JP2015216951A - User operable driving tool for wheelchair - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a user operable driving tool for a wheelchair capable of securely generating a wedge effect in a forward movement mode and a backward movement mode and making a user easily move a wheelchair forward and backward with a small force by turning a control lever in forward and backward directions.SOLUTION: In a user operable driving tool 10 for a wheelchair, when a control lever enters a second turning area 16, a second clutch rotates circumferentially rearward by an energization force of a first coil spring, a contact part of the second clutch moves an engagement roller to a rear end portion of a space, and a traveling mode is switched to a forward movement mode in which forward turning torque of the lever 13 is transmitted from the clutch ring to a torque transmission mechanism by a wedge effect of the roller held between a recess of a first clutch and an inner peripheral edge of a clutch ring. In the forward movement mode, when the lever 13 is turned forward, a main wheel circumferentially rotates forward, and then the wheelchair moves forward.

Description

  The present invention relates to a self-propelled device for a wheelchair that allows a user to move the wheelchair forward or backward by turning an operation lever in the front-rear direction of the wheelchair.

  When used in a wheelchair, it is placed between the lever and the wheel, and when the lever is turned forward, a forward rotational force is applied to the wheel and when the lever is turned backward, the forward movement is idle. A force transmission mechanism that creates a mode and a reverse mode that applies a rotational force to the wheel backward when the lever is turned backward and idles when the lever is turned forward, and the force transmission mechanism. Wheelchair wheel provided with a force transmission switching mechanism for switching between the forward mode and the reverse mode and an operation unit that is installed in the vicinity of the grip portion of the lever and switches the mode of the force transmission mechanism via the force transmission switching mechanism when pressed. A drive device is disclosed (see Patent Document 1).

  The force transmission mechanism includes an extrapolated body having a substantially circular hollow portion, a polygonal interposer disposed in the hollow portion of the extrapolated body and fixed to the lever, and the approximate center of the interpolated body as a rotation center. A pedestal that can rotate in the circumferential direction, a plurality of meshing rollers that are placed on the pedestal and disposed between the outer insert and the inner insert, and both have substantially the same diameter, It is formed of a support member that is arranged between adjacent meshing rollers and supports each meshing roller, and a leaf spring that biases each of the plurality of meshing rollers toward the outer insert and the inner insert. Yes. In this wheel drive device for a wheelchair, when the lever is turned forward in the forward mode, the wheel rotates forward by the wedge effect of the meshing roller interposed between the outer insert and the inner insert, and the wheelchair moves forward. When the lever is rotated backward in the reverse mode, the wheel rotates backward due to the wedge effect of the meshing roller interposed between the outer insert and the inner insert, and the wheelchair moves backward.

JP 2009-142340 A

  In the wheel drive device for a wheelchair disclosed in Patent Literature 1, when the lever is turned in the front-rear direction, the leaf spring biases the meshing roller toward the outer insert and the inner insert, and the mesh spring is engaged by the leaf spring. May be pressed against the outer insert and the inner insert, while the reaction force acts on the leaf spring and the leaf spring may be deformed. When the leaf spring is deformed, the urging force of the leaf spring does not act on the meshing roller, and the meshing roller cannot be pressed against the outer insertion body and the inner insertion body. In the reverse mode, no rotational force can be applied to the wheel in the front-rear direction. Moreover, this wheel drive device for wheelchairs is the structure with which the wheel was integrated, a drive device becomes large sized and a drive device cannot be made compact. In addition, when attaching the driving device to the wheelchair, the main wheel of the wheelchair is removed, and instead of the main wheel, the wheel integrated with the driving device is attached to the wheelchair, and the main wheel of the wheelchair itself must be replaced. Not only does the installation work take time and effort, but the manufacturing cost of the drive device is high, and the drive device cannot be provided at low cost.

  It is an object of the present invention to reliably generate a wedge effect in the forward mode and the reverse mode, and by turning the operation lever in the front-rear direction of the wheelchair, the wheelchair can be easily advanced and retracted with a slight force. It is to provide a self-propelled machine for a wheelchair. Another object of the present invention is a wheelchair that can be detachably installed on the main wheel without replacing the main wheel of the wheelchair, can save labor and time for the mounting work, and can be provided at low cost. Is to provide a self-propelled machine.

  The premise of the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problems is that it comprises an operation lever operated by a wheelchair user, and a drive device that transmits the turning torque of the operation lever to the main wheel of the wheelchair. A self-propelled device for a wheelchair that moves the wheelchair forward or backward by turning in the front-rear direction.

  The present invention is characterized in that the driving device includes a main shaft coupled to the hub of the main wheel, a first clutch that is formed on the outer peripheral edge with a plurality of concave portions recessed toward the center, and is supported by the main shaft. A second clutch having a plurality of abutting portions extending in parallel with the outer peripheral edge of the one clutch and positioned radially outward of the first clutch and rotating forward in the circumferential direction and backward in the circumferential direction; A clutch ring that is located radially outward of the first contact portion and rotates forward and rearward in the circumferential direction with respect to the first clutch, and a recess portion of the first clutch and an adjacent contact portion of the second clutch. A plurality of meshing rollers disposed in a space surrounded by the inner periphery of the clutch ring and movable in the space forward and backward in the space, and the second clutch coupled to the outer periphery of the second clutch Around direction backward A first elastic member that urges, a first rotation mechanism that rotates the second clutch forward in the circumferential direction against the urging force of the first elastic member, and the turning torque of the operating lever is transmitted to the main wheel via the clutch ring. And a torque transmission mechanism that rotates the operation lever at a predetermined angle backward with respect to the virtual vertical line of the wheelchair and rotates the operation lever at a predetermined angle with respect to the virtual vertical line from the rear end position. The first rotating mechanism rotates the second clutch forward in the circumferential direction while pressing the second clutch against the urging force of the first elastic member until the first turning area, so that the meshing roller is substantially out of space. When the neutral mode located in the central portion is maintained and the operation lever enters the second turning area that is turned forward from the first turning area, the pressing force of the first rotating mechanism against the second clutch is released, The second clutch is rotated backward in the circumferential direction by the urging force of the one elastic member, the contact portion of the second clutch is in contact with the engagement roller, and the contact portion moves the engagement roller to the rear end portion of the space. The forward rotation torque of the operating lever is switched from the clutch ring to the torque transmission mechanism by the wedge effect of the meshing roller sandwiched between the clutch recess and the inner periphery of the clutch ring, and the neutral mode is changed to the forward mode. When the operation lever is turned forward in the second turning area in the switched state, the main wheel rotates forward in the circumferential direction and the wheelchair advances.

  As an example of the present invention, in the forward mode, when the operation lever is turned backward in the second turning area, the wedge effect of the meshing roller is released, and the turning torque of the operation lever is not transmitted to the clutch ring. By rotating the operation lever forward again in the second turning area, the contact portion of the second clutch moves the meshing roller to the rear end portion of the space, and is sandwiched between the concave portion of the first clutch and the inner peripheral edge of the clutch ring. The turning torque of the operation lever is transmitted from the clutch ring to the torque transmission mechanism by the wedge effect of the meshing roller.

  As another example of the present invention, in the drive device, when the operating lever is turned backward in the second turning area and the operating lever enters the first turning area from the second turning area, the first rotating mechanism is the first elastic member. By rotating the second clutch forward in the circumferential direction while pressing the second clutch against the urging force, the meshing roller moves to a substantially central portion of the space and switches from the forward mode to the neutral mode.

  As another example of the present invention, the first rotating mechanism has a contact edge that curves radially outward and is fixed to the main shaft, and the first rotating mechanism can turn around a base end portion. It is formed from a swivel arm and a first roller that is rotatably installed at the tip of the swivel arm. In the neutral mode, the first roller rides on the contact edge of the first cam, and the swivel arm swivels forward in the circumferential direction. Then, the first roller rotates the second clutch forward in the circumferential direction while pressing the second clutch against the urging force of the first elastic member. In the forward mode, the first roller contacts the contact edge of the first cam. The pressing force of the first roller against the second clutch is released, and the second clutch rotates rearward in the circumferential direction by the urging force of the first elastic member.

  As another example of the present invention, the drive device includes a second rotation mechanism that rotates the second clutch forward in the circumferential direction, and the drive device operates the second rotation mechanism to move the operation lever backward from the front end position. By rotating the second clutch forward in the circumferential direction while pressing the second clutch against the urging force of the first elastic member when the second turning area is turned by a predetermined angle, The abutting portion moves the meshing roller to the front end portion of the space while the abutting portion of the clutch abuts on the meshing roller, and is operated by the wedge effect of the meshing roller sandwiched between the concave portion of the first clutch and the inner peripheral edge of the clutch ring. Switch to the reverse mode in which the turning torque to the rear of the lever is transmitted from the clutch ring to the torque transmission mechanism. Main wheel by pivoting rearwardly rotates to the direction around the rear in the pivoting area wheelchair is retracted.

  As another example of the present invention, in the reverse mode, when the operating lever is turned forward in the second turning area, the wedge effect of the meshing roller is released, and the turning torque of the operating lever is not transmitted to the clutch ring. By rotating the operation lever back in the second turning area again, the contact portion of the second clutch engages and moves the roller to the front end portion of the space, and is sandwiched between the concave portion of the first clutch and the inner peripheral edge of the clutch ring. Due to the wedge effect of the meshing roller, the turning torque to the rear of the operation lever is transmitted from the clutch ring to the torque transmission mechanism.

  As another example of the present invention, the second rotation with respect to the second clutch is performed when the drive device rotates the operation lever backward in the second turning area and the operation lever enters the first turning area from the second turning area. Including a pressing force release mechanism that automatically releases the pressing force of the mechanism, and in the drive device, when the operating lever is turned backward in the second turning area and the operating lever enters the first turning area from the second turning area, The pressing force release mechanism releases the pressing force of the second rotating mechanism against the second clutch, and the first rotating mechanism presses the second clutch against the urging force of the first elastic member, and moves the second clutch forward in the circumferential direction. , The meshing roller moves to a substantially central portion of the space and switches from the reverse mode to the neutral mode.

  As another example of the present invention, the second rotation mechanism includes a reverse mode switching button exposed upward from the top of the operation lever, a rod connected to the reverse mode switching button and inserted through the operation lever, and a lower end portion of the rod In the reverse mode, the lower end of the rod is moved downward by pressing the reverse mode switching button downward, and the one end of the second roller is connected. Swivels backward in the circumferential direction, the second roller presses the second clutch against the urging force of the first elastic member, rotates the second clutch forward in the circumferential direction, and the contact portion of the second clutch engages The contact portion engages with the roller and moves the roller to the front end portion of the space.

  As another example of the present invention, the pressing force release mechanism can be pivoted about the contact pin installed on the second roller and the base end portion and positioned radially outward from the base end portion. A second cam having a tip portion that abuts against the contact pin, and a second elastic member that is connected to the base end portion of the second cam and biases the tip portion toward the contact pin. When the operating lever is turned backward in the second turning area and the operating lever enters the first turning area from the second turning area, the tip of the second cam is moved to the second roller by the urging force of the second elastic member. The second roller is rotated forward in the circumferential direction while pressing the contact pin, and the lower end of the rod is moved upward to release the pressing force of the second rotating mechanism on the second clutch.

  As another example of the present invention, the drive device includes a pressure maintaining mechanism that maintains a downward pressing state of the reverse mode switching button in the reverse mode. In the drive device, the operation lever is moved forward and backward in the second turning area. When the vehicle is turned to the rear, the reverse mode is maintained by the pressure maintaining mechanism.

  As another example of the present invention, in the drive device, when the operation lever is turned backward in the second turning area and the operation lever enters the first turning area from the second turning area, the pressing force is released by the pressing force release mechanism. The mechanism is released, and the reverse mode switching button pressed downward protrudes upward from the top of the operation lever, and the reverse mode is switched to the neutral mode.

  As another example of the present invention, the press maintaining mechanism is installed inside the reverse mode switching button and urges the outer peripheral surface of the button toward the inner peripheral surface of the operation lever; The push-back mode switch button that is formed from a fitting ball arranged at the tip of the member and a fitting recess formed on the inner peripheral surface of the operation lever and that is exposed upward from the top of the operation lever. When pressed downward, the fitting ball is fitted into the fitting recess by the urging force of the third elastic member, and the downward pressing state of the reverse mode switching button is maintained.

  As another example of the present invention, the torque transmission mechanism detachably fixes a plurality of connecting stays extending radially outward from the clutch ring and a base end portion of the connecting stay to the clutch ring, and a distal end of the connecting stay. And a fixing means for detachably fixing the portion to the rim of the main wheel.

  As another example of the present invention, the connection stay includes a first connection stay, a second connection state positioned 90 degrees away from the first connection stay in the circumferential direction forward, and a forward direction in the circumferential direction from the second connection stay. The third connection state is located 90 degrees apart, and the fourth connection stay is located 90 degrees away from the third connection stay forward in the circumferential direction.

  Another example of the present invention includes a stopper mechanism that stops turning forward from the rear end position of the operation lever when the drive device moves the operation lever to the rear end position, and the stopper mechanism includes a fitting pin and , The elastically deformable fourth elastic member having an insertion portion for removably inserting the insertion pin. In the stopper mechanism, when the insertion pin elastically deforms the fourth elastic member and is inserted into the insertion portion, The escape from the insertion portion of the insertion pin is prevented by the biasing force of the four elastic members.

  As another example of the present invention, the first turning area ranges from 10 to 15 degrees forward from the virtual vertical line and 10 to 15 degrees backward from the virtual vertical line, and the second turning area is from the first turning area. The range is 45 to 50 degrees forward.

