JP2010005242A - Wheelchair - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a wheelchair with which footrests are easily retreated and also a touch work with a hand by a person sitting on the wheelchair is eliminated. <P>SOLUTION: The wheelchair 1, whose body is foldable so as to reduce its dimension in right and left directions, includes: a pair of footrests 16R and 16L; and a footrest driving means for driving the footrests 16R and 16L to be either in the first position, where the person in a sitting posture on the wheelchair places the feet, or in the second position, which is in the rear part of the first position. The footrest driving means includes: a motor 22 arranged in the rear part of one footrest 16R; a screw axis 23 for transmitting driving force generated by the motor 22 to the footrest 16R; and shafts 30 for transmitting the driving force generated by the motor 22 to the other footrest 16L. The shafts 30 are also folded in response to the folding of the wheelchair body. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a wheelchair, and more particularly to a wheelchair having a footrest.

  In general, a wheelchair is often provided with a footrest on which a rider can place his / her foot in a sitting posture (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2 below).

  Since the footrest protrudes in front of the lower part of the vehicle body, the footrest gets in the way when getting on and off the wheelchair. In particular, if the weight rests on the footrest while getting on and off when getting on and off, the whole wheelchair may momentarily tilt forward and the passenger may fall.

  Therefore, a wheelchair that can retract the footrest when getting on and off has been put into practical use. For example, there is a footrest that can flip the footrest part of the footrest to the left and right. Since a space is created between the left and right footrests by jumping up the footrest, it is possible to land on and off the wheelchair by landing the foot from that space. In addition, there is a wheelchair in which the entire footrest can be removed from the body frame instead of flipping up the footrest. A larger space can be created by removing the entire footrest when getting on and off.

JP 2005-52601 A Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2005-87665

  In a wheelchair capable of flipping up the footrest portion, the occupant must perform a flip-up work in a forward bending posture, which is not easy for the user. In addition, a user with a lower body needs to touch the footrest part with his / her hand to perform work, which is not preferable from the viewpoint of hygiene. Even if the footrest is flipped up, the footrest still protrudes in front of the vehicle body, so that the footrest is in the way and the wheelchair cannot turn around in a room or on a narrow road.

  In a wheelchair in which the entire footrest can be removed, the turning radius of the wheelchair can be reduced by removing the footrest. However, in the same manner as described above, the occupant must perform a removal work in a forward bending posture, which is not easy for the user. In addition, a user who has difficulty in lower body needs to touch the footrest with his / her hand to perform work, which is not preferable from the viewpoint of hygiene.

  The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and it is possible to easily retract the footrest, and it is also possible to obtain a wheelchair that does not require the passenger to touch the footrest by hand. For the purpose.

  The wheelchair according to the first aspect of the present invention includes a pair of footrests on which a rider in a sitting posture can place his / her foot in a wheelchair capable of folding the vehicle body so that a dimension in the left-right direction of the vehicle body is reduced. A footrest driving means for driving the footrest to one of a first position where a passenger in a sitting posture can place his / her foot and a second position behind the first position; The footrest driving means includes a driving force generator disposed behind one footrest, and extends along the front-rear direction of the vehicle body, and the driving force generated by the driving force generator is applied to the one footrest. A first driving force transmitting member that transmits, and the driving force generated by the precursor driving force generator extending to the left and right direction of the vehicle body and transmitted to the other footrest; , And a second driving force transmission member, and is characterized in that in response to the folding of the vehicle body is folded also the second driving force transmitting member.

  According to the wheelchair according to the first aspect, the footrest can be displaced from the first position to the second position by the footrest driving means. Therefore, the footrest can be easily retracted as compared with the case where the passenger is bent forward and performs the flip-up operation of the footrest portion or the removal operation of the footrest. Moreover, since it is not necessary for the passenger to work by touching the footrest with his / her hand, it is preferable from the viewpoint of hygiene. Furthermore, since a single driving force generator is provided for the pair of footrests, the weight and cost of the wheelchair are reduced compared to the case where the driving force generators are individually provided for each of the pair of footrests. Can be reduced. In addition, since the second driving force transmission member is folded in response to the folding of the vehicle body, the original folding of the vehicle body is performed by the second driving force transmission member while using a single driving force generator. It can be avoided that the function is inhibited.

  In the wheelchair according to the second aspect of the present invention, particularly in the wheelchair according to the first aspect, the footrest driving means includes a motor as the driving force generating part, a nut part fixed to the one footrest, A ball screw fixed to the output shaft of the motor and including a screw shaft as the first driving force transmission member, one end connected to the nut portion, and the other end connected to the other footrest And a shaft as the second driving force transmission member, wherein the shaft can be bent at a central portion thereof.

