CN112340629B

CN112340629B - Capstan arrangement

Info

Publication number: CN112340629B
Application number: CN202010617324.5A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 西山公人
Original assignee: Honda Motor Co Ltd
Current assignee: Honda Motor Co Ltd
Priority date: 2019-08-06
Filing date: 2020-06-30
Publication date: 2022-07-26
Anticipated expiration: 2040-06-30
Also published as: CN112340629A; JP2021024695A; JP7104004B2

Abstract

The invention provides a winch device, which can freely release the locking of pulling out a belt member according to the intention of a user, unlike the conventional winch device. The winch device (100) of the present invention is characterized by comprising: a ratchet mechanism (60) (lock/unlock mechanism) that switches between a locked state in which the belt member that connects the vehicle and the wheelchair is prohibited from being fed out and an unlocked state in which the belt member is permitted to be fed out; a remote control switch (remote controller (40)) for remotely operating the tape member winding/unwinding mechanism; a lock release switch (a vehicle body side operation panel (3)) which is provided on the vehicle body side of the vehicle and switches from a locked state to an unlocked state; and a control unit (2) that controls switching between a locked state and an unlocked state by the lock/unlock mechanism, wherein the control unit (2) switches from the locked state to the unlocked state by synchronous operation of the remote control switch and the lock/unlock switch.

Description

Capstan device

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a winch arrangement.

Background

Conventionally, there is known a winding device that pulls a wheelchair on a road surface into a rear floor in a vehicle through a slope extending from a rear portion of the vehicle body (see, for example, patent document 1).

The winch device has a belt member winding/feeding mechanism for loading or unloading the wheelchair via a belt member detachably connected to the wheelchair.

The winch device determines that the wheelchair has been loaded when it is determined that the length of the belt member fed out from the belt member winding/feeding mechanism is shorter than a predetermined length. In addition, when it is determined that the wheelchair has been loaded, the winch apparatus prohibits the belt member connected to the wheelchair from being freely pulled out from the belt member winding/feeding mechanism, i.e., a so-called free state of the belt member. Whereby the winch device reliably prevents the wheelchair from being accidentally moved to the rear vehicle outside.

Documents of the prior art

Patent literature

Patent document 1: japanese patent No. 5560251

Disclosure of Invention

However, the conventional winch device (see, for example, patent document 1) has the following problems: the wheelchair which has been once loaded by the belt member winding/discharging mechanism is uncoupled from the belt member, and the wheelchair is unloaded without using the belt member winding/discharging mechanism.

In the conventional winch device, when the belt member winding/feeding mechanism is to be reused to get on the wheelchair, the belt member is locked in a state of being pulled into the belt member winding/feeding mechanism. Thus, the conventional winch device has to drive the winch device itself by pulling out the belt member from the belt member winding/unwinding mechanism in order to couple the wheelchair to the belt member.

Therefore, in the conventional winch apparatus, it is desired to release the lock of the belt member to be pulled out as needed according to the user's intention.

The invention provides a winch device which is different from the conventional winch device and can freely release the locking of pulling out a belt member according to the intention of a user.

The winch device that solves the above problems is characterized by comprising: a belt member winding/feeding mechanism that performs getting on or off of the wheelchair via a belt member that couples the vehicle and the wheelchair; a lock/unlock mechanism that switches between a lock state in which the feeding of the belt member from the belt member winding/feeding mechanism is prohibited and an unlock state in which the feeding of the belt member from the belt member winding/feeding mechanism is permitted; a remote control switch for remotely operating the tape member winding/unwinding mechanism; a lock release switch provided on a vehicle body side of the vehicle and configured to switch from the locked state to the unlocked state; and a control unit that controls switching between the locked state and the unlocked state based on the lock/unlock mechanism, the control unit switching from the locked state to the unlocked state by synchronous operation of the remote control switch and the lock release switch.

Effects of the invention

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a winch device which is different from a conventional winch device in that the lock release of the pulling-out of the strap member can be freely performed according to the intention of the user.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a partial perspective view of a rear part of a vehicle body to which a winch apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied.

Fig. 2 is a block diagram of a winch apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a partial perspective view of a belt member winding/feeding mechanism constituting a winch device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 4 (a) is a plan view showing an external appearance of a vehicle body side operation panel constituting a winch device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 4 (b) is a plan view of a remote controller constituting a winch device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 5 is a block diagram of a control section constituting the winch device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 6 is a schematic view showing a positional relationship between the wheelchair and the belt member winding/unwinding mechanism before getting on the vehicle.

Fig. 7 is a timing chart of determination of synchronization of switches in a control unit constituting the winch device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing a switching synchronization determination procedure executed by the control unit constituting the winch device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 9 is a schematic view showing a positional relationship between the wheelchair and the belt member winding/unwinding mechanism after the boarding is completed.

Fig. 10 is a flowchart showing a procedure of setting the lock release prohibition mode or the lock release permission mode by the control unit.

Fig. 11 is a flowchart showing an execution procedure of lock release prohibition or lock release permission by the control unit.

