FR3049455A1 - ALL-TERRAIN TRANSPORTATION VEHICLE FOR WHEELCHAIR PERSON HAVING A VARIABLE WIDTH ADJUSTABLE TO THE WIDTH OF THE WHEELCHAIR - Google Patents

Abstract

A wheelchair transport vehicle (10) for a wheelchair user comprises a frame (11) defining a platform (12) capable of receiving the wheelchair, four wheels (15d, 15g) allowing the transport vehicle (10) to roll on the ground (30) and a system for varying the height of the platform (12) relative to the ground (30). The platform (12) thus freely varies between a low position in which the platform (12) is situated substantially at ground level (30) and a high position in which the platform (12) delimits a ground clearance with respect to the ground ( 30) allowing the transport vehicle (10) to ride on uneven terrain. The frame (11) comprises two half-frames each carrying a platform portion (12d, 12g) and a sidewall (13d, 13g) extending upwardly from the corresponding platform portion (12d, 12g). The two half-frames are connected to each other by a connecting mechanism adapted to vary the distance separating the two half-frames between them in a lateral direction (Y) according to which the width of the transport vehicle (10) is counted to allow to adjust the distance laterally separating the two side walls (13d, 13g) to the width of the wheelchair boarded on the platform (12).

Description

The present invention relates to a wheelchair transport vehicle comprising: a frame defining a platform capable of receiving the wheelchair, four wheels allowing the transport vehicle to roll on the ground, a system for varying the height of the wheelchair; platform relative to the ground for varying the platform between a low position in which the platform is located substantially at ground level and a high position in which the platform defines a ground clearance relative to the ground allowing the transport vehicle to roll on rough terrain.

The problem is known to try to provide solutions for people with reduced mobility, especially people moving in wheelchairs, able to allow them to regain as much autonomy as possible in their daily lives, whether in a setting professional or in a leisure environment, and this as easily as possible preserving as much as possible efficiency and ergonomics as much as comfort for users.

In known manner, there are motor vehicles designed to allow their use completely independently without the disabled person needing to leave his wheelchair. The vehicle is equipped with a wheelchair transhipment means between the ground and the floor of the vehicle, ramp type or floor lift. But these vehicles are very expensive and reserved for use on the road, which represent two limiting factors for their democratization and for freedom of use and flexibility.

There are also wheelchairs dedicated to use on solid ground and equipped with electric propulsion means to give greater autonomy for the user and a greater diversity of travel and access possibilities.

But these solutions are complex, cumbersome, expensive, difficult to handle and lack ergonomics because the disabled person who typically has a single wheelchair must use this wheelchair even in the current situations where the benefits sought by these solutions do not present of interest and where a conventional wheelchair would suffice and would be even more practical to handle.

There are also crawler wheelchairs to allow use on rough terrain but the disadvantages are the same.

In an attempt to address these various issues at the same time, wheelchair transport vehicles, which are much smaller, simpler and less expensive than a sedan or minivan vehicle, have been devised. out of the roads. These transport vehicles make it possible to temporarily board the wheelchair without the disabled person having to leave his wheelchair and then to offer, via the transport vehicle's capacities which are clearly superior to those of the wheelchair, a greater autonomy and greater diversity of movements, access and crossings: the transport vehicle on which the wheelchair is embedded allows the user to go to places and places, to cross obstacles or to travel rough terrain that he would not have access to with the intrinsic abilities of the wheelchair.

A solution of this kind is for example described in EP1609449A2 in the name of the Applicant, the transport vehicle being motorized by means of hydraulic motors. The transport vehicle comprises a frame equipped with a floor and side walls delimiting a location adapted to receive a wheelchair and actuators adapted to lower the floor at ground level when the wheelchair is placed on the floor or landing. Once the wheelchair aboard the transport vehicle, the actuators can raise the floor above the ground so as to provide sufficient ground clearance for moving the transport vehicle on rough terrain. The side walls of the chassis are separated by a distance sufficient to allow access to the widest wheelchair.

