Patent Grant
7482544
This application claims priority of Chinese Patent Application Nos. 200630122026.X, filed on Jul. 7, 2006, entitled “A CHAIR BASE FRAME” by Jiaxiong Gong, Ming Yin, and Xiaojun Gong, and 200630088570.7, filed on Jun. 30, 2006, entitled “A LINEARLY DRIVEN DEVICE” by Jiaxiong Gong, Ming Yin, and Xiaojun Gong, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.
Some references, which may include patents, patent applications and various publications, are cited in a reference list and discussed in the description of this invention. The citation and/or discussion of such references is provided merely to clarify the description of the present invention and is not an admission that any such reference is “currently available” to the invention described herein. All references cited and discussed in this specification are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties and to the same extent as if each reference was individually incorporated by reference.
The present invention generally relates to a chair base frame for use with a power driven reclining lift chair, and in particular to a chair base frame with an improved actuator.
Lift chairs find widespread use in elderly, disabled and/or infirm persons. In reclining chairs a tiltable back and seat are driven between an erect and a reclined position, and a leg or foot rest is driven between a retracted and an extended position. A lift chair is powered between a normal seat position and an elevated forwardly inclined position by an actuator. As partially shown in
Therefore, a heretofore unaddressed need exists in the art to address the aforementioned deficiencies and inadequacies.
The present invention, in one aspect, relates to an actuator that is usable in a support frame for use in a lift chair. In one embodiment, the actuator has
a housing having a first housing part and a second housing part, the housing defining a front end and a rear end;
the first housing part configured to define an opening on a side and provide a journal bearing;
a reversible electric motor positioned in the first housing part and received by the opening;
a worm that extends into the journal bearing and connects with a worm wheel, wherein the worm is driven by the electric reversible motor in operation;
an outer tube member that extends through an opening defined in the front end of the housing to a free end spaced forwardly of the front end of the housing and has a central axis;
an activation rod that extends from within the housing through and beyond the free end of the outer tube member to an opposite, second end providing a first fitting for connection to a first pushing member, the activation rod being telescopically movable relative to the outer tube member;
the first pushing member movable with the activation rod and having a threaded opening, a first protrusion member and a second protrusion member spaced apart from the first protrusion member;
a spindle bearing supported by a corresponding spindle bearing recess formed in the housing proximate to the rear end of the housing;
a spindle that is mounted in the spindle bearing and extends into the threaded opening of the activation rod for connection to the activation rod, rotation of the worm and the worm wheel by the electric reversible motor causing the spindle to rotate and telescopically move the activation rod relative to the outer tube member; and
a first push button switch with a push button and a second push button switch with a push button, the first push button switch and second push button switch electrically coupled to the electric reversible motor and positioned apart in the housing;
wherein the first push button switch and second push button switch are positioned in the housing and the first protrusion member and second protrusion member of the first pushing member are configured such that when, during operation, the motion of the activation rod relative to the outer tube member causes the first pushing member to move along a direction parallel to the central axis, the first protrusion member engages with or disengages from the push button of the first push button switch to cause the first push button switch to be in a first state or in a second state that is different from the first state, respectively.
The actuator further has a cover member fixedly connected to the free end of the outer tube member and defining an opening in communication with the opening of the outer tube member to allow the activation rod to be movable relative to the outer tube member.
The actuator further has a second pushing member slidably received in a corresponding recess formed in the inner surface of the outer tube member, the second pushing member having a first end, an opposite, second end and a recess formed at least partially from the first end to the second end, wherein the recess is configured to be slidably engageable with the second protrusion member of the first pushing member so that the second pushing member slidably engages with the second protrusion member of the first pushing member.
One of the first push button switch and the second push button switch is an always-on push button switch and the other is an always-off push button switch.
In one embodiment, the first push button switch is an always-on push button switch, and the second push button switch is an always-off push button switch.
The first state is an off state, and the second state is an on state.
