JP3105464B2 - Drive units for electric wheelchairs, electric wheelchairs and transport trolleys - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electric wheelchair and a carriage.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional electric wheelchair combines a motor, an electromagnetic brake, and a speed reducer. The electric wheelchair is installed separately on the left and right wheels on the body of the electric wheelchair. Alternatively, the left and right wheels are combined by combining a motor with a differential gear. , And is steered by a handle attached to the front wheels. Such electric wheelchairs need to ignore the design or cover the entire body.

[0003] Some electric wheelchairs having the same shape as a manual wheelchair have a motor, a speed reducer, an electromagnetic brake, and a motor drive circuit mounted in the wheels of driving wheels of about φ600. This is only applicable to an electric wheelchair having a design similar to that of a manual wheelchair due to a small degree of freedom in design due to a large drive wheel diameter.

In general, a wheelchair using differential gears is for outdoor use, and other wheelchairs are for indoor and outdoor use or for indoor use. Considering a light work scene going to an indoor table, there are many repetitive tasks of rising from a chair, moving and returning. When elderly people with weak legs and the disabled become independent, it is necessary to perform such work. What is important here is movement during light work toward the table indoors, which cannot be handled by a conventional electric wheelchair, and therefore has a small, small-sized shape that does not interfere with work at the table, and has a certain level of behavioral ability. Wheelchairs are desired.

[0005]

A wheelchair that supports important movements for elderly and handicapped people with weak legs can meet various requirements of the elderly and handicapped persons, such as their preferences and purpose of use (indoor work, going out). There is a need. For this purpose, a small drive unit that can increase the degree of freedom in wheelchair design and can be turned easily is required. In addition, it is necessary to develop an electric wheelchair for light work indoors, which is currently thin, using this drive unit.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to take a lot of trouble in designing a wheelchair, compactly integrate a drive system including a battery, which is a major design problem, and allow a wheelchair designer to design an original wheelchair or a design for individual users. It is an object of the present invention to provide a compact, integrated drive unit with a built-in battery that does not pose a problem in design and design.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an electric wheelchair and a carrier that are compact in shape and facilitate access to a table.
Is to provide a car .

[0008]

[Means for Solving the Problems] A wheelchair with a small turn is
It is a type that uses a steering wheel to operate the front wheel that adopts a differential gear for the drive system, and it is difficult to realize.For example, left and right drive wheels that can perform spot turns by turning left and right drive wheels in opposite directions. Are controlled separately. For this reason, it is necessary that the drive unit be of a type having motors on both the left and right wheels, and that the motor, the motor drive circuit, the travel control circuit, the speed reducer, the brake, and the battery be housed in an integral casing and the drive wheels be integrated. For this reason, in the present invention, since it is important that each device is small,
It is possible to reduce the size by using a DC brushless motor whose length can be shorter than that of a motor and a high-performance battery (for example, a nickel-metal hydride battery) smaller than a lead battery used in general electric wheelchairs. desirable. When the traveling distance is short, a small shielded lead battery is preferably used.

It is desirable that the electric wheelchair for light work indoors using the drive unit be light in weight and have no corners in order to make it easy to use in moving and working.

The present invention specifically provides the following means.

The present invention relates to a drive unit used for an electric wheelchair including a drive wheel, a body frame, a chair fixed to the frame, and a drive source for traveling,
The Doraibuyu two Tsu DOO comprises a motor housed in the frame body, the speed reducer housed in the frame, part of which is housed in the frame body, and the hardware of the other portion is attached to the drive wheels, respectively The drive unit for an electric wheelchair is characterized in that the frame is arranged side by side in the above-described order in the respective axial directions and integrated to form a unit.

The present invention relates to a drive unit used for an electric wheelchair provided with a driving wheel, a body frame, a chair fixed to the frame, and a driving source for traveling,
The Doraibuyu two Tsu DOO comprises a motor housed in the frame body, the speed reducer housed in the frame, part of which is housed in the frame body, and the hardware of the other portion is attached to the drive wheels, respectively The frame unit is provided in the above-described order in a united manner by being juxtaposed in the respective axial directions to form a unit, and is attached to the frame unit that houses the drive source. I do.

Preferably, a frame for housing an electromagnetic brake is integrated with a frame for housing the motor in a direction opposite to the axis for housing the speed reducer.

According to the present invention, there is provided an electric wheelchair including a driving wheel, a body frame, a chair fixed to the frame, and a driving source for traveling, a frame for storing the driving source, a frame for storing a motor, A frame unit for housing the speed reducer, and a frame unit for housing a part of the hardware attached to the drive wheel are arranged in this order in an axial direction, and an integrated unit is attached. Provide an electric wheelchair.

Preferably, the unit is disposed between both drive wheels, and the weight of the entire unit is supported by the drive wheels.