The Applicant also markets four-wheel drive vehicles known under the trade name "AlterEgo", designed to allow use on rough terrain and using a thermal engine. These vehicles are generally in the form of a quad and allows very good crossing capacity on rough terrain. Although these transport vehicles are efficient and partly meet the problems mentioned above, they are not yet entirely satisfactory and remain perfectible in terms of cost, weight, maneuverability, size, complexity of design and manufacturing , ergonomics and environmental impact.

The present invention aims to solve all or part of the disadvantages listed above.

In this context, there is a need to provide a wheelchair-accessible all-terrain vehicle: able to move easily over rough terrain, to provide good autonomy, which is both ergonomic and practical, which is simple to design and operate. manufacturing, less expensive and less cumbersome than the solutions described above, light and manageable, environmentally friendly and with a measured environmental impact. For this purpose, it is proposed a wheelchair transport vehicle, comprising a frame defining a platform capable of receiving the wheelchair, four wheels allowing the transport vehicle to roll on the ground, a height variation system. the platform relative to the ground to vary the platform between a low position in which the platform is located substantially at ground level and a high position in which the platform defines a ground clearance relative to the ground allowing the transport vehicle driving over uneven terrain, the chassis comprising two half-frames each carrying a platform portion and a side wall extending upwardly from said platform portion and connected to each other by a suitable link mechanism to vary the distance separating the two half-frames from one another in a lateral direction according to which the width of the transport vehicle is counted to allow to adjust the distance laterally separating the two side walls to the width of the wheelchair boarded on the platform.

According to a particular embodiment, the transport vehicle comprises a power unit with an electrical energy source comprising a first DC geared motor adapted to drive at least one of the two straight wheels of the transport vehicle and a second current geared motor. continuous, independent of the first geared motor and adapted to drive at least one of the two left wheels of the transport vehicle.

Preferably, the powertrain comprises an electrical energy storage unit located in a reception housing delimited by the platform, in particular substantially in the center of the platform in the lateral direction, this electrical energy storage unit being able to feed both geared motors in electrical energy.

According to another particular embodiment, the connecting mechanism which connects the two half-frames together comprises a plurality of spacers individually adjustable in length, staggered along the length of the platform and on the height of the rear wall of the transport vehicle that protrudes from the platform from its rear edge.

Preferably, the transport vehicle comprises a first transmission mechanism capable of coupling the two right wheels of the transport vehicle together and a second transmission mechanism capable of coupling the two left wheels of the transport vehicle together, so that the four wheels of the transport vehicle are driving, the first and second transmission mechanisms being respectively carried by the two half-frames.

According to another particular embodiment, at each side wall, the height variation system comprises at least one sliding carriage adapted to move vertically relative to the frame, at least one actuator urging the sliding carriage to ensure its displacement relative to the frame, at least one damper associated with each wheel whose opposite ends are articulated respectively on the slide carriage and on a suspension arm on which the wheel is rotatably mounted and articulated on the corresponding half-frame.

Preferably, the transport vehicle comprises two mobile supports rotatably mounted respectively on the two half-frames, in particular at their side walls, each movable support being configured so as to constitute an armrest for the person positioned in the on-board wheelchair. on the platform, at least one of the mobile supports carrying a human-machine control interface allowing said person to drive the transport vehicle.

According to another particular embodiment, the transport vehicle comprises at least one coupling mechanism interposed between at least one of the movable supports and one of the sliding carriages and configured so that the rotational movement of the movable supports is automatically induced by the displacement of the platform relative to the ground under the action of the height variation system to vary the two movable supports between a raised position occupied when the platform is in the low position and a lowered position substantially horizontal when the platform is in the high position.

Preferably, each coupling mechanism comprises a transmission rod whose one end is articulated on one of the sliding carriages and whose opposite end is hinged to the corresponding movable support.

At least one of the movable supports may comprise a stop adapted to come into contact with the rear wheel of the on-board wheelchair when the mobile support is in its lowered position in order to lock the wheelchair relative to the chassis in a longitudinal direction. front to back of the transport vehicle.

