Abstract: An auxiliary drive device for a wheelchair has at least one electrically driven drive wheel and a coupling mechanism for coupling the auxiliary drive device to the wheelchair. The electrically driven drive wheel is supported at a steering shaft and freely pivotable with respect to the auxiliary drive device. The steering shaft is arranged such that, when the auxiliary drive device is coupled at a wheelchair ready to be operated, a castor is provided for the electrically driven drive wheel.

Abstract: An auxiliary drive device for a wheelchair has at least one 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.

Abstract: A direct current machine comprises a stator and a rotor, wherein one of these two has a plurality of magnets which are alternatively magnetized north and south, and the respective other part has a plurality of coils which are formed by teeth around which insulated wire is wound, wherein between these coils there are formed respective slots and the coils are combined in coil groups; and a current controlled inverter for driving the machine; wherein each coil group has a front terminal and a rear terminal and the coil groups are connected such that a defined wiring concept is formed and wherein the front terminals and end terminals are connected via an interconnection element which is specifically designed for a defined wiring concept.

Abstract: A direct current machine comprises a stator and a rotor, one of them having a plurality of magnets alternatively magnetized north and south and the other one of them having a plurality of coils formed by winding insulated wire around teeth in order to provide a three-phase winding, wherein slots are formed between said coils and the coils are grouped in coil groups of four coils each, and a current controlled inverter for driving said machine, wherein each coil group has the same winding pattern so that each first coil of a coil group, seen in a direction of rotation, is wound in the same winding direction and two, in the direction of rotation, consecutive coil groups of the same phase are connected such that current flows through one in the direction of rotation and through the other one in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation.

Abstract: A direct current machine comprises a stator and a rotor, wherein one of these two has a plurality of magnets which are alternatively magnetized north and south, and the respective other part has a plurality of coils which are formed by teeth around which insulated wire is wound, wherein between these coils there are formed respective slots and the coils are combined in coil groups; and a current controlled inverter for driving the machine; wherein each coil group has a front terminal and a rear terminal and the coil groups are connected such that a defined wiring concept is formed and wherein the front terminals and end terminals are connected via an interconnection element which is specifically designed for a defined wiring concept.

Abstract: A direct current machine comprises a stator and a rotor, one of them having a plurality of magnets alternatively magnetized north and south and the other one of them having a plurality of coils formed by winding insulated wire around teeth in order to provide a three-phase winding, wherein slots are formed between said coils and the coils are grouped in coil groups of four coils each, and a current controlled inverter for driving said machine, wherein each coil group has the same winding pattern so that each first coil of a coil group, seen in a direction of rotation, is wound in the same winding direction and two, in the direction of rotation, consecutive coil groups of the same phase are connected such that current flows through one in the direction of rotation and through the other one in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation.

Abstract: A drive assistance device for a wheelchair includes a drive motor, a running wheel and a sensor device which is adapted to determine a driving force manually induced into the running wheel; and a control unit which is adapted to control the drive motor for driving the running wheel depending on the driving force manually induced by the user into the running wheel. The control unit of the drive assistance device includes a user force analysis operational mode which is adapted to determine data concerning physical efficiency and capacity of the user. These include a maximum force of the user as well as the maximum speed which can be reached with purely manual drive.

Abstract: A stair-climbing device including a support unit, a climbing unit driven by a motor and a control unit for controlling operation of the climbing unit, wherein a detection unit is provided for detecting the current position of the support unit with respect to one or several steps of a stair which includes at least one non-contact sensor, wherein the detection unit provides signals to the control unit, which signals contain information about the current position of the support unit with respect to one or several steps of the stair, and wherein the control unit is adapted to control operation of the climbing unit depending on signals of the detection unit.

Abstract: A drive assistance device for a wheelchair includes a drive motor, a running wheel and a sensor device which is adapted to determine a driving force manually induced into the running wheel; and a control unit which is adapted to control the drive motor for driving the running wheel depending on the driving force manually induced by the user into the running wheel. The control unit of the drive assistance device includes a user force analysis operational mode which is adapted to determine data concerning physical efficiency and capacity of the user. These include a maximum force of the user as well as the maximum speed which can be reached with purely manual drive.