Preferably, the frame housing the driving source also houses a control circuit.

According to the present invention, there is provided an electric wheelchair including a driving wheel, a vehicle body frame, a chair fixed to the frame, and a driving source for traveling, and a frame for accommodating the driving source. In the same manner, the frame for storing, the frame for storing the speed reducer, the frame for storing a part of the hardware attached to the drive wheel, and the other side are also arranged side by side in this order in the axial direction. The present invention provides an electric wheelchair to which a unitized unit is attached.

According to the present invention, there is provided an electric wheelchair in which a chair is fixed to a body frame and a battery for running is provided, a DC brushless motor having a motor shaft and an output shaft is provided, and a driving wheel mounting hardware is mounted on the output shaft. Provide a speed reducer that reduces the number of rotations of the motor shaft and transmit it to the output shaft, and attach an electromagnetic brake to the DC brushless motor to directly brake the motor shaft. The drive wheel mounting hardware, speed reducer, DC brushless motor and electromagnetic brake Are arranged side by side in this order in the axial direction, and a motor outer cylinder portion that houses the DC brushless motor is connected to a speed reducer case that houses the speed reducer to form a drive unit, and the drive units are arranged on the left and right, A battery is placed in the space, and the connecting hardware containing the electromagnetic brake is integrally connected to each of the motor outer cylinders of the drive unit that is arranged on the left and right. To provide an electric wheelchair, characterized in that attached to the body frame by placing the drive unit which is a unit in juxtaposition to said drive unit in the axial direction between the two drive wheels and.

According to the present invention, there is provided a transport vehicle having a drive wheel and a truck, wherein a DC brushless motor having a motor shaft and an output shaft is provided, a drive wheel mounting hardware is mounted on the output shaft, and the rotational speed of the motor shaft is reduced. , A speed reducer that transmits to the output shaft is provided, an electromagnetic brake is attached to the DC brushless motor to directly brake the motor shaft, and the drive wheel mounting hardware, the speed reducer, the DC brushless motor, and the electromagnetic brake are axially arranged in this order. A drive unit is configured by connecting a motor outer cylinder portion that houses the DC brushless motor to a speed reducer case that houses the speed reducer, the drive units are arranged on the left and right, a battery is arranged in the space, The connecting hardware containing the brake is integrally connected to each of the motor outer cylinders of the drive unit arranged on the left and right, and juxtaposed with the drive unit in the axial direction. It was attached to the carriage by a mounting bracket a drive unit which is a unit Te provides a transport carriage according to claim.

The technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the language described in the claims or the language described in the means for solving the problems, but includes a configuration easily created from this.

[0021]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIGS. 1 to 3 show the structure of the drive unit.

The drive unit has a structure in which a pair of drive wheels 1, a mounting hardware 2, a speed reducer 3, a DC brushless motor 4, and an electromagnetic brake 5 are disposed on the left and right as an integrated drive unit, and a connection hardware for rigidly connecting the drive units. 6, a nickel metal hydride battery 7 and a control circuit 8, which integrates a motor drive circuit and a travel control circuit, are mounted in the space of the connecting metal part, and this part is covered with a maintenance cover 9 to form an integral type. is there.

The connecting hardware 6 has a case of the speed reducer 3 and an outer cylindrical portion of the DC brushless motor 4 serving as strength-bearing members, and is connected to outer cylindrical portions of the DC brushless motor 4 arranged on the left and right.

The drive unit connection hardware 14 for mounting the body of the wheelchair is structured to be mounted on the connection hardware 6.

The control circuit 8 includes a motor driver for the left and right wheels and a control circuit for controlling the direction and speed.
It is mounted on the wheelchair body and operated by the passenger's finger.

FIG. 3 shows the details of the drive mechanism.

The driving wheel mounting hardware 2 for mounting the driving wheel 18 is mounted on the output shaft 20 using the fastener 19, and is received by a structure (pure body) 22 for accommodating a bearing 21 as shown in FIG. Inside the reduction gear case (pure body) 23 which bears the weight of
The reduction gears 3 having a reduction ratio of 1/4 are arranged in series, the rotation speed of the motor shaft 18 is reduced to 1/20, and transmitted to the output shaft 20. The output shaft 20, the two reduction gears 3 and 3 ', and the motor shaft 25
The rotation is transmitted by spline or serration.
The outer cylinder (pure body) 24 of the DC brushless motor 4 has a structure that bears the weight of the wheelchair. Electromagnetic brake 5
Is attached to the DC brushless motor 4 and the motor shaft 25
The braking torque or the holding torque is made smaller than when the output shaft is mounted on the output shaft. The bearing 21 housed in the structural part 22 is arranged near the center of the wheel 18 so that a bending moment is not applied as much as possible to the bearing 21 at rest and in straight running. As a result, the length of the driving mechanism is shortened as a structure in which the output shaft is fixed by only one bearing 21.