Preferably, the chassis comprises, at the level of at least one of the two platform parts, at least one wedge projecting from the platform, oriented obliquely in the lateral direction, going up and down when approaching the center of the platform and located in an area where a wheel of the wheelchair embarked on the platform is likely to be positioned to bear on the hold. The invention will be better understood from the following description of particular embodiments of the invention given by way of non-limiting example and shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figures 1 to 4 show an example of a transport vehicle according to the invention, respectively side, back, front and top, when the platform is in its upper position.

Figures 5 to 8 show the transport vehicle, always respectively side, back, front and top, but in the situation where the platform occupies its low position.

With reference to Figures 1 to 8 as appended hereto, the invention essentially relates to a wheelchair transport vehicle 10. The wheelchair conventionally comprises a frame with a seat and four wheels including two large diameter rear wheels and two small diameter steerable front wheels. The wheelchair is not shown and is not further described in detail here because it is within the reach of the skilled person and is not an essential element of the invention.

The transport vehicle 10 is designed to be of all-terrain type, presenting for it great development skills on rough terrain or difficult environments (soil, sand, snow, mud, slope, sidewalks, etc .... ).

For a good understanding of the spatial organization of the assembly, an orthonormal marker is associated with the transport vehicle 10, with: a longitudinal direction marked X, corresponding to the front-rear direction of the transport vehicle along which the transport vehicle 10 moves forward or backward, and oriented along the longitudinal slope of the ground 30 on which the transport vehicle 10 is placed, - a lateral direction marked Y along which the width of the transport vehicle 10 is counted, corresponding to the right-left direction of the transport vehicle 10, perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X and oriented along the lateral slope of the ground 30 on which the transport vehicle 10 circulates, and a vertical direction Z perpendicular to the directions X and Y and parallel to the normal ground line 30 in the area where the transport vehicle 10 rests.

The transport vehicle 10 generally has a symmetry in the lateral direction Y in that it consists of two right and left subassemblies respectively, interconnected in a manner described below to make the whole homogeneous. Given this symmetry, the same reference is attributed to the identical parts belonging to the subsets right and left. For the sake of clarity, the suffix "d" can be added to a numeral reference when the part belongs to the right subset and the suffix "g" can be added to the numeral reference when the part belongs to the left subset.

The transport vehicle 10 comprises a frame 11 defining a platform 12 capable of receiving the wheelchair (not shown) and four wheels allowing the transport vehicle 10 to ride on the floor 30, even in rough terrain or difficult environments.

The frame 11 comprises a right side wall 13d extending in a plane (X, Z) projecting vertically along Z above the platform 12 from its right lateral edge, a left side wall 13g extending in a plane (X , Z) projecting vertically along Z above the platform 12 from its left lateral edge and a rear wall 22 extending in a plane (Y, Z) projecting vertically along Z above the platform 12 from its longitudinal edge back.

The platform 12 constituting a floor, the side walls 13d, 13g and the rear wall 22 define a home location of a wheelchair. The front longitudinal edge of the platform 12 has no wall so that the wheelchair is loaded on the platform 12 by moving backwards along the longitudinal direction X relative to the frame 11. The transport vehicle 10 allows temporarily boarding the wheelchair without the disabled person needing to leave his wheelchair and then offer, through the capabilities of the transport vehicle 10 which are significantly greater than those of a wheelchair, a great autonomy and a a wide variety of movements, accesses and crossings: the transport vehicle 10 on which the wheelchair is embedded allows the user to go to places and places, to cross obstacles or to traverse rough terrain to which he would not have access with the only intrinsic abilities of the wheelchair.

Thus, the transport vehicle 10 comprises two straight wheels 15d and two left wheels 15g. In order to limit as much as possible the size of the transport vehicle 10, the right front wheel and the left front wheel are not steerable and are instead always oriented in the longitudinal direction X. The turning of the transport vehicle 10 during its displacement is not done by orientation of the front or rear wheels, but by setting up a difference in rotational speeds between the right wheels 15d and the left wheels 15g.

The diameter of the wheels 15d, 15g is relatively high, for example greater than 25cm, so that the transport vehicle 10 can have good crossing capabilities.