  According to the self-propelled device for a wheelchair according to the present invention, when the operation lever enters the second turning area from the first turning area in the forward mode, the second clutch is rotated backward in the circumferential direction by the urging force of the first elastic member. The contact portion of the second clutch moves the meshing roller to the rear end portion of the space, and the urging force of the leaf spring acts on the meshing roller as in the wheel drive wheel drive device of the prior art, thereby meshing. It is not a configuration in which the roller is biased to the rear end portion of the space, and it is not necessary to assume the deformation of the leaf spring, and the wedge effect by the meshing roller can be reliably generated in the forward mode. In the wheelchair self-propelled device, the forward turning torque of the operation lever is transmitted from the clutch ring to the torque transmission mechanism by the wedge effect of the meshing roller sandwiched between the recess of the first clutch and the inner peripheral edge of the clutch ring in the forward mode. Therefore, in the second turning area where the user can easily use the arm strength and the degree of freedom of the user's arm is large, the arm strength of the user is transmitted to the main wheel of the wheelchair as the turning torque of the operation lever using the lever principle. The wheelchair can be easily advanced with a slight force by turning the operation lever forward, and the wheelchair can be easily and safely controlled by operating the operation lever. In the wheelchair self-propelled device, the first rotation mechanism moves the second clutch forward in the circumferential direction against the urging force of the first elastic member in the first turning area in which the operation lever is turned forward by a predetermined angle from the rear end position. , The meshing roller is maintained in the neutral mode located in the substantially central portion of the space, so that it is difficult for the user to use the arm force and the operating lever of the operating lever is small in the first turning area where the degree of freedom of the user's arm is small. The transmission of the turning torque to the clutch ring can be prevented, and the wheelchair in the first turning area can be prevented from moving in an unexpected and unexpected direction. The self-propelled machine for wheelchairs can be installed in the main wheel detachably without replacing the main wheel of the wheelchair because the clutch ring and the main wheel are connected by the torque transmission mechanism. This saves time and effort, and can provide the user with a self-propelled device at a low price.

  When the operating lever is turned backward in the second turning area in the forward mode, the wedge effect of the meshing roller is released, the turning torque of the operating lever is not transmitted to the clutch ring, and the operating lever is turned in the second turning area. , The contact portion of the second clutch moves the meshing roller to the rear end portion of the space, and the wedge effect of the meshing roller sandwiched between the concave portion of the first clutch and the inner peripheral edge of the clutch ring. In the wheelchair self-propelled device in which the turning torque of the operating lever is transmitted from the clutch ring to the torque transmission mechanism by rotating the operating lever backward in the second turning area in the forward mode, the operating lever is idled. Can be returned to the vicinity of the first turning area again, and in this state, the operation lever is turned forward again, Can advance the chair, by turning repeat the operating lever back and forth direction, it is possible to continuously forward movement of the wheelchair. The self-propelled machine for wheelchairs can use the lever principle of the control lever in the forward mode, and can advance the wheelchair without requiring extra force compared to existing wheelchairs that grip and move the hand rim. Can do. The self-propelled device for wheelchair can turn the wheelchair to the left on the spot by turning only the operation lever held in the right hand, and turn only the operation lever held in the left hand forward. Thus, the wheelchair can be turned rightward on the spot, and the moving direction of the wheelchair can be controlled easily and freely as compared with the existing wheelchair that holds the hand rim and controls the moving direction.

  When the operating lever is turned backward in the second turning area and the operating lever enters the first turning area from the second turning area, the first rotation mechanism presses the second clutch against the urging force of the first elastic member. However, by rotating the second clutch forward in the circumferential direction, the meshing roller moves to a substantially central portion of the space and switches from the forward mode to the neutral mode. When the first turning mechanism is returned to the first turning area, the first rotation mechanism rotates the second clutch forward in the circumferential direction against the urging force of the first elastic member, so that the meshing roller is moved from the forward mode to the substantially central portion of the space. Since the mode is switched to the neutral mode located at, the user can hardly use the arm strength and the lever of the operation lever is rotated in the first turning area where the degree of freedom of the user's arm is small. It is possible to prevent the transmission of the clutch ring of torque, it is possible to prevent movement to inadvertently and intended not unexpected direction of the wheelchair at the first turning area.

  A first cam having an abutting edge in which the first rotating mechanism is curved outward in the radial direction, a swivel arm that is pivotally mounted on the clutch ring, and a first roller that is rotatably disposed at the tip of the swivel arm In the neutral mode, the first roller rides on the contact edge of the first cam, the swing arm swings forward in the circumferential direction, and the first roller resists the urging force of the first elastic member. In the forward mode, the first roller is disengaged from the contact edge of the first cam, the pressing force of the first roller against the second clutch is released, and the first elastic member is biased by the biasing force of the first elastic member. A self-propelled machine for a wheelchair in which two clutches rotate rearward in the circumferential direction uses a first rotating mechanism formed by a first cam, a turning arm, and a first roller, thereby turning the operation lever in the front-rear direction. neutral Since it is possible to smoothly switch between the forward mode and the forward mode, the neutral mode is reliably maintained in the first turning area, and the forward mode is reliably maintained in the second turning area, so that the wheelchair can be smoothly advanced. The wheelchair can be easily and safely controlled by the operation lever.

  The second rotating mechanism includes a second rotating mechanism that rotates the second clutch forward in the circumferential direction, and the second rotating mechanism is operated in the second turning area that operates the second rotating mechanism to turn the operation lever backward from the front end position by a predetermined angle. By rotating the second clutch forward in the circumferential direction against the urging force of the first elastic member, the contact portion of the second clutch moves the meshing roller to the front end portion of the space, and the recess of the first clutch and the clutch The wheelchair self-propelled device that switches to the reverse mode in which the turning torque of the operation lever to the rear is transmitted from the clutch ring to the torque transmission mechanism by the wedge effect of the meshing roller sandwiched between the inner peripheral edges of the ring is provided with the second rotation mechanism. When operated, the second rotation mechanism rotates the second clutch forward in the circumferential direction against the urging force of the first elastic member, and the contact portion of the second clutch engages the engagement roller. It is a structure that is moved to the front end portion of the wheel, and is not a configuration in which the urging force of the leaf spring is applied to the meshing roller and the meshing roller is urged to the front end portion of the space as in the wheel drive device for a wheelchair in the prior art. It is not necessary to assume the deformation of the leaf spring, and the wedge effect by the meshing roller can be reliably generated in the reverse mode. In the wheelchair self-propelled device, the turning torque to the rear of the operation lever is transmitted from the clutch ring to the torque transmission mechanism by the wedge effect of the meshing roller sandwiched between the recess of the first clutch and the inner peripheral edge of the clutch ring in the reverse mode. Therefore, in the second turning area where the user can easily use the arm strength and the degree of freedom of the user's arm is large, the arm strength of the user is transmitted to the main wheel of the wheelchair as the turning torque of the operation lever using the lever principle. In addition, the wheelchair can be easily and slightly retracted by turning the operation lever rearward, and the wheelchair can be easily and safely controlled by the operation lever.

  When the operating lever is turned forward in the second turning area in the reverse mode, the wedge effect of the meshing roller is released, the turning torque of the operating lever is not transmitted to the clutch ring, and the operating lever is turned in the second turning area. The second clutch contact portion moves the meshing roller to the front end portion of the space, and the wedge roller sandwiched between the concave portion of the first clutch and the inner peripheral edge of the clutch ring causes the wedge roller to rotate backward. In the wheelchair self-propelled device in which the turning torque to the rear of the operation lever is transmitted from the clutch ring to the torque transmission mechanism, when the operation lever is turned forward in the second turning area in the reverse mode, the operation lever is idled. The control lever can be returned to the vicinity of the front end position again, and in this state, the control lever can be swung backward again. Wheelchairs may be retracted, by pivoting repeatedly operating lever back and forth direction, it is possible to continuously moved rearward wheelchair. The self-propelled device for wheelchairs can use the lever principle of the control lever in the reverse mode, and it can retract the wheelchair without requiring extra force compared to the existing wheelchair that grips and moves the hand rim. Can do. The self-propelled device for wheelchairs can turn the wheelchair to the right by turning only the operation lever held in the right hand backward, and only the operation lever held in the left hand can be turned backward. Thus, the wheelchair can be turned to the left on the spot, and the moving direction of the wheelchair can be controlled easily and freely as compared with the existing wheelchair that holds the hand rim and controls the moving direction.

  A pressing force release mechanism that automatically releases the pressing force of the second rotation mechanism with respect to the second clutch, the operation lever is turned backward in the second turning area, and the operation lever is moved from the second turning area to the first turning area; When entering, the pressing force of the second rotating mechanism against the second clutch is released by the pressing force releasing mechanism, and the first rotating mechanism rotates the second clutch forward in the circumferential direction against the urging force of the first elastic member. In the self-propelled wheelchair device in which the meshing roller moves to a substantially central portion of the space and switches from the reverse mode to the neutral mode, the pressing force is released when the operating lever enters the first swing area from the second swing area in the reverse mode. The pressing force of the second rotating mechanism against the second clutch is released by the mechanism, and the first rotating mechanism rotates around the second clutch against the urging force of the first elastic member. By stopping the rotation, the reverse rotation mode switches to the neutral mode where the meshing roller is located at the approximate center of the space, so that the user can hardly use the arm strength and the user's arm is less flexible. Thus, the transmission of the turning torque of the operation lever to the clutch ring can be prevented, and the wheelchair in the first turning area can be prevented from being moved in an unexpected and unexpected direction.

  The second rotating mechanism is connected to a reverse mode switching button and a reverse mode switching button that are exposed upward from the top of the operation lever, and the rod inserted through the operation lever and the outer periphery of the clutch ring are pivotally installed, and the lower end of the rod When the reverse mode switch button is pressed downward in the reverse mode, the lower end of the rod moves downward and the second roller rotates in the circumferential direction, and the second roller is connected to the second roller. The wheelchair self-propelled device in which the roller rotates the second clutch forward in the circumferential direction against the urging force of the first elastic member, and the contact portion of the second clutch moves the meshing roller to the front end portion of the space. Since the second rotation mechanism formed by the mode switching button, the rod, and the second roller can be used, the forward mode and the reverse mode can be smoothly switched. In times the area is reliably maintained reverse mode, it can be retracted smoothly wheelchair can be easily and safely controlled wheelchair by the operating lever.

  The pressing force release mechanism has a pin installed at the peripheral portion of the second roller, a proximal end portion rotatably installed on the drive device, and a distal end portion that is located radially outward from the proximal end portion and abuts against the pin. 2 cams and a second elastic member connected to the base end portion and biasing the distal end portion toward the pin, and the operation lever is turned backward in the second turning area to move the operation lever from the second turning area. When the first turning area is entered, the urging force of the second elastic member causes the tip of the second cam to rotate the second roller forward in the circumferential direction, and the lower end of the rod moves upward to move the second clutch. When the operating lever enters the first turning area from the second turning area in the reverse mode, the wheelchair self-propelled device in which the pressing force of the second rotating mechanism is released is applied to the second roller pin, the second cam, and the second elasticity. Pressing force release formed from members The pressing force of the second rotating mechanism against the second clutch is released by the structure, and the first rotating mechanism is engaged with the reverse mode by rotating the second clutch forward in the circumferential direction against the urging force of the first elastic member. Since the roller switches to the neutral mode, which is located at the approximate center of the space, it is difficult for the user to use the arm force, and in the first turning area where the degree of freedom of the user's arm is small, transmission of the turning torque of the operating lever to the clutch ring is transmitted. The wheelchair in the first turning area can be prevented from being moved in an unexpected and unexpected direction.

  There is a pressing maintenance mechanism that maintains the downward pressing state of the reverse mode switching button in the reverse mode, and the reverse mode is maintained by the press maintenance mechanism when the operation lever is turned forward and backward in the second turning area. The self-propelled device for wheelchairs does not need to maintain the pressing state of the reverse mode switching button in the reverse mode, and the user uses both hands only for turning the operation lever because the reverse mode is maintained by the press maintaining mechanism. The wheelchair can be easily retracted and the wheelchair can be easily and safely controlled by the operation lever.

  When the operating lever is turned backward in the second turning area and the operating lever enters the first turning area from the second turning area, the pressing maintenance mechanism is released by the pressing force releasing mechanism and the retreat mode is pressed downward. The wheelchair self-propelled device in which the switching button protrudes upward from the top of the operation lever and switches from the reverse mode to the neutral mode is operated by the pressing force release mechanism when the operation lever enters the first turn area from the second turning area in the reverse mode. The pressure maintaining mechanism is released, the pressing force of the second rotating mechanism against the second clutch is released, and the first rotating mechanism rotates the second clutch forward in the circumferential direction against the biasing force of the first elastic member. Thus, since the meshing roller is switched from the reverse mode to the neutral mode, which is located at a substantially central portion of the space, the user In the first turning area where the degree of freedom of the user's arm is small, the transmission of the turning torque of the operating lever to the clutch ring can be prevented, and the wheelchair is inadvertent and unexpected in the first turning area Can be prevented from moving to.

  A third elastic member in which the pressing maintenance mechanism urges the outer peripheral surface of the reverse mode switching button toward the inner peripheral surface of the operation lever, a fitting ball disposed at the tip of the third elastic member, and the inner peripheral surface of the operation lever When the reverse mode switching button that is exposed upward from the top of the operation lever is pressed downward, the fitting ball is fitted into the fitting recess by the urging force of the third elastic member. The wheelchair self-propelled device in which the downward pressing state of the reverse mode switching button is maintained does not need to maintain the pressing state of the reverse mode switching button in the reverse mode, and is fitted to the third elastic member and the fitting ball. Since the retraction mode is maintained by the press maintenance mechanism formed from the recess, the user can use both hands only for turning the operation lever, and the wheelchair can be easily retreated and operated. It can be easily and safely controlled wheelchair by the bar.