In one embodiment, the second pushing member is positioned and configured such that when the first protrusion member engages with the push button of the first push button switch to cause the first push button switch to be in an off state, the first end of the second pushing member engages with the push button of the second push button switch to cause the second push button switch to be in an on state.
The second pushing member is positioned and configured such that when, during operation, the motion of the activation rod relative-to the outer tube member causes the first pushing member to move along with a direction parallel to the central axis, the first protrusion member disengages from the push button of the first push button switch to cause the first push button switch to be in an on state, the first end of the second pushing member disengages from the push button of the second push button switch to cause the second push button switch to be in an off state. Furthermore, when the first push button switch is in an on state, the second push button switch is also in an on state if the first end of the second pushing member still engages with the push button of the second push button switch to cause the second push button switch to be in an off state.
The actuator further comprises a first diode electrically coupled to the first push button switch in parallel and having an anode and a cathode, and a second diode electrically coupled to the second push button switch in parallel and having an anode and a cathode, wherein the first diode and the second diode are electrically coupled in a configuration such that the cathode of the first diode is electrically coupled to the cathode of the second diode.
The actuator further comprises a resilient member positioned between the cover member and the second end of the second pushing member for providing a force against the second end. The resilient member in one embodiment comprises a spring.
In another aspect, the present invention relates to an actuator that is usable in a support frame for use in a lift chair. In one embodiment, the actuator comprises:
a housing;
a reversible electric motor positioned in the housing;
a worm that connects with a worm wheel, wherein the worm is driven by the electric reversible motor in operation;
an outer tube member that extends through an opening defined in a front end of the housing and has a central axis;
an activation rod configured to be telescopically movable relative to the outer tube member;
a first pushing member movable with the activation rod and having a threaded opening, a first protrusion member and a second protrusion member spaced apart from the first protrusion member;
a first push button switch with a push button; and
a second push button switch with a push button, the first push button switch and second push button switch electrically coupled to the electric reversible motor and positioned apart in the housing.
In one embodiment, the first push button switch and second push button switch are positioned in the housing and the first protrusion member and second protrusion member of the first pushing member are configured such that when, during operation, the motion of the activation rod relative to the outer tube member causes the first pushing member to move along a direction parallel to the central axis, the first protrusion member engages with or disengages from the push button of the first push button switch to cause the first push button switch to be in a first state or in a second state that is different from the first state, respectively.
The actuator further comprises a cover member fixedly connected to the free end of the outer tube member and defining an opening to allow the activation rod to be movable relative to the outer tube member.
The actuator further comprises a second pushing member slidably received in a corresponding recess formed in the inner surface of the outer tube member, the second pushing member having a first end, an opposite, second end and a recess formed at least partially from the first end to the second end, wherein the recess is configured to be slidably engageable with the second protrusion member of the first pushing member so that the second pushing member slidably engages with the second protrusion member of the first pushing member.
One of the first push button switch and the second push button switch is an always-on push button switch and the other is an always-off push button switch.
In one embodiment, the first push button switch is an always-on push button switch, and the second push button switch is an always-off push button switch.
The first state is an off state, and the second state is an on state.
In one embodiment, the second pushing member is positioned and configured such that when the first protrusion member engages with the push button of the first push button switch to cause the first push button switch to be in an off state, the first end of the second pushing member engages with the push button of the second push button switch to cause the second push button switch to be in an on state.
The second pushing member is positioned and configured such that when, during operation, the motion of the activation rod relative to the outer tube member causes the first pushing member to move along a direction parallel to the central axis, the first protrusion member disengages from the push button of the first push button switch to cause the first push button switch to be in an on state, the first end of the second pushing member disengages from the push button of the second push button switch to cause the second push button switch to be in an off state.
Furthermore, when the first push button switch is in an on state, the second push button switch is also in an on state if the first end of the second pushing member still engages with the push button of the second push button switch to cause the second push button switch to be in an off state.