The connecting means between the frame 11 and the wheels 15d, 15g comprise suspension means and damping means. In the embodiment illustrated, in no way limiting as to the extent of application of the invention, the transport vehicle 10 comprises as a suspension four suspension arms 20 respectively associated with the four wheels 15d, 15g. Two straight suspension arms 20, respectively front and rear, are articulated on the right side wall 13d and two left suspension arms 20, respectively front and rear, are articulated on the left side wall 13g. The suspension arms 20 are freely articulated at the marked points 31. The two straight wheels 15d, respectively front and rear, are themselves freely rotatably mounted on the right front suspension arm and the right rear suspension arm. The two left wheels 15g, respectively front and rear, are freely rotatably mounted on the left front suspension arm and on the left rear suspension arm. The damping of the transport vehicle is conferred by four dampers 19. Each damper 19 is interposed between the frame 11 and one of the suspension arms 20 and is associated with one of the wheels 15d, 15g.

The transport vehicle 10 also comprises a system for varying the height of the platform 12 with respect to the ground 30. This system is configured so as to vary the platform 12 between: a low position (shown in FIGS. 5 to 8) wherein the platform 12 is located substantially at ground level 30 to allow the wheelchair to move freely from the platform 12 to the ground 30 or vice versa during the loading or unloading of the wheelchair, - and a high position (shown on Figures 1 to 4) in which the platform 12 defines a ground clearance relative to the ground 30 allowing the transport vehicle 10 to ride on uneven ground.

The frame 11 comprises two half-frames each carrying a platform portion 12d, 12g and one of the two side walls 13d, 13g. In other words, the frame 11 comprises a straight half-frame comprising the straight platform portion 12d, the right side wall 13d that extends upwardly from the straight platform portion 12d and a right rear wall portion 22d. Symmetrically, the frame 11 comprises a left half-frame comprising the left platform portion 12g, the left side wall 13g which extends upwardly from the left platform portion 12g and a left rear wall portion 22g.

The two half-frames are connected to each other by a connecting mechanism adapted to vary the distance separating the two half-frames between them in the lateral direction Y to adjust the distance laterally separating the two side walls. 13d, 13g to the width of the wheelchair embarked on the platform 12.

In general, the transport vehicle 10 comprises immobilization means of the wheelchair relative to the frame 11 once the wheelchair has been placed on the platform 12. Advantageously here, the lateral stops are formed directly by the side walls 13d, 13g themselves, without having recourse to other devices to perform this function of lateral blocking. The side walls 13d, 13g also provide a lateral centering of the wheelchair in the lateral direction Y relative to the frame 11.

The distance separating the two side walls 13d, 13g is adjusted very simply by means of the connecting mechanism designed for this purpose, before the wheelchair is loaded onto the platform 12. In practice, the distance between the side walls 13d, 13g is adjusted so that the distance separating their internal lateral faces is just greater than the outer width of the wheelchair to be loaded, with a clearance between the wheelchair and the lateral walls 13d, 13g sufficiently small for the side walls 13d, 13g fulfill the function of lateral stops and the lateral centering function when the transport vehicle 10 will circulate.

The transport vehicle 10 therefore has the advantage of being compact because its width is adaptable to that of the wheelchair, while being simple design and manufacturing, economical and lightweight due to the functions conferred on the side walls 13d, 13g .

The connecting mechanism that connects the two half-frames together can very simply comprise a plurality of spacers individually adjustable in length, staggered along the length of the platform 12 in the direction X and the height of the rear wall 22 of the transport vehicle 10 according to Z. By way of example, with reference to FIG. 4, two spacers 21 connect the two platform parts 12d, 12g together in the lateral direction Y, these two spacers 21 being individually adjustable in length. and staggered in the longitudinal direction X along the platform 12. The length adjustment of these two spacers allows to adjust the distance between the platform parts 12d, 12g right and left between them in the lateral direction Y. In complement, two additional spacers 21 connect the two rear wall portions 22d, 22g together in the lateral direction Y, these two spacers 21 are individually adjustable in length and staggered in the vertical direction Z along the rear wall 22. The length adjustment of these two additional spacers allows to adjust the distance between the rear wall portions 22d, 22g right and left between them in the lateral direction Y. Each spacer 21 may be in the form of a single bar mounted respectively on each half-frame by a clamping device such as a clevis screwed, the bar can occupy an adjustable position by sliding relative to at least one of the clamping devices.

