Wheelchair power system
AssigneeFisher & Paykel Limited
InventorsPaul Zwaan, Peter A. Nyberg
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A power system for wheelchairs is described, in particular for wheelchairs of the foldable type with quick-release wheel axles 1, the power system having two compact drive units, which are affixable and removable without the use of tools. The drive units connect vertically to complementary mounting brackets fixed to the wheelchair frame. The drive system also includes a control unit 51 for controlling power supply to each drive unit from batteries 41 held in underslung battery tray 42. The power system is retrofittable to existing wheelchairs, and is designed for easy removal.
Claims17
A drive unit for a powered wheel chair comprising:
- an electric motor having a rotor and a case,
- a shaft driven by said rotor, said shaft adapted to have a wheelchair drive wheel mounted thereon, said shaft in static spatial position relative to said motor case,
- a substantially vertically extending first connector mechanically coupled to and stationary relative to said motor case,
- and a complementary shaped second connector within which said first connector engages in use and to restrict an engaged said first connector from all relative rotational movement and allow relative axial movement of said first connector in only a substantially vertical downward direction, said second connector adapted to be mounted on a wheelchair frame.
A power system for wheelchairs for use with a battery power supply, said power system comprising two separate clip-on drive units which mount substantially vertically on a wheelchair frame, each drive unit including an electric motor, said motor having a case and a rotor, a wheel driven by said electric motor rotor, said wheel in static spatial position relative to said motor case and a substantially vertically extending first connector mechanically coupled to and stationary relative to said motor case;
- two complementary shaped second connectors within which said first connectors engage in use, said second connectors adapted to be mounted on a wheelchair frame and to restrict engaged said first connectors from all relative rotational movement and allow relative axial movement of said first connectors in only a substantially vertical downward direction;
- and a detachable motor drive electronic controller which mounts in proximity to an arm rest of a wheelchair
- said controller adapted to control power applied from a battery to each individual motor and including a hand-actuated control stick which provides input signals to said motor drives to selectively determine power supplied to said drive units thereby controlling the speed and direction of travel of a wheelchair with said power system attached.
A wheelchair adapted to receive a power system comprising:
- two separate clip-on drive units which mount vertically on the wheelchair frame, each drive unit including an electric motor, said motor having a case and a rotor, a wheel driven by said electric motor rotor, said wheel in static spatial position relative to said motor case and a substantially vertically extending first connector mechanically coupled to and stationary relative to said motor case;
- two complementary shaped second connectors within which said first connectors engage in use, said second connectors adapted to be mounted on a wheelchair frame and to restrict engaged said first connectors from all relative rotational movement and allow relative axial movement of said first connectors in only a substantially vertical downward direction;
- and detachable motor drive electronic controller which mounts in proximity to an armrest for the wheelchair;
- said controller controlling power applied from a battery to each individual motor and including a hand-actuated control stick which provides input signals to said motor drives to selectively determine power supplied to said drive units, thereby controlling the speed and direction of travel of said wheelchair.
A wheelchair fitted with a power system comprising:
- two separate clip-on drive units which mount vertically on the wheelchair frame, each drive unit including an electric motor, said motor having a case and a rotor, a wheel driven by said electric motor rotor, said wheel in static spatial position relative to said motor case and a substantially vertically extending first connector mechanically coupled to and stationary relative to said motor case;
- two complementary shaped second connectors within which said first connectors engage in use, said second connectors adapted to be mounted on a wheelchair frame and to restrict engaged said first connectors from all relative rotational movement and allow relative axial movement of said first connectors in only a substantially vertical downward direction;
- and detachable motor drive electronic controller which mounts in proximity to an armrest fore the wheelchair;
- said controller controlling power applied from a battery to each individual motor and including a hand-actuated control stick which provides input signals to said motor drives to selectively determine power supplied to said drive units, thereby controlling the speed and direction of travel of said wheelchair.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.