JP6664808B2 - wheelchair - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a wheelchair.

  BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, various wheelchairs that can easily get over a step have been proposed. For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses that a large-diameter wheel is used as a front wheel of a wheelchair in order to easily get over a step of about 15 cm. In the wheelchair of Patent Literature 1, an air caster including a small-diameter wheel is provided as a rear wheel.

Japanese Utility Model Registration No. 3102833

  In the living environment of a wheelchair user, not only the steps but also the gaps become obstacles. For example, when a wheelchair user uses a railway, it is necessary to move the wheelchair between the platform of the station and the inside of the railway vehicle. There is a gap between the floor of the platform and the floor inside the railcar. Also, in many cases, the height of the floor of the platform does not match the height of the floor inside the railcar.

  Therefore, by arranging the bridging plate between the platform floor and the floor inside the railcar, the wheelchair can be smoothly moved between the platform and the railcar interior. If a bridge board is installed every time a wheelchair is moved between the platform and the inside of the railcar, the operation of the railcar may be disrupted. Also, some wheelchair users refrain from using the railroad to avoid the work of arranging the bridging boards.

  Therefore, it is required that the wheelchair be moved between the platform and the inside of the railway vehicle without using a bridge plate. Therefore, it is assumed that the wheelchair of Patent Literature 1 is moved between the platform and the inside of the railway vehicle without using the bridging plate. In this case, when the wheelchair is moved from the higher floor surface to the lower floor surface of the floor surface inside the railway vehicle and the floor surface of the platform, the wheelchair moves relatively easily.

  On the other hand, when moving the wheelchair from the lower floor to the higher floor, the large-diameter front wheel first passes through the gap and rides on the higher floor. However, if the wheelchair moves further forward, the small diameter rear wheel may fit into the gap. In order for the wheelchair to ride on the higher floor from the state where the small-diameter rear wheel is fitted in the gap, a great deal of labor is required. Therefore, it is conceivable to use a wheel having the same large diameter as the front wheel as the rear wheel. In this case, the wheelchair becomes significantly larger and the weight of the wheelchair increases.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a wheelchair that can easily and smoothly pass through a step having a gap between an upper step surface and a lower step surface on an uphill road and that can be reduced in size and reduced in weight. To provide.

(1) A wheelchair according to the present invention, comprising: a seat; a main body frame supporting the seat; first and second wheels positioned to the left and right of the seat and rotatably supported by a front portion of the main body frame. , a swing member provided on a rear portion of the swingable body frame to the left and right around the vertical axis of rotation, a third wheel which is rotatably supported on the swing member, first and in a side view A fourth wheel rotatably supported by the body frame or the swing member at a position between the second wheel and the third wheel, and a body frame or the swing at a position behind the third wheel in side view. A fifth wheel rotatably supported by the moving member, the diameter of the third wheel being smaller than the diameter of the first and second wheels, and the diameter of the fourth wheel being the third wheel The diameter of the fifth wheel is smaller than the diameter of the third wheel. Smaller, the rotation center axis of the third wheel is located rearward of the rotation axis of the swing member in side view, and the rotation center axis of the fourth wheel is smaller than the rotation axis of the swing member in side view. Is also located forward, the rotation center axis of the fifth wheel is located behind the rotation center axis of the third wheel in side view, and the rotation center axis of the third wheel and the swing member in side view. Is smaller than the distance between the rotation center axis of the fourth wheel and the rotation axis of the swinging member in the front-rear direction, and the fourth wheel and the fourth wheel are viewed from the side. The third wheel is adjacent to the third wheel and the outer circle of the fourth wheel and the outer circle of the third wheel are separated from each other, and the third wheel and the fifth wheel are adjacent to each other in a side view. and the outer circumference of the third wheel and the outer peripheral circle of the fifth wheel is spaced apart from each other, a fourth wheel and fifth wheel, first, second and third wheels on the flat surface Away from the flat surface when you are the earth.

When the wheelchair according to the invention is on a flat surface, the first, second and third wheels are in contact with the ground, and the fourth and fifth wheels are floating above the flat surface. When the wheelchair climbs up and passes over a step having a gap between the upper and lower steps, the large first and second wheels pass through the gap from the lower step and ride on the upper step. At this time, the small third wheel is on the lower level, and the fourth wheel is on the gap or above the lower level. As the first and second wheels move further forward, the fourth wheel is supported on the upper surface, and the third wheel is located in the gap. At this time, the wheelchair is supported on the upper surface by the first wheel, the second wheel, and the fourth wheel. This prevents the third wheel from fitting in the gap. Therefore, when the first and second wheels further advance, the third wheel can easily and smoothly ride on the upper surface from the gap.

According to such a configuration, it is not necessary to make the diameter of the third wheel larger than the size of the gap in order to pass through the upward step having the above gap. Therefore, an increase in the size of the wheelchair can be suppressed, and the weight of the wheelchair can be reduced.
When the wheelchair descends and passes through a step having a gap between the lower step and the upper step, the large first and second wheels move from the upper step through the gap to the lower step. At this time, the small third wheel is on the upper level and the fifth wheel is above the upper level. Further, when the first and second wheels move forward, the fifth wheel is supported on the upper surface, and the third wheel is located in the gap. Thereby, the third wheel can move more smoothly on the lower step surface from the gap as the first and second wheels further advance.

  (2) The fourth wheel has a common tangent line that contacts the lower side of the outer circumference of the first wheel and the lower side of the outer circumference of the fourth wheel, and the lower side of the outer circumference of the second wheel and the fourth wheel. A common tangent line in contact with the lower side of the outer peripheral circle of the wheel may be arranged so as to pass below the central axis of the third wheel.

  As described above, when the wheelchair according to the present invention is climbing and passing through a step having a gap between the upper step and the lower step, the large first and second wheels pass through the gap from the lower step. After riding on the upper surface, the fourth wheel is supported on the upper surface and the third wheel is located in the gap. At this time, the common tangent between the first wheel and the fourth wheel and the common tangent between the second wheel and the fourth wheel pass below the center axis of the third wheel. The central axis is located higher than the upper surface. Therefore, when the first and second wheels further advance, the third wheel can easily and more smoothly ride on the upper surface from the gap.

