JPH0241157A - Wheelchair with propulsion/speed change mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To enable simple and safe operation without excessive force even indoors or in a more or less inclined path by providing the wheelchair with a propelling/speed-converting means manually operable by a user. CONSTITUTION: In a propelling means 3 one end of a connector rod 2 is connected with a propelling/speed-converting rod 12 by a fixing pin 11, and the other end is connected with a propellant lever 1 by a movable pin 6. The range of speed conversion can be semi-permanently adjusted by speed conversion adjusting holes 10 in the propelling/speed-converting rod 12. In case the connector rod 12 is connected with the outermost one of the three holes, the speed becomes the slowest to be suitable to an aged user. When the user performs a pushing and pulling action of the propellant lever 1, the connector rod 2 connected with the propellant lever 1 rotates the propelling/speed-converting rod 12 about the axle 13 of the main body. Thereby, a cam/clutch 21 combined with the propelling/speed-converting rod 12 is rotated integrally and transmits the rotation force to a flywheel 23, to facilitate forward and backward motions.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a wheelchair, and more particularly to a wheelchair equipped with propulsion and speed conversion means that can be operated manually by the user.

[Problem to be solved by the invention] In conventional wheelchairs, the user moves the wheelchair by turning the circular rings (circular rims) attached to the wheels with both hands, or a caregiver or third party pushes the wheelchair behind the wheel. The wheelchair is pulled or, if equipped with an engine, manually driven by the user. Among these, wheelchairs that are operated by turning the wheelchair with both hands place a considerable burden on the patient or user, and are very difficult to operate on sloping passageways.

Wheelchairs that are operated by pushing and pulling from the back can only be operated when a caregiver or third party is nearby, and it is difficult to maneuver on sloping aisles, especially when changing direction. It is troublesome for Wheelchairs equipped with engines do not require a tremendous amount of effort from the user, but they are a financial burden to the user and cannot be used in confined spaces such as inside buildings due to exhaust gas. is extremely inappropriate. Engine noise is also a problem for indoor use. This is another problem.

People who must use wheelchairs are usually paralyzed from the waist down and sometimes in poor physical condition, so the effort of directly operating the wheelchair by turning the wheels with both hands over long distances is This places a severe burden on the user. Therefore, it has been strongly desired to equip wheelchairs with propulsion means of the type used on bicycles. However, as already mentioned above, wheelchairs have many limitations. First, the device must be able to operate indoors.

Secondly, it must be able to operate even on more or less inclined passages; thirdly, it must not require excessive force to use; and fourthly, it must be easy to operate, especially , safety must be considered first and foremost.

[Structure of the Invention] The present invention provides a new wheelchair that satisfies the above requirements and overcomes the problems of conventional wheelchairs. The new wheelchair is equipped with a new, simple and powerful means of propulsion and is designed to greatly improve the wheelchair's mobility and convenience. A flywheel is mounted on the main wheel axle and a propulsion lever is mounted in the handle area of the wheelchair. The clutch means is provided in the form of a cam clutch, which connects and interlocks with a propulsion line installed inside the flywheel, but the cam clutch and flywheel can be moved independently. The cam clutch is rotatable within the flywheel about the axis of the axle and has latching means. A coupling member is arranged in the form of a roller within the recess in the clutching member, over the spring, or between the springs, the roller moving between the opposite inclined sides of the recess optionally in opposite directions. providing a clutching engagement between the clutching means and the flywheel to enable the flywheel to rotate in opposite directions; As a result, the chair can be driven back and forth.

The propulsion lever on the handle and the propulsion line attached to the cam clutch are connected by a connecting rod. When the user pushes and pulls the propulsion rod on the handle in the front-back direction, the cam clutch connected to the propulsion rod through the connecting rod and the propulsion line rotates, and the rotational force of the cam-clutch is transmitted to the flywheel, which in turn rotates. Power is transmitted to the main wheels.

The speed conversion means is mounted inside the propulsion rod, and the speed conversion control hole is in the propulsion rod. The speed conversion mechanism is designed so that the user can change the speed very easily depending on the force.

