Handicare 1003063D User manual

1003063D
USER MANUAL
BEDIENUNGSANLEITUNG
ELECTRICALLY DRIVEN CHILDREN’S WHEELCHAIR
ELEKTRISCH ANGETRIEBENER KINDERROLLSTUHL
HIPPO

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English........................................................................................5
Deutsch..................................................................................... 46

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English
© 2008 Handicare
All rights reserved.
The information provided herein may not be reproduced and/or published in any form, by print,
photoprint, microfilm or any other means whatsoever (electronically or mechanically) without the
prior written authorization of Handicare.
The information provided is based on general data concerning the constructions known at the time
of the publication of this manual. Handicare executes a policy of continuous improvement and
reserves the right to changes and modifications.
The information provided is valid for the product in its standard version. Handicare cannot be held
liable for possible damage resulting from specifications of the product deviating from the standard
configuration.
The available information has been prepared with all possible diligence, but Handicare cannot be
held liable for possible errors in the information or the consequences thereof.
Handicare accepts no liability for loss resulting from work executed by third parties.
Names, trade names, etc. used by Handicare may not, as per the legislation concerning the
protection of trade names, be considered as being available.
2008-01

Table of contents
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Preface...........................................................................................................................8
Getting started ........................................................................................................8
Service and information ..........................................................................................8
CE-Declaration........................................................................................................8
Warranty ................................................................................................................9
Liability ................................................................................................................9
1Introduction.........................................................................................................10
1.1 Purpose and function of the wheelchair ........................................................10
1.2 Versions and accessories .............................................................................10
1.2.1 Standard wheelchair and accessories............................................10
1.2.2 Options...........................................................................................11
1.2.3 Tools...............................................................................................11
2Safety ...................................................................................................................12
2.1 Introduction ...................................................................................................12
2.2 Safety regulations .........................................................................................12
2.3 Prohibited use ...............................................................................................13
3Operating instructions .......................................................................................14
3.1 Composition of the wheelchair ......................................................................14
3.2 Adjusting the wheelchair ...............................................................................15
3.2.1 Seating system...............................................................................15
3.2.2 Leg rest ..........................................................................................17
3.2.3 Arm rests........................................................................................18
3.2.4 Controller........................................................................................19
3.2.5 Headrest.........................................................................................20
3.2.6 Suspension.....................................................................................21
3.2.7 Electrically adjustable seating system ............................................22
3.2.8 Comfort leg rests (optional) ............................................................22
3.2.9 Removing leg rest, arm rest, and leg rest.......................................23
3.2.10 Installing the seat belt (optional).....................................................25
3.3 Driving...........................................................................................................25
3.3.1 Getting in........................................................................................25
3.3.2 Switching on the Hippo...................................................................25
3.3.3 Moving away ..................................................................................27
3.3.4 Brakes ............................................................................................27
3.3.5 Coming to a standstill and making an emergency stop ..................27
3.3.6 Switching off ...................................................................................27
3.3.7 Transfer..........................................................................................27
3.3.8 Corners...........................................................................................28
3.3.9 Kerbs..............................................................................................28
3.3.10 Slopes ............................................................................................28
3.3.11 Reverse driving ..............................................................................29
3.3.12 Free Wheel.....................................................................................29
3.3.13 Folding down the controller ............................................................30
3.4 Charging the batteries...................................................................................31
3.4.1 Replacing the batteries...................................................................32
3.5 Built-in protection devices .............................................................................32

Table of contents
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3.6 Troubleshooting ............................................................................................32
3.6.1 Electric............................................................................................32
3.6.2 Removing a wheel and exchanging a tyre......................................34
3.7 Cleaning........................................................................................................35
3.8 Maintenance and repair ................................................................................35
3.9 Storage .........................................................................................................35
3.10 Transport in car or taxi ..................................................................................35
3.10.1 Taxi-mounting system ....................................................................36
3.11 Disposing of the wheelchair ..........................................................................37
4Specifications......................................................................................................38
4.1 Specification sheet according to ISO 7176-15 annex A ................................38
4.2 Physical conditions of use.............................................................................39
4.3 Applied regulations and standards................................................................39
5Indications on the wheelchair............................................................................40
5.1 Name plate....................................................................................................40
5.2 Other indications ...........................................................................................40
Appendix .....................................................................................................................42
Appendix 1. User documentation battery charger ...........................................42
Appendix 2. Maintenance table .......................................................................42
Wheelbase Joystick module (software version V1.x)............................................43

