JP2015223356A - Walking assist mobile object - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a walking assist mobile object capable of holding wheels by switching them over into different inclination angles in use in a simple configuration.SOLUTION: A walking assist mobile object 100 includes: a walking assist mobile object body 1; a pair of drive wheels 3 juxtaposed in the horizontal direction (X direction) of the walking assist mobile object body 1; and a pair of first levers 4 to which the pair of drive wheels 3 are fitted respectively, the pair of first levers 4 rotationally turning about respective rotational turning centers C. The walking assist mobile object is configured to switch over between a first position where grounding positions of the drive wheels 3 are disposed inside the rotational turning center C and a second position where the grounding positions of the drive wheels 3 are disposed outside the rotational turning center C.

Description

  The present invention relates to a walking assist moving body, and more particularly to a walking assist moving body capable of adjusting a tilt angle (camber angle) of a wheel.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a camber angle adjusting device to which a wheel is attached and which can adjust the inclination angle (camber angle) of the wheel is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  Patent Document 1 discloses a camber angle adjusting device including a wheel and a lever to which the wheel is attached and which rotates around a rotation center for adjusting the inclination angle of the wheel. This camber angle adjusting device is applied to a wheelchair.

  One end of the lever is connected to the wheelchair, and the other end of the lever is attached to the wheel. One end of the lever is connected to be rotatable around a rotation center line extending in the front-rear direction. The wheel on the other end side can be rotated together with the lever, and the grounding position of the wheel is always located outside the rotation center within the rotation range. Therefore, the wheel is configured to receive a moment in a direction from the ground contact position around the center of rotation to the outside due to an upward reaction force from the ground against the weight of the wheelchair and the user. As a result, at the time of boarding (in use) by the user, the lever and the wheel rotate outward, so that the wheel is tilted so that the lower part of the wheel is arranged outside the upper part of the wheel. Retained.

JP 2010-166975 A

  However, in Patent Document 1, when using a wheelchair in which the weight of the user is added to the wheel, the lower part of the wheel is placed outside the upper part of the wheel and held in an inclined state due to the weight of the wheelchair and the user. Is done. Therefore, when using a wheelchair, there is a problem that it is impossible to switch and hold the inclination angle (camber angle) of the wheel according to the road surface condition or the like. On the other hand, since it is not preferable to employ a complicated mechanism only for switching the tilt angle, it is desired to switch and hold the wheels at different tilt angles with a simple structure.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and one object of the present invention is to switch and hold a wheel at a different inclination angle with a simple structure during use. It is to provide a walking assist moving body.

  A walking assist moving body according to one aspect of the present invention includes a walking assist moving body, a pair of wheels arranged side by side in the left-right direction of the walking assist moving body, and a pair of wheels. A pair of first levers that rotate about the center of movement, a first position in which the grounding position of the wheel is disposed on the inner side of the rotational center of the first lever, and a grounding position of the wheel that rotates the first lever. The second position arranged outside the moving center is configured to be switchable.

  In the walking assist moving body according to one aspect of the present invention, as described above, the first position in which the ground contact position of the wheel is disposed inside the rotation center of the first lever, and the ground contact position of the wheel is the first lever. The second position arranged outside the rotation center is configured to be switchable. As a result, when the wheel is positioned at the first inner position due to the weight of the walking assist moving body, an inward moment can be applied to the wheel, and the wheel is positioned at the second outer position. When it is located at the position, a moment directed outward can be applied to the wheel. As a result, since the moment in the direction toward the inside and the outside where the wheel is arranged can be applied to the wheel at the first position on the inside and the second position on the outside, the position of the wheel is changed to the first position and the first position. With a simple structure that switches between two positions, the wheels can be switched and held at different tilt angles during use.

  Preferably, the walking assist moving body according to the one aspect further includes a restricting portion that restricts rotation of the wheel and the first lever when the wheel is located at the first position and the second position. If comprised in this way, since a rotation of the wheel and the 1st lever in the state to which the moment was provided can be controlled by a control part, a wheel is certainly in each position of the 1st position and the 2nd position. Can be held.

  In the walking assist moving body according to the one aspect, preferably, the wheel is a distance in a left-right direction from a grounding position when the wheel is located at the first position to a rotation center, and a grounding position when the wheel is located at the second position. The distance in the left-right direction to the center of rotation is substantially equal. If comprised in this way, the distance in the up-down direction from the earthing | grounding position when a wheel is located in a 1st position to a rotation center, and the up-and-down from the earthing position when a wheel is located in a 2nd position to a rotation center Since the distance in the direction becomes substantially equal, the height position of the walking assist moving body before and after switching between the first position and the second position can be made substantially equal. As a result, the height position of each part (the height of the loading platform or the handle) of the walking assist moving body can be maintained.