Description of the reference numerals

1 Belt Member winding/feeding mechanism

2 control section

3 vehicle body side operation panel

4 belt member

5 hook part

9 electric motor

11 range of pressure sensitive part

13 electromagnetic clutch

15 Drum wheel

17 encoder

21 electric motor control unit

22 electromagnetic clutch control unit

23 tension motor control part

24 switch synchronization determination unit

26 tape member feeding length calculating part

27 unlock command part

28 lock release inhibiting part

29 receiving part

36 driving switch

39 lock release switch

40 remote controller

41 unlocking switch (remote control switch)

42 winding switch

43 delivery switch

44 sending part

60 ratchet mechanism (locking and unlocking mechanism)

80 tensioning mechanism

100 winch arrangement

101 vehicle

102 slope

110 wheelchair

F rear floor

R road surface

Detailed Description

Next, a winch device according to an embodiment (present embodiment) for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings as appropriate.

The winch device according to the present embodiment is characterized by including a control unit that switches from a locked state to an unlocked state with respect to the strap member by a synchronous operation of a remote control switch and a lock release switch on the vehicle body side.

First, a vehicle body rear structure to which the winch device is applied will be described, and then the winch device will be described in detail.

Rear structure of vehicle body

Fig. 1 is a partial perspective view of a vehicle body rear structure to which a winch apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment is applied.

As shown in fig. 1, a vehicle 101 to which the winch device 100 of the present embodiment is applied is assumed to be a van, a sedan, a hatchback passenger car, or the like, for example. A tailgate 101a is provided at the rear of the vehicle 101. The tailgate 101a is configured to swing about a hinge, not shown, and to be sprung up at its lower end. By thus bouncing up the tailgate 101a, the rear opening 101a is formed so that the rear floor F faces the outside of the vehicle compartment.

As shown in fig. 1, a vehicle 101 has a ramp 102. The slope 102 forms an inclined surface between the road surface R and the rear floor by sequentially extending three sliding plates rearward from the lower edge of the rear opening 101 a.

Incidentally, although not shown, the slope 102 can be stored in the rear luggage room by restoring three extended slide plates so that the three slide plates overlap each other, and by turning the slide plates around a hinge 102a provided at the base end of the slope 102 to stand up.

In fig. 1, reference numeral 4 denotes a belt member that connects the wheelchair 110 and the vehicle 101 (vehicle body), and reference numeral 1 denotes a belt member winding/feeding mechanism. In fig. 1, reference numeral 3 denotes a vehicle body side operation panel of the tape member winding/unwinding mechanism 1, and reference numeral 40 denotes a remote controller for remotely operating the tape member winding/unwinding mechanism 1. These belt member 4, belt member winding/feeding mechanism 1, vehicle body-side operation panel 3, and remote controller 40 constitute a part of a winch apparatus 100 described below.

Capstan arrangement

Fig. 2 is a block diagram of the winch apparatus 100.

As shown in fig. 2, the winch apparatus 100 of the present embodiment mainly includes a belt member 4, a belt member winding/feeding mechanism 1, a ratchet mechanism 60, a tension mechanism 80 for the belt member 4, an encoder 17 for detecting a feeding length of the belt member 4 from the belt member winding/feeding mechanism 1, a vehicle-body side operation panel 3 for the belt member winding/feeding mechanism 1, a remote controller 40 for remotely operating the belt member winding/feeding mechanism 1, and a control unit 2 for comprehensively controlling the operation of the winch apparatus 100. The ratchet mechanism 60 corresponds to a so-called "lock/unlock mechanism" in the technical aspect.

< Belt Member >

As shown in fig. 1, the belt member 4 has a hook portion 5 at a tip end extending from the belt member winding/feeding mechanism 1 described below. The user (mainly the assistant 63) hooks the hook 5 to a predetermined mounting portion 110a of the wheelchair 110, and thereby the belt member 4 and the wheelchair 110 are detachably coupled.

The band members 4 in the present embodiment are provided in a pair so as to correspond to the mounting portions 110a provided on the left and right sides of the wheelchair 110, respectively, as viewed from the seated person 6 b.

Each base end portion of the belt members 4 is connected to a core 15a (see fig. 3) of a drum 15 (see fig. 3) described later in the pair of belt member winding/feeding mechanisms 1 provided so as to correspond to each belt member 4.

< Belt Member winding/unwinding mechanism 1 >

As shown in fig. 1, the belt member winding/unwinding mechanisms 1 are arranged in parallel in the vehicle width direction in front of the rear luggage room 101 c. These belt member winding/unwinding mechanisms 1 are fastened to a floor panel constituting a rear floor panel by bolts or the like via predetermined brackets, although not shown in the drawings.

Fig. 3 is a partial perspective view of the belt member winding/feeding mechanism 1. In fig. 3, the belt member 4 is indicated by a virtual line (two-dot chain line).

As shown in fig. 3, the belt member winding/unwinding mechanism 1 includes an electric motor 9, a drum 15, and a speed reduction mechanism, not shown.

As shown in fig. 2, the electric motor 9 and the drum 15 of the belt member winding/feeding mechanism 1 are connected to each other via an electromagnetic clutch 13.

