JP2003339779A - Pedal drive type wheelchair - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain the maximum driving force to match the physical constitutions of users by improving the steering performance with a flexible mobility and enabling the longitudinal movement and the rotation of a seat while achieving a higher convenience by keeping the pedals from disturbing getting on or off actions in a pedal drive type (pedaling) wheelchair. <P>SOLUTION: The front wheels function as drive wheels 13 and the rear wheels function as steering wheels 16 to improve the steering performance. The seat is made movable longitudinally using a seat sliding mechanism 2 and the seat is made rotatable using a seat rotating mechanism 23. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a wheelchair technique for persons with lower limb disabilities.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there are self-propelled wheelchairs used by persons with disabilities, such as a manual type, an electric type, and a combination of electric and manual type. There is Japanese Patent Application No. 2001-338768 "Wheelchair driven by leg force". However, the steering performance is not sufficient when changing directions in a narrow room. In addition, it is difficult to obtain optimum pedaling force because the distance from the seat to the pedal varies depending on the physical constitution of the user. In addition, when moving from a bed or other places, the position of the pedal is at the front, which hinders the movement of the foot when getting on and off.

[0003]

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION Problems to be Solved by the Invention As described in "Prior Art", the conventional foot-operated wheelchair has the following problems, and the problem is to be solved. Generally, a wheelchair is driven by rear wheels and takes the form of front wheel steering. However, a steering method with a small turn is required. There is a need for a system that prevents the pedals from getting in the way when getting on and off. There is a demand for a system that allows the seat to move back and forth according to the physical constitution of the user. The present invention aims to improve the function of a conventional foot-operated wheelchair to not only perform rehabilitation, but also expand the range of application to secure a range of action for persons with disabilities.

[0004]

Drive and steering means Front wheels are used as drive wheels, and rotational movement of a pedal is transmitted to the drive wheels via a drive mechanism using a chain, a belt, or the like. Further, a steerable wheel in the form of a universal caster is arranged at the rear part of the vehicle body, and the gear A is fixed to the upper portion of the vertical axis of the steered wheel. A steering intermediate shaft B is arranged vertically adjacent to the steering wheel vertical shaft, and a gear B meshing with the gear A and a chain wheel D fixed to the gear B are attached to the steering intermediate shaft B. A steering shaft is installed vertically on either the left or right side of the front of the seat, and a steering handle is attached to this. The chain wheel A is attached to the lower end of the operation shaft, and the chain wheel B is attached to one end of the steering intermediate shaft A arranged in the center of the vehicle body.
A chain A is connected between the and. A chain car C is attached to the other end of the steering intermediate shaft A, and chain car C and chain car D
A chain B is connected between the and. As a result, the steering shaft and the steering wheel vertical shaft rotate in opposite directions. Seat seat longitudinal movement means A slide pack or other slide mechanism is attached to the upper part of the vehicle body, and a stopper mechanism for fixing the seat seat is provided at an appropriate position. Rotating mechanism of seat Seat A rotary mechanism such as a rotary pack is attached to the upper part of the slide mechanism, and the seat is fixed on it.

[0005]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described based on examples with reference to the drawings.

A pedal block 2 provided in front of the vehicle body 1
The pedal shaft 4 is attached to the tip of the chain wheel A, the chain wheels A and 5 are fixed in the middle, and the pedal 3 is fixed to both ends thereof. The drive shaft 12 fixed to the drive wheel 13 is passed through the rear end of the pedal block 2 and the chain wheels B and 6 are fixed to the intermediate wheel between the chain wheels A and 5 and the chain wheels B and 6. Chain A and 10 are connected via. Steering shaft 1 in which steering joint shafts 9 are arranged on the left and right sides of the front part of the vehicle body and steering wheels 14 are attached.
5 is inserted into the upper end of the steering joint shaft 9. The lower end of the steering shaft 15 and the upper end of the steering joint 9 have concavities and convexities that form a joint, so that the steering shaft 15 can be attached and detached and replaced. The chain wheels C and 7 are fixed to the lower end of the steering joint shaft 9. Further, a steerable wheel 16 in the form of a free caster is attached to the rear of the vehicle body, gears A and 18 are fixed to a vertical shaft 17 of the steered wheel, and gears B and 19 fixed to an intermediate shaft 20 vertically adjacent to each other.
Engage with. Further, chain wheels D and 8 and chain wheels C, which are fixed to the intermediate shaft 20 coaxially with the gears B and 19,
7 and 7 are connected by chains B and 11.

A slide table 2 in which a slide guide 22a having a slide groove is attached to the upper portion of the vehicle body, and rollers A and 22c corresponding to the slide groove are attached to the inside thereof.
2b is incorporated, and a slide stopper 22d for adjusting and fixing the slide position is attached to the 2b to form the seat seat slide mechanism 22. A disc-shaped rotary seat 23a and a rotary shaft 23b are provided on the slide table 22b, rollers B and 23d are arranged around the rotary seat 23a, and a rotary table 23c having a shaft hole in the center is fitted to the rotary table 23.
Rotation stopper 23e for adjusting / fixing the rotation position on c
The seat-seat rotating mechanism 23 is attached to fix the seat-seat 21 on the rotary table.

[0008]

Since the present invention is constructed as described above, it has the following effects. Since a person using this wheelchair mainly acts indoors and cannot take a sufficient space in many cases, the steering means with a small turning effect according to the present invention has an effect of assisting the action. Since the seat can be moved back and forth, the distance between the seat and the pedal can be changed to obtain the optimum driving force (pedaling force) according to the physique. Also, since the seats can be rotated, the pedals do not obstruct the movement of the feet when getting on and off, which is highly convenient for transferring from the bed.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pedal-driven wheelchair of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a seat seat slide mechanism and a seat seat rotation mechanism.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 body 2 pedal block 3 pedal
4 Pedal shaft 5 Chain car A 6 Chain car B 7 Chain car C 8 Chain car D 9 Steering joint shaft 10 Chain A 11 Chain B 12 Drive shaft 13 Drive wheel 14 Steering handle 15 Steering shaft 16 Steering wheel 17 Steering wheel vertical axis 18 Gear A 19 Gear B 20 Intermediate shaft 21 Seat seat 22 Seat seat slide mechanism 22a Slide guide 22b Slide table 22c Roller A 22d Slide stopper 23 Seat seat rotation mechanism 23a Rotation seat
23b rotating shaft 23c rotating table 23d roller B 2
3e Rotation stopper

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A pedal-driven wheelchair that is driven by flexion and extension of the lower limbs. (See Figure 1) 2. A steering wheel vertical shaft (1) is transmitted from a steering wheel (14) through a steering mechanism by transmitting rotational movement of a pedal through a driving mechanism to drive a driving wheel (13).
7) A pedal-driven wheelchair that rotates and steers. 3. A wheelchair according to claim 2, wherein the seat (21) is horizontally rotatable. 4. A wheelchair according to claim 2, wherein the seat (21) is movable back and forth. 5. The wheelchair according to claim 2, wherein the steering wheel (14) and the steering shaft (15) are left-right replaceable.