JP2011125547A - Sitting seat and walking assisting device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a sitting seat which raises a feeling of wearing by easily absorbing differences in body shapes of users with a simple structure and a walking assisting device using the seat. <P>SOLUTION: The sitting seat 10a which presents the shape of a saddle, so that a user can sit down by striding over it, comprises: a rear sitting part 10a1 which comes into contact with a part near the ischium of the user; and a front sitting part 10a2 which is connected to the front of the rear sitting part 10a1 to be brought into contact with a part near the groins of the user, wherein the front sitting part 10a2 is constituted of at least one hammock-like belt 10a22. In addition, the sitting seat is provided with: a support member 10 capable of supporting the user; a shoe part 12; and a leg ring 14 which is constituted of a first link 22 to be connected to the support member, and a second link 26 to be connected to the first link 22, etc., and the sitting seat is used for the support member of a walking assisting device which assists walking of the user by operating an actuator 16 to relatively displace the first and second links. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a seat and a walking assist device including the seat.

  As a seating seat, more specifically, a saddle-like seating seat that can be seated so that a user straddles it, for example, a seating seat for a walking assist device described in Patent Document 1 is known.

  In the technique described in Patent Literature 1, a support member including a seating sheet that can support a user, a shoe portion that can accommodate a user's foot, and a first joint portion that includes a swing mechanism. A first link (thigh link) connected to the support member in a swingable manner around a swing fulcrum, and connected to the first link via a second joint portion corresponding to a knee joint while being connected to a shoe portion. A leg link having a second link (lower leg link) and an actuator connected to the first link and the second link, and when the user is seated on the seat and supported by the support member, the actuator The first link and the second link are moved relative to each other to generate an assist force that supports at least a part of the user's load, thereby assisting the user's walking.

  The seat is formed by attaching a cushioning material to the upper surface of a core material made of carbon fiber or the like and covering it with a cover. The constriction is formed to become wider as it extends rearward. The user is configured to straddle the groin (crotch) at the constricted position, and sit while abutting a portion near the sciatic bone at the rear wide position.

JP 2008-48753 A

  As is clear from the technology described in Patent Document 1, this type of seating sheet is required to have a certain degree of strength and rigidity in order to fix the position while supporting the load of the user. However, the user's body shape varies, and if the user does not match the shape of the seating seat, the user feels uncomfortable.

  In that case, an adjustment mechanism or the like is required to absorb the difference in body shape, and the weight also increases. Moreover, if the rigidity is high, the movement of the legs may be hindered. In addition, this kind of seat is not limited to the walking assist device described in Patent Document 1, but can be used for training equipment.

  Accordingly, a first object of the present invention is to provide a seating seat that solves the above-described problems and has a simple structure, but easily absorbs the difference in the body shape of the user and improves the wearing feeling. It is in.

  A second object of the present invention is to provide a walking assist device including a seat that has a simple structure but easily absorbs a difference in a user's body shape to improve a feeling of wearing. .

  In order to achieve the first object described above, according to claim 1, in a seating seat that is saddle-like and can be seated so that the user straddles it, it is in contact with a site near the user's sciatic bone A seating portion and a front seating portion that is connected to the front of the rear seating portion and abuts against a user's inguinal portion, and that the front seating portion is composed of at least one hammock belt.

  In the seating seat according to claim 2, the belt is constituted by a net-like member.

  The seat according to claim 3 is configured such that when the user is seated, the rear seat portion and the front seat portion are connected below the center point of the hip joint of the user in a side view.

  In order to achieve the second object described above, in claim 4, a support member capable of supporting a user and transmitting a user's load, and a shoe part capable of accommodating a user's foot part A first link that is swingably connected to the support member via a joint portion including a swing mechanism, and a first link that is connected to the shoe portion and connected to the first link via the joint portion. A leg link composed of two links, and an actuator connected to the first link and the second link, and when the user is supported by a support member, the actuator is operated to operate the first link and the second link. In a walking assistance device for assisting a user's walking by generating an assist force for supporting at least a part of a user's load by relatively displacing the link, the support member includes the seating seat according to claim 1 or 2. Configured.

  In the seating seat according to claim 1, the seating seat includes a rear seating portion that comes into contact with a portion near the user's sciatic bone, and a front seating portion that is connected to the front and comes into contact with the groin portion of the user. Since the seating portion is configured to be composed of at least one hammock-like belt, the difference in the body shape of the user can be easily absorbed while the structure is simple, and thus the wearing feeling can be improved.