  Multiple transmission stays with a torque transmission mechanism extending radially outward from the clutch ring and the base end of the connection stay are detachably fixed to the clutch ring, and the distal end of the connection stay is detachably fixed to the rim of the main wheel The wheelchair self-propelled device formed by the fixing means that transmits the turning torque to the front of the operating lever or the turning torque to the rear of the operation lever to the main wheel of the wheelchair is reliably transmitted by the connecting stay in the forward mode and the reverse mode. The wheelchair can be reliably moved forward or backward by turning the operation lever forward or backward of the wheelchair, and the wheelchair can be freely turned to the left or right.

  From the first stay and the second state, the second stay is located 90 degrees away from the first stay in the circumferential direction forward, and from the third state and the third stay, located 90 degrees away from the second stay in the circumferential direction forward. The self-propelled machine for wheelchairs formed from the fourth stay that is located 90 degrees apart forward in the circumferential direction is separated from the operation lever by the first stay and the third stay that are 180 degrees apart in the circumferential direction and aligned in a straight line. Turning torque forward or backward turning torque is reliably transmitted to the main wheel of the wheelchair, and the turning torque to the front of the operating lever is provided by the second stay and the fourth stay that are 180 degrees apart and aligned in a straight line. Or, since the turning torque to the rear is reliably transmitted to the main wheel of the wheelchair, the transmission of the turning torque is not biased to a part of the main wheel, and the operation lever is turned to the front or rear of the wheelchair. It is to be able to reliably forward or backward a wheelchair by, it is possible to freely divert wheelchair to the left or right side.

  A stopper mechanism that stops turning from the rear end position of the operation lever forward when the operation lever is moved to the rear end position, and the stopper mechanism has a fitting portion that allows the insertion pin and the insertion pin to be removably inserted. When the fitting pin of the stopper mechanism elastically deforms the fourth elastic member and fits into the fitting portion, the fourth pin is released from the fitting portion of the fitting pin by the urging force of the fourth elastic member. The self-propelled machine for wheelchairs, which is prevented from being inadvertently prevented, cannot be swung forward by the operation lever moved to the rear end position by the stopper mechanism. The operating lever can be fixed at the rear end position during use, and the wheelchair can be stored with the operating lever fixed at the rear end position. In the wheelchair self-propelled device, when the operation lever moved to the rear end position is turned to the front of the wheelchair against the urging force of the fourth elastic member, the fourth elastic member is elastically deformed, and the insertion pin is moved from the insertion portion. Since it comes off, the wheelchair self-propelled device can be immediately put into use.

  The first turning area ranges from 10 to 15 degrees forward from the virtual vertical line and 10 to 15 degrees backward from the virtual vertical line, and the second turning area ranges from 45 to 50 degrees forward from the first turning area. A self-propelled device for a wheelchair maintains a neutral mode in a first turning area in which the user has difficulty in using arm strength and the degree of freedom of the user's arm is small by setting the first turning area within the above range. By setting the two turning areas within the above range, the user can easily use the arm force and can switch to the forward mode or the backward mode in the second turning area where the degree of freedom of the user's arm is large. The user can easily move the wheelchair forward or backward by operating the operation lever, and the user can easily control the moving direction of the wheelchair using the operation lever. It is possible.

The front view of the self-propelled machine for wheelchairs shown as an example. The side view of the self-propelled machine for wheelchairs. The front view of the wheelchair which installed the self-propelled machine for wheelchairs. The side view of the wheelchair which installed the self-propelled machine for wheelchairs. The front view of the torque transmission mechanism shown as an example. The schematic side view of the self-propelled machine for wheelchairs shown in the state attached to the main wheel of a wheelchair. The expanded sectional view of the self-propelled machine for wheelchairs. The front view of the self-propelled machine for wheelchairs when the operation lever is turned to the rear end position. The enlarged front view which shows the detail of the drive device of the state of FIG. 7 which turned the operation lever to the rear-end position. The top view of a 1st clutch. The top view of a 2nd clutch. The top view of a clutch ring. The top view which combined the 1st and 2nd clutch and the clutch ring. The top view of a 1st cam. The enlarged view of the top part of the operation lever containing a button. The figure which shows the position of the meshing roller in the space of neutral mode. The front view of the self-propelled apparatus for wheelchairs just before an operation lever moves from a 1st turning area to a 2nd turning area. The enlarged front view which shows the detail of the drive device in the state of FIG. The front view of the self-propelled apparatus for wheelchairs after the operation lever moved from the 1st turning area to the 2nd turning area. The enlarged front view which shows the detail of the drive device in the state of FIG. The figure which shows the position of the meshing roller in the space of forward mode. The enlarged front view which shows the detail of the drive device after switching from neutral mode to reverse mode. The front view of the self-propelled apparatus for wheelchairs which turned the operation lever to the front-end position in reverse mode. The enlarged front view which shows the detail of the drive device in the state of FIG. The enlarged view of the top part of the operation lever explaining the press of a reverse mode switching button. The enlarged view of the top part of the operation lever in which the reverse mode switching button is in a pressed state. The figure which shows the position of the meshing roller in the space of reverse mode. The enlarged front view of the drive device explaining operation | movement of a pressing force cancellation | release mechanism.

  The details of the wheelchair self-propelled device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings such as FIG. 1 which is a front view of the wheelchair self-propelled device 10 shown as an example. 2 is a side view of the wheelchair self-propelled device 10, and FIG. 3 is a front view of the wheelchair 11 in which the wheelchair self-propelled device 10 is installed. FIG. 4 is a side view of the wheelchair 11 in which the wheelchair self-propelled device 10 is installed. In FIGS. 1 and 2, the torque transmission mechanism 23 (first to fourth connecting stays 24a to 24d) is not shown. In FIG. 1, the virtual vertical line X is indicated by a one-dot chain line.

  The wheelchair self-propelled device 10 is detachably attached to both main wheels 12 of the wheelchair 11, and is used when the wheelchair 11 moves forward, backward, and changes direction (right turn, left turn, U-turn, etc.). In addition, the wheelchair 11 is that of the existing, The description of the component is abbreviate | omitted. The self-propelled device 10 includes an operation lever 13 that is operated by a user (passenger) of the wheelchair 11 and a drive device 14 that transmits the turning torque of the lever 13 to the main wheels 12 of the wheelchair 11. The self-propelled device 10 controls the wheelchair 11 using the operation lever 13 while the user switches to the neutral mode, the forward mode, and the reverse mode.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the control lever 13 of the wheelchair self-propelled device 11 turns between the line segment A (rear end position Y1) and the line segment C (front end position Y3), and the line segment A (rear end) The lever 13 pivots forward from the wheelchair 11 toward the line segment C (front end position Y3) from the position Y1), and the lever 13 moves from the line segment C (front end position Y3) toward the line segment A (rear end position Y1). Turn to the back of the wheelchair 11. When the control lever 13 is positioned on the line segment A, the backward turning of the lever 13 is stopped, and when the lever 13 is positioned on the line segment C, the forward turning of the lever 13 is stopped.

  In the wheelchair self-propelled device 10, the space between the line segment A (rear end position Y1) and the line segment B (intermediate position Y2) is the first turning area 15, and the self-propelled device 10 is maintained in the neutral mode. Between B (intermediate position Y2) and line segment C (front end position Y3) is the second turning area 16, and the self-propelled device 10 is maintained in the forward mode or the reverse mode. The turning angle α1 (turning range) in the neutral mode (first turning area 15) is in the range of 10 to 15 degrees forward from the virtual vertical line X and 10 to 15 degrees backward from the virtual vertical line X. Therefore, the turning angle α1 in the neutral mode is in the range of 20 to 30 degrees. The turning angle α2 (turning range) in the forward mode and the reverse mode (second turning area 16) is in the range of 45 to 50 degrees forward from the first turning area α1 (line segment B). Therefore, the operation lever 13 turns in the range of 55 to 65 degrees forward from the virtual vertical line X.

  In the neutral mode (first turning area 15), when the user turns the operation levers 13 in the front-rear direction, the levers 13 are idle and the wheelchair 11 does not travel. In the forward mode (second turning area 16), the wheelchair 11 moves forward by the user turning the operation levers 13 simultaneously to the front of the wheelchair 11. In the forward mode, when the operation lever 13 is turned backward, the lever 13 rotates idle. In the retreat mode (second turning area 16), the user turns the wheelchair 11 backward by simultaneously turning the operation levers 13 to the rear of the wheelchair 11. In the reverse mode, when the operation lever 13 is turned forward, the lever 13 is idled. Further, in the forward / reverse mode (second turning area 16), the user turns one of the operation levers 13 in the front-rear direction of the wheelchair 11 to change the direction of the wheelchair 11 (right turn, left turn, U-turn, etc.). )

  The operation lever 13 is a pipe 17 that extends upward from the main wheel 12 of the wheelchair 11, and has a top portion 18 and a bottom portion 19. A grip 20 that is gripped by the user is attached to the top 18 of the operation lever 13, and a brake lever 21 that stops the wheelchair 11 during traveling or maintains the stopped state of the wheelchair 11 is installed. The bottom 19 of the operation lever 13 is inserted into the drive device 14 (a metal base 30 described later) and is firmly fixed to the drive device 14.

  Although not shown, the brake lever 21 is provided with a wire connected to a band brake (or drum brake) attached to the main wheel 12 of the wheelchair 11. The user sits on the seat 22 of the wheelchair 11 and turns the lever 13 in the front-rear direction while holding the grip 20 of the operation lever 13 with both hands. Further, when the lever 21 is pulled by grasping the brake lever 21, the wire is pulled and the brake is applied, and the running wheelchair 11 is stopped or the stopped state of the wheelchair 11 is maintained.

  The wheelchair self-propelled device 10 sets the first turning area 15 in the range of 10 to 15 degrees forward from the virtual vertical line X and in the range of 10 to 15 degrees backward from the virtual vertical line X. The neutral mode is maintained in the first turning area 15 where the arm strength is difficult to use and the degree of freedom of the user's arm is small, and the second turning area 16 is set in the range of 45 to 50 degrees forward from the first turning area 15. Thus, the user can easily use the arm strength and can switch to the forward mode or the reverse mode in the second turning area 16 where the degree of freedom of the user's arm is large, and the user can easily use the operation lever 13 to move the wheelchair 11. In addition, the user can freely move forward or backward, and the user can easily and freely control the moving direction of the wheelchair 11 using the lever 13.

  FIG. 5 is a front view of the torque transmission mechanism 23 shown as an example, and FIG. 6 is a schematic side view of the wheelchair self-propelled device 10 shown attached to the main wheel 12 of the wheelchair 11. In FIG. 5, the operation lever 13 is omitted and only the stay fixing seat 26 is illustrated. The driving device 14 is connected to the main wheel 12 of the wheelchair 11 by a torque transmission mechanism 23. The torque transmission mechanism 23 transmits the turning torque of the operation lever 13 to the main wheel 12.

  The torque transmission mechanism 23 is formed by first to fourth connecting stays 24a to 24c and fixing means. The first to fourth connection stays 24a to 24c are formed in a flat plate shape that is long in the radial direction made of metal, and extend radially outward from a clutch ring 33 described later. In the first to fourth connection stays 24a to 24c, the second connection stay 24b is positioned 90 degrees away from the first connection stay 24a forward in the circumferential direction, and the third connection stay 24c is circumferential from the second connection stay 24b. The fourth connecting stay 24d is located 90 degrees away from the third connecting stay 24c and is located 90 degrees away from the third connecting stay 24c.

  The first to fourth connecting stays 24a to 24c are detachably fixed to the clutch ring 33 and the rim 25 of the main wheel 12 through fixing means. In FIG. 5, four connection stays 24 a to 24 c are illustrated, but the number of connection stays is not particularly limited, and six or more connection stays may form the torque transmission mechanism 23.

  The fixing means is formed of a metal stay fixing seat 26 formed into a circular shape, a metal angle 27 formed into an L shape, and a metal fixing bolt 28. The base end portions of the first to fourth connecting stays 24 a to 24 c are firmly fixed to the clutch ring 33 via the stay fixing seat 26. The fixing bolt 28 is screwed into the bolt screw holes formed at the base end portions of the connecting stays 24a to 24c, and the fixing bolt 28 is screwed into the bolt screw holes formed in the fixed seat 26. The base ends of the connecting stays 24a to 24c and the stay fixing seat 26 are firmly connected. A fixing bolt is screwed into a bolt screw hole formed in the stay fixing seat 26, and the fixing bolt is screwed into a bolt screw hole formed in the clutch ring 33, whereby the stay fixing seat 26 and the clutch ring are fixed. 33 is firmly connected.

  The tip portions of the first to fourth connecting stays 24 a to 24 c are firmly fixed to the rim 25 of the main wheel 12 via the angle 27. A fixing bolt 28 is screwed into a bolt screw hole formed at the tip of the connecting stays 24 a to 24 c, and the fixing bolt 28 is screwed into a bolt screw hole formed in the angle 27, thereby connecting The tips of the stays 24a to 24c and the angle 27 are firmly connected. The fixing bolt 28 is screwed into the bolt screw hole formed in the angle 27, and the fixing bolt 28 is screwed into the bolt screw hole formed in the rim 25 of the main wheel 12. 25 is firmly connected.

  In the wheelchair self-propelled device 10, the clutch ring 33 and the main wheel 12 are connected by the torque transmission mechanism 23 (first to fourth connection stays 24 a to 24 c), so that the main wheel 12 of the wheelchair 11 is not replaced. The drive device 14 can be detachably installed on the main wheel 12, so that labor and time can be saved for the attachment work, and the self-propelled device 10 can be provided to the user at a low cost.

  FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the wheelchair self-propelled device 10, and FIG. 8 is a front view of the wheelchair self-propelled device 10 when the operation lever 13 is turned to the rear end position Y1. 9 is an enlarged front view showing details of the drive device 14 in the state of FIG. 7 in which the operation lever 13 is turned to the rear end position Y1, and FIG. 10 is a plan view of the first clutch 31. FIG. FIG. 11 is a plan view of the second clutch 32, and FIG. 12 is a plan view of the clutch ring 33.

  FIG. 13 is a plan view in which the first and second clutches 31 and 32 and the clutch ring 33 are combined, and FIG. 14 is a plan view of the first cam 74. FIG. 15 is an enlarged view of the top 18 of the operation lever 13 including the reverse mode switching button 83, and FIG. 16 is a diagram showing the position of the meshing roller 34 in the space 68 in the neutral mode.

  FIG. 15 shows the state of the button 83 when the reverse mode switching button 83 is not pressed and the forward mode is set. In FIGS. 13 and 16, the pin insertion holes 48 and 62 and the bolt screw holes 49 and 64 are not shown. In FIG. 7, the axial direction is indicated by an arrow L. 8 and 9, the virtual vertical line X is indicated by a one-dot chain line, the line segment A representing the rear end position Y1 is indicated by a two-dot chain line, the vertical direction is an arrow M (only in FIG. 8), the forward direction is forward (forward in the turning direction), A rearward direction (backward in the turning direction) is indicated by an arrow N2.

  The driving device 14 includes a main shaft 29 extending in the axial direction, a metal base 30, a first clutch 31, a second clutch 32, a clutch ring 33, a meshing roller 34, and a first coil spring 35 (first elastic member). The first rotation mechanism 36 and the second rotation mechanism 37, the torque transmission mechanism 23 described above, the pressing maintenance mechanism 38, the pressing force release mechanism 39, and the stopper mechanism 40 are formed. A metal cover 110 is detachably attached to the driving device 14. The front surface of the driving device 14 is covered with a metal cover 110. The main shaft 29 is a cylindrical molded product made of metal, and is detachably connected (fixed) to the hub 41 of the main wheel 12 of the wheelchair 11.

  The metal base 30 is a substantially annular molded product having a predetermined thickness, and a pipe fixing seat 42 having an insertion hole extending in the vertical direction is formed at the top portion of the outer peripheral edge thereof, and the fixing seat 26 and An insertion hole is formed through which the main shaft 29 is inserted. A front rotation stopper 44 with which a stopper plate 79 described later of the first cam 74 abuts is attached to the bottom portion of the outer peripheral edge portion of the metal base 30.

  The metal base 30 is formed with a pin insertion hole and a bolt screw hole that extend through the metal base 30 in the axial direction. The bottom portion 19 of the operation lever 13 (the lower end portion of the pipe 17) is inserted through the insertion hole of the pipe fixing seat 42. The pipe 17 is firmly fixed to the pipe fixing seat 42 by fixing bolts. A pin 45 extending in the axial direction is inserted into the pin insertion hole of the metal base 30, and a fixing bolt 46 extending in the axial direction is screwed into the bolt screwing hole of the base 30. When the operation lever 13 is turned forward, the metal base 30 is rotated forward in the circumferential direction, and when the lever 13 is rotated backward, the base 30 is rotated backward in the circumferential direction.

  The first clutch 31 is a substantially annular molded product made of metal and having a predetermined thickness, and an insertion hole 47 through which the main shaft 29 is inserted is formed at the center thereof. The first clutch 31 is provided with a pin insertion hole 48 and a bolt screw hole 49 that extend through the first clutch 31 in the axial direction. The first clutch 31 has the main shaft 29 inserted through the insertion hole 47 and is rotatably supported by the main wheel 47 with a ball bearing (not shown) interposed therebetween. A plurality of recesses 51 that are recessed toward the center are formed on the outer peripheral edge 50 of the first clutch 31. The recess 51 is gently curved from the outer peripheral edge 50 of the first clutch 31 toward the center (insertion hole 47). The recesses 51 are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction on the outer peripheral edge 50 of the first clutch 31.

  A pin 45 is inserted into the pin insertion hole 48 of the first clutch 31, and a fixing bolt 46 is screwed into the bolt screwing hole 49 of the clutch 31. The metal base 30 and the first clutch 31 are firmly fixed by the fixing bolt 46, and the rotational force of the base 30 is transmitted to the clutch 31 through the pin 45. Therefore, when the operating lever 13 is turned forward, the first clutch 31 is rotated together with the metal base 30 forward in the circumferential direction, and when the lever 13 is turned backward, the first clutch 31 together with the base 30 is accordingly turned. Rotates backward in the circumferential direction.

  The second clutch 32 is a substantially annular molded product made of metal and having a predetermined thickness, and an opening 52 is formed in the center thereof. The first clutch 31 is inserted through the opening 52. The second clutch 32 has an inner peripheral edge 53 that surrounds the opening 52 located radially outward of the first clutch 31, and can rotate forward and backward in the circumferential direction with respect to the clutch 31. A plurality of contact portions 54 extending in parallel with the outer peripheral edge 50 of the first clutch 31 are formed on the inner peripheral edge 53 of the second clutch 32.

  The contact portions 54 are formed in a substantially rectangular flat plate shape that is long in the circumferential direction, and are bent in the axial direction from the inner peripheral edge 53 of the second clutch 32. These contact portions 54 are located in the immediate vicinity of the outer peripheral edge 50 of the first clutch 31 and radially outward of the first clutch 31, and are spaced apart at equal intervals in the circumferential direction at the inner peripheral edge 53 of the second clutch 32. Are lined up. A gap 55 larger than the diameter of the meshing roller 34 described later is defined between the contact portions 54 adjacent in the circumferential direction.

  On the outer peripheral edge 56 of the second clutch 32, there are a pressing force receiving seat 57 positioned radially outward of the clutch 32, and positioned substantially opposite to the pressing force receiving seat 57 and positioned radially outward of the clutch 32. A spring mounting seat 58 is formed. The pressing force receiving seat 57 includes an extending portion 59 extending in the radial direction from the outer peripheral edge 56 of the second clutch 32, a first bent portion 60 bent in the axial direction from one end of the extending portion 59, and a first folding It has the 2nd bending part 61 bent in the axial direction from the other end of the extension part 59, located in the circumference direction back of the bending part 60. The spring mounting seat 58 extends in the radial direction from the outer peripheral edge 56 of the second clutch 32 and is then bent in the axial direction.

  The clutch ring 33 is a substantially annular molded product made of metal and having a predetermined thickness, and an opening 62 is formed in the center thereof. The first clutch 31 is inserted through the opening 62. The clutch ring 33 is formed with a pin insertion hole 63 and a bolt screw hole 64 that extend through the clutch ring 33 in the axial direction. In the clutch ring 33, the contact portion 54 of the second clutch 32 is positioned in the immediate vicinity of the inner peripheral edge 65, and the concave portion 51 (outer peripheral edge 50) of the first clutch 31 is positioned. Therefore, the inner peripheral edge 65 of the clutch ring 33 is located radially outward of the recess 51 of the first clutch 31 and the contact portion 54 of the second clutch 32.

  The clutch ring 33 independently rotates forward in the circumferential direction and backward in the circumferential direction with respect to the first and second clutches 31 and 32 in a state where the wedge effect by the meshing roller 34 is not generated, and the wedge effect by the meshing roller 34. In a state in which the rotation occurs, the first and second clutches 31 and 32 rotate in the circumferential direction forward and the circumferential direction rearward. A pin 66 is inserted into the pin insertion hole 63 of the clutch ring 33, and a fixing bolt 67 is screwed into the bolt screw hole 64 of the clutch ring 33 (see FIG. 7).

  In the drive device 14, a space 68 surrounded by the gap 55 between the recess 51 of the first clutch 31 and the contact portion 54 adjacent in the circumferential direction of the second clutch 32 and the inner peripheral edge 65 of the clutch ring 33 is defined. Has been. The spaces 68 are arranged at regular intervals in the circumferential direction. In the space 68, the front end portion 69 of one contact portion 54 of the contact portions 54 adjacent in the circumferential direction is located, and the other contact portion of the contact portions 54 adjacent in the circumferential direction is located. The rear end portion 70 of 54 is located.

  The meshing roller 34 is a cylindrical molded product made of metal, and is disposed in the space 68 and extends in the axial direction. These meshing rollers 34 are movable in the space 68 forward in the axial direction and rearward in the axial direction. In the driving device 14, when the meshing roller 34 moves rearward in the axial direction and the roller 34 moves to the rear end portion 73 of the space 68, the roller 34 moves between the recess 51 (outer peripheral edge 50) of the first clutch 31 and the clutch ring 33. Engage with the inner peripheral edge 65 (bite), a wedge effect occurs, and the forward mode is entered.

  On the contrary, when the meshing roller 34 moves forward in the axial direction and the roller 34 moves to the front end portion 71 of the space 68, the roller 34 and the inner peripheral edge 65 of the clutch ring 33 and the concave portion 51 (outer peripheral edge 50) of the first clutch 31. Engage with each other (bite), a wedge effect occurs, and the reverse mode is entered. When the meshing roller 34 is located at the central portion 72 of the space 68, the roller 34 does not mesh (bite into) the recess 51 (outer peripheral edge 50) of the first clutch 31 and the inner peripheral edge 65 of the clutch ring 33. The wedge effect does not occur and the neutral mode is maintained.

  One end of the first coil spring 35 is connected to the spring mounting seat 58 (outer peripheral edge 56) of the second clutch 32, and the other end is connected to the outer peripheral edge of the metal base 30. The first coil spring 35 urges the second clutch 32 rearward in the circumferential direction by its urging force. The first rotating mechanism 36 is formed of a first cam 74 and a turning arm 75 fixed to the main shaft 29, and a first roller 76, and rotates the second clutch 32 in the circumferential direction against the urging force of the first coil spring 35. Rotate forward.

  As shown in FIG. 14, the first cam 74 is a flat molded product made of metal and is fixed to the main shaft 29 so as not to rotate. At one end of the first cam 74, a contact edge 77 that is curved outward in the radial direction is defined. On the other end of the first cam 74, spring mounting seats 78a and 78b bent in the axial direction and a stopper plate 79 bent in the axial direction are formed, and a stopper pin 80 is provided on the opposite side of the stopper plate 79. Is attached.

  The swivel arm 75 is a flat plate-shaped product made of metal, and extends in the radial direction in the metal base 30. The swivel arm 75 has a base end portion 81 that is rotatably installed on the outer peripheral edge of the metal base 30, and a tip end portion 82 that is located radially inward from the base end portion 81. The first roller 76 is rotatably attached to the distal end portion 82 of the turning arm 75. When the first roller 76 rides on the contact edge 77 of the first cam 74, the turning arm 75 turns around the base end portion 81 in the circumferential direction at the outer peripheral edge portion of the metal base 30.

  The second rotation mechanism 37 is formed of a reverse mode switching button 83, a rod 84, and a second roller 85, and rotates the second clutch 32 forward in the circumferential direction. The reverse mode switching button 83 is a substantially cylindrical molded product made of a synthetic resin, and has an upper portion 86 and a lower portion 88 that have substantially the same diameter as that of the pipe 17 and a diameter slightly smaller than that of the pipe 17. And a small intermediate portion 87. The reverse mode switching button 84 is inserted into the top portion 18 (upper end portion of the pipe 17) of the operation lever 13, and its upper portion 86 is exposed upward from the top portion 18 (upper end portion of the pipe 17) of the operation lever 13.

  An operation knob 89 extending outward in the radial direction is attached to the upper portion 86 of the reverse mode switching button 84. A predetermined clearance (gap) is formed between the intermediate portion 87 of the reverse mode switching button 83 and the inner peripheral surface of the pipe 17. On the inner peripheral surface of the operation lever 13 (inner peripheral surface of the pipe 17), a restriction pin 90 for restricting the downward movement of the reverse mode switching button 83 is provided.

  The rod 84 is a vertically long bar-shaped molded product made of metal, and is inserted through the inside of the operation lever 13 (inside the pipe 17). The upper end 91 of the rod 84 is inserted into the reverse mode switching button 83, and is attached to an intermediate portion 87 of the reverse mode switching button 83 through a mounting screw so as to be able to turn. The lower end 92 of the rod 84 is pivotally attached to the periphery (the other end 93 described later) of the second roller 85. The second roller 85 is a substantially trapezoidal molded product made of metal, and is attached to the front periphery of the pipe fixing seat 42 at the outer peripheral edge of the metal base 30 so as to be rotatable.

  The second roller 85 has the other end portion 93 connected to the lower end portion 92 of the rod 84 and one end portion 94 positioned forward in the circumferential direction from the other end portion 93. In the second roller 85, when the rod 84 moves downward, the other end portion 93 connected to the lower end portion 92 of the rod 84 pivots downward, and thereby the one end portion 94 pivots upward. On the contrary, when the rod 84 moves upward, the other end portion 93 connected to the lower end portion 92 of the rod 84 pivots upward, whereby the one end portion 94 pivots downward.

  The press maintaining mechanism 38 is formed of a third coil spring 95 (third elastic member), a fitting ball 96 and a fitting recess 97. The pressing maintenance mechanism 38 maintains the pressing state of the backward mode switching button 83 pressed downward, and prevents the backward mode switching button 83 from returning upward. Thereby, the reverse mode of the drive device 14 is maintained. The third coil spring 95 is housed in a coil spring housing hole 98 formed in the intermediate portion 87 of the reverse mode switching button 83 and extends in the radial direction of the button 83.