  In the walking assist moving body according to the one aspect, preferably, the wheel is substantially vertical when positioned at the first position, and the lower portion of the wheel is located outside the upper portion of the wheel when positioned at the second position. It is configured to be arranged and inclined. If comprised in this way, when a wheel is hold | maintained perpendicular | vertical (1st position), since rolling resistance can be made small, a walk assist moving body can be operated with comparatively small force. Further, the assist force when the wheel is held at the first position can be reduced. Further, when the wheel is held in an inclined state (second position), the contact area increases, so that it is possible to suppress the wheel from being buried on a rough road and to improve shock absorption. . In addition, since the first position and the second position can be switched, the above-described effects at the first position and the second position can be respectively obtained according to the road surface condition or the like based on the judgment of the user.

  In the walking assist moving body according to the above aspect, the upper portion of the wheel is preferably disposed below the rotation center. With this configuration, when the wheel is rotated from the first inner position to the second outer position, the wheel is moved outwardly like a pendulum across the lower position of the rotation center of the lever. Move). As a result, the distance between the pair of wheels (distance between the centers of the wheels) when switching from the first position to the second position can be increased. As a result, when the wheels are positioned at the second position, the pair of wheels can be further separated in the left-right direction as compared with the configuration in which the inclination angle of the wheels is simply changed. Can be improved. Further, since the wheel is moved more in the left-right direction than in the up-down direction, the vertical movement of the walking assist moving body can be suppressed small when switching between the first position and the second position. As a result, the first position and the second position can be easily switched.

  In the walking assist moving body according to the above aspect, preferably, the pair of wheels are disposed inside the left and right ends of the walking assist moving body when the pair of wheels are located at the second position. If comprised in this way, since it can prevent that a wheel protrudes from the both ends of the left-right direction of a walk assistance movable body main body, it is the 1st position and the 2nd position, without extending the width dimension of a walk assist movable body main body. Can be switched.

  In the configuration further including the restricting portion, preferably, the restricting portion contacts the first lever or the wheel to the outside of the first lever and the wheel when the wheel is located at the first position and the second position. A contact portion for restricting rotation is included. If comprised in this way, rotation to the outer side of a wheel can be controlled by simple composition.

  In the walking assist moving body according to the above aspect, the first position and the second position of the pair of wheels are preferably connected to each of the pair of first levers and rotated by the pair of first levers. A switching member that switches between them is further provided. If comprised in this way, the 1st position and 2nd position of a wheel can be easily switched by the switching member.

  In this case, preferably, the switching member includes a pair of second levers rotatably connected to each of the pair of first levers, and one switching operation unit to which the pair of second levers are rotatably connected. The wheel is configured to be able to switch between the first position and the second position by moving the switching operation unit. If comprised in this way, the position of a pair of wheels can be switched at once by one switching operation part. As a result, the operability at the time of switching can be improved. Further, since the pair of first levers can be operated at the same time, when the first position and the second position are switched, the movement of the pair of first levers becomes asymmetrical and the walking assist mobile body tilts. Can be prevented.

  In the walking assist moving body according to the above aspect, preferably, when the wheel is positioned at the first position, the first lever is biased so that the wheel is biased inward, and the wheel is positioned at the second position. In this case, a biasing member that biases the first lever so that the wheel is biased outward is further provided. If comprised in this way, in addition to the moment provided with respect to a lever and a wheel by the weight of a walk assist mobile body, etc., a bigger moment can be given with a biasing member. As a result, the urging member can apply a moment in the direction toward the inner side and the outer side where the wheel is disposed to the wheel at the inner first position and the outer second position, respectively. And the 2nd position can be held more stably. That is, switching between the first position and the second position of the wheel that is not intended by the user can be suppressed.

  In the walking assist moving body according to the above aspect, the wheel is preferably formed of a material that is disposed inside the outer wheel and the outer wheel, has a smaller diameter than the outer wheel, and is softer than the outer wheel. Including inner wheels. If comprised in this way, in addition to an outer wheel, an inner wheel can also be grounded using the inclination of the wheel at the time of switching a wheel from a 1st position to a 2nd position. As a result, when the wheel is held in an inclined state (second position), the contact area can be significantly increased, so that it is possible to more effectively suppress the wheel from being buried on a bad road. In addition, since the soft inner wheel can be deformed at the ground contact portion, the ground contact area can be further increased and the shock absorption can be improved when the wheel is held in an inclined state (second position). Can do.

