JP5896464B2 - Self-operated wheelchair - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a self-operating wheelchair in which a user can operate a main wheel by himself / herself, and further to a configuration in which a user can easily and stably transfer from a seated state to a bed or the like.

  Conventionally, a wheelchair has been proposed in which a main wheel is movable back and forth with respect to a seating portion in conjunction with an armrest portion so that a person on a wheelchair can easily transfer to a bed or the like (for example, , See Patent Document 1). Specifically, when the seated user turns the armrest portion upward to stand, the main wheel moves backward with respect to the seating portion, and the side of the seating portion is opened. In this way, the upper surface of the seating part and the upper surface of the bed are continuous without being separated.

JP-A-8-33680

  However, in the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 1, the upper end of the frame that supports the main wheel is pivotally supported with respect to the main body frame via one rotation center, and the frame that supports the main wheel is the main body. It is structured to rotate around this rotation center with respect to the frame. For this reason, when the main wheel is moved back and forth, the rotation center of the main wheel draws an arc locus, and the armrest is rotated while the user is seated on the seat. When the main wheel is moved rearward, due to the trajectory of the center of rotation of the main wheel, the seating part is pushed up by the main wheel so that the posture of the wheelchair is inclined to the opposite side, and the user balances. There was a risk of breaking.

  Also, if the user is a weak person such as an elderly person or a sick person, the armrest part cannot stand up smoothly against its own weight, and the operation of moving the main wheel backwards well There was also a risk that it could not be done.

  Further, in the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 1, a brake pin for preventing the rotation of the main wheel in a state in which the main wheel is moved rearward is extended laterally from the armrest portion. When a person sits on a seating part and performs self-operation, the brake pin interferes with the user's hand or arm to be operated, and there is a problem that it is difficult to operate the main wheel.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is a main object of the present invention to provide a self-operating wheelchair in which a main wheel is smoothly moved back and forth with respect to a seating portion in conjunction with an armrest portion without causing an unstable posture of the wheelchair. And

The present invention includes a main body frame formed with a seating portion on which a user is seated, and a user seated on the seating portion can self-operate a pair of left and right main wheels and is rotatably attached to the main body frame. A self-operating wheelchair in which the main wheel on the same side as the armrest is moved back and forth with respect to the seating portion in conjunction with the armrest when the tiltable armrest is rotated. , a main wheel supporting frame the main wheel at a lower end portion is rotatably mounted, the result is the back frame portion formed on the body frame, the upper portion of the back frame portion, said main wheel support the upper end of the frame is comprised are connected via a first link member, and an intermediate portion of the main wheel supporting frame, a lower portion of the back frame portion are connected via a second link member, Furthermore, the arm rest and the main wheel on the same side as the arm rest are attached. The main wheel support frame that is attached to the main wheel support frame is connected via a third link member, and when the armrest is turned up and down, the main wheel support frame is moved relative to the back frame. Has a mechanism that is linked via a four-link mechanism composed of the first link member and the second link member, and the main wheel located at the lower end of the main wheel support frame is parallel to the floor surface. Ri Na moved back and forth, to the body frame, the have guide portion outstretched rearward is formed against the seating unit, to the main wheel supporting frame is movable back and forth relative to the guide portion And a locking engagement portion that engages with an engaged portion provided on the main body frame when the main wheel is disposed at a normal travel position. It is a self-operated wheelchair characterized by this.

