JP3116721U - Wheelchair electric traction device - Google Patents

Abstract

An electric traction device for a wheelchair that can be attached to a wheelchair and is small, light and economical and easy to use. The structure will not cause any obstacles when getting on and off.
An electric traction device (1) in which a drive wheel (14) replacing a front wheel (16) on one side of a manual wheelchair is provided at a lower end of a shaft (12) provided with a grip (5) serving as a traveling handle. The shaft (12) is rotatably supported by the mounting bracket (3), and the mounting bracket (3) is connected to the front leg frame (18) of the manual wheelchair (15). The electric traction device (1) has a power unit on the inner side of the cover (2), is located on one side of the front of the wheelchair, and the longitudinal direction of the grip (5) for changing the direction is perpendicular to the occupant side with respect to the forward direction. Yes.
[Selection] Figure 3

Description

The present invention relates to an electric traction device for a wheelchair used by being attached to a manual wheelchair.
More specifically, the present invention relates to a wheelchair electric traction device that easily and inexpensively motorizes a wheelchair using an existing manual wheelchair that is regularly used without a power unit.

In addition to manual wheelchairs used on a daily basis, wheelchairs include electric wheelchairs that are inseparably equipped with a power device that is convenient when used on a long distance or on a sloping road.
The electric wheelchair is certainly excellent in that it can expand the range of action of the person and can provide a more fulfilling living environment.
On the other hand, with electric power that is supposed to be used outdoors in a small place such as a house, control scenes frequently occur, which makes the operation of the wheelchair extremely complicated and difficult, resulting in danger to the body and objects. Sexuality sometimes occurred.

Therefore, in practice, a means is used in which an electric wheelchair is owned with a manual wheelchair that is used daily, and the electric wheelchair is changed only when necessary for a long-distance outing or the like.
However, this is not preferable because it is necessary to change from a manually operated wheelchair when going out over a long distance, and the use in places where relatively delicate movement is required such as indoors is limited to the manual wheelchair. It will be.
Therefore, an electric wheelchair having improved control performance in a limited place such as indoors has been devised. However, according to such a solution, convenience such as going out over a long distance is impaired.
In either case, it will be devised to obtain sufficient performance without distinction, but doing so will greatly increase the economic burden. Not only that, the weight of the wheelchair itself increases.
The increase in weight is a considerable negative aspect due to the necessity of transportation and movement inherent in wheelchairs, and also increases the burden on transportation and movement of caregivers as well as the person himself / herself.

The most important thing is to look directly at the peculiarities that are not just a means of movement for wheelchairs. In fact, it is a vehicle that gets in and out frequently, requires a small turn, and needs no unnecessary things ahead. A form corresponding to such actual use is required.
Considering the maintenance of the person's health, recovery of health, etc., positively using a manual wheelchair has great utility, but extra accessories and weight increase hinder the behavior.

Therefore, unlike an electric wheelchair, there is an electric traction device for a wheelchair that easily and inexpensively motorizes the wheelchair by using a manual wheelchair that is regularly used.
This certainly indicates a useful direction of consideration.
However, although the conventional electric traction technology for wheelchairs is certainly different from the electric wheelchair in that it is separable and can be retrofitted, too much attention has been paid to how to provide the same function as the electric wheelchair. It became an expensive product because it had more functions and structures than necessary.
If it is developed without considering an increase in economic burden, the weight and volume of the electric traction device for wheelchairs will increase, and it will evolve into something that has virtually no effect compared to the electric wheelchair.

In view of the above, there is a need for the development of an electric traction device for a wheelchair that does not become excessive, is lightweight and compact that can be used as it is with a manually operated manual wheelchair, and that is more convenient to get on and off.

Furthermore, in the conventional electric traction technology for wheelchairs, there is a problem that continuous refraction travel and meandering travel are difficult.
When turning or meandering, the grounding load is applied to the left and right drive wheels differently, and if this continues, the rotational balance is lost each time the traveling direction changes, and stable running is difficult.
This is because it is difficult to maintain the balance of the plurality of drive wheels.
The electric traction device for a chair according to the present invention travels with the ground traction force of one wheel, so that the phenomenon of difference in rotation balance between the left and right wheels does not occur, and the speed adjustment is simple. It is possible to run with almost no.

