Auxiliary drive device for a wheelchair
An auxiliary drive device for a wheelchair has at least one freely pivotable electrically driven drive wheel and a coupling mechanism for coupling the auxiliary drive device to the wheelchair. The coupling mechanism includes a movable locking element which is movably supported in the coupling mechanism. The movable locking element can be in a locking position in which it causes locking in a positive-locking manner so that the auxiliary drive device is coupled to the wheelchair and, by operation of a handle, the locking element can be moved in a release position in which uncoupling of the auxiliary drive device from the wheelchair is possible.
1 . An auxiliary drive device for a wheelchair, comprising:
at least one electrically driven drive wheel;
an electronic control unit for controlling the functions of the auxiliary drive device;
a coupling mechanism for coupling the auxiliary drive device to a wheelchair; and
an operating satellite for controlling the auxiliary drive device, the operating satellite being adapted to be attached to the wheelchair and comprising:
an operating satellite control portion and an operating satellite mounting element;
a display device provided on the outer side of the operating satellite and displaying information regarding operational conditions of the auxiliary drive device;
an operating satellite control unit having electric and electronic components and adapted to perform bidirectional communication between the operating satellite and said electronic control unit for controlling the functions of the auxiliary drive device,
wherein the display device is designed such that its arrangement on the operating satellite is adjustable such that it is made possible to adjust a position of the display device with respect to its visibility for a person sitting in the wheelchair in connection with a respective place of attachment of the operating satellite at the wheelchair,
wherein the display device is attached to an outer circumference of the satellite control portion,
wherein the outer circumference of the operating satellite control portion is rotatable with respect to the operating satellite mounting element and fixed in a position ensuring that the display device is within sight of the person sitting in the wheelchair, and
wherein the display device and a control element of the operating satellite are adapted to rotate coaxially.
2 . The auxiliary drive device according to claim 1 , wherein the operating satellite has a push control knob for controlling specifically ON and OFF functions and a rotational control ring for initiating drive and selection of a driving speed.
3 . The auxiliary drive device according to claim 1 , wherein the outer circumference of the operating satellite control portion is adapted to be fixed in a position ensuring that the display device is within sight of the person sitting in the wheelchair by one or more fixing screws.
4 . The auxiliary drive device according to claim 3 , wherein a cover element is provided at a side face of the operating satellite control portion, the cover element is adapted to be removed and fixed back into place by operating a spring-loaded unlocking element and wherein removing the cover element allows access to the one or more fixing screws.
5 . The auxiliary drive device according to claim 4 , wherein removing the cover element allows access to at least one of an adaptor charging USB socket and a Bluetooth pairing button.
6 . The auxiliary drive device according to claim 1 , wherein the auxiliary drive device comprises a rechargeable main battery provided in an auxiliary drive device main body and the operating satellite comprises a rechargeable operating satellite battery provided in the operating satellite, and
wherein the display device displays information regarding a state of charge of the rechargeable main battery and regarding a state of charge of the rechargeable operating satellite battery.
7 . The auxiliary drive device according to claim 6 , wherein the display device displays information regarding the state of charge of the rechargeable main battery by providing a strip of several LED elements wherein the number of lighted elements corresponds to the state of charge, and
wherein regarding the state of charge of the rechargeable operating satellite battery an LED element provided which communicates the state of charge of the rechargeable operating satellite battery by changing color.
8 . The auxiliary drive device according to claim 1 , further comprising a wheelchair mounting element adapted to be attached to the wheelchair,
wherein the operating satellite further comprises an operating satellite mounting pivot element which is adapted to be attached to the wheelchair mounting element in various positions;
wherein the operating satellite control portion has control and switching elements by which via respective actuation processes, performed by the person sitting in the wheelchair, the control and drive of the auxiliary drive device can be achieved, and
wherein the operating satellite control portion is adapted to be attached to the operating satellite mounting pivot element via the operating satellite mounting element by a quick release unit.
9 . The auxiliary drive device according to claim 8 ,
wherein the operating satellite mounting pivot element is adapted to be connected to the wheelchair mounting element in a rotational position which can be freely determined, and
wherein the operating satellite mounting pivot element can be fixed in this freely determinable position by a mounting bolt.
10 . The auxiliary drive device according to claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of fixing screws which allow i) rotation of the outer circumference of the operating satellite control portion when the fixing screws are in a loosened state and ii) fixation of the outer circumference of the operating satellite control portion when the fixing screws are in a tightened state.