JP4909464B2 - Equipment that transports along an inclined track or stairs - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for ascending or descending an incline or staircase, such as a stair lift, a stair walking aid or a wheelchair lift, which device is displaceable along at least one elongate guide (2) disposed along the incline or staircase, and comprises: a carriage (3) which is displaceable along the guide and on which can be arranged assist means for ascending or descending, such as a tiltable seat or lift platform; and at least one drive mechanism (11) mounted on the carriage for engaging the guide, wherein the drive mechanism is substantially ball-shaped and is connected to the frame with forming of a ball joint. <IMAGE>

Description

[0001]
(Technical field to which the invention belongs)
The present invention relates to a transport device such as a stair lift, a stair walking aid, or a wheelchair lift for ascending and descending an inclined track or a stair. The device is movable along at least one extension guide provided along an inclined track or staircase.
[0002]
(Conventional technology)
Such a device is known from European Patent Application No. 0.143.737. The device known from the patent application runs parallel to each other and is movable along two guides bent in three dimensions. The device travels along the guide by a gear type component of the drive mechanism, and the gear engages with a tooth in one of the two guides, and the gear is driven. The
[0003]
The known device is a device that drives the device in accordance with the shape of a guide that is curved in three dimensions, and is a large one that allows the gear mechanism to rotate in three dimensions. It has the disadvantages including reverse wheels for fastening. This mechanism is used in a form comparable to that of a planetary gear device, and is very large because the three rotation axes intersect each other with the central axis of the guide. Moreover, since the rotation space of the three axis | shafts arrange | positioned mutually spaced apart is required, an external shape is very large. In particular, when the above-mentioned known device is used along a staircase, the space for use is generally limited. As a result, the large drive mechanism body can walk on a staircase or an inclined track without using the device. It was an obstacle for those who do.
[0004]
Another disadvantage of the known device is that the rotational axes of the drive mechanisms are dimensionally independent of each other and it is very difficult to engage with a bend with a small radius of curvature in the guide, even if it is somehow engaged Even if it was possible, it was rattling.
[0005]
Furthermore, the form of the drive mechanism in the known device is substantially open, which can cause safety problems. Since it is an open type, there is a risk that a part of clothing or a passenger's body is caught between the guide and the drive mechanism.
[0006]
(Problems to be solved by the present invention)
The present invention aims to avoid or reduce the above problems, and the apparatus of the present invention is constituted by the following salient technical matters:
A carriage that is movable along the guide and that is attachable to a lifting / lowering auxiliary means such as a walking frame, a tiltable seat or a lift platform; and-mounted on the carriage to engage the guide At least one drive mechanism body, the drive mechanism body being substantially ball-shaped and coupled to the frame to form a ball joint.
[0007]
(Means for solving the problem)
The device of the present invention, and in particular the drive mechanism, is very compact with space saving. Further, the ball-shaped drive mechanism that forms a ball joint in the frame allows smooth passage with an extremely short bend.
[0008]
In the apparatus according to the present invention, preferably, at least two drive mechanisms, each forming a ball joint, are connected to the carriage, and these drive mechanisms are independent of each other with respect to the carriage and the guide, at least with respect to their positions. It is said.
[0009]
With the above configuration, the stability of the device is extremely high in both the loaded state and the unloaded state while moving in the longitudinal direction of the guide.
[0010]
In another preferred embodiment, the device of the present invention is characterized in that at least one drive mechanism is coupled to a drive member that advances the carriage along the guide.
[0011]
Furthermore, a space can be saved by combining the drive mechanism and the drive member. For example, an effective use space on the stairs can be expanded to a stairs user who does not use the device.
[0012]
A device having two drive mechanisms, wherein at least one drive mechanism is connected to a drive member, the device of the present invention is characterized in that both at least two drive mechanisms are connected to individual drive members. Have
[0013]
Since there is no rigid joint between the drive member and the two drive mechanism bodies, independent positioning is possible, and in particular, a comparison that may lead to an imbalance of the tightening force between the drive mechanism bodies during bend negotiation. Two lightweight motors can be used instead of a motor with a large target weight. Further, the reliability is increased by integrating the two motors. As a result, there is no need to add a speed limiter , a brake mechanism, or the like for the above purpose. It should be noted that if a device with a single motor fails, the brake mechanism is used to prevent the device from descending along the guide. If two motors are provided, even if the other motor fails, all the functions of the apparatus can be achieved with an appropriate margin by one motor. Accordingly, longer, there is no need to add a brake mechanism.
[0014]
