Invacare Corporation

Theodore D Wakefield, Ii

Neal Joseph Curran

Joseph B Richey, Iii

Thomas Strothmann

Julie A Jacono

Robert T Kaiser

Apparatus for reprogramming a programmed controller of a power driven wheelchair comprises: a reprogrammable, non-volatile memory programmed with a plurality of programs executable by the controller to operate the wheelchair, the non-volatile memory disposed at the wheelchair and coupled to the wheelchair controller; a general-purpose computer programmed to reprogram the non-volatile memory while disposed at the wheelchair, the programmed computer for storing main programs for use in reprogramming the non-volatile memory, the programmed computer being coupleable to the wheelchair controller for accommodating an exchange of data therebetween; and wherein the wheelchair controller being operative to communicate with the programmed computer to reprogram the non-volatile memory with the main programs while the non-volatile memory is disposed at the wheelchair. Methods for reprogramming the non-volatile memory are also disclosed.

Method and apparatus for reprogramming a programmed controller of a power driven wheelchair

A method of setting values of a multiplicity of performance parameters of a power driven wheelchair into a controller comprises the steps of: grouping the multiplicity of performance parameters into at least two groups; for each group, (a) establishing a corresponding relationship between a selected performance parameter and each of the other performance parameters; and (b) presetting the established relationships into the controller; determining a value for each selected performance parameter based on the user's capabilities of operating the wheelchair; entering the determined value for each selected performance parameter into the controller; deriving automatically for each group a value for each of the other performance parameters based on the entered value of the selected performance parameter and the corresponding established relationships of each of the other performance parameters with the selected performance parameter; and storing the entered and derived values of the performance parameters into the controller.

Method and apparatus for setting speed/response performance parameters of a power driven wheelchair

A drive motor assembly for a power driven wheelchair comprises: a stator housing for containing field coils of a stator of the motor assembly; at least one sensor disposed in the stator housing for sensing rotation of the motor; a memory storing motor error parameter data including data of errors of the at least one sensor, the memory being embedded in the stator housing; and a connection for accessing the error parameter data of the memory from the stator housing. The motor error parameter data may be accessed from the embedded memory of the drive motor by a programmed motor controller for use in controlling the drive motor. Also, the motor error parameter data may be embedded in the drive motor by the steps of: controlling the motor through at least one predetermined drive pattern; sensing motor rotation during the drive pattern and generating signals representative thereof; deriving error parameter data of the drive motor from the generated signals; programming a memory with the derived error parameter data; and embedding the memory in the drive motor.

Method and apparatus for embedding motor error parameter data in a drive motor of a power driven wheelchair

Apparatus of a power driven wheelchair for displaying operational parameters thereof comprises: a programmed controller operative to monitor a plurality of operational parameters of the wheelchair; a joystick unit coupled to the programmed controller; and a display screen integral to the joystick unit. The programmed controller is operative to interact with the joystick unit to display a user selected operational parameter of the plurality on the display screen of the joystick unit. In addition, a method of displaying operational parameters of a power driven wheelchair on a display screen integral to a joystick unit of the wheelchair comprises the steps of: monitoring a plurality of operational parameters of the wheelchair by a programmed controller; coupling the joystick unit to the programmed controller; utilizing the joystick unit to select an operational parameter of the plurality; and operating the programmed controller to interact with the joystick unit to display the selected operational parameter of the plurality on the display screen of the joystick unit.

Integral joystick display for a powder driven wheelchair

A method of adjusting globally performance parameters of a power driven wheelchair for a plurality of drive programs thereof comprises the steps of: programming a microcontroller with a plurality of drive programs for operating the wheelchair, each drive program including a multiplicity of adjustable performance parameters; adjusting a selected performance parameter of the multiplicity to a desired result; setting a global flag to a desired status; storing the desired result of the selected performance parameter solely in memory allocated to a selected drive program of the plurality when the global flag is set to a first status; and storing the desired result of the selected performance parameter globally in memory allocated to each of the drive programs of the plurality when the global flag is set to

Method of adjusting globally performance parameters of a power driven wheelchair

A method of setting values of a multiplicity of performance parameters of a power driven wheelchair into a controller thereof comprises the steps of: grouping the multiplicity of performance parameters into at least two groups; for each group, (a) establishing a corresponding relationship between a selected performance parameter and each of the other performance parameters; and (b) presetting the established relationships into the controller; determining a value for each selected performance parameter based on the user's capabilities of operating the wheelchair; entering the determined value for each selected performance parameter into the controller; deriving automatically by the controller for each group a value for each of the other performance parameters based on the entered value of the selected performance parameter and the corresponding established relationships of each of the other performance parameters with the selected performance parameter; and storing the entered and derived values of the performance parameters into the controller.

A motorized wheelchair is advantageously provided with a rate-of-turn feedback sensor and with forward/reverse motion, lateral motion, and vertical motion acceleration feedback sensors that are integrated into a closed-loop wheelchair servo control system to differentially control the rotational speed of wheelchair opposed motor-driven wheels and thereby obtain improved wheelchair motion stability through reduction/elimination of likely wheelchair spin-out and wheelchair tipping during wheelchair operation.

Motorized wheelchairs

A bed (A) has side rails (20, 22) and defines a patient supporting surface (38). A mounting assembly (B) includes a transverse member (50) which is clamped to the bed side rails and an upstanding post (58). A power module mounting bar (70) is slidably positioned on the upstanding post to be mounted thereto in a selectively adjustable vertical position and to be selectively swung about the axis of the post to a storage position. A power module (C) drives a shaft (98) through reciprocating angular displacement at a selectively adjustable speed and between selectively adjustable angular displacement limits. A patient joint flexing assembly (D) is connected with the power module shaft to flex a selected one of the patient's joints under motive force supplied by the power module. Commonly, a plurality of joint flexing assemblies are provided, each particularly adapted for flexing one of the patient's joints, such as a knee flexing assembly, an elbow flexing assembly, and the like. In the knee flexing assembly, a thigh supporting frame portion (174) and a calf supporting frame portion (176) are interconnected by a polycentric hinge (178). In a elbow flexing assembly, a wrist flexing mechanism (220) is provided for flexing the patient's wrist in coordination with flexing of the elbow.

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Vermillion, OH, United States of America

Theodore D Wakefield, Ii