JP2013014296A - Vehicle that includes lamp that lights on feet of person getting off - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To secure safety of a person getting off by brightly illuminating the feet of the person getting off during the getting-off by light even if the structure does not have the door that completely isolates the outside of the vehicle and the inside of the vehicle like a general four-wheel vehicle.SOLUTION: An armrest lamp 37 is installed in an armrest 36 of a seat 31 in an electric wheelchair 1, and when the main power supply switch 17 is turned off and armrest 36 becomes an upright position, the armrest lamp 37 is lit. Since the illumination coverage of the armrest lamp 37 is set to include the ground surface of the side of a step part 23 and the seat 31 of the electric wheelchair 1, the feet of the person getting off can be brightly illuminated by the lighting of the armrest lamp 37.

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle provided with a lamp that illuminates a passenger's feet.

  A general four-wheeled vehicle that has a door that separates the outside from the inside of the vehicle and that opens and closes when getting on and off is often provided with a lamp that illuminates the feet of the passenger when the door is opened. .

  On the other hand, Patent Document 1 below describes a small electric vehicle in which a direction indicator lamp is attached to an armrest provided on a seat.

Japanese Patent No. 4529629

  In order to ensure the safety of getting off the vehicle in a dark place, it is desirable to provide the vehicle with a lamp that illuminates the feet of the person getting off when getting off.

  However, since electric wheelchairs, motorcycles, etc. do not have doors that isolate the outside of the vehicle from the interior like a general four-wheeled vehicle, a configuration in which a lamp that illuminates the feet of the person getting off is provided on the door. I can't.

  Further, in paragraph 0026 of Patent Document 1 above, when the armrest (armrest 116) of the small electric vehicle is flipped up, the direction indicator lamp (the blinker 11) attached to the armrest is lit at a high position. It is described that high safety can be ensured. However, from this description, it is unclear whether the feet of the dismounter can be brightly illuminated by the direction indicator light. Further, paragraph 0028 of Patent Document 1 describes that the feet can be illuminated during night driving by a direction indicator light attached to an armrest of a small electric vehicle. However, from this description, it is unclear whether or not the feet of those who finish driving the vehicle at night and get off the vehicle can be brightly illuminated by the direction indicator lamp. Thus, the said patent document 1 does not suggest about the point which illuminates a passenger's leg | foot brightly when getting off.

  Further, the vehicle driver usually finishes driving the vehicle, turns off the main power switch of the vehicle, and then gets off the vehicle. In this case, by turning off the main power switch, the front lamp, the tail lamp, the direction indicator lamp, etc. are all turned off. If you finish driving the vehicle at night, or if the location where you finished driving is in the garage, turn off the main power switch of the vehicle to suddenly darken the driver's surroundings. Therefore, getting off afterwards can be dangerous.

  In this regard, what is attached to the armrest of the small electric vehicle described in Patent Document 1 is a direction indicator lamp, and thus disappears after the main power switch of the vehicle is turned off. That is, Patent Document 1 does not suggest any point about illuminating the feet of the person getting off with the lamp after the main power switch is turned off.

  Further, in order to ensure the safety of getting off the vehicle in the dark place, simply adding a lamp to illuminate the feet of the person getting off when getting off has the following problems. That is, simply adding a lamp that illuminates the feet of the person getting off when getting off to the vehicle requires a special operation for turning the lamp on and off, which complicates the operation of the vehicle. In addition, since the number of lamps or lighting devices provided in the vehicle increases, the manufacturing cost of the vehicle increases. In addition, the power consumption increases in order to operate the lamp. Moreover, it may cause trouble to those around by leaving the lamp on.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, for example, and a first problem of the present invention is a configuration that does not have a door that separates the outside from the inside of the vehicle as in a general four-wheeled vehicle. An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle that can brightly illuminate the feet of a person getting off with light when getting off.

  Further, the second problem of the present invention is to turn on / off the lamp that illuminates the feet of the person getting off when getting off the vehicle in a configuration that does not have a door that separates the outside from the inside of the vehicle like a general four-wheeled vehicle. The object is to provide a vehicle capable of reducing labor.

  In addition, the third problem of the present invention is that a function of illuminating a passenger's feet with light when getting off can be added without increasing the number of lamps or lighting devices, and an increase in manufacturing cost can be suppressed. To provide a vehicle.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, a first vehicle of the present invention includes a vehicle body having wheels, a power source that is provided in the vehicle body and that generates rotational power of the wheels, and is provided in the vehicle body. A main power switch that enables the drive operation of the power source and disables the drive operation of the power source when off, a handle provided at the front of the vehicle body, and a seat provided behind the handle on the vehicle body And an armrest portion disposed on the side of the seat, a first position where the length direction of the armrest portion is substantially horizontal, and a second position where the length direction of the armrest portion is substantially vertical. An armrest support portion that supports the armrest portion so as to be rotatable relative to the seat, an armrest lamp provided on the armrest portion, and a lamp control means that controls the armrest lamp. In the vehicle And power supply means for supplying power to the armrest lamp even after the main power switch is turned off. The armrest lamp faces downward when the armrest portion is in the second position. It emits light, and the irradiation range of the light includes the ground on the side of the vehicle body.