In such a configuration, when the armrest portion is rotated upward to stand, the main wheel support frame is rotated with respect to the main body frame, and the main wheel is parallel to the floor surface. Move backwards. That is, the main wheel at the normal traveling position where the user can operate is shifted backward with respect to the seating portion. On the other hand, when the armrest portion is rotated downward to return the seated user to a position where the user can place the elbow, the main wheel support frame is rotated with respect to the main body frame. The wheel moves forward in parallel to the floor surface, and the main wheel returns to the normal traveling position. As described above, the main body frame and the main wheel support frame are connected via the four-link mechanism, and the trajectory of the rotation center of the main wheel interlocked with the armrest portion is parallel to the floor surface. Thus, when the user is seated on the seating portion and the armrest is turned to move the main wheel back and forth, the seating portion does not tilt. Thus, the user is prevented from being out of balance, and the safety as a wheelchair is greatly improved. In addition, even if the user is a weak person, the armrest can be easily tilted to move the wheel back and forth. Further, in this configuration, by providing the slide engagement portion engaged with the guide portion, the main wheel support frame that rotates in the front-rear direction is displaced in the left-right direction with respect to the main body frame. Will disappear and the main wheel will move back and forth stably. In addition, by providing a fixing engaging portion that engages with the engaged portion of the main body frame at the normal traveling position of the main wheel, the right and left wobbling of the main wheel positioned at the normal traveling position is suppressed, and appropriate traveling stability Sex can be secured.

Further, the main wheel is provided with a brake part of a drum type braking means, and has a brake operation part for controlling the brake part, and the brake part is configured to rotate the main wheel. A position converting member that can be converted into a braking position when the movement is braked and a non-braking position when the rotation of the main wheel is not braked; The stopper mounting portion is provided, and a stopper portion capable of coming into contact with the position converting member is provided at the tip of the stopper mounting portion, and the armrest is rotated to shift the main wheel backward. when, having a pressing is that mechanism the position conversion member of the braking portion in the main wheel to the stopper portion, the main wheel the position changing member is positioned converted into the braking position from the non-braking position Is braked Configuration with the composed structures are preferred.

  In such a configuration, when the user seated on the seating portion shifts the main wheel to the rear position to transfer it to the bed or the like, the main wheel is braked, ensuring safety during transfer. it can. In addition, since the configuration uses the braking portion of the drum-type braking means that is normally attached to the main wheel, the manufacturing cost will not increase, and it may be an obstacle when the user operates the device. There is nothing.

  The self-operating wheelchair according to the present invention has an effect of being excellent in safety because the posture does not become unstable even when the armrest is rotated while the user is seated.

It is a side view of the wheelchair at the time of normal driving | running | working. It is a separation perspective view showing a 4 link mechanism etc. (A) is a side view of the position conversion member when the main wheel is not braked, and (b) is a side view of the position conversion member when the main wheel is braked. (A) is a partially enlarged front view showing the slide engaging portion in an enlarged manner, and (b) is a partially enlarged front view showing in an enlarged manner the fixing engaging portion. It is a side view of the wheelchair at the time of user transfer.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the self-operating wheelchair according to the present invention will be described in detail. In addition, this invention is not limited to the Example shown below, A design change is possible suitably.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a self-propelled wheelchair 1 (hereinafter referred to as a wheelchair 1 as appropriate) includes a main body frame 2 made of a metal pipe.

  The body frame 2 has a pair of left and right substantially horizontal seating frame portions 21 and 21 on which the seating portion 4 is disposed, and extends upward from the rear end portions of the seating frame portions 21 and 21. A pair of left and right back frame portions 22, 22, a pair of left and right handle portions 23, 23 formed at each upper end portion of the back frame portions 22, 22, and downward from each rear end portion of the seating frame portions 21, 21 And a pair of left and right leg frame portions 25, 25.

  For example, a plurality of band bands (not shown) are bridged in the left-right direction between the pair of left and right seating frame portions 21 and 21, and a seat cushion (not shown) is provided thereon. A seating portion 4 on which a person sits is formed. In addition, for example, a plurality of band bands (not shown) are laid across the back frame portions 22 and 22 in the left-right direction, and a back cushion (not shown) is provided on the front side thereof, for example, so that the seat portion It is possible to support the back of the user who is seated on 4.

  An armrest portion 5 used by a user seated on the seating portion 4 is pivotally supported on the back frame portion 22 so as to be rotatable up and down. Accordingly, the armrest portion 5 can be raised and lowered and can be positioned at a substantially horizontal use position (see FIG. 1) and a substantially vertical standing position (see FIG. 5). In addition, this armrest part 5 is arrange | positioned by the left-right pair.