The actuator further comprises a first diode electrically coupled to the first push button switch in parallel and having an anode and a cathode, and a second diode electrically coupled to the second push button switch in parallel and having an anode and a cathode, wherein the first diode and the second diode are electrically coupled in a configuration such that the cathode of the first diode is electrically coupled to the cathode of the second diode and the anode of the second diode is electrically coupled to a first terminal of the motor.
The actuator further comprises a DC power supply having a first output terminal and a second output terminal, wherein the first output terminal of the DC power supply is electrically coupled to the anode of the first diode and the second output terminal of the DC power supply is electrically coupled to a second terminal of the motor.
The DC power supply may comprise a battery, a transformer that transforms an AC current to a DC current, or both.
The actuator further comprises a resilient member positioned between the cover member and the second end of the second pushing member for providing a force against the second end.
In a further aspect, the present invention relates to a support frame for use in a lift chair. In one embodiment, the support frame comprises:
a base frame having longitudinally extending front and rear frame base rails;
a first longitudinally extending side frame base rail connected to the front and rear frame base rails and a second longitudinally extending side frame base rail connected to the front and rear frame base rails, respectively, the first and second side frame base rails and the front and rear frame base rails being co-planar for supporting the lift chair on a surface;
an actuator, the actuator comprising:
(i). a housing;
(ii). a reversible electric motor positioned in the housing;
(iii). a worm that connects with a worm wheel, wherein the worm is driven by the electric reversible motor in operation;
(iv). an outer tube member that extends through an opening defined in a front end of the housing and has a central axis;
(v). an activation rod configured to be telescopically movable relative to the outer tube member;
a first pushing member movable with the activation rod and having a threaded opening, a first protrusion member and a second protrusion member spaced apart from the first protrusion member; and
(vii). a first push button switch with a push button; and
a second push button switch with a push button, the first push button switch and second push button switch electrically coupled to the electric reversible motor and positioned apart in the housing; and
a support member configured to engage with the actuator and mounted to the rear frame base rail.
The first push button switch and second push button switch are positioned in the housing and the first protrusion member and second protrusion member of the first pushing member are configured such that when, during operation, the motion of the activation rod relative to the outer tube member causes the first pushing member to move along a direction parallel to the central axis, the first protrusion member engages with or disengages from the push button of the first push button switch to cause the first push button switch to be in a first state or in a second state that is different from the first state, respectively.
The actuator used in the support frame further comprises a cover member fixedly connected to the free end of the outer tube member and defining an opening to allow the activation rod to be movable relative to the outer tube member.
The actuator used in the support frame further comprises a second pushing member slidably received in a corresponding recess formed in the inner surface of the outer tube member, the second pushing member having a first end, an opposite, second end and a recess formed at least partially from the first end to the second end, wherein the is configured to be slidably engageable with the second protrusion member of the first pushing member so that the second pushing member slidably engages with the second protrusion member of the first pushing member.
One of the first push button switch and the second push button switch is an always-on push button switch and the other is an always-on push button switch.
In one embodiment, the first push button switch is an always-off push button switch, and the second push button switch is an always-off push button switch.
The first state is an off state, and the second state is an on state.
The second pushing member is positioned and configured such that when the first protrusion member engages with the push button of the first push button switch to cause the first push button switch to be in an off state, the first end of the second pushing member engages with the push button of the second push button switch to cause the second push button switch to be in an on state.
The second pushing member is positioned and configured such that when, during operation, the motion of the activation rod relative to the outer tube member causes the first pushing member to move along a direction parallel to the central axis, the first protrusion member disengages from the push button of the first push button switch to cause the first push button switch to be in an on state, the first end of the second pushing member disengages from the push button of the second push button switch to cause the second push button switch to be in an off state.
Furthermore, when the first push button switch is in an on state, the second push button switch is also in an on state if the first end of the second pushing member still engages with the push button of the second push button switch to cause the second push button switch to be in an off state.
The actuator used in the support frame further comprises a first diode electrically coupled to the first push button switch in parallel and having an anode and a cathode, and a second diode electrically coupled to the second push button switch in parallel and having an anode and a cathode, wherein the first diode and the second diode are electrically coupled in a configuration such that the cathode of the first diode is electrically coupled to the cathode of the second diode and the anode of the second diode is electrically coupled to a first terminal of the motor.