The parts that bear the weight are the wheels 1
8, drive wheel mounting hardware 2, output shaft 20, bearing 21,
Structure 22, reduction gear case 23, and motor outer cylinder 2
4. The motor outer cylinder portion 24 is provided with screw holes for disposing the present drive mechanism on the left and right sides and attaching the hardware 6 for connecting the drive mechanism. In this way, since the motor, reduction gear, and output shaft are configured as a unit, the specification can be changed immediately if the motor is changed, for example, if only the motor is replaced. Can respond.

Reference numeral 25 denotes a serration shaft attached to the speed reducer, 26 denotes a stator, 27 denotes a rotor, 28 denotes a permanent magnet,
9 is a coil, 30 and 31 'are fixed pieces of the electromagnetic brake 5,
32 is the rotating piece.

FIG. 4 shows an electric wheelchair.

The configuration is such that the above-described drive unit 11 for an electric wheelchair, the corners and armrests which are obstructed by getting on and off and light work are removed, and are rounded without being present.
Round body frame 12, drive unit connection frame 13, drive unit connection hardware 14, body frame
Chair 15 with a seat frame 41 having the function of keeping the connection <br/> angle between over arm 12 and the drive units connected frame 13, caster type front wheels 16, the footrest 17, and a lower position where they do not get in the way while table approach It consists of a running control joystick 10 attached. Ma
Further, as shown in the figure, the body frame 12 has a backrest.
40 and a pair of caster-type front wheels 16 are connected, and
It is formed with a hint and does not disturb when approaching the table
Configuration. The chair 15 is attached to the support frame 42
Therefore, it is supported. Therefore, the chair 15 is
It is supported by the vehicle body frame 12 via 42.

Since the drive unit 11 for an electric wheelchair is adopted, the caster-type front wheels 16
Yet almost the same as that of the common four-wheel electric wheelchair with a battery, a motor, and the control circuit mounting base is not required, the front and rear wheels is omitted tuna instrument beam members, simple and light It has a shape that has never existed before.

The electric wheelchair has no armrests, is small in size, has a small turn, and fits the body. Therefore, when performing various operations close to a desk or a work table, it is extremely easy to use office work and light work. It becomes an electric wheelchair for work.

The drive unit of the present invention can be mounted on an electric trolley as it is by using a simple mounting bracket, and can be applied to a transport trolley with a front wheel as a caster by using an automatic control device.

As described above, the drive unit has a drive wheel mounting hardware attached to the drive wheels and a speed reducer for reducing the motor speed, a DC brushless motor,
And a drive unit using a speed reducer case and a DC brushless motor outer cylinder as strength members are arranged directly on the left and right, and the drive units (motor outer cylinder) are integrally connected with connecting hardware that rigidly connects them. I have. A nickel-metal hydride battery or a small shielded lead battery, a motor drive circuit and a travel control circuit are arranged in the space of the connection metal part, and are covered with a maintenance cover to reduce the size as an integrated drive unit. The electromagnetic brake is housed in the space of the connection hardware for the strength member from the electric wheel to the motor outer cylinder and for the maintenance of the electromagnetic brake.

The shape change depending on the size of the battery can be easily handled only by changing the design of the connection hardware between the drive units.

An electric wheelchair using this drive unit is small in size and excellent in running ability without any problem in indoor light work or table work, having a rounded shape and not having an armrest that obstructs table work. If one-touch connection hardware is attached to the connection between the vehicle body and the drive unit, the vehicle body and the drive unit can be easily attached and detached, so that the vehicle can be loaded and carried on a passenger car.

[0039]

As described above, it is possible to manufacture an electric wheelchair using a compact and integrally formed drive unit, which can be used by ordinary people without any resistance, and can be used for light indoor work.

Further, since this drive unit can be used in various electric vehicles, new drive fields such as preparing one drive unit and replacing electric drive devices with various functions as necessary are used. Can be pioneered.

