JP3537388B2 - Body size measurement device for wheelchair specification determination - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a body size measuring apparatus for automatically performing a body size measurement for determining a wheelchair suitable for a physique of a occupant.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Wheelchairs are used by persons who have difficulty walking on their own, such as the physically handicapped, the elderly, and the injured. FIG. 4 is a right side view showing a general wheelchair, and FIG. 5 is a front view thereof. This wheelchair has a push hand 51, an armrest pipe 53,
Armrest 55, back seat 57, main frame 59, leg pipe 61, large wheel 63, hand rim 65, front wheel 6
7, seat 69, leg rest 71, foot rest 7
3 and so on. Although not shown, the wheelchair includes a skirt guard, a safety belt, an assistance brake, a parking brake, and the like.

In order for a user (ie, a physically handicapped person or the like) to use a wheelchair comfortably, a wheelchair having a size corresponding to the user's physique needs to be used. For example, the seat width (the width in the left-right direction of the seat 69 and is indicated by a double-headed arrow W in FIG. 2), the front seat height (the height of the seat 69 from the ground, The seat depth (the length in the front-rear direction of the seat 69, which is indicated by a double arrow D in FIG. 1), the armrest height (the height of the armrest 55 from the seat 69). The height is indicated by a double-headed arrow H2 in FIG. 1) and the height of the backrest (the seat 6 at the upper end of the back seat 57)
9 (indicated by a double-headed arrow H3 in FIG. 2) and the like need to be determined according to the body size of the user.

[0004]

When a wheelchair is ordered, it is a common practice that an expert such as a doctor or a caregiver measures the body size of the user and creates an order form based on the measured body size. is there. However, accurate body size measurements for wheelchair sizing are not easy for professionals. In addition, there is a problem that a long time is required for a measurement person who is unfamiliar with the measurement.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a body size measuring device capable of easily and accurately measuring a user's body size.

[0006]

A body size measuring apparatus for determining wheelchair specifications according to the present invention includes a chair on which a subject who wants to use a wheelchair is seated. This chair is
It includes a rotatable support shaft and a seat plate whose height varies with the rotation of the support shaft. This measuring device automatically detects the height of the seat plate when the seat plate is set to a predetermined position by rotation of the spindle by the motor based on the electric signal from the motor, so that the height of the heel from below the knee of the subject is measured. It is configured to obtain dimensions up to.

[0007] A body size measuring apparatus for determining wheelchair specifications according to another invention is provided with a chair on which a person to be measured who wants to use the wheelchair is seated, and an armrest. This elbow rest is
It has a rotatable support shaft and a horizontal bar whose height varies with the rotation of the support shaft. This measuring device automatically detects the height of the horizontal bar when the horizontal bar is set to a predetermined position by the rotation of the spindle by the motor based on the electric signal from the motor, so that the subject can be measured from the seating surface. It is configured so that dimensions down to the lower elbow can be obtained.

[0008] A body size measuring apparatus for determining a wheelchair specification according to still another aspect of the present invention includes a chair on which a person to be measured who wants to use the wheelchair is seated, and a line sensor extending in a vertical direction. The line sensor includes a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit that receives a beam emitted from the light emitting unit. This measuring device is configured so that the shoulder position of the person to be measured can be obtained by automatically detecting the boundary position between the portion receiving the beam and the portion not receiving the beam in the light receiving section.

A body size measuring apparatus for determining a wheelchair specification according to still another invention includes a chair on which a person to be measured who wants to use the wheelchair is seated, and a pair of left and right pressing bodies. The pressing body includes a rotatable support shaft and a contact plate whose position is changed by rotation of the support shaft. The pressing body is configured such that the rotation of the motor is automatically stopped when the contact plate comes into contact with the buttocks of the subject by the rotation of the spindle by the motor and the compression load on the spindle reaches a predetermined value. ing. This measuring device is configured such that the distance between the right and left contact plates when automatically stopped is automatically detected by an electric signal from the motor, so that the right and left dimensions of the toe of the subject can be obtained. .

In these body size measuring devices, the body size of the person to be measured (ie, a person who wishes to use a wheelchair) is automatically detected by the detecting means, so that the measurement is easy and the obtained body size is accurate. is there.