[Embodiment] FIGS. 1 to 6 illustrate a propulsion/speed conversion lever pivoted to the main body of a wheelchair. As a result, the propulsion/speed conversion lever 1, which performs push/pull motion, is connected via the connecting rod 2 to the propulsion means 3 attached to the axle of the main body. A forward/reverse selector 4 is also attached to the wheelchair body, and a connecting wire extending from this is extended to the propulsion means 3.

Known braking means 50 are mounted between the propulsion and speed conversion lever 1 and the wheels of the wheelchair. The propulsion/speed conversion lever l is manually operated and is also called a propulsion lever.

It is noted in Figure 2 that the left and right wheels are not connected to each other, but this is because the wheels are moved separately, and all braces are installed symmetrically. This means that a wheelchair embodying the invention can very conveniently be folded and used just like a conventional wheelchair.

In the wheelchair propulsion-speed conversion mechanism (see especially Figure 3),
The propulsion and speed conversion lever 1 is shown together with a perspective side view of the propulsion means 3. One end of the connecting rod 2 is connected to the propulsion/speed conversion rod 12 by a fixed pin 11, and the other end is connected to the propulsion lever 1 by a movable pin 6. The propulsion means 3 include clutch means of the novel silent type.

The speed conversion range is semi-permanently adjusted by the speed conversion adjustment hole 1G of the propulsion/speed conversion rod 12. In the example in the figure, three holes are shown, but the number may be greater or less than this. One end of the connecting rod 2 is semi-permanently fixed to one of the speed conversion adjustment holes 1o, depending on the wheelchair user. If the connecting rod 2 is connected to the outermost one of the speed conversion adjustment holes 1o, the speed will be slower, but the wheelchair can be operated with less force, so it is easier for women, children, and the elderly to operate the wheelchair. This makes it more suitable for close users. Connecting the innermost hole and the connecting rod increases the speed, but requires a larger force.
This is suitable for powerful male users.

The speed conversion mechanism of the propulsion/speed conversion lever l is best seen in Figures 3 and 5A and B. Part 8 is the speed conversion control handle, and part 9 is the speed conversion control notch.
Portion 5 is a pawl and serves as a catch for pin 6, adjusting length and converting speed. Part 7 is a rectangular hole or slot for the movable pin 6.9 Part 13 is the axle of the body, part 18 is the shaft of the wheel.0 Part 15 is the movement (
The 0 part 14 of the direction) selection member, which is called the forward/reverse (reverse direction) control device or regulating means, is a coupling member formed by a roller bearing. Forward/backward movement regulation means 15
The forward/reverse selectors shown in FIG. 1 are connected by four twin wires.

An exploded view of the propulsion means or assembly 3 is shown in FIG. The bearing 17 and the joint pipe gear 18 correspond to and mesh with the propulsion/speed converting rod 12, the forward/reverse movement regulation means 15, the clutching member 21 which acts as a cam clutch or a driving member, and the joint pipe gear 18. The roller bearing 14, which is assembled (integrated) with the joint tube gear 20 and above, is placed in a recess made on the surface of the clutch 21. The flywheel 23 serves as a driven member and is disposed between the end of the axle 13 and the paddle 24 so as to be assembled on the shaft 25. The bearing 17 on the left in FIG. 4 is directly connected to the axle 13, allowing the joint tube gear 13 to move freely around the axle.

The forward/reverse movement regulating means 15 is composed of a ring having three pairs of arms, and a roller bearing 14 is inserted between each pair of arms. The cam clutch 21 moves together with the propulsion/speed conversion rod 12 and can freely rotate around the axle 13 via the left bearing 17. The outer diameter of the cam clutch 21 is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the flywheel 23.The mutual operational relationship between the clutch 21, the flywheel 23, the roller bearing 14, the spring plate 22, and the forward movement/reverse motion regulating means will be explained later. The joint tube torsion in the flywheel 23 meshes with a matching joint tube torsion screw formed on the shaft 24 of the shaft 25, and the flywheel 23 can rotate together with the shaft 25.