By the way, related literature on wheelchairs is listed below.
ACT 02-6558 “Sheet Equipment” ACT 03-48304 "Accelerator device for electric vehicles" ACT 06-26838 “Manual Wheelchair with Auxiliary Electric Device” ACT 07-12126 "Wheelchair towing vehicle" ACT 07-31025 "Manual wheelchair connected drive" Noto 3021423 “Rubber-roller wheelchair piloter that can be attached and detached” Mito No. 3048539 “Wheelchair” Noto 3076727 “Electric module device for wheelchair” Noto 3085125 “Differential device for small electric vehicles” Noto 3092255 “Wheelchair Assembly” Patent No. 1420848 "Stair Elevator for Wheelchair" Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 58-58047 “forward moving vehicle” JP 59-63241 “Folding wheelchair and vehicle loading and unloading device” Patent No. 1825089 “Standing Aid Chair” Patent No. 2029473 “Small vehicle with foldable chair base”

First, in general, an electric wheelchair has problems in light weight and compactness and economy as compared with a manual wheelchair, and tends to have a large economic burden on a user or a caregiver.
On the other hand, if the electric wheelchair is extremely simplified to reduce the horsepower, there is a point that its usefulness cannot be utilized when going out over a long distance or on a sloped road.
The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a traction device that can be easily moved by electrification within a certain range of action while using a manual wheelchair.
An object is to provide a convenient electric traction device for a wheelchair that is compact and easy to get on and off in order to enable use in a small indoor space.

The present invention is an electric traction device for a wheelchair to be attached to a four-wheel-type manual wheelchair or a manual wheelchair with left and right auxiliary wheels in front. In addition, an independent power device having a single drive wheel that is electrically driven at the lower end of a shaft provided with a grip is connected by a mounting bracket so as to be positioned on one side of the front of the wheelchair.
The wheelchair is electrically attached to the front side of the wheelchair so that the driving wheel floats on one of the front wheels of the manual wheelchair and acts as an alternative wheel. The device is installed.
Since the electric traction device for wheelchairs is located on one side of the front of the wheelchair and has a width of about 1/3 of the width of the wheelchair, the boarding / alighting portion of the manual wheelchair is largely opened.

The mounting bracket rotatably supports the shaft of the wheelchair electric traction device, and is attached to the front leg frame of one front wheel so as to float and support the front wheel.
The shaft of the wheelchair electric traction device and the mounting bracket are rotatably connected by a bearing (4), and the other end of the mounting bracket is provided with a clamping device, and is attached to one of the front leg frames of the wheelchair.

The mounting bracket is detachably attached to either the left or right front leg frame of the manual wheelchair. Yes.

The grip is reverse L-shaped like a handle grip similar to the grip of a motorcycle (motorcycle) with a motor, and the longitudinal direction of the grip is provided at a right angle to the occupant side with respect to the forward traveling direction of the drive wheel. In other words, the grip is in a straight position when it is in a horizontal position in front of the body.
By turning the grip toward the front, the voltage applied to the electric motor from the power control device gradually increases and becomes a smooth start. Further, the speed can be adjusted depending on the location, and anyone can use it at a safe speed.
When the grip is released, the motor is not driven without energization.
The power unit consists of mechanical brakes installed on switches, power control units, electric motors, batteries, belts, and grips. When the mechanical brakes are manually operated, they are applied to the electric motors at the same time as the mechanical brakes, and the power is cut off automatically. It is the structure which stops.
The instruction to start running consists of a two-stage system of a switch and a grip, and the stop consists of a mechanical brake, a two-stage system of electrical disconnection, and a grip that stops with a self-returning force.

This device, which replaces one front wheel, replaces only one front wheel or front auxiliary wheel, and the other two (in the case of a rear one-wheel vehicle) or three (in the case of a four-wheel vehicle). The wheel is configured to land as it is.
Furthermore, the present invention is configured such that when the wheelchair is mounted, the shaft <pivot> of the electric driving wheel, the bearing support of the mounting bracket, and the grip rotation shaft are aligned.
Therefore, since the course direction can be changed only by the rudder of the grip (handle), the operation is extremely easy.