Preface
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Preface
This user documentation describes the use and daily maintenance of the electrically
driven children’s wheelchair, model Hippo.
Maintenance and repairs should be carried out by your dealer.
A service manual is available for the wheelchair (contact your dealer for further
information).
Batteries and a battery charger are supplied by your dealer. Handicare strongly
recommends to use dry batteries.
This documentation forms a part of the wheelchair!
This documentation should, therefore, be carefully kept. It contains information
that will be useful at a later stage or, for example, if maintenance or repair work
must be carried out.
If the wheelchair is transferred, the documentation must be included.
Getting started
Those parts of the text that are important for the health and safety of people are printed
in bold, except for the chapter that concerns safety itself. The following warning texts
may be used:
TIP Following this icon are specific instructions and/or clarifying information.
Attention!
This icon warns of possible damage to the wheelchair.
Warning!
This icon warns of possible personal injury.
Service and information
For further information concerning the wheelchair, please contact your dealer (see
page 2).
CE-Declaration
The product is in conformity with the provisions of the Medical Devices Directive and
thus has CE marking.


Preface
9
Warranty
Unless agreed upon differently in writing, the warranty stipulations below apply.
The manufacturer provides your dealer with a twelve-month warranty after delivery.
Your dealer should be notified of any faults before expiry of the warranty period.
The warranty applies to faults that:
occur during normal use of the wheelchair.
develop as a result of material faults.
develop as a result of manufacturing faults.
The warranty does not cover damage caused by:
normal wear and tear.
injudicious or improper use
use of any other consumer items than those prescribed
In case of any faults occurring, the dealer will:
replace the parts.
repair the faults.
if repair is not reasonably possible, opt for an alternative solution.
The user shall give the manufacturer the opportunity to repair any faults.
If any parts have been installed by third parties, the warranty conditions of the supplier
concerned apply.
The manufacturer reserves the right to modify its wheelchairs without prior warning.
Liability
The manufacturer is not liable for any unsafe situations, accidents, or damages, which
are the result of disregarding the warnings or instructions as indicated on the
wheelchair or in this documentation, such as:
injudicious or improper use or maintenance;
use for any other purpose or in any other circumstances than those described in this
documentation;
use of any other parts than those prescribed.
repairs carried out without permission by the dealer;
modifications to the wheelchair. These include:
modifications to the controls;
weldings, mechanical changes, etc.;
extensions to the wheelchair or to the controls.
modifications which will have a negative influence on the stability of the
wheelchair, like for example the build up of respiration machinery, seating unit
construction from outside organisations or measured seating units.
Furthermore, the manufacturer is not liable for any consequential damage as a result of
malfunctions or faults to the wheelchair (for example: damage to products, operating
interruptions, delays, etc.).

Introduction
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1 Introduction
1.1 Purpose and function of the wheelchair
The electrically driven wheelchair Hippo is intended as a mobility aid for children who
cannot walk, or can walk only with great difficulty. This wheelchair model was especially
designed for children. The maximum user weight is 60 kg.
Children who are going to use the wheelchair should possess adequate mental
faculties. If in doubt – e.g. in the case of very young children or those with a mental
handicap – an expert should assess the situation.
The electrically driven wheelchair Hippo was designed both for indoor and outdoor use.
The wheelchair has front-wheel drive and the maximum slope that can be taken is 120
(22%).
The maximum range for the Hippo is 35 km, if the circumstances are ideal. In reality, it
may be lower, depending on the weather, the age of the batteries, the body weight, and
the number of hills and slopes to be climbed.
The maximum speed of the wheelchair is 10 km/hr.
The wheelchair falls into the classes B and C, according to the EN 12184 (1999)
(European directives)
Class B:
Wheelchairs that are sufficiently compact and manoeuvrable for indoor use and are
able to take obstacles that occur outdoors.
Class C:
These wheelchairs are often larger in size. They are not specifically suitable for indoor
use, but are intended to cover greater distances and are suitable for outdoor use.
1.2 Versions and accessories
1.2.1 Standard wheelchair and accessories
The standard version comprises:
coated metal frame
seat, back rest, arm rests, side cushions, central leg rest, head rest
optional: seat cushion 30 or 35 cm wide
(driven) front wheels, back wheels
drive
two batteries (supplied by your dealer)
drive electronics
electric high/low adjustment
electric tilt adjustment
controller with joystick

