JP2006204606A - Wheelchair - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a seat section rise and fall type wheelchair in which a brake is automatically applied when its seat section goes up. <P>SOLUTION: A braking section 13 is formed in the wheel 3 of the wheelchair, a driving lever 14 is rotatably attached to the fixing rod section 11a of a flexible actuator 11 connected with a seat frame 1, one end of this driving lever 14 projects so as to face to a sheet holding frame 4b, the other end of this driving lever is connected with the braking section through a transmission 15, and this driving lever is always energized in a direction of following the sheet holding frame 4b by an elastomer. At the time of alighting of a user, the seat section 4 goes up with the extending movement of the flexible actuator, if the driving lever rotates in a predetermined direction by the energization force of the elastomer, the braking section is switched to a braking condition through the transmission, when the user takes the wheelchair, the seat section falls with the shrinking movement of the flexible actuator, and if the driving lever rotates in a reverse direction by opposing the energization force of the elastomer, the braking section is switched to a non-braking condition through the transmission. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a wheelchair that allows a user to get on and off safely and easily.

  In order to reduce the burden on the user when getting on and off the wheelchair, a device for raising and lowering the seat of the wheelchair has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

  In addition, for the convenience of the user, an automatic brake device for a wheelchair that applies braking to the wheel when the user gets on and off the wheelchair and detects the weight of the user once the user is seated and automatically releases the braking is provided. It has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 3).

Utility Model Registration No. 3086541 JP 2002-126008 A Japanese Patent No. 3107775

  There is a request for the brake device to automatically operate or release when the user gets on and off a wheelchair whose seat can be raised and lowered. According to the brake device described in Patent Document 3, the brake plate is used. Since the wheel is braked by entering between the spokes of the wheel, the play of the wheel during braking is great. Therefore, there is a problem that the wheelchair becomes unstable when the user stands up from the wheelchair or when the seat rises. In addition, since the brake is released when the seat sinks due to the weight of the user, when the user moves from the bed to the wheelchair, if the user touches the seat seat, the brake of the brake device is released. There is also a problem that the wheelchair moves unexpectedly. Furthermore, if a cushion material such as an air mat, low-resilience urethane, or gel is laid on the seat, there is a problem that the seat does not sink or becomes shallow and the brake is not automatically released. Furthermore, since the roller of the brake device remains in contact with the back surface of the seat when the user is in the seated state, there is a problem that the user feels uncomfortable and uncomfortable.

  Therefore, an object of this invention is to provide the wheelchair which can eliminate the said malfunction.

  In order to solve the above problems, the invention according to claim 1 comprises a seat (4a) having a flexible seat (4a) and a seat holding frame (4b) for supporting the seat (4a) from below, The seat holding frame (4b) is connected to the chair frame (1) via the telescopic actuator (11), and the telescopic actuator (11) expands and contracts when the user gets on and off the seat (4). In the wheelchair, the wheel (3) of the wheelchair is provided with a braking portion (13), and the drive lever (14) is connected to the fixed rod portion (11a) of the telescopic actuator (11) connected to the chair frame (1). Is attached so that one end of the drive lever (14) faces the seat holding frame (4b), and the other end of the drive lever (14) is interposed through the transmission body (15). The drive lever (14) is always urged by the elastic body (16) in a direction to follow the seat holding frame (4b), and is extended and retracted when the user gets out of the vehicle. When the seat (4) rises with the extension of the actuator (11) and the drive lever (14) rotates in a predetermined direction by the urging force of the elastic body (16), the drive lever (14) is rotated via the transmission body (15). The braking portion (13) is switched to the braking state, and when the user gets on, the seat portion (4) is lowered together with the contraction operation of the telescopic actuator (11) to resist the urging force of the elastic body (16). A wheelchair is adopted in which when the drive lever (14) rotates in the reverse direction, the brake (13) is switched to the non-braking state via the transmission (15).