  The third coil spring 95 biases the outer peripheral surface of the reverse mode switching button 83 toward the inner peripheral surface of the pipe 17 (the inner peripheral surface of the operation lever 13) by the biasing force. The fitting ball 96 is a hemispherical molding made of metal, and is attached to the tip of the third coil spring 95. Part of the fitting ball 96 is exposed from the spring housing hole 98. The fitting recess 97 is recessed radially outward from the inner peripheral surface of the pipe 17, and the fitting ball 96 is fitted in a detachable manner.

  In FIG. 15, due to the urging force of the third coil spring 95, the intermediate portion 87 of the reverse mode switching button 83 moves toward the inner peripheral surface of the pipe 17, and the upper end of the intermediate portion 87 is the inner peripheral surface of the pipe 17. And the upper part 86 of the button 83 is biased to one side at the top 18 of the pipe 17. The upper portion 86 of the button 83 rides on the top portion 18 of the pipe 17, and the button 83 cannot be pushed downward in this state.

  The pressing force release mechanism 39 is formed of a contact pin 99, a second cam 100, and a second coil spring 101 (second elastic member). The pressing force release mechanism 39 automatically releases the pressing force of the second rotating mechanism 37 (second roller 85) against the second bent portion 61 of the second clutch 32, and automatically releases the pressing maintenance mechanism 38. . Thereby, the reverse mode of the drive device 14 is automatically canceled.

  The contact pin 99 is a cylindrical molded product made of metal, is attached to the upper end portion of the second roller 85, and extends in the axial direction. The second cam 100 is a flat plate-shaped molded product made of metal and extending in the radial direction, and extends outward from the first cam 74 in the radial direction. The second cam 100 includes a base end portion 102 that is rotatably attached to the first cam 74 and a tip end portion 103 that is located radially outward from the base end portion 102. The second cam 100 has a distal end portion 103 that can pivot in the circumferential direction about the proximal end portion 102. A spring mounting seat 104 is formed on the base end portion 102 of the second cam 100.

  One end of the second coil spring 101 is connected to the spring mounting seat 78 a of the first cam 74, and the other end is connected to the spring mounting seat 104 of the second cam 100. The second coil spring 101 urges the tip portion 103 of the second cam 100 to pivot forward in the circumferential direction. When the side edge of the distal end portion 103 of the second cam 100 abuts against the abutment pin 99, the distal end portion 103 of the second cam 100 pivots backward in the circumferential direction against the urging force of the second coil spring 101.

  The stopper mechanism 40 is formed by a fitting pin 105 and a leaf spring 106 (fourth elastic member). The stopper mechanism 40 temporarily stops turning from the rear end position Y1 of the lever 13 forward when the operation lever 13 is moved to the rear end position Y1. The fitting pin 105 is a cylindrical molded product made of metal, is attached to the outer peripheral edge of the metal base 30, and extends in the axial direction.

  The leaf spring 106 is attached to the spring mounting seat 78b of the first cam 74, and has a fitting portion 107 into which the fitting pin 105 is removably inserted. The fitting portion 107 has a first portion 108 that protrudes radially inward and a second portion 109 that is connected to the first portion 108 and protrudes radially outward, and is a spring mounting seat. It is exposed forward in the circumferential direction from 78b.

  In the drive device 14 in which the operation lever 13 is turned to the rear end position Y1, the first roller 76 rides on the curved contact edge 77 of the first cam 74, as shown in FIG. The cam 74 is lifted outward in the radial direction by the contact edge 77, so that the turning arm 75 turns forward in the circumferential direction about the base end portion 81. When the swing arm 75 swings forward in the circumferential direction, the first roller 76 pivots forward in the circumferential direction together with the tip portion 82 of the arm 75, and the first roller 76 is caused by the urging force of the first coil spring 35 (first elastic member). The second clutch 32 is rotated forward in the circumferential direction while pressing the first bent portion 60 of the pressing force receiving seat 57 of the second clutch 32. In a state where the operation lever 13 is turned to the rear end position Y1, the first roller 76 is located behind the contact edge 77 of the first cam 74 in the circumferential direction.

  When the second clutch 32 is rotated forward in the circumferential direction by the first roller 76, the contact portions 54 move (rotate) forward in the circumferential direction, and are adjacent in the circumferential direction of the second clutch 32 as shown in FIG. The front end portion 69 of one of the contact portions 54 is located at the rear end portion 73 of the space 68, and the other contact portion of the contact portions 54 adjacent in the circumferential direction of the second clutch 32. The rear end portion 70 of the portion 54 is located at the front end portion 71 of the space 68, and the meshing roller 34 is located at the substantially central portion 72 of the space 68.

  The front end portion 69 of one abutment portion 54 and the rear end portion 70 of the other abutment portion 54 do not abut on the meshing roller 34, so that the roller 34 is moved by the portions 69, 70 to the front end portion 71 and the rear end of the space 68. There is no movement to the portion 73. In a state where the meshing roller 34 is positioned at the substantially central portion 72 of the space 68, the roller 34 does not mesh (bite into) the concave portion 51 (outer peripheral edge 50) of the first clutch 31 and the inner peripheral edge 65 of the clutch ring 33, The wedge effect by the roller 34 does not occur, and the first clutch 31 (including the metal base 30 and the second clutch 32) and the clutch ring 33 are maintained in a neutral mode in which they rotate independently.

  In the driving device 14, the meshing roller 34 can move in the circumferential direction between the front end portion 71 and the rear end portion 73 of the space 68. Therefore, the abutment portions 54 of the second clutch 32 can move (rotate) in the circumferential direction within a range in which the meshing roller 34 moves in the circumferential direction (the dimension in which the roller 34 moves).

  In the neutral mode, when the operation lever 13 is turned in the front-rear direction, the first clutch 31 (including the metal base 30 and the second clutch 32) rotates in the forward direction and the rearward direction in conjunction therewith. The 1 clutch 31 and the clutch ring 33 are not interlocked, the lever 13 is idled, and the turning torque of the lever 13 is not transmitted to the clutch ring 33. Accordingly, in the neutral mode, the turning torque of the operation lever 13 is not transmitted to the main wheel 12 of the wheelchair 11 via the clutch ring 33 (first to fourth connection stays 24a to 24c), and the main wheel 12 does not rotate. The turning angle α1 (turning range) of the operation lever 13 in the neutral mode can be adjusted by adjusting the length dimension of the first cam 74 in the direction around the contact edge 77.

  In a state where the operation lever 13 is turned to the rear end position Y1, the insertion pin 105 attached to the metal base 30 is inserted into the insertion portion 107 of the leaf spring 106 (fourth elastic member). When the operating lever 13 is pivoted to the rear end position Y1, the insertion pin 105 gets over the first portion 108 while elastically deforming the leaf spring 106, and then the insertion pin 105 is fitted into the second portion 109. Restore. The urging force of the leaf spring 106 prevents the fitting pin 105 from escaping from the second portion 109. By the stopper mechanism 40, the turning from the rear end position Y1 of the operation lever 13 to the front is temporarily stopped. Further, the fitting pin 105 abuts against the stopper pin 80 of the first cam 74, and further rotation of the first clutch 31 (including the metal base 30) in the rearward direction is prevented. Thereby, further turning of the operation lever 13 to the rear is stopped, and the lever 13 is prevented from falling backward.

  Since the wheelchair self-propelled device 10 is prevented from inadvertently turning the operation lever 13 moved to the rear end position Y1 to the rear end of the wheelchair 11 by the stopper mechanism 40, the wheelchair self-propelled device 10 is installed in the wheelchair 11. When 10 is not used, the lever 13 can be temporarily fixed at the rear end position Y1, and the wheelchair 11 can be stored with the lever 13 fixed at the rear end position Y1. Further, since the insertion pin 105 abuts against the stopper pin 80 of the first cam 31 and rotation of the first clutch 31 in the rearward direction is prevented, it is possible to prevent the lever 13 from falling backward from the rear end position Y1. Can do.

  When the user of the wheelchair 11 sits down on the seat 22 and holds the grip 20 of the operation lever 13 with both hands and the user turns the lever 13 at the rear end position Y1 forward, the insertion pin 105 is moved to the leaf spring. 106, overcoming the first portion 108 while elastically deforming the fitting portion 107 against the urging force of 106, the fitting pin 105 comes out of the second portion 109, and the fitting between the fitting pin 105 and the fitting portion 107 is released, The lever 13 can be freely swung forward.

  By adjusting the urging force (elastic deformation force) of the leaf spring 106 (fourth elastic member), the force when the insertion pin 105 is fitted into the second portion 109 or when the insertion pin 105 is caused to escape from the second portion 109. The power is determined. In the wheelchair self-propelled device 10, when the operation lever 13 moved to the rear end position Y <b> 1 is turned to the front of the wheelchair 11 against the urging force of the leaf spring 106, the leaf spring 106 is elastically deformed and the insertion pin 105 is moved. Since it disengages from the insertion part 107, the wheelchair self-propelled device 10 can be immediately put into use.

  FIG. 17 is a front view of the wheelchair self-propelled device 10 immediately before the operation lever 13 is turned forward from the rear end position Y1 and the lever 13 is moved from the first turning area 15 to the second turning area 16. FIG. 18 is an enlarged front view showing details of the drive device 14 in the state of FIG. 17. FIG. 18 shows the details of the drive device 14 immediately before switching from the neutral mode to the forward mode. 17 and 18, the virtual vertical line X is indicated by a one-dot chain line, the segment B representing the intermediate position Y2 is indicated by a two-dot chain line, the up and down direction is indicated by an arrow M (only in FIG. 17), and the forward direction (forward in the turning direction) is indicated by an arrow. N1, the rear in the circumferential direction (back in the turning direction) is indicated by an arrow N2.

  When the operating lever 13 is turned forward from the rear end position Y1, the metal base 30 and the first clutch 31 (including the second clutch 32) rotate in the forward direction, whereby the contact edge of the first cam 74 is reached. The first roller 76 riding on 77 moves from the rearward direction of the contact edge 77 to the frontward direction of the contact edge 77, but the turning state of the turning arm 75 in the forward direction is maintained.

  Therefore, the first roller 76 is swung forward in the circumferential direction together with the distal end portion 82 of the swivel arm 75, and the first roller 76 resists the urging force of the first coil spring 35 (first elastic member). The first bent portion 60 of the 32 pressing force receiving seats 57 is pressed, and the first roller 76 rotates the second clutch 32 forward in the circumferential direction.

  When the forward rotation of the second clutch 32 around the second clutch 32 by the first roller 76 is maintained, the abutment adjacent to the circumference of the second clutch 32 is the same as when the operation lever 13 is at the rear end position Y1. The front end portion 69 of one of the contact portions 54 of the portions 54 is located at the rear end portion 73 of the space 68, and the other contact portion 54 of the contact portions 54 adjacent in the circumferential direction of the second clutch 32. The rear end portion 70 is positioned at the front end portion 71 of the space 68, and the meshing roller 34 is positioned at the substantially central portion 72 of the space 68 (see FIG. 16), so that the neutral mode is maintained.

  Since the drive device 14 is maintained in the neutral mode in the first turning area 15, even if the lever 13 is turned in the front-rear direction in the first turning area 15, the lever 13 is idled and the turning torque of the lever 13 is the clutch ring. It is not transmitted to the main wheel 12 of the wheelchair 11 via 33 (1st-4th connection stays 24a-24c), and the main wheel 12 does not rotate.

  The wheelchair self-propelled device 10 includes a first roller 76 (first rotation mechanism 36) in the first turning area 15 from the rear end position Y1 to the intermediate position Y2 that is turned forward by a predetermined angle (α1). Rotates the second clutch 32 forward in the circumferential direction against the urging force of the first coil spring 35 (first elastic member), so that the meshing roller 34 is in the neutral mode in which it is positioned at the substantially central portion 72 of the space 68. Therefore, in the first turning area 15 where it is difficult for the user to use the arm force and the degree of freedom of the user's arm is small, transmission of the turning torque of the operating lever 13 to the clutch ring 33 can be prevented. The wheelchair 11 in the area 15 can be prevented from moving and turning in an unexpected and unexpected direction.

  FIG. 19 is a front view of the wheelchair self-propelled device 10 after the operation lever 13 is turned forward from the first turning area 15 and the lever 13 is moved from the first turning area 15 to the second turning area 16. 20 is an enlarged front view showing details of the driving device 14 in the state of FIG. FIG. 21 is a diagram showing the position of the meshing roller 34 in the space 68 in the forward mode. FIG. 20 shows details of the drive device 14 in the forward mode. 19 and 20, the virtual vertical line X is indicated by a one-dot chain line, the segment C representing the front end position Y3 is indicated by a two-dot chain line, the up and down direction is indicated by an arrow M (only in FIG. 19), and the forward direction in the circumferential direction (forward in the turning direction) N1, the rear in the circumferential direction (back in the turning direction) is indicated by an arrow N2. In FIG. 21, the rearward direction (backward in the turning direction) is indicated by an arrow N2.

  When the operation lever 13 is further turned forward from the state of FIG. 17, the first turning area 15 enters the second turning area 16. When the operating lever 13 is turned slightly forward from the state shown in FIG. 17 (neutral mode), the first roller 76 riding on the contact edge 77 of the first cam 74 comes off from the contact edge 77, and FIG. As shown in the figure, the first roller 76 moves radially inward, the turning arm 75 turns around the base end portion 81 in the circumferential direction, and the arm 75 becomes free to turn (free to turn).