( 3) A common tangent line that contacts the lower side of the outer circumference of the first wheel and the lower side of the outer circumference of the fifth wheel, the lower side of the outer circumference of the second wheel, and the lower side of the outer circumference of the fifth wheel. A common tangent line in contact with the side may be arranged to pass below the central axis of the third wheel.

  In this case, when the wheelchair is on a flat surface, the first, second and third wheels are in contact with the ground, and the fourth and fifth wheels are floating above the flat surface. When the wheelchair descends and passes through a step having a gap between the lower step and the upper step, the large first and second wheels pass through the gap from the upper step and move to the lower step. At this time, the small third wheel is on the upper level and the fifth wheel is above the upper level.

  When the first and second wheels further advance, the fifth wheel is supported on the upper surface, and the third wheel is located in the gap. At this time, the common tangent between the first wheel and the fifth wheel and the common tangent between the second wheel and the fifth wheel pass below the center axis of the third wheel. The central axis is located higher than the lower surface. Therefore, when the first and second wheels further advance, the third wheel can move more smoothly from the gap on the lower step surface.

  According to the present invention, there is provided a wheelchair that can easily and smoothly pass through a step having a gap between an upper step surface and a lower step surface while climbing, and can be reduced in size and reduced in weight. Is achieved.

1 is an external perspective view of a wheelchair according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a side view of one side of the wheelchair of FIG. 1. It is a top view of the wheelchair of FIG. It is a side view which shows the preferable example of a setting of the dimension of each part of the wheelchair which concerns on 1st Embodiment. FIG. 5 is a side view for explaining a state in which the wheelchair of FIG. 4 goes up and passes through a step having a gap between an upper step surface and a lower step surface. FIG. 5 is a side view for explaining a state in which the wheelchair of FIG. 4 goes up and passes through a step having a gap between an upper step surface and a lower step surface. FIG. 5 is a side view for explaining a state in which the wheelchair of FIG. 4 goes down and passes through a step having a gap between a lower step surface and an upper step surface. FIG. 5 is a side view for explaining a state in which the wheelchair of FIG. 4 goes down and passes through a step having a gap between a lower step surface and an upper step surface. It is an external appearance perspective view of the wheelchair concerning a 2nd embodiment. FIG. 10 is one side view of the wheelchair of FIG. 9. It is a top view of the wheelchair of FIG. FIG. 10 is a side view for explaining a state in which the wheelchair of FIG. 9 goes up and passes through a step having a gap between an upper step surface and a lower step surface. FIG. 10 is a side view for explaining a state in which the wheelchair of FIG. 9 goes up and passes through a step having a gap between an upper step surface and a lower step surface. It is a schematic diagram showing a first example of a wheelchair according to another embodiment. It is a schematic diagram showing a second example of a wheelchair according to another embodiment. It is a schematic diagram showing a third example of a wheelchair according to another embodiment.

  A wheelchair according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[1] First Embodiment (1) Basic Configuration of Wheelchair FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a wheelchair according to a first embodiment, FIG. 2 is a side view of one side of the wheelchair 1 of FIG. FIG. 3 is a plan view of the wheelchair 1 of FIG. 1 to 3 and FIG. 4 to be described later, the left-right direction X, the front-rear direction Y, and the vertical direction Z of the wheelchair 1 are indicated by arrows. In the following description, the direction in which the arrow points in the left-right direction X is referred to as left, and the opposite direction is referred to as right. The direction in which the arrow points in the front-rear direction Y is referred to as front, and the opposite direction is referred to as rear. Further, the direction in which the arrow points in the vertical direction Z is called upward, and the opposite direction is called downward.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the wheelchair 1 mainly includes a seat 10, a main body frame 20, two front wheels 31, 32, a rear wheel 40, an intermediate auxiliary wheel 50, and a rear auxiliary wheel 60. The main body frame 20 includes a left frame part 21 and a right frame part 22 connected to each other. The left frame portion 21 and the right frame portion 22 are arranged in the left-right direction X so as to face each other. The seat 10 is supported by the body frame 20 between the left frame portion 21 and the right frame portion 22. A front wheel 31 is rotatably supported by a front portion of the left frame portion 21, and a front wheel 32 is rotatably supported by a front portion of the right frame portion 22.

  A connection frame 23 extending in the left-right direction X is provided at a position behind the seat 10 so as to connect a rear portion of the left frame portion 21 and a rear portion of the right frame portion 22. In addition, a support column 24 is provided to extend downward from a substantially central portion of the connection frame 23. Further, a support plate 41 is provided at a lower end of the support column 24. The support plate 41 is supported by the support columns 24 in a state substantially parallel to the seating surface of the seat 10.

  The rotating plate 42 is attached to the lower surface of the support plate 41. A swinging fork 43 is attached to the lower surface of the rotating plate 42 so as to be rotatable around an axis cc orthogonal to the rotating plate 42, that is, swingable in the left-right direction X. The rear wheel 40 is rotatably supported by the lower end of the swinging fork 43. In this state, the rear wheel 40 is located behind the front wheels 31, 32. The rotating plate 42, the swing fork 43, and the rear wheel 40 function as casters.

  An auxiliary wheel support frame 44 is attached to the swinging fork 43 so as to extend forward and rearward of the rear wheel 40. A fixed fork 50 a is attached to the front end of the auxiliary wheel support frame 44. The intermediate auxiliary wheel 50 is rotatably supported at the lower end of the fixed fork 50a. A fixed fork 60 a is attached to the rear end of the auxiliary wheel support frame 44. The rear auxiliary wheel 60 is rotatably supported at the lower end of the fixed fork 60a. In this state, the intermediate auxiliary wheel 50 and the rear auxiliary wheel 60 are fixed to the auxiliary wheel support frame 44 by fixed forks 50a and 60a, respectively, so as to face the same direction as the rear wheel 40.