  Moreover, the invention which concerns on Claim 2 employ | adopts the wheelchair whose said braking part (13) is a band brake in the wheelchair of Claim 1.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the seat (4) includes the flexible sheet (4a) and the sheet holding frame (4b) that supports the sheet (4a) from the lower side, and the sheet holding frame (4b). ) Is connected to the chair frame (1) via the telescopic actuator (11), and the telescopic actuator (11) expands and contracts when the user gets on and off, thereby raising and lowering the seat (4). The wheel (3) of the wheelchair is provided with a braking part (13), and the drive lever (14) is rotatable on the fixed rod part (11a) of the telescopic actuator (11) connected to the chair frame (1). The drive lever (14) protrudes so that one end of the drive lever (14) faces the seat holding frame (4b), and the other end of the drive lever (14) is connected to the brake part (1) via the transmission (15). The drive lever (14) is always urged by the elastic body (16) in a direction to follow the seat holding frame (4b), and the extension actuator (11) extends when the user gets out of the vehicle. When the seat (4) rises with the operation and the driving lever (14) rotates in a predetermined direction by the urging force of the elastic body (16), the brake (13) is moved via the transmission (15). When the user is on board, the seat (4) is lowered and the drive lever (14) is moved against the urging force of the elastic body (16). Since the wheelchair is configured so that the braking portion (13) is switched to the non-braking state via the transmission (15) when rotated in the reverse direction, the braking is automatically performed at the same time as the seat portion (4) is raised. Heels User even if such poke hand sheet (4a) of the seat at the time of rise (4), against the will brake the user disadvantageously wheelchair addresses the move suddenly is eliminated. Further, since the braking is not released when the seat (4a) sinks due to the weight of the user, the brake can be surely released even when a cushion material is laid on the seat (4a). it can. Further, since the parts of the brake device such as a roller do not hit the back surface of the seat (4a), the user does not feel uncomfortable or uncomfortable.

  According to the invention according to claim 2, in the wheelchair according to claim 1, since the braking portion (13) is a band brake, play of the wheel (3) at the time of braking can be eliminated. Even when the user stands up from the wheelchair or when the seat (4) rises, the movement of the wheelchair can be reliably stopped and the wheelchair can be stably held.

  The best mode for carrying out the invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

<Embodiment 1>
As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, this wheelchair includes a chair frame 1, a small-diameter front wheel 2 provided at the front portion of the chair frame 1, and a large-diameter rear wheel provided at the rear portion of the chair frame 1. 3 and a seat 4 on which a user sits.

  The chair frame 1 is made so as to be foldable in the left-right direction of the wheelchair (direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 1), but the folding structure is well-known and will not be described. As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the chair frame 1 is provided with a footrest 1a, an armrest 1b, a handle 1c, and the like. The front wheel 2 is attached to the left and right sides of the chair frame 1 as casters. The rear wheel 3 is attached to the left and right sides of the chair frame 1 so that it can be turned by hand.

  As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the seat 4 includes a flexible seat 4a and a seat holding frame 4b that supports the seat 4a from below. The seat holding frame 4b includes a lifting bar 5 (only one is shown) arranged on the left and right sides of the chair frame 1, an arm 6 (only one is shown) connected to the left and right lifting bars 5, respectively. And a hub 7 for holding the arm 6. The left and right lifting bars 5 are connected to the front ends of left and right fixing parts 8 (only one is shown) integral with the chair frame 1 via a hinge 9 so as to be rotatable in the vertical direction. As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the inner ends of the left and right arms 6 are connected to the left and right edges of the hub 7 through hinges 10 so as to be pivotable in the vertical direction. The outer end of the arm 6 is connected to the left and right lifting rods 5 and 5 via hinges. As a result, the arm 6 can also be folded when the wheelchair is folded in the left-right direction as described above. The seat 4a is stretched between the left and right lifting rods 5 and can be folded when the wheelchair is folded in the left-right direction. Further, the seat 4a is stretched between the lifting rods 5 so as not to come into contact with the arm 6 or the hub 7 even when the user is seated and the weight is applied.

  The seat portion 4 has a seat holding frame 4b connected to the chair frame 1 via an expansion / contraction actuator 11, and the expansion / contraction actuator 11 expands / contracts as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B when the user gets on and off. It is designed to move up and down.

