Transport Device and method of operating such Transport De ^¬ vice

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a transport device and a re ^¬ lated method of operation for transporting objects, e.g. sick beds or containers, in buildings, particularly in hospitals.

Background of the Invention

In hospitals, many patients are transported in their sick beds by the medical staff by pushing them through the build ^¬ ings by hand. In many cases, more than one person is needed to manoeuvre the sick bed. In addition, after usage each pa ^¬ tient bed has to be cleaned and disinfected in a special room, then moved to a storage room and then back to the pa- tient room. Furthermore, in hospitals different types of goods have to be transported in containers and rolling cup ^¬ boards over long distances within the hospital buildings.

Therefore, many transport processes have to be carried out by the staff, which is time-consuming and physical power- consuming as well.

In most cases, the above mentioned transport is carried out manually by the personnel. Only in few hospitals there are driverless transport systems which perform the transport on separate traffic lanes or areas.

Summary of the Invention The objective of the present invention is to provide a device and a method for easily moving sick beds and other objects throughout a hospital building. To solve the problem, the present invention provides a transport device and a method of operating the transport de ^¬ vice. Advantageous embodiments are provided in the dependent claims .

According to the invention the transport device comprises a mobile transport platform with motor-driven omnidirectional wheels. By its variable geometry, the transport device can be automatically adapted to different transport tasks in hospi- tals, but is suitable for general logistics tasks in build ^¬ ings as well.

Well known omnidirectional wheels (as well called omni wheels, poly wheels or multidirectional wheels) roll forward like normal wheels but can slide sideways with nearly no friction. Omnidirectional wheels are conventional wheels with a series of rollers attached to its circumference.

The transport device (or trolley or cart) is mainly designed for the transport of sick beds. Empty sick beds can be auton ^¬ omously transported throughout the hospital with the help of a fully automatic control system with sensors and navigation function. When a patient is lying in the sick bed, the transport device is accompanied by a nurse, who is mainly concerned with the patient.

In the case the movements of the transport device are par ^¬ tially autonomously executed, the accompanying nurse does not need to control the transport device. The navigation and avoidance of collisions are still carried out automatically by the control unit with connected sensors. However, the movement of the platform adapts to the speed and direction of the accompanying person, so that they nurse can focus on the patient .

In addition to carrying different types of sick beds, the transport device can be used for other transport purposes, e.g. material containers or wheelchairs, due to its variable geometry. An essential advantage of the transport device is its omnidirectional chassis, which allows an easy placing un ^¬ derneath objects and moving without difficult steering ma ^¬ noeuvres .

The invention claims a transport device for carrying and mov ^¬ ing an object from one location to another, comprising a chassis and at least four motor-driven (= motorized) omnidi ^¬ rectional wheels arranged on the chassis, whereas the chassis is configured to adapt the wheelbase and the track gauge of the omnidirectional wheels according to the size of the ob ^¬ ject by movement of at least one motor-driven omnidirectional wheel . The advantage of the invention lies in the universal usage of the transport device for nearly all sizes and shapes of an obj ect .

In a further embodiment of the invention the omnidirectional wheels are of the Mecanum type and electrical motorized.

In a further embodiment the transport device comprises at least one lifting device arranged on the chassis, which is configured to lift the object for transportation.

Furthermore the chassis has the shape of a two-pronged fork, whereas the omnidirectional wheels are arranged on two prongs . In a further embodiment the prongs can be elongated and adaptable in width and/or the lifting device is arranged on the prong.

In a further embodiment the lifting device comprises a blade configured means which is configured to slip under the wheel of a sick bed and lifting the wheel. In a further embodiment of the invention the chassis is fold- able in order to save storage space and/or the prongs are configured to move in a vertical position in a storage mode. Furthermore, the transport device comprises sensors, which are configured to interact with the surrounding and a control unit connected with the sensors, which is configured to au ^¬ tonomously and automatically move the transport device. These features have the advantage of enabling autonomous or semi-autonomous movement of the transport device.

Furthermore, the invention claims a method for automatically operating a transport device according to the invention with following steps:

driving the transport device to the object,

lifting the object and

transporting the object to a destination. In a further embodiment of the method the prongs are adapted in length and lateral distance in order to be adapted to the size of the object. This is performed by the active movement (rotation and sliding) of at least one omnidirectional wheel. Further benefits and advantages of the present invention will become apparent after a careful reading of the detailed de ^¬ scription with appropriate reference to the accompanying drawings . Brief Description of the Drawings

Fig. 1: shows a top view of a transport device, Fig. 2: shows a side view of a transport device,

Fig. 3: shows a top view of a transport device with two different longitudinal positions of the chassis, Fig. 4: shows a top view of a transport device with two different lateral positions of the chassis,

Fig. 5: shows a top view of a transport device with four different positions of the chassis,

Fig. 6: shows a side view of a transport device with a folded chassis, Fig. 7: shows a spatial view of a lifting device for sick beds ,

Fig. 8: shows a side view of a transport device approaching a sick bed,

Fig. 9: shows a side view of a transport device lifting a sick bed,

Fig. 10: shows a side view of a transport device approaching a container and

Fig. 11: shows a side view of a transport device lifting a container . Detailed Description of the Invention

Fig. 1 to Fig. 6 show a transport device for lifting and transporting an object, e.g. a sick bed. Fig. 1 and Fig. 3 to Fig. 5 show a top view of the transport device, while Fig. 2 and Fig. 6 show a side view of the transport device. The transport device comprises a horizontal oriented chassis 1 fixed on a vertical oriented base body 2.