  The diameter of the rear wheel 40 is smaller than the diameter of the front wheels 31 and 32. Further, the diameters of the intermediate auxiliary wheel 50 and the rear auxiliary wheel 60 are smaller than the diameters of the front wheels 31, 32 and the rear wheel 40. The diameters of the intermediate auxiliary wheel 50 and the rear auxiliary wheel 60 may be different from each other.

  As shown in FIG. 2, in a state where the wheelchair 1 is on the flat surface FS, the front wheels 31, 32 and the rear wheel 40 are in contact with the flat surface FS. At this time, the rotation center axes RA1 of the front wheels 31, 32 are on a common straight line parallel to the left-right direction X. The intermediate auxiliary wheel 50 is separated from the flat surface FS at a position between the front wheels 31, 32 and the rear wheel 40 in the front-rear direction Y. The rear auxiliary wheel 60 is separated from the flat surface FS at a position opposite to the intermediate auxiliary wheel 50 with respect to the rear wheel 40.

  Here, the intermediate auxiliary wheel 50 is disposed such that a common tangent line L1 that contacts the lower side of the outer peripheral circle of the front wheel 31 and the lower side of the outer peripheral circle of the intermediate auxiliary wheel 50 intersects the outer peripheral circle of the rear wheel 40, for example. You. The intermediate auxiliary wheel 50 is arranged such that a common tangent line L2 that contacts the lower side of the outer peripheral circle of the front wheel 32 and the lower side of the outer peripheral circle of the intermediate auxiliary wheel 50 intersects the outer peripheral circle of the rear wheel 40, for example. .

  The rear auxiliary wheel 60 is arranged such that a common tangent line L3 that contacts the lower side of the outer peripheral circle of the front wheel 31 and the lower side of the outer peripheral circle of the rear auxiliary wheel 60 intersects the outer peripheral circle of the rear wheel 40, for example. . The rear auxiliary wheel 60 is arranged such that a common tangent line L4 that contacts the lower side of the outer peripheral circle of the front wheel 32 and the lower side of the outer peripheral circle of the rear auxiliary wheel 60 intersects, for example, the outer peripheral circle of the rear wheel 40. .

  In the wheelchair 1 having the above configuration, a hand rim (not shown) is provided on each of the front wheels 31 and 32. The user sitting on the seat 10 operates the hand rims of the front wheels 31 and 32, respectively. Thereby, the front wheels 31 and 32 function as drive wheels.

  The user can move the wheelchair 1 forward by rotating the front wheels 31 and 32 forward at the same speed, and can move the wheelchair 1 backward by rotating the front wheels 31 and 32 backward at the same speed. Further, the user changes the rotation speed or the rotation direction of the front wheel 31 and the rotation speed or the rotation direction of the front wheel 32 from each other, thereby changing the direction of the rear wheel 40 as shown by a thick dashed line arrow in FIG. Can be changed. Thereby, turning or rotation of the wheelchair 1 becomes possible.

(2) Preferred Setting Example of Dimensions of Each Part of Wheelchair FIG. 4 is a side view showing a preferred setting example of dimensions of each part of the wheelchair 1 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 shows a state in which the wheelchair 1 is on the flat surface FS, as in the example of FIG. In this state, the front wheels 31, 32 and the rear wheel 40 touch the flat surface FS, and the intermediate auxiliary wheel 50 and the rear auxiliary wheel 60 are separated from the flat surface FS.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the intermediate auxiliary wheel 50 has a common tangent line L1 that contacts the lower side of the outer peripheral circle of the front wheel 31 and the lower side of the outer peripheral circle of the intermediate auxiliary wheel 50 below the rotation center axis RA2 of the rear wheel 40. Is preferably arranged to pass through. The intermediate auxiliary wheel 50 is arranged such that a common tangent line L2 that contacts the lower side of the outer peripheral circle of the front wheel 32 and the lower side of the outer peripheral circle of the intermediate auxiliary wheel 50 passes below the rotation center axis RA2 of the rear wheel 40. Is preferably performed.

  Further, the rear auxiliary wheel 60 is disposed such that a common tangent line L3 that contacts the lower side of the outer peripheral circle of the front wheel 31 and the lower side of the outer peripheral circle of the rear auxiliary wheel 60 passes below the rotation center axis RA2 of the rear wheel 40. Is preferably performed. The rear auxiliary wheel 60 is disposed such that a common tangent line L4 that contacts the lower side of the outer peripheral circle of the front wheel 32 and the lower side of the outer peripheral circle of the rear auxiliary wheel 60 passes below the rotation center axis RA2 of the rear wheel 40. Is preferably performed.

  In the wheelchair 1 of this example, the diameter of the front wheels 31, 32 is set to about 610 mm, the diameter of the rear wheel 40 is set to about 251 mm, and the diameter of the intermediate auxiliary wheel 50 and the rear auxiliary wheel 60 is set to about 65 mm. You. The diameters of the front wheels 31, 32, the rear wheel 40, the intermediate auxiliary wheel 50, and the rear auxiliary wheel 60 of the wheelchair 1 are not limited to the values in this example.

  The dimension d1 in the front-rear direction Y from the rotation center axis RA1 of the front wheels 31, 32 to the rotation center axis RA2 of the rear wheel 40 is set to about 620 mm. The dimension d2 in the front-rear direction Y from the rotation center axis RA3 of the intermediate auxiliary wheel 50 to the rotation center axis RA2 of the rear wheel 40 is set to about 200 mm. The dimension d3 in the front-rear direction Y from the rotation center axis RA2 of the rear wheel 40 to the rotation center axis RA4 of the rear auxiliary wheel 60 is set to about 200 mm. Further, the dimension d4 in the vertical direction Z from the flat surface FS to the lower end of the intermediate auxiliary wheel 50 is set to be about 70 mm to about 80 mm. The dimension d5 in the vertical direction Z from the flat surface FS to the lower end of the rear auxiliary wheel 60 is set to be about 70 mm to about 80 mm. The dimensions d4 and d5 may be set to be equal to each other. Further, the size of the above-described dimensions d1, d2, d3, d4, and d5 of the wheelchair 1 is not limited to the value in this example.