  According to the wheelchair according to the second aspect, by rotating the screw shaft by the motor and displacing the nut portion backward, one footrest fixed to the nut portion can be displaced to the second position. . Moreover, when the nut part is displaced rearward, the other footrest connected to the nut part via the shaft can also be displaced to the second position. Since the passenger only has to press the switch for driving the motor, the footrest can be evacuated more easily. In addition, since the shaft can be bent at the central portion thereof, the original folding function of the vehicle body can be prevented from being hindered by the shaft by bending the shaft when the vehicle body is folded.

  According to the wheelchair according to the present invention, it is possible to easily retract the footrest, and it is not necessary for the passenger to work by touching the footrest by hand.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, the element which attached | subjected the same code | symbol in different drawing shall show the same or corresponding element.

  1, 2, 3, and 4 are a right side view, a left side view, a front view, and a rear view, respectively, schematically showing the overall configuration of the wheelchair 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. In the present specification, the vertical and horizontal directions and the front and rear directions are defined based on the viewpoint of the passenger sitting on the wheelchair 1.

  A front wheel 13R and a rear wheel 12R are attached to the front and rear of the body frame 5R on the right side of the vehicle body, respectively. Similarly, a front wheel 13L and a rear wheel 12L are respectively attached to the vehicle body frame 5L on the left side of the vehicle body at the front of the vehicle body and at the rear of the vehicle body.

  A vehicle body frame 4R on the right side of the vehicle body is connected to the vehicle body frame 5R. Similarly, the vehicle body frame 4L on the left side of the vehicle body is connected to the vehicle body frame 5L. The vehicle body frame 25R on the right side of the vehicle body is connected to the upper end portion of the vehicle body frame 4R, and the vehicle body frame 25L on the left side of the vehicle body is connected to the upper end portion of the vehicle body frame 4L. A seat 9 is attached to the vehicle body frames 25R and 25L by a stopper (not shown).

  The vehicle body frames 25R and 25L are connected to each other by a vehicle body frame 31 at the front of the vehicle body and a vehicle body frame 32 at the rear of the vehicle body. The vehicle body frame 31 includes a shaft 31R having one end rotatably connected to the vehicle body frame 25R by a connecting member, and a shaft 31L having one end rotatably connected to the vehicle body frame 25L by the connecting member. Yes. The other ends of the shafts 31R and 31L are rotatably connected to each other by a connecting member. Similarly, the vehicle body frame 32 includes a shaft 32R having one end rotatably connected to the vehicle body frame 25R by a connecting member, and a shaft 32L having one end rotatably connected to the vehicle body frame 25L by the connecting member. Have. The other ends of the shafts 32R and 32L are rotatably connected to each other by a connecting member.

  A footrest 16R is attached to the bottom surface of the vehicle body frame 25R, and a footrest 16L is attached to the bottom surface of the vehicle body frame 25L. The footrest 16R includes a plate portion 11R on which a rider in a sitting posture places a right foot, and a frame portion 10R for supporting the plate portion 11R. The plate portion 11R is rotatably connected to the lower end of the frame portion 10R by a connecting member. Similarly, the footrest 16L includes a plate portion 11L for a passenger in a sitting posture to place the left foot, and a frame portion 10L for supporting the plate portion 11L. The plate portion 11L is rotatably connected to the lower end of the frame portion 10L by a connecting member.

  A vehicle body frame 3R on the right side of the vehicle body is connected to the vehicle body frame 4R. Similarly, a vehicle body frame 3L on the left side of the vehicle body is connected to the vehicle body frame 4L. An armrest 7R is attached on the body frame 3R, and an armrest 7L is attached on the body frame 3L. A control unit 8 having an operation switch is attached to the armrest 7R (or the vehicle body frame 3R).

  A vehicle body frame 2R on the right side of the vehicle body is connected to the vehicle body frame 4R. Similarly, the vehicle body frame 2L on the left side of the vehicle body is connected to the vehicle body frame 4L. A grip 14R is attached to the body frame 2R, and a grip 14L is attached to the body frame 2L. Further, the backrest 6 is attached to the vehicle body frames 2R and 2L by stoppers 15R and 15L.

  5 and 6 are a front view and a left side view, respectively, showing the footrest 16R in an enlarged manner together with the surrounding structure. A guide rail 20R extending along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body is fixed to the bottom surface of the vehicle body frame 25R. A flange structure 61R formed at the upper end of the frame portion 10R is fitted in the guide rail 20R.

