EP1609449A2 - Vehicle for a disabled person - Google Patents

Abstract

The vehicle has a frame (20) with a floor pan (16) to receive a wheel chair, and two arms (24, 28) whose one end is connected to wheels (18) and another end is rotatably mounted around two rotational axles (26, 30). The axles are connected to ends of two lateral walls. An actuator (34) controls the rotation of the arms to lower the pan at the ground level. The arms extend from the axles in a direction opposite to sides of the frame.

Description

The present invention relates to a motor vehicle for person to reduced mobility.

We already know this type of vehicle allowing a person with mobility reduced to move, especially on rough terrain, without help outside and without leaving his chair.

Thus, the document FR-2,671,720 describes such a device comprising a frame open U-shaped mobile to allow access to an armchair as well as two shoes hinged relative to said frame provided for lifting the chair and secure it to the chassis. In addition, a shaped tubular frame roll bar lowers to protect the user.

Although the motor vehicle described in this document provides a great deal of autonomy and allows access without the need for the person to leave armchair, it does not give full satisfaction because of a large number of moving parts provided for lifting and securing the chair which can be detrimental to reliability.

Another device, described in document EP-1.001.727, comprises a frame mobile with a rear seat that can receive a chair rolling. According to this embodiment, the plate may incline in loading position so that one of its sides is substantially at ground level to form a ramp. This type of vehicle does not give satisfaction because the plate is relatively inclined in position of loading making access difficult for a person in a wheelchair so that a helper Outside is often required to introduce the wheelchair into the vehicle.

Also, the present invention aims at overcoming the disadvantages of the prior art in offering a motor vehicle of simple and reliable design, allowing a person with reduced mobility to move, particularly on accident, without outside help and without leaving his chair.

For this purpose, the subject of the invention is a motor vehicle for reduced mobility including a floor capable of receiving a chair characterized in that it comprises a chassis comprising said floor and two side walls, wheels attached at the end of the arm whose other end is pivotally mounted about pivot axes reported on the outside of each side wall, as well as actuators provided to control the pivoting of the arms in order to lower the floor at the level of ground.

Preferably, the arms extend in the opposite direction from axes of pivoting closely spaced on each side of the frame so as to provide better stability.

Advantageously, each arm comprises a tubular part with a first end of the hinge means to the frame so as to allow pivoting about the pivot axis and at a second end of means for supporting a wheel, said articulation means comprising at least a ball joint and preferably two.

• la figure 1A est une vue en élévation latérale du dispositif de l'invention dans un premier état dit haut,
• la figure 1B est une vue en élévation latérale du dispositif de l'invention dans un deuxième état dit bas,
• la figure 2 est une vue de dessus d'une moitié du dispositif,
• la figure 3 est une demi-vue en coupe verticale selon la direction transversale illustrant les moyens d'immobilisation d'un fauteuil roulant,
• la figure 4A est une vue en élévation latérale illustrant en détail les moyens d'amortissement,
• la figure 4B est une vue de dessus des moyens d'amortissement,
• la figure 5A est une vue en coupe verticale selon une direction transversale illustrant les moyens d'articulation des bras supportant les roues,
• la figure 5B est une vue de dessus illustrant en détail un renfort,
• la figure 5C est une vue de dessus montrant un bras,
• la figure 6A est une vue en élévation latérale des commandes,
• la figure 6B est une vue de dessus des commandes en position rétractée, et
• la figure 6C est une vue de dessus des commandes en position de fonctionnement.

Other features and advantages will become apparent from the following description of the invention, a description given by way of example only, with reference to the appended drawings in which:

• FIG. 1A is a side elevational view of the device of the invention in a first so-called high state,
• FIG. 1B is a side elevational view of the device of the invention in a second so-called low state,
• FIG. 2 is a view from above of a half of the device,
• FIG. 3 is a half-view in vertical section along the transverse direction illustrating the means of immobilization of a wheelchair,
• FIG. 4A is a side elevational view illustrating in detail the damping means,
• FIG. 4B is a view from above of the damping means,
• FIG. 5A is a vertical sectional view in a transverse direction illustrating the means of articulation of the arms supporting the wheels,
• FIG. 5B is a top view illustrating in detail a reinforcement,
• FIG. 5C is a view from above showing an arm,
• FIG. 6A is a side elevational view of the controls,
• FIG. 6B is a view from above of the controls in the retracted position, and
• Figure 6C is a top view of the controls in the operating position.