The electric motor 9 and the electromagnetic clutch 13 are driven at predetermined timing described later by the control unit 2 constituting the vehicle body side operation panel 3.

The electric motor 9 is driven to rotate in both forward and reverse directions.

As shown in fig. 3, the drum 15 includes an axial core 15a around which the belt member 4 is wound, and flanges 15b provided at both ends of the axial core 15a in the axial direction.

The drum 15 in the present embodiment winds the belt member 4 around the shaft core 15a when the electric motor 9 is rotating forward, and feeds out the belt member 4 when the electric motor 9 is rotating backward. However, the drum 15 may be configured to wind the belt member 4 when the electric motor 9 rotates in reverse.

< ratchet mechanism >

As shown in fig. 3, the ratchet mechanism 60 (lock/unlock mechanism) includes a claw wheel 61 fixed to the drum 15 and integrally rotating, an engagement claw 62 having a distal end claw 63a engaged with and disengaged from the claw wheel 61, and a solenoid 65 driven to engage or disengage the distal end claw 63a of the engagement claw 62 with or from the claw wheel 61 at a predetermined timing.

The plurality of claw portions 61a continuously formed along the circumferential direction of the claw wheel 61 have a saw-tooth shape when viewed from the side. As a result, as shown in fig. 3, the ratchet mechanism 60 according to the present embodiment prohibits the drum 15 from rotating in the direction (the direction of arrow a in fig. 3) in which the belt member 4 is fed out, in a state in which the distal end pawl 63a of the engagement pawl 62 is engaged with the pawl wheel 61. That is, the ratchet mechanism 60 prohibits the feeding of the belt member 4 from the belt member winding/feeding mechanism 1 by setting the drum 15 to the locked state.

As shown in fig. 3, even in a state where the distal end claw 63a of the engagement claw 62 is engaged with the claw wheel 61, when the drum 15 attempts to rotate in the direction (the direction of arrow B in fig. 3) in which the belt member 4 is wound, the ratchet mechanism 60 causes the distal end claw 63a of the engagement claw 62 to pass over the claw portion 61a of the claw wheel 61. Thereby, the ratchet mechanism 60 allows the drum 15 to rotate in the direction of winding the belt member 4.

Further, the ratchet mechanism 60 releases the engagement of the engagement pawl 62 with the pawl wheel 61, thereby allowing the drum 15 to rotate in both directions of the arrow a and the arrow B in fig. 3. That is, the ratchet mechanism 60 allows the feeding out of the belt member 4 from the belt member winding/feeding mechanism 1 by setting the drum 15 to the unlocked state. At this time, the tape member winding/feeding mechanism 1 is in a so-called free tape member state. In the state where the belt member is free, it is assumed that the electromagnetic clutch 13 is in a state where the connection between the electric motor 9 and the drum 15 is released.

Incidentally, the ratchet mechanism 60 according to the present embodiment releases the engagement of the engagement pawl 62 with the pawl wheel 61 when the solenoid 65 is energized based on a command from the control unit 2 (see fig. 2). Further, the ratchet mechanism 60 engages the engagement pawl 62 with the pawl wheel 61 when no current is supplied. That is, the ratchet mechanism 60 is in a normally locked state relative to the drum 15.

< tensioning mechanism >

As shown in fig. 3, the tension mechanism 80 includes a tension motor 83, a spur gear 81 fixed to the drum 15 and integrally rotated, a worm gear reduction mechanism 86 coupling the tension motor 83 and the spur gear 81, and a torque limiter, not shown.

When the tension motor 83 is rotationally driven at a predetermined timing by a command signal from the control unit 2 (see fig. 2), the tension mechanism 80 rotates the drum 15 in the winding direction of the belt member 4 (the direction of arrow B in fig. 3) via the worm gear reduction mechanism 86, the torque limiter (not shown), and the spur gear 81.

As the rotating drum 15 winds the belt member 4, tension is generated in accordance with the rotational moment of the drum 15 on the belt member 4 from which slack is removed.

In the tightening mechanism 80 according to the present embodiment, when a predetermined tension is generated in the belt member 4, a torque limiter (not shown) is operated to maintain the tension of the belt member 4 at a predetermined value, and the tightening process of the belt member 4 is completed.

< encoder >

The encoder 17 (see fig. 2) is configured to detect the amount of rotation (the number of rotations) of the drum 15 (see fig. 2). The encoder 17 in the present embodiment is assumed to be an optical encoder, but is not limited thereto.

In the encoder 17 of the present embodiment, the laser reflected light reads a rotation scale formed of, for example, a slit-shaped optical pattern, which is provided on the surface of a rotating portion of the drum 15 or a shaft (not shown) that rotates the drum 15. Whereby the encoder 17 detects the rotation amount of the drum 15.

The detection signal based on the rotation amount of the drum 15 obtained by the encoder 17 is transmitted to a belt member feeding length calculation unit 26 (see fig. 5) described later constituting the control unit 2, and is used to calculate the length of the belt member fed from the belt member winding/feeding mechanism 1.

