JP2007300987A - Operation member of wheelchair - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a simply configured wheelchair which can be operated with one hand and can be turned around even in a narrow place by a pivot turn. <P>SOLUTION: The operation member of the wheelchair comprises a first axle 6 attached to one of a pair of left and right wheels of the wheelchair 1, a second axle 7 attached to the other wheel, a reversing device 8 for changing the rotation of the first axle 6 to an opposite direction, a reverse rotation shaft 15 connected to the reversing device 8, a normal rotation connection part 14 provided on the first axle 6, a reverse rotation connection part 16 provided on the reverse rotation shaft 15, a second axle connection part 17 provided on the second axle 7 and a connection switching member 18. Changeover to the state of connecting the second axle connection part 17 and the normal rotation connection part 14 and the state of connecting the second axle connection part 17 and the reverse rotation connection part 16 is performed by the connection switching member 18, and the first axle 6 passes through the reversing device 8 and the reverse rotation shaft 15. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

The present invention relates to a wheelchair that can be operated with one hand.

In a normal wheelchair, the left and right wheels rotate independently. The left and right wheels rotate at the same time and go straight, and only one wheel rotates to change direction. Therefore, when going straight, the wheels must be rotated using both left and right hands, and cannot be operated with one hand. Therefore, it cannot be used by a person who has difficulty with one hand. Moreover, since both hands can be taken by the operation of the wheelchair, it is impossible to move with one hand and to perform some work with the hand while moving.

Therefore, Patent Document 1 describes that when one wheel is rotated so that a point turning operation is possible, the other wheel is connected to rotate in the opposite direction. A pair of left and right rear wheels fixed to the outer end sides of two independent axles respectively, and the inside of the two axles capable of transmitting the rotation of one of the two axles to the other axle. A rotation transmission device installed on the end side, a first fixing means of the rotation transmission device that rotates the other axle in the same direction by the rotational force of one axle to make a straight traveling mode, and a rotational force of the one axle And a second fixing means of the rotation transmission device, wherein the other axle is rotated in the opposite direction to enter the turning mode. The first control means is slidable on the one or the other axle that presses the brake disc against the rotating disc, and the brake disc that faces the rotating disc fixed to the one or the other axle. The second control means includes a rotating drum fixed to the rotating disk, a brake band wound around the rotating drum, and a brake band configured to include a fixed pushing member and a driving mechanism for the pushing member. The driving mechanism is configured to reduce the diameter.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-141452

In the invention described in Patent Document 1, since the rotation of the wheel on one side is transmitted in the reverse direction to the other side in the turning mode, a pivot turn centering on the wheelchair is possible. There are two or more bevel gears meshing with these that are mounted on the shaft in a freely rotating manner, and this shaft can rotate (revolve) around a line perpendicular to the axis. The transmission direction of the rotation is switched by switching the revolution to be free or limited. This rotation transmission device is considerably complicated. Further, when the vehicle travels straight, the brake disk is brought into pressure contact with the rotating disk, and the rotational force is transmitted by the frictional force. However, when used outdoors, members between the rear wheels are particularly likely to get dirty with sand or earth, and it is considered that the frictional force is reduced by such sand or earth.

An object of the present invention is to provide a wheelchair that can be operated with one hand while having a simple configuration and can be turned in a narrow place by a pivot turn.

In order to solve the above-described object, an operation member of a wheelchair according to the present invention includes a first axle attached to one wheel of a pair of left and right wheels of the wheelchair, a second axle attached to the other wheel, and a first axle. A reverse rotation device that converts the rotation of the axle in the reverse direction, a reverse rotation shaft connected to the reverse rotation device, a forward rotation connection portion provided on the first axle, a reverse rotation connection portion provided on the reverse rotation shaft, and a second axle A second axle connecting portion provided on the connecting portion and a connection switching member, wherein the connection switching member connects the second axle connecting portion and the forward rotation connecting portion, and connects the second axle connecting portion and the reverse rotation connecting portion. The first axle is configured to pass through the reverse rotation device and the reverse rotation shaft.