  That is, since the front seating portion is constituted by at least one hammock-shaped belt, the belt deforms according to the body shape of the user and fits naturally so that the difference in body shape can be easily absorbed, and the wearing feeling In addition, the structure can be simplified. Furthermore, since it consists of a belt, the surface pressure which acts on a user's groin part can also be relieved.

  In addition, since the rear seating portion that comes into contact with the site near the user's sciatus is provided, it is possible to reliably support the site near the user's sciatus by ensuring the strength and rigidity necessary for the rear seating portion. it can.

  In the seating seat according to claim 2, since the belt is configured to be formed of a net-like member, in addition to the above-described effects, the surface pressure acting on the groin portion of the user can be further increased by using the net-like member. It can alleviate well and can further improve the wearing feeling.

  The seating seat according to claim 3 is configured so that when the user is seated, the rear seating portion and the front seating portion are connected below the center point of the user's hip joint in a side view. In addition to the effect, it is possible to facilitate the swinging operation when the user swings about the center point of the hip joint, and to reliably support the user during the swinging operation.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, when the user is supported by the support member, the first link is slidably connected to the support member via the joint portion including the swing mechanism by operating the actuator, and the shoe And assisting the user's walking by generating an assist force that supports at least part of the user's load by relatively displacing the second link connected to the first link via the joint. In the walking assist device, since the support member is configured to include the seating sheet according to claim 1 or 2, the walking assist device can easily absorb the difference in the body shape of the user while having a simple structure. Thus, the wearing feeling can be improved.

1 is a perspective view of a walking assistance device including a seating seat according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a side view of the walking assistance apparatus shown in FIG. It is a front view of the walking assistance apparatus shown in FIG. It is a perspective view when the walk assistance apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is seen from back. It is a side view which shows the mounting state of the user to the seating seat shown in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the seating sheet concerning 2nd Example of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the seating sheet concerning 3rd Example of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the seating sheet concerning 4th Example of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the seating sheet concerning 5th Example of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the seating sheet concerning 6th Example of this invention.

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out a seating seat and a walking assistance device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  1 is a perspective view of a walking assistance device including a seating seat according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a side view thereof, FIG. 3 is a front view thereof, and FIG. 4 is a rear view of the walking assistance device shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a side view showing a user wearing state of the seating seat shown in FIG.

  Referring to FIGS. 1 to 5, reference numeral D denotes a walking assistance device, and the walking assistance device D supports the user P (shown in FIG. 5) and can support the load of the user P. A member (load transmission member) 10, a pair of left and right shoes 12 that can accommodate the foot of the user P, and a pair of left and right leg links 14 provided between the support member 10 and the pair of left and right shoes 12. A driving mechanism (comprising an electric motor (actuator)) 16 is provided, and is attached to the lower half of the user P via a fixture (not shown) provided on the support member 10 to assist the walking.

  The left and right leg links 14 are made of an aluminum material, and are respectively connected to the support member 10 via a first joint portion 20 comprising a swinging mechanism (corresponding to a hip joint in human terms). A second link (lower leg link) 26 connected to the shoe part 12 via a second joint part 24 (corresponding to an ankle joint in humans), and the first link 22 and the second link 26. And a third joint portion 30 (corresponding to a knee joint in human terms).

  The swinging mechanism of the first joint portion 20 that connects each leg link 14 and the support member 10 is engaged with the guide rail 32 that is fixed to the support member 10 in an arc shape when viewed from the side, and the guide rail 32. It comprises a slider (movable body) fixed to one end of the leg link 14.

  Accordingly, the leg link 14 is configured to be swingable in the longitudinal direction (front-rear direction) of the support member 10 with the center of curvature 32a of the guide rail 32 as a swing fulcrum. Further, the guide rail 32 is pivotally supported by a support shaft (not shown) arranged in the longitudinal direction of the support member 10, so that the leg link 14 can swing in the lateral direction of the support member 10 around the support shaft. Configured.

  The first link 22 and the second link 26 of the leg link 14 are connected to the drive mechanism 16, and the first link 22 and the second link 26 are relatively displaced (driven) around the third joint portion 30 by the drive mechanism 16. It is done. Reference numeral 34 denotes a storage case for storing a battery for operation of the drive mechanism 16 and the like.