  According to the present invention, as described above, it is possible to provide a walking assist moving body capable of switching and holding wheels at different inclination angles with a simple structure during use.

1 is an overall perspective view showing a walking assist moving body according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is the rear view which showed the state in which the driving wheel of the walk assistance moving body by 1st Embodiment of this invention is located in a 1st position. It is the rear view which showed the state in which the driving wheel of the walk assistance moving body by 1st Embodiment of this invention is located in a 2nd position. It is the rear view which showed the walk assistance moving body by 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is the whole perspective view which showed the walk assistance moving body by 3rd Embodiment of this invention.

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

(First embodiment)
With reference to FIGS. 1-3, the structure of the walk assistance mobile body 100 by 1st Embodiment of this invention is demonstrated.

  In the following, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the traveling direction when the walking assist moving body 100 travels straight is described as being forward (Y1 direction), and the reverse direction of the front (Y1 direction) is backward (Y2 direction). In addition, a direction orthogonal to the front-rear direction (Y direction) and the vertical direction (Z direction) will be described as the left-right direction (X direction). In the left-right direction (X direction), the center side of the walking assist moving body 100 will be described as the inside (see FIG. 2) and the outside side will be described as the outside (see FIG. 2).

  The walking assist moving body 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a walking assist moving body main body 1, a pair of free wheels 2, a pair of drive wheels 3, a pair of first levers 4, and a switching member 5. I have. 2 and 3, the illustration of the free wheel 2 is omitted.

  The pair of drive wheels 3 are integrally attached to the pair of first levers 4, respectively. The pair of first levers 4 are attached to the walking assist moving body 1 so as to rotate around a rotation center C described later. The drive wheel 3 is an example of the “wheel” in the present invention.

  Here, in the first embodiment, the walking assist moving body 100 rotates the drive wheel 3 around the rotation center C extending in the front-rear direction (Y direction), thereby setting the ground contact position of the drive wheel 3 as the rotation center. A first position (refer to FIG. 2) disposed inside C and a second position (refer to FIG. 3) where the grounding position of the drive wheel 3 is disposed outside the rotation center C can be switched. ing.

  That is, the walking assist movable body 100 is configured to be able to switch the inclination angle (camber angle) of the drive wheel 3 in two stages (two inclination angles at the first position and the second position). In addition, the walking assist moving body 100 is configured to apply a moment around the rotation center C that is opposite in the first position and the second position to the first lever 4. Accordingly, the walking assist moving body 100 is configured to be able to maintain the switched drive wheel 3 tilt angle. Note that switching between the first position and the second position is performed by the switching member 5.

  In the following, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the A1 direction when the driving wheel 3 rotates with respect to the rotation center C and the ground contact position goes from the inside to the outside is the outward rotation direction, and the outward rotation direction. A direction A2 opposite to A1 will be described as an inward rotation direction. The ground contact position means an intermediate position in the left-right direction (X direction) in a predetermined region where the drive wheel 3 contacts the ground surface 90 (flat surface).

  Next, the configuration of each part of the walking assist moving body 100 will be described in detail.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the walking assist moving body main body 1 includes a main body portion 10, a column portion 11, and a loading platform portion 12.

  The main body 10 of the walking assist mobile body 1 is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape. Moreover, the main-body part 10 has a pair of rotating shaft part 13, the convex part 14, and the 1st spring hook part 15 in the rear surface 10a. The convex portion 14 is an example of the “regulating portion” in the present invention.

  The pair of pivot shafts 13 of the main body 10 are respectively provided on the left and right sides of the main body 10 (both sides in the X direction). Moreover, the rotating shaft part 13 is formed so that it may extend in the front-back direction (Y direction). Further, the rotation shaft portion 13 has the rotation center C serving as an axis. In addition, the first lever 4 is attached to the rotation shaft portion 13 so as to rotate around the rotation center C.

  The convex part 14 of the main body part 10 has an inner convex part 14a and an outer convex part 14b that are formed in a convex shape behind the main body part 10 (Y2 direction).