  The telescopic actuator 11 is a rod-shaped device that expands and contracts using electricity, hydraulic pressure, pneumatic pressure, or the like. The lower end of the cylinder-shaped fixed rod portion 11a is pin-coupled to the chair frame 1 and slides in the fixed rod portion 11a. For example, the upper end of the movable rod portion 11 b which is a piston rod is connected to the hub 7 via a horizontal pin 12. The telescopic actuator 11 is configured to expand and contract when a user or the like operates an up switch or down switch (not shown). When the user is seated, the telescopic actuator 11 is contracted as shown in FIG. 1 (A), and when the user is going to get down, as shown in FIG. Extends. As a result, the seat portion 4 rises as it pivots upward with the hinge 9 as a fulcrum, so that the user is pushed in the direction of standing up and can easily get off the wheelchair. Further, when the user gets on the wheelchair, the raising switch is turned on to raise the seat as shown in FIG. 1B, and after the user is seated, the lowering switch is turned on, as shown in FIG. If 4 is lowered, the user can sit comfortably.

  In order to prevent the wheelchair from becoming unstable when the user stands up from the wheelchair or when the seat 4 is raised, a brake device is provided as shown in FIGS.

  That is, a braking portion 13 is provided on the rear wheel 3 of the wheelchair, and a drive lever 14 is rotatably attached to a fixed rod portion 11a of the telescopic actuator 11 connected to the chair frame 1, and one end of the drive lever 14 is seated. The drive lever 14 is protruded so as to face the holding frame 4b, and the other end of the drive lever 14 is connected to the brake unit 13 via the transmission body 15. The drive lever 14 is always attached in a direction to follow the sheet holding frame 4b by the elastic body 16. Be forced.

  The braking unit 13 is attached to the rear wheel 3. Although various types of structures can be used as the braking unit 13, a band brake is used in this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, the band brake drum 13 a is fixed to the shaft 3 a of the rear wheel 3, and the housing 13 b is fixed to the chair frame 1. One end of a brake band 13c surrounding the drum 13a is connected to the housing 13b, and the other end is connected to one end of a bending lever 13d pivotally supported by the housing 13b. When the bending lever 13d rotates to one side, the brake band 13c tightens the drum 13a to bring the rear wheel 3 into a braking state, and when the bending lever 13d rotates in the reverse direction, the brake band 13c releases the drum 13a to release the rear wheel 3. To the non-braking state. As described above, since the rear wheel 3 is braked or released by the band brake, the play of the rear wheel 3 at the time of braking is eliminated. Therefore, when the user stands up from the wheelchair or the seat portion 4 is raised. Even in this case, the movement of the wheelchair is surely stopped.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the drive lever 14 is rotatably attached to the fixed rod portion 11 a of the telescopic actuator 11 by a fixture 17. The fixing tool 17 includes a band 17a wound around the fixing rod portion 11a and a substrate 17b fixed to the band 17a. The drive lever 14 is supported by a pivot 17c that protrudes horizontally from the substrate 17b, and is rotatable in a vertical plane. One end of the drive lever 14 extends upward from the pivot 17c to the sheet holding frame 4b and faces the lower surface of the hub 7 of the sheet holding frame 4b, and the other end extends downward from the pivot 17c. A roller 14 a is attached to one end of the drive lever 14, and this roller 14 a contacts the lower surface of the hub 7.

  Specifically, the transmission body 15 is a cable made of a wire or the like. One end of the transmission body 15 is connected to the other end of the drive lever 14, and the other end of the transmission body 15 is connected to the bending lever 13 d of the braking portion 13. Connected to the other end. The transmission body 15 is passed through the guide tube 15 a, and the guide tube 15 a is fixed to the chair frame 1.

  The elastic body 16 is specifically a torsion coil spring and is attached to a pivot 17c that holds the drive lever 14. Of the two projecting pieces of the torsion coil spring, one projecting piece 16a is connected to the drive lever 14, and the other projecting piece 16b contacts the pin 18 implanted in the substrate 17b, whereby the torsion coil spring is driven in FIG. The lever 14 is always urged clockwise. As a result, as shown in FIG. 3B, one end of the drive lever 14 rises as if following the hub 7 by the urging force of the elastic body 16 when the seat portion 4 is raised, and the other end of the drive lever 14 is the transmission body 15. To switch the braking unit 13 to the braking state. When the seat 4 is lowered as shown in FIG. 3A, one end of the drive lever 14 is pushed down by the hub 7 against the urging force of the elastic body 16, and the other end of the drive lever 14 is the transmission body 15. Is pushed back to switch the braking unit 13 to the non-braking state.

  Next, the operation of the wheelchair having the above configuration will be described.

