EP-4735278-A1 - CHASSIS FOR A PERSONAL MOBILITY VEHICLE OR A RECREATIONAL VEHICLE

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a chassis for a personal mobility vehicle, such as a wheelchair, for an individual with a disability The chassis comprises: a base frame for supporting a seat of the personal mobility vehicle thereon; a front subframe with at least one ground-engaging front wheel, the front subframe being connected to the base frame via a front suspension for resilient movement relative to the base frame; and a rear subframe having at least one ground-engaging rear wheel, the rear subframe being connected to the base frame via a rear suspension for resilient movement relative to the base frame. The front subframe and the rear subframe are separately and independently pivotally connected to the base frame for pivoting movement relative to the base. To this end, the front subframe is pivotally connected to the base frame via a first pivot joint and the rear subframe is pivotally connected to the base frame via a second pivot joint.

Inventors

• DAFF, ASHLEY CAMPBELL
• MAIN, Rhys Dean

Assignees

• Red Milawa Pty Ltd

Dates

Publication Date

20260506

Application Date

20240628

Claims (20)

1. 1. A chassis for a personal mobility vehicle or recreational vehicle, the chassis comprising: a base frame for supporting a seat and/or for supporting a user of the vehicle thereon; a front subframe having at least one ground-engaging front wheel, the front subframe being connected to the base frame via a front suspension for resilient movement relative to the base frame; and a rear subframe having at least one ground-engaging rear wheel, the rear subframe being connected to the base frame via a rear suspension for resilient movement relative to the base frame; wherein at least one of the front subframe and the rear subframe, and preferably both of them, is/are separately and independently pivotally connected to the base frame for pivoting movement relative to the base frame.
2. 2. The chassis according to claim 1 , wherein the front subframe is pivotally connected to the base frame via a first pivot joint and/or wherein the rear subframe is pivotally connected to the base frame via a second pivot joint.
3. 3. A chassis for a personal mobility vehicle or recreational vehicle, the chassis comprising: a base frame for supporting a seat and/or for supporting a user of the vehicle thereon; a front subframe having a pair of ground-engaging front wheels, the front subframe being connected to the base frame via a front suspension for resilient movement relative to the base frame; and a rear subframe having a pair of ground-engaging rear wheels, the rear subframe being connected to the base frame via a rear suspension for resilient movement relative to the base frame; wherein the front subframe is pivotally connected to the base frame via a first pivot joint, and wherein the rear subframe is pivotally connected to the base frame via a second pivot joint.
4. 4. The chassis according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the front subframe includes: a transverse member on which each ground-engaging front wheel is mounted, and an elongate member rigidly connected with the transverse member that extends rearwardly, and preferably centrally, on the base frame, with a rearward end of that elongate member being pivotally connected to the base frame via the first pivot joint.
5. 5. The chassis according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the rear subframe includes: a transverse member on which each ground-engaging rear wheel is mounted, and an elongate member rigidly connected with that transverse member extending forwardly, and preferably generally centrally, on the base frame, with a forward end of that elongate member being pivotally connected to the base frame via the second pivot joint.
6. 6. The chassis according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the front subframe is configured for pivoting movement relative to the base frame about one, or both, of a transverse axis of the base frame and a longitudinal axis of the base frame.
7. 7. The chassis according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the rear subframe is configured for pivoting movement relative to the base frame about one, or both, of a transverse axis of the base frame and a longitudinal axis of the base frame.
8. 8. The chassis according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the front suspension is provided between the base frame and the transverse part of the front subframe, and wherein the rear suspension is provided between the base frame and the transverse part of the rear subframe.
9. 9. A personal mobility vehicle, especially a wheelchair, for an individual with a disability, the personal mobility vehicle comprising a chassis according to any one of the preceding claims.
10. 10. A recreational vehicle, such as a scooter, a quad bike, or a golf cart, wherein the vehicle comprises a chassis according to any one of claims 1 to 8.
11. 11. A chassis for a recreational vehicle or for a personal mobility vehicle for an individual with a disability, the chassis comprising: a base frame for supporting a seat, or for supporting a user, of the vehicle thereon; and a front subframe for mounting at least one ground-engaging front wheel of the vehicle, the front subframe being connected to the base frame for resilient movement relative to the base frame; wherein the front subframe is connected to the base frame via a first pivot joint.
12. 12. The chassis according to claim 1 1 , comprising a rear subframe for mounting at least one ground-engaging rear wheel of the vehicle, wherein the rear subframe is connected to the base frame for resilient movement relative to the base frame via a second pivot joint.
13. 13. The chassis according to claim 12, wherein the first pivot joint is located on the base frame rearward of the second pivot joint, and/or wherein the second pivot joint is located on the base frame forward of the first pivot joint.
14. 14. The chassis according to any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the first pivot joint is provided on a rear portion of the base frame (i.e., rearward of a centre of the base frame), and/or wherein the second pivot joint is provided on a front portion of the base frame (i.e., forward of a centre of the base frame).
15. 15. The chassis according to any one of claims 1 1 to 14, wherein the front sub-frame comprises a transverse part adapted to support a pair of ground-engaging front wheels at laterally opposite sides thereof, and a longitudinal part that extends rearwardly of the transverse part, wherein an end region of the rearwardly extending longitudinal part is pivotally connected to the base frame via the first pivot joint.
16. 16. The chassis according to claim 15, wherein the transverse part of the front subframe comprises at least one transverse member for supporting one of the ground-engaging front wheels at an end thereof, and the longitudinal part of the front subframe includes an elongate member rigidly connected with the transverse part that extends rearwardly, and preferably generally centrally, of the base frame, wherein an end of the elongate member is pivotally connected to the base frame via the first pivot joint.
17. 17. The chassis according to any one of claims 11 to 16, wherein the front sub-frame is connected to the base frame for resilient movement relative to the base frame about the first pivot joint, preferably via a front suspension that is provided between the base frame and the transverse part of the front subframe.
18. 18. The chassis according to any of claims 1 1 to 17, wherein the rear subframe comprises a transverse part adapted to support a pair of ground-engaging rear wheels at laterally opposite sides thereof, and a longitudinal part that extends forwardly of that transverse part, wherein an end region of the forwardly extending longitudinal part is pivotally connected to the base frame via the second pivot joint.
19. 19. The chassis according to claim 18, wherein the transverse part of the rear subframe comprises at least one transverse member for supporting one of the ground-engaging rear wheels at an end thereof, and the longitudinal part of the rear subframe includes an elongate member rigidly connected with the transverse part that extends forwardly, and preferably centrally, of the base frame, wherein an end of the forwardly extending elongate member is pivotally connected to the base frame via the second pivot joint.
20. 20. The chassis according to any one of claims 11 to 19, wherein the rear sub-frame is connected to the base frame for resilient movement relative to the base frame about the second pivot joint, preferably via a rear suspension that is provided between the base frame and the transverse part of the rear subframe.