Further, in addition to the above-described configuration, a switching operation device that operates the connection switching member is provided. The switching operation device includes an operation lever, a contact member, a pressing member, and a biasing member. Are provided with a moving contact surface formed between the first recess and the second recess and the first recess and the second recess into which the operation lever is inserted, and the pressing member faces the contact member with the operation lever interposed therebetween. It is good also as what is urged | biased so that an operation lever may be pressed against a contact member by the urging | biasing member.

As described above, the present invention has an effect that the wheelchair can be easily operated in a straight line and a direction change with only one hand. Since the direction change is performed by a pivot turn, it is possible to turn even in a narrow place. Therefore, it is possible to realize a wheelchair that can be used even by a person who has difficulty with one hand, and can move while holding an object or working with one hand.

The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 1 is a partially sectional rear view showing an example of a wheelchair to which the present invention is applied, FIG. 2 is a left side view thereof, and FIG. 3 is a partially sectional rear view showing an operation member of the wheelchair.

The wheelchair 1 includes a first wheel 2 and a second wheel 3 in pairs. The first wheel 2 and the second wheel 3 are provided with rims 4 and 5, respectively. The wheelchair 1 includes an operation member x.

The operation member x will be described. A first axle 6 is provided at the center of the first wheel 2, and a second axle 7 is provided at the center of the second wheel 3 toward the inside. A reversing device 8 that converts the rotation of the first axle 6 in the reverse direction is provided on the outer periphery of the first axle 6.

FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional rear view showing details in the vicinity of the reversing device. The reversing device 8 includes a first bevel gear 9 fixed to the first axle 6, a second bevel gear 10 provided opposite to the first axle 6, and between the first bevel gear 9 and the second bevel gear 10. The third bevel gear 11 is provided. The rotating shaft 11 a of the third bevel gear 11 is perpendicular to the first axle 6, and the third bevel gear 11 meshes with the first bevel gear 9 and the second bevel gear 10. The third bevel gear 11 is attached to the bevel gear box 12 so as to be rotatable about the rotation shaft 11a, but the direction of the rotation shaft 11a is fixed. Therefore, when the first bevel gear 9 rotates, the rotation is transmitted to the second bevel gear 10 via the third bevel gear 11, but the first bevel gear 9 and the second bevel gear 10 rotate in opposite directions. To do.

The first axle 6 extends through the center of the reversing device 8 to the vicinity of the end of the second axle 7. A gear is formed at the end of the first axle 6 and serves as a forward rotation connecting portion 14. Further, a reverse shaft 15 connected to the second bevel gear 10 is provided on the outer periphery of the first axle 6, and a gear is formed at the end of the reverse shaft 15. ing.

A detachable joint member 13 is provided at the end of the second axle 7. The end of the joint member 13 is close to the end of the first axle 6. A long extending gear is formed at the end of the joint member 13 and serves as a second axle connecting portion 17.

The connection switching member 18 is a cylindrical member and is provided on the outer periphery of the end portion of the first axle 6 and the end portion of the joint member 13. Two gear portions 18a and 18b are formed on the inner peripheral surface. The connection switching member 18 can move along the axial direction. The connection switching member 18 is connected to the switching operation device 20 via a wire 19.

Near the end of the joint member 13, a refracting portion 13a is provided so that it can be bent. Further, a bag-like slide member 21 is attached to the other end of the joint member 13 so as to be capable of moving back and forth in the axial direction, and a gear is also formed on the inner peripheral surface of the slide member 21. A gear portion 22 a is also formed on the outer periphery of the end portion of the second axle body portion 22. The slide member 21 is pushed in the direction of the second axle body 22 by a coil spring 23, and the gear of the slide member 21 and the gear 22a of the second axle body 22 are engaged.