  When the user is seated on the wheelchair seat 4a, the telescopic actuator 11 is contracted as shown in FIGS. 1A, 2A, and 3A, and the seat 4 is substantially horizontal. It is descending to the correct position.

  Further, since the seat portion 4 is in the lowered position, one end of the drive lever 14 is pushed down by the hub 7 against the urging force of the torsion coil spring which is the elastic body 16, and the other end of the drive lever 14 is the transmission body. 15 is pushed back. As a result, as shown in FIG. 4, the brake band 13c of the braking unit 13 is separated from the drum 13a, and the braking unit 13 is placed in a non-braking state. Therefore, the user can move by operating the rear wheel 3 or the like.

  When the user is going to get up and down from the wheelchair, when the user turns on a lift switch (not shown), the telescopic actuator 11 extends as shown in FIGS. 1 (B), 2 (B) and 3 (B). Operate. As a result, the seat 4 rises as it pivots upward with the hinge 9 as a fulcrum, and the user is pushed out in the direction of standing up, and can easily get up and down from the wheelchair.

  When the seat portion 4 is raised, the driving lever 14 is rotated clockwise as shown in FIG. 3B by the urging force of the elastic body 16, and its one end rises so as to follow the hub 7. Pull the transmission 15. As a result, the brake band 13c of the braking unit 13 tightens the drum 13a, and the braking unit 13 is automatically placed in a braking state. Therefore, even if the user stands up from the wheelchair, the wheelchair stops without moving, and the user can safely get up and down from the wheelchair.

  When the lower switch (not shown) is turned on after the user rises and falls, the telescopic actuator 11 is contracted, the seat 4 is lowered, and the drive lever 14 is pushed by the hub 7 so as to resist the urging force of the elastic body 16. Then, it rotates counterclockwise, the transmission body 15 is pushed back, and the braking portion 13 is placed in a non-braking state. Therefore, the wheelchair can be moved by the user himself or by the caregiver.

  When the user transfers to the wheelchair again, the user or the caregiver turns on the lift switch and lifts the seat 4 as shown in FIGS. 1 (B), 2 (B) and 3 (B). In this case, the user can easily sit on the seat 4a.

  At that time, the driving lever 14 rotates clockwise as shown in FIG. 3B by the urging force of the elastic body 16 and pulls the transmission body 15, so that the brake band 13c of the braking portion 13 tightens the drum 13a, 13 is placed in a braking state, so that the user can safely sit in the wheelchair.

  When the lowering switch is turned on at the time of sitting, the telescopic actuator 11 is contracted as shown in FIGS. 1 (A), 2 (A) and 3 (A), and the seat 4 is lowered, so that the user can easily move the wheelchair. Can ride.

  When the seat portion 4 is lowered, the drive lever 14 is pushed by the hub 7 so as to resist the urging force of the elastic body 16 and rotates counterclockwise, the transmission body 15 is pushed back, and the braking portion 13 is in a non-braking state. Therefore, the user can move by operating the rear wheel 3 or being pushed by a caregiver.

<Embodiment 2>
As shown in FIGS. 5 (A) and 5 (B), in the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the seat 4 has a flexible seat 4a and a seat holding frame that supports the seat 4a from below. 4b, and an elevating bar 5 (only one is shown) on which the seat holding frame 4b is arranged on the left and right sides of the chair frame 1, and an arm 6 (only one is shown) connected to the left and right elevating bars 5, respectively. ) And a hub 7 that holds the left and right arms 6. Unlike the first embodiment, the left and right elevating bars 5 are provided with left and right fixing portions 8 that are integral with the chair frame 1 (only one is shown). Are connected to each other via two connecting links 19 and 20 (only one of them is shown).

  The two connecting links 19, 20 constitute a four-bar rotating chain that is pin-coupled to each other together with the elevating rod 5 and the fixing portion 8. As shown in FIGS. 5 (A) and 5 (B), the elevating bar 5 overlaps with the fixing portion 8 when lowered, and tilts forward of the wheelchair when raised.

  According to the wheelchair of the second embodiment, when the user is seated on the seat 4a of the wheelchair, the telescopic actuator 11 is contracted as shown in FIG. 5A, and the seat 4 is substantially horizontal. Descent into position. Since the seat portion 4 is in the lowered position, one end of the drive lever 14 is pushed down by the hub 7 against the urging force of the torsion coil spring 16 that is the elastic body 16, as in the first embodiment. The other end of the drive lever 14 pushes back the transmission 15. As a result, as shown in FIG. 4, the brake band 13c of the braking unit 13 is separated from the drum 13a, and the braking unit 13 is placed in a non-braking state.

