公开(公告)号：WO2014059483A1

公开(公告)日：2014-04-24

申请号：PCT/AU2013/001207

申请日：2013-10-18

Applicant: FALLSHAW HOLDINGS PTY LTD

Inventor： HOWARD, Stephen Edward ,  TRAINOR, Mathew Keith

IPC: B60B33/02 ,  A61G1/02

CPC classification number: B60B33/028 ,  A61G1/0243 ,  A61G7/0528 ,  A61G7/08 ,  A61G2203/32 ,  B60B33/0002 ,  B60B33/0042 ,  B60B33/0068 ,  B60B33/026 ,  G05D1/021

Abstract: A castor control unit for a swivel castor has a plurality of selectable modes of operation. The modes of operation include at least a free mode, in which the castor (14) can freely swivel about a swivel axis (26) and a wheel or wheels (30,32) of the castor can rotate about a rolling axis (28), and a direction lock mode, in which the castor is locked against swivelling about the swivel axis and the wheel or wheels of the castor can rotate about the rolling axis. The castor control unit (70) comprises a measuring means (154) for measuring motion, a processing means (150) that deduces, from the measured motion, whether there is a need to engage or disengage the direction lock mode, and an actuating means (120a) for actuating the castor to engage or disengage the direction-lock mode of operation. The actuating means is controllable by a control signal, and the control signal is determined, at least in part, from the deduction of whether there is a need to engage or disengage the direction lock mode. Also disclosed are a processing module, a control system and a method of controlling a castor.

Abstract translation: 用于旋转脚轮的脚轮控制单元具有多个可选择的操作模式。 操作模式至少包括一种自由模式，其中脚轮（14）能够围绕旋转轴线（26）自由地旋转，并且脚轮的轮或轮（30,32）可围绕滚动轴线（28）旋转， 以及方向锁定模式，其中脚轮被锁定以防止围绕旋转轴线旋转，并且脚轮的车轮或车轮可以围绕滚动轴线旋转。 脚轮控制单元（70）包括用于测量运动的测量装置（154），从测量的运动推断出是否需要接合或解除方向锁定模式的处理装置（150） （120a），用于致动所述脚轮以接合或解除所述方向锁定操作模式。 致动装置可由控制信号控制，并且至少部分地根据是否需要接合或解除方向锁定模式来确定控制信号。 还公开了一种处理模块，控制系统和控制脚轮的方法。