  The inner convex portion 14a of the main body portion 10 is disposed at a position inside the rotation shaft portion 13 in the left-right direction (X direction). Further, when the driving wheel 3 is located at the first position, the inner convex portion 14a comes into contact with the first lever 4 that rotates in the inward rotation direction A2 (see FIG. 2), thereby rotating the first lever 4. It is configured to regulate movement.

  In other words, the inner convex portion 14a restricts the rotation of the first lever 4 when the driving wheel 3 is located at the first position, thereby inwardly driving the driving wheel 3 rotating integrally with the first lever 4. It is comprised so that rotation to rotation direction A2 may be controlled indirectly.

  The outer convex part 14b of the main body part 10 is disposed at a position outside the rotating shaft part 13 in the left-right direction (X direction). Further, as shown in FIG. 3, when the driving wheel 3 is located at the second position, the outer convex portion 14b comes into contact with the first lever 4 that rotates in the outward rotation direction A1 (see FIG. 3). The rotation of the first lever 4 is restricted.

  In other words, the outer convex portion 14b restricts the rotation of the first lever 4 when the driving wheel 3 is located at the second position, thereby outwardly driving the driving wheel 3 rotating integrally with the first lever 4. It is comprised so that rotation to rotation direction A1 may be controlled indirectly.

  One end of a tension coil spring 80 to be described later is hung on the first spring hook 15 of the walking assist moving body 1. The tension coil spring 80 is an example of the “biasing member” in the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the column portion 11 of the walking assist movable body main body 1 is formed in a column shape that extends upward (Z1 direction) from the central portion of the upper end of the main body portion 10. Moreover, the column part 11 has the handle | steering-wheel 11a each extended in the left-right direction (X direction) from upper end vicinity.

  The loading platform 12 of the walking assist mobile body 1 is formed in a flat plate shape that extends forward (Y1 direction) from the lower end on the front side (Y1 direction side) of the main body 10. A load 91 is placed on the loading platform 12 on the upper side (Z1 direction side). In addition, a pair of free wheels 2 are disposed in the vicinity of the two corners in the front (Y1 direction) in the loading platform 12. The universal wheel 2 is configured to have a diameter smaller than the diameter of the drive wheel 3.

  The first lever 4 is formed in a flat plate shape extending substantially downward (Z2 direction) from the rotation shaft portion 13. The first lever 4 has a drive wheel 3 attached to the lower end.

  Further, as described above, the first lever 4 has an outward rotation direction A1 (see FIG. 2) and an inward rotation direction A2 (see FIG. 2) around the rotation center C with respect to the rotation shaft portion 13 of the walking assist moving body 1. 2) is rotatably attached.

  Further, the first lever 4 is provided with a second spring hooking portion 40. The second spring hooking portion 40 is hung by the other end of a tension coil spring 80 having one end hung on the first spring hooking portion 15 of the walking assist moving body 1.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the tension coil spring 80 is configured to bias the first lever 4 inward when the drive wheel 3 is located at the first position. Specifically, the tension coil spring 80 is disposed so as to pass inside the rotation center C when the driving wheel 3 is located at the first position. Therefore, the tension coil spring 80 applies a moment toward the inside to the drive wheel 3.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the tension coil spring 80 is configured to bias the first lever 4 outward when the drive wheel 3 is located at the second position. Specifically, the tension coil spring 80 is disposed so as to pass outside the rotation center C when the drive wheel 3 is located at the second position. Therefore, the tension coil spring 80 imparts a moment toward the outside to the drive wheel 3.

  Further, the first lever 4 is provided with a second lever attachment portion 41 to which a second lever 51 described later is attached. A second lever 51 is rotatably attached to the second lever attachment portion 41 around an axis extending in the front-rear direction (Y direction).

  Further, the first lever 4 is provided with an inner contact surface 42a and an outer contact surface 42b. The inner abutting surface 42a is configured to abut on the inner convex portion 14a of the walking assist moving body 1 when the driving wheel 3 is located at the first position. Further, the outer abutting surface 42b is configured to abut on the outer convex portion 14b of the walking assist mobile body 1 when the driving wheel 3 is located at the second position.

  The first lever 4 is provided with a motor portion 43 at the lower end of the first lever 4. The motor unit 43 is configured to rotationally drive the drive wheels 3 in response to a user operation in a drive operation unit (not shown).

  The drive wheel 3 is attached to the outside of the motor part 43 of the first lever 4. Further, as described above, the drive wheel 3 is attached to the first lever 4 and is configured to rotate around the rotation center C together with the first lever 4.