  According to the first vehicle of the present invention, when the armrest is raised to the second position, the light on the armrest lamp can be applied to the ground on the side of the vehicle. Accordingly, the feet of the person getting off can be brightly illuminated, and it is possible to easily check the state of the feet by the person getting off at the time of getting off.

  In addition, even after the person who has driven the vehicle has finished driving and turned off the main power switch, the armrest lamp can be turned on, and the armrest lamp can illuminate the feet of the dismounter brightly . This makes it possible to illuminate your feet with the armrest lamp even after the front lamp and tail lamp of the vehicle have been turned off by turning off the main power switch of the vehicle in the dark. Can be secured.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the second vehicle of the present invention is the above-described first vehicle of the present invention, wherein the butt of a person sitting on the seat in the seat is in the irradiation range of the armrest lamp. The ground of the side of the seat which contacts is included.

  According to the second vehicle of the present invention, for example, when a person who has driven the vehicle finishes driving and gets off the vehicle, the body is rotated by 90 degrees while sitting on the seat, and the vehicle body side (seat side) When getting up after putting both feet on the ground, the feet of the person getting off can be illuminated brightly by the armrest lamp.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the third vehicle of the present invention is the above-described first or second vehicle of the present invention, wherein a person sitting on the seat is in front of the seat on the vehicle body. A step portion is provided, and the irradiation range of the armrest lamp includes the ground on the side of the step portion.

  According to the third vehicle of the present invention, for example, a person who has driven the vehicle finishes driving and puts one foot on the ground on the side of the vehicle (step side) while sitting on the seat facing forward. When getting off the vehicle in a procedure such as taking out one foot on the ground on the side of the vehicle (side of the step part) after standing up from the seat with both feet on the step part, an armrest lamp Can shine brighter.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the fourth vehicle of the present invention is the vehicle according to any one of the first to third of the present invention described above, wherein the armrest portion is on the side of the vehicle body and A light diffusing member for diffusing the light of the armrest lamp to the side is provided so that a person away from the vehicle body can visually recognize the light of the armrest lamp.

  According to the fourth vehicle of the present invention, the surrounding person can easily confirm the getting-off of the person getting off. Moreover, since the irradiation range of the armrest lamp is expanded to the side, the person getting off can widely check the side of the vehicle and the surrounding situation.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, a fifth vehicle of the present invention is the vehicle according to any one of the first to fourth of the present invention described above, further comprising armrest position detecting means for detecting the position of the armrest portion, The lamp control means automatically turns on the armrest lamp when the armrest position detecting means detects that the armrest portion is in the second position.

  According to the fifth vehicle of the present invention, the armrest lamp is automatically turned on when the armrest portion is set to the second position. Therefore, a special operation for turning on the armrest lamp is unnecessary, and the operation can be prevented from becoming complicated.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, a sixth vehicle of the present invention is the vehicle according to any one of the first to fourth of the present invention described above, further comprising armrest position detecting means for detecting the position of the armrest portion, The lamp control means emits the light of the first mode from the armrest lamp when the armrest lamp is turned on while the armrest portion is in the first position based on the detection result by the armrest position detection means, When the armrest lamp is turned on while the armrest portion is in the second position, light of the second aspect is emitted from the armrest lamp, and the light of the light is emitted from the first aspect and the second aspect. The color is different, or one of the first aspect and the second aspect is blinking of the light and the other is lighting of the light.

  According to the sixth vehicle of the present invention, the armrest lamp can be used for a plurality of roles, and the number of lamps or lighting devices provided in the vehicle can be reduced.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, a seventh vehicle of the present invention is a main power source that detects whether or not the main power switch is off in any of the first to fourth vehicles of the present invention described above. The lamp control means includes a switch detection means, and the lamp control means automatically turns on the armrest lamp when the main power switch detection means detects that the main power switch is off.

  According to the seventh vehicle of the present invention, since the armrest lamp is automatically turned on when the main power switch is turned off, the person getting off the vehicle turns the armrest portion to the second position after turning off the main power switch. You can illuminate your feet brightly with an armrest lamp.

In order to solve the above problems, an eighth vehicle of the present invention is a main power switch detection means for detecting whether or not the main power switch is OFF in the above-described fifth or sixth vehicle of the present invention. The lamp control means detects that the main power switch is off by the main power switch detection means, and detects that the armrest portion is in the second position by the armrest position detection means. When this is done, the armrest lamp is automatically turned on.
According to the eighth vehicle of the present invention, when the main power switch is turned off and the armrest portion is set to the second position, the armrest lamp is automatically turned on. Therefore, a special operation for turning on the armrest lamp is unnecessary, and the operation can be prevented from becoming complicated.

  Further, even if the person getting off turns off the main power switch, the armrest lamp does not automatically turn on unless the armrest portion is in the second position, so that unnecessary light irradiation by the armrest lamp can be prevented. it can.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, a ninth vehicle of the present invention is a main power source for detecting whether or not the main power switch is off in any of the first to sixth vehicles of the present invention described above. The lamp control means automatically turns off the armrest lamp after a predetermined time has elapsed since the main power switch detection means detects that the main power switch is off. It is characterized by.

