CONTROL MODULE FOR AN ELECTRIC WHEELCHAIR

• US 20140083225A1
• Filed: 08/29/2013
• Published: 03/27/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 09/25/2012
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Penny and Giles Controls Limited (Curtiss-Wright Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Penny and Giles Controls Limited (Curtiss-Wright Corporation)
• Inventors: Taylor, David Huw, DOWNS, Charles Edward, CRANE, Jolyon Michael, BENNETT, Malcolm
• Application Number:
  US14/014,072
• Publication Number:
  US 20140083225A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 74/471.XY
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2203/12 Remote controls
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2203/14 Joysticks
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2203/20 Displays or monitors
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 5/04 motor-driven A61G5/06 takes precedence; motor-operated rests A61G5/12; for vehicles with handlebars, equipped with three or more wheels B62K5/003, B62K5/023
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 5/10 Parts, details or accessories
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/135 Joysticks
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/1438 Touch screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/00 Instruments specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement of instruments in or on vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/10 Input arrangements, i.e. from user to vehicle, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/02 for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0073 using key-type connections
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0089 around three axes, i.e. universally mounted
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2200/84 Wheelchairs
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 1/12 Hand levers
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/2637 Vehicle, car, auto, wheelchair
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20201 Control moves in two planes

Abstract

A control module for an electrically powered wheelchair is configured to generate control signals for the electrically powered wheelchair in response to user input. The control module comprises: a base portion; a joystick configured to generate the control signals corresponding to user movement of the joystick relative to the base portion; and a pivotable screen mount configured to provide a mount on the base portion for a display screen on which information relating to operation of the electrically powered wheelchair can be displayed to a user.

Claims

1. A control module for an electrically powered wheelchair, the control module configured to generate control signals for said electrically powered wheelchair in response to user input, the control module comprising:

a base portion;

a joystick configured to generate said control signals corresponding to user movement of the joystick relative to said base portion; and

a pivotable screen mount configured to provide a mount on said base portion for a display screen on which information relating to operation of said electrically powered wheelchair can be displayed to a user.

2. A control module as claimed in claim 1, wherein said control module further comprises said display screen, wherein said display screen is fixedly attached to said pivotable screen mount.

3. A control module as claimed in claim 1, wherein said pivotable screen mount comprises an attachment mechanism, said attachment mechanism configured to releaseably hold said display screen.

4. A control module as claimed in claim 3, wherein said attachment mechanism is configured to releasably hold as said display screen a device selected from:

a mobile telephone;

a touchscreen device; and

a tablet computing device.

5. A control module as claimed in claim 4, wherein said attachment mechanism comprises a cradle configured to clasp said device.

6. A control module as claimed in claim 4, wherein said attachment mechanism is exchangeable to allow reconfiguration for a different device.

7. A control module as claimed in claim 4, wherein said attachment mechanism comprises a band, said band of comparable dimensions to a clothing belt and configured to provide a mount for a belt clip of said device.

8. A control module as claimed in claim 4, wherein said control module is configured to communicate wirelessly with said device.

9. A control module as claimed in claim 4, wherein said control module is configured to allow control of said device using at least one input device of said control module.

10. A control module as claimed in claim 4, wherein said control module is configured to allow control of said control module to be performed using said device.

11. A control module as claimed in claim 3, wherein said control module further comprises a display portion configured to display a limited set of information relating to operation of said electrically powered wheelchair, wherein said display portion is obscured when said display screen is mounted on said pivotable screen mount.

12. A control module as claimed in claim 1, wherein said pivotable screen mount is configured to allow said display screen a range of movement such that an outer edge of said display screen can be positioned within an plan-view area defined by said base portion.

13. A control module as claimed in claim 1, wherein said pivotable screen mount comprises a friction mechanism configured to resist pivoting movement of said pivotable screen mount.

14. A control module as claimed in claim 1, wherein said pivotable screen mount comprises a locking mechanism configured to hold said pivotable screen mount at a selected orientation.

15. A control module as claimed in claim 1, wherein said base unit comprises a protective shield positioned forward of said pivotable screen mount with respect to a forward-movement direction of said wheelchair.

16. A control module as claimed in claim 15, wherein said protective shield extends to at least a height of said display screen when mounted on said pivotable screen mount.

17. A control module as claimed in claim 1, wherein said pivotable screen mount is configured to mount said display screen such that pivoting of said display screen is about a substantially off-centre position with respect to said display screen.

18. A control module as claimed in claim 17, wherein said pivotable screen mount is configured to allow said display screen to be rotated through 180 degrees in a plane in which the display screen surface lies.

19. A control module as claimed in claim 17, wherein said pivotable screen mount is configured to allow said display screen to be slid with respect to said pivotable screen mount.

20. A control module as claimed in claim 4, wherein said control module further comprises a USB socket.

21. A control module as claimed in claim 1, wherein said control module further comprises a light source configured to illuminate an area in front of said wheelchair with respect to a forward-movement direction of said wheelchair.

22. A control module as claimed in claim 1, wherein said control module further comprises a socket configured to power a rear light source mounted at a rear side of said wheelchair with respect to a forward-movement direction of said wheelchair.

23. A control module as claimed in claim 1, wherein said control module further comprises a camera socket configured to be coupled to a rear-facing camera mounted on said wheelchair, said control module configured to present an output of said camera on said display screen when said wheelchair is driving in reverse.