  Further, the upper portion of the drive wheel 3 is disposed below the rotation center C (in the Z1 direction). That is, the entire drive wheel 3 is disposed below the rotation center C (in the Z1 direction). Therefore, the drive wheel 3 is generally configured such that the amount of movement in the left-right direction (X direction) is greater than the amount of movement in the up-down direction (Z direction) accompanying rotation.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, the drive wheel 3 is configured to be vertical when positioned at the first position. That is, the drive wheel 3 is configured such that the inclination angle (camber angle) is 0 degree when it is located at the first position.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, when the driving wheel 3 is located at the second position, the lower portion of the driving wheel 3 is arranged outside the upper portion of the driving wheel 3 and is inclined. That is, when the driving wheel 3 is located at the first position, the inclination angle (camber angle) is a negative value (for example, −10 degrees (preferably −5 degrees to −15 degrees)). ing. When the tilt angle of the drive wheel 3 is a negative value, the lower portion of the drive wheel 3 is disposed outside the upper portion of the drive wheel 3 and is tilted (so-called negative camber). On the other hand, when the tilt angle is a positive value, the tilt is reversed.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the drive wheel 3 is located at a distance L1 in the left-right direction (X direction) from the ground contact position to the rotation center C when positioned at the first position, and at the second position. The distance L2 in the left-right direction (X direction) from the ground contact position to the rotation center C is configured to be substantially equal. Therefore, the distance in the height direction (Z direction) from the ground contact position to the rotation center C when located at the first position, and the height direction from the ground contact position to the rotation center C when located at the second position. The distance in the (Z direction) (see FIG. 3) is substantially equal.

  The switching member 5 is connected to each of the pair of first levers 4 and is configured to switch between the first position and the second position of the pair of drive wheels 3 by rotating the pair of first levers 4. Has been.

  Specifically, the switching member 5 includes a pair of second levers 51 and one switching operation unit 52. The pair of second levers 51 are rotatably connected to the second lever mounting portions 41 of the pair of first levers 4 at the lower end portions. Moreover, the upper end part of a pair of 2nd lever 51 is connected to the switching operation part 52 so that rotation is possible. Moreover, the switching operation part 52 is formed in the rod shape extended in an up-down direction (Z direction). Further, the switching operation unit 52 is configured to be slidable in the vertical direction (Z direction). In addition, the switching operation unit 52 has a grip portion 52a that is gripped by the user at the upper end.

  Next, a switching operation between the first position and the second position of the driving wheel 3 by operating the switching member 5 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  First, as shown in FIG. 2, it is assumed that the drive wheel 3 is located at the first position. In this state, as shown in FIG. 3, the user holds the grip portion 52a of the switching operation portion 52, and moves (slides) the switching operation portion 52 downward (Z2 direction).

  As a result, the upper ends of the pair of second levers 51 are moved downward. Further, the lower end portions of the pair of second levers 51 are moved from the inside toward the outside together with the second lever mounting portion 41 of the first lever 4. Accordingly, the first lever 4 is rotated in the outer rotation direction A1 around the rotation center C. As a result, the drive wheel 3 attached to the first lever 4 is moved (switched) from the first position to the second position.

  Note that the switching operation of the drive wheel 3 from the second position to the first position is performed by an operation in the reverse direction similar to the switching operation from the first position to the second position.

  In the first embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

  In the first embodiment, as described above, the grounding position of the drive wheel 3 is located inside the rotation center C of the first lever 4, and the grounding position of the drive wheel 3 is the first lever 4. The second position arranged outside the rotation center C is configured to be switchable. As a result, when the driving wheel 3 is positioned at the first inner position due to the weight of the walking assist moving body 100, an inward moment can be applied to the driving wheel 3, and the driving wheel When 3 is located at the second outer position, an outward moment can be applied to the drive wheel 3. As a result, a moment in the direction toward the inner side and the outer side where the driving wheel 3 is disposed can be applied to the driving wheel 3 at the first inner position and the second outer position, respectively. With a simple structure that switches between the first position and the second position, the driving wheel 3 can be switched and held at different inclination angles during use.

  In the first embodiment, as described above, when the driving wheel 3 is located at the first position and the second position, a restricting portion that restricts the rotation of the driving wheel 3 and the first lever 4 is provided. Thereby, since the rotation of the drive wheel 3 and the first lever 4 in a state where the moment is applied can be restricted by the restricting portion, the drive wheel 3 can be reliably placed at each of the first position and the second position. Can be held in.