  According to the ninth vehicle of the present invention, it is possible to prevent the armrest lamp from being left for a long time after the main power switch is turned off. Thereby, it is possible to suppress unnecessary light irradiation by the armrest lamp, and it is possible to reduce power consumption or annoyance to surrounding people due to light irradiation at night.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a tenth vehicle of the present invention is the above-described motor according to any one of the first to ninth vehicles of the present invention, and a battery that supplies electric power to the motor. And a charger for charging the battery, and a connection means for connecting the charger to an external power source, wherein the lamp control means connects the connection means to the external power source and connects the battery with the external power source. The armrest lamp is turned on or blinked when charging is performed, and the armrest lamp is turned off when charging of the battery is completed.

  According to the tenth vehicle of the present invention, the armrest lamp can also be used as a lamp for confirming charging, and the number of lamps or lighting devices to be attached to the vehicle is eliminated by eliminating the dedicated lamp for confirming charging. Can be reduced.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the eleventh vehicle of the present invention is the tenth vehicle of the present invention described above, wherein the lamp control means is emitted from the armrest lamp during a period during which the battery is charged. The light intensity is made lower than the intensity of light emitted from the armrest lamp when the armrest lamp is turned on during a period when the battery is not charged.

  According to the eleventh vehicle of the present invention, when getting off, the feet of the person getting off can be brightly illuminated by the armrest lamp, while at the time of charging, while suppressing the power consumed by lighting or blinking of the armrest lamp, It can be confirmed that charging is in progress.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the twelfth vehicle of the present invention is the above-described tenth or eleventh vehicle of the present invention, wherein the connecting means includes a charging connector, and is housed under the seat, The irradiation range of the armrest lamp includes the charging connector housed under the seat.

  According to the twelfth vehicle of the present invention, when charging is started, the user can easily find the charging connector even if the surroundings are dark.

  According to the present invention, even when the vehicle does not have a door that separates the outside from the inside of a vehicle as in a general four-wheeled vehicle, it is possible to illuminate the feet of the person getting off with the light brightly when getting off, It is possible to ensure the safety of the person getting off. Further, it is possible to reduce the trouble of turning on and off the lamp that illuminates the feet of the person getting off when getting off. In addition, it is possible to add a function of illuminating the feet of the person getting off when getting off the vehicle without increasing the number of lamps or lighting devices, thereby suppressing an increase in manufacturing cost.

It is the external view which looked at the electric wheelchair which is the 1st Embodiment of this invention from the side. It is the external view which looked at the electric wheelchair which is the 1st embodiment of the present invention from the upper part. It is the external view which looked at the electric wheelchair which is the 1st Embodiment of this invention from back. It is explanatory drawing which shows two positions of the armrest part in the electric wheelchair which is the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the support structure of the armrest part in the electric wheelchair which is the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which expands and shows the support structure of the armrest part in the electric wheelchair which is the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure which detects the position of an armrest part in the electric wheelchair which is the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the armrest part in the electric wheelchair which is the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the armrest lamp in the electric wheelchair which is the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the irradiation range of the armrest lamp in the electric wheelchair which is the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the irradiation range of the armrest lamp in the electric wheelchair which is the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the irradiation range of the armrest lamp in the electric wheelchair which is the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the irradiation range of the armrest lamp in the electric wheelchair which is the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the electric constitution of the electric wheelchair which is the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the control processing of the armrest lamp in the electric wheelchair which is the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the control processing of the armrest lamp in the electric wheelchair which is the 2nd Embodiment of this invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
1 to 3 show an electric wheelchair that is a first embodiment of the vehicle of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a side view of the electric wheelchair, and FIG. 2 shows the electric wheelchair from above. FIG. 3 is a view of the electric wheelchair as viewed from the rear.

  In FIG. 1, an electric wheelchair 1 is an electric wheelchair that is mainly used as a moving means for elderly people or those who have difficulty walking. The vehicle body of the electric wheelchair 1 is provided with a body frame 11 that forms a skeleton thereof, a pair of front wheels 12 that are rotatably provided at the lower front portion of the vehicle body frame 11, and a lower rear portion of the vehicle body frame 11. And a pair of rear wheels 13. Further, a handle support portion 14 extending in the vertical direction is provided on the front upper side of the vehicle body frame 11, and a handle 15 is rotatably supported on the upper end side of the handle support portion 14. Further, a steering shaft (not shown) that changes the direction of each front wheel 12 by transmitting the rotation of the handle 15 to each front wheel 12 is provided in the handle support portion 14.

  A main power switch 17 is attached to the side surface of the handle support portion 14. The main power switch 17 is a so-called main switch of the electric wheelchair 1 that enables a drive operation of a motor 28 to be described later when it is turned on and disables the drive operation of the motor 28 when it is turned off. As shown in FIG. 2, an operation panel 18 and a pair of rearview mirrors 19 are attached to the upper end side of the handle support portion 14, and a car 20 and a front light 21 are attached to the front side of the handle support portion 14. Yes.

  In addition, a step portion 23 on which the driver of the electric wheelchair 1 puts both feet during driving is provided on the body frame 11 behind the handle support portion 14. In addition, a device housing portion 24 is provided behind the step portion 23 in the vehicle body frame 11, and an electric circuit for controlling the battery 25, the charger 26, and the electric wheelchair 1 is provided in the device housing portion 24. A controller 27 and the like are accommodated. As shown in FIG. 3, a motor 28 is provided as a power source between the pair of rear wheels 13 below the rear portion of the vehicle body frame 11. The motor 28 generates power for rotating each rear wheel 13. Thereby, driving | running | working of the electric wheelchair 1 is implement | achieved. Further, a pair of reflecting plates 29 are provided on the rear side of the device accommodating portion 24.