In yet another embodiment of the present invention, in this apparatus, a limiter for limiting the position of the apparatus relative to the carriage and the guide is disposed between the carriage and at least one drive mechanism forming a ball joint. It has the feature of being. Thus, an advantageous embodiment that is safe and useful is disclosed herein.
[0015]
(Preferred embodiment of the present invention)
Advantageously, the at least one support wheel is arranged inside the at least one ball-shaped drive mechanism. The support wheels are supported opposite the guide gear rack so that no extra means are required in addition to the ball drive mechanism for the purpose. Since the support wheels are held in a vertical state with respect to the gear rack, further space is saved.
[0016]
In another embodiment, the apparatus comprising at least one ball drive mechanism connected to a drive member for advancing the carriage along the guide, wherein the at least one drive wheel has at least one ball drive. It has the characteristic of being arranged inside the mechanism body. This also saves space because there is no need to arrange separate drive wheels outside the ball-shaped drive mechanism.
[0017]
(Example)
Embodiments of the apparatus of the present invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0018]
FIG. 1 shows a device 1 of the present invention. The device 1 is movable along a guide 2 constituted by a tube 5. The tube 5 is curved in three dimensions, and the gear rack 6 is provided below the tube 5 in this embodiment.
[0019]
The apparatus 1 is configured using a carriage 3, and a seat 4 and a footrest 7 are attached to the carriage 3 so as to be tiltable.
[0020]
In the present embodiment, the guide 2 extends along the stairs, and the device 1 acts so that a person who is placed on the seat 4 can move up and down along the stairs without having to walk along the stairs.
[0021]
The carriage 3 is closed by a housing 8.
[0022]
In FIG. 2, where a perspective view of the carriage 3 is shown, a portion of the housing 8 has been removed so that the various components inside the carriage 3 can be seen. The carriage 3 includes a frame 10, and the bracket 9 is disposed on the frame 10 so as to be tiltable and driven. If the seat 4 in FIG. 1 or the device is a wheelchair lift, a platform is attached to the bracket 9 instead. The bracket 9 can be tilted regardless of the position of the carriage 3 in order to hold the seat 4 or an alternative platform upright.
[0023]
Two drive mechanism bodies 11 are attached to the frame 10. Each of these drive mechanisms 11 is connected to the frame 10 so as to form a ball joint and forms at least a part of the ball joint. In this way, each drive mechanism 11 is rotatable at a virtual center point (not shown with reference numerals). On the other hand, the limiter described below limits the freedom of movement to within the required range.
[0024]
Each ball-shaped drive mechanism 11 has a passage 12, and the guide travels through the passage 12 with the carriage 3 attached thereto. In FIG. 2, in particular, support wheels 13 are arranged in the upper part of the passage 12. These support wheels 13 lie opposite to the tube 5 of the guide 2 in a mounted state. The carriage 3 is suspended from the guides 2 on these support wheels 13.
[0025]
A limiter 23 is provided on at least one of the drive mechanism bodies 11. In particular, in the simplified embodiment as shown in FIG. 2, each limiter 23 is constituted by a bolt 24 projecting into a passage 25 in the bottom plate 26 of the frame 10. Both edges of the passage 25 form a stopper for the bolt 24, and thus the rotation angle of the drive mechanism 11 is limited within a limit range corresponding to both edges of the opening 25.
[0026]
It should be noted that FIG. 5 shows the suspension 27 fixed to the tube 5 of the guide 2 and forms a connection mechanism with a support structure such as a wall. Each support wheel 13 shown in FIG. 5 passes along the top of the suspension 27, and the portion of the drive mechanism 11 located at the bottom of the tube 5 also acts independently of the suspension 27.
[0027]
Further, with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, the drive mechanism body 11 will be clarified below. 3 and 4 are perspective views of one drive mechanism body 11 as seen from two separate side surfaces.
[0028]
In the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the drive mechanism 11 is constituted by a metal main body 15, and at least one portion on the outer surface of the metal main body 15 is a spherical surface 14. As shown in FIG. 2, the spherical surface portion 14 is accommodated in the frame 10 in a manner corresponding to a ball bearing. In this way, the drive mechanism 11 can be rotated around the virtual central axis. Each drive mechanism takes the attitude | position corresponding to advancing of the guide 2 mutually independently. Each of these drive mechanisms 11 is housed as a ball joint in the frame and can be rotated around the virtual central axis, so that it can be moved smoothly and smoothly without rattling. Take a posture to do.
[0029]
FIG. 4 shows additional running wheels 16 that function to maintain the orientation of the drive mechanism 11 with respect to the tube 5 of the guide 2 in order to contact the gear rack. In this embodiment, traveling wheels 18 are further added, and the working surfaces of these traveling wheels 18 are provided so as to oppose the strips on the side surface 17 of the gear rack 6 so that the force acts advantageously.
[0030]
As described above, the seat 4 in FIG. 1 or a platform in place thereof or the like is driven by driving the bracket 9 that is tiltably mounted on the carriage 3 while maintaining the orientation of the drive mechanism 11 with respect to the guide 2. Is held upright. This drive mechanism is not an essential part of the present invention, so further description is omitted.