  In the first embodiment, as described above, the distance L1 in the left-right direction from the ground position to the rotation center C when positioned at the first position, and the rotation from the ground position when positioned at the second position. The distance L2 in the left-right direction to the center C is made substantially equal. Thus, the distance in the vertical direction from the ground contact position when the driving wheel 3 is located at the first position to the rotation center C, and from the ground contact position when the driving wheel 3 is located at the second position to the rotation center C. Since the distance in the vertical direction is substantially equal, the height position of the walking assist mobile body 1 before and after switching between the first position and the second position can be made substantially equal. As a result, the height position of each part (the height of the loading platform 12 and the handle 11a, etc.) of the walking assist moving body 100 can be maintained.

  In the first embodiment, as described above, when the driving wheel 3 is positioned at the first position, the driving wheel 3 is vertical, and when the driving wheel 3 is positioned at the second position, the lower part of the driving wheel 3 is the upper part of the driving wheel 3. It arrange | positions outside and is comprised so that it may incline. Thereby, when the driving wheel 3 is held vertically (first position), the rolling resistance can be reduced, so that the walking assist movable body 100 can be operated with a relatively small force. Further, the assist force when the driving wheel 3 is held at the first position can be reduced. Further, when the driving wheel 3 is held in an inclined state (second position), the ground contact area is increased, so that the driving wheel 3 can be prevented from being buried on a rough road and the shock absorption can be improved. Can be made. In addition, since the first position and the second position can be switched, the above-described effects at the first position and the second position can be respectively obtained according to the road surface condition or the like based on the judgment of the user.

  In the first embodiment, as described above, the upper portion of the drive wheel 3 is disposed below the rotation center C. Thus, when the drive wheel 3 is rotated from the first inner position to the second outer position, the drive wheel 3 is moved outwardly like a pendulum across the lower position of the rotation center C of the first lever 4. Can be moved (rotated). As a result, the distance between the pair of drive wheels 3 (the distance between the centers of the drive wheels 3) when switching from the first position to the second position can be increased. Thereby, when the driving wheel 3 is located at the second position, the pair of driving wheels 3 can be further separated from each other as compared with a configuration in which the inclination angle of the driving wheel 3 is simply changed. The stability of the body 100 can be improved. In addition, since the drive wheel 3 is moved more in the left-right direction than in the up-down direction, the vertical movement of the walking assist moving body 100 can be suppressed to be small when switching between the first position and the second position. As a result, the first position and the second position can be easily switched.

  In the first embodiment, as described above, when the pair of drive wheels 3 are positioned at the second position, the pair of drive wheels 3 are respectively disposed on the inner sides of the left and right ends of the walking assist movable body 1. Thereby, since it can prevent that the driving wheel 3 protrudes from the both ends of the left-right direction of the walk assist mobile body 1, the first position and the second position without increasing the width dimension of the walk assist mobile body 1 Can be switched.

  In the first embodiment, as described above, when the driving wheel 3 is positioned at the first position and the second position, the first lever 4 and the outer side of the driving wheel 3 are brought into contact with the first lever 4. The convex part 14 which controls rotation to is provided. Thereby, the rotation to the outer side of the drive wheel 3 can be controlled with the convex part 14 which is a simple structure.

  In the first embodiment, as described above, the first position and the second position of the pair of driving wheels 3 are connected to the pair of first levers 4 and are rotated by rotating the pair of first levers 4. A switching member 5 that switches positions is provided. Thereby, the first position and the second position of the drive wheel 3 can be easily switched by the switching member 5.

  In the first embodiment, as described above, the pair of second levers 51 connected to each of the pair of first levers 4 and the pair of second levers 51 are rotatably connected. The switching operation unit 52 is provided, and the drive wheel 3 is configured to be able to switch between the first position and the second position by moving the switching operation unit 52. Accordingly, the position of the pair of driving wheels 3 can be switched at a time by one switching operation unit 52. As a result, the operability at the time of switching can be improved. Further, since the pair of first levers 4 can be operated simultaneously, when the first position and the second position are switched, the movement of the pair of first levers 4 becomes asymmetrical and the walking assist mobile body 1 tilts. Can be prevented.