(3) Passing through a step having a gap between the upper step and the lower step on the ascending side FIGS. 5 and 6 show a step in which the wheelchair 1 of FIG. 4 is climbing and having a gap between the upper step and the lower step. It is a side view for explaining the state at the time of passing. 5 (a) to 5 (d) and FIGS. 6 (a) to 6 (c), chronological side views of the wheelchair 1 when passing through an uphill are shown. In this example, both the upper surface HS and the lower surface LS are flat surfaces, the interval g1 of the gap G1 between the upper surface HS and the lower surface LS is 220 mm, and the distance g1 between the upper surface HS and the lower surface LS. The height difference g2 is 80 mm.

  As shown in FIG. 5A, in an initial state, the wheelchair 1 is on the lower surface LS, the front wheels 31, 32 and the rear wheel 40 are in contact with the lower surface LS, and the intermediate auxiliary wheel 50 and the rear auxiliary wheel 60 Floating from the lower surface LS.

  Thereafter, the front wheels 31, 32 reach the gap G1 as the wheelchair 1 moves forward. At this time, since the diameters of the front wheels 31, 32 are sufficiently larger than the gap g1 of the gap G1, the front wheels 31, 32 hardly fit in the gap G1, as shown in FIG. 5B. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5C, the front wheels 31, 32 ride on the upper step surface HS relatively easily through the gap G1 from the lower step surface LS. At this time, the rear wheel 40 is on the lower surface LS, and the intermediate auxiliary wheel 50 and the rear auxiliary wheel 60 are above the lower surface LS.

  When the front wheels 31, 32 further move forward, as shown in FIG. 5D, the intermediate auxiliary wheel 50 passes through the gap G1 and moves on the upper surface HS. Thereby, the intermediate auxiliary wheel 50 is supported on the upper step surface HS, and the rear wheel 40 is located in the gap G1. In this state, the wheelchair 1 is supported on the upper surface HS by the front wheels 31, 32 and the intermediate auxiliary wheel 50. This prevents the rear wheel 40 from being fitted into the gap G1.

  In particular, in this example, the common tangent line L1 between the front wheel 31 and the intermediate auxiliary wheel 50 (see FIG. 4) and the common tangent line L2 between the front wheel 32 and the intermediate auxiliary wheel 50 (see FIG. 4) are from the rotation center axis RA2 of the rear wheel 40. , The rotation center axis RA2 of the rear wheel 40 is higher than the upper surface HS. Therefore, as the front wheels 31 and 32 further move forward, as shown in FIG. 6A, the rear wheel 40 comes into contact with the upper surface HS and can easily and smoothly ride on the upper surface HS from the gap G1. .

  When the rear wheel 40 rides on the upper surface HS, the wheelchair 1 is supported on the upper surface HS by the front wheels 31, 32 and the rear wheel 40. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 6B, the intermediate auxiliary wheel 50 is separated from the upper surface HS.

  As the front wheels 31 and 32 further advance, the entire wheelchair 1 is located above the upper surface HS. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 6C, the movement of the wheelchair 1 from the lower surface LS to the upper surface HS is completed.

(4) Passing Down a Step Having a Gap Between Downward and Lower and Upper Steps FIGS. 7 and 8 show a step in which the wheelchair 1 of FIG. 4 is down and has a gap between the lower step and the upper step. It is a side view for explaining the state at the time of passing. 7 (a) to 7 (d) and FIGS. 8 (a) to 8 (c), a side view of the wheelchair 1 when passing through a downhill is shown in chronological order. In this example, both the upper surface HS and the lower surface LS are flat surfaces, the gap g3 of the gap G2 between the upper surface HS and the lower surface LS is 220 mm, and the distance between the upper surface HS and the lower surface LS is 220 mm. The height difference g4 is 80 mm.

  As shown in FIG. 7A, in an initial state, the wheelchair 1 is on the upper surface HS, the front wheels 31, 32 and the rear wheel 40 are in contact with the upper surface HS, and the intermediate auxiliary wheel 50 and the rear auxiliary wheel 60 Floating from the upper surface HS.

  Thereafter, the front wheels 31, 32 reach the gap G2 as the wheelchair 1 moves forward. At this time, since the diameters of the front wheels 31, 32 are sufficiently larger than the gap g3 of the gap G2, the front wheels 31, 32 hardly fit in the gap G2, as shown in FIG. 7B. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7C, the front wheels 31 and 32 easily and smoothly move from the upper surface HS to the lower surface LS through the gap G2. At this time, the rear wheel 40 is on the upper surface HS, and the intermediate auxiliary wheel 50 and the rear auxiliary wheel 60 are above the upper surface HS.

  When the front wheels 31 and 32 further move forward, as shown in FIG. 7D, the intermediate auxiliary wheel 50 and the rear wheel 40 move to the gap G2 in order. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 8A, the rear auxiliary wheel 60 is supported on the upper step surface HS, and the rear wheel 40 is located in the gap G2. In this state, the wheelchair 1 is supported on the lower surface LS and the upper surface HS by the front wheels 31, 32 and the rear auxiliary wheel 60. This prevents the rear wheel 40 from being fitted into the gap G2.

  In particular, in this example, the common tangent L3 between the front wheel 31 and the rear auxiliary wheel 60 (see FIG. 4) and the common tangent L4 between the front wheel 32 and the rear auxiliary wheel 60 (see FIG. 4) are from the rotation center axis RA2 of the rear wheel 40. , The rotation center axis RA2 of the rear wheel 40 is higher than the lower surface LS. Thereby, as the front wheels 31 and 32 further move forward, as shown in FIG. 8B, the rear wheel 40 comes into contact with the lower surface LS, and can move smoothly from the gap G2 to the lower surface LS.

  Further, in this example, when the rear wheel 40 enters the gap G2, the rear auxiliary wheel 60 is supported by the upper step surface HS, thereby preventing the rear wheel 40 from dropping largely in the gap G2. Therefore, when the rear wheel 40 enters the gap G2, a large impact is prevented from being generated in the wheelchair 1.