(1) The wheelchair electric traction device of the present invention can be configured very compactly.
(2) Since the mounting bracket having the power unit, the bearing and the shaft shaft support is concentrated in the vicinity of the shaft as a shaft, and is arranged in a straight line around the shaft so as to be elongated, the total weight is light. Regardless of this, the weight of the driving wheel (tire) effectively affects the driving wheel and the gripping force is increased.
(3) Without placing the wheelchair electric traction device at the center position of the manual wheelchair, the wheelchair is placed at a position biased by one wheel on the front side of the wheelchair, so that an open space is obtained, and rather sufficient propulsion and running, Steering stability could be increased.
(4) Since the wheelchair electric traction device is connected to the forward biased position by a single mounting bracket, a boarding / alighting space for getting on and off can be secured.
On the other hand, since it can be attached to a general manual wheelchair, it can be attached to the frame, so that the attachment site can be minimized, and the attachment and removal can be performed smoothly.
(5) Since it is a single-wheel drive, there is no running blur and the brake is mechanically stopped and electrically cut off at the same time, so the stopping operation is safer.
Electrically, driving start instructions consisted of a two-stage system with a switch and a grip, and a stop consisted of a two-stage system with a mechanical brake and an electrical shut-off, and a grip that stopped with a self-returning force. Is extremely high.
(6) By attaching the electric traction device for wheelchairs to replace the front wheel (16) of either one of the manual wheelchairs (15), even when the user gets on and off just by turning the grip to the side The front is open, which is not only very convenient, but also provides a sense of openness.
In the configuration in which the mounting bracket is provided with an opening / closing mechanism (hinge), it can be opened further.
(7) Since the structure is simple, it is possible to reduce the price and respond to the demand for the price of the consumer.
(8) Since it is small in size, it does not take a storage place, is stored as a fixture in a public facility, and is highly versatile, such as being used for moving to a patient in a medical facility.
(9) Since the traveling direction and traveling speed can be controlled by one-handed operation, the maneuverability is also good.

The best mode for carrying out the electric traction device for a wheelchair according to the present invention is an electric traction device for a wheelchair to be attached to a manual wheelchair (15) such as a four-wheel type, and the electric traction device for a wheelchair (1 ) Is an independent power unit (6) provided with a single drive wheel (14) that is electrically driven at the lower end of a shaft (12) formed with a width narrower than the lateral width of a manual wheelchair and provided with a grip (5). There is an electric traction device for a wheelchair with an attachment means such as an attachment bracket (3) so that the drive wheel (14) floats one of the front wheels (16) of the manual wheelchair (15). The shaft (12) is rotatably supported and is detachably attached to either the left or right front leg frame (18) of the manual wheelchair (15) so that it is positioned on one front side of the wheelchair (15 ) An electric traction device for a wheelchair characterized by being released.

Since the power element is concentrated on the shaft (12) in the vicinity of the shaft (12) so as to be elongated, the shape becomes a rod, the traction device (1) is compact, and the carrying is very convenient.
Further, since the drive wheel (14) is arranged at the lower end of the shaft (12) as an axis, the frictional force with the road surface is increased and the running is stabilized.

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of an electric traction device for a wheelchair according to the present invention. The electric traction device for a wheelchair (1) is an internal perspective in a state before being connected or removed from a manual wheelchair (15). It is a perspective view.
2 is an overall plan view of a manual wheelchair (15) connected with an electric traction device for a wheelchair, FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the same, and FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a mounting bracket.

The embodiment is an electric traction device for a wheelchair attached to a four-wheel type manual wheelchair (15), and is a drive device having an independent drive function.
The wheelchair electric traction device (1) is formed to have a width narrower than the lateral width of the manual wheelchair.
The wheelchair electric traction device includes a shaft (12) having a grip (5) serving as a direction handle at the top, and a battery (10), a switch (7), and a power control device along the longitudinal direction of the shaft (12). (17), an electric motor (8), and a power unit (6) that travels independently, with a drive wheel (14) at the lowermost part being rotationally driven by a belt (9) and an outer cover (2). The width is less than one third of the width of the general manual wheelchair (15) to be connected.

The wheelchair electric traction device (1) itself has a total height of 80 cm to 100 cm, preferably approximately 90 cm, a total width of 30 cm to 15 cm, preferably within 20 cm, and a total depth of 30 cm to 15 cm, preferably within 20 cm. .
This numerical value is a guide and is not limited to this design.
In particular, the width of the main body portion is preferable if it can be designed to be thin and small while maintaining the contact friction force of the drive wheel (14).