  The side plate 6 is rotatably attached to the seating frame portion 21. More specifically, the side plate 6 can shield the space between the seating frame portion 21 and the armrest portion 5 in an upright state as shown in FIG. The side part of the seating part 4 can be opened in a state where it has fallen. Then, the side plate 6 tilted to the outside is bridged over the upper surface of an adjacent bed or the like, and can assist the transfer of the user. The side plates 6 are also arranged in a pair on the left and right.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the wheelchair 1 includes a main wheel support frame 3 having a main wheel 7 rotatably attached to a lower end portion. Specifically, the wheelchair 1 includes a pair of left and right main wheel support frames 3 and 3, and main wheels 7 and 7 are attached to lower ends of the main wheel support frames 3 and 3.

  Further, the upper end portion of the main wheel support frame 3 and the upper portion of the back frame portion 22 of the main body frame 2 are connected via a four-link mechanism 10.

  More specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the 4-link mechanism 10 has an upper first link member 11. One end 11 </ b> A of the first link member 11 is rotatably attached to an upper attachment portion 22 </ b> A of the back frame portion 22 of the main body frame 2. On the other hand, the other end 11 </ b> B is rotatably attached to an upper end attachment portion 3 </ b> A of the upper end portion of the main wheel support frame 3.

  Further, the four-link mechanism 10 has a lower second link member 12. One end 12 </ b> A of the second link member 12 is rotatably attached to a position below the first link member 11 in the back frame portion 22, that is, a lower portion of the back frame portion 22. Specifically, one end 12 </ b> A of the second link member 12 is provided on a bracket 24 </ b> A of a stopper mounting portion 24 that is extended rearward from the back frame portion 22. On the other hand, the other end 12 </ b> B is rotatably attached to a lower attachment portion 3 </ b> C at a position below the first link member 11 in the main wheel support frame 3, i.e., in the middle portion of the main wheel support frame 3. ing.

  In addition, the 4 link mechanism 10 in a present Example is comprised by the link mechanism which uses the 1st link member 11, the 2nd link member 12, the back frame part 22, and the main wheel support frame 3 as four nodes. The 4-link mechanism 10 is provided corresponding to the pair of left and right main wheel support frames 3 and 3 and has a bilaterally symmetric structure.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the front mounting portion 50 </ b> A of the thin plate-like rear end portion 50 in the armrest portion 5 is connected to the lower mounting portion 22 </ b> B provided below the upper mounting portion 22 </ b> A in the back frame portion 22. It is pivotally attached.

  Further, the armrest portion 5 and the main wheel support frame 3 corresponding to the main wheel 7 on the same side as the armrest portion 5 are connected via a third link member 13. Specifically, one end 13 </ b> A of the third link member 13 is attached to the rear attachment part 50 </ b> B of the rear end part 50 in the armrest part 5, and the other end 13 </ b> B is the lower attachment part 3 </ b> C in the main wheel support frame 3. It is attached to the intermediate attachment part 3B arrange | positioned just above.

  The wheelchair 1 is provided with drum-type braking means B as shown in FIG. More specifically, the drum-type braking means B includes a braking unit 30 disposed at the center of rotation of the main wheel 7 and a brake operation unit 31 for controlling the braking unit 30. The brake operation portion 31 is disposed on a handle portion 23 formed at the upper end portion of the main body frame 2.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the braking unit 30 includes a position conversion member 32 formed of a bracket that is pivotally supported in a cantilever manner. When the rotation of the main wheel 7 is braked, the position converting member 32 rotates to the braking position (see FIG. 3b) about the axis 32A, and the rotation of the main wheel 7 is not braked. It is sometimes configured to rotate to a non-braking position (see FIG. 3a). The position converting member 32 is normally biased so as to be in the non-braking position.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, a stopper portion 27 formed of a small-diameter roller member is directed forward at a tip portion of the stopper mounting portion 24 formed in the main body frame 2 that is curved downward. Is formed.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 4a, the main wheel support frame 3 can be moved back and forth by a guide portion 26 that is interposed between the leg frame portion 25 and the distal end portion of the stopper mounting portion 24. A slide engagement portion 40 that is fitted and engaged is provided. Specifically, the slide engagement portion 40 has a vertical base plate 40A fixed to the side surface of the main wheel support frame 3, and a substantially cross-sectional L-shape attached to the base plate 40A via a set screw 41. And a hook-shaped pipe constituting the guide portion 26 is interposed between the base plate 40A and the cover member 40B.