  Furthermore, in this example, most of the rear wheel 40 is located above the lower step surface LS in a state where the wheelchair 1 is supported on the lower step surface LS and the upper step surface HS by the front wheels 31 and 32 and the rear auxiliary wheel 60. . Thereby, the movement of the rear wheel 40 from the gap G2 to the lower step surface LS is further smoothed.

  When the front wheels 31 and 32 further advance, the entire wheelchair 1 is positioned above the lower surface LS. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 8C, the movement from the upper level HS to the lower level LS of the wheelchair 1 is completed.

(5) Effects of the First Embodiment In the wheelchair 1 according to the first embodiment, when the vehicle passes through a step having a gap G1 between the upper step surface HS and the lower step surface LS, it is large. The front wheels 31, 32 ride on the upper surface HS through the gap G1 from the lower surface LS. After that, the intermediate auxiliary wheel 50 is supported on the upper step surface HS, and the rear wheel 40 is located in the gap G1. At this time, the wheelchair 1 is supported on the upper surface HS by the front wheels 31, 32 and the intermediate auxiliary wheel 50. This prevents the rear wheel 40 from being fitted into the gap G1. Therefore, when the front wheels 31, 32 are further advanced, the rear wheel 40 can easily and smoothly ride on the upper step surface HS from the gap G1. In particular, when the common tangent line L1 between the front wheel 31 and the intermediate auxiliary wheel 50 and the common tangent line L2 between the front wheel 32 and the intermediate auxiliary wheel 50 pass below the rotation center axis RA2 of the rear wheel 40, the rear wheel 40 In the state of being located at G1, the rotation center axis RA2 of the rear wheel 40 is at a position higher than the upper surface HS. Therefore, when the front wheels 31 and 32 are further advanced, the rear wheel 40 can easily and smoothly ride on the upper surface HS from the gap G1. As described above, the user of the wheelchair 1 can easily and smoothly pass the upward step having the gap G1 without requiring much labor while moving the wheelchair 1 forward.

  Further, according to the above configuration, the rear wheel 40 does not need to be larger than the gap g1 of the gap G1 in order to pass through the upward step having the gap G1. Therefore, the increase in the size of the wheelchair 1 is suppressed and the weight of the wheelchair 1 can be reduced.

  Furthermore, in the wheelchair 1 according to the first embodiment, when going down and passing through a step having a gap G2 between the lower step surface LS and the upper step surface HS, the large front wheels 31, 32 are moved from the upper step surface HS. It passes over the gap G2 and moves onto the lower surface LS. Thereafter, the rear auxiliary wheel 60 is supported on the upper surface HS, and the rear wheel 40 is located in the gap G2. At this time, the wheelchair 1 is supported on the lower surface LS and the upper surface HS by the front wheels 31, 32 and the rear auxiliary wheel 60. This prevents the rear wheel 40 from being fitted into the gap G2. Therefore, when the front wheels 31 and 32 further advance, the rear wheel 40 can easily and smoothly move from the gap G2 to the lower step surface LS. In particular, when the common tangent L3 between the front wheel 31 and the rear auxiliary wheel 60 and the common tangent L4 between the front wheel 32 and the rear auxiliary wheel 60 pass below the rotation center axis RA2 of the rear wheel 40, the rear wheel 40 In the state of being located at G2, the rotation center axis RA2 of the rear wheel 40 is at a position higher than the lower surface LS. Therefore, when the front wheels 31 and 32 further advance, the rear wheel 40 can move easily and more smoothly from the gap G2 to the lower step surface LS. As described above, the user of the wheelchair 1 can more smoothly pass through the downward step having the gap G2 while moving the wheelchair 1 forward.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the diameter of the intermediate auxiliary wheel 50 and the rear auxiliary wheel 60 is smaller than the diameter of any of the front wheels 31, 32 and the rear wheel 40. Therefore, the increase in the size of the wheelchair 1 due to the intermediate auxiliary wheel 50 and the rear auxiliary wheel 60 is suppressed, and the weight of the wheelchair 1 can be reduced.

  In the wheelchair 1 according to the present embodiment, the position of the intermediate auxiliary wheel 50 is not limited to the above example, and the distance between the gap G1 of the step having the gap G1 between the upper step surface HS and the lower step surface LS in the upward direction. In accordance with g1 and the height difference g2, the rear wheel 40 is set so as to be able to pass through the gap G1. The position of the rear auxiliary wheel 60 is not limited to the above example, and is determined according to the gap g3 of the gap G2 of the step having the gap G2 between the lower step surface LS and the upper step surface HS and the difference g4 of the height. The rear wheel 40 is set to be able to pass through the gap G2.

[2] Second Embodiment (1) Basic Configuration of Wheelchair The differences between the wheelchair according to the second embodiment and the wheelchair 1 according to the first embodiment will be described. 9 is an external perspective view of the wheelchair according to the second embodiment, FIG. 10 is a side view of one side of the wheelchair 1 of FIG. 9, and FIG. 11 is a plan view of the wheelchair 1 of FIG. 9 to 11, similarly to FIGS. 1 to 4 of the first embodiment, the left-right direction X, the front-rear direction Y, and the up-down direction Z of the wheelchair 1 are indicated by arrows. Also in the present embodiment, the direction in which the arrow points in the left-right direction X is called left, and the opposite direction is called right. The direction in which the arrow points in the front-rear direction Y is referred to as front, and the opposite direction is referred to as rear. Further, the direction in which the arrow points in the vertical direction Z is called upward, and the opposite direction is called downward.

  In the wheelchair 1 of FIG. 9, the swinging fork 43 supporting the rear wheel 40 is not provided with the auxiliary wheel support frame 44 of FIG. Therefore, the wheelchair 1 shown in FIG. 9 is not provided with the intermediate auxiliary wheel 50 and the rear auxiliary wheel 60 shown in FIG.