An additional spacer 25, also having an adjustable length, extends in the lateral direction Y so as to connect the two side walls 13d, 13g in their upper rear part. The spacer 25 may be in two parts slidable relative to each other and each being fixedly mounted relative to one of the two half-frames.

The transport vehicle 10 has a roll bar 14 in the form of an inverted U, extending in a plane (Y, Z) in the continuity of the rear wall 22 above it. The link between the hoop 14 and the frame 11 can be made at the two spacers 21 located on the rear wall 22 and advantageously be removable so as to be able to separate the hoop 14 from the rest of the transport vehicle 10 in order to facilitate its transhipment in a motor vehicle.

At the level of each side wall 13d, 13g, the height variation system comprises at least one sliding carriage 18 able to move vertically in the direction Z relative to the frame 11 and at least one actuator 16 urging the sliding carriage 18 in order to The right side wall 13d therefore carries a sliding carriage 18 able to move vertically on a given stroke and a right actuator 16 urging the sliding carriage 18 on the right. The left side wall 13g carries meanwhile another sliding carriage 18 adapted to move vertically on a given stroke and another left actuator 16 urging the sliding carriage 18 on the left.

For each damper 19, one of its ends is articulated on the sliding carriage 18 corresponding and the other end is articulated on one of the suspension arm 20 articulated on the corresponding half-frame. Thus, the two ends of the right front shock absorber associated with the right front wheel are respectively articulated on the right sliding carriage 18 and the right front suspension arm on which this wheel is freely rotatably mounted. The two ends of the right rear shock absorber associated with the right rear wheel are hinged respectively on the right sliding carriage 18 and the right rear suspension arm on which this wheel is freely rotatably mounted. The two ends of the front left damper associated with the left front wheel are hinged respectively on the left sliding carriage 18 and the left front suspension arm on which this wheel is freely rotatably mounted. Finally, the two ends of the left rear shock absorber associated with the left rear wheel are hinged respectively on the left sliding carriage 18 and the left rear suspension arm on which this wheel is freely rotatably mounted.

Each sliding carriage 18 is therefore associated with the two dampers 19 present on this side of the transport vehicle 10.

Figures 1 and 5 show the two extremal positions occupied by the sliding carriages 18. When the sliding carriages 18 occupy their lower maximum position (Figure 1), the platform 12 occupies its high position. By cons when sliding carriages 18 occupy their upper maximum position (Figure 5), the platform 12 is in its low position. The transformation of the movement of each sliding carriage 18 with respect to the frame 11 in a raising or lowering movement of the platform 12 relative to the ground is done by means of the dampers 19 and the suspension arms 20.

The actuators 16 may be hydraulic type and in this case, the hydraulic unit (not shown) may be located in the marked location 29 formed in the platform 12 in its rear part, near its junction with the rear wall 22. However, it is obvious that the actuators 16 may be designed to operate under a source of electrical energy.

Very advantageously, the transport vehicle 10 comprises a drive unit with an electrical energy source comprising a first direct-current geared motor 17d capable of driving at least one of the two straight wheels 15d of the transport vehicle 10 and a second geared motor. 17g DC, independent of the first geared motor 17d and adapted to drive at least one of the two left wheels 15g of the transport vehicle 10. The use of an electric propulsion allows the transport vehicle is light, quiet and ecological.

Preferably, the powertrain comprises an electric energy storage unit (not shown) capable of supplying the two geared motors 17d, 17g with electrical energy and implanted in a reception housing 28 defined by the platform 12, in particular substantially in the center of the platform 12 in the lateral direction Y, at least partially between the two platform parts 12d, 12g of the two half-frames.