  When the swing arm 75 is in a swing-free state, the pressing force applied to the first bent portion 60 of the pressing force receiving seat 57 of the second clutch 32 by the first roller 76 (the pressing force of the first rotating mechanism 36) is released. The When the pressing force to the first bent portion 60 is released, the urging force of the first coil spring 35 (first elastic member) acts on the second clutch 32, and the second clutch 32 is urged by the urging force of the coil spring 35. Rotates backward in the circumferential direction.

  When the second clutch 32 rotates backward in the circumferential direction by the urging force of the first coil spring 35, the contact portions 54 arranged in the circumferential direction of the second clutch 32 move (rotate) rearward in the circumferential direction, and these contact portions The rear end portion 70 of the 54 moves toward the central portion 72 of the space 68, and the front end portion 69 of the contact portion 54 moves rearward in the direction around the space 68. When the rear end portions 70 of the contact portions 54 of the second clutch 32 move toward the central portion 72 of the space 68, the contact portions 54 are in contact with the meshing roller 34 as shown in FIG. The portion 54 moves the roller 34 to the rear end portion 73 of the space 68.

  When the meshing roller 34 moves to the rear end portion 73 of the space 68, the roller 34 is firmly sandwiched between the recess 51 (outer peripheral edge 50) of the first clutch 31 and the inner peripheral edge 65 of the clutch ring 33, and the roller 34 is The concave portion 51 of the clutch 31 and the inner peripheral edge 65 of the clutch ring 33 are engaged with each other, and a wedge effect by the roller 34 is generated. Due to the wedge effect of the meshing roller 34 sandwiched between the first clutch 31 and the clutch ring 33, the first clutch 31 and the clutch ring 33 are firmly connected, and the neutral mode is switched to the forward mode.

  When the operation lever 13 is simultaneously turned forward in the second turning area 16 in the state where the neutral mode is switched to the forward mode, the turning torque forward of the lever 13 is transmitted from the first clutch 31 to the clutch ring 33, and the clutch The ring 33 rotates forward in the circumferential direction, and the rotational force of the clutch ring 33 (the turning torque of the lever 13) is transmitted to the main wheel 12 of the wheelchair 11 via the first to fourth connection stays 24a to 24d. When the operation lever 13 is turned forward in the forward mode (second turning area 16), the main wheel 12 rotates forward in the circumferential direction, and the wheelchair 11 moves forward.

  When the operation lever 13 is turned to the front end position Y3 in the forward mode, the stopper plate 79 of the first cam 74 abuts (collises) with the front rotation stopper 44 of the metal base 30, and the lever 13 is further forward. Turn is prevented. Therefore, unlimited turning of the operation lever 13 forward is prevented, and the lever 13 is prevented from falling forward. When the lever 13 is turned backward in the second turning area 16 after the operation lever 13 is turned to the front end position Y3, the meshing roller 34 at the first clutch 31 (outer peripheral edge 50) and the inner peripheral edge 65 of the clutch ring 33 is obtained. Is released, and the wedge effect by the roller 34 is released.

  When the wedge effect of the meshing roller is released, the connection between the first clutch 31 and the clutch ring 33 is released, and the first clutch 31 (the metal base 30 and the second clutch is interlocked with the rearward turning of the operation lever 13). 32), but the first clutch 31 and the clutch ring 33 are not interlocked, the lever 13 is idled, and the turning torque of the lever 13 is not transmitted to the clutch ring 33. The turning torque of 13 is not transmitted to the main wheel 12 of the wheelchair 11 via the clutch ring 33 (first to fourth connection stays 24a to 24d), and the wheelchair 11 does not move backward.

  After the operation levers 13 are pulled back to the intermediate position Y2 (near the boundary between the second turning area 16 and the first turning area 15) and then the levers 13 are simultaneously turned forward, the meshing roller 34 is engaged with the first clutch 31. The concave portion 51 (outer peripheral edge 50) and the inner peripheral edge 65 of the clutch ring 33 are firmly sandwiched, and the roller 34 engages with the concave portion 51 of the first clutch 31 and the inner peripheral edge 65 of the clutch ring 33. The wedge effect occurs again.

  Due to the wedge effect of the meshing roller 34 sandwiched between the first clutch 31 and the clutch ring 33, the first clutch 31 and the clutch ring 33 are firmly connected, and the turning torque to the front of the operation lever 13 is the first clutch 31. Is transmitted to the clutch ring 33, the clutch ring 33 rotates forward in the circumferential direction, and the rotational force of the clutch ring 33 (the turning torque of the lever 13) of the wheelchair 11 via the first to fourth connection stays 24 a to 24 d. The wheelchair 11 moves forward by being transmitted to the main wheel 12.

  In the forward mode, the wheelchair can be continuously advanced by simultaneously turning the operation lever 13 in the front-rear direction. In addition, a brake is applied by holding the brake lever while the wheelchair 11 is moving forward, and the wheelchair 11 that is moving forward stops. In the forward mode, the wheelchair 11 can be freely turned (right turn, left turn, turn, etc.) by turning one of the operation levers 13 in the front-rear direction of the wheelchair 11.

  The wheelchair self-propelled device 10 is moved forward of the operation lever 13 by the wedge effect of the meshing roller 34 sandwiched between the recess 51 (the outer peripheral edge 50) of the first clutch 31 and the inner peripheral edge 65 of the clutch ring 33 in the forward mode. Since the turning torque is transmitted from the clutch ring 33 to the torque transmission mechanism 23 (first to fourth connecting stays 24a to 24d), the second turning area in which the user can easily use the arm force and the degree of freedom of the user's arm is large. 16, the arm force of the user can be transmitted to the main wheel 12 of the wheelchair 11 as the turning torque of the operation lever 13 by utilizing the lever principle, and the wheelchair 11 is easily and slightly forced by turning the lever 13 forward. The wheelchair 11 can be easily or safely controlled by operating the lever 13 as well as moving forward or turning. Can.

  When the operation lever 13 enters the second turning area 16 from the first turning area 15 in the forward mode, the second clutch 32 is moved by the urging force of the first coil spring 35 (first elastic member). The contact portions 54 of the second clutch 32 rotate rearward in the circumferential direction, and the meshing roller 34 is moved to the rear end portion 73 of the space 68. The biasing force is not applied to the meshing roller 34, thereby biasing the meshing roller 34 to the rear end portion 73 of the space 68. It is not necessary to assume the deformation of the leaf spring, and the wedge roller 34 is wedged in the forward mode. An effect can be reliably generated.

  When the wheelchair self-propelled device 10 turns the operation lever 13 backward in the second turning area 16 in the forward mode, the lever 13 rotates idle, and the lever 13 can be returned to the vicinity of the first turning area 15 again. In this state, the wheelchair 11 can be advanced by turning the lever 13 forward again, and the wheelchair 11 can be continuously moved forward by repeatedly turning the lever 13 in the front-rear direction. The wheelchair self-propelled device 10 can use the principle of the lever of the operation lever 13 in the forward mode, and requires a little force without extra force compared to an existing wheelchair that grips and moves the hand rim. The wheelchair 11 can be moved forward.

  When the operating lever 13 is turned backward in the second turning area 16 and the lever 13 enters the first turning area 15 from the second turning area 16, the first roller 76 rides on the contact edge 77 of the first cam 74, The first roller 76 is lifted radially outward by the contact edge 77 of the first cam 74, and the turning arm 75 turns forward in the circumferential direction. When the swing arm 75 swings forward in the circumferential direction, the first roller 76 pivots forward in the circumferential direction, and the first roller 76 resists the biasing force of the first coil spring 35 and the pressing force receiving seat 57 of the second clutch 32. The second clutch 32 is rotated forward in the circumferential direction while pressing the first bent portion 60.

  When the second clutch 32 is rotated forward in the circumferential direction by the first roller 76, the front end portion 69 of one of the contact portions 54 adjacent in the circumferential direction of the second clutch 32 is the rear end of the space 68. The rear end portion 70 of the other abutment portion 54 of the abutment portions 54 adjacent to each other in the direction around the second clutch 32 moves to the front end portion 71 of the space 68, and the meshing roller 34 moves to the portion 73. It moves to the substantially central portion 72 of the space 68 and switches from the forward mode to the neutral mode.

  In the wheelchair self-propelled device 10, when the operation lever 13 is turned from the second turning area 16 to the first turning area 15, the first roller 76 (first rotating mechanism 36) resists the urging force of the first coil spring 35. Then, the second clutch 32 is rotated forward in the circumferential direction, and the meshing roller 34 is switched to the neutral mode located at the substantially central portion 72 of the space 68. Therefore, the user has difficulty in using the arm force and the degree of freedom of the user's arm is increased. When entering the small first turning area 15, the drive mechanism 14 can be quickly switched from the forward mode to the neutral mode.

  FIG. 22 is an enlarged front view showing details of the drive device 14 after switching from the neutral mode to the reverse mode, and FIG. 23 is a self-propelled wheelchair device in which the operation lever 13 is turned to the front end position Y3 in the reverse mode. 10 is a front view of FIG. FIG. 24 is an enlarged front view showing details of the drive device 14 in the state of FIG. 23, and FIG. 25 is an enlarged view of the top 18 of the operation lever 13 for explaining the pressing of the reverse mode switching button 83. FIG. 26 is an enlarged view of the top portion 18 of the operation lever 13 in which the reverse mode switching button 83 is pressed, and FIG. 27 is a view showing the position of the meshing roller 34 in the space 68 in the reverse mode.

  22 and 24 show details of the drive device 14 in the reverse mode. In FIG. 23, the operation lever 13 is pivoted to the front end position Y3. In FIG. 22, a virtual vertical line X is indicated by a one-dot chain line, and a line segment B representing the intermediate position Y2 is indicated by a two-dot chain line. In FIG. 23, the virtual vertical line X is indicated by a one-dot chain line, and the line segment C representing the front end position Y3 is indicated by a two-dot chain line. 22 to 24, the vertical direction is indicated by an arrow M (only FIGS. 22 and 23), the forward direction (forward in the turning direction) is indicated by an arrow N1, and the backward direction (backward in the turning direction) is indicated by an arrow N2. In FIG. 27, the forward direction (forward in the turning direction) is indicated by an arrow N1.

  To switch from the neutral mode to the reverse mode, the reverse mode switch button 83 provided on the operation lever 13 is pressed downward. FIG. 22 shows a case where the operating lever 13 is switched to the reverse mode immediately before moving from the first turning area 15 to the second turning area 16, but the forward movement in which the lever 13 is turning the second turning area 16. The mode can be switched to the reverse mode in the mode, and can be switched to the reverse mode when the lever 13 is turned to the front end position Y3.

  In order for the user of the wheelchair 11 to press the reverse mode switching button 83, a finger is placed on the operation knob 89 and the operation knob 89 is moved in the radial direction by the finger. When the operation knob 89 is moved in the radial direction, the intermediate portion 87 of the button 83 is moved outward in the radial direction, and the upper end of the intermediate portion 87 is in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the pipe 17, as shown in FIG. The upper portion 86 of the button 83 moves outward in the radial direction, and the ride on the upper end portion of the pipe 17 (the top portion 18 of the operation lever 13) of the upper portion 86 of the button 83 is released.

  When the button 83 is pressed downward while the upper portion 86 of the reverse mode switching button 83 is moved radially outward, the upper portion 86 of the button 83 gradually enters the inside of the pipe 17. Immediately before the upper portion 86 enters the inside of the pipe 17 and the operation knob 89 comes into contact with the upper end portion of the pipe 17, the restriction pin 90 comes into contact (collision) with the intermediate portion 87 of the button 83, and the button 83 is moved downward. Further pressing is prevented. Simultaneously with the contact of the restriction pin 90 with the intermediate portion 87 of the button 83, the third coil spring 95 (third elastic member) and the fitting ball 96 are positioned in the fitting recess 97 formed on the inner peripheral surface of the pipe 17. To do.

  When the third coil spring 95 and the fitting ball 96 are positioned in the fitting recess 97, the fitting ball 96 advances toward the fitting recess 97 by the elastic force of the third coil spring 95, and the ball 96 fits into the recess 97. To do. When the ball 96 is fitted in the recess 97, as shown in FIG. 26, the upward movement of the reverse mode switching button 83 is prevented by the ball 96 fitted in the recess 97, and the push maintaining mechanism 38 moves downward of the button 83. The pressed state is maintained.

  When the reverse mode switching button 83 is pushed downward, as shown in FIG. 22, the rod 84 moves downward as the button 83 moves downward (in the direction of the driving device 14), and the lower end portion 92 of the rod 84. While the second roller 85 connected to the second roller 85 rotates rearward in the circumferential direction, the other end portion 93 of the second roller 85 pivots downward, and the one end portion 94 of the second roller 85 pivots upward. When the one end portion 94 of the second roller 85 pivots upward, the one end portion 94 abuts the second bent portion 61 of the pressing force receiving seat 57 of the second clutch 32 while moving the second bent portion 61 forward in the circumferential direction. The second clutch 32 is rotated forward in the circumferential direction against the urging force of the first coil spring 35.

  The first roller 76 rides on the contact edge 77 of the first cam 74, and the first roller 76 is lifted radially outward by the contact edge 77 of the first cam 74, whereby the swivel arm 75 is moved to the base end portion 81. However, since the turning dimension of the one end 94 of the second roller 85 is larger than that of the turning arm 75, the second roller 32 is rotated forward in the turning direction by the first roller 76. The dimension of rotating the second clutch 32 forward in the circumferential direction by the second roller 85 is larger than the dimension of the second roller 85.

  Therefore, the second roller 85 presses the second bent portion 61 of the pressing force receiving seat 57 of the second clutch 32 against the urging force of the first coil spring 35 (first elastic member). Rotate forward in the direction of rotation. As a result, the first roller 76 moves radially inward, the turning arm 75 turns around the base end portion 81 in the circumferential direction, and the arm 75 becomes free to turn (free to turn).