The actuator used in the support frame further comprises a DC power supply having a first output terminal and a second output terminal, wherein the first output terminal of the DC power supply is electrically coupled to the anode of the first diode and the second output terminal of the DC power supply is electrically coupled to a second terminal of the motor.
The actuator used in the support frame further comprises an engagement member that is fixedly connected with the housing and protruding away from the rear end to engage with the support member.
A lift chair can be constructed with such a support frame.
In yet a further aspect, the present invention relates to an actuator that is usable in a support frame for use in a lift chair. In one embodiment, the actuator comprises:
a reversible electric motor having a first terminal and a second terminal;
a first push button switch having a push button, a first terminal and a second terminal;
a second push button switch having a push button, a first terminal and a second terminal, wherein the first terminal of the second push button switch is electrically coupled to the second terminal of the first push button switch;
a first diode having an anode and a cathode; and
a second diode having an anode and a cathode,
wherein the first diode is electrically coupled to the first push button switch in parallel with the anode of the first diode electrically coupled to the first terminal of the first push button switch and the cathode of the first diode electrically coupled to the second terminal of the first push button switch, respectively;.
wherein the second diode is electrically coupled to the second push button switch in parallel with the cathode of the second diode electrically coupled to the first terminal of the second push button switch and the anode of the second diode electrically coupled to the second terminal of the second push button switch, respectively;
wherein the anode of the second diode and the second terminal of the second push button switch are electrically coupled to the first terminal of the electric reversible motor;
wherein the anode of the first diode and the first terminal of the first push button switch are electrically couple to a first power terminal; and
wherein the first terminal of the electric reversible motor is electrically coupled to a second power terminal.
The actuator further comprises a DC power supply having a first output terminal and a second output terminal, wherein the first output terminal of the DC power supply is electrically coupled to the first power terminal and the second output terminal of the DC power supply is electrically coupled to the second power terminal.
When the first push button switch is in an off state and the second push button switch is in an on state, the motor can only rotate in a first direction.
When the first push button switch is in an on state and the second push button switch is in an off state, the motor can only rotate in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction.
When the first push button switch is in an on state and the second push button switch is in an on state, the motor can rotate in either of the second direction and the first direction.
A support frame utilizing such an actuator for use in a lift chair can be constructed by people who skilled in the art. A lift chair utilizing such a support frame can be constructed by people who skilled in the art.
These and other aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiment taken in conjunction with the following drawings, although variations and modifications therein may be affected without departing from the spirit and scope of the novel concepts of the disclosure.
The present invention is more particularly described in the following examples that are intended as illustrative only since numerous modifications and variations therein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Various embodiments of the invention are now described in detail. Referring to the drawings, like numbers indicate like components throughout the views. As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of“a”, “an”, and “the” includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
The description will be made as to the embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings
(a) a housing 12;
(b) a reversible electric motor 18;
(c) a worm 20;
(d) an outer tube member 24;
(e) an activation rod 28;
(f) a first pushing member 30;
(g) a spindle 40;
(h) a spindle bearing 36;
(i) a first push button switch 42, and
(j) a second push button switch 44.
The housing 12 has a first housing part 12a and a second housing part 12b. The first housing part 12a and the second housing part 12b are assembled by a plurality of housing screws 12c to form the housing 12. The housing 12 defines a front end 14 and a rear end 16. The first housing part 12a is configured to define an opening 12a1 on a side and provide a journal bearing 12a2. The reversible electric motor 18 is positioned in the first housing part 12a and received by the opening 12a1. The worm 20 extends into the journal bearing 12a2 and connects with a worm wheel 22. The worm 20 is driven by the reversible electric motor 18 in operation.