  In such a configuration, during normal use as shown in FIG. 1, the main wheel 7 is in a normal traveling position immediately next to the seating portion 4, and a user seated on the seating portion 4 7 can be controlled. At this time, the armrest portion 5 is set to a substantially horizontal use position, and the side plate 6 is raised to shield the side of the seating portion 4.

  For example, when the user moves to the bed, the wheelchair 1 is moved to the side of the bed and the armrest 5 on the bed side is rotated upward. Then, as shown in FIG. 5, as the armrest 5 rotates, the main wheel support frame 3 on the same side is interlocked via the third link member 13, and the main wheel support frame 3 is 4. The main frame 2 is interlocked with the link mechanism 10. The main wheel 7 attached to the main wheel support frame 3 moves rearward in parallel to the floor surface GL. Further, as the main wheel 7 moves rearward, the slide engagement portion 40 disposed on the main wheel support frame 3 moves rearward while engaging the guide portion 26.

  As described above, by adopting a configuration in which the four-link mechanism 10 is adopted and the trajectory of the rotation center of the main wheel 7 is changed in parallel to the floor surface GL, the armrest can be used while the user is seated on the seating portion 4. When the part 5 is rotated and the main wheel 7 is shifted rearward, the seating part 4 is not inclined, and the user does not lose balance. For this reason, the safety | security as the wheelchair 1 improves significantly. Further, even if the user is a weak person, it is possible to easily raise the armrest portion 5 and shift the main wheel 7 backward. Further, since the slide engagement portion 40 is engaged with the guide portion 26, the main wheel support frame 3 interlocked with the armrest portion 5 does not wobble in the left-right direction with respect to the main body frame 2, and the main wheel The back-and-forth movement of 7 is stable.

  When the main wheel 7 shifts rearward with respect to the seating portion 4 as described above, the position conversion member 32 of the braking portion 30 in the main wheel 7 is stopped by the stopper of the main body frame 2 as shown in FIG. The position conversion member 32 is strongly pressed against the stopper portion 27 formed at the tip of the mounting portion 24, and the position converting member 32 is changed from the non-braking position (see FIG. 3a) to the braking position (see FIG. 3b). Thereby, it will be in a braking state in the position where this main wheel 7 changed back.

  Such a braking mechanism can bring the main wheel 7 into a braking state in a state where the main wheel 7 is shifted to the rear position, so that safety at the time of transfer is improved.

  When the main wheel 7 shifts rearward in this way, the standing side plate 6 can be opened outward, and the side plate 6 opened outward is bridged on the upper surface of the bed so that it can be easily transferred. Can do.

  Since the stopper portion 27 is not configured to protrude sideways, it does not get in the way when the user operates the main wheel 7.

  On the other hand, when the armrest portion 5 in the standing state as shown in FIG. 5 is rotated downward to return to the substantially horizontal state as shown in FIG. 1, the main wheel support frame 3 is attached to the main body frame. 2, the main wheel 7 moves forward in parallel to the floor GL, and the main wheel 7 is disposed at the normal travel position.

  At this time, the position converting member 32 is separated from the stopper portion 27, and the position converting member 32 is returned from the braking position (see FIG. 3b) to the non-braking position (see FIG. 3a). As a result, the main wheel 7 enters a non-braking state.

  When the main wheel 7 is disposed at the normal travel position, the engaged portion 28 provided in the leg frame portion 25 of the main body frame 2 and the lower end portion of the main wheel support frame 3 are provided. The fixing engaging portion 33 is engaged.