  In addition, a seat 31 on which the driver of the electric wheelchair 1 sits during driving is provided behind the handle 15 and above the device housing portion 24. The seat 31 is fixed to the vehicle body frame 11 side via a seat support portion 32 and the like that is disposed below the seat 31 and extends in the vertical direction. Depending on the type of electric wheelchair, the seat 31 may rotate about the seat support portion 32, but the seat 31 in the electric wheelchair 1 according to the present embodiment is fixed to the seat support portion 32 so as not to rotate.

  The seat 31 includes a seat portion 33 that contacts the driver's buttocks when the driver sits, and a backrest portion 34 on which the driver puts his back. The seat 31 includes a seat frame 35 (see FIG. 5) constituting the skeleton, and a cushion that covers a side of the seat frame 35 on which the driver's body comes into contact (an upper side of the seat 33 and a front side of the backrest 34). In addition, the seat frame 35 includes a cover plate and the like that covers a side where the driver's body does not contact (the lower side of the seat portion 33 and the rear side of the backrest portion 34).

  The seat 31 is provided with a pair of armrests 36 on which the driver puts his elbows. One armrest portion 36 is disposed on the left side of the seat 31, and the other armrest portion 36 is disposed on the right side of the seat 31. As shown in FIG. 3, when the electric wheelchair 1 is viewed from the rear, one armrest portion 36 is located on the left end side of the electric wheelchair 1, and the other armrest portion 36 is located on the right end side of the electric wheelchair 1. . Each armrest portion 36 is provided with an armrest lamp 37.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, a charging cable (not shown) and a charging plug as a charging connector (connecting means) are provided below the seat 31, specifically between the device accommodating portion 24 and the seat 31. 56 is provided. One end of the charging cable is connected to the charger 26, and a charging plug 56 is connected to the other end of the charging cable. When the electric wheelchair 1 is traveling, the charging cable and the charging plug 56 are accommodated in a charging cable accommodating portion 58 attached to the lower surface of the seat 31. On the other hand, when charging the charger 26, the charging plug 56 and the charging cable are pulled out from the charging cable housing portion 58, and the charging plug 56 is connected to an outlet, for example.

  4 to 7 show a configuration related to the armrest 36. 4 shows two positions of the armrest 36, FIGS. 5 and 6 show the armrest support structure, and FIG. 7 shows a configuration for detecting the position of the armrest 36.

  As shown in FIG. 4, each armrest 36 is supported by the seat 31 so as to be rotatable with respect to the seat 31 between a normal position (first position) and a raised position (second position). Has been. As shown in FIG. 4A, the normal position is a position where the length direction of the armrest portion 36 is substantially horizontal. When the driver sits on the seat 31 and runs the electric wheelchair 1, the armrest 36 is set to the normal position. Thus, the driver can place the elbow on the armrest 36. On the other hand, the rising position is a position where the length direction of the armrest portion 36 is substantially vertical (for example, about 75 to 100 degrees with respect to the horizontal plane) as shown in FIG. When the driver gets on the electric wheelchair 1 or when the driver gets off the electric wheelchair 1, the armrest portion 36 is set to the raised position to facilitate the getting on and off of the driver and to enhance the safety of getting on and off. Can do.

  As shown in FIG. 5, armrest support portions 39 are respectively fixed to the left and right portions of the seat frame 35 forming the skeleton of the backrest portion 34. Each armrest portion 36 is attached to the seat 31 by an armrest frame 38 forming a skeleton thereof being rotatably supported by an armrest support portion 39. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, each armrest support portion 39 is provided with a rotating shaft portion 41 protruding outward from the seat frame 35, while the armrest frame 38 of each armrest portion 36. An insertion hole 42 is formed at the rear end of each of the armrest frames 38. Each armrest frame 38 is supported by an armrest support portion 39 so as to be rotatable in the direction of arrow A by inserting a rotation shaft portion 41 into the insertion hole 42. Yes.

  Each armrest frame 38 is provided with a rotation restricting pin 43 protruding from the armrest frame 38 toward the seat frame 35, while each armrest support portion 39 is formed with a crescent-shaped elongated hole 44. In a state where the armrest frame 38 is supported by the armrest support portion 39, the distal end portion of the rotation restricting pin 43 enters the elongated hole 44. Accordingly, as shown by an arrow B in FIG. 7, the rotation of the armrest frame 38 is restricted to a range in which the tip of the rotation restricting pin 43 can move in the elongated hole 44. Thereby, rotation of each armrest part 36 is regulated between the normal position and the rising position.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 7, an armrest position detector 45 that detects the position of the armrest portion 36 is attached to each armrest support portion 39. When the armrest 36 is in the normal position, the rotation restricting pin 43 moves to the upper part of the elongated hole 44 as shown by the solid line in FIG. 7, contacts the detection lever 46 of the armrest position detector 45, and detects the detection lever 46. Push up. As a result, the armrest position detector 45 is turned on. On the other hand, when the armrest portion 36 is in the rising position, the rotation restricting pin 43 moves to the lower part in the elongated hole 44 as shown by the dotted line in FIG. 7 and moves away from the detection lever 46 of the armrest position detector 45. As a result, the armrest position detector 45 is turned off. Each armrest position detector 45 is electrically connected to the controller 27, and outputs a detection signal indicating whether the armrest position detector 45 is on or off to the controller 27. The controller 27 detects the position of each armrest portion 36 based on the detection signal output from each armrest position detector 45, and determines whether or not several conditions described later including this detection result are satisfied. The on / off of each armrest lamp 37 is controlled.