< vehicle body side operation panel and remote controller >

As shown in fig. 1, the vehicle-body-side control panel 3 is attached to an appropriate portion of a side wall (a right side wall in the present embodiment) of the rear luggage room 101 c. In addition, the remote control 40 is intended to be carried by the user (mainly the helper 63) using the winch arrangement 100.

Fig. 4 (a) is a plan view showing an external appearance of the vehicle-body-side operation panel 3. Fig. 4 (b) is a top view of the remote controller 40.

As shown in fig. 4 (a), the vehicle-body-side operation panel 3 includes a drive switch 36 of the belt member winding/unwinding mechanism 1 (see fig. 1), a winding speed change-over switch 37 based on the belt member 4 (see fig. 1) of the belt member winding/unwinding mechanism 1, a lock release switch 39 for setting a ratchet mechanism 60 (see fig. 2) to an unlocked state under a condition to be described later, and an alarm sound generating portion 38 for generating an alarm sound at a predetermined timing. In fig. 4 (a), reference numeral 35 denotes a holder for holding the remote controller 40 (see fig. 1) when not in use.

Although not shown in fig. 4 a, the control unit 2 (see fig. 2) and the receiving unit 29 (see fig. 2) that wirelessly receives a signal from the remote controller 40 (see fig. 1) are provided inside the vehicle-body-side operation panel 3.

These control section 2 and receiving section 29 will be described in detail later.

Next, the remote controller 40 (refer to fig. 1) is explained.

As shown in fig. 4 (b), the remote controller 40 includes: a lock release switch 41 that sets a ratchet mechanism 60 (see fig. 2) as a lock release mechanism to an unlocked state under conditions described later; a winding switch 42 for winding the tape member 4 (see fig. 1) by the tape member winding/feeding mechanism 1 (see fig. 1); and a feeding switch 43 for feeding the tape member 4 to the tape member winding/feeding mechanism 1.

Although not shown in fig. 4 b, the remote controller 40 includes a transmission unit 44 (see fig. 5) for wirelessly transmitting the on signals of the

various switches

41, 42, and 43 to a reception unit 29 (see fig. 5) of the control unit 2 (see fig. 5) to be described later.

The remote controller 40 incorporates a predetermined circuit board, a battery, and the like, although not shown.

< control part >

Next, the control unit 2 (see fig. 2) will be described. The control unit 2 comprehensively controls the operation of the winch apparatus 100 (see fig. 2) as described above.

The control unit 2 mainly includes a processor such as a cpu (central Processing unit), a rom (read Only memory) in which a program is written, and a ram (random Access memory) for temporarily storing data.

Fig. 5 is a block diagram of the control unit 2.

As shown in fig. 5, the control unit 2 is configured to include an electric motor control unit 21, an electromagnetic clutch control unit 22, a tension motor control unit 23, a switch synchronization determination unit 24, a belt member feed length calculation unit 26, a lock release command unit 27, and a lock release prohibition unit 28.

The electric motor control unit 21 is configured to drive the electric motor 9 at a predetermined timing described later.

The electromagnetic clutch control unit 22 is configured to turn on the electromagnetic clutch 13 at a predetermined timing described later.

The tension motor control unit 23 is configured to drive the tension motor 83 at a predetermined timing described later.

When the user operates the lock release switch 39 (see fig. 4 a) of the vehicle-body-side operation panel 3 in synchronization with the lock release switch 41 (see fig. 4 b) of the remote controller 40, the switch synchronization determination unit 24 determines whether or not these

switches

39 and 41 are operated in synchronization.

The switching synchronization determination procedure performed by the switching synchronization determination unit 24 will be described in detail later.

The tape feeding length calculation unit 26 calculates the length of the tape 4 fed from the tape winding/feeding mechanism 1 (see fig. 1) in real time based on the detection signal of the rotation amount of the drum 15 transmitted from the encoder 17.

The lock release command unit 27 outputs a lock release signal to a solenoid 65 (see fig. 3) of the ratchet mechanism 60 (lock release mechanism) at a predetermined timing described later to set the drum 15 (see fig. 3) to the unlock state. The tape member winding/feeding mechanism 1 (see fig. 1) can thereby feed out the tape member 4 (see fig. 1).

The lock release prohibiting section 28 prohibits the energization of the solenoid 65 (see fig. 3) to the ratchet mechanism 60 (see fig. 3) as the lock/unlock mechanism even when the switch synchronization determining section 24 determines the switch synchronization as described later. That is, the lock release prohibiting section 28 prohibits the feeding of the belt member 4 (see fig. 1) from the belt member winding/feeding mechanism 1 (see fig. 1) by maintaining the locked state of the drum 15.

< action of winch device >

Next, the operation of the winch apparatus 100 (see fig. 2) according to the present embodiment will be described while showing the control procedure of the winch apparatus 100 (see fig. 2) by the control unit 2 (see fig. 5).

Fig. 6 is a schematic view showing a positional relationship between the wheelchair 110 before getting on the vehicle and the belt member winding/unwinding mechanism 1.

As shown in fig. 6, the wheelchair 110 is located at the rear end of the ramp 102, in front of the wheelchair 110.

