FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to aids and appliances for disabled persons and more particularly to personal lifting systems. Further, the invention relates to lifting mechanisms based on a scissors lift mechanism with an integrated actuator.

DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART

Scissors lifts capable of lifting a load vertically are, among other uses, used as an aid for disabled persons in combination with eg a wheelchair for making face-to-face communication with a standing person, this being a psychological relief for many. Often, these lifts rely on a scissors mechanism of two arms linked in an "X"-pattern in combination with an actuator capable of manipulating these arms such that a platform is either raised or lowered. Typically, the actuator is either hydraulic, pneumatic, or mechanical. In the fully contracted state, the arms of the scissors are substantially parallel, exerting a force onto an arm that forces the arms to be raised, producing the X-pattern.

A problem with scissors lifts is that the power use over the stroke of opening or closing the scissors lift is very uneven, where the initial opening of the scissors requires significantly more power than the rest of the stroke. This leads to a need for a motor that is able to open the scissors lift, said motor thus being over-dimensioned for the rest of its operating range. Further, large stresses are exerted on lift components such as joints. A large motor is disadvantageous in wheelchairs, where a more powerful motor increases power consumption and reduces the time between refueling/recharging. This also leads to the motor being heavy, taking up more space in the wheelchair and being more complicated and thus more prone to fail, difficult to maintain and with more openings where dirt can enter the machinery.

US2006/0087166A1 discloses a screw system in the bottom frame of the lift, to which the arms are mounted such that a rotation of the screw, eg by the use of a motor, either reduces or extends the distance between the ends of the arms, resulting in a lifting or a lowering of the platform, respectively. However, an oiled thread is exposed on the bottom frame to allow such movement, vulnerable to a buildup of dirt, being difficult to maintain and posing a risk of getting something that falls into the scissors lift stuck, broken or lost due to the high torque of the screw. EP2676918A1 discloses a scissors lift comprising a lever mechanism connected to a linear actuator and one point of attack on one of the arms and another on the bottom frame of the lift, and where a linear actuator is attached to the base of the bottom frame. However, dirt easily gets into eg the actuator while the mechanism is a danger to a user since the actuator is exposed and is further rotatable.

The present invention provides a solution to some of the above-mentioned problems. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the invention, a scissors lift is provided comprising a bottom frame, a top frame and a scissors mechanism arranged between said bottom frame and said top frame to displace said bottom frame and said top frame relative to each other by transfer of an actuation force. The scissors mechanism comprises a central hollow scissors arm delimited between opposite scissors arm surfaces, wherein said central hollow scissors arm has a bottom pivotal connection connecting it to said bottom frame and a top pivotal connection connecting it to said top frame. Further, the mechanism comprises two passive scissors arms being pivotally connected to said bottom frame and pivotally connected to said top frame. Each of said two passive scissors arms are pivotally connected to said central hollow scissors arm on said opposite scissors arm surfaces of said central hollow scissors arm. Further, the scissors lift comprises a motor providing said actuation force, said motor located between said opposite scissors arm surfaces of said central hollow scissors arm. Thereby, the motor may be protected and at least partially enclosed by the scissors lift and even by the central hollow scissors arm, allowing a safer and/or more easily maintained scissors lift. Thereby, the scissors lift allows lifting with only the three arms in total, as the second passive scissors arm stabilises the lift structurally to ensure that it does not tilt to either side or put undue stresses on joints during operation.

By hollow is to be understood that within the arm delimited between opposite scissors arm surfaces is a space allowing the placement of a motor. In an embodiment, the central hollow scissors arm may be a closed rectangular or rounded pipe (opposite scissors arm surfaces connected at both ends), or it may be a U-profile. In another embodiment, it may be an H-shaped profile or even two sheets interconnected via connecting elements. The material between opposite scissors arm surfaces functions as a cover for protecting the motor below the surface against liquid. The motor could be positioned either inside the hollow scissors arm or below the hollow scissors arm. By transfer of an actuation force is to be understood that an actual force is provided by a motor and that by a stroke mechanism, this actuation force is transferred into a displacement of the two frames. The motor may be any convenient type of motor transferring electrical energy into mechanical energy. The type of mechanical energy useful is dictated by the specific stroke mechanism employed and is conveniently rotational movement or axial movement. A linear actuator such as a mechanical actuator, a hydraulic actuator, a pneumatic actuator, or electro-mechanical actuators may conveniently provide axial movement. A stepper motor, a servo motor or another type of motor may conveniently provide rotary motion. The motor is retained inside or under the central hollow scissors arm, whereby when the scissors mechanism is in a closed state, the motor takes up space inside the central hollow scissors arm. Thereby, in a closed state the motor is substantially protected by the scissors mechanism and the central hollow scissors arm. By bottom frame and top frame is to be understood two surfaces or elements displaceable by the scissors lift. Either frame may take any position in use, whereby the top frame may be the uppermost of the two frames. Further, the top frame may be the lowermost of the two frames. At least, this means that the motor may be retained above the central hollow scissors arm or next to the central hollow scissors arm.