  8 and 9 show a configuration related to the armrest lamp 37. FIG. That is, FIG. 8 shows the armrest portion 36 provided with the armrest lamp 37 in an enlarged manner, and FIG. 9 shows the section of the armrest lamp 37 in an enlarged manner. 10 to 13 show the irradiation range of the armrest lamp 37. FIG.

  The armrest lamp 37 is provided below the rear end of the armrest portion 36 in a state where the armrest portion 36 is in the normal position. As shown in FIG. 8, when the armrest portion 36 is in the raised position, the armrest lamp 37 is positioned on the front side of the lower end portion of the armrest portion 36. As shown in FIG. 9, the armrest lamp 37 is attached to a concave lamp attachment portion 51 formed on the lower side of the rear end portion of the armrest portion 36 in the normal position (front side of the lower end portion of the armrest portion 36 in the raised position). It has been. The armrest lamp 37 covers the lamp housing 52 fixed to the lamp mounting portion 51, the lamp unit 53 mounted in the lamp housing 52, the lamp housing 52 to which the lamp unit 53 is mounted from the outside, and transmits light. And a lens 54 as a light diffusing member for diffusing light. The lamp unit 53 is configured by arranging a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) on a substrate. The lamp unit 53 is electrically connected to the controller 27 via a cable (not shown). The lamp mounting portion 51 and the lamp housing 52 are formed with insertion holes 51A and 52A for passing the cable.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 10 to 13, the irradiation range of the left armrest lamp 37 is set to be the irradiation range R1 in a state where the armrest portion 36 is in the raised position. That is, as shown in FIG. 10, the left armrest lamp 37 emits light obliquely forward and downward when the left armrest portion 36 is in the raised position, and the irradiation range R1 of the light is shown in FIG. Thus, the ground on the side of the vehicle body of the electric wheelchair 1 is included. More specifically, the irradiation range R1 includes the ground on the left side of the seat portion 33 of the seat 31 and the left side of the step portion 23, as shown in FIG.

  By setting the irradiation range R1 in this way, it is possible to brightly illuminate the feet of the driver (getting off) getting off the left side of the electric wheelchair 1 with the left armrest portion 36 in the raised position. It is possible to make it easier for the driver to check the current situation.

  In particular, since the irradiation range R1 includes the left ground of the seat portion 33 of the seat 31, as shown in FIG. 12, when the driver D finishes driving and descends to the left from the electric wheelchair 1, When the user sits on the seat 31 and rotates his / her body 90 degrees to get his feet on the left ground of the seat 31 and then stands up, the foot of the driver D can be brightly illuminated by the armrest lamp 37. Further, the irradiation direction of the light from the armrest lamp 37 is tilted forward from directly below, and thereby the left ground of the step portion 23 is included in the irradiation range R1. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 13, when the driver D finishes driving and descends to the left from the electric wheelchair 1, one foot is left on the ground on the left side of the step portion while sitting on the seat 31 facing forward. When getting out of the electric wheelchair 1 in a procedure such as taking out one foot on the ground on the left side of the step portion 23 after getting up from the seat 31 with both feet placed on the step portion 23, the driver D The feet can be illuminated brightly by the armrest lamp 37. In this way, the irradiation range R1 of the armrest lamp 37 is set so as to illuminate the feet surely even when getting off in any procedure that can be normally considered in consideration of various getting-off procedures of the driver.

  Furthermore, the irradiation range R1 may be expanded forward to the irradiation range R2 in FIG. 10 so that the charging plug 56 housed below the seat 31 is included in the irradiation range of the left armrest lamp 37. Thus, the left armrest lamp 37 can illuminate the charging plug 56 accommodated in the charging cable accommodating portion 58, so that the driver or other user can start charging even if the surroundings are dark. The charging plug 56 can be easily found.

  Further, the lens 54 of the armrest lamp 37 diffuses light emitted from the plurality of light emitting diodes of the lamp unit 53 widely to the left side of the electric wheelchair 1, and the irradiation range R1 is expanded to the left to the irradiation range R3 in FIG. The person on the left side of the electric wheelchair 1 and at a position away from the electric wheelchair 1 may be able to visually recognize the light of the armrest lamp 37. Thereby, a surrounding person can confirm a driver | operator's getting off easily. Further, the driver can widely check the left side of the electric wheelchair 1 and the surrounding circumstances. Furthermore, since the periphery of the electric wheelchair 1 can be illuminated extensively, the driver or other user can easily find the AC outlet into which the charging plug 56 is inserted even when the surroundings are dark when starting charging. it can.