  A motor 22 is attached to the bottom surface of the body frame 25R by an attachment member 21. A ball screw screw shaft 23 is fixed to the output shaft of the motor 22. The ball screw nut portion 26R is fixed to the frame portion 10R.

  1 to 4, a guide rail 20L extending along the front-rear direction of the vehicle body is fixed to the bottom surface of the vehicle body frame 25L. A flange structure (similar to the flange structure 61R) formed at the upper end portion of the frame portion 10L is fitted in the guide rail 20L. An attachment member 26L is fixed to the frame portion 10L.

  The nut portion 26R and the attachment member 26L are connected to each other via a shaft 30 that extends along the left-right direction of the vehicle body. Specifically, the shaft 30 includes a shaft 30R having one end rotatably connected to the nut portion 26R by a connecting member, and a shaft 30L having one end rotatably connected to the mounting member 26L by the connecting member. Have. The other ends of the shafts 30R and 30L are rotatably connected to each other by a connecting member.

  In the wheelchair 1 according to the present embodiment, when getting on and off the wheelchair 1, the footrests 16R and 16L are placed at a first position where a seated passenger can place his / her feet on the plate portions 11R and 11L ( (Hereinafter referred to as “mounting position”) can be retracted to a second position behind the mounting position (hereinafter referred to as “retracting position”). In addition, after the boarding / alighting is completed, the footrests 16R and 16L can be returned from the retracted position to the placement position. The footrests 16R and 16L can be retracted not only when getting on and off, but also when the footrests 16R and 16L become an obstacle in the room or on narrow roads, and the footrests 16R and 16L are then restored. An operation can also be performed. Hereinafter, an example of driving the footrests 16R and 16L will be described in detail.

  FIG. 7 is an enlarged left side view of the footrest 16R together with the surrounding structure. FIG. 7 shows a state where the footrest 16R is in the retracted position. FIG. 6 shows a state in which the footrest 16R is in the placement position. 8 and 9 are enlarged top views showing the footrests 16R and 16L together with the surrounding structure. FIG. 8 shows a state in which the footrests 16R and 16L are in the placement position, and FIG. 9 shows a state in which the footrests 16R and 16L are in the retracted position.

  In the state shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, when the occupant presses the retraction switch attached to the control unit 8 (see FIG. 1), the retraction request signals of the footrests 16R and 16L are input to the control unit 8, and the control unit 8 sends a drive signal to the motor 22. When the motor 22 is driven based on the drive signal from the control unit 8, the nut portion 26 </ b> R moves backward as the screw shaft 23 rotates. Thereby, the frame part 10R fixed to the nut part 26R slides back along the guide rail 20R. That is, the motor 22 functions as a driving force generation unit, and the screw shaft 23 (and the nut portion 26R) functions as a driving force transmission member that transmits the driving force generated by the motor 22 to the footrest 16R.

  Further, as the nut portion 26R is moved backward, the frame portion 10L connected to the nut portion 26R via the shaft 30 and the mounting member 26L slides back along the guide rail 20L. That is, the shaft 30 (and the attachment member 26L) functions as a driving force transmission member that transmits the driving force generated by the motor 22 to the footrest 16L.

  As a result, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 9, the footrests 16R and 16L are displaced to the retracted position. The rider can get on and off the wheelchair 1 by landing his / her foot on the ground from the space generated by the retraction of the footrests 16R and 16L.

  In the state shown in FIGS. 7 and 9, when the passenger presses the return switch attached to the control unit 8 (see FIG. 1), the return request signals of the footrests 16R and 16L are input to the control unit 8, and the control unit 8 sends a drive signal to the motor 22. When the motor 22 is driven in the reverse direction based on the drive signal from the control unit 8, the nut portion 26 </ b> R moves forward with the reverse rotation of the screw shaft 23. Thereby, the frame portion 10R fixed to the nut portion 26R slides forward along the guide rail 20R.

  Further, as the nut portion 26R is moved forward, the frame portion 10L connected to the nut portion 26R via the shaft 30 and the mounting member 26L slides forward along the guide rail 20L.

  As a result, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, the footrests 16R and 16L return to the placement position.

  In the above description, the example in which the footrest driving means includes the motor 22 and the ball screw is shown. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and any electric actuator such as a linear actuator or a cylinder can be used. Or it can also be set as the structure which drives the footrests 16R and 16L manually using the link mechanism using a wire etc., and the operation lever which can be operated by a passenger.