  On the other hand, in the wheelchair 1 of FIG. 9, the support shaft 71b and the fixed fork 71a are attached to the lower end near the rear end of the left frame 21. The intermediate auxiliary wheel 71 is rotatably supported at the lower end of the fixed fork 71a. A support shaft 72b and a fixed fork 72a are attached to a lower end near the rear end of the right frame 22. An intermediate auxiliary wheel 72 is rotatably supported at the lower end of the fixed fork 72a. In this state, the left and right frame portions 21 and 72 are fixed by the fixed forks 71a and 72a so that the intermediate auxiliary wheels 71 and 72 face each other in the left-right direction X and face the same direction as the front wheels 31 and 32. 22 respectively.

  As the support shafts 71b and 72b, for example, a rod-shaped member or a cylindrical member made of metal or resin can be used. The diameters of the intermediate auxiliary wheels 71 and 72 are equal to each other and smaller than the diameters of the front wheels 31 and 32 and the rear wheel 40.

  As shown in FIG. 10, in a state where the wheelchair 1 is on the flat surface FS, the front wheels 31, 32 and the rear wheel 40 touch the flat surface FS. At this time, the intermediate auxiliary wheels 71, 72 are separated from the flat surface FS at a position between the front wheels 31, 32 and the rear wheel 40 in the front-rear direction Y. The rotation center axis RA5 of each of the intermediate auxiliary wheels 71 and 72 is on a common straight line parallel to the left-right direction X.

  Here, the intermediate auxiliary wheel 71 is arranged such that a common tangent L5 that contacts the lower side of the outer peripheral circle of the front wheel 31 and the lower side of the outer peripheral circle of the intermediate auxiliary wheel 71 intersects the outer peripheral circle of the rear wheel 40. The intermediate auxiliary wheel 72 is arranged such that a common tangent line L6 that contacts the lower side of the outer peripheral circle of the front wheel 32 and the lower side of the outer peripheral circle of the intermediate auxiliary wheel 72 intersects the outer peripheral circle of the rear wheel 40.

  The intermediate auxiliary wheel 71 is preferably arranged such that the common tangent line L5 passes below the rotation center axis RA2 of the rear wheel 40. In addition, it is preferable that the intermediate auxiliary wheel 72 is disposed such that the common tangent L6 passes below the rotation center axis RA2 of the rear wheel 40.

  In the wheelchair 1 of the present example, the diameter of the front wheels 31, 32 is set to about 610 mm, the diameter of the rear wheel 40 is set to about 251 mm, and the diameter of the intermediate auxiliary wheels 71, 72 is set to about 65 mm. The diameters of the front wheels 31, 32, the rear wheel 40, and the intermediate auxiliary wheels 71, 72 of the wheelchair 1 are not limited to the values in this example.

  The dimension d11 in the front-rear direction Y from the rotation center axis RA1 of the front wheels 31, 32 to the rotation center axis RA2 of the rear wheel 40 is set to about 620 mm. The dimension d12 in the front-rear direction Y from the rotation center axis RA5 of the intermediate auxiliary wheels 71, 72 to the rotation center axis RA2 of the rear wheel 40 is set to about 160 mm. Further, a dimension d13 in the vertical direction Z from the flat surface FS to the lower end portions of the intermediate auxiliary wheels 71 and 72 is set to be about 70 mm to about 80 mm. Note that the sizes of the dimensions d11, d12, and d13 of the wheelchair 1 are not limited to the values in this example.

  Also in the wheelchair 1 of the present example, a hand rim (not shown) is provided on each of the front wheels 31 and 32. The user sitting on the seat 10 operates the hand rims of the front wheels 31 and 32, respectively. Thereby, the user can move the wheelchair 1 forward or backward. Further, as shown by a thick dashed line arrow in FIG. 11, the wheelchair 1 can be turned or rotated by changing the direction of the rear wheel 40.

(2) Passing a step having a gap between the upper step and the lower step on the ascending side FIGS. 12 and 13 show a step having the wheelchair 1 of FIG. 9 climbing and having a gap between the upper step and the lower step. It is a side view for explaining the state at the time of passing. 12 (a) to 12 (d) and FIGS. 13 (a) to 13 (c), a side view of the wheelchair 1 when passing through an uphill is shown in chronological order. The step in this example is the same as the upward step in FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 12 (a), in an initial state, the wheelchair 1 is on the lower surface LS, the front wheels 31, 32 and the rear wheel 40 are in contact with the lower surface LS, and the intermediate auxiliary wheels 71, 72 are on the lower surface LS. Floating from.

  Thereafter, the front wheels 31, 32 reach the gap G1 as the wheelchair 1 moves forward. In this case, as shown in FIGS. 12B and 12C, the large front wheels 31 and 32 relatively easily ride on the upper surface HS through the gap G1 from the lower surface LS. At this time, the rear wheel 40 is on the lower surface LS, and the intermediate auxiliary wheels 71 and 72 are above the lower surface LS.

  When the front wheels 31 and 32 further move forward, as shown in FIG. 12D, the intermediate auxiliary wheels 71 and 72 pass through the gap G1 and move on the upper surface HS. Thereby, the intermediate auxiliary wheels 71 and 72 are supported on the upper step surface HS, and the rear wheel 40 is located in the gap G1. In this state, the wheelchair 1 is supported on the upper surface HS by the front wheels 31 and 32 and the intermediate auxiliary wheels 71 and 72. This prevents the rear wheel 40 from being fitted into the gap G1. Further, in this example, a common tangent L5 between the front wheel 31 and the intermediate auxiliary wheel 71 (see FIG. 10) and a common tangent L6 between the front wheel 32 and the intermediate auxiliary wheel 72 (see FIG. 10) are determined from the rotation center axis RA2 of the rear wheel 40. , The rotation center axis RA2 of the rear wheel 40 is higher than the upper surface HS. Therefore, as the front wheels 31 and 32 further move forward, as shown in FIG. 13A, the rear wheel 40 comes into contact with the upper surface HS, and can easily and more smoothly ride on the upper surface HS from the gap G1. .

  When the rear wheel 40 rides on the upper surface HS, the wheelchair 1 is supported on the upper surface HS by the front wheels 31, 32 and the rear wheel 40. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 13B, the intermediate auxiliary wheels 71 and 72 are separated from the upper step surface HS.