  In the first embodiment, as described above, when the driving wheel 3 is located at the first position, the first lever 4 is urged so that the driving wheel 3 is urged inward, and the driving wheel 3 is urged. Is provided with a tension coil spring 80 that biases the first lever 4 so that the driving wheel 3 is biased outward when the wheel is located at the second position. Thereby, in addition to the moment given with respect to the 1st lever 4 and the drive wheel 3 by the weight of the walk assist mobile body 100, etc., a bigger moment can be given with the tension | pulling coil spring 80. FIG. As a result, the tension coil spring 80 can apply a moment in the direction toward the inner side and the outer side where the driving wheel 3 is disposed to the driving wheel 3 at the first inner position and the second outer position, respectively. The first position and the second position of the wheel 3 can be held more stably. That is, switching between the first position and the second position of the drive wheel 3 not intended by the user can be suppressed.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the second embodiment, in addition to the first embodiment, an example in which an inner driving wheel 203b is further provided inside the driving wheel (outer driving wheel 203a) will be described. In addition, the same structure as the said 1st Embodiment attaches | subjects and shows the same code | symbol as 1st Embodiment, and abbreviate | omits description. In FIG. 4, the illustration of the universal wheel 2 is omitted. The outer drive wheel 203a is an example of the “outer wheel” in the present invention. The inner drive wheel 203b is an example of the “inner wheel” in the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the walking assist movable body 200 according to the second embodiment includes outer drive wheels 203a and inner drive wheels 203b.

  The outer drive wheel 203a has an outer diameter D1. Further, the outer drive wheel 203a is configured to be grounded in both the first position and the second position.

  The inner driving wheel 203b is disposed inside the outer driving wheel 203a. The inner driving wheel 203b has an outer diameter D2 that is smaller than the outer shape D1 of the outer driving wheel 203a. Further, the inner drive wheel 203b is configured not to be grounded when positioned at the first position, and to be grounded when positioned at the second position. The inner driving wheel 203b is formed of a softer material (for example, a foaming material) than the outer driving wheel 203a. Further, the outer driving wheel 203a and the inner driving wheel 203b are configured to rotate integrally.

  Other configurations of the second embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment.

  In the second embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

  In the second embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, the first position where the grounding position of the driving wheel 3 is disposed on the inner side of the rotation center C of the first lever 4 and the grounding position of the driving wheel 3 are the same. The 2nd position arrange | positioned outside the rotation center C of the 1st lever 4 is comprised so that switching is possible. Thereby, the driving wheel 3 can be switched and held at different inclination angles during use by a simple structure that switches the position of the driving wheel 3 between the first position and the second position.

  In the second embodiment, as described above, the outer drive wheel 203a and the outer drive wheel 203a are disposed inside, have a smaller diameter than the outer drive wheel 203a, and are softer than the outer drive wheel 203a. And an inner drive wheel 203b formed by the above. Thereby, in addition to the outer driving wheel 203a, the inner driving wheel 203b can be grounded using the inclination of the driving wheel 3 when the first position is switched to the second position. As a result, the contact area can be significantly increased when the tilted state (second position) is maintained. It can suppress more effectively that it is buried on a rough road. Further, since the soft inner drive wheel 203b can be deformed at the ground contact portion, the ground contact area can be further increased and the shock absorption can be improved when held in an inclined state (second position). Can do.

  Other configurations of the second embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment.

(Third embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the third embodiment, unlike the first embodiment in which four wheels, two universal wheels 2 and two driving wheels 3, are provided, three universal wheels 302 and three driving wheels 3 are provided. Will be described. In addition, the same structure as the said 1st Embodiment attaches | subjects and shows the same code | symbol as 1st Embodiment, and abbreviate | omits description.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the walking assist movable body 300 according to the third embodiment includes one universal wheel 302. The universal wheel 302 is disposed at the front side (Y1 direction side) and the center in the left-right direction (X direction) of the loading platform 12 of the walking assist mobile body 1.

  Other configurations of the third embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment.

  In the third embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

  In the third embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, the first position where the grounding position of the driving wheel 3 is disposed on the inner side of the rotation center C of the first lever 4 and the grounding position of the driving wheel 3 are the same. The 2nd position arrange | positioned outside the rotation center C of the 1st lever 4 is comprised so that switching is possible. Thereby, the driving wheel 3 can be switched and held at different inclination angles during use by a simple structure that switches the position of the driving wheel 3 between the first position and the second position.

  Other configurations of the third embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment.

  The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is shown not by the above description of the embodiments but by the scope of claims for patent, and further includes all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of claims for patent.