The transport vehicle 10 advantageously comprises a first transmission mechanism capable of coupling the two straight wheels 15d of the transport vehicle 10 between them and a second transmission mechanism capable of coupling the two left wheels 15g of the transport vehicle 10 to each other so as to that the four wheels 15d, 15g of the transport vehicle 10 are driving. The first and second transmission mechanisms are respectively carried by the two chassis half-frames 11. It may be for example a chain transmission coupling the two wheels on the same right or left side. By way of example, the coupling of the two straight wheels 15d via the first transmission mechanism can be done through the two straight suspension arms 20 while the coupling of the two left wheels 15g via the second transmission mechanism can be done at through the two left suspension arms 20.

Preferably, the transport vehicle 10 comprises two movable supports 23d, 23g rotatably mounted respectively on the two half-frames, in particular at their side walls 13d, 13g, so as to be retractable at the time of the boarding of the wheelchair and the disabled person on the transport vehicle 10. Thus, the transport vehicle 10 comprises a right movable support 23d rotatably mounted on the side wall 13d about an axis 32 oriented in the lateral direction Y. The transport vehicle 10 also comprises a left mobile support 23g rotatably mounted on the side wall 13g around another axis 32 oriented in the lateral direction Y.

Each movable support 23d, 23g is configured so as to constitute an armrest for the person positioned in the wheelchair onboard the platform 12. At least one of the movable supports 23d, 23g carries a man-machine control interface 24 allowing the person sitting in the wheelchair to control the transport vehicle 10. The nature of the man-machine control interface 24 depends inter alia on the nature of the propulsion means. By way of example, it may be a joystick-type command button connected to a control unit able to transform the information coming from the joystick into control signals of the geared motors 17d, 17g supplied with electrical energy by the storage unit located in the location 28. The turning of the transport vehicle 10 is performed by differentiating the rotational speeds of the right and left wheels, this being obtained by differentiating the electric currents supplying the two geared motors 17d, 17g .

The transport vehicle 10 comprises at least one coupling mechanism interposed between at least one of the movable supports 23d, 23g and one of the sliding carriages 18 and configured so that the rotational movement of the movable supports 23d, 23g is automatically induced by the displacement of the platform 12 relative to the ground 30 under the action of the height variation system to vary the two movable supports 23d, 23g between: - a raised position occupied when the platform 12 is in the position low, - and a substantially horizontal lowered position when the platform 12 is in the high position.

The raised position of the movable supports 23d, 23g is visible in Figures 5 to 8, allowing their retraction at the time of loading of the wheelchair and the disabled person on the transport vehicle 10. The movable supports 23d, 23g are by example oriented substantially at 45 ° upwards with respect to the horizontal oriented in the longitudinal direction X.

The lowered position of the movable supports 23d, 23g is shown in Figures 1 to 4 by cons, constituting armrests for the person sitting in the wheelchair and involved in the immobilization of the wheelchair. The human-machine control interface 24 is located on the support 23d, 23g corresponding in an area such that the manipulation of the human-machine control interface 24 by the person sitting in the wheelchair is very easy when the supports 23d , 23g are in the lowered position.

The transport vehicle 10 can provide that the two movable supports 23d, 23g are independent of each other, or conversely that they are angularly coupled to each other during the movement between the lowered and raised position or vice versa. In the case where they are coupled, a single coupling mechanism may possibly be implemented, for reasons of cost, size, weight. In the case where they are independent, and in the manner shown, the transport vehicle 10 may comprise a first coupling mechanism interposed between the right movable support 23d and the right sliding carriage 18 and a second coupling mechanism interposed between the left mobile bracket 23g and left sliding carriage 18.

In a particularly simple variant, effective, lightweight, compact and economical, each coupling mechanism comprises a transmission link 33d, 33g, one end of which is articulated on one of the sliding carriages 18 and whose opposite end is hinged to the mobile support 23d, 23g corresponding. The first coupling mechanism interposed between the right movable support 23d and the right sliding carriage 18 comprises a right transmission link 33d, the opposite ends of which are articulated respectively to the right sliding carriage 18 and to the right movable support 23d. The second coupling mechanism interposed between the left mobile support 23g and the left sliding carriage 18 comprises a left transmission link 33g whose opposite ends are hinged respectively on the left sliding carriage 18 and on the left movable support 23g.