In an embodiment, the scissors lift further comprises a stroke mechanism for transferring said actuation force into displacing said bottom frame and said top frame relative to each other, said stroke mechanism comprising a lever, the lever comprises a body comprising an actuation joint being displaceable by said actuation force, and a fulcrum joint connecting said lever body to said bottom frame or said central hollow scissors arm. Further, the lever comprises a load joint connected to the body through a load element, said load joint connecting said lever to said central hollow scissors arm or said bottom frame. The lever then has a lever distance from the fulcrum joint to the actuation joint, and a load distance from the fulcrum joint to the load joint, wherein the stroke mechanism enables a stroke, where the stroke is from a substantially closed state of said scissors lift. Further, the stroke at least initially decreases said lever distance and/or increases said load distance. Thereby the leverage provided by the lever for the stroke mechanism changes during displacing the frames, being greatest in the initial duration of the stroke, where the stroke is the most difficult. This ensures that the effective actuation force needed to displace the frames may be at least more uniform during the stroke, further allowing using a smaller motor for actuating the scissors lift, a smaller motor being cheaper to acquire, less energy-intensive, cheaper and more convenient in use, and easier to maintain. Further, this smaller motor is better adapted to be inserted into the central hollow scissors arm, and further, by modifying the lever distance and/or the load distance during the stroke, the whole size/breadth/height of the central hollow arm may be utilized throughout the stroke.

The load element is an element guiding the transfer of force between the lever and the load joint and may take different shapes. For example, it may be a hollow guide where the load joint is situated inside and forced to follow a movement herein. Alternatively, it may be an arm joined pivotally to the body of the lever.

In an embodiment, the changing lever geometry substantially approximates the difference in power needed, whereby the needed actuation force is substantially even during at least the first half of the stroke.

By initial length of a stroke is to be understood at least the initial length of a stroke from a substantially closed state, from where the scissors mechanism is initially in its most compact state. In this closed state, the two frames are the closest to each other possible within their mechanical freedom afforded by the scissors lift. The entire movement from a closed state to an open state of the scissors lift is called a stroke. When referring to the stroke, it may also refer to the opposite movement, from a state to a comparatively more closed state. However, by the term initial stroke is to be understood as mentioned, an initial length of the stroke from a substantially closed state. In an embodiment of the invention, this stroke refers to the initial 5% of the travel distance, to the initial 10% of the travel distance, to the initial 20% of the travel distance, to the initial 30% of the travel distance, to the initial 40% of the travel distance or even to the initial 50% of the travel distance, from a state where the scissors mechanism is initially in its most compact state. In an embodiment of the invention, by thus changing the lever distance and/or the load distance during the stroke, the initial leverage may be provided by a lever employing the entire inside of the central hollow scissors arm, whereby a greater leverage may be provided while keeping the dimensions of the stroke mechanism small enough to retain at least substantially inside the central hollow scissors arm and/or while not putting undue stress on components of the stroke mechanism.

In an embodiment, at least initially, the stroke enables increasing the load distance and decreasing the lever distance.

In an embodiment, at least initially, the stroke enables increasing the load distance.

In an embodiment, at least initially, the stroke enables decreasing the lever distance. In an embodiment, at least initially, the stroke decreases the leverage provided by the lever.

In an embodiment, the lever comprises a telescopic end enabling a shortening of said lever distance during at least an initial length of said stroke. Thereby, the leverage is greatest during the initial length of the stroke.