The actuator 10 further has a power supply board 13 with two contact points 13-1 for connecting power supply to the reversible electric motor 18, an engaging member 11 at the rear end 16 of the housing 12 for engaging a support frame, and a position limiting member 16 near the worm wheel 22 for stopping the first pushing member 30 from moving beyond a predetermined position.
The outer tube member 24 extends through an opening 26 defined in the front end 14 of the housing 12 to a free end 24a spaced forwardly of the front end 14 of the housing 12 and has a central axis A, as shown in
The spindle bearing 36 is supported by a corresponding spindle bearing recess 38 formed in the second housing part 12b proximate to the rear end 16 of the housing 12. The spindle 40 is mounted in the spindle bearing 36 and extends into the threaded opening 31 of the first pushing member 30 for connection to the activation rod 28. The rotation of the worm 20 and the worm wheel 22 by the reversible electric motor 18 causes the spindle 40 to rotate and telescopically move the activation rod 28 relative to the outer tube member 24.
The first push button switch 42 has a push button 42a, a first terminal 42b and a second terminal 42c. The second push button switch 44 has a push button 44a, a first terminal 44b and a second terminal 44c. The first push button switch 42 and second push button switch 44 are electrically coupled to the electric motor 18 as shown in a related circuit diagram
The first push button switch 42 is an always-on switch. When the first push button 42a of the first push button switch 42 is not pressed, the first push button switch 42 is in an on state, where the first terminal 42b of the first push button switch 42 is connected to the second terminal 42c of the first push button switch 42. When the first push button 42a of the first push button switch 42 is pressed, the first push button switch 42 is in an off state, where the first terminal 42b of the first push button switch 42 is not electrically connected to the second terminal 42c of the first push button switch 42.
The second push button switch 44 is an always-off switch. When the first push button 44a of the second push button switch 44 is not pressed, the first push button switch 42 is in an off state, where the first terminal 44b of the second push button switch 44 is not connected to the second terminal 44c of the second push button switch 44. When the first push button 44a of the second push button switch 44 is pressed, the second push button switch 44 is in an on state, where the first terminal 44b of the second push button switch 42 is connected to the second terminal 44c of the second push button switch 44.
The first protrusion member 32 and second protrusion member 34 of the first pushing member 30 are configured such that when, during operation, the motion of the activation rod 28 relative to the outer tube member 24 causes the first pushing member 30 to move along a direction parallel to the central axis A. The first protrusion member 32 engages with or disengages from the first push button 42a of the first push button switch 42 to cause the first push button switch 42 to be in an off state or in an on state, respectively. The second protrusion member 34 engages with or disengages from the first push button 44a of the second push button switch 44 through a second pushing member 46 to cause the first push button switch 42 to be in an off state or in an on state, respectively.
The actuator further has a cover member 45 that is fixedly connected to the free end 24a of the outer tube member 24 and defines an opening 45a in communication with the opening of the outer tube member 24 to allow the activation rod 28 to be movable relative to the outer tube member 24.
The second pushing member 46 is slidably received in a corresponding recess 48 formed in the inner surface of the outer tube member 24. The second pushing member 46 has a first end 46a, an opposite, second end 46b and a recess 46c formed at least partially from the first end 46a to the second end 46b. The recess 46c is configured to be slidably engageable with the second protrusion member 34 of the first pushing member 30 so that the second pushing member 46 slidably engages with the second protrusion member 34 of the first pushing member 30.
The second pushing member 46 is positioned and configured such that when the first protrusion member 32 engages with the push button 42a of the first push button switch 42 to cause the first push button switch 42 to be in an off state, the first end 46a of the second pushing member 46 engages with the push button 44a of the second push button switch 44 to cause the second push button switch 44 to be in an on state. The second pushing member 46 is positioned and configured such that when, during operation, the motion of the activation rod 28 relative to the outer tube member 24 causes the first pushing member 30 to move along a direction parallel to the central axis A, the first protrusion member 32 disengages from the push button 42a of the first push button switch 42 to cause the first push button switch 42 to be in an on state. When the first pushing member 30 reaches the second end 24b of the outer tube 24 and the activation rod 28 is fully extended, the first end 46a of the second pushing member 46 disengages from the push button 44a of the second push button switch 44 to cause the second push button switch 44 to be in an open state.
