TWI898774B - Electric wheelchair automatic balancing structure - Google Patents

Abstract

An electric wheelchair automatic balancing structure comprises an electric wheelchair comprising a seat assembly, a rear wheel assembly, a front wheel assembly, and two power units. The seat assembly comprises a seat frame, two armrests, a user interface, a seat cushion, a seat back, a battery, and a main controller. The main controller is connected to a gyroscope and a speed sensor. The rear wheel assembly comprises two support tube assemblies, each comprising an outer tube and an inner tube that are nested together. The outer tube and the inner tube are connected by a telescopic device. A rear wheel is pivotally mounted at the distal end of each of the support tube assemblies. The front wheel assembly comprises two actuators and two front wheel frames, each pivotally mounted at the distal end of each of the front wheel frames.

Description

Electric wheelchair automatic balancing structure

The present invention relates to an "automatic balancing structure for an electric wheelchair," particularly an electric wheelchair that is more comfortable and safer to ride.

Wheelchairs provide mobility assistance to the injured, sick, paralyzed, elderly, and other individuals with physical disabilities and limited mobility. They also facilitate the use of wheelchairs by caregivers (such as family members, long-term caregivers, or medical personnel) to enable them to move outdoors. However, because these wheelchairs require manual propulsion, they are not only labor-intensive to use but also inefficient at achieving high speeds. In light of this, some industry players have developed electric wheelchairs equipped with a motor and manual control lever.

However, because electric wheelchairs travel at high speeds, if there is no real-time sensing mechanism to automatically adjust the height during movement, there is a risk that the center of gravity of the electric wheelchair will be too high, causing it to tip over. Furthermore, when ascending or descending a slope, the rider's limbs will be less able to support themselves on the electric wheelchair, causing them to lean forward or backward excessively, compromising riding comfort and safety.

Therefore, the inventors of the present invention aim to improve the problem of developing an automatic balancing structure for an electric wheelchair that can automatically raise and lower the wheelchair and adjust its level, thereby significantly improving the safety and comfort of the electric wheelchair.

With this in mind, the inventors of this invention conceived the idea and, drawing upon years of experience, devised a design. After extensive research, prototype testing, and numerous revisions and improvements, they ultimately launched the present invention.

Technical features of problem solving:

The electric wheelchair automatic balancing structure of the present invention has an electric wheelchair, which includes a seat assembly, a rear wheel assembly and a front wheel assembly, and the electric wheelchair is installed with two power devices so that the power devices provide the electric wheelchair with power when moving, wherein the seat assembly has a chair frame, and the chair frame is provided with two armrests, a user interface, a chair cushion, a chair back, a battery and a main controller, and the main controller is connected to a gyroscope and a speedometer. The gyroscope is used to detect the ground angle and transmit the detection result to the main controller. Then, the main controller can control the extension and retraction of the rear wheel assembly according to the different ground angles. The battery provides the required power to the main controller, the rear wheel assembly, the front wheel assembly and the power device, so that the main controller, the rear wheel assembly, the front wheel assembly and the power device can all operate smoothly. The rear wheel assembly has a Two support tube groups are provided on both sides of the rear of the frame and extend obliquely downward. The two support tube groups each have an outer tube and an inner tube that are connected to each other. The outer tube and the inner tube are connected by a telescopic device. The actuation of the telescopic device enables the inner tube to perform coaxial telescopic displacement in the outer tube. A rear wheel is pivotally provided at the end of each support tube group. The front wheel assembly has two actuators and two front wheel frames. The two actuators are respectively installed in front of the bottom surface of the chair frame. On both sides, the two front wheel frames each have a main section and an extension. The main section is horizontally arranged and slotted with the actuator, allowing it to be driven by the actuator to produce horizontal displacement. The extension extends downwardly and obliquely from one end of the main section, allowing it and the support tube assembly to form an outward-facing "eight" shape. A front wheel is pivotally mounted at the end of each extension section of the two front wheel frames. This provides the electric wheelchair with an automatic balancing mechanism.

Compared with the effectiveness of previous technologies:

(1) The electric wheelchair of the present invention has an automatic balancing structure. The electric wheelchair can adjust the angle of the human body after riding through the rear wheel assembly to avoid the body leaning too far backward on uphill sections or too far forward on downhill sections, making the ride relatively comfortable.

(2) The electric wheelchair of the present invention has an automatic balancing structure. When the electric wheelchair is traveling at a higher speed, the front wheel assembly automatically lowers the center of gravity of the seat assembly, allowing the electric wheelchair to be closer to the ground, thereby preventing overturning at higher speeds and doubling the safety of use.

Part of this invention

(10): Seat assembly

(11): Chair frame

(111): Platform

(112):Handle

(12): Armrests

(13): User Interface

(14): Chair cushion

(141): Pressure film

(15): Chair back

(16):Battery

(17): Main controller

(171): Gyroscope

(172): Speed sensor

(20):Rear wheel assembly

(21): Support tube assembly

(211): External tube

(212):Inner tube

(213): Telescopic device

(22):Rear wheel

(30):Front wheel assembly

(31):Actuator

(32):Front wheel frame

(321): Main body paragraph

(322): Extension

(33):Front wheel

(40): Power plant

[Figure 1] is a plan view of the present invention.