The connection release lever 24 is provided so that the tip part contacts the slide member 21. The tip is formed in a shape that is cut off obliquely. The connection release lever 24 is provided so as to be vertically movable, and the slide member 21 is moved by the vertical movement.

The switching operation device 20 will be described. 4 is a left side view showing the switching operation device, and FIG. 5 is a plan view thereof. The lever support member 25 is provided with a hole into which the tip of the operation lever 26 can be inserted, and supports the grip portion 26a so as to be movable back and forth. By moving the operation lever 26 back and forth, the wire 19 can be pulled or loosened. The contact member 27 is provided with a first recess 27a and a second recess 27b in which the operation lever 26 is inserted. A substantially planar moving contact surface 27c is formed between the first recess and the second recess. The pressing member 28 is a plate-like member provided facing the contact member 27 with the operation lever 26 interposed therebetween. Although the contact member 27 is fixed to the vehicle body of the wheelchair, the pressing member 28 is movably attached. The urging member 29 is urged in a direction to be pressed against the contact member 27.

Next, the operation of this wheelchair will be described. Here, the case where a person with a free right hand uses is demonstrated. The switching operation device 20 is provided on the right side of the wheelchair. The connection release lever 24 is pulled up, and the gear of the slide member 21 and the gear portion 22a of the second axle body 22 are engaged.

When moving forward, the operation lever 26 is tilted forward and fixed to the first recess 27a. Since the pressing member 28 presses the operation lever 26 by the force of the urging member 29, the operation lever 26 does not naturally come out of the first recess 27a. In this state, the wire 19 becomes loose. The connection switching member 18 is provided with a biasing member 30, and the connection switching member 18 is pushed rightward in FIG. 3 by the biasing force. At this time, the left gear portion 18 a of the connection switching member 18 is engaged with the second axle connecting portion 17, and the right gear portion 18 b is engaged with the forward rotation connecting portion 14. That is, the second axle connection portion 17 and the forward rotation connection portion 14 are connected via the connection switching member 18. The first axle 6 and the second axle 7 are directly connected. The user turns the rim 4 of the first wheel 2 (right wheel) with the right hand. If the rim 4 is turned in the forward direction, the first wheel 2 and the second wheel 3 rotate in the same direction, so the wheelchair goes straight. If the wheelchair is rotated in the backward direction, the wheelchair moves backward.

When the direction is changed, the operation lever 26 is pulled. The operation lever 26 exits from the first recess 27a while pushing out the pressing member 28 against the pressing force of the urging member 29, moves along the moving contact surface 27c, and moves to the second recess 27b. Even after the operation lever 26 enters the second recess 27b, the operation lever 26 is stably fixed by the pressing force of the pressing member 28. At this time, the connection switching member 18 is moved leftward in FIG. The left gear portion 18 a of the connection switching member 18 continues to engage with the second axle connection portion 17, while the right gear portion 18 b engages with the reverse rotation connection portion 16. That is, the second axle connection portion 17 and the reverse rotation connection portion 16 are connected. On the other hand, the connection with the forward rotation connecting portion 14 is interrupted. If the rim 4 is rotated in the forward direction, the first wheel 2 rotates in the forward direction. This rotation is transmitted to the reverse rotation shaft 15 via the first axle 6 and the reverse rotation device 5, but the rotation direction is reverse. This reverse rotation is further transmitted to the second axle 7 and the second wheel 3 via the connection switching member 18, and the second wheel 3 rotates in the reverse direction. Thus, the wheelchair 1 pivots around the position.

When the connection release lever 24 is pulled down, the tip of the connection release lever 24 moves the slide member 21 to the left side (FIG. 3). The gear of the slide member 21 and the gear part 22a of the second axle body part 22 are separated. That is, the 1st wheel 2 and the 2nd wheel 3 rotate independently similarly to a normal wheelchair. Thus, when the caregiver operates the wheelchair, it is necessary to make the first wheel 2 and the second wheel 3 independent. Since the caregiver often operates the connection release lever 24, it is preferable to provide the connection release lever 24 at the rear part of the wheelchair as in this example.