  For example, in the first to third embodiments, the example in which the driving wheel is vertical when the driving wheel is in the first position has been described, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In the present invention, when the driving wheel is in the first position, the driving wheel may be inclined.

  Moreover, in the said 1st-3rd embodiment, although the example which comprised the drive wheel so that inclination was shown was shown, this invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, the free wheel may be configured to be tiltable.

  Moreover, in the said 1st-3rd embodiment, although the drive wheel was arrange | positioned back and the example which has arrange | positioned the universal wheel ahead was shown, this invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, the drive wheels may be disposed forward and the universal wheels may be disposed rearward.

  Moreover, in the said 1st-3rd embodiment, although the walk assistance moving body was shown about the example comprised by 3 wheels or 4 wheels, this invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, the walking assist moving body may be composed of two wheels or five or more wheels.

  Moreover, although the example which provided the tension | pulling coil spring as a member which urges | biases a 1st lever was shown in the said 1st-3rd embodiment, this invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, for example, a rubber member may be provided as a member that biases the first lever.

  Moreover, in the said 1st-3rd embodiment, although it showed about the example which provided the convex part which regulates rotation of a 1st lever in the walk assist mobile body main body, this invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, for example, the first lever may be provided with a convex portion, and the walking assist moving body may be provided with a groove portion that engages with the convex portion of the first lever to restrict the rotation of the first lever.

  Moreover, in the said 1st-3rd embodiment, although the example which rotated a pair of 1st lever by one switching operation part was shown, this invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, a switching operation unit may be provided for each of the pair of first levers. And a 1st lever is rotated by separate operation by a switching operation part.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Walk assist movable body main body 2,302 Free wheel 3 Drive wheel 4 1st lever 5 Switching member 14 Convex part (regulation part)
51 Second lever 52 Switching operation unit 80 Tension coil spring (biasing member)
100, 200, 300 Walking assist moving body 203a Outer drive wheel 203b Inner drive wheel C Center of rotation

Claims (11)

A walking assist mobile body, and
A pair of wheels arranged side by side in the left-right direction of the walking assist mobile body; and
A pair of first levers attached to each of the pair of wheels, each of which rotates about a center of rotation;
A first position in which the ground contact position of the wheel is disposed inside the rotation center of the first lever, and a second position in which the ground contact position of the wheel is disposed outside the rotation center of the first lever. A walking assist moving body configured to be switchable in position.   The walking assist movable body according to claim 1, further comprising a restricting portion that restricts rotation of the wheel and the first lever when the wheel is located at the first position and the second position.   When the wheel is located at the first position, the distance in the left-right direction from the ground contact position to the rotation center, and the distance from the ground contact position to the rotation center in the second position. The walking assist movable body according to claim 1, wherein and are substantially equal.   When the wheel is located at the first position, the wheel is substantially vertical, and when located at the second position, the lower portion of the wheel is disposed outside the upper portion of the wheel and is inclined. The walking assist movable body according to any one of claims 1 to 3.   The walking assist moving body according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein an upper portion of the wheel is disposed below the rotation center.   6. The pair of wheels according to claim 1, wherein, when the pair of wheels are located at the second position, each of the wheels is disposed on an inner side than both ends in the left-right direction of the walking assist movable body. Walking assist moving body.   The restricting portion restricts rotation of the first lever and the wheel to the outside by contacting the first lever or the wheel when the wheel is located at the first position and the second position. The walking assist movable body according to claim 2, comprising a contact portion that performs the above operation.   A switching member that is connected to each of the pair of first levers and that switches between the first position and the second position of the pair of wheels by rotating the pair of first levers. The walking assist movable body according to any one of Items 1 to 7. The switching member includes a pair of second levers rotatably connected to the pair of first levers, and a switching operation unit to which the pair of second levers are rotatably connected. ,
The walking assist moving body according to claim 8, wherein the wheel is configured to be able to switch between the first position and the second position by moving the switching operation unit.   When the wheel is positioned at the first position, the first lever is biased so that the wheel is biased inward, and when the wheel is positioned at the second position, the wheel is outside. The walking assist movable body according to claim 1, further comprising a biasing member that biases the first lever so as to be biased by the first lever.   The wheel includes an outer wheel, and an inner wheel disposed inside the outer wheel, having a smaller diameter than the outer wheel, and formed of a softer material than the outer wheel. The walking assist movable body according to any one of 10 above.

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