The telescopic end may be fastened to the end of the lever engaging the actuation joint. This allows the end of the telescopic arm to follow a linear line of action. Thereby, it may be driven by a motor arranged to be fixated to a frame or an arm, whereby the effective size of the motor is minimised, since it does not need to rotate to follow the lever. This also allows hiding the motor, e.g. in a central hollow scissors arm, shielding it from environmental wear and facilitating a simpler and safer design with less risk of a user getting fingers or hair stuck in the mechanism. Further, by pivotally fixing the lever having a telescopic end to the central hollow scissors arm allows the stroke mechanism to be comprised in the arm while allowing the lever principle to work in favour of the invention. For example, by fixing the lever in one side of the central hollow scissors arm, the actuated element may engage it at the opposite side of the central hollow scissors arm, whereby substantially, the breadth of the arm becomes the lever. Further, by having the lever engage the actuated element in the shape of a telescopic end, the lever is effectively longer at the beginning of the stroke when the power needed is the highest, whereby the transferred torque is higher for the initial stroke, where more force is needed.

In an embodiment, the lever comprises a curved guide, enabling a movement of said load joint away from said fulcrum joint during an initial length of said stroke, whereby said load distance is lengthened. Thereby, the mechanism may be very precisely formed to control the force needed during different stages of the stroke, thereby for example allowing the actuation force needed to be substantially even throughout a first half of the stroke or even the entire stroke.

In an embodiment, the load element comprises

- a knee joint whose position is fixed relative to said fulcrum joint and

- where the load element is connected to said knee joint and connected to said load joint, where the load element rotates around said knee joint and where this rotation enables lengthening the load distance during at least an initial length of said stroke. Thereby, a high initial leverage may be provided where later stages of the stroke may have smaller leverages, whereby the motor may be smaller and therefore fit inside the central hollow arm.

In an embodiment, the three joints of the lever are arranged substantially in a V-shape with the knee joint mounted in one end, the fulcrum joint in the bottom centre, and the actuation joint in the end opposite the knee joint. The lengths of the legs may be different. The actual shape of the lever may also be different, as long as the position of the three joints are arranged substantially in a V-shape. Further, among the load joint and the knee joint, the load joint is provided closest to a line co-linear with the lever distance. A line passing through the load joint and the knee joint intersects the lever distance at least in a closed state of the scissors lift for a view perpendicular to the plane of the scissors arms. In a preferred embodiment, the load joint is provided closer to the fulcrum joint than the knee joint, which, in turn is provided closer to the fulcrum joint than the actuation joint during a substantially closed state. During a stroke, the load joint is brought away from said fulcrum joint. Thereby, the lever principle, which requires rotating a lever over a fulcrum thus producing non-linear action, may be combined in a simple and efficient manner with a motor working at a low gearing and transferring power into axial movement or rotating a threaded rod.

In an embodiment, the lever comprises a telescopic end, whereby said stroke at least initially enables decreasing said lever distance and/or a curved guide guiding said load joint, enabling a movement of said load joint away from said fulcrum joint during at least an initial length of said stroke, whereby said stroke at least initially enables increasing said load distance and/or said load element comprises a knee joint whose position is fixed relative to said fulcrum joint and a load element connected to said knee joint and connected to said load joint, where the load element rotates around said knee joint and where this rotation enables lengthening the load distance during at least an initial length of said stroke. Thereby, the leverage provided by said lever decreases during an initial length of said stroke.

In an embodiment, the lever distance is provided at an angle to a distance going from said fulcrum joint to said knee-joint. Thereby, the lever is at an angle whereby transfer of forces by the stroke mechanism is more efficient.

In an embodiment of the invention, it relates to a wheelchair comprising a scissors lift according to the above.

Thereby, a wheelchair is provided having a safely operating scissors lift, which is easy to maintain with a motor protected and at least partially enclosed by the scissors lift and even by the central hollow scissors arm, allowing a safer and/or more easily maintained scissors lift.

In this aspect of the invention, the mentioned embodiments of the scissors lift can be applied to a wheelchair having a scissors lift as well.

LIST OF FIGURES

The scissors lift will be described in more detail below with references to exemplary embodiments shown in the figures wherein, Fig. 1A is a perspective view of a scissors lift according to the invention, Fig. 1 B illustrates a side view of a scissors lift according to the invention, Fig. 2A-2D illustrates an opening procedure of a scissors lift according to the invention, Fig. 3 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a scissors lift according to the invention. Fig. 4 illustrates an embodiment using a guide according to the invention.