  As the front wheels 31 and 32 further advance, the entire wheelchair 1 is located above the upper surface HS. This completes the movement of the wheelchair 1 from the lower level LS to the upper level HS, as shown in FIG.

(3) Effects of the Second Embodiment As described above, according to the wheelchair 1 according to the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the vehicle is climbed up and the upper surface HS and the lower surface LS. Can easily and smoothly pass through a step having a gap G1 between them.

  Further, in the present embodiment, when the wheelchair 1 passes through an upward step having the gap G1, the front wheels 31, 32 and the intermediate auxiliary wheels 71, 72 are connected to the upper surface HS with the rear wheel 40 positioned in the gap G1. Connect to ground. As described above, the wheelchair 1 is supported on the upper surface HS at four points, so that the stability of the wheelchair 1 when passing through the step is improved.

  In the wheelchair 1 according to the present embodiment, the position of the intermediate auxiliary wheels 71, 72 is not limited to the above example, and the gap G1 of the step having the gap G1 between the upper surface HS and the lower surface LS is ascending. Is set so that the rear wheel 40 can pass through the gap G1 according to the gap g1 and the height difference g2.

[3] Other Embodiments (1) Although the wheelchair 1 according to the first and second embodiments has one rear wheel 40, the number of the rear wheels 40 of the wheelchair 1 of the present invention is limited to one. Not done. FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram showing a first example of a wheelchair according to another embodiment. In FIG. 14 and FIGS. 15 and 16 to be described later, the left-right direction X, the front-rear direction Y, and the up-down direction Z of the wheelchair 1 are indicated by arrows, as in FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 14, two swinging forks 43 may be attached to the rear part of the main body frame 20. Further, a rear wheel 40 may be rotatably supported at the lower end of each swinging fork 43. In this case, the wheelchair 1 is supported on the flat surface FS by the front wheels 31, 32 and the two rear wheels 40. Therefore, the stability of the wheelchair 1 is improved.

  In this example, an intermediate auxiliary wheel 50 and a rear auxiliary wheel 60 are provided so as to correspond to each rear wheel 40. Thereby, the wheelchair 1 is always supported at four points when the step is moved by the wheelchair 1. Therefore, the stability of the wheelchair 1 when passing through the step is improved.

  Thus, the wheelchair of the present invention may be provided with two or more rear wheels 40, may be provided with two or more intermediate auxiliary wheels 50, or may be provided with two or more rear auxiliary wheels 60. Good.

  (2) In the wheelchair 1 according to the first embodiment, the intermediate auxiliary wheel 50 and the rear auxiliary wheel 60 are attached to the front end and the rear end of the auxiliary wheel support frame 44 via fixed forks 50a, 60a. . Therefore, when the rear wheel 40 swings in the left-right direction X, the intermediate auxiliary wheel 50 and the rear auxiliary wheel 60 rotate around the rotation center axis cc of the swing fork 43. The configuration of the present invention is not limited to the above example.

  FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram illustrating a second example of a wheelchair according to another embodiment. As shown in FIG. 15, the intermediate auxiliary wheel 50 and the rear auxiliary wheel 60 may be attached to the main body frame 20 instead of the auxiliary wheel support frame 44. In this case, when the rear wheel 40 swings in the left-right direction X, the intermediate auxiliary wheel 50 and the rear auxiliary wheel 60 do not swing in the left-right direction X. Therefore, the wheelchair 1 is prevented from increasing in size in the left-right direction X.

  (3) In the wheelchair 1 according to the first and second embodiments, two wheels having a large diameter are used as the front wheels 31 and 32, and one wheel having a small diameter is used as the rear wheel 40. The present invention is not limited to this.

  FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram showing a third example of a wheelchair according to another embodiment. In the wheelchair 1 of FIG. 16, the direction of the seat 10 is opposite to that of the wheelchair 1 of the above embodiment. Therefore, in this example, the swinging fork 43 is provided at the front of the main body frame 20. In this case, one small wheel (a wheel corresponding to the rear wheel 40 in the above embodiment) rotatably supported by the swinging fork 43 functions as the front wheel 80. In addition, two wheels having a large diameter (wheels corresponding to the front wheels 31 and 32 in the above embodiment) function as rear wheels 91 and 92 by being rotatably supported by the rear part of the main body frame 20.

  In this case, the user of the wheelchair 1 can easily and smoothly pass a step having the gap G1 between the upper step surface HS and the lower step surface LS while traveling backward and ascending. In addition, the user of the wheelchair 1 can pass through the step having the gap G2 between the lower step surface LS and the upper step surface HS more smoothly while moving backward.

  (4) In the wheelchair 1 according to the first embodiment, fixed forks 50a and 60a are respectively attached to the front end and the rear end of the auxiliary wheel support frame 44, and intermediate auxiliary members are attached to lower ends of the fixed forks 50a and 60a. The wheel 50 and the rear auxiliary wheel 60 are respectively supported, but the present invention is not limited to this. An impact buffering mechanism may be provided between the front end of the auxiliary wheel support frame 44 and the fixed fork 50a and between the rear end of the auxiliary wheel support frame 44 and the fixed fork 60a. In this case, the shock generated when the intermediate auxiliary wheel 50 contacts the upper step surface HS and the impact generated when the rear auxiliary wheel 60 contacts the upper step surface HS are buffered by the shock buffer mechanism. Therefore, transmission of a large impact to the seat 10 is prevented.

  Note that a mechanism including an elastic body such as a spring or rubber can be used as the shock absorbing mechanism. Further, a spring damper using pneumatic or hydraulic pressure may be used as the shock absorbing mechanism.

  (5) In the wheelchair 1 according to the second embodiment, the fixed fork 71a is attached to the left frame 21 via the support shaft 71b, and the fixed fork 72a is attached to the right frame 22 via the support shaft 72b. Is attached, but the present invention is not limited to this. In the wheelchair 1, an impact buffering mechanism may be provided between the left frame 21 and the fixed fork 71a instead of the support shaft 71b. Further, an impact buffering mechanism may be provided between the right frame 22 and the fixed fork 72a instead of the support shaft 72b. In this case, the shock generated when the intermediate auxiliary wheels 71, 72 contact the upper surface HS is buffered by the two shock buffering mechanisms. Therefore, transmission of a large impact to the seat 10 is prevented.

