method of providing propulsion by means of a unit for a wheeled chassis along a surface; chassis for carrying a payload over a surface; patient handling equipment incorporating the chassis; and assisted propulsion system for a wheeled chassis that is movable along a surface

摘要

summary method of providing propulsion by means of a unit for a wheeled chassis along a surface; chassis for carrying a payload over a surface; patient handling equipment incorporating the chassis; and assisted propulsion system for a wheeled chassis that is movable along a surface, an assisted propulsion system, method and chassis for carrying a payload along a surface are described. a plurality of wheels (62) are disposed on the chassis (60) to support the chassis on the surface (s). a unit (20) is arranged to provide at least power assisted propulsion of the chassis (60) along the surface. at least one drive part (21) of the unit (20) is connected to the chassis (60) by an assembly (30) having a resilient spring-like connection (31), at least the drive part (21) ) of the unit (20) having a fixed and movable orientation independently of the chassis (60) and the plurality of wheels (62) towards the surface, the resilient spring-like connection (31) being arranged to at least direct the drive part (21) of the unit toward the surface during provision of said assisted propulsion. A sensor is arranged to monitor the acceleration of the unit and to communicate data about said acceleration to a controller, the controller controlling the operation of the unit depending on the data received from the sensor. 1/1