In the wheelchair of this example, many parts such as a frame, a seat, the first wheel 2 and the second wheel 3 are used as they are in a normal wheelchair on the market. A wheelchair that can be operated with one hand is realized by adding wheelchair operation members including the first axle 6, the second axle 7, the reversing device 8, the connection switching member 17, the switching operation device 20, and the like. Therefore, it can be implemented with an extremely simple configuration. Moreover, the wheelchair of this example can be produced only by making a slight change to the production equipment and production process of the conventional wheelchair. Furthermore, members constituting the operation unit such as the first axle 6, the second axle 7, the reversing device 8, the connection switching member 17, and the switching operation device 20 may be set and supplied as a wheelchair remodeling kit. In this case, since the wheelchair that has been used so far can be modified for one-handed operation, it is possible to continue using a familiar wheelchair without purchasing a new wheelchair.

Moreover, you may provide the switching operation apparatus 20 in the right and left of a wheelchair, respectively. Since the operation lever 26 is detachable, it is a wheelchair for a person who uses the left hand by attaching to the lever support member provided on the left side.

The wheelchair 1 can also be folded. By moving the slide member 21 of the joint member 13 to the right side, the joint member 13 and the second axle body 22 can be separated. Furthermore, since the joint member 13 can be bent at the refracting portion 13 a, the right end of the joint member 13 can be disconnected from the connection switching member 17. Thus, by removing the joint member 13, the first axle 6 and the second axle 7 are separated from each other, so that the first wheel 2 and the second wheel 3 can be brought close to each other.

The present invention can be used as a wheelchair that can be operated with one hand while having a simple configuration. Since point turning (pivot turn) is possible, the direction can be changed even in a narrow place. There is only one connection switching member for switching between straight travel and turning, and since there is no transmission part due to frictional force, it is not easily affected by dirt due to sand or soil, and is suitable for outdoor use. Moreover, the part which operates a wheelchair can be utilized as a kit for the improvement of a wheelchair, and the wheelchair which can be operated by one hand can be implement | achieved by attaching to the conventional wheelchair.

It is a partial cross section rear view which shows an example of a wheelchair. It is the left side view. It is a partial cross section rear view which shows the operation member of a wheelchair. It is a left view which shows a switching operation apparatus. It is the same top view. It is a partial cross section rear view which shows the detail of reverse rotation apparatus vicinity.

Explanation of symbols

1. Wheelchair 2. First wheel 3. Second wheel6. First axle 7. Second axle 8. Reverse device 14. Normal connection 15. Reverse shaft 16. Reverse connection 17. Second axle connecting portion 18. Connection switching member 19. Wire 20. Switching operation device 26. Operation lever 27. Contact member 27a. 1st recessed part 27b. Second recess 27c. Moving contact surface 28. Pressing member 29. Biasing member

Claims (2)

A first axle attached to one of the pair of left and right wheels of the wheelchair, a second axle attached to the other wheel, a reverse device for converting the rotation of the first axle in the reverse direction, and a reverse device. A reverse rotation shaft, a forward rotation connection portion provided on the first axle, a reverse rotation connection portion provided on the reverse rotation shaft, a second axle connection portion provided on the second axle, and a connection switching member. The connection switching member switches between a state in which the second axle connection portion and the forward rotation connection portion are connected and a state in which the second axle connection portion and the reverse rotation connection portion are connected, and the first axle penetrates the reverse rotation device and the reverse rotation shaft. A wheelchair operating member. Having a switching operation device for operating the connection switching member;
The switching operation device has an operation lever, a contact member, a pressing member, and a biasing member,
The contact member is provided with a moving contact surface formed between the first recess and the second recess and the first recess and the second recess into which the operation lever enters,
2. The wheelchair according to claim 1, wherein the pressing member is provided to face the contact member with the operation lever interposed therebetween, and is urged so as to press the operation lever against the contact member by the urging member. Operation member.

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