Abstract: A drive assistance device for a wheelchair having a drive motor, a running wheel and a sensor device which is adapted to detect a driving force manually induced into the running wheel. A control unit which is adapted to control the drive motor for driving the running wheel depending on a driving force manually induced by the user into the running wheel has a user force determination operational mode in which the maximum force of the user can be determined.

Abstract: A stair climbing device, adapted for a wheel chair, including at least one climbing element which is adapted to be moved on a circular path so that it can get in contact with the next step of a stair and lift or lower the stair climbing device on the next step. The stair climbing device includes a drive motor for providing a driving force for moving the at least one climbing element on the circular path, wherein the movement of the at least one climbing element on the circular path is carried out with a non-constant rotational speed. A gear transmission assembly is provided between the drive motor and the at least one climbing element which gear transmission assembly is adapted to cyclically vary the rotational speed of the at least one climbing element with respect to the rotational speed of the drive motor.

Abstract: A stair-climbing device including a support unit, a climbing unit driven by a motor and a control unit for controlling operation of the climbing unit, wherein a detection unit is provided for detecting the current position of the support unit with respect to one or several steps of a stair which includes at least one non-contact sensor, wherein the detection unit provides signals to the control unit, which signals contain information about the current position of the support unit with respect to one or several steps of the stair, and wherein the control unit is adapted to control operation of the climbing unit depending on signals of the detection unit.

Abstract: A drive assistance device for a wheel chair having a drive motor, a driving wheel, a sensor means which is designed such that a driving force manually induced into a driving wheel is detected, and a control unit, designed such that the drive motor is controlled to drive the driving wheel in accordance with a drive assistance degree depending on the driving force manually induced into the driving wheel, wherein the control unit comprises an anti-rollback operational mode in which it is adapted to control the drive motor such that an unintended rolling of the driving wheel is avoided. The invention also relates to a wheel chair having such a drive assistance device.

Abstract: A stair climbing device, adapted for a wheel chair, including at least one climbing element which is adapted to be moved on a circular path so that it can get in contact with the next step of a stair and lift or lower the stair climbing device on the next step. The stair climbing device includes a drive motor for providing a driving force for moving the at least one climbing element on the circular path, wherein the movement of the at least one climbing element on the circular path is carried out with a non-constant rotational speed. A gear transmission assembly is provided between the drive motor and the at least one climbing element which gear transmission assembly is adapted to cyclically vary the rotational speed of the at least one climbing element with respect to the rotational speed of the drive motor.

Abstract: A drive assistance device for a wheel chair having a drive motor, a driving wheel, a sensor means which is designed such that a driving force manually induced into a driving wheel is detected, and a control unit, designed such that the drive motor is controlled to drive the driving wheel in accordance with a drive assistance degree depending on the driving force manually induced into the driving wheel, wherein the control unit comprises an anti-rollback operational mode in which it is adapted to control the drive motor such that an unintended rolling of the driving wheel is avoided. The invention also relates to a wheel chair having such a drive assistance device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a small vehicle, particularly a wheel chair, having a modular structure including a main component, at least one pivotable wheel which is adapted to be detachably mounted at said main component via a quick release device, at least one driving wheel adapted to be detachably mounted at said main component via a quick release device and a seat component which is adapted to be detachably mounted at said main component via a quick release device. The main component comprises a main body to which four arms for supporting the wheels are springably coupled. The quick release devices between said main component and said wheels are disposed between said arms and said wheels, respectively.

Abstract: A drive assistance device for a hand-driven wheel chair has two running wheels, said running wheels being adapted to be detachably mounted to a wheel chair frame and being provided with hand rims for applying manual force. Each of said running wheels comprises a drive unit having an electric motor, a power supply and an electronic control unit associated thereto. Said complete drive unit including said electric motor, said power supply and said electronic control unit associated thereto is located in the region of the wheel hub. Preferably, said drive unit including said electric motor, said power supply and said electronic control unit associated thereto is adapted to rotate together with said running wheel.