  Also in this example, a mechanism including an elastic body such as a spring or rubber can be used as the shock absorbing mechanism. A spring damper using air pressure or hydraulic pressure may be used as the shock absorbing mechanism.

  (6) In the wheelchair 1 according to the first and second embodiments, disk-shaped wheels having a certain thickness are used as the rear wheel 40, the intermediate auxiliary wheels 50, 71, 72, and the rear auxiliary wheel 60. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Spherical wheels may be used as the rear wheel 40, the intermediate auxiliary wheels 50, 71, 72, and the rear auxiliary wheel 60. In this case, casters including spherical wheels may be used as the rear wheel 40 and the swinging fork 43. Further, casters including spherical wheels may be used as the intermediate auxiliary wheel 50 and the fixed fork 50a. Further, casters including spherical wheels may be used as the rear auxiliary wheel 60 and the fixed fork 60a. Further, casters including spherical wheels may be used as the intermediate auxiliary wheels 71 and 72 and the fixed forks 71a and 72a.

  (7) The wheelchair 1 according to the first and second embodiments is a manual wheelchair in which the front wheels 31, 32 are driven by the user operating the hand rims of the front wheels 31, 32, but the present invention. Is not limited to this. The wheelchair 1 may be an electric wheelchair. When an electric wheelchair is used as the wheelchair 1, power consumption can be reduced by smoothly passing the wheelchair 1 through an upward step having a gap and a downward step having a gap.

[4] Correspondence relationship between each component of the claims and each unit of the embodiment Hereinafter, an example of correspondence between each component of the claims and each component of the embodiment will be described. It is not limited to the example.

  In the above embodiment, the front wheel 31 is an example of a first wheel, the front wheel 32 is an example of a second wheel, the swing fork 43 is an example of a swing member, and the rear wheel 40 is a third wheel. The intermediate auxiliary wheels 50, 71, 72 are examples of a fourth wheel, and the flat surface FS, the upper surface HS, and the lower surface LS are examples of flat surfaces.

  The common tangents L1 and L5 are examples of common tangents that contact the lower side of the outer circumference of the first wheel and the lower side of the outer circumference of the fourth wheel, and the common tangents L2 and L6 correspond to the second wheel. It is an example of a common tangent line in contact with the lower side of the outer peripheral circle and the lower side of the outer peripheral circle of the fourth wheel.

  The rear auxiliary wheel 60 is an example of a fifth wheel, and the common tangent line L3 is an example of a common tangent line that contacts the lower side of the outer peripheral circle of the first wheel and the lower side of the outer peripheral circle of the fifth wheel. , The common tangent L4 is an example of a common tangent that contacts the lower side of the outer peripheral circle of the second wheel and the lower side of the outer peripheral circle of the fifth wheel.

  Various other components having the configuration or function described in the claims may be used as the components in the claims.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICATION This invention can be utilized effectively for the vehicle which moves a step.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Wheelchair 10 Seat 20 Body frame 21 Left frame part 22 Right frame part 23 Connection frame 24 Support pillar 31, 32, 80 Front wheel 40, 91, 92 Rear wheel 41 Support plate 42 Rotating plate 43 Swing fork 44 Auxiliary wheel support Frames 50, 71, 72 Intermediate auxiliary wheels 50a, 60a, 71a, 72a Fixed forks 60 Rear auxiliary wheels 71b, 72b Support shafts d1 to d5, d11, d12, d13 Dimensions FS Flat surface G1, G2 Gap g1, g3 Interval g2 g4 Difference HS Upper surface L1-L6 Common tangent line LS Lower surface RA1-RA5 Rotation center axis

Claims (3)

A wheelchair,
Seats,
A body frame supporting the seat,
First and second wheels located on the left and right sides of the seat and rotatably supported by a front portion of the body frame;
A swing member provided at a rear portion of the main body frame so as to be able to swing left and right around a vertical rotation axis ,
A third wheel rotatably supported by the swing member;
A fourth wheel rotatably supported by the body frame or the swing member at a position between the first and second wheels and the third wheel in a side view ;
A fifth wheel rotatably supported by the main body frame or the swinging member at a position behind the third wheel in a side view,
A diameter of the third wheel is smaller than a diameter of the first and second wheels;
A diameter of the fourth wheel is smaller than a diameter of the third wheel;
A diameter of the fifth wheel is smaller than a diameter of the third wheel;
The rotation center axis of the third wheel is located behind the rotation axis of the swing member in side view, and the rotation center axis of the fourth wheel is the rotation axis of the swing member in side view. And the rotation center axis of the fifth wheel is located behind the rotation center axis of the third wheel in a side view,
In a side view, the distance between the rotation center axis of the third wheel and the rotation axis of the swing member in the front-rear direction is the rotation center axis of the fourth wheel and the rotation axis of the swing member. Smaller than the distance in the front-rear direction between
In side view, the fourth wheel and the third wheel are adjacent to each other, and the outer circumference of the fourth wheel and the outer circumference of the third wheel are separated from each other,
In a side view, the third wheel and the fifth wheel are adjacent to each other and the outer circle of the third wheel and the outer circle of the fifth wheel are separated from each other,
A wheelchair, wherein the fourth wheel and the fifth wheel are separated from the flat surface when the first, second, and third wheels are in contact with the flat surface. The fourth wheel has a common tangent line that is in contact with a lower side of an outer circumference of the first wheel and a lower side of an outer circumference of the fourth wheel, and a lower side of an outer circumference of the second wheel. The wheelchair according to claim 1, wherein a common tangent line in contact with a lower side of an outer circumferential circle of the fourth wheel passes below the central axis of the third wheel. A common tangent line that contacts the lower side of the outer circumference of the first wheel and the lower side of the outer circumference of the fifth wheel, and the lower side of the outer circumference of the second wheel and the outer circumference of the fifth wheel. The wheelchair according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein a common tangent line in contact with the lower side is disposed so as to pass below a central axis of the third wheel.

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