The winch apparatus 100 is in a state in which the belt member 4 (see fig. 1) is wound by the belt member winding/feeding mechanism 1.

That is, the position P1 of the hook 5 provided at the front end of the belt member 4 and the position P2 of the attachment portion 110a of the hook 5 in the wheelchair 110 are separated by the length L in the horizontal distance.

On the other hand, the solenoid 65 (see fig. 3) of the ratchet mechanism 60 (see fig. 3) is not energized, and thus the drum 15 (see fig. 3) is in a normally locked state, that is, the feeding of the belt member 4 from the belt member winding/feeding mechanism 1 is prohibited.

First, in order to switch from the above-described locked state of the drum 15 by the ratchet mechanism 60 to the unlocked state, the user (mainly the assistant 63 (see fig. 1)) performs long-press operation on the lock release switch 39 (see fig. 4 a) of the vehicle-body-side operation panel 3 (see fig. 1), and also performs long-press operation on the lock release switch 41 (see fig. 4 b) of the remote controller 40 (see fig. 1).

An operation signal for long-pressing the lock release switch 41 (see fig. 4 b) of the remote controller 40 (see fig. 1) is wirelessly transmitted from the transmission unit 44 of the remote controller 40 shown in fig. 2 to the reception unit 29 of the vehicle-body side operation panel 3.

The switch synchronization determination unit 24 (see fig. 5) of the control unit 2 (see fig. 5) receives an operation signal for long-pressing the lock release switch 41 from the receiving unit 29, and receives an operation signal for long-pressing the lock release switch 39 (see fig. 4 a) of the vehicle-body side operation panel 3 (see fig. 4 a).

The switch synchronization determination unit 24 (see fig. 5) determines whether or not the lock release switches 39 and 41 are operated in synchronization with each other based on an operation signal for long-pressing the lock release switch 39 (see fig. 4 a) of the vehicle body side operation panel 3 (see fig. 1) and an operation signal for long-pressing the lock release switch 41 (see fig. 4 b) of the remote controller 40 (see fig. 1).

The switch synchronization determination unit 24 (see fig. 5) outputs the lock release command signal to the ratchet mechanism 60 (lock/unlock mechanism) in cooperation with the lock release command unit 27 of the control unit 2 only when it is determined that the lock release switches 39 and 41 are operated in synchronization with each other. By energizing the solenoid 65, the drum 15 is brought into an unlocked state in which the belt member 4 can be fed out.

Next, the determination conditions of the switching synchronization in the switching synchronization determination unit 24 (see fig. 5) will be described. Synchronization determination conditions for the long press operation of the lock release switches 39 and 41 (see fig. 4 (a) and (b)) are set as follows.

Fig. 7 is a switch synchronization determination timing chart.

First, as the synchronization determination condition (1), it is required that a time difference T1 (see fig. 7) between a switch operation start time At1 (see fig. 7) of the unlock switch 39 (see fig. 4 a) of the vehicle body side operation panel 3 and a switch operation start time Bt1 (see fig. 7) of the unlock switch 41 (see fig. 4 b) of the remote controller 40 is shorter than a predetermined threshold TH1 (see fig. 8). Although not particularly limited, the threshold TH1 may be a relatively short time period, for example, from 2 seconds to 5 seconds.

As the synchronization determination condition (2), a time difference T2 (see fig. 7) between a switch operation end time At2 (see fig. 7) of the lock release switch 39 (see fig. 4 a) of the vehicle body side operation panel 3 and a switch operation end time Bt2 (see fig. 7) of the lock release switch 41 (see fig. 4 b) of the remote controller 40 is required to be shorter than a predetermined threshold TH2 (see fig. 8). The threshold TH2 is not particularly limited, but may be a relatively short time such as 2 seconds to 5 seconds.

As the synchronization determination condition (3), at least one of the long pressing time T3 (see fig. 7) of the lock release switch 39 (see fig. 4 a) of the vehicle-body side operation panel 3 and the long pressing time T4 (see fig. 7) of the lock release switch 41 (see fig. 4 b) of the remote controller 40 is required to be equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold TH3 (see fig. 8). The threshold TH3 is not particularly limited, but may be a relatively short time such as 1 second.

Next, a switching synchronization determination procedure performed by the switching synchronization determination unit 24 (see fig. 5) will be described.

Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing a switching synchronization determination procedure performed by the switching synchronization determination unit 24.

As shown in fig. 8, the switch synchronization determination unit 24 (see fig. 5) of the control unit 2 (see fig. 5) starts the switch synchronization determination by turning on the drive switch 36 (see fig. 4 a) of the vehicle-body side operation panel 3 (step S101).

Next, the switch synchronization determination unit 24 determines whether or not a signal At the switch operation start time At1 (see fig. 7) is input (step S102). If it is determined that the signal is not input (no in step S102), step S102 is repeated.

When determining that the signal At the switching operation start time At1 (see fig. 7) is input (yes in step S102), the switching synchronization determination unit 24 determines whether or not the signal At the switching operation start time Bt1 (see fig. 7) is input (step S103). If it is determined that the signal is not input (no in step S103), step S102 and step S103 are repeated.