Figure 2 shows the present invention in an uphill state.

Figure 3 shows the present invention in a downhill state.

Figure 4 shows the front wheel frame of the present invention when extended.

To help you gain a deeper understanding of the purpose, features, and efficacy of this invention, please provide the following detailed description with the accompanying diagrams:

Generally, according to the present invention, please refer to FIG1 , which shows an electric wheelchair, which includes a seat assembly (10), a rear wheel assembly (20) and a front wheel assembly (30), and two power devices (40) are installed on the electric wheelchair so that the power devices (40) provide the electric wheelchair with power when it is moving. The seat assembly (10) has a chair frame (11), and the chair frame (11) is provided with two armrests (12), a user interface (13), a chair cushion (14), a chair back (15), a battery (16) and a main controller (17). The main controller (17) is connected to a gyroscope (1 71) and a speed sensor (172), using the gyroscope (171) to detect the ground angle, and then transmitting the detection result to the main controller (17), the main controller (17) can control the rear wheel assembly (20) to extend and retract according to the different ground angles, and the battery (16) provides the required power to the main controller (17), the rear wheel assembly (20), the front wheel assembly (30) and the power device (40), so that the main controller (17), the rear wheel assembly (20), the front wheel assembly (30) and the power device (40) can all operate smoothly. The rear wheel assembly (20) has an installation Two support tube groups (21) are provided on both sides of the rear of the chair frame (11) and extend obliquely downward. The two support tube groups (21) each have an outer tube (211) and an inner tube (212) that are connected to each other. The outer tube (211) and the inner tube (212) are connected by a telescopic device (213). The inner tube (212) can be coaxially telescopically displaced in the outer tube (211) by the actuation of the telescopic device (213). A rear wheel (22) is provided at the end of each of the two support tube groups (21). The front wheel assembly (30) has two actuators (31) and two front wheel frames (32). The two actuators (31 ) are respectively installed at the front two sides of the bottom surface of the chair frame (11). The two front wheel frames (32) each have a main body section (321) and an extension section (322). The main body section (321) is horizontally arranged and is sleeved with the actuator (31), so that the main body section (321) can be driven by the actuator (31) to produce horizontal displacement. The extension section (322) extends downwardly from one end of the main body section (321) so that the extension section (322) and the support tube assembly (21) can form an outward-facing "X" shape. A front wheel (33) is centrally provided at the end of the extension section (322) of the two front wheel frames (32).

The present invention provides an automatic balancing structure for an electric wheelchair, wherein the electric wheelchair is foldable.

The present invention provides an electric wheelchair automatic balancing structure, wherein a platform (111) is provided on the chair frame (11), so that the battery (16) and the main controller (17) can be installed and fixed on the platform (111).

The present invention provides an electric wheelchair automatic balancing structure, wherein the chair frame (11) is provided with a handle (112), so that the electric wheelchair can also be operated by hand pushing.

The present invention provides an electric wheelchair automatic balancing structure, wherein a pedal (not shown) is provided on the chair frame (11), allowing the accompanying caregiver to stand on the pedal and then be carried forward by the electric wheelchair.

The present invention provides an electric wheelchair automatic balancing structure, wherein the user interface (13) is used to provide a passenger with control, so that the electric wheelchair can be controlled to move forward, backward or turn through the user interface (13), and the user interface (13) is a joystick control interface, a button control interface or a panel control interface.

The present invention provides an electric wheelchair automatic balancing structure, wherein a pressure film (141) is provided inside the seat cushion (14). The pressure film (141) is used to detect whether a passenger is sitting on the seat cushion (14), so that after the passenger sits on the seat cushion (14), the pressure film (141) is used to activate the main controller (17) to operate.

The present invention provides an electric wheelchair automatic balancing structure, wherein the gyroscope (171) and the speed sensor (172) are directly arranged on the main controller (17).

The present invention provides an electric wheelchair automatic balancing structure, wherein the support pipe assembly (21) is an electric cylinder.

The present invention provides an electric wheelchair automatic balancing structure, wherein the actuator (31) is a servo motor, the servo motor is provided with a gear (not shown), and the main body section (321) of the front wheel frame (32) is provided with a gear (not shown). By engaging the gear with the gear, the front wheel frame (32) can be smoothly driven by the actuator (31) to move in translation.

The present invention provides an electric wheelchair automatic balancing structure, wherein the front wheel (33) is larger than the rear wheel (22).

The present invention provides an electric wheelchair automatic balancing structure, wherein the front wheel (33) has a wheel diameter of 16 inches.

The present invention provides an electric wheelchair automatic balancing structure, wherein the two power devices (40) are wheel hub motors, and the two wheel hub motors are respectively installed on the two front wheels (33).