  As described above, the walking assist device D supports the user P and can transmit the load of the user P, the pair of left and right shoes 12 that can accommodate the foot of the user P, and the support. A first link 22 that is swingably connected to the member 10 via a first joint portion 20 comprising a swing mechanism, and a first link 22 that is connected to the shoe portion 12 and via a third joint portion 30. A pair of left and right leg links 14, which are connected to each other, and a drive mechanism (actuator) 16 connected to the first link 22 and the second link 26. When supported, the drive mechanism 16 is operated to relatively displace the first link 22 and the second link 26 to generate an assist force that supports at least part of the load of the user P to assist the user in walking. The details of the walking assist device D Because it is described in Patent Document 1 mentioned above, further description will be omitted.

  Since the feature of this embodiment is the structure of the seat seat provided on the support member 10 of the walking assist device D, this will be described below.

  The support member 10 has a saddle shape and can be seated so that the user P can straddle it, and a support frame 10b that is disposed below the seating sheet 10a (in FIG. 1 and the like) and supports the seating sheet 10a. And a backrest portion 10c that rises from the support frame 10b beyond the rear end of the seating seat 10a (as viewed from the user P) and can contact the waist of the user P. A hole 10d is formed in the waist pad 10c so that the user P can grip it, thereby forming a grip 10d.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the seating seat 10a is connected to a rear seating portion 10a1 that abuts on a portion of the user P near the sciatic bone P1 and to the front of the rear seating portion 10a1 (as viewed from the user P). And a front seating portion 10a2 that abuts against the inguinal portion of P.

  The front seating part 10a2 extends forward from the lower part of the rear seating part 10a1 and branches in the middle, and is at least 1 bridged between the belt holder 10a21 having a Y-shape as a whole and the belt holder 10a21 and the rear seating part 10a. It consists of two, more precisely two hammock-like cloth belts 10a22.

  The belt holder 10a21 is made of a rigid body such as a metal material, and a base end is fixed to a lower portion of the rear seating portion 10a1, and a holder portion 10a211 for holding the belt 10a22 is formed at a distal end on the branch side. One end of the two belts 10a22 is held by the holder part 10a211 and the other end is fixed to the lower part of the rear seating part 10a1, so that it is loosely bridged between the belt holder 10a21 and the rear seating part 10a1.

  Since the rear seating portion 10a1 is in contact with and supported by a portion in the vicinity of the sciatic bone P1 of the user P, the rear seating portion 10a1 is manufactured from a cushioning material having appropriate elasticity, and also necessary for supporting the load of the user P. With excellent strength and rigidity. As shown in FIG. 1, the rear seat 10a1 is composed of left and right halves divided at the center. In order to absorb the difference in the size of the sciatic bone of the user P and to avoid the seam of the trousers, there is a space in the center. Is formed.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5, when the user P is seated, the rear seat portion 10a1 and the front seat portion 10a2 are located below the center point Pc of the hip joint of the user P, that is, at a position where the perpendicular L1 is lowered. Are configured to be connected.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the support frame 10b includes a frame body 10b1 provided on the upper part facing the seating seat 10a and a base body 10b2 provided below the frame body 10b1. The frame body 10b1 is made of a metal material or the like, and the base body 10b2 is made of a hard plastic material or the like.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the belt holder 10a21 of the front seating portion 10a2 is fixed to the frame body 10b1 with bolts or the like. Similarly to the base body 10b2, the waist pad portion 10c is also manufactured from a material having high rigidity such as a hard plastic material.

  As described above, in the seating seat 10 according to this embodiment, the rear seating portion 10a1 that abuts on a portion of the user P in the vicinity of the scapula P1, and the groin portion of the user P that is connected to the front thereof. Since the front seating portion 10a2 and the front seating portion 10a2 are constituted by at least one, more precisely, two hammock-like belts 10a22, the structure of the user P can be reduced. The difference in body shape can be easily absorbed, and thus the wearing feeling can be improved.

  That is, the front seating portion 10a2 is composed of at least one, and more precisely, two hammock-like cloth belts 10a22, so that the support member 10 receives from the user P in the longitudinal direction or left and right (lateral). It easily deforms and fits naturally according to the direction load, in other words, the body shape of the user P.