[0011]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG.
Embodiments of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a body size measuring apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line II-II in FIG. FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line III-III in FIG.

This body size measuring device comprises a front wall 1, a rear wall 3,
A right wall 5 and a left wall 7 are provided. The dimension measuring device also includes a floor plate 9. A chair 11 (see FIG. 3) is attached to the floor plate 9. Chair 11 is seat plate 1
3. Consists of a back plate 15 and a chair support shaft 17. The seat plate 13 is
It is attached parallel to the floor plate 9 (ie, horizontally) by a chair support shaft 17. The chair support shaft 17 is rotatable, and the height of the seat plate 13 from the floor plate 9 fluctuates due to the rotation.

The chair 11 is provided with an elbow support 19 (see FIG. 3). The elbow support 19 includes a horizontal bar 21 and an elbow support shaft 23. The horizontal bar 21 is attached in parallel (that is, horizontally) to the seat plate 13 by an elbow support shaft 23. The elbow support shaft 23 is rotatable, and the rotation causes the height of the horizontal bar 21 from the seat plate 13 to fluctuate.

A pair of shoulder sensors 25, which are non-contact detection means, are mounted on the front wall 1 and the rear wall 3. The shoulder sensor 25 is an optical sensor including a light projecting unit and a light receiving unit. A beam (for example, a red laser beam) is emitted from the light projecting unit, and the light receiving unit receives the beam. The shoulder sensor 25 is a linear (ie, one-dimensional) sensor (a so-called line sensor), and extends in the vertical direction. The shoulder sensor 25 is displaced by 15 cm from the center of the body of the subject 27 toward the left wall 7.

A pair of leg sensors 29, which are non-contact detection means, are attached to the right wall 5 and the left wall 7, respectively. The leg sensor 29 is also an optical sensor including a light projecting unit and a light receiving unit similar to the shoulder sensor 25. A beam is emitted from the light emitting unit, and the light receiving unit receives the beam. The leg sensor 29 is a linear (that is, one-dimensional) sensor and extends in the horizontal direction. The leg sensor 29 is provided at a position that covers the vicinity of the calf of the subject 27.

A pair of back sensors 31, which are non-contact detection means, are attached to the right wall 5 and the left wall 7, respectively. The back sensor 31 is also an optical sensor including a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit similar to the shoulder sensor 25. A beam is emitted from the light emitting unit, and the light receiving unit receives the beam. The back sensor 31 is a planar (ie, two-dimensional) sensor. The back sensor 31 is provided at a position that covers the vicinity of the back of the subject 27.

The right wall 5 and the left wall 7 are provided with a pressing body 33 as a contact type detecting means. Pressing body 33
Comprises a contact plate 35 and a pressing body support shaft 37. Contact plate 3
5 is attached in parallel with the right wall 5 and the left wall 7 by a pressing body support shaft 37. The pressing body support shaft 37 is rotatable, and the distance of the contact plate 35 from the right wall 5 and the left wall 7 fluctuates by this rotation. That is, the left and right contact plates 35, 3
The distance between the five fluctuates.

When measuring the body size of the person to be measured 27 with this body size measuring device, the person to be measured 27 is first seated on the chair 11 such that the rearmost part of the buttocks comes into contact with the back plate 15. Then, the chair support shaft 17 is rotated by a motor (not shown), and the height of the seat plate 13 is changed so that the knee of the subject 27 is bent at almost a right angle. An electric signal is sent from the motor to detection means (not shown). The number of rotations of the motor required for height adjustment is calculated by the integration of the electric signals, and the height of the seat plate 13 (indicated by a double-headed arrow h1 in FIG. 3) is automatically detected to determine an optimal sitting style. Of the measured subject 27 from the knee to the heel.

Next, the lower arm of the subject 27 is placed on the side bar 21 of the elbow support 19. Then, the elbow support shaft 23 is rotated by a motor (not shown), and the height of the horizontal bar 21 is changed so that the lower arm of the subject 27 is substantially horizontal. An electric signal is sent from the motor to detection means (not shown). The number of rotations of the motor required for height adjustment is calculated by the integration of the electric signals, whereby the height of the horizontal bar 21 (indicated by a double-headed arrow h2 in FIG. 3) is automatically detected, and the optimum state is obtained. Of the subject 27 below the elbow.