Introduction
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The following, separately supplied parts or tools are a part of each
wheelchair. Please check if everything is present.
this user documentation (with user documentation of the battery charger)
battery charger (supplied by your dealer)
tyre air valve
spare fuses
1.2.2 Options
The following accessories are optionally available:
ignition key
taxi-mounting set
seat belt
Special versions:
comfort leg rests, gas-spring operated
electric back adjustment
electric comfort leg rests
Please contact your dealer if you want to find out about other possible adjustments,
such as control options or seating adjustments.
1.2.3 Tools
The following tools are needed to be able to set and adjust your wheelchair:
Allen key: 4, 5, 6 and 8 mm
spanner, 13 mm
screwdriver

Safety
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2 Safety
2.1 Introduction
This wheelchair was designed and built in such a way as to provide ease of use and
maintenance. This applies to the purpose, the circumstances, and the instructions as
described in this documentation. Therefore, it is essential that everyone who is going
to use this wheelchair should read this documentation and follows the instructions in it.
The simple maintenance routines described in the user manual may easily be carried
out by the user. Any maintenance work not included in the user manual, should only be
carried out by your dealer.
2.2 Safety regulations
Only people who understand the operating instructions, are allowed to operate the
wheelchair.
The wheelchair is intended for children who cannot walk, or who can walk only with
great difficulty, or who are advised not to walk. They should understand the operating
instructions. The wheelchair is not a toy: do not allow other children to play with it.
Never switch off the motor while driving.
Do not drive up or down slopes steeper than 12º, see "Slopes” on page 30.
Never drive up or down a slope diagonally.
Never unlock the motor on a slope.
Never drive up or down kerbs higher than 8 cm.
Always take a kerb at right angles – never with one front wheel on the kerbstone and
one on the street.
Slow down when moving around corners.
Make sure the lighting is in order.
Always switch on the lighting when dusk is falling and in the dark.
When driving on public roads, always observe the regulations of the Road Traffic Act.
Ensure a correct tyre pressure (see paragraph 5.2 on page 40, or refer to the sticker
on your wheelchair).
It is prescribed not to use wet batteries. When using wet batteries, acid and fumes
may be given off.
Do not remove or disable safety provisions.
Ensure that proper maintenance is carried out in order to preserve safety.
Do not use the wheelchair if any of safety provisions are damaged or otherwise do not
function properly. Make sure the wheelchair is repaired.
Take obstacles from a neutral seating position, i.e. in the case of electrically
adjustable wheelchairs, with the seat height in its lowermost position and the leg rests
and back rest as vertical as possible.
On footpaths, keep at a safe distance from pedestrians and bear in mind that children
can make unexpected movements.
In busy pedestrian areas, it is better to switch over to a lower speed.
Prevent overloading of your wheelchair by avoiding extreme situations, such as
driving up a long, steep slope at maximum speed.

Safety
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If the weather is cold, the capacity of your wheelchair battery will be lower. Keep this
in mind when planning your journey. If it freezes, keep an eye on your battery
indicator!
The wheelchair was designed for outdoor driving. It is, therefore, resistant against
rain. However, sustained, heavy rain may cause dampness to get inside the system.
Therefore, avoid driving through heavy rain for any length of time and avoid deep
puddles.
Driving through loose sand will use up a lot of energy: keep an eye on the battery
indicator and watch out for overloading.
Adjust your speed when driving indoors.
Switch off your wheelchair if standing still for any length of time: this will prevent your
clothes, or those of bystanders, getting trapped and unintentionally causing the
wheelchair to start moving.
When travelling by taxi, always use the taxi-mounting set and the taxi cab’s seat belt.
The wheelchair’s driving behaviour may be affected by electromagnetic fields, such as
those caused by mobile telephones and other transmitters. Therefore, switch off
your wheelchair if you are using such equipment.
On the other hand, your wheelchair may also disturb other electromagnetic fields,
such as shop alarms.
2.3 Prohibited use
Please take note of the following applications, for which the wheelchair is not suitable:
Travelling in a taxi bus without making use of the taxi-mounting set, while the user is
in the wheelchair.
Transport of more than one person.
Moving other vehicles, e.g. pulling a trailer.