  Specifically, the curvature (in the side view) of the belt 10a22 is arbitrarily changed according to the load, and the left and right widths (in the top view) are also arbitrarily changed. Thereby, the front seating part 10a2 can absorb easily the difference in the user's P body shape, and can improve a feeling of mounting | wearing.

  Further, since the front seating portion 10a2 is composed of the belt 10a22 (and the belt holder 10a21), the structure is also simplified. Furthermore, since the front seating portion 10a2 uses the belt 10a22, the surface pressure acting on the groin portion of the user P can be reduced.

  In addition, since the rear seating portion 10a1 that abuts the site near the sciatic bone P1 of the user P is provided, the site around the sciatic P1 of the user P can be secured by ensuring the necessary strength and rigidity of the rear seating portion 10a1. It can be reliably supported.

  Further, when the user P is supported by the support member 10, the drive mechanism (actuator) 16 is operated to be swingably connected to the support member 10 via the first joint portion 20 including the swing mechanism. The first link 22 is connected to the shoe portion 12 and the second link 26 connected to the first link 22 via the third joint portion 30 is relatively displaced to support at least a part of the user's load. Since the support member 10 is configured to include the above-described seating seat 10a in the walking assist device D that generates the assist force to assist the user P and walks, the walking assist device D can be used while having a simple structure. The difference in the body shape of the person P can be easily absorbed, and thus the wearing feeling can be improved.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5, when the user P is seated, the rear seat portion 10a1 and the front seat portion 10a2 are located below the center point Pc of the hip joint of the user P, that is, at a position where the perpendicular L1 is lowered. Is connected so that the user can easily swing when the user P swings about the center point Pc of the hip joint, and can also support the user during the swinging operation. Can do.

  FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a seating sheet 10a according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  A description will be given focusing on the differences from the first embodiment. In the second embodiment, the belt 10a22 constituting the front seating portion 10a2 of the seating seat 10a is composed of a single hammock belt and the seating seat 10a. The rear seating portion 10a1 is formed of an integral member having a heart shape (not divided at the center) when viewed from above. The belt 10a22 is folded back by the holder portion 10a211 of the belt holder 10a21 to make two sheets.

  Even if there is only one belt 10a22, the curvature (in the side view) changes arbitrarily according to the load, and the left and right widths (in the top view) also change arbitrarily. The difference in the body shape of P can be easily absorbed, and the wearing feeling can be improved. The remaining configuration and effects including the attachment position of the front seating portion 10a2 to the rear seating portion 10a1 of the belt 10a22 are not different from those of the first embodiment.

  FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a seating sheet 10a according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

  The description will focus on the differences from the first embodiment. In the third embodiment, the rear seat portion 10a1 of the seat 10a is manufactured from an integral member, and the belt 10a22 of the front seat portion 10a2 is extended. Thus, the cover 10a11 of the rear seating portion 10a1 is formed. That is, the belt 10a22 is fixed to the rear seat portion 10a1 through the cover 10a11. The remaining configuration and effects are not different from those of the first embodiment.

  FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a seating sheet 10a according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

  The description will focus on the differences from the first embodiment. In the fourth embodiment, the rear seat portion 10a1 of the seat 10a is manufactured from an integral member, and the belt 10a22 of the front seat portion 10a2 is extended. Thus, the entire rear seat 10a1 is wound around and fixed. The remaining configuration and effects are not different from those of the first embodiment.

  FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a seating sheet 10a according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

  Description will be made with a focus on differences from the previous embodiment. In the fifth embodiment, the belt 10a22 is configured to include a net-like member 40.

  The net-like member 40 includes a central region 40a and left and right regions 40b. The central region 40a is made of a material excellent in stretchability, and is configured to have a large degree of expansion / contraction in the front / rear and left / right directions.

  On the other hand, the left and right regions 40b are made of a material having elasticity smaller than the elasticity of the material constituting the central region 40a, and when the same load is applied, the left and right regions 40b are front and rear, left and right compared to the central region 40a. The degree of expansion / contraction is small, specifically, the belt 10a22 of the first embodiment is configured to have the same stretchability.

  Since the seating seat 10a according to the fifth embodiment is configured as described above, the difference in the body shape of the user P can be easily absorbed while having a simple structure, and thus the wearing feeling can be improved. .