The chassis 1 has the shape of a two-pronged fork comprising two parallel oriented prongs 4 which can be elongated and laterally moved. Therefore, the wheelbase (direction 9) and the track gauge (direction 10) of the chassis can be varied and adapted to the size of an object to be transported. Re- sponsible for this variation are four individually motor- driven omnidirectional wheels 3 arranged on the prongs 4, two on each prong 4. Preferably, the motorized omnidirectional wheel 3 uses an electrical motor for driving.

Each prong 4 comprises a first linear guiding sleeve 5 and a first extension 7, which can be pulled into and moved out of the first linear guiding sleeve 5 by movement of the motor- driven omnidirectional wheel 3. Thus, the wheelbase of the chassis 1 can be varied. For variation of the track gauge, the chassis 1 comprises a second linear guiding sleeve 6, rectangular arranged to the prongs 4, and a second extension 8, which can be pulled into and moved out of the second line ^¬ ar guiding sleeve 6 causing the variation of the track gauge due to movement of the omnidirectional wheel 3.

Preferably, the omnidirectional wheels 3 are of the Mecanum type. The base body 2 can comprise a control unit for autono ^¬ mous movement of the transport device and batteries for sup- plying the motor-driven omnidirectional wheels 3 with elec ^¬ trical power.

Fig. 3 shows a variation (direction 9) of the wheelbase from one into another position. Fig. 4 shows a variation (direc- tion 10) of the track gauge from one into another position. Fig. 5 shows a variation (direction 9 and direction 10) of the wheelbase and track gauge from one into another position.

Fig. 6 shows the transport device of Fig. 1 to Fig. 5 in a folded position. Therefore, the prongs 4 can move vertically upwards (direction 14), whereas the wheelbase is significant ^¬ ly reduced. In such a position the transport device can easi ^¬ ly be stored in a small space or easily manoeuvred in tight space .

Fig. 7 shows an embodiment of a lifting device 11 of the transport device in a spatial view. The lifting device 11 is inwardly mounted on the first extraction 7 of a prong 4. The omnidirectional wheel 3 is mounted outwardly. The lifting de ^¬ vice 11 comprises two rollers 13 and blade 12 both mounted on a base plate. Rollers 13 and blade 12 form a curved struc ^¬ ture, which can easily slip under a wheel 18 of a sick bed 17 or any other object with wheels. By slipping the rollers 13 and the blade 12 under the wheel 18 the wheel 18 is lifted. Slipping is induced by a movement of the first extraction 7 due to a movement of the omnidirectional wheel 3. Since the rollers 13 are able to rotate along their axis blocked or locked wheels 18 are able to glide onto the lifting device 11.

Fig. 8 and Fig. 9 show the lifting of a sick bed 17 by a transport device in detail. The sick bed 17 comprises wheels 18 resting on the floor 20. The transport device comprises a base body 2 and a chassis 1. The chassis 1 comprises two prongs 4 consisting of first linear guiding sleeves 5 and first extractions 7 which can move in direction 9 by movement of the omnidirectional wheel 3 mounted on the first extrac- tion 7. The first extraction 7 can be locked in any longitu ^¬ dinal position.

In Fig. 8 the blades 12 of the lifting device are moved closely to the wheels 18 of the sick bed 17. In Fig. 9 the first extraction 7 has been moved in direction 9 and the blades 12 have been slipped under the wheels 18 while lifting the sick bed 18. The first extraction 7 is blocked and the transport device is able to carry the sick bed 17 to its des ^¬ tination .

Fig. 10 and Fig. 11 show the lifting of a container 19 by a transport device in detail. The container 19 rests on a floor. The transport device comprises a base body 2 and a chassis 1. The chassis 1 comprises two prongs 4 with omnidi- rectional wheel 3 mounted on the prongs 4. Due to the possi ^¬ bility of adapting the wheelbase and the track gauge or the chassis 1 the lifting devices 11 mounted on the prongs 4 can move close to the container 19. The lifting device 11 com- prises a lifting traverse 15 which can be moved up and down by movement of the traverse mover 16 in the direction of the arrow as depicted in Fig. 11. In Fig. 10 the container 19 rests on the floor. In Fig. 11 the container 19 is lifted and is ready for being carried to its destination.

Equipped with sensors interacting with the surroundings and a control unit connected with the sensors, the transport device is capable of moving autonomously or semi-autonomously from one location to another.

Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment ( s ) as mentioned above, it is to be un ^¬ derstood that many other possible modifications and varia ^¬ tions can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. It is, therefore, contemplated that the appended claim or claims will cover such modifications and variations that fall within the true scope of the invention.

List of Reference Signs

1 chassis

2 base body

3 motor-driven omnidirectional wheel

4 prong

5 first linear guiding sleeve

6 second linear guiding sleeve

7 first extraction

8 second extraction

9 direction of longitudinal extraction

10 direction of lateral extraction

11 lifting device

12 blade

13 roller

14 direction of folding

15 lifting traverse

16 traverse mover

17 sick bed

18 wheel of sick bed 17

19 container

20 floor