When the seat is actually used, if the vehicle encounters an uphill road, the gyroscope (171) can be used to detect the road angle, and then the main controller (17) can be used to drive the inner tube (212) to extend through the retractable device (213) (see FIG2 ) so that the seat cushion (14) can be kept in a horizontal state to prevent the passenger from leaning back excessively. Conversely, if the vehicle encounters a downhill road, the gyroscope (171) can be used to detect the road angle, and then the main controller (17) can be used to drive the inner tube (212) to retract significantly through the retractable device (213) (see FIG3 ) so that the seat cushion (14) can also be kept in a horizontal state to prevent the passenger from leaning forward excessively.

As shown in Figure 4, when the speed sensor (172) detects that the electric wheelchair is moving too fast (the system is set at 10 km/h), the main controller (17) will drive the front wheel frame (32) to move forward and then extend through the actuator (31), so that the wheelbase of the front wheel (33) and the rear wheel (22) can be widened, and the seat assembly (10) automatically descends. With this design that can lower the center of gravity, the electric wheelchair can still maintain balance and stability when moving at high speed, and the safety of use is doubled.

The above-mentioned electric wheelchair automatic balancing structure has the following advantages: (1) the electric wheelchair can correct the angle of the human body after sitting through the rear wheel assembly (20), so as to avoid the situation where the body leans back too much on an uphill section or leans forward too much on a downhill section, making the ride relatively comfortable; (2) when the electric wheelchair is moving at a faster speed, the center of gravity of the seat assembly (10) can be automatically lowered through the front wheel assembly (30), so that the electric wheelchair can be closer to the ground, thereby avoiding overturning at a higher speed, and doubling the safety of use.

However, the above is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and should not be used to limit the scope of implementation of the present invention. In other words, all equivalent changes and modifications made within the scope of the patent application for this invention should still fall within the scope of this invention patent.

(10): Seat assembly

(11): Chair frame

(111): Platform

(112):Handle

(12): Armrests

(13): User Interface

(14): Chair cushion

(141): Pressure film

(15): Chair back

(16):Battery

(17): Main controller

(171): Gyroscope

(172): Speed sensor

(20):Rear wheel assembly

(21): Support tube assembly

(211): External tube

(212):Inner tube

(213): Telescopic device

(22):Rear wheel

(30):Front wheel assembly

(31):Actuator

(32):Front wheel frame

(321): Main body paragraph

(322): Extension

(33):Front wheel

(40): Power plant

Claims (10)

An electric wheelchair automatic balancing structure includes an electric wheelchair comprising a seat assembly, a rear wheel assembly, and a front wheel assembly. Two power devices are mounted on the electric wheelchair to provide power to the electric wheelchair during travel. The structure comprises: The seat assembly comprises a chair frame equipped with two armrests, a user interface, a seat cushion, a backrest, a battery, and a main controller. The main controller is connected to a gyroscope and a speed sensor. The gyroscope detects the ground angle and transmits the detected result to the main controller, which then controls the extension and retraction of the rear wheel assembly based on the ground angle. The battery provides the necessary power to the main controller, the rear wheel assembly, the front wheel assembly, and the power unit, ensuring their smooth operation. The rear wheel assembly comprises two support tube assemblies mounted on either side of the rear of the chair frame and extending obliquely downward. Each support tube assembly comprises an outer tube and an inner tube that are telescopically connected. The outer and inner tubes are connected via a telescopic mechanism. The mechanism is activated to allow the inner tube to coaxially extend and retract within the outer tube. A rear wheel is pivotally mounted at the distal end of each support tube assembly. The front wheel assembly comprises two actuators and two front wheel frames. The two actuators are mounted on either side of the front of the seat frame bottom surface. Each front wheel frame comprises a main section and an extension. The main section is horizontally arranged and slotted with the actuators, allowing the main section to be driven by the actuators to produce horizontal displacement. The extension extends downwardly and obliquely from one end of the main section, forming an outward-facing "X" shape with the support tube assembly. A front wheel is pivotally mounted at the end of each extension of the two front wheel frames. The electric wheelchair automatic balancing structure as described in claim 1, wherein the electric wheelchair is foldable. The electric wheelchair automatic balancing structure as described in claim 1, wherein the chair frame is provided with a platform on which the battery and the main controller can be mounted and fixed. The electric wheelchair automatic balancing structure as described in claim 1, wherein the chair frame is provided with a handle. The electric wheelchair automatic balancing structure as described in claim 1, wherein the user interface is a joystick control interface. The electric wheelchair automatic balancing structure as described in claim 1, wherein a pressure film connected to the main controller is provided inside the seat cushion. The electric wheelchair automatic balancing structure as described in claim 1, wherein the gyroscope and the speed sensor are directly mounted on the main controller. The electric wheelchair automatic balancing structure as described in claim 1, wherein the support tube assembly is an electric cylinder. The electric wheelchair automatic balancing structure as described in claim 1, wherein the front wheel is larger than the rear wheel. The electric wheelchair automatic balancing structure as described in claim 1, wherein the two power devices are wheel hub motors, and the two wheel hub motors are respectively installed on the two front wheels.