  That is, since the belt 10a22 of the front seating portion 10a2 is composed of a single net-like member 40 as a whole, the load received from the user P in the longitudinal direction or the lateral (lateral) direction of the support member 10 (in other words, The curvature (in side view) arbitrarily changes according to the user P's body shape, and the left and right widths (in top view) also arbitrarily change. Thereby, the front seating part 10a2 can absorb easily the difference in the user's P body shape, and can improve a feeling of mounting | wearing.

  Furthermore, the belt 10a22 is composed of the net-like member 40, so that the surface pressure acting on the groin portion of the user P can be alleviated and the wearing feeling can be further improved. The remaining configuration and effects are not different from the previous examples.

  FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a seating sheet 10a according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

  Description will be made focusing on differences from the previous embodiment. In the sixth embodiment, the holder portion 10a211 of the belt holder 10a21 of the front seating portion 10a2 is connected by the rod 10a212 to be integrated.

  That is, the holder 10a211 is movable in the axial direction via the rod 10a212, and the width of the belt 10a22 is adjustable. Further, an adjuster 10a221 is provided on the belt 10a22 so that the length of the belt 10a22 can be adjusted. The remaining configuration and effects are not different from those of the first embodiment.

  As described above, in the first to sixth embodiments, in the seating seat 10a that has a saddle shape and can be seated so that the user P straddles it, the rear of the user P that contacts the site near the sciatic P1 The front seating portion 10a2 is connected to the front of the rear seating portion and is in contact with the groin portion of the user P. The front seating portion 10a2 is made up of at least one hammock belt 10a22. It was configured as follows.

  Further, the belt 10a22 is constituted by the net-like member 40.

  Further, when the user P is seated, the rear seat portion 10a1 and the front seat portion 10a2 are connected to each other below the center point Pc of the hip joint of the user P in a side view.

  Also, a support member 10 that supports the user P and can transmit the load of the user P, a shoe portion 12 that can accommodate the user's foot, and a joint portion (first member) that includes a swing mechanism in the support member. The first link 22 is swingably connected via a joint 20, and the shoe is connected to the first link via a joint 30 (a third joint) 30. A leg link 14 comprising a second link 26 and an actuator (drive mechanism) 16 connected to the first link and the second link are provided, and when the user is supported by a support member, the actuator is operated. In the walking assist device D that assists the user's walking by generating an assist force that relatively displaces the first link and the second link to support at least a part of the user's load, the support member is configured as described above. It is possible to provide a seat 10a. It was.

  In addition, although the walking assistance apparatus D was shown as an example of use of the seating seat 10a in the above, it is not restricted to it, The seating seat 10a can be used also with a training instrument etc. Further, the walking assist device is not limited to the illustrated structure.

  Further, the front seating portion 10a2 is configured to include at least one hammock belt 10a22, but may be configured to include three or more belts. Moreover, although the belt 10a22 is made of cloth, it may be made of a material other than cloth.

  Further, the belt 10a22 is constituted by the net-like member 40, but the net-like member 40 may be sewn to the belt 10a22.

  D Walking assist device, 10 support member, 10a seat, 10a1 rear seat part, 10a2 front seat part, 10a21 belt holder, 10a22 belt, 10b support frame, 10c waist rest part, 10d grip, 12 shoe part, 14 leg link, 16 Drive mechanism (actuator), 20 1st joint part, 22 1st link, 24 2nd joint part, 26 2nd link, 30 3rd joint part, 32 guide rail, 34 storage case, 40 Net-like member

Claims (4)

  In a seat that presents a saddle shape and can be seated so that the user straddles it, a rear seat that abuts on a portion near the user's scapula, and a groin portion connected to the front of the rear seat A seating seat comprising: a front seating portion that abuts, and the front seating portion comprising at least one hammock belt.   The seating sheet according to claim 1, wherein the belt is made of a net-like member.   3. The seat according to claim 1, wherein when the user is seated, the rear seat portion and the front seat portion are connected below the center point of the user's hip joint in a side view. A support member capable of supporting the user and transmitting the user's load, a shoe portion capable of accommodating the user's foot, and a swingable connection to the support member via a joint portion comprising a swing mechanism A first link that is connected to the shoe portion and a second link that is connected to the first link via a joint portion, and is connected to the first link and the second link. And an actuator that operates the actuator to relatively displace the first link and the second link to support at least a part of the load of the user. A walking assistance device that is generated and assists a user's walking, wherein the support member includes the seating sheet according to claim 1.

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