When determining that the signal of the switching operation start timing Bt1 (see fig. 7) is input (yes in step S103), the switching synchronization determination unit 24 determines whether or not the time difference T1 (see fig. 7) between the switching operation start timing At1 (see fig. 7) and the switching operation start timing Bt1 (see fig. 7) is shorter than the predetermined threshold TH1 (see fig. 8) (step S104).

When the time difference T1 (see fig. 7) is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold TH1 (see fig. 8) (no in step S104), the switch synchronization determination unit 24 determines that the switching operation of the lock release switch 39 (see fig. 4 a) of the vehicle-body-side operation panel 3 is not synchronized (asynchronous) with the switching operation of the lock release switch 41 (see fig. 4 b) of the remote controller 40 (step S105). Although not shown, the switch synchronization determination unit 24 issues a warning sound to the effect that the alarm sound generation unit 38 of the vehicle body side operation panel 3 (see fig. 4 a) is not synchronized, and requests the user to perform a switch operation again to end the switch synchronization determination process.

On the other hand, when determining that the time difference T1 (see fig. 7) is shorter than the predetermined threshold TH1 (see fig. 8) (yes in step S104), the switch synchronization determination unit 24 determines whether or not a signal At the switch operation end time At2 (see fig. 7) is input (step S106). If it is determined that the signal is not input (no in step S106), step S106 is repeated.

When determining that the signal At the switching operation end time At2 (see fig. 7) is input (yes in step S106), the switching synchronization determination unit 24 determines whether or not the signal At the switching operation end time Bt2 (see fig. 7) is input (step S107). If it is determined that the signal is not input (no in step S107), step S106 and step S107 are repeated.

When determining that the signal of the switching operation end time Bt2 (see fig. 7) is input (yes in step S107), the switching synchronization determination unit 24 determines whether or not the time difference T2 (see fig. 7) between the switching operation end time At2 (see fig. 7) and the switching operation end time Bt2 (see fig. 7) is shorter than the predetermined threshold TH2 (see fig. 8) (step S108).

When the time difference T2 (see fig. 7) is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold TH2 (see fig. 8) (no at step S108), the switch synchronization determination unit 24 determines that the switching operation of the unlock switch 39 (see fig. 4 a) of the vehicle-body-side operation panel 3 is out of synchronization (non-synchronization) with the switching operation of the unlock switch 41 (see fig. 4 b) of the remote controller 40 (step S105). Then, although not shown, the switch synchronization determination unit 24 issues a warning sound indicating non-synchronization as described above, and requests the user to perform a switch operation again to end the switch synchronization determination process.

When determining that the time difference T2 (see fig. 7) is shorter than the predetermined threshold value TH2 (see fig. 8) (yes in step S108), the switch synchronization determination unit 24 determines whether or not at least one of the long pressing time T3 (see fig. 7) of the lock release switch 39 (see fig. 4 a) and the long pressing time T4 (see fig. 7) of the lock release switch 41 (see fig. 4 b)) is equal to or longer than the predetermined threshold value TH3 (see fig. 8) (step S109).

When neither the long press time T3 (see fig. 7) nor the long press time T4 (see fig. 7) is sufficient for the threshold value TH3 (no at step S109), the switch synchronization determination unit 24 determines that the switching operation of the lock release switch 39 (see fig. 4 a) of the vehicle-body side operation panel 3 is out of synchronization (asynchronous) with the switching operation of the lock release switch 41 (see fig. 4 b) of the remote controller 40 (step S105). Although not shown, the switch synchronization determination unit 24 issues an asynchronous warning sound as described above, and requests the user to perform a switch operation again to complete the switch synchronization determination process.

When at least one of the long press time T3 (see fig. 7) and the long press time T4 (see fig. 7) is equal to or greater than the threshold value TH3 (yes at step S109), the switch synchronization determination unit 2 (see fig. 5) determines that the respective unlock switches 39 and 41 are operated in synchronization with each other (step S110). The switch synchronization determination unit 24 (see fig. 5) outputs the unlock command signal as described above (step S111). This causes the drum 15 to be in an unlocked state in which the belt member 4 can be fed out, and the switching synchronization determination step is finished

In the present embodiment, the order of the switching operation timings is the switching operation start timing At1, the switching operation start timing Bt1, the switching operation end timing Bt2, and the switching operation end timing At2 as shown in fig. 7, but any of the orders of the switching operations of the lock release switches 39 and 41 may be in the former order.

By thus allowing the belt member 4 to be fed out from the belt member winding/feeding mechanism 1, as shown in fig. 1, the user (mainly the assistant 63) can hook the hook portion 5 of the belt member 4 to the mounting portion 110a of the wheelchair 110.

Fig. 9 to be referred to next is a schematic view showing a positional relationship between the wheelchair 110 and the belt member winding/unwinding mechanism 1 after the boarding is completed.

As shown in fig. 9, the wheelchair 110 is pulled up from a position P2 on the road surface shown in fig. 6 to the rear floor of the vehicle 101 via the slope 102 by the belt member winding/unwinding mechanism 1 coupled via the belt member 4.