[0031]
Drive wheels 19 are disposed on the main body 15, and the drive wheels 19 are connected to an electric motor 21 via a transmission 20. The drive wheels 19 are gears that act on the gear rack 6 of the guide 2 when driven by the electric motor 21. In this way, the carriage 3 can be moved up and down along the guide 2. As shown also in FIGS. 2 and 5, one battery or a plurality of batteries 22 are arranged in the frame 10, and the batteries serve as a power source for supplying electric power to the electric motor 21. Alternatively, it is possible to choose to drive with other forms of energy, which is within the limits of ordinary skill in the art. FIG. 5 shows a state in which the carriage 3 of FIG. 2 is combined with the guide 2 in another manner.
[0032]
In the embodiment shown in this specification, each drive mechanism 11 is constituted by a drive member. It is within the scope of the present invention whether to use a single drive mechanism 11 with one drive member or an individual drive mechanism 11 with separate drive members. By providing the drive members individually for both drive mechanism bodies 11, the safety of the device 1 is improved. Even if one of the two motors fails, the device 1 can continue to function properly. Therefore, a brake mechanism for preventing the device 1 from going out of control and falling along the guide 2 is no longer necessary. In addition or alternatively, both motors may be of relatively lightweight type.
[0033]
The position of the carriage 3 is substantially determined by a line that connects the virtual centers of the two drive mechanisms 11 and has a substantially ball shape. Since both the drive mechanisms 11 are substantially ball-shaped, the space required for them is the minimum corresponding to the distance between their centers. Therefore, it is possible to smoothly pass a very short bend, that is, a bend having a small radius of curvature. A single drive mechanism that is ball shaped and connected to the frame to form a ball joint is also within the scope of the present invention. Both considerable space savings and very smooth transfer and rotation movements are ensured. In order to position the carriage with respect to the guide, a number of traveling wheels may be simply provided around the guide instead of the second ball-shaped drive mechanism 11 described in the above embodiment.
[0034]
Since the drive mechanism of the present invention has a ball shape, when the drive member is incorporated in the drive mechanism, such a drive mechanism particularly shields the contact area between the drive member and the guide 2, and thus Safety is provided against the danger of clothing and / or a part of the passenger's body being pinched between the drive member and the guide.
[0035]
As is apparent from the foregoing, many alternative and additional embodiments are within the scope of the invention as specified in the appended claims, and such embodiments are within the scope of the above claims. Those skilled in the art can deduce if the description of the range is considered. Accordingly, it is described that a single ball-shaped drive mechanism is applied, or the possibility of using a plurality of drive mechanisms that do not have separate drive members.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the device according to the invention in operation.
FIG. 2 shows a detailed perspective view of the apparatus shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 shows a more detailed perspective view of the drive mechanism body of FIG. 2;
4 shows a more detailed perspective view of the drive mechanism body of FIG. 2. FIG.
FIG. 5 shows a perspective view corresponding to FIG. 2 in which both ball-shaped drive mechanisms are in another relative position when assembled in a guide.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Apparatus 2 of this invention Guide 3 Carriage 4 Seat 5 Tube 6 Gear rack 7 Footrest 8 Housing 9 Bracket 10 Frame 11 Drive mechanism body 12 Passage 13 Support wheel 14 Spherical part 15 Metal main body 16 Traveling wheel 18 Traveling wheel 19 Drive wheel 20 Transmission 21 Electric motor 23 Limiter 24 Bolt 25 Passage 27 Suspension

Claims (6)

A transport device for moving up and down an inclined track or stairs , such as a stair lift, a stair walking aid or a wheelchair lift, which is movable along at least one extension guide arranged along the inclined track or stairs. ,
A movable carriage along the guide, which is can be mounted on the lifting aid such inclination rotatably sheet or lift platform, a carriage having a frame,
Mounted on the carriage in order to engage the upper Symbol guides and engaged, and at least one driving mechanism,
The drive mechanism is substantially ball-shaped and connected to the frame to form a ball joint;
A transport device , wherein at least one support wheel is provided inside the at least one ball drive mechanism . Each forming a ball joint, is connected to at least two drive mechanism carriage, these drive mechanism is at least for the position, you are independent of each other relative to the carriage and the guide, according to claim 1 . At least one drive mechanism is connected to the drive member so as to transfer the carriage along the guide, according to claim 1 or 2. Either one of at least two drive mechanism is coupled to a separate drive member, according to claim 2 or 3. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein a limiter is provided between the carriage and at least one drive mechanism forming a ball joint to limit the position of the apparatus with respect to the carriage and the guide. . The device according to any one of claims 3 to 5 , wherein at least one drive wheel is provided inside the at least one ball-shaped drive mechanism.

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