  As described above, the configuration and irradiation range of the left armrest lamp 37 have been described with reference to FIGS. 8 to 13, but the configuration and irradiation range of the right armrest lamp 37 are also different from those on the left side except that the left and right are reversed. The configuration and irradiation range of the armrest lamp 37 are the same.

  FIG. 14 shows an electrical configuration relating to the control of each armrest lamp 37. As shown in FIG. 14, the controller 27 housed in the device housing section 24 includes a main power switch 17, a charger 26, a left armrest position detector 45, a right armrest position detector 45, and a left armrest lamp. 37 and a right armrest lamp 37 are connected to each other via a cable. The controller 27 receives from the main power switch 17 a detection signal indicating whether the main power switch 17 is on or off. In addition, the controller 27 receives from the charger 26 a detection signal indicating whether or not a charging operation is being performed. Further, the controller 27 receives a detection signal indicating whether the armrest portion 36 is in the normal position or the raised position from each armrest position detector 45. In addition, the controller 27 outputs a control signal for switching on, blinking, and turning off the armrest lamps 37 to each armrest lamp 37. The controller 27 has a built-in arithmetic processing circuit (CPU), a memory, and the like, and the controller 27 has a function as a timer 60. Also. The controller 27 also has a function of detecting an accelerator state, a speed, and the like (not shown) and a function of controlling the motor 28, the electromagnetic brake, the charger 26, and the like. The controller 27 is a specific example of lamp control means, power supply means, and main power switch detection means, and the controller 27 is a specific example of armrest position detection means together with the armrest position detector 45.

  The controller 27 supplies power from the battery 25 within a predetermined time even after the main power switch 17 is turned off and the power supply from the battery 25 to the motor 28, the front light 21 and the like is cut off. The operation can be continued. Then, even after the main power switch 17 is turned off, the controller 27 can supply power to each armrest lamp 37 and light each armrest lamp 37 when certain conditions are satisfied.

  That is, the controller 27 detects that the main power switch 17 is off based on the detection signal received from the main power switch 17, and the armrest 36 is in the raised position based on the detection signal received from the armrest position detector 45. When this is detected, a control signal for turning on the armrest lamp 37 is output to the armrest lamp 37, and the armrest lamp 37 is turned on. At this time, when the controller 27 detects that the left armrest portion 36 is in the raised position based on the detection signal received from the left armrest position detector 45, the controller 27 turns on the left armrest lamp 37 and turns on the right armrest lamp 37. When the detection signal received from the armrest position detector 45 detects that the right armrest portion 36 is in the raised position, the right armrest lamp 37 is turned on. As a result, the driver of the electric wheelchair 1 lifts the armrest 36 on the side to be lowered to the raised position even after the operation of the electric wheelchair 1 is finished and the main power switch 17 is turned off. Thus, the armrest lamp 37 provided on the lifted armrest portion 36 can be turned on, and the feet can be illuminated brightly when getting off. That is, when the driver stops the electric wheelchair 1 in the dark and turns off the main power switch 17, the front light 21 is turned off and the driver is darkened. The person can turn on the armrest lamp 37 with a simple operation by simply lifting the armrest portion 36, and can brightly illuminate the driver's feet when getting off. The operation of lifting the armrest portion 36 is a very natural operation that the driver performs when getting off the vehicle, and the driver never loses sight of the armrest portion 36 while sitting on the seat 31, so that the driver can be in the dark. Can easily and reliably lift the armrest portion 36 to light up the armrest lamp 37, and can safely get off the vehicle while checking the feet brightly illuminated by the armrest lamp 37.

  Further, the controller 27 confirms that the armrest portion 36 provided with the lit armrest lamp 37 is in a normal position by a detection signal from the armrest position detector 45 in a state where the armrest lamp 37 is lit. When detected, a control signal for turning off the armrest lamp 37 is output to the lit armrest lamp 37, and the armrest lamp 37 is turned off. Thereby, the driver can turn off the armrest lamp 37 only by performing a simple operation such as returning the armrest portion 36 to the normal position.

  Further, the controller 27 automatically cuts off the power supply of the entire system of the electric wheelchair 1 after a predetermined time (for example, about 5 minutes to 10 minutes) has elapsed after detecting that the main power switch 17 is off. . At this time, the armrest lamp 37 is turned off even when the armrest portion 36 is in the raised position. Thereby, even if the driver forgets to return the armrest portion 36 to the normal position, the armrest lamp 37 is automatically turned off. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the armrest lamp 37 from being left for a long time in a lit state, and it is possible to reduce power consumption or troublesome persons around by light irradiation at night.

  FIG. 15 shows a specific example of processing for controlling the lighting and extinguishing of the armrest lamp 37 by the controller 27. In FIG. 15, when the driver finishes driving the electric wheelchair 1 and the controller 27 detects that the accelerator is turned off (step S1: YES), and subsequently detects that the speed is zero (step S2), the controller 27 turns on the electromagnetic brake (step S3).

  Subsequently, the controller 27 detects whether or not the main power switch 17 is off. When the main power switch 17 is off (step S4: YES), the timer 27 starts measuring time (step S5). ).

  Subsequently, the controller 27 detects whether or not the armrest portion 36 is in the raised position. When the armrest portion 36 is in the raised position (step S6: YES), the controller 27 turns on the armrest lamp 37 provided in the armrest portion 36. Turn on (step S7).