At this time, the wheelchair 110 is lifted from the slope 102 and the rear floor and brought into close contact with a predetermined fixed position.

Next, a loading process of the wheelchair 110 using the winch apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment will be described. The boarding step assumes a step in which the wheelchair 110 is loaded from a position P2 on the road surface shown in fig. 6 to a predetermined position on the rear floor in a state in which the belt member 4 is coupled to the wheelchair 110.

Fig. 10 is a flowchart showing a procedure of setting the lock release prohibition mode or the lock release permission mode by the control unit 2 when the wheelchair 110 is in the boarding state.

As shown in fig. 10, when the user (mainly the assistant 63 (see fig. 1)) turns ON the winding switch 42 (see fig. 4 b) of the remote controller 40 (see fig. 4 b), the control unit 2 (see fig. 5) inputs the ON signal via the receiving unit 29 (see fig. 5) (step S201).

Then, the tensioner motor control unit 23 (see fig. 5) that has input the ON signal drives the tensioner motor 83 (see fig. 5) (step S202).

The tension motor 83 thereby rotates the drum 15 (see fig. 3) in the winding direction of the belt member 4 (the direction of arrow B in fig. 3). The drum 15 (see fig. 3) winds the belt member 4 so as to remove slack of the belt member 4.

At this point, the ratchet mechanism 60 (see fig. 3) is in the normal locked state of the drum 15 (see fig. 3), and prohibits the feeding of the belt member 4, but permits the winding of the belt member 4.

Next, the electric motor control unit 21 (see fig. 5) that has input the ON [ ON ] signal of the winding switch 42 drives the electric motor 9 (see fig. 5) (step S203). The electric motor 9 is thereby driven in rotation.

The electromagnetic clutch control unit 22 (see fig. 5) that has input the ON [ ON ] signal of the winding switch 42 turns ON the electromagnetic clutch 13 (see fig. 5) (step S204). This causes the rotational torque of the electric motor 9 (see fig. 5) to be transmitted to the drum 15 (see fig. 3) via the electromagnetic clutch 13.

The electric motor 9 (see fig. 3) rotates the drum 15 (see fig. 3) in the winding direction of the belt member 4 (see fig. 3). Then, by winding the belt member 4 around the drum 15, as shown in fig. 1, the wheelchair 110 connected to the belt member 4 is raised on the slope 102 toward the rear floor of the vehicle 101.

On the other hand, the encoder 17 (see fig. 5) detects the rotation amount of the drum 15 (see fig. 5), and transmits a detection signal of the rotation amount to the tape member feeding length calculation unit 26 (see fig. 5) of the control unit 2 (see fig. 5).

The tape feeding length calculation unit 26 (see fig. 5) receives the detection signal from the encoder 17 (see fig. 5).

Returning to fig. 10, the tape feeding length calculation unit 26 (see fig. 5) calculates immediately the length of the tape 4 (see fig. 1) fed from the tape winding/feeding mechanism 1 (see fig. 1) (hereinafter, may be simply referred to as "tape feeding length") (step S205).

Next, the tape feeding length calculation unit 26 (see fig. 5) determines whether or not the calculated tape feeding length is equal to or less than a preset threshold TH4 (step S206).

As shown in fig. 9, the threshold TH4 can be set to the length of the belt member 4 when the wheelchair 110 is raised to a predetermined fixed position, for example.

When the belt member delivery length Lt calculated by the belt member delivery length calculation unit 26 (see fig. 5) is determined to exceed the preset threshold TH4 (no at step S206), the lock release prohibition mode is set (step S207) assuming that the wheelchair 110 (see fig. 1) is in the process of getting on the vehicle 101 (see fig. 1). Step S206 is then repeated.

When the belt member feeding length calculation unit 26 (see fig. 5) determines that the calculated belt member feeding length Lt is equal to or less than the preset threshold TH4 (yes at step S206), the lock release permission mode is set assuming that the wheelchair 110 (see fig. 1) is not getting on the vehicle (step S208).

This ends the setting process of each mode of the lock release prohibition and the lock release permission in the boarding presence/absence determination unit 25.

In the lock release prohibition mode, even when the switch synchronization determination unit 24 (see fig. 5) determines the switch synchronization, the lock release prohibition unit 28 (see fig. 5) prohibits the energization of the solenoid 65 (see fig. 3) of the ratchet mechanism 60 (see fig. 3). That is, the lock release prohibiting section 28 prohibits the feeding of the belt member 4 (see fig. 1) from the belt member winding/feeding mechanism 1 (see fig. 1) by maintaining the locked state of the drum 15.

In the lock release permission mode, the ratchet mechanism 60 maintains the locked state of the drum 15 in the normal locked state, but the locked state of the drum 15 can be switched to the unlocked state by the determination of "switch synchronization" by the switch synchronization determination unit 24 (see fig. 5).

Fig. 11 to be referred to next is a flowchart showing the procedure of execution of lock release prohibition or lock release permission by the control unit 2.

As shown in fig. 11, the control unit 2 (the switch synchronization determination unit 24 (see fig. 5)) determines whether or not there is a signal from the remote controller 40 and the vehicle-side operation panel 3 (see fig. 5), and determines whether or not there is a lock release request (step S301).