Referring now to
Referring now to
Referring now to
The first push button switch 42 is an always-on switch. The first push button switch 42 has a push button 42a, a first terminal 42b and a second terminal 42c. When the first push button 42a of the first push button switch 42 is not pressed, the first push button switch 42 is in an on state, where the first terminal 42b of the first push button switch 42 is connected to the second terminal 42c of the first push button switch 42. When the first push button 42a of the first push button switch 42 is pressed, the first push button switch 42 is in an off state, where the first terminal 42b of the first push button switch 42 is not connected to the second terminal 42c of the first push button switch 42.
The second push button switch 44 is an always-off switch. The second push button switch 44 has a push button 44a, a first terminal 44b and a second terminal 44c. When the first push button 44a of the second push button switch 44 is not pressed, the first push button switch 42 is in an off state, where the first terminal 44b of the second push button switch 44 is not connected to the second terminal 44c of the second push button switch 44. When the first push button 44a of the second push button switch 44 is pressed, the second push button switch 44 is in an on state, where the first terminal 44b of the second push button switch 42 is connected to the second terminal 44c of the second push button switch 44.
The first diode D1 provides a bypass when the first push button switch 42 is in an off state so that the direct current passes through the first input terminal A, the first diode D1, the first terminal 44b to the second terminal 44c of the closed second push button switch 44, the reversible electric motor 18 to the second input terminal B. The second diode D2 provides a bypass when the second push button switch 44 is in an off state so that the direct current passes through the second input terminal B, the reversible electric motor 18, the second diode D2, the second terminal 44c to the first terminal 44b of the closed first push button switch 42, to the first input terminal A in a reversed direction.
When the user operates a control of the actuator to change position, a positive direct current voltage is applied to the first input terminal A, and a negative direct current voltage is applied to the second input terminal B. The direct current passes through a first diode D1 and the second push button switch 44 in on state to the reversible electric motor 18 in a first direction so that spindle 40 turns in a first direction and the first pushing member 30 moves from the left to the right to extend the activation rod 28. When the first pushing member 30 moves far enough to the right, the first protrusion member 32 of the first pushing member 30 moves away from the surface of the first push button switch 42 such that the first push button switch 42 is in a an on state, as illustrated in
When the user release the control of the actuator by cutting off the electric current, the actuator will remain in that position until electric current is applied. At this position, since the first push button switch 42 and the second push button switch 44 are both in an on states, the reversible electric motor 18 may turn on either direction depending on the polarity of the direct current voltage applied to the first terminal A and second terminal B. Therefore the first pushing member 30 can be moved in both directions. Here, the first diode D1 and second diode D2 are redundant.
Referring now to
Referring now to
The power module 200 has a first housing member 201, and a second housing member 202. The first housing member 201 and the second housing member 202 are fastened by a plurality of screws.
The first housing part 201 has an AC power connector 208 mounted from the inside of the first housing member 201. The second housing member 202 has a battery compartment 209 to store a battery. The battery compartment 209 has a battery compartment cover 206 to cover the battery compartment 209 when the power module 200 is fully assembled.
The DC power supply may be a battery, a transformer that transforms an AC current to a DC current, or both.
A support frame utilizing such an actuator for use in a lift chair can be constructed by people who skilled in the art. A lift chair utilizing such a support frame can be constructed by people who skilled in the art.
While there has been shown several and alternate embodiments of the present invention, it is to be understood that certain changes can be made as would be known to one skilled in the art without departing from the underlying scope of the invention as is discussed and set forth in the specification given above and in the claims given below. Furthermore, the embodiments described above are only intended to illustrate the principles of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the disclosed elements.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 3 0088570 | Jun 2006 | CN | national |
| 2006 3 0122026 | Jul 2006 | CN | national |
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| 20080000761 A1 | Jan 2008 | US |