The immobilization means of the wheelchair with respect to the frame 11 comprise, in addition to the side walls 13d, 13g whose distance between them has been adjusted by the connection mechanism of the two half-frames, at least one shim defined below . Thus, the frame 11 comprises, at the level of at least one of the two platform portions 12d, 12g, at least one wedge 27d, 27g projecting from the platform 12, oriented obliquely in the lateral direction Y by going from up and down approaching the center of the platform 12 and located in an area where a front wheel of the wheelchair embedded on the platform 12 is likely to be positioned to bear on the wedge 27d, 27g. Advantageously, the transport vehicle 10 comprises two such wedges 27d, 27g, respectively integral with the right half-frame and the left half-frame. Each wedge 27d, 27g provides an additional centering function in addition to the side walls 13d, 13g and very advantageously allows an automatic reversal of the wheel of the wheelchair that bears on it.

Referring for example to Figures 7 and 8, the frame 11 comprises, at the platform portion 12d of the right half-frame, a right front spacer 27d projecting from the platform 12, obliquely oriented in the lateral direction Y in going up and down approaching the 12g platform part of the left half-frame. Wedge 27d is located in an area where a wheel right front wheelchair boarded on the platform 12 is likely to be positioned to bear on the wedge 27d. The chassis 11 also comprises, at the level of the platform portion 12g of the left half-frame, a front left block 27g projecting from the platform 12, obliquely oriented in the lateral direction Y, going up and down as it approaches of the platform portion 12d of the right half-frame. The wedge 27g is located in an area where a wheel left front wheelchair boarded on the platform 12 is likely to be positioned to bear on the wedge 27g. Each shim 27d, 27g may be in the form of a simple oblique pan of which a normal vector is oriented in a plane (Y, Z).

The immobilization means of the wheelchair with respect to the frame 11, in addition to the elements ensuring the lateral centering in the Y direction via the side walls 13d, 13g and the wedges 27d, 27g, may comprise longitudinal stops 26d, 26g respectively integral with the two right and left half-frame and each projecting upwardly relative to the platform 12 to block one of the rear wheels of the wheelchair in its lower part in a direction opposite to the longitudinal immobilization conferred by the rear wall 22.

In addition, at least one of the movable supports 23d, 23g may comprise a stop (not shown) able to come into contact with one of the rear wheels of the on-board wheelchair on the platform 12, in its upper part, when this mobile support occupies its lowered position. This locks the wheelchair relative to the frame 11 in the longitudinal direction X.

The movable supports 23d, 23g are configured to allow immobilization of the wheelchair relative to the frame 11 in the vertical direction Z when the movable supports 23d, 23g occupy their lowered position.

In its various variants, the transport vehicle 10 which has just been described has the advantages of being able to easily evolve on uneven ground (earth, sand, snow, mud, slope, sidewalks, etc.), to have a good autonomy, to be ergonomic and practical, to be simple of design and manufacturing, to be economical and compact, to be light and handy, to be respectful of the ecology and to present a measured environmental impact. The boarding of the wheelchair with its occupant on the transport vehicle 10 is carried out without transfer and without assistance. The transport vehicle 10 can be on board a motor vehicle.

The transport vehicle 10 on which the wheelchair is embarked allows the user to go to places and places, to cross obstacles or to walk on uneven ground to which he would not have access with the only intrinsic faculty of the chair. rolling.

Of course, the invention is not obviously limited to the embodiments shown and described above, but covers all variants.

Claims (11)