Next, the pressing body support shaft 37 is rotated by a motor (not shown) to move the contact plate 35 forward. The contact plate 35 comes into contact with the right and left of the hips of the person 27 to be measured.
When the motor further rotates, the pressing body support shaft 3
7 is subjected to a compressive load. When the compression load reaches a predetermined value, the rotation of the motor stops automatically. During rotation, an electric signal is sent from the motor to the detecting means. The number of rotations of the motor up to the stop is calculated by the integration of the electric signals, whereby the distance between the left and right contact plates 35, 35 is automatically detected, and the right and left dimensions of the hip of the subject 27 (FIG. 2). Is indicated by a double-headed arrow w).

Next, the body size is measured by each of the non-contact type sensors. First, in the shoulder sensor 25, a part (upward) of the beam emitted from the light projecting part is received by the light receiving part, and the other part is shielded by the torso of the subject 27. Among the light receiving elements of the light receiving section, those that receive the beam emit a signal of “ON”, and those that do not receive the beam emit a signal of “OFF”. Then, the height (indicated by a double-headed arrow h3 in FIG. 3) of the boundary position between the “ON” light receiving element and the “OFF” light receiving element is automatically detected, and the shoulder of the subject 27 is detected. Dimensions (shoulder height).

Next, in the leg sensor 29, a part (toward the rear) of the beam emitted from the light emitting part is received by the light receiving part, and the other part is shielded by the foot of the subject 27. . Among the light receiving elements of the light receiving section, those that receive the beam emit a signal of “ON”, and those that do not receive the beam emit a signal of “OFF”. Then, the distance (indicated by a double-pointed arrow d in FIG. 3) from the back plate 15 at the boundary position between the “ON” light receiving element and the “OFF” light receiving element is automatically detected, and the bottom of the subject 27 is detected. The distance from the rear end to the position below the knee.

Next, in the back sensor 31, a part of the beam emitted from the light projecting part is received by the light receiving part, and the other part is shielded by the torso of the subject 27. Among the light receiving elements of the light receiving section, those that receive the beam emit a signal of “ON”, and those that do not receive the beam emit a signal of “OFF”. Then, the light receiving element of “ON” and “OFF”
The curved body of the waist and the spine of the subject 27 is automatically detected from the arrangement with the light receiving elements.

The body size detected by each of the detecting means is calculated by a calculating means (not shown) (eg, a CPU of a computer).
Sent to The calculation means calculates the wheelchair dimensions by the following calculation method, for example.

First, the horizontal dimension w of the buttocks of the subject 27 is measured.
Is used as a reference to calculate the seat width W of the wheelchair. Normally,
3cm to 5cm is added to the right and left dimension w of the buttocks,
The seat width W is determined.

Next, the front seat height H1 of the wheelchair is calculated based on the dimension h1 from below the knees to the heel of the subject 27. Normally, the dimension h1 from below the knee to the heel is 5 cm to 8
The cm is added to determine the front seat height H1.

Next, the seat depth D of the wheelchair is calculated based on the dimension d from the rearmost part of the hips of the subject 27 to below the knee. Usually, the dimension d from the rear end of the hip to below the knee
Is added to 3 cm to 7 cm to determine the seat depth D.

Next, the armrest height H of the wheelchair is set on the basis of the dimension h2 to the lower part of the elbow of the subject 27 with the lower arm leveled.
2 is calculated. Normally, the dimension h2 to below the elbow is 1 cm
Is added to 3 cm to determine the armrest height H2.

Next, the height H3 of the backrest of the wheelchair is calculated based on the dimension h3 to the shoulder of the subject 27.
Normally, 12 cm to 18 cm are subtracted from the shoulder height h3 to determine the backrest height H3.

As described above, the wheelchair size is calculated by adding the predetermined value to the body size or subtracting the predetermined value from the body size. The value to be added and the value to be reduced are determined by the subject 27 It may be changed as appropriate according to the wishes of the caregiver, the symptoms of the subject 27, the judgment of the doctor or caregiver, and the like.