If it is determined that there is no unlock request (no in step S301), step S301 is repeated.

When it is determined that the lock release request is made (yes in step S301), it is determined whether or not the lock release prohibition mode is the lock release prohibition mode among the lock release prohibition mode and the lock release permission mode (see step S302). That is, it is determined whether or not the lock release switch 39 (see fig. 4 a) and the lock release switch 41 (see fig. 4 b) are operated in synchronization.

When determining that the mode is the lock release prohibition mode (yes in step S302), the switch synchronization determination unit 24 (see fig. 5) transmits the lock release prohibition command to the ratchet mechanism 60 (see fig. 5) via the lock release prohibition unit 28 (see fig. 5).

Thus, the winch apparatus 100 (see fig. 2) of the present embodiment prohibits the belt member 4 (see fig. 1) from being fed out in any case while the wheelchair 110 (see fig. 1) is getting on.

On the other hand, if the lock release permission mode is not the lock release prohibition mode (no in step S302), the lock release is enabled (step S304).

Therefore, when a device other than the wheelchair 110 is loaded, the ratchet mechanism 60 (lock/unlock mechanism) can be unlocked appropriately as needed.

This ends the execution process of the winch apparatus 100 in which the unlocking is prohibited or permitted.

Although the above description has been made of the boarding step of the wheelchair 110 by the winch device 100 according to the present embodiment, the ratchet mechanism 60 is maintained in the unlocked state and the wheelchair 110 is smoothly lowered on the slope 102 by the torque resistance of the belt member 4 due to the reverse rotation drive of the electric motor 9 in the alighting step of the wheelchair 110.

< action Effect >

Next, the operational effects of the winch apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment will be described.

The winch apparatus 100 of the present embodiment includes the control unit 2 that switches from the locked state to the unlocked state with respect to the belt member 4 by the synchronous operation of the lock release switch 41 of the remote controller 40 and the lock release switch 39 of the vehicle-body-side operation panel 3.

According to such a winch apparatus 100, the belt member 4 can be unlocked at a timing desired by the user. In addition, according to the winch apparatus 100, since the lock can be released by a simple configuration, the convenience of use for the user can be improved.

Further, according to the winch apparatus 100 as described above, the belt member 4 is unlocked only by the synchronous operation of the unlocking switch 41 and the unlocking switch 39, and thus it is possible to prevent the user from accidentally unlocking.

In the winch apparatus 100, when one of the unlock switch 41 and the unlock switch 39 is operated and the other is operated within a predetermined time, the state can be switched to the unlock state (unlock state).

According to this winch apparatus 100, since the lock release switch 41 and the lock release switch 39 can be switched reliably, it is possible to reliably prevent an erroneous operation.

In the winch device 100, the control unit 2 (the belt member feeding length calculating unit 26) may be configured to prohibit switching from the locked state to the unlocked state of the belt member 4 when the feeding length of the belt member 4 from the belt member winding/feeding mechanism 1 is within a predetermined range.

According to this winch apparatus 100, the switching to the unlocked state can be prohibited according to the length of the belt member in addition to the synchronous operation of the lock release switch 41 and the lock release switch 39, and therefore the belt member 4 can be more reliably prevented from being unintentionally extended. Thereby further improving the safety and reliability of the winch arrangement 100.

The present embodiment has been described above, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and can be implemented in various ways.

Claims

1. A winch apparatus, comprising:

a belt member winding/feeding mechanism that performs getting on/off of the wheelchair via a belt member that couples the vehicle and the wheelchair;

a lock/unlock mechanism that switches between a lock state in which the tape member is prohibited from being fed out from the tape member winding/feeding mechanism and an unlock state in which the tape member is permitted to be fed out from the tape member winding/feeding mechanism and the tape member can be pulled out by a user;

a remote control switch carried by the user and performing remote operation of the tape member winding/unwinding mechanism;

a lock release switch provided on a vehicle body side of the vehicle and configured to switch from the locked state to the unlocked state; and

a control unit that controls switching between the locked state and the unlocked state based on the lock/unlock mechanism,

the control section switches from the locked state to the unlocked state only by synchronous operation of the remote control switch and the lock release switch,

the control unit switches to the unlock state when one of the remote control switch and the lock release switch is operated and the other is operated within a predetermined time after the operation of the remote control switch and the lock release switch is started, and when the other is operated and the other is operated within a predetermined time after the operation of the remote control switch and the lock release switch is ended.

2. Winch arrangement according to claim 1,

the control unit prohibits switching from the locked state to the unlocked state when a feeding length of the belt member from the belt member winding/feeding mechanism is within a predetermined range.

3. Winch arrangement according to claim 1,

the control unit includes:

a switch synchronization operation determination unit that determines whether or not the synchronization operation has been performed; and

a lock release command unit for setting the lock release mechanism to the unlock state by outputting a lock release command signal,

the switch synchronization operation determination unit outputs the unlock command signal in cooperation with the unlock command unit when it is determined that the unlock switch and the remote control switch are operated in synchronization with each other.