Electric control for wheelchair drive unit

• US 5,125,468 A
• Filed: 03/07/1991
• Issued: 06/30/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 06/02/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Roger Novesky
• Original Assignee: Theodore R. Coker
• Inventors: Coker, Theodore R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Marmor, Charles A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): BOEHLER, ANNE MARIE M
• Application Number:
  US07/666,145
• Time in Patent Office: 481 Days
• Field of Search: 180/13, 180/214, 180/315, 180/322, 180/907, 180/12, 180/15, 180/19.3, 180/213
• US Class Current: 180/13
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 5/047 by a modular detachable drive system
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 5/0825 comprising a scissor-type frame, e.g. having pivoting cross bars for enabling folding
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 5/1024 Brake discs
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 5/1032 engaging an element of the drive or transmission, e.g. drive belt, electrodynamic brake
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 5/1051 Arrangements for steering
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 1/00 Arrangement or mounting of electrical propulsion units B60K7/00 takes precedence; arrangement or mounting of plural diverse prime-movers for mutual or common propulsion B60K6/00; electric transmission arrangements B60K17/12; electric equipment or propulsion of electrically-propelled vehicles per se B60L; current-collectors for power supply lines of electrically-propelled vehicles B60L5/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 180/907 Motorized wheelchairs

Abstract

A battery powered steerable electric drive unit for detachable connection to a conventional wheelchair having a collapsible wheelchair frame comprises: a support releasably connectable to the wheelchair frame by an adjustable releasably lockable attachment mechanism; a drive assembly pivotably (steerably) mounted on the support and including a ground-engaging wheel and a battery powered electric motor for dirving the wheel; a solenoid-operated brake engageable with a disc-like surface of a pulley in the drive mechanism for the wheel; a detachable steering column having a handle mounted thereon and pivotably and rotatably mounted on the support; an adjustable steering mechanism mounted on the support and connected between the steering column and the drive assembly to effect steering when the steering column is rotated about its longitudinal axis; and an electric controller comprising an off-forward-reverse switch, a speed control switch and a brake switch mounted on the handle, and further comprising a solid-state electronic control circuit mounted on the support and responsive to operation of the switches to control the motor and the brake.

Claims

1. In a switch assembly for mounting on steering means in an electric drive unit for a wheelchair, said steering means comprising a steering column rotatable about its longitudinal axis and a steering handle mounted on and disposed transversely to said steering column to effect rotation of said steering column:

a mounting board for mounting adjacent said steering handle;

a rheostat having a movable shaft and mounted on aid board for controlling the speed of said electric drive unit;

a member mounted on said board and engaged with said movable shaft and longitudinally movable in opposite directions to effect movement of said shaft and operation of said rheostat;

means mounted on said board for biasing said member in one direction;

a manually operable lever pivotally mounted on said board and having one end pivotally connected to said member, said lever having its other end located near said steering handle whereby said lever can be manually pivoted by a human hand gripping said handle;

and a by-pass switch mounted on aid board and having an actuator which is operable in response to pivotal movement of said lever which effects movement of said member in said other direction to effect by-passing of said rheostat when said rheostat is in its maximum speed position.