In the various figures, there is shown in 10 a motor vehicle for a person with reduced mobility who can receive a wheelchair materialized in the figures by a large wheel 12 likely to correspond to the back of the chair and a small wheel 14 may correspond to the front. There are many types of chairs that can be more or less wide. The armchair is not more detailed because it is within the reach of the person skilled in the art and is not the essential element of the invention.

The vehicle 10 comprises a floor 16 capable of receiving a chair rolling and lowering to occupy a first state in which the floor is offset from the ground, as shown in FIG. 1A, so as to obtain sufficient ground clearance to allow the vehicle to move, particularly on uneven ground, and a second state in which the floor is disposed substantially at ground level, as shown in the figure 1B, so as to provide easy access to a wheelchair.

For this purpose, the vehicle 10 comprises wheels 18, preferably four, articulated with respect to the floor 16 in a vertical plane so as to allow said floor to lower.

According to a preferred embodiment, the vehicle comprises a chassis 20, preferably folded sheet metal, with a section in one direction U-shaped cross section (perpendicular to the direction of travel of the vehicle), of which the base forms the floor 16, as shown in Figure 3. The side walls 22 of the chassis are separated by a sufficient distance to allow access to the widest wheelchair.

According to the invention, the vehicle comprises for each side a front articulated arm 24 capable of pivoting in a substantially vertical plane about an axis 26 extending substantially perpendicularly from the side walls 22, and a rear articulated arm 28 capable of pivoting in a plane substantially vertical around an axis 30 extending substantially perpendicularly from side walls, each arm 24, 28 supporting a wheel 18 whose axis of rotation 32 is offset relative to the pivot axes 26, 30 of the arms, a actuator 34 such as a jack connecting the front arm 24 and the rear arm 28 of to cause their pivoting simultaneously. The movement of pivoting of the arms in a plane parallel to the side walls makes it possible to obtain a lowering of the floor substantially horizontally contributing to improve the accessibility of the vehicle. The U-shape of the chassis and the position of the pivot axes 26 and 30 at the side walls forming the branches U-shaped wheels provide better ground clearance and self-supporting simple design, the frame and hull forming a single element.

According to a variant, an actuator can be provided for the front arm 24 and a another for the rear arm 28. According to another variant, one can provide a single actuator with two output rods each connected to an arm.

Preferably, the pivot axes 26 and 30 may be merged or not, the front arm 24 and the rear arm 28 extending from the pivot axes 26, 30 in the opposite direction so that the axes of rotation 32 of the wheels are the further apart so as to provide better stability.

Advantageously, the arms 24 or 28 comprise at a first end the axis of pivoting 26 or 30 and at the other end the axis of rotation 32 of the wheels, the force generated by the actuator or actuators 34 being applied to the arm between the axis of pivoting and the axis of rotation of the wheels. This arrangement makes it possible to obtain a greater travel of the wheels which helps to increase the ground clearance.

The position of the pivot axes 26 and 30 at the end of the arms, said axes being separated from each other at a short distance from one another, single drive motor for each side, likely to drive the wheel front and rear wheel. This arrangement reduces the number of parts to improve the reliability and remove the joints needed for the direction, the turns of the vehicle being obtained from different speeds drive wheels on each side of said vehicle.

According to a preferred embodiment, in a high position as represented on 1A, the front and rear arms 24, 28 are in substantially horizontal, the body 34.1 of the actuator 34 being connected to the rear arm 28 and the free end of the rod 34.2 of the actuator 34 in the extended position connected to the front arm 24. In the lower position as shown in Figure 1B, the rod 34.2 of the actuator is in the retracted position, causing the arms to pivot front and rear and lowering the floor 16.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the frame 20 comprises two parts, a front portion 36 forming a receptacle with the lower part floor 16, and a rear portion 38 may receive a motorization, the front and rear parts being separated by a partition 40.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the vehicle comprises a flap 42 articulated along an axis 44 with respect to the free edge of the floor 16, capable of rotate and occupy a first so-called raised position as illustrated by the 1A, in which the free edge 46 of the flap is disposed above the floor 16 and opposes the exit of the wheelchair from the vehicle, and a second so-called downward position as illustrated by FIG. 1B, in which the free edge 46 of the flap is disposed at or below the floor 16 and promotes access.

Advantageously, at least one of the actuators 34 is used to ensure the pivoting the shutter. To do this, the flap 42 is connected via a rod 48 to the actuator 34, in particular to the body of the actuator. Preferably, an extensible element such as a spring is provided between the rod 48 and the part 42.