Spoke holes 2B for spokes (not shown) connected to the flywheel 23 are provided on the rim of the pusher 24. The shaft 25 can freely rotate around the axle 13 of one main body by means of a bearing 17 on the right side.

In operation, when the user pushes and pulls the propulsion lever 1, the connecting rod 2 connected to the lever 1 rotates the propulsion/speed conversion rod 12 around the main body axle 13. As a result, the cam clutch 21 connected to the propulsion/speed conversion rod 12
rotate as one. That is, the clutch member 21 rotates through the joint pipe gear 13 and the matching joint pipe gear 2o. Since the diameter of the cam clutch 21 is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the flywheel 23, the cam clutch rotates freely. A roller bearing 14 is located in the recess of the cam clutch 21, which recess has sides inclined in opposite directions towards its center, and the rollers can be moved to either side by the arms of the defining means 15. When pressed, it acts as a wedge between the cam clutch 21 and the flywheel 23.

In this way, the rotational force of the cam clutch 21 is transferred to the flywheel 23.
can be conveyed to. If the propulsion lever 1 is pushed or pulled in the direction opposite to the above movement.

The direction of rotation of the propulsion and speed conversion rod 12 is opposite to the above-mentioned direction, and the roller bearing 14 falls out of the inclined recess, so that the rotation of the cam clutch 21 is freed from the flywheel 23. Therefore, as long as the roller bearing 14 remains on one side of the recess inclined in both directions, as explained above, the propulsive force created by the movement of the propulsion lever 1 will be transferred to the flywheel as a rotational force in one direction. Reportedly. However, the roller bearing 14
If you are moving back and forth from one side to the other of a recess that slopes in both directions, no actual propulsion force will be generated; pushing the propulsion lever 1 will move the wheel forward, and pulling it will move the wheel backward. will move, but this will not achieve a forward movement, so it is necessary to keep the roller bearing 14 on one side of the inclined recess, and the leaf spring in the center of the inclined recess in the opposite direction. 22 is placed, and the roller bearing 14 is held down on one side of the recess.

On the other hand, the direction of movement of the wheels (forward and reverse) can be changed simply by the roller bearing 14 changing its position from one side of the inclined recess to the other side. The forward/backward movement regulating means 15 has three pairs of curved arms, and the roller bearing 14 is confined between these arms in order to regulate the movement of the roller bearing 14 according to the user's selection. The spacing between the arms is set so that the roller bearing is intermediate between the position where it acts as a wedge and the position where it does not act as a wedge.

The action of the speed conversion mechanism of the propulsion/speed conversion lever 1 is shown in Figure 5A.
and B. FIG. 5A illustrates the first gear position and FIG. 5B illustrates the second gear position. The condition of the rectangular hole or throat 2 for the speed conversion control notch 9 and movable pin 6 is illustrated for different gear positions in FIGS. 5A, B, with the butterfly-shaped first, second and A third pawl or catch is provided in the screw 1 in a pivoted manner. The speed conversion control handle 8 is inside the lever 1 and is free to move as a separate part.

The handle 8 is firmly mounted with a leaf spring 27 which engages in combination with the speed conversion control notch 9. Second and third leaf springs 28 press against and support the pawl 5. In FIG. 5A, the second leaf spring 28 closest to the leaf spring 27 is pushing the first pawl 5 clockwise on the axial center of the pawl. The second and third leaf springs also push the second and third pawls clockwise, respectively. In this way, the movable pin 6 connecting the connecting culm 2 to the lever I can move in the direction of the leaf spring 27, but cannot move in the opposite direction because it is blocked by the first pawl.

When the user pushes or pulls the propulsion lever l, the movable pin 6
slides towards the end of the hole 7 in the direction of the leaf spring 27, but a reverse movement of the movable pin 6 is prevented by the first pawl. At this time, the driving force of the lever 1 is most strongly transmitted to the connecting culm 2.

Figure 5B illustrates the second gear position. here,
The speed conversion control handle 8 is lowered one step to keep the leaf spring 27 in the second notch. In this position, the first leaf spring 2B is pressing against the first pawl counterclockwise, but the second and third leaf springs