The grip (5) serves as a direction handle and has an inverted L shape. The grip (5) is provided with a longitudinal direction perpendicular to the forward traveling direction of the drive wheel (14). A brake handle (11) is also provided.
The switch (7) is turned on and the grip (5) is turned to the front to activate.
By turning the grip (5) to the front, the voltage applied to the electric motor (8) from the power control device (17) gradually increases and the driving force is increased so that a smooth start can be achieved and the speed can be adjusted with one hand. Tow can be used at a safe speed.
By setting the grip (5) to the opposite direction when riding, the rudder can be appropriately directed to the driving wheel having increased frictional force, and one-handed operation can be performed.
If the grip (5) is provided with an arrow in the direction of travel (the arrow on the upper surface of the grip in FIG. 2), the travel direction can be clearly recognized.

As described above, the power unit (6) includes the switch (7), the electric motor (8), the battery (10), the belt (9), and the mechanical brake handle (11), and the mechanical brake handle (11). When the mechanical brake is applied by the manual operation, the power supply to the electric motor (8) is cut off and stopped.
In the embodiment, the electrical performance is a flat ground (climbing angle of about 3 degrees), a forward speed of about 0 to 5 km, and a travelable distance of 8 km / 1 charging unit. If it is used in a nursing facility or on the assumption, it can be designed with further labor saving.
The electric circuit includes a power control device (17) corresponding to switch (7) control and rotation of the grip (5), a battery (10), and an electric motor (8).

The electric traction device for a wheelchair is connected and attached to a manual wheelchair by an attaching means such as a fitting (3).
The mounting is performed such that the drive wheel (14) travels as an alternative by floating one of the front wheels (16) of the manual wheelchair (15).
The drive wheel (14) replaces either front wheel (16) of the manual wheelchair (15).
The mounting bracket (3) rotatably supports the shaft (12) of the electric traction device for wheelchairs by the shaft support of the mounting bracket (3) with the bearing (4) incorporated therein, and the left and right sides of the manual wheelchair (15). It is detachably attached to any front leg frame (18).

The mounting bracket (3) of FIG. 4 supports the front wheel (16) by floating the front wheel (16) by screwing the front leg frame (18) of the dynamic wheelchair (15) with the clamping device (33) and attaching it detachably. It is a configuration.
Further, a hinge (31) capable of locking (32) is provided in the middle so that the mounting bracket (3) can be bent and opened in the middle.
The refraction opening and closing by the middle hinge (31) can be easily opened and closed with the grip (5) if the lock (32) is removed, so that a wider space can be opened when ascending and descending from the wheelchair (15). .
Although not shown in detail, a part of the cover (2) is opened by an amount corresponding to the rotation width of the mounting bracket (3) so that the mounting bracket (3) does not contact the cover (2). ing.
Incidentally, although the mounting bracket (3) of an Example has shown the structure of screwing, it can also be set as the structure etc. which can be attached or detached by one touch.
The attachment means is not limited to the embodiment.

FIG. 2 shows a state where the wheelchair electric traction device is attached to the manual wheelchair (15).
The electric traction device for a wheelchair is attached to the left front wheel (16) so as to replace the wheel toward the passenger of the manual wheelchair (15).
As can be seen from this figure, since the traction device is not arranged in the center, the raising / lowering part is largely open. Getting on and off is very easy.

When using a wheelchair equipped with this electric traction device for wheelchairs, simply ride on the wheelchair as usual, put both feet on the footrest, turn on the switch (7), and turn it to the front of the grip (5). Can start.
The grip (5) can be operated with either the right hand or the left hand, and the direction operation can be performed with one hand.

If you want to stop, just hold the brake (11). Can be mechanically and electrically stopped.
Further, when the hand is released from the grip (5), the electric motor (8) stops, so that the wheelchair also stops.
When getting off, the front is open, so you can just go down and get up with the grip (5) instead of the cane.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the wheelchair electric traction device attached to the manual wheelchair (15).
The electric traction device for a wheelchair is attached to the manual wheelchair (15) after the position is adjusted by the mounting bracket (3) so as to be securely grounded to the ground.
In this case, the shaft (12) can be provided with a length expansion / contraction mechanism, a height adjustment adjuster, or the like, but is omitted in the embodiment for simplification.

If the height adjustment mechanism is not attached to the mounting side front wheel (16), a height adjustment adjuster is attached, or the frame is bent and the front wheel (16) is raised so that the front wheel (16) is raised. If it is worn, the drive wheel (14) is alternatively grounded by adjusting the setting a little lower and attaching a wheelchair electric traction device at that position.
Although the front wheel (16) itself does not come into contact with the ground, the wheelchair is the same level as before, with one wheel being motorized.
Since the other three wheels are grounded, the four wheels are grounded together with the drive wheels (14).