Fig. 5 illustrates an embodiment using a knee-joint according to the invention.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Fig. 1A is a perspective view of a scissors lift 100 according to the invention. A central hollow scissors arm 101 comprises the motor and a stroke mechanism not shown, flanked by two passive scissors arms 103 and 103' at opposite scissors arm surfaces. The scissors arms 101 , 103, and 103' are pivotally connected at their mutual crossing through a scissors arms joint 108. The bottom frame 105 comprises a first pivot point 104 in one end of the frame. Said first pivot point 104 connects the central hollow scissors arm 101 to said bottom frame 105, whereas the passive scissors arms 103 and 103' are connected to the bottom frame through slidable bottom pivot points 106 and 106', which are mounted on displaceable elements along bottom rails 107 and 107'. The bottom frame 105 is a rectangular profile, i.e. a profile having two parallel arms connected in their ends through two shorter elements perpendicular to said longer arms. The bottom frame 105 may also be a 'U'-shaped profile, comprising a connection between said parallels in only one end. Fig. 1 B is a side view of the scissors lift 100 according to the invention. The side view originates from a cut in between the two passive scissors arms 103, 103', in a direction parallel to the plane of the scissors arms 101 , 103, and 103'. The central hollow scissors arm 101 houses a motor 110 and a stroke mechanism 1 11-120 for providing a stroke that lifts the top frame. The remaining two scissors arms 103, 103' are passive, such that their movement is determined through the movement of the central hollow scissors arm. A top frame 109 is shown in this embodiment, where the central hollow scissors arm 101 is pivotally connected to a displaceable element along the rails of the top frame 109, and the passive scissors arms 103 and 103' are connected to a fixed pivot point on the top frame 109.

A motor 110 is adapted to rotate a threaded rod 11 1 , displacing a threaded engaging element 112 fixed to an actuated element 114 along a threaded rod. The actuated element 114 moves along an actuation rail 113, parallel to the central hollow scissors arm. A lever 115 is pivotally connected to the central hollow scissors arm in a fulcrum joint 116, pivotally connected to the actuated element 1 14 through a telescopic end 1 17, and an knee joint 1 18 in an opposite, distal end.

The lever 115 slightly bends at the fulcrum joint 116 mounted on the central hollow scissors arm 101. Further, the lever 1 15 is connected to the bottom frame through a knee joint 1 18, mounted to a load element 119 connected to the bottom frame 105 through a load joint 120. The load element guides the transfer of force from said lever 115 to said load joint 120. In Fig. 2A, the scissors lift is shown in a closed state. In this state, the threaded engaging element 1 12 and the actuated element 1 14 connected to said threaded engaging element 112 is furthest away from the motor 1 10. Thereby, the telescopic end 117 is extended to compensate for the longer distance between the fulcrum joint 116 on the central hollow scissors arm 101 , and the actuation joint 121 of said telescopic end 117 to the actuated element 114. Further, the long distance between the two joints 116 and 121 of the telescopic end 117 allows for a greater leverage through the lever 115 in the beginning of the motion from a closed state to an open state. The knee joint-structure 1 18-120 is fully folded, and the bent nature of the lever 115 allows for a slimmer profile in a closed state. In Fig. 2B, the motor 1 10 has rotated the threaded rod 1 11 , bringing the threaded engaging element 1 12, and thereby the actuated element 114, slightly closer to the motor 1 10. The telescopic end 117 is now retracted, to accommodate the decreased distance between the fulcrum joint 1 16 and the actuation joint 121. The movement of the actuated element 114 has rotated the lever 115, pushing against the knee joint, which cannot move further downwards, instead translating the force into causing the central hollow scissors arm 101 to be slightly raised through the fulcrum joint 116 connecting it to said lever 115, further displacing the frames relative to each other.

In Fig. 2C, the threaded engaging element 1 12 is even closer to the motor 110. The telescopic end 117 is still retracted, but the lever 1 15 has been pulled further upwards, through the actuation joint 121 , executing a rotation in the fulcrum joint 116, further opening the knee-joint, thus putting a distance between the fulcrum joint 116 and the load joint 120, thereby lifting the central hollow scissors arm 101. In Fig. 2D, the threaded engaging element 1 12 is as close to the motor 110 as mechanically allowed. Thereby, the actuated element 114 has pulled the telescopic end 117 to its maximum height, thereby executing a pull in the lever 115, such that said lever further executes a pull in the pivotal connection 116, connected to the central hollow scissors arm 101. Thereby, said scissors arm 101 has reached is maximum height, ie displaced the bottom frame 105 and the top frame from each other as much as is mechanically allowed. Through said scissors arms joint 108, the passive scissors arms 103 and 103' have likewise reached their maximum angle with respect to the bottom frame 105. In all the above cases, the pull is supported through the knee joint-structure 1 18-120, connecting the stroke mechanism to the bottom frame 105 through the load joint 120. Further, in all the above cases, the passive scissors arms 103 and 103' have likewise increased their angle with respect to the bottom frame 105, as said passive scissors arms 103, 103' are pivotally connected to the central hollow scissors arm 101 through the scissors arms joint 108. The passive scissors arms 103, 103' are further able to move freely along the bottom rail 107 through slidable bottom joints 106, 106'.