  When the second clutch 32 is rotated forward in the circumferential direction by the second roller 85, the contact portions 54 arranged in the circumferential direction of the second clutch 32 move (rotate) forward in the circumferential direction, and the front end portions of the contact portions 54 69 moves toward the central portion 72 of the space 68, and the rear end portion 70 of the contact portion 54 moves rearward in the direction around the space 68. When the front end portions 69 of the contact portions 54 of the second clutch 32 move toward the central portion 72 of the space 68, the contact portions 54 are in contact with the meshing roller 34 as shown in FIG. 54 moves the roller 34 to the front end portion 71 of the space 68.

  When the meshing roller 34 moves to the front end portion 71 of the space 68, the roller 34 is firmly sandwiched between the concave portion 51 (outer peripheral edge 50) of the first clutch 31 and the inner peripheral edge 65 of the clutch ring 33, and the roller 34 is in the first clutch. The concave portion 51 of the clutch 31 and the inner peripheral edge 65 of the clutch ring 33 are engaged with each other, and a wedge effect by the roller 34 is generated. Due to the wedge effect of the meshing roller 34 sandwiched between the first clutch 31 and the clutch ring 33, the first clutch 31 and the clutch ring 33 are firmly connected, and the neutral mode is switched to the reverse mode. In addition, when the reverse mode switching button 83 is pressed in the second turning area 16, the forward mode is switched to the reverse mode.

  When the control lever 13 is turned from the first turning area 15 to the second turning area 16 in a state where the neutral mode (or forward mode) is switched to the reverse mode, and the lever 13 is turned further forward in the second turning area 16 The meshing roller 34 is not sandwiched between the first clutch 31 (outer peripheral edge 50) and the inner peripheral edge 65 of the clutch ring 33, and the wedge effect by the roller 34 does not occur.

  Therefore, the first clutch 31 and the clutch ring 33 are not connected via the meshing roller 34, and the first clutch 31 (the metal base 30 and the second clutch 32 is interlocked with the forward turning of the operation lever 13). The first clutch 31 and the clutch ring 33 are not interlocked, the lever 13 is idled, and the turning torque of the lever 13 is not transmitted to the clutch ring 33. Is not transmitted to the main wheel 12 of the wheelchair 11 via the clutch ring 33 (first to fourth connection stays 24a to 24d), and the wheelchair 11 does not move forward.

  After turning the operating lever 13 to the front end position Y3 and simultaneously turning them back in the second turning area 16, the meshing roller 34 located at the front end portion 71 causes the recess 51 (outside of the first clutch 31). Peripheral edge 50) and the inner peripheral edge 65 of the clutch ring 33, the roller 34 meshes with the recess 51 of the first clutch 31 and the inner peripheral edge 65 of the clutch ring 33, and the wedge effect by the roller 34 is restored. Occur.

  Due to the wedge effect of the meshing roller 34 sandwiched between the first clutch 31 and the clutch ring 33, the first clutch 31 and the clutch ring 33 are firmly connected, and the rearward turning torque of the operation lever 13 is the first clutch 31. Is transmitted to the clutch ring 33, and the clutch ring 33 rotates rearward in the circumferential direction, and the rotational force of the clutch ring 33 (the turning torque of the lever 13) of the wheelchair 11 via the first to fourth connection stays 24 a to 24 d. It is transmitted to the main wheel 12. In the reverse mode (second turning area 16), the operation lever 13 is turned backward to rotate the main wheel 12 backward in the circumferential direction, and the wheelchair 11 is moved backward.

  In the reverse mode, after the operating lever 13 is turned to the intermediate position Y2, and the lever 13 is turned forward in the second turning area 16, the first clutch 31 (the outer peripheral edge 50) and the inner peripheral edge 65 of the clutch ring 33 are The engagement of the engagement roller 34 is released, and the wedge effect by the roller 34 is released. When the wedge effect of the meshing roller 34 is released, the connection between the first clutch 31 and the clutch ring 33 is released, and the first clutch 31 (the metal base 30 and the second base 30 is interlocked with the forward turning of the operation lever 13). The first clutch 31 and the clutch ring 33 are not interlocked, the lever 13 is idled, and the turning torque of the lever 13 is not transmitted to the clutch ring 33. The turning torque of the lever 13 is not transmitted to the main wheel 12 of the wheelchair 11 via the clutch ring 33 (first to fourth connecting stays 24a to 24d).

  After the operation lever 13 is turned to the front end position Y3 and then the lever 13 is turned backward again, the meshing roller 34 is moved to the recess 51 (outer peripheral edge 50) of the first clutch 31 and the inner peripheral edge 65 of the clutch ring 33. The roller 34 is firmly sandwiched, and the roller 34 meshes with the recess 51 of the first clutch 31 and the inner peripheral edge 65 of the clutch ring 33, and the wedge effect by the roller 34 is generated again.

  Due to the wedge effect of the meshing roller 34 sandwiched between the first clutch 31 and the clutch ring 33, the first clutch 31 and the clutch ring 33 are firmly connected, and the rearward turning torque of the operation lever 13 is the first clutch 31. Is transmitted to the clutch ring 33, and the clutch ring 33 rotates rearward in the circumferential direction, and the rotational force of the clutch ring 33 (the turning torque of the lever 13) of the wheelchair 11 via the first to fourth connection stays 24 a to 24 d. The wheelchair 11 is moved backward by being transmitted to the main wheel 12.

  In the retreat mode, the wheelchair can be retreated continuously by simultaneously turning the operation lever 13 in the front-rear direction. Note that the brake is applied by gripping the brake lever while the wheelchair 11 is moving backward, and the wheelchair 11 moving backward is stopped. Further, in the reverse mode, the wheelchair 11 can be freely turned (right turn, left turn, turn, etc.) by turning one of the operation levers 13 in the front-rear direction of the wheelchair 11.

  The wheelchair self-propelled device 10 moves the operation lever 13 to the rear by the wedge effect of the meshing roller 34 sandwiched between the recess 51 (outer peripheral edge 50) of the first clutch 31 and the inner peripheral edge 65 of the clutch ring 33 in the reverse mode. Since the turning torque is transmitted from the clutch ring 33 to the torque transmission mechanism 23 (first to fourth connecting stays 24a to 24d), the second turning area in which the user can easily use the arm force and the degree of freedom of the user's arm is large. 16, the arm force of the user can be transmitted to the main wheel 12 of the wheelchair 11 as the turning torque of the operation lever 13 by utilizing the lever principle, and the wheelchair 11 can be easily and slightly forced by turning the lever 13 backward. The wheelchair 11 can be easily and safely controlled by operating the lever 13 as well as being able to move backwards or turn around. Can.

  When the wheelchair self-propelled device 10 operates the second rotation mechanism 37, the second rotation mechanism 37 moves the second clutch 32 forward in the circumferential direction against the urging force of the first coil spring 35 (first elastic member). And the abutment portion 54 of the second clutch 32 moves the meshing roller 34 to the front end portion 71 of the space 68, and meshes with the urging force of the leaf spring as in the wheel drive device for a wheelchair in the prior art. It is not configured to act on the roller 34 and thereby urge the meshing roller 34 against the front end portion 71 of the space 68. It is not necessary to assume the deformation of the leaf spring, and the wedge effect by the meshing roller 34 is reliably generated in the reverse mode. Can be made.

  When the operation lever 13 is turned forward in the second turning area 16 in the backward mode, the wheelchair self-propelled device 10 can be idled and returned to the vicinity of the front end position Y3 again. Then, the wheelchair 11 can be moved backward by turning the lever 13 backward again, and the wheelchair 11 can be continuously moved backward by turning the lever 13 repeatedly in the front-rear direction. The wheelchair self-propelled device 10 can use the principle of the lever of the operation lever 13 in the reverse mode, and requires a little force without extra force as compared with an existing wheelchair that grips and moves the hand rim. The wheelchair can be moved backwards.

  In order to cancel the reverse mode while the reverse mode in which the downward pressing state of the reverse mode switching button 83 is maintained by the press maintaining mechanism 38, the user places a finger on the lower surface of the operation knob 89, The operation knob 89 is pushed upward. When the operation knob 89 is pushed upward, a force that moves the fitting ball 96 fitted in the fitting recess 97 upward by the urging force of the third coil spring 95 acts on the ball 96 and presses the operation knob 89 upward. When the force to be applied exceeds the urging force of the third coil spring 95, the fitting ball 96 comes out of the fitting recess 97, and the fitting between the fitting ball 96 and the fitting recess 97 is released.

  In the reverse mode, the urging force of the first coil spring 35 always acts on the second clutch 32, and the urging force of the coil spring 35 tries to rotate the second clutch 32 backward in the circumferential direction, A force to push back in the direction acts on the second roller 85. The force (the urging force of the first coil spring 35) tries to turn the one end 94 of the second roller 85 downward and the other end 93 of the second roller 85 upward, An attempt is made to move the rod 84 upward. Accordingly, when the fitting between the fitting ball 96 and the fitting recess 97 is released, the rod 84 is moved upward by the urging force of the first coil spring 35, whereby the reverse mode switching button 83 is moved to the operation lever 13. It protrudes instantly upward from the top 18 (the upper end of the pipe 17).

  When the reverse mode is released in the second turning area 16, the pressing force of the one end portion 94 of the second roller 85 against the second clutch 32 is released, but the urging force of the first coil spring 35 (first elastic member) is released. Acts on the second clutch 32, and the second clutch 32 rotates backward in the circumferential direction by the urging force of the coil spring 35.

  When the second clutch 32 rotates backward in the circumferential direction by the urging force of the first coil spring 35, the contact portions 54 arranged in the circumferential direction of the second clutch 34 move (rotate) rearward in the circumferential direction, and these contact portions The rear end portion 70 of the 54 moves toward the central portion 72 of the space 68, and the front end portion 69 of the contact portion 54 moves rearward in the direction around the space 68. When the rear end portions 70 of the contact portions 54 of the second clutch 32 move toward the central portion 72 of the space 68, the contact portions 54 contact the meshing rollers 34 and the contact portions 54 space the rollers 34. 68 is moved to the rear end portion 73 to switch from the reverse mode to the forward mode.

  The wheelchair self-propelled device 10 is switched from the reverse mode to the forward mode by operating the reverse mode switching button 83 with a finger and releasing the fitting between the fitting ball 96 and the fitting concave portion 97. The drive mechanism 14 can be quickly switched from the reverse mode to the forward mode, and the wheelchair 11 can be immediately advanced on the spot. Moreover, since the forward mode is switched to the backward mode by pressing the backward mode switching button 83 in the above-described procedure, the user can quickly switch the drive mechanism 14 from the forward mode to the backward mode. The wheelchair 11 can be retracted immediately.

  FIG. 28 is an enlarged front view of the driving device 14 for explaining the operation of the pressing force release mechanism 39. In FIG. 28, a virtual vertical line X is indicated by a one-dot chain line, and a line segment B representing the intermediate position Y2 is indicated by a two-dot chain line. In the reverse mode in which the downward pressing state of the reverse mode switching button 83 is maintained by the press maintaining mechanism 38, the operation lever 13 is rotated backward from the second turning area 16, and the lever 13 is moved from the second turning area 16 to the first. When entering the turning area 15, the side edge of the distal end portion 103 of the second cam 100 comes into contact with the contact pin 99. When the side edge of the distal end portion 103 abuts against the abutting pin 99, the distal end portion 103 of the second cam 100 gradually turns backward in the circumferential direction against the urging force of the second coil spring 101.

  When the tip portion 103 gradually turns rearward in the circumferential direction, the second coil spring 101 gradually expands, the urging force of the coil spring 101 gradually increases, and the pressing force of the second cam 100 that contacts the contact pin 99 gradually increases. To increase. When the pressing force of the second cam 100 (the urging force of the second coil spring 101) acts on the contact pin 99, the pressing force of the second cam 100 tries to turn the one end portion 94 of the second roller 85 downward. At the same time, the other end 93 of the second roller 85 is swung upward, and the rod 84 is further moved upward.

  At the same time, the urging force of the first coil spring 35 always acts on the second clutch 32, and the urging force of the coil spring 35 tries to rotate the second clutch 32 backward in the circumferential direction, causing the second roller 85 to move backward in the circumferential direction. A force to push back acts on the second roller 85. The force (the urging force of the first coil spring 35) tries to turn the one end 94 of the second roller 85 downward and the other end 93 of the second roller 85 upward, An attempt is made to move the rod 84 upward.

  When the urging force of the first coil spring 35 and the urging force of the second coil spring 101 exceed the urging force of the third coil spring 95, the fitting ball 96 comes out of the fitting recess 97 and is fitted to the fitting ball 96. The fitting with the mating recess 97 is released. When the fitting between the fitting ball 96 and the fitting recess 97 is released, the rod 84 is moved upward by the urging force of the first coil spring 35 and the urging force of the second coil spring 101, thereby causing the reverse mode. The switch button 83 instantly protrudes upward from the top 18 of the operation lever 13 (the upper end of the pipe 17).

  When the reverse mode is canceled by the pressing force release mechanism 39 in the first turning area 15, the pressing force of the one end portion 94 of the second roller 85 against the second clutch 32 is released, but the first coil spring 35 (first The urging force of the elastic member) acts on the second clutch 32, and the urging force of the coil spring 35 causes the second clutch 32 to rotate rearward in the circumferential direction, and the first roller 76 has a pressing force receiving seat 57 of the second clutch 32. The first bent portion 60 is contacted (collised).