  More specifically, as shown in FIG. 4 b, the engaged portion 28 is constituted by a cover member 28 </ b> A having a substantially U-shaped cross section, and the cover member 28 </ b> A is connected to the main wheel support frame 3 via a set screw 34. It is fixed vertically on the side. A fine gap is formed between the cover member 28 </ b> A and the main wheel support frame 3. On the other hand, the fixing engaging portion 33 includes a plate-like protruding portion 33A that protrudes forward and is slightly thinner than the fine gap. When the main wheel 7 moves forward to the normal travel position, the protrusion 33A of the fixing engagement portion 33 is located between the engaged portion 28 and the main wheel support frame 3. By being inserted into the minute gap from the rear side, the engaged portion 28 and the fixing engaging portion 33 are engaged. Thereby, the right and left wobble of the main wheel 7 located at the normal travel position is suppressed, and appropriate travel stability is ensured.

  The four-link mechanism 10 described so far can be appropriately designed and modified according to the size and shape of the wheelchair 1. Further, in the structure in which the main wheel support frame 3 is connected to the main body frame 2, it is desirable to adopt a structure that appropriately improves the strength.

  Further, the configuration of the stopper portion 27 is not limited to the above-described structure, and other structures may be used as long as the position converting member 32 can be appropriately converted in position. Further, the position where the stopper portion 27 is formed is not limited to the above position, and may be another position.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Self-operated wheelchair 2 Main body frame 3 Main wheel support frame 4 Seating part 5 Armrest part 7 Main wheel 10 4 Link mechanism 11 First link member 12 Second link member 13 Third link member 22 Back frame part 24 Stopper mounting part 26 Guide part 27 Stopper part 28 Engagement part 30 Brake part 33 Fixing engagement part 31 Brake operation part 32 Position conversion member 40 Slide engagement part B Drum-type braking means

Claims (2)

A body frame having a seating portion on which a user is seated is provided, and a user seated on the seating portion can operate the pair of left and right main wheels by itself and can be turned upside down. When the armrest is rotated, the main wheel on the same side as the armrest moves in conjunction with the armrest, and is a self-operated wheelchair that moves back and forth with respect to the seating portion,
A main wheel support frame having the main wheel rotatably attached to the lower end;
The back frame portion is formed in the body frame, the upper portion of the back frame section, the upper end portion of said main wheel support frame is comprised are connected via a first link member, and the main wheel support The lower part of the back frame part is connected to the middle part of the frame via a second link member, and the main wheel support is attached to the armrest part and the main wheel on the same side as the armrest part. The frame is connected via a third link member,
When the armrest portion is turned up and down, the main wheel support frame is interlocked with the back frame portion via a four-link mechanism including the first link member and the second link member. the a, Ri the main wheels positioned at the lower end portion of the main wheel supporting frame name to move back and forth parallel to the floor surface,
The main body frame is formed with a guide portion that extends backward with respect to the seating portion,
The main wheel support frame includes a slide engagement portion that is movably engaged with the guide portion, and an engaged state provided on the main body frame when the main wheel is disposed at a normal travel position. A self-operating wheelchair characterized by being provided with a fixing engaging portion that engages with the portion . The main wheel is provided with a brake part of a drum type braking means, and has a brake operation part for controlling the brake part,
The braking part is
A position conversion member capable of changing a position to be a braking position when the rotation of the main wheel is braked and a non-braking position when the rotation of the main wheel is not braked;
Furthermore, the main body frame includes a stopper mounting portion that is inserted rearward from the seating portion, and a stopper portion that can contact the position conversion member is provided at the tip of the stopper mounting portion.
A mechanism for pressing the position converting member of the braking portion of the main wheel against the stopper when the armrest is rotated and the main wheel is moved rearward; The self-operated wheelchair according to claim 1, further comprising a structure in which the main wheel is braked by converting the position from the braking position to the braking position .

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