Fig. 3 shows another embodiment of a scissors lift according to the invention. The general construction is unchanged from the first embodiment, but the stroke mechanism is modified. A linear actuator 310 is adapted to extend or retract a rod 311. At the end of the rod 31 1 , an element 312 is mounted and further connected to the actuated element 114, to which the stroke mechanism disclosed in the first embodiment applies and works likewise. Fig. 4 shows another embodiment of a scissors lift 400 according to the invention. The general construction of the scissors lift 400 is similar to the first embodiment 100, but the stroke mechanism is different. In this embodiment, a linear actuator 410 is mounted to the bottom frame 105, and the actuator 410 provides a push through an actuator rod 411 5 connected at the actuation joint 421 , to a lever 415. The lever element 415 comprises a load element being a guide 431 , guiding the movement of a load joint 420 and fixating the movement of the lever around this load joint 420. Thereby, the load element 431 guides the translation of force from the lever 415 to the load joint 420.

10 The load joint 420 is fixed on the central hollow scissors arm 101 , protruding into the load element 431 , limiting the motion of the lever element 415 to the shape of said load element 431. The lever element 415 is pivotally connected to the bottom frame 105 through a fulcrum joint 416, such that a push provided by the actuator rod 411 causes the lever 415 to move along the load element 431 , kept in place by the fulcrum joint 416, and by being

15 further pivotally connected to the bottom frame 105, the push by the actuator rod 411 causes the lift to open by displacing the load joint 420 relative to the fulcrum joint 416, increasing the angle between the bottom frame and the scissors arms 101 , 103, and 103'. A cavity 432 in the wall of the central hollow arm 101 is provided to allow access of the bottom frame for the fulcrum joint 416.

20

Fig. 5 shows another embodiment of a scissors lift 500 according to the invention. The general construction of the scissors lift 500 is similar to the first embodiment 100, but the stroke mechanism is different. In this embodiment, a linear actuator 510 is mounted to the bottom frame 105, being capable of providing a push or a pull through the actuation joint

25 521. The actuation joint 521 connects to a leg of a V-shaped lever 515. Further, the lever has a fulcrum joint 516 at a bend in the lever, around which the leverage of the motor rotates. A shorter leg is provided with a knee-joint. A load element 519 is connected between the knee joint 518 and a load joint 520 mounted on the central hollow scissors arm 101. When the linear actuator 510 extends the actuation rod 513, the rotation provided

30 to the lever 515 causes its distal end to transfer the rotation through the knee joint 518 and onto the load joint 520 mounted on the central hollow scissors arm 101 , finally causing the angle between the bottom frame and the scissors arms 101 , 103, and 103' to increase. A cavity 532 in the wall of the central hollow arm 101 is provided to allow access of the bottom frame for the fulcrum joint 516. REFERENCE NUMBERS

100 scissors lift

101 central hollow scissors arm 103, 03' passive arms

5 104 first pivot point

105 bottom frame

106, 106' slidable bottom joints

107 bottom rail

108 scissors arms joint 10 109 top frame

110 motor

11 1 threaded rod

112 thread engaging element

113 actuation rail

15 114 actuated element

5 lever

116 fulcrum joint

117 telescopic end

118 knee joint

20 119 load element

120 load joint

121 actuation joint

310 linear actuator

25 31 1 rod

400 scissors lift

410 linear actuator

41 1 actuator rod // 411 30 415 lever

416 fulcrum joint

419 load element

420 load joint

421 actuation joint

35 432 cavity 500 scissors lift 510 linear actuator 515 lever

5 516 fulcrum joint

518 knee joint

519 load element

520 load joint

521 actuation joint 10 532 cavity