  When the user tries to get up and down from the wheelchair, when the user turns on a lift switch (not shown), the telescopic actuator 11 extends as shown in FIG. As a result, the two connecting links 19 and 20 rotate, the seat portion 4 rises and stops in a state of being inclined forward of the wheelchair, and the user is pushed out in the direction of standing up. You can get up and down.

  When the lower switch (not shown) is turned on after the user rises and falls, the telescopic actuator 11 is contracted, the seat 4 is lowered, and the drive lever 14 is pushed by the hub 7 so as to resist the urging force of the elastic body 16. Then, it rotates counterclockwise, the transmission body 15 is pushed back, and the braking portion 13 is placed in a non-braking state. Therefore, the wheelchair can be moved by the user himself or by the caregiver.

  When the user transfers to the wheelchair again, the user or the caregiver can turn on the lift switch and raise the seat 4 as shown in FIG. 5, so that the user can easily sit on the seat 4a. can do.

  At that time, since the driving lever 14 pulls the transmission body 15 by the urging force of the elastic body 16, the brake band 13c of the braking portion 13 tightens the drum 13a, and the braking portion 13 is placed in a braking state. You can sit in a wheelchair.

  When the lowering switch is turned on at the time of sitting, the telescopic actuator 11 is contracted as shown in FIG. 5, and the seat part 4 is lowered, so that the user can easily get on the wheelchair.

  When the seat portion 4 is lowered, the drive lever 14 is pushed and rotated by the hub 7 against the urging force of the elastic body 16, the transmission body 15 is pushed back, the braking portion 13 is placed in a non-braking state, Therefore, the user can move by operating the rear wheel 3 or being pushed by a caregiver.

  5A and 5B, parts similar to those shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

  Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. For example, although the torsion coil spring is used as the elastic body in the above embodiment, a tension coil spring, a compression coil spring, or the like can be used. Further, although the drive lever is brought into contact with the hub, it can also be brought into contact with another portion.

1 shows an embodiment of a seat lift type wheelchair according to the present invention, (A) is a front view showing a state where the seat is lowered and the brake device is released, and (B) is a state where the seat is raised and the brake device is activated. FIG. (A) is the principal part enlarged view of FIG. 1 (A), (B) is the principal part enlarged view of FIG. 1 (B). (A) is the figure which looked at the principal part shown to FIG. 2 (A) from the a direction, (B) is the figure which looked at the principal part shown in FIG. 2 (B) from the b direction. It is a front view which shows an example of a braking part. The other embodiment of the seat raising / lowering type wheelchair which concerns on this invention is shown, (A) is a front view shown in the state which the seat descend | falls and the brake device was cancelled | released, (B) is the state which the seat raised and the brake device worked It is a front view shown by.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Chair frame 3 ... Wheel 4 ... Seat part 4a ... Seat 4b ... Seat holding frame 11 ... Telescopic actuator 11a ... Fixed rod part 13 ... Braking part 14 ... Drive lever 15 ... Transmission body 16 ... Elastic body

Claims (2)

  The seat includes a flexible seat and a seat holding frame that supports the seat from below. The seat holding frame is connected to the chair frame via an extension actuator, and the extension actuator is extended and retracted when the user gets on and off. In the wheelchair in which the seat portion is raised and lowered, a braking portion is provided on a wheel of the wheelchair, and a drive lever is rotatably attached to a fixed rod portion of the telescopic actuator connected to the chair frame. One end of the lever protrudes so as to face the seat holding frame, and the other end of the drive lever is connected to the braking portion via a transmission body. The drive lever is always in a direction to follow the seat holding frame by an elastic body. When the user gets off, the seat rises with the extension of the telescopic actuator, and the When the driving lever is rotated in a predetermined direction by the urging force of the body, the braking portion is switched to the braking state via the transmission body, and the seat portion is lowered together with the contraction operation of the telescopic actuator when the user gets on. A wheelchair characterized in that when the drive lever rotates in the reverse direction against the urging force of an elastic body, the braking portion is switched to a non-braking state via the transmission body.   The wheelchair according to claim 1, wherein the braking portion is a band brake.

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