The curved body of the waist and the spine detected by the back sensor 31 is reflected on the reclining angle of the back seat 57 of the wheelchair, the material of the back seat 57, and the like.

The specifications such as the wheelchair dimensions calculated in this way are sent to the wheelchair maker on paper or online as specifications. The wheelchair maker that has received the specification creates a wheelchair based on the specification, or selects an optimal wheelchair from among ready-made products and provides it to the subject 27.

Since the body size is automatically detected by the body size measuring device, the measurement accuracy is excellent. In addition, even those who do not have much knowledge about wheelchairs can easily and accurately measure body dimensions.

In this body size measuring device, a size w in the right and left direction of the hip, a size h1 from below the knee to the heel, and a size h2 from below the elbow.
Are detected by the contact-type detecting means, but these dimensions may be detected by the non-contact-type detecting means. In addition, in this body size measuring device, a dimension d from the rear end of the hip to below the knee, a dimension h3 from the shoulder, and a curved body of the hip and the spine are detected by non-contact type detection means. It may be detected by means.

Not all of the body dimensions described above need be detected, and the detected body dimensions may be selected according to the situation. Further, body dimensions other than the body dimensions described above may be detected at the same time.

Further, the body size measuring device may include a movable pseudo member similar to a member of a wheelchair. If the simulated member is moved by a motor or the like to achieve the wheelchair dimensions calculated by the calculation means, the subject 27 can simulate the wheelchair almost simultaneously with the calculation of the wheelchair dimensions. Thus, the specifications of the subject 27 or the measurer (doctor or the like) based on the simulated experience can be reflected in the specifications.

[0038]

As described above, the body size measuring apparatus of the present invention can measure the body size easily and accurately.
By using this body size measuring device, an optimal wheelchair can be provided to the user. This body size measuring device
It can contribute to the improvement of welfare.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a body size measuring apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line II-II in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line III-III in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a right side view showing a general wheelchair.

FIG. 5 is a front view showing the wheelchair of FIG. 4;

[Explanation of symbols]

11 ... chair 13 ... seat plate 15 ... back plate 17 ... chair support 19 ・ ・ ・ Elbow support 21 ・ ・ ・ Horizontal bar 23 ... elbow support spindle 25 ... shoulder sensor 29 ・ ・ ・ Leg sensor 31 ・ ・ ・ Back sensor 33 ・ ・ ・ Pressing body 35 ・ ・ ・ Contact plate 37 ・ ・ ・ Pressing body support shaft

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. A chair on which a person to be measured who wants to use a wheelchair is provided. The chair comprises a rotatable support shaft and a rotation of the support shaft.
And a seat plate which height varies, the seat plate is a predetermined position by the rotation of the support shaft by the motor
The height of the seat plate when
By being automatically detected, the heel can be
A body size measurement device for determining wheelchair specifications , configured to obtain dimensions up to . 2. A person to be measured who wants to use a wheelchair is seated.
Chair and an elbow support, which are supported by a rotatable support shaft and the rotation of the support shaft.
Ri comprises a transverse bar height varies, the horizontal bars and the predetermined position by the rotation of the support shaft by the motor
The height of the horizontal bar when
Is automatically detected, and the subject
Wheelchairs designed to provide dimensions down to the bottom of the elbow
A body size measuring device for determining the state. 3. A person to be measured who wants to use a wheelchair is seated.
And a line sensor extending in the vertical direction
And the line sensor is emitted from the light emitting part and the light emitting part.
It consists of a light receiving part that receives the beam, and a part that receives the beam and a part that does not receive the light in the light receiving part
Automatically detects the boundary position with the
Wheelchair specifications designed to obtain the shoulder height of the elderly
For measuring body dimensions. 4. A person to be measured who wants to use a wheelchair is seated.
Chair, and a pair of left and right pressing bodies, the pressing bodies being rotatable spindles and rotating the spindles.
The contact plate changes its position, and the contact plate is rotated by the rotation of the spindle by the motor.
When the compression load on the support shaft reaches
The rotation of the motor is automatically stopped, and the distance between the left and right
Automatically detected by the electrical signal of
It was configured to obtain the right and left dimensions of the measurer's hips
A body size measurement device for wheelchair specification determination.