (6) that connects unit with the wheelchair that is attached to the frame (1), while the connecting element (6) is connected to the end of the drive sub-assembly (10), while the other end of the drive sub-assembly (10) is connected to the maintaining element (11) attached to the plates (8) of the frame (1).

6. The unit according to claim 5, characterized in that the frame (1) is mounted on a clamp (2) mounted in parallel rotation on a vertical part of the steering system (3).

7. The unit according to claim 5, characterized in that the edge line of the parallel plates (8), comprising the sides of the frame (1), preferably forms an obtuse angle.

8. The unit according to claim 5, characterized in that the connecting element (6) that connects unit to a wheelchair is mounted on a rotating element attached to both plates (8) of the frame (1).

9. The unit according to claim 5, characterized in that the connecting element (6) preferably of a telescopic structure, at its free end is equipped with a locking part (7) of a structure adapted to be mounted on the axle connecting the large wheels of a wheelchair.

10. The unit according to claim 5, characterized in that the connecting element (6) that connects unit to a wheelchair is equipped with a clamp (9) stabilizing the length of the connecting element (6).

11. The unit according to claim 5, characterized in that the maintaining element (11) that holds the end of the drive sub-assembly (10) is located between the plates (8) of the frame (1) near the clamp (2) mounted on the vertical part of the steering system (3).

12. The unit according to claim 5, characterized in that the horizontal segment of the frame (1) is equipped with two sub-assemblies, external (12) and internal (13), preferably rotatably attached to parallel plates (8) of the frame (1).

13. The unit according to claim 5, characterized in that the ends of the internal sub-assembly (13) are placed in the guides (14) on the parallel plates (8) of the frame (1).

14. The unit according to claim 5, characterized in that the connecting element (6) that connects unit to a wheelchair is equipped with a bolt (15) blocking the horizontal segment of the frame (1).

15. The unit according to claim 5, characterized in that on the steering system (3) there are two control buttons where the first button (16) connects the drive unit and the second button (17) disconnects it.

Description

EXAMPLE

[0010] The drive unit that is a subject of the invention is equipped with a frame (1) mounted on a clamp (2) mounted in parallel rotation on a vertical part of the steering system (3) to which the wheel (4) and the steering wheel (5) are attached. A frame (1), consisting of a part with a horizontal edge line extending to the part located at an angle slightly smaller than the right angle to the ground, is attached to the clamp (2). The sides of the frame (1) consist of two parallel plates (8), comprising a horizontal part and a rising part in relation to the ground, where the edge line of both parts preferably form an angle slightly larger than the right angle. Between the parallel plates (8) of the frame (1) there is a rotary element attached to both frame (1) plates (8), on which the element connecting (6) the drive unit with the wheelchair is rotationally mounted. The connecting element (6) has a telescopic structure that allows to change its length and maintain it by locking it with a stabilizing clamp (9) located on the element (6). In addition, there is a bolt (15) on the connecting element (6). The connecting element (6) at the other end is equipped with a locking part (7) adapted to be attached to the axle connecting the large wheels of a wheelchair. The drive sub-assembly (10) at the one end is attached to the connecting element (6), wherein the opposite end is attached to the maintaining element (11) of the drive sub-assembly (10). The maintaining element (11) is located between the parallel plates (8) near the clamp (2) mounted on the steering system (3). The horizontal segment of the frame (1) is equipped with two sub-assemblies, external (12) and internal (13), which are rotatably mounted, facilitating the entry of the frame (1) end under the footrest of the wheelchair. The ends of the internal sub-assembly (13) are placed in guides (14) located on the parallel plates (8) of the frame (1) what allows the additional sliding movement of this sub-assembly. On the vertical part of the steering system (3) there are two buttons (16) and (17) to control the operation of the unit.

[0011] Before the connection the wheelchair to the drive unit, the distance between points A and B is set, which is a characteristic value for a given copy of the wheelchair which design is always adapted to the measurements of the user. Point A is established by adjusting the length of the element connecting (6) the drive unit with the wheelchair, using its telescopic structure and blocking the set length with the help of a stabilizing clamp (9). Point B is determined by moving the internal sub-assembly (13) belonging to the horizontal segment of the frame (1) in the guides (14). Then, by means of the first button (16), a drive sub-assembly (10), preferably an electric actuator, is activated. The drive sub-assembly (10) moves the connecting element (6) until the locking part (7) located at the end of the connecting element (6) is placed on the axle connecting the large wheels of the wheelchair. Simultaneously with the movement of the connecting element (6), the frame (1) moves towards the wheelchair in a such way that the horizontal segment of the frame slides under the footrest of the wheelchair by lifting it up and thus raising the front wheels of the wheelchair. The wheelchair frame tube supporting the footrest is located behind the internal sub-assembly (13). In addition, the movable bolt (15) located on the connecting element (6) places between the user's feet, additionally pressing the footrest against the horizontal segment of the frame (1). The wheelchair is equipped with an additional drive unit and becomes a three-wheeled wheelchair. This allows the user to overcome longer distance and routes with uneven ground. The desired direction of the travel is obtained by manipulating the steering wheel (5) of the steering system (3) and the power source is the battery which the unit is equipped with. Using the second button (17), the drive sub-assembly (10) is activated what lifts the connecting element (6) and thus the locking part (7) of this element is removed from the wheelchair axle and the bolt (15) is unlocked. Frame (1) goes out from under the footrest. The front wheels of the wheelchair lower and the wheelchair becomes a wheelchair with a hand drive.