  10 and 11 are a front view and a rear view, respectively, schematically showing the overall configuration of the wheelchair 1 in a folded state. The wheelchair 1 can fold the vehicle body so that the dimension (width dimension) in the left-right direction of the vehicle body during storage is smaller than the width dimension during use. Specifically, after the plates 11R and 11L are flipped up, the vehicle body is pushed inward from both the left and right directions. Then, when the shafts 31R, 31L, 32R, and 32L are rotated, the vehicle body frames 31 and 32 are bent into a V shape at the position of the connecting member at the center. Further, when the shafts 30R and 30L are rotated, the shaft 30 is bent into a V shape at the position of the connecting member at the center. Further, the seat 9 is folded so that the central portion is raised upward, and the backrest 6 is folded so that the central portion is raised rearward.

  Thus, according to the wheelchair 1 which concerns on this Embodiment, footrest 16R, 16L can be displaced from a mounting position to a retracted position with a footrest drive means. Therefore, the footrests 16R and 16L can be easily retracted as compared with the case where the passenger is bent forward and performs the flip-up operation of the footrest portion and the removal operation of the footrest. Moreover, since it is not necessary for a passenger to touch the footrests 16R and 16L with his / her hand, it is preferable from the viewpoint of hygiene. Further, since the single motor 22 is provided for the pair of footrests 16R and 16L, the weight of the wheelchair 1 is smaller than when the motors 22 are individually provided for the pair of footrests 16R and 16L. And cost reduction can be achieved. In addition, by adopting a configuration in which the shaft 30 is folded in accordance with the folding of the vehicle body, the original folding function of the vehicle body is prevented from being hindered by the unfolded shaft while using the single motor 22. Can do.

  Further, according to the wheelchair 1 according to the present embodiment, the screw shaft 23 is rotated by the motor 22 to displace the nut portion 26R rearward, whereby the footrest 16R fixed to the nut portion 26R is displaced to the retracted position. Can be made. Further, when the nut portion 26R is displaced rearward, the footrest 16L connected to the nut portion 26R via the shaft 30 can also be displaced to the retracted position. Since the passenger only has to press an operation switch for driving the motor 22, the retreating operation of the footrests 16R and 16L is further facilitated. In addition, since the shaft 30 can be bent at the central portion thereof, it is possible to prevent the original folding function of the vehicle body from being hindered by bending the shaft 30 when the vehicle body is folded.

  The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined not by the above-mentioned meaning but by the scope of claims for patent, and is intended to include all modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the scope of claims for patent.

It is a right view which shows typically the whole structure of the wheelchair which concerns on embodiment of this invention. 1 is a left side view schematically showing an overall configuration of a wheelchair according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a front view showing typically the whole wheelchair composition concerning an embodiment of the invention. It is a rear view which shows typically the whole wheelchair composition concerning an embodiment of the invention. It is a front view which expands and shows a footrest with the structure of the circumference | surroundings. It is a left view which expands and shows a footrest with the structure of the circumference | surroundings. It is a left view which expands and shows a footrest with the structure of the circumference | surroundings. It is a top view which expands and shows a footrest with the structure of the circumference | surroundings. It is a top view which expands and shows a footrest with the structure of the circumference | surroundings. It is a front view showing typically the whole wheelchair composition in the state where it was folded up. It is a rear view which shows typically the whole structure of the wheelchair in the state folded.

Explanation of symbols

1 Wheelchair 16R, 16L Footrest 22 Motor 23 Screw shaft 26R Nut part 30, 30R, 30L Shaft

Claims (2)

In a wheelchair that can fold the vehicle body so that the dimensions of the vehicle body in the left-right direction are reduced,
A pair of footrests on which a seated passenger can place their feet;
A footrest driving means for driving the footrest to one of a first position in which a rider in a sitting posture can place his / her foot and a second position behind the first position;
The footrest driving means is
A driving force generator disposed behind one footrest;
A first driving force transmission member extending along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body and transmitting the driving force generated by the driving force generator to the one footrest;
A second driving force transmission member extending along the left-right direction of the vehicle body and transmitting the driving force generated by the precursor driving force generator to the other footrest;
A wheelchair in which the second driving force transmission member is also folded in response to the folding of the vehicle body. The footrest driving means is
A motor as the driving force generator;
A ball screw including a nut portion fixed to the one footrest, and a screw shaft fixed to the output shaft of the motor and serving as the first driving force transmission member;
Including one end connected to the nut portion and the other end connected to the other footrest, and having a shaft as the second driving force transmission member,
The wheelchair according to claim 1, wherein the shaft is bendable at a central portion thereof.

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