Operating instructions
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3 Operating instructions
Before operating the wheelchair, familiarise yourself with the information in the chapter
“Safety”.
Any maintenance work not included in this chapter, should only be carried out by your
dealer.
3.1 Composition of the wheelchair
Figure 1 shows the Hippo.
Figure 1
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J

Operating instructions
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AJoystick
BSteering cabinet
CLeg rest
DMain fuse (underneath the cover of the battery tray)
EFoot plate (foldable)
FBattery tray
GArm rests
HSuspension
IName plate
JMotor release (neutral) on the left-hand side and the right-hand side of the
wheelchair
3.2 Adjusting the wheelchair
Most settings only need to be set once, for example by your dealer. The electrically
adjustable seating system (standard options are the electrical high/low adjustment and
the electrical tilting adjustment) and the comfort leg rests (optional) can be adjusted by
yourself (see paragraph 3.2.7 on page 22) for the correct procedures.
3.2.1 Seating system
Seating depth (continuously adjustable)
Exchangeable part
C
Back sliding part
M8 Allen bolt A
with lock nut B
Figure 2
1. Unscrew the lock nut B on both sides a half a turn, see Figure 2 above.
2. Unscrew the 2 bolts A (on both sides) one turn.
3. Move the back sliding part to the desired position
4. Tighten both bolts A (both left and right). Tighten the lock nuts B.

Operating instructions
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Extra seating depth (increase seating depth with 70 mm)
The seating depth may be extended by 70 mm, by rotating the exchangeable part C
(see Figure 2 ) 180º, until it is in the position shown in Figure 3 .
Exchangeable part
C
Figure 3
Seating width 26 -40 cm
Bolt A
Figure 4
1. Unscrew bolt A (both left and right), see Figure 4 above.
2. Slide the arm rests into their desired positions (both left and right).
3. Tighten bolt A (both left and right).

Operating instructions
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Adjusting the back-rest angle: (continuously adjustable from 90 -110 degrees)
Allen bolts on adjusting
rod
Figure 5
1. Unscrew the 2 Allen bolts on the adjusting rod, see Figure 5 above.
2. Adjust to the desired position.
3. Tighten both Allen bolts.
3.2.2 Leg rest
Lower leg length
Adjusting bolt A
Figure 6
1. Loosen bolt A (see Figure 6 ).
2. Adjust to the desired lower-leg length.
3. Tighten the adjusting bolt.

Operating instructions
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3.2.3 Arm rests
Adjusting the arm-rest height
Bolts C (2 pieces)
Bolt A
Bolt B
Figure 7
1. Unscrew bolt A, see Figure 7 above.
2. Adjust to the desired height.
3. Tighten the bolt.
Adjusting the height of the side cushion
1. Unscrew bolt B, see Figure 7 above.
2. Adjust to the desired height.
3. Tighten the bolt.
Adjusting the arm-rest angle
1. Unscrew bolt A, see Figure 7 above.
2. Unscrew the two bolts C.
3. Move the arm rest to the desired angle.
4. Tighten bolts A and C.

Operating instructions
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Arm-rest depth continuously adjustable
Bolt A
Figure 8
1. Unscrew bolt A (if desired both left and right) one turn, see Figure 8 above.
2. Move the arm rest(s) to the desired position.
3. Tighten bolt A (if applicable, both left and right).
3.2.4 Controller
The controller housing may be used either on the left-hand side or on the right-hand
side.
Depth adjustment (continuously adjustable)
Adjusting bolt
Figure 9

Operating instructions
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1. Using Allen key number 4, unscrew the adjusting bolt, see Figure 9 .
2. Slide the controller to the desired position.
3. Tighten the adjusting bolt.
Height adjustment
The controller housing may be set in driving position or in lower position. This latter
position is useful when taking place at a table. When in driving position, the controller
housing is locked. The height of the driving position is adjusted as follows:
M6 bolt
Controller release
Figure 10
1. Put the controller in the lower position, see Figure 10 above.
2. Unscrew the M6 bolt, see Figure 10 above.
3. Move the pin to the desired position.
4. Tighten the bolt.
3.2.5 Headrest
Height, depth, and angle adjustment
1. Using Allen key number 5, unscrew the three M6 bolts, see Figuur 11.
2. Turn the head rest to the desired position (desired height, depth, and angle).
3. Tighten the bolts.