1. Wheelchair transport vehicle (10) comprising a frame (11) defining a platform (12) capable of receiving the wheelchair, four wheels (15d, 15g) enabling the transport vehicle (10) for rolling on the ground (30), a system for varying the height of the platform (12) with respect to the ground (30) making it possible to vary the platform (12) between a low position in which the platform (12) is located substantially at ground level (30) and a high position in which the platform (12) delimits a ground clearance relative to the ground (30) enabling the transport vehicle (10) to roll over uneven terrain, characterized in that the frame (11) comprises two half-frames each carrying a platform portion (12d, 12g) and a sidewall (13d, 13g) extending upwardly from said platform portion (12d, 12g) and connected to each other to the other by a connecting mechanism able to vary the distance e separating the two half-frames from each other in a lateral direction (Y) in which the width of the transport vehicle (10) is counted to allow the distance laterally separating the two side walls (13d, 13g) to be adjusted to the width of the on-board wheelchair on the platform (12). 2. transport vehicle (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a powertrain electric power source comprising a first geared motor (17d) DC capable of driving at least one of the two wheels straight lines (15d) of the transport vehicle (10) and a second geared motor (17g) with direct current, independent of the first geared motor (17d) and adapted to drive at least one of the two left wheels (15g) of the transport vehicle ( 10). 3. transport vehicle (10) according to claim 2, characterized in that the powertrain comprises an electrical energy storage unit located in a receiving housing (28) defined by the platform (12), in particular substantially at the center of the platform (12) in the lateral direction (Y), said electric energy storage unit being able to supply the two geared motors (17d, 17g) with electrical energy. 4. Transport vehicle (10) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the connecting mechanism which connects the two half-frames together comprises a plurality of spacers (21, 25) individually adjustable in length . staggered along the length of the platform (12) and the height of the rear wall (22) of the transport vehicle (10) projecting from the platform (12) from its rear edge. 5. Transport vehicle (10) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it comprises a first transmission mechanism capable of coupling the two straight wheels (15d) of the transport vehicle (10) between them and a second transmission mechanism capable of coupling the two left wheels (15g) of the transport vehicle (10) together, so that the four wheels (15d, 15g) of the transport vehicle (10) are driving, the first and second transmission mechanisms being respectively carried by the two half-frames. 6. Transport vehicle (10) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that at each side wall (13d, 13g), the height variation system comprises at least one sliding carriage (18) able to move vertically relative to the frame (11), at least one actuator (16) urging the sliding carriage (18) to ensure its displacement relative to the frame (11), at least one damper (19) associated with each wheel (15d, 15g) whose opposite ends are respectively articulated on the slide carriage (18) and on a suspension arm (20) on which the wheel (15d, 15g) is rotatably mounted and articulated on the half-frame corresponding. 7. transport vehicle (10) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises two movable supports (23d, 23g) rotatably mounted respectively on the two half-frame, in particular at their walls side (13d, 13g), each movable support (23d, 23g) being configured so as to constitute an armrest for the person positioned in the wheelchair embedded on the platform (12), at least one of the movable supports (23d) , 23g) carrying a human-machine control interface (24) allowing said person to control the transport vehicle (10). 8. transport vehicle (10) according to claims 6 and 7, characterized in that it comprises at least one coupling mechanism interposed between at least one of the movable supports (23d, 23g) and one of the trolleys sliders (18) and configured so that the rotational movement of the movable supports (23d, 23g) is induced automatically by the displacement of the platform (12) relative to the ground (30) under the action of the height variation system in order to vary the two movable supports (23d, 23g) between a raised position occupied when the platform (12) is in the low position and a lowered position substantially horizontal when the platform (12) is in the high position. 9. transport vehicle (10) according to claim 8, characterized in that each coupling mechanism comprises a transmission rod (33d, 33g), one end of which is articulated on one of the sliding carriages (18) and whose opposite end is hinged to the corresponding movable support (23d, 23g). 10. Transport vehicle (10) according to one of claims 8 and 9, characterized in that at least one of the movable supports (23d, 23g) comprises a stop adapted to come into contact with the rear wheel of the chair mounted on the platform (12) when the movable support (23d, 23g) is in its lowered position in order to lock the wheelchair with respect to the chassis (11) in a longitudinal direction (X) front-rear of the transport vehicle (10). ). Transport vehicle (10) according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the frame (11) at at least one of the two platform portions (12d, 12g) comprises at least one of minus one shim (27d, 27g) projecting from the platform (12), obliquely oriented in the lateral direction (Y), going from top to bottom, approaching the center of the platform (12) and situated in a zone where a wheel of the wheelchair embarked on the platform (12) is likely to be positioned to bear on the wedge (27d, 27g).