According to another characteristic, the vehicle comprises at floor level means for guiding the wheelchair, in particular favoring the centering of the armchair in the vehicle. According to a preferred embodiment and illustrated by the 3, these guide means comprise at least one rail 50 attached to the floor 16 whose wall is likely to serve as a support surface to one side surfaces of at least one wheel. Advantageously, a rail 50 is provided for each wheel 12 rear wheelchair, likely to serve as bearing surface on the inner surface of said wheels. Preferably, the position of this or these rails 50 on the floor 16 is adjustable. For this purpose, the floor 16 includes oblong holes or lights extending transversely for allow this setting.

In addition to the rails 50, slides 52 can be reported at the side walls 22, depending on the width of the wheelchair, so to guide the handrails. The arrangement of the slides 52, in particular the height relative to the floor 16, is adjusted according to the chair.

According to another characteristic, the vehicle comprises means immobilization of the chair. According to a preferred embodiment and illustrated by FIG. 3, these immobilization means comprise on the one hand at least one rail 50 capable of bearing against one of the faces of at least one wheel of the armchair, and secondly, an element 54 likely to be supported against the other side of the wheel and press against the rail 50 to wedge the said wheel. Advantageously, the immobilization means comprise two rails 50 likely to bear against the inner faces of the rear wheels 12 of the chair and two inflatable elements 54 arranged between said wheels 12 and the side walls 22.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the vehicle comprises means amortization. Preferably, the damping means comprise, for each wheel, a link 56 interposed between the actuator 34 and the articulated arm front and / or rear 24, 28 and a damping element 58 limiting the relative movements between the arm and the link 56.

According to a preferred embodiment and illustrated by FIGS. 4A and 4B, the rod 56 is in the form of a yoke with two walls 60, 60 ' which can be arranged on either side of the rod of the actuator 34 and a support element 62 connecting the two walls 60, 60 ', said clevis supporting a first axis of rotation 64 in the upper part likely to be housed in a bore 66 formed at the end of the rod of the actuator 34 and a second axis of rotation 68 in the lower part may be housed in a bore 70 formed at a block 72 secured to the arm. In addition, the damping element 58, preferably of cylindrical shape, such as by example a rubber element, comprises a first end face 74 connected to the support element 62 and a second end face 76 connected to the arm.

In the high position of the floor, the damping element 58 allows a low movement between the arm and the rod 56 so as to dampen any irregularities of the soil. When the actuator 34 retracts, the rod 56 transmits a pivoting movement to the arm.

Preferably, adjustable stops 35 may be provided to adjust the end stroke of the actuators 34 and thus adjust the attitude of the vehicle by adjusting the length R of said stops. As illustrated in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the stops adjustable are preferably four in number, each of which is come into contact with the wall 60 of the screed. The adjustable stops 35 are preferably integral with the side walls 22.

FIGS. 5A to 5C show a preferred embodiment of the arms and their articulation relative to the chassis.

The arm 24 or 28 comprises a tubular portion 80 with a first end of the articulation means 82 to the frame 20 so as to allow the pivoting about the axis 26 or 30 and at a second end of the means 84 of support of a wheel 18.

The support means 84 comprise a rocket 86 supporting an axis of rotation 88, substantially horizontal and perpendicular to the direction of advance, with a first end a flange 90 on which is likely to be fixed a wheel 18 and at a second end a pinion 92 for training in wheel rotation.

The articulation means 82 comprise at least one ball joint and preferably two. According to one embodiment, an arm support 94 is provided on each side of the chassis. It comprises a base 96 secured to the floor of the chassis which extends outwards from the chassis and whose free end supports a plate 98 substantially parallel to the side wall 22 of the frame. Advantageously, reinforcements are provided to support the base 96 and the plate 98. As illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the reinforcements comprise a tube oblique 100 whose one end is secured to the side wall 22 and the other of the plate 98. In addition, the reinforcements may comprise a tube vertical 102 connecting the oblique tube 100 to the upper edge of the side wall 22.

For each pivot axis 26, 30, the articulation means 82 comprise a first axis 104 reports to the outside of the side wall 22 of the frame and a second axis 106 reports on the plate 98, extending towards said side wall 22. Each axis 104 and 106 respectively supports a ball joint 108 and 110 connected to the arm.

For the drive in rotation of the wheels, a motor 112 is provided for each side of the frame 20, reported on the base 96. It comprises a first gear of output 114 capable of rotating a wheel including the front wheel via a chain 116 for example, and a second output gear 118 capable of causing a wheel to rotate, in particular the rear wheel. The transmission means such as the chain are preferably arranged to the inside of the tubular portion 80 of the arm for better protection.