  When the first roller 76 comes into contact with the first bent portion 60, the first arm 76 rides on the contact edge 77 of the first cam 74 while the turning arm 75 turns in the rearward direction, and the second clutch 32. The rearward rotation stops. In this state, the front end portion 69 of one of the contact portions 54 adjacent in the direction around the second clutch 32 is located at the rear end portion 73 of the space 68, and the direction around the second clutch 32 is The rear end portion 70 of the other abutment portion 54 of the abutment portions 54 adjacent to each other is located at the front end portion 71 of the space 68, and the meshing roller 34 is located at the substantially central portion 72 of the space 68.

  In a state where the meshing roller 34 is positioned at the substantially central portion 72 of the space 68, the roller 34 does not mesh (bite into) the concave portion 51 (outer peripheral edge 50) of the first clutch 31 and the inner peripheral edge 65 of the clutch ring 33, The wedge effect by the roller 34 does not occur, and the first clutch 31 (including the metal base 30 and the second clutch 32) and the clutch ring 33 are automatically switched to the neutral mode in which each rotates independently.

  When the operation lever 13 enters the first turning area 15 from the second turning area 16 in the reverse mode, the wheelchair self-propelled device 10 is moved by the pressing force release mechanism 39 to one end portion 94 ( The pressing force of the second rotation mechanism 37) is released, and the first roller 76 (first rotation mechanism 36) moves in the direction around the second clutch 32 against the urging force of the first coil spring 35 (first elastic member). By stopping the rotation backward, the meshing roller 34 is switched from the reverse mode to the neutral mode located at the substantially central portion 72 of the space 68. Therefore, it is difficult for the user to use the arm force and the degree of freedom of the user's arm is small. Transmission of the turning torque of the operation lever 13 to the clutch ring 33 in the one turning area 15 can be prevented, and the wheelchair 11 is not used in the first turning area 15. And it is possible to prevent movement to the intended not unexpected direction.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Wheelchair self-propelled device 11 Wheelchair 12 Main wheel 13 Operation lever 14 Drive apparatus 15 1st turning area 16 2nd turning area 17 Pipe 18 Top part 19 Bottom part 21 Brake lever 23 Torque transmission mechanism 24a-24d Connection stay 25 Rim 26 Stay fixation Seat 27 Angle 29 Main shaft 30 Metal base 31 First clutch 32 Second clutch 33 Clutch ring 34 Engagement roller 35 First coil spring (first elastic member)
36 First Rotation Mechanism 37 Second Rotation Mechanism 38 Pressing Force Maintaining Mechanism 39 Pressing Force Release Mechanism 40 Stopper Mechanism 42 Pipe Fixing Seat 44 Forward Rotation Stopper 50 Outer Edge 51 Recess 53 Inner Edge 54 Abutting Portion 55 Clearance 56 Outer Edge 57 Pressing Pressure receiving seat 58 Spring mounting seat 60 First bent portion 61 Second bent portion 65 Inner peripheral edge 68 Space 69 Front end portion 70 Rear end portion 71 Front end portion 72 Center portion 73 Rear end portion 74 First cam 75 Turning arm 76 First 1 roller 77 abutting edge 78a, 78b spring mounting seat 79 stopper plate 80 stopper pin 81 base end portion 82 tip portion 83 reverse mode switching button 84 rod 85 second roller 86 upper portion 87 intermediate portion 88 lower portion 89 operation knob 90 regulating pin 91 Upper end 92 Lower end 93 Other end 94 One end 95 Third carp Le spring (third elastic member)
96 Fitting ball 97 Fitting recess 98 Coil spring accommodation hole 99 Contact pin 100 Second cam 101 Second coil spring (second elastic member)
102 base end portion 103 tip end portion 104 spring mounting seat 105 fitting pin 106 leaf spring (fourth elastic member)
107 Insertion part 108 First part 109 Second part

Claims (16)

An operation lever that is operated by a wheelchair user and a drive device that transmits a turning torque of the operation lever to a main wheel of the wheelchair, and the user turns the operation lever in the front-rear direction of the wheelchair. In a wheelchair self-propelled device that moves forward or backward,
The driving device includes a main shaft coupled to the hub of the main wheel, a first clutch having a plurality of recesses recessed toward the center formed on the outer peripheral edge and supported by the main shaft, and an outer peripheral edge of the first clutch. A second clutch that is located radially outward of the first clutch and rotates forward in the circumferential direction and rearward in the circumferential direction, and abutting the second clutch A clutch ring that is located radially outward of the first portion and rotates forward in the circumferential direction and rearward in the circumferential direction with respect to the first clutch, and a concave portion of the first clutch and an adjacent contact portion of the second clutch. And a plurality of meshing rollers that are movable in the space forward and backward in the space, and are connected to the outer periphery of the second clutch. The second crack A first elastic member that urges the rearward in the circumferential direction, a first rotation mechanism that rotates the second clutch forward in the circumferential direction against the urging force of the first elastic member, and a turning torque of the operation lever. A torque transmission mechanism that transmits to the main wheel via the clutch ring,
In the driving device, a first turn in which the operation lever is turned forward by a predetermined angle with respect to the virtual vertical line from a rear end position after the operation lever is turned backward by a predetermined angle with respect to the virtual vertical line of the wheelchair. The first rotation mechanism rotates the second clutch forward in the circumferential direction while pressing the second clutch against the urging force of the first elastic member until the meshing roller moves to the area. Maintained in the neutral mode located in the approximate center of the space,
When the operation lever enters a second turning area that is turned forward from the first turning area, the pressing force of the first rotating mechanism against the second clutch is released, and the biasing force of the first elastic member causes the The second clutch rotates in the rearward direction, the contact portion of the second clutch contacts the meshing roller, and the corresponding contact portion moves the meshing roller to the rear end portion of the space. The neutral mode is switched to the forward mode in which the turning torque forward of the operation lever is transmitted from the clutch ring to the torque transmission mechanism by the wedge effect of the meshing roller sandwiched between the recess and the inner peripheral edge of the clutch ring. The main lever is turned forward in the second turning area while the operation mode is switched from the forward mode to the forward mode. Wheelchair self Kigu but wherein said wheelchair by rotating the direction around the front advances.   In the forward mode, when the operation lever is turned backward in the second turning area, the wedge effect of the meshing roller is released, and the turning torque of the operation lever is not transmitted to the clutch ring. By turning the operation lever forward again in the second turning area, the contact portion of the second clutch moves the meshing roller to the rear end portion of the space, and the concave portion of the first clutch and the clutch ring The self-propelled machine for wheelchairs according to claim 1, wherein a turning torque of the operation lever is transmitted from the clutch ring to the torque transmission mechanism by a wedge effect of the meshing roller sandwiched between inner peripheral edges of the wheel.   In the drive device, when the operation lever is turned backward in the second turning area and the operation lever enters the first turning area from the second turning area, the first rotating mechanism is moved to the first elastic member. By rotating the second clutch forward in the circumferential direction while pressing the second clutch against the urging force, the meshing roller moves to a substantially central portion of the space to move from the forward mode to the neutral mode. The self-propelled machine for wheelchairs according to claim 1 or 2, which switches to   The first rotating mechanism has a first cam fixed to the main shaft with a contact edge that curves radially outward, a swivel arm that can swivel around the base end, and the swivel In the neutral mode, the first roller rides on the contact edge of the first cam and the swivel arm turns forward in the circumferential direction. The first roller rotates the second clutch forward in the circumferential direction while pressing the second clutch against the urging force of the first elastic member. In the forward mode, the first roller is The first clutch is released from the contact edge of one cam, the pressing force of the first roller against the second clutch is released, and the second clutch is rotated rearward in the circumferential direction by the urging force of the first elastic member. The self-propelled for wheelchairs in any one of paragraph 3 Ingredients.   The drive device includes a second rotation mechanism that rotates the second clutch forward in the circumferential direction, and the drive device operates the second rotation mechanism to turn the operation lever backward from the front end position by a predetermined angle. In the second turning area, the second rotation mechanism rotates the second clutch forward in the circumferential direction while pressing the second clutch against the urging force of the first elastic member. While the contact portion of the second clutch is in contact with the meshing roller, the corresponding contact portion moves the meshing roller to the front end portion of the space and is sandwiched between the concave portion of the first clutch and the inner peripheral edge of the clutch ring. Further, the wedge effect of the meshing roller switches to a reverse mode in which the turning torque of the operation lever to the rear is transmitted from the clutch ring to the torque transmission mechanism. 5. The wheelchair is moved backward by rotating the operation lever backward in the second turning area while the mode is switched from the mode to the backward mode, so that the main wheel rotates in the rearward direction. A self-propelled device for a wheelchair as described in Crab.   In the reverse mode, when the operation lever is turned forward in the second turning area, the wedge effect of the meshing roller is released, and the turning torque of the operation lever is not transmitted to the clutch ring. By rotating the operation lever backward again in the second turning area, the contact portion of the second clutch moves the meshing roller to the front end portion of the space, and the recess of the first clutch and the clutch ring The wheelchair self-propelled device according to claim 5, wherein a turning torque to the rear of the operation lever is transmitted from the clutch ring to the torque transmission mechanism by a wedge effect of the meshing roller sandwiched between inner peripheral edges.   The second rotation with respect to the second clutch when the drive device turns the operation lever backward in the second turning area and the operation lever enters the first turning area from the second turning area. And a pressing force release mechanism that automatically releases the pressing force of the mechanism. In the drive device, the operation lever is turned backward in the second turning area, and the operation lever is moved from the second turning area to the first turning area. When entering the turning area, the pressing force releasing mechanism releases the pressing force of the second rotating mechanism against the second clutch, and the first rotating mechanism resists the urging force of the first elastic member. By rotating the second clutch forward in the circumferential direction while pressing the clutch, the meshing roller moves to a substantially central portion of the space to move the neutral mode from the reverse mode. Wheelchair self Kigu of claim 5 or claim 6 switches to mode.   The second rotation mechanism is connected to a reverse mode switching button exposed upward from the top of the operation lever, a rod connected to the reverse mode switching button and inserted through the operation lever, and a lower end portion of the rod. One end of the second roller is formed with a second roller capable of turning, and in the retreat mode, the lower end of the rod moves downward by pressing the retreat mode switching button downward. Swivels backward in the circumferential direction, the second roller rotates the second clutch forward in the circumferential direction while pressing the second clutch against the urging force of the first elastic member, and the second clutch The wheelchair self-propelled device according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the contact portion moves the meshing roller to a front end portion of the space while the contact portion is in contact with the meshing roller.   The pressing force release mechanism is pivotable about a contact pin installed on the second roller and a base end portion, and is positioned radially outward from the base end portion and contacts the contact pin A second cam having a distal end portion, and a second elastic member connected to a proximal end portion of the second cam and urging the distal end portion toward the contact pin; When the operating lever is turned backward in the second turning area and the operating lever enters the first turning area from the second turning area, the biasing force of the second elastic member causes the second cam to The tip end rotates the second roller forward in the circumferential direction while pressing the contact pin of the second roller, and the lower end of the rod moves upward to push the second rotating mechanism against the second clutch. The self-propelled machine for wheelchairs according to claim 8, wherein the pressure is released. .   The drive device includes a pressing maintenance mechanism that maintains a downward pressing state of the reverse mode switching button in the reverse mode. In the drive device, the operation lever is turned forward and backward in the second turning area. The self-propelled apparatus for wheelchairs according to claim 9, wherein the backward movement mode is maintained by the press maintaining mechanism when the pressing maintenance mechanism is used.   In the drive device, when the operation lever is turned backward in the second turning area and the operation lever enters the first turning area from the second turning area, the pressing force is released by the pressing force release mechanism. The self-propelled device for wheelchairs according to claim 10, wherein the reverse mode switching button that has been released and is pushed downward projects upward from the top of the operation lever to switch from the reverse mode to the neutral mode.   A third elastic member installed inside the reverse mode switching button and biasing the outer peripheral surface of the button toward the inner peripheral surface of the operation lever; and a distal end portion of the third elastic member. The retraction mode switching button exposed from the top of the operation lever is formed by a fitting ball disposed on the inner surface of the operation lever, and a fitting recess formed on the inner peripheral surface of the operation lever. 12. When pressed downward, the fitting ball is fitted into the fitting recess by the urging force of the third elastic member, and the downward pressing state of the reverse mode switching button is maintained. A self-propelled device for wheelchairs described in 1.   The torque transmission mechanism detachably fixes a plurality of connecting stays extending radially outward from the clutch ring, and a base end portion of the connecting stay to the clutch ring, and a distal end portion of the connecting stay is the main portion. The wheelchair self-propelled device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the wheelchair self-propelled device is formed from fixing means that is detachably fixed to a wheel rim.   The connection stays are positioned at a first connection stay, a second connection state positioned 90 degrees forward in the circumferential direction from the first connection stay, and 90 degrees forward in the rotation direction from the second connection stay. The self-propelled apparatus for wheelchairs according to claim 13, wherein the self-propelled machine for wheelchairs is formed of a third connection state that is separated from the third connection stay and a fourth connection stay that is located 90 degrees away from the third connection stay in the forward direction.   The drive device includes a stopper mechanism that stops turning forward from the rear end position of the operation lever when the operation lever is moved to the rear end position, and the stopper mechanism includes an insertion pin and the insertion pin. A fourth elastic member that is elastically deformable and has a fitting portion that removably inserts the pin, and in the stopper mechanism, when the fitting pin elastically deforms the fourth elastic member and fits into the fitting portion. The self-propelled device for wheelchairs according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the urging force of the fourth elastic member prevents the fitting pin from escaping from the fitting portion.   The first turning area is in a range of 10 to 15 degrees forward from the virtual vertical line and 10 to 15 degrees backward from the virtual vertical line, and the second turning area is forward from the first turning area. The self-propelled machine for wheelchairs according to any one of claims 1 to 15, which is in a range of 45 to 50 degrees.

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