Thus, since it is preferable that the position where the drive wheel (14) is installed and the position of the front wheel (16) are horizontal, the front wheel (16), which is normally replaced, is slightly lowered with an adjuster or the like. Easy to adjust.
Of course, the wheelchair does not necessarily become completely horizontal, so the drive wheel (14) may be simply raised slightly and connected as it is.

The electric traction device for wheelchairs of the present invention is for towing a manual wheelchair, and can be used as a moving tool in a nursing facility or a medical device such as moving on a bed using a traction force. .
It can also be used as an auxiliary drive for shopping carts.
It can also be used as emergency electric equipment so that the tanker can move or self-evacuate in the event of a disaster.

1 shows an embodiment of an electric traction device for a wheelchair according to the present invention, and is an internal perspective view of the state in which the electric traction device for a wheelchair is detached from a manual wheelchair (15). The whole top view of the manual wheelchair which connected the electric traction device for wheelchairs. Perspective view of a manual wheelchair connected with a wheelchair electric traction device It is a perspective view of a mounting bracket. )

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Wheelchair electric traction device 2 Cover 3 Mounting bracket 31 Hinge 32 Lock 33 Clamping device 4 Bearing 5 Grip 6 Power device 7 Switch (key)
8 Electric motor 9 Belt 10 Battery 11 Mechanical brake handle 12 Shaft 13 Shaft bearing 14 Drive wheel 15 Manual wheelchair 16 Front wheel 17 of manual wheelchair Power control device 18 Front leg frame

Claims (6)

An electric traction device for a wheelchair (1) attached to a manual wheelchair (15), wherein the electric traction device for wheelchair (1) is formed with a width narrower than a lateral width of the manual wheelchair (15) and a grip (5) A drive wheel (14) that is electrically driven is provided at the lower end of the shaft (12) provided with the drive wheel (14) that floats one of the front wheels (16) of the manual wheelchair (15). The shaft (12) of the electric traction device for a wheelchair is rotatably supported by an attachment means such as an attachment bracket (3) so as to run in an alternative manner, and the left or right front leg frame (18) of the manual wheelchair (15) An electric traction device for a wheelchair characterized in that it is detachably attached to the wheelchair and is located on one side of the front of the manual wheelchair so that the entrance / exit portion of the manual wheelchair (15) is greatly opened. The electric traction device for a wheelchair (1) includes a shaft (12) having a grip (5) serving as a direction handle at the top, and along the longitudinal direction of the shaft (12), a battery (10), a switch (7), An electric power control device (17), an electric motor (8), and an independent power device (6) provided with a drive wheel (14) at the bottom so as to be rotationally driven by a belt (9) and an outer cover (2). The electric traction device for a wheelchair (1) has a width less than one third of the lateral width of the manual wheelchair (15) and opens the entrance / exit part of the manual wheelchair (15) greatly. Electric traction device for wheelchairs. The mounting bracket (3) for mounting the wheelchair electric traction device (1) to replace one of the front wheels (16) of the manual wheelchair (15) is the shaft of the wheelchair electric traction device (1). (12) is rotatably supported by a bearing, and the front leg frame (18) of the manual wheelchair (15) is screwed and attached detachably, and the front wheel (16) is floated and supported; The hinge (31) is provided in the middle, the mounting bracket (3) is opened and closed, and the boarding / alighting part of the manual wheelchair (15) can be greatly opened. Electric traction for wheelchairs. The grip (5) is an inverted L-shape serving as a direction handle, and the longitudinal direction of the grip (5) is provided in a direction perpendicular to the forward traveling direction of the drive wheel (14), and a mechanical brake handle (11) is also provided. The wheeled electric traction device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the switch is activated by turning on the switch (7) and turning the grip (5) forward. The power unit (6) is composed of a switch (7), an electric motor (8), a battery (10), a belt (9), and a mechanical brake handle (11). The machine is operated by manual operation of the mechanical brake handle (11). The electric traction device for a wheelchair according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the electric power applied to the electric motor (8) is cut off and stopped simultaneously with the automatic braking. By turning the grip (5) forward, the voltage applied to the electric motor (8) from the electric power control device (17) gradually increases and the driving force is increased to make a smooth start, and the speed can be adjusted with one hand. The electric traction device for a wheelchair according to any one of claims 1 to 5, which can be used for traction at a safe speed.

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