Description

CHASSIS FOR A PERSONAL MOBILITY VEHICLE OR A RECREATIONAL VEHICLE Technical Field [0001] The present disclosure relates generally to a chassis for a vehicle, such as a personal mobility vehicle or a recreational vehicle. In this context, it will be noted that personal mobility vehicles include wheelchairs, such as motorised wheelchairs, for individuals with a disability. This disclosure particularly relates to a chassis for a personal mobility vehicle, such as a wheelchair, or a recreational vehicle, and to a personal mobility vehicle or a recreational vehicle that incorporates such a chassis. [0002] As mentioned above, the chassis of this disclosure is especially suited for use in a personal mobility vehicle, such as a motorised wheelchair, and it will be convenient to describe the chassis in this exemplary context. It will be appreciated, however, that the chassis of the disclosure is not limited to this particular use or application, and it may also be employed in a range of other types of vehicles, such as mobility scooters, quad bikes, golf carts, and other such recreational vehicles. Background Art [0003] Personal mobility vehicles, such as wheelchairs, for individuals suffering a disability typically include a seat for the user mounted on a rolling chassis. Modern personal mobility vehicles are electrically powered and often have a user control interface or control system provided on or near the seat, such as in or adjacent to an armrest of the seat, for easy access and operation of the vehicle functionalities by the user. The rolling chassis will typically include a pair of front wheels and a pair of rear wheels, at least some of which wheels are designed to be driven by an electric motor. Accordingly, vehicle functionalities which are operable via the user control interface or control system provided on or near the armrest of the seat may include the driven movement, direction and/or steering of the wheels, adjustment of the seat position, adjustment of the armrest positions, adjustment of a headrest position, and adjustment of a leg rest position. [0004] Personal mobility vehicles, such as wheelchairs, are typically configured to traverse generally smooth terrains, such as are found indoors or in paved outdoor areas. Some users, however, also require personal mobility vehicles to navigate rougher terrain, such as unsurfaced roads or tracks. Rougher terrain of this sort can create issues for conventional personal mobility vehicles that impact stability and obstacle negotiation. Personal mobility vehicles with an “all-terrain” configured chassis are specially adapted for navigating larger obstacles while maintaining the stability of the user / occupant. Such stability is a particularly important feature for a wheelchair as many users lack sufficient sensory perceptions or muscle I motor control to maintain a sense of balance or to react to movements of the wheelchair themselves. Many all-terrain wheelchairs utilize larger pneumatic tyres to maintain ground clearance and improve off road capability. These arrangements, however, typically employ a conventional wheelchair chassis. Jolts and rebound movements of the wheelchair that occur in response to obstacles encountered while navigating uneven terrain can then transfer undesired impulses and movements to the user. [0005] In view of the above, therefore, it would be desirable to provide a new and improved chassis for a personal mobility vehicle, especially for a wheelchair, for an individual with a disability. It would also be desirable to provide a new and improved chassis for a recreational vehicle, such as a motorised scooter, a quad bike, a golf cart, or other motorised cart, as well as a vehicle incorporating such a new chassis. It would be particularly helpful to provide a chassis for a personal mobility vehicle or recreational vehicle that can accommodate large suspension movements and that can maintain stability while navigating uneven or rough terrain. Summary [0006] According to one aspect, the present disclosure provides a chassis for a personal mobility vehicle or a recreational vehicle, the chassis comprising: a base frame for supporting a seat and/or for supporting a user of the vehicle seated there-on; and a front subframe for supporting at least one ground-engaging front wheel of the vehicle, wherein the front subframe is connected to the base frame for resilient movement relative to the base frame via a pivot joint. [0007] According to another aspect, the present disclosure provides a chassis for a personal mobility vehicle or a recreational vehicle, the chassis comprising: a base frame for supporting a seat and/or a user of the vehicle seated thereon; and a rear subframe for supporting at least one ground-engaging rear wheel of the vehicle, wherein the rear subframe is connected to the base frame for resilient movement relative to the base frame via a pivot joint. [0008] In this way, the chassis of the disclosure may provide for