Advantageously, the motors 112 are of the hydraulic type and are controlled by dissociated way to be able to turn the vehicle. The power and control of the hydraulic circuit is advantageously arranged at the level of the rear part 38 of the chassis. According to one embodiment, the power and control includes a dual variable flow pump that can feed the hydraulic motors 112. The hydraulic circuits are not detailed because they are within the reach of the skilled person.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the vehicle comprises a support 120 retractable for steering controls 122, as illustrated by the Figures 6A-6C. This support 120 is capable of occupying two positions, a first retracted position as shown in Figure 6B in which it allows wheelchair access and a second position called operation, as illustrated by Figure 6A in which it provides a better gripping of orders 122.

This support 120 comprises a plate 124 on which can be reported the controls 122 and possibly an armrest 126 and a base 128 connected to one of the side walls 22, hinge means being provided between the base 128 and the plate 124.

Advantageously, the position of the base 128 relative to the side wall 22 is adjustable for example by lights or oblong holes in the level of said side wall and / or the base.

The hinge means comprise two links 130 forming with the base and the plate a deformable parallelogram so as to always preserve the same orientation. The rotation of at least one rod can be performed by any appropriate means, in particular by a cable 132 associated with return means, such as a spring.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the vehicle comprises a sensor the presence of an armchair allowing, especially when the chair comes into contact with the partition 40, to control the means of immobilization, the actuators 34 so as to raise the floor 16 and the flap 42 and the pivoting of the control support.

Of course, the invention is obviously not limited to the embodiment shown and described above, but covers all variants, particular with regard to the shapes, dimensions and materials of the different components of the vehicle.

Claims (10)

Motor vehicle for persons with reduced mobility comprising a floor (16) capable of receiving a wheelchair, characterized in that it comprises a frame (20) comprising said floor (16) and two side walls (22), wheels (18) ) at the end of the arm (24, 28) whose other end is pivotally mounted about pivot axes (26, 30) attached to the outside of each side wall (22), and actuators (34) for controlling the pivoting of the arms (24, 28) to lower the floor at ground level. Motor vehicle for persons with reduced mobility according to claim 1, characterized in that the pivot axes (26, 30) are separated by a small distance from one another, the arms (24, 28) extending from the pivot axes 26, 30 in opposite directions on each side of the frame (20) so as to provide better stability. Motor vehicle for persons with reduced mobility according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that each arm (24, 28) comprises a tubular portion (80) with at one end means (82) for articulation with the frame (20). to enable pivoting about the pivot axis (26, 30) and at a second end means (84) for supporting a wheel (18), said articulation means (82) having at least one ball joint and preferably two. Motor vehicle for persons with reduced mobility according to claim 3, characterized in that it comprises a motor (112) on each side of the frame (20) for simultaneously driving the front and rear wheels via means transmission preferably disposed within the tubular portion (80) of the arm for better protection. Motor vehicle for persons with reduced mobility according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises for each side wall (22) an actuator (34), part of which, in particular the body, is connected to the front arm (24). ) and another part, in particular the rod, is connected to the rear arm (28) so as to cause said arms to pivot simultaneously with a single actuator (34). Motor vehicle for persons with reduced mobility according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a flap (42) articulated along an axis (44) with respect to the free edge of the floor (16), capable of pivoting and to occupy a first raised position in which the free edge (46) of the flap is disposed above the floor (16) and opposes the exit of the wheelchair of the vehicle, and a second so-called lowered position in which the free edge (46) of the flap is disposed at or below the floor (16) and promotes access. Motor vehicle for person with reduced mobility according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at the floor (16) wheelchair guiding means promoting in particular the centering of the wheelchair in the vehicle. Motor vehicle for persons with reduced mobility according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises means for immobilizing the chair comprising on the one hand at least one rail (50) capable of bearing against one at least one wheel of the wheelchair, and secondly, at least one inflatable element (54) able to bear against the other face of the wheel and to press against the rail (50) in order to jam said wheel. Motor vehicle for persons with reduced mobility according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises damping means comprising a rod (56) interposed between an actuator (34) and the articulated arm (24, 28). and a damping element (58) limiting the relative movements between the arm and the link (56). Motor vehicle for persons with reduced mobility according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a support (120) retractable for control commands (122), capable of occupying two positions, a first position called retracted wherein it authorizes the access of the wheelchair and a second so-called operating position in which it provides a better grip of the controls (122).

Images