According to the present invention, a simple and light
Work close to a desk, workbench, or table
You can get very close to them
Therefore, an easy-to-use electric wheelchair can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a drive unit according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a plane of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a detailed view of a portion A in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of an electric wheelchair for light indoor work employing the drive unit of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... drive wheel, 2 ... drive wheel mounting hardware, 3 ... reduction gear, 4
... DC brushless motor, 5 ... electromagnetic brake, 6 ... connection hardware, 7 ... nickel metal hydride battery, 8 ... control circuit, 9 ...
Cover: 10: joystick, 11: drive unit, 12: body frame, 13: drive unit connection frame, 14: drive unit connection hardware, 15:
Chair, 16 ... caster type front wheel, 17 ... footrest,
40: backrest, 41: seat frame, 42: support frame
Laem.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Rihide Otaka 3781-1, Nagaoka, Ibaraki-cho, Higashi-Ibaraki-gun, Ibaraki Prefecture Inside the Ibaraki Industrial Technology Center (72) Inventor Satoshi Hirano, 3781 Nagaoka, Ibaraki-cho, Higashi-Ibaraki-gun, Ibaraki Prefecture No. 1 Ibaraki Prefectural Industrial Technology Center (72) Yoshio Fujinuma 3781 Nagaoka, Ibaraki-cho, Higashi-Ibaraki-gun, Ibaraki Pref. 371-2 Intra-Technological Center Ibaraki Pref. (72) Inventor Yoshitake Inoguchi 3781 Nagaoka, Ibaraki-cho, Higashiibaraki-gun, Ibaraki Address No. 1 Ibaraki Prefectural Elderly Assistance Device Development Technology Research Association (72) Inventor Isao Otaka 3781 Nagaoka, Ibaraki-cho, Higashiibaraki-gun, Ibaraki Pref. Inventor Harazawa et al. 3781-1, Nagaoka, Ibaraki-cho, Higashi-Ibaraki-gun, Ibaraki Pref.Ibaraki Elderly Support Equipment Development Technology Research Association (72) Inventor Tadashi Nagayama Hitachi, Ibaraki 2-17-10 Mikawaramachi (72) Inventor Yasuhiko Oshiro 3781-1, Nagaoka, Ibaraki-cho, Higashi-Ibaraki-gun, Ibaraki Pref.Ibaraki Prefectural Industrial Technology Center (72) Inventor Shoichiro Sakurai 3781, Nagaoka, Ibaraki-cho, Higashiibaraki-gun, Ibaraki No.1 Ibaraki Prefectural Elderly People Assistance Device Development Technology Research Association (56) References JP-A-5-253260 (JP, A) JP-A-3-188533 (JP, A) JK48-108353 (JP, U) Shokai Sho 57-169314 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) A61G 5/04

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A drive unit for use in an electric wheelchair having a battery fixed to a body frame and having a battery for running, wherein a DC brushless motor having a motor shaft and an output shaft is provided, and a drive wheel mounting hardware is provided on the output shaft. A reduction gear that reduces the rotation speed of the motor shaft and transmits it to the output shaft is installed,
An electromagnetic brake is mounted on the DC brushless motor to directly brake the motor shaft, and the drive wheel mounting hardware, the speed reducer, the DC brushless motor, and the electromagnetic brake are arranged in this order in the axial direction, and the outside of the motor that houses the DC brushless motor. A drive unit is configured by connecting the cylindrical portion to a speed reducer case that houses the speed reducer, the drive unit is arranged on the left and right, a battery is arranged in the space, and connection hardware housing the electromagnetic brake is arranged on the left and right. A drive unit for use in an electric wheelchair, wherein the drive unit is integrally connected to each of the motor outer cylinders of the drive unit and is arranged in a unit in the axial direction with the drive unit. 2. An electric wheelchair having a chair fixed to a vehicle body frame and having a battery for traveling, wherein a DC brushless motor having a motor shaft and an output shaft is provided, and a driving wheel mounting hardware is mounted on the output shaft. A speed reducer that reduces the number of rotations of the shaft and transmits it to the output shaft is provided.
An electromagnetic brake is mounted on the DC brushless motor to directly brake the motor shaft, and the drive wheel mounting hardware, the speed reducer, the DC brushless motor, and the electromagnetic brake are arranged in this order in the axial direction, and the outside of the motor that houses the DC brushless motor. A drive unit is configured by connecting the cylindrical portion to a speed reducer case that houses the speed reducer, the drive unit is arranged on the left and right, a battery is arranged in the space, and connection hardware housing the electromagnetic brake is arranged on the left and right. An electric wheelchair, wherein a drive unit integrally connected to each of the motor outer cylinder portions of the drive unit and arranged in parallel with the drive unit in the axial direction is disposed between both drive wheels and attached to the body frame. 3. A carrier cart having a drive wheel and a truck, wherein a DC brushless motor having a motor shaft and an output shaft is provided, a drive wheel mounting hardware is attached to the output shaft, the rotational speed of the motor shaft is reduced, and Provide a reducer that transmits to the shaft,
An electromagnetic brake is mounted on the DC brushless motor to directly brake the motor shaft, and the drive wheel mounting hardware, the speed reducer, the DC brushless motor, and the electromagnetic brake are arranged in this order in the axial direction, and the outside of the motor that houses the DC brushless motor. A drive unit is configured by connecting the cylindrical portion to a speed reducer case that houses the speed reducer, the drive unit is arranged on the left and right, a battery is arranged in the space, and connection hardware housing the electromagnetic brake is arranged on the left and right. A transport trolley, wherein a drive unit is integrally connected to each of the motor outer cylindrical portions of the drive unit, and is arranged in parallel with the drive unit in the axial direction.