  Subsequently, the controller 27 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the time measurement was started in step S5. When the predetermined time has elapsed (step S8: YES), the system of the electric wheelchair 1 is determined. Turn off the entire power supply. Thereby, when the armrest lamp 37 is lit, it is turned off (step S9).

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 16 shows a specific example of processing for controlling the lighting, blinking, and extinguishing of the armrest lamp 37 in the electric wheelchair 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. A feature of the second embodiment of the present invention is that the armrest lamp 37 functions not only as a lamp that illuminates the driver's feet when getting off the vehicle, but also as a lamp that indicates that the electric wheelchair 1 is traveling during traveling. It has the function and the function as a lamp which shows that it is charging at the time of charge. Thus, by providing each armrest lamp 37 with a plurality of functions, the number of lamps or lighting devices provided in the electric wheelchair 1 can be reduced. In the second embodiment, the contents of the control process of the controller 27 are generally different from those in the first embodiment. Therefore, in the following description, the same components as those in the first embodiment are the same. The symbol is attached.

  In FIG. 16, the controller 27 is in the traveling mode during the period in which the driver operates the electric wheelchair 1 and the electric wheelchair 1 is traveling. In the running mode, the controller 27 outputs a control signal for blinking the armrest lamp 37 to each of the left and right armrest lamps 37, and blinks these two armrest lamps 37 (step S11). Thus, each armrest lamp 37 functions as a lamp indicating that the electric wheelchair 1 is traveling while the electric wheelchair 1 is traveling.

  When the driver finishes driving the electric wheelchair 1 and the controller 27 detects that the accelerator is turned off (step S12: YES), and then detects that the speed is zero (step S13), the controller 27 detects the electromagnetic brake. Is turned on (step S14). Subsequently, the controller 27 detects whether or not the main power switch 17 is off. When the main power switch 17 is on (step S15: NO), the controller 27 enters the stop mode. In the stop mode, the controller 27 maintains the output of the control signal for blinking the armrest lamp 37 to each armrest lamp 37, and continues blinking of each armrest lamp 37 (step S16).

  On the other hand, when the main power switch 17 is off (step S15: YES), the controller 27 starts measuring time with the timer 60 (step S17). Subsequently, the controller 27 detects whether or not the armrest portion 36 is in the raised position. When the armrest portion 36 is in the raised position (step S18: YES), the controller 27 enters the getting-off mode (step S19). In the getting-off mode, the controller 27 turns on the armrest lamp 37 provided in the armrest portion 36 at the starting position. Thereby, when getting off, each armrest lamp 37 functions as a lamp that illuminates the driver's feet.

  Subsequently, the controller 27 detects whether or not charging is started, and when charging is not started (step S20: NO), subsequently, a predetermined time (from the time when measurement of time is started in step S17) ( For example, it is determined whether or not 5 minutes to 10 minutes have elapsed (step S21). And when predetermined time passes (step S21: YES), it will be in parking mode (step S24). In the parking mode, the controller 27 turns off the power supply of the entire system of the electric wheelchair 1. Thereby, each armrest lamp 37 is turned off.

  On the other hand, when the armrest 36 is in the normal position in step S18 (step S18: NO), the controller 27 enters the parking mode (step S22). In the parking mode, the controller 27 turns off the power supply of the entire system of the electric wheelchair 1. Thereby, each armrest lamp 37 is turned off.

  On the other hand, when the driver connects the charging plug 56 to the outlet and starts charging, the controller 27 detects that charging has started based on the detection signal from the charger 26, and enters the charging mode (step). S23). In the charging mode, the controller 27 turns on each armrest lamp 37. Thereby, each armrest lamp 37 functions as a lamp indicating that charging is in progress.

  Here, the controller 27 sets the intensity of light emitted from each armrest lamp 37 in the charging mode to be lower than the intensity of light emitted from the armrest lamp 37 in the getting-off mode. As a result, when getting off, the driver's feet can be brightly illuminated by the armrest lamp 37, while at the time of charging, it is confirmed that charging is being performed while suppressing the power consumed by the lighting of the armrest lamp 37. Can be possible.

  In the second embodiment described above, the color of light emitted from each armrest lamp 37 may be changed between the travel mode, the stop mode, the dismount mode, and the charge mode. For example, the color of light emitted from each armrest lamp 37 may be orange in the travel mode and the stop mode, white in the dismount mode, and red in the charge mode. Further, in the travel mode and the stop mode, each armrest lamp 37 may function as a direction indicator lamp.

  Moreover, in each embodiment mentioned above, although the case where the charging cable and the charging plug 56 were accommodated in the lower side of the sheet | seat 31 was mentioned as an example, this invention is not limited to this, It may be attached. In this case, it is desirable that the charging plug is included in the irradiation range of each armrest lamp 37. In this case, when charging, the charging plug and the outlet are connected using a charging cable separated from the electric wheelchair 1.

  Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, the controller 27 may be provided as a controller for exclusively controlling the armrest lamps 37 or may be realized as a partial function of the controller that performs the traveling control of the electric wheelchair 1. May be.

  Moreover, in each embodiment mentioned above, although the case where a some light emitting diode was used as a light source of each armrest lamp 37 was mentioned as an example, this invention is not limited to this. A single or a plurality of light bulbs may be used as the light source of each armrest lamp 37.

  Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, the case where the armrest lamp 37 is turned on when the main power switch 17 is turned off and the armrest portion 36 is in the raised position is taken as an example, but the present invention is not limited thereto. . The armrest lamp 37 may be turned on immediately when the main power switch 17 is turned off.

  Further, the vehicle of the present invention is not limited to the electric wheelchair 1 having a single seat 31 with four wheels as described in the above embodiments. The present invention can be applied to, for example, a two-wheeled vehicle and a three-wheeled vehicle. The present invention can also be applied to a vehicle having a plurality of seats. When two or more sheets are arranged in a line in the left-right direction, an armrest lamp is provided on the left armrest portion of the leftmost sheet, and an armrest lamp is provided on the right armrest portion of the rightmost seat. When two or more seats are arranged in a line in the front-rear direction, armrest lamps may be provided on the armrests on both or either of the front seat and the rear seat, respectively. The present invention can also be applied to a vehicle whose power source is an engine. For example, some cruiser type motorcycles have a seat with an armrest, but the present invention can also be applied to such a vehicle.

  Further, the present invention can be appropriately changed without departing from the spirit or idea of the invention which can be read from the claims and the entire specification, and a vehicle accompanying such a change is also included in the technical idea of the present invention. It is.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Electric wheelchair 11 Body frame 12 Front wheel 13 Rear wheel 15 Handle 17 Main power switch 23 Step part 25 Battery 26 Charger 27 Controller (lamp control means, power supply means, main power switch detection means, armrest position detection means)
28 Motor (Power source)
31 seat 33 seat part 34 backrest part 36 armrest part 37 armrest lamp 39 armrest support part 45 armrest position detector (armrest position detection means)
56 Charging plug (connecting means)
58 Charging cable housing 60 Timer

Claims (12)

A vehicle body having wheels;
A power source that is provided in the vehicle body and generates rotational power of the wheels;
A main power switch that is provided on the vehicle body, enables a driving operation of the power source when on, and disables a driving operation of the power source when off;
A handle provided at the front of the vehicle body;
A seat provided behind the handle on the vehicle body;
An armrest disposed on the side of the seat;
The armrest portion is rotatable with respect to the seat between a first position where the length direction of the armrest portion is substantially horizontal and a second position where the length direction of the armrest portion is substantially vertical. An armrest support portion for supporting the armrest portion;
An armrest lamp provided in the armrest portion;
A vehicle equipped with lamp control means for controlling the armrest lamp,
Comprising power supply means capable of supplying power to the armrest lamp even after the main power switch is turned off;
The armrest lamp emits light downward when the armrest portion is in the second position, and the irradiation range of the light includes the side ground of the vehicle body.   The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the irradiation range of the armrest lamp includes the side ground of the seat portion where the seat of a person sitting on the seat contacts the seat. On the vehicle body, in front of the seat, a step portion for placing a person sitting on the seat is provided,
The vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the irradiation range of the armrest lamp includes the side ground of the step portion.   The armrest portion diffuses the light of the armrest lamp to the side so that a person at the side of the vehicle body and away from the vehicle body can visually recognize the light of the armrest lamp. The vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a light diffusing member is provided. Comprising armrest position detecting means for detecting the position of the armrest portion;
5. The lamp control means automatically turns on the armrest lamp when the armrest position detecting means detects that the armrest portion is in the second position. The vehicle according to any one of the above. Comprising armrest position detecting means for detecting the position of the armrest portion;
The lamp control means emits light of the first mode from the armrest lamp when the armrest lamp is turned on while the armrest portion is in the first position based on the detection result by the armrest position detection means. When the armrest lamp is turned on while the armrest portion is in the second position, the armrest lamp emits the light of the second aspect,
The color of the light is different between the first mode and the second mode, or one of the first mode and the second mode is blinking of the light and the other is lighting of the light. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle is provided. Main power switch detection means for detecting whether or not the main power switch is off,
The lamp control means automatically turns on the armrest lamp when the main power switch detection means detects that the main power switch is off. The vehicle described in Crab. Main power switch detection means for detecting whether or not the main power switch is off,
When the lamp control means detects that the main power switch is off by the main power switch detection means, and the armrest position detection means detects that the armrest portion is in the second position. The vehicle according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the armrest lamp is automatically turned on. Main power switch detection means for detecting whether or not the main power switch is off,
The lamp control means automatically turns off the armrest lamp after a predetermined time has elapsed since the main power switch detection means detects that the main power switch is off. The vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 6. A motor as the power source;
A battery for supplying power to the motor;
A charger for charging the battery;
Connection means for connecting the charger to an external power source,
The lamp control means turns on or blinks the armrest lamp when the battery is charged by the charger by connecting the connecting means to the external power source, and the armrest lamp when the battery is completely charged. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle is turned off.   The lamp control means determines the intensity of light emitted from the armrest lamp during a period when the battery is being charged, from the armrest lamp when the armrest lamp is turned on during a period when the battery is not charged. The vehicle according to claim 10, wherein the vehicle is lower than the intensity of emitted light. The connecting means includes a charging connector, and is stored under the seat,
The vehicle according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the irradiation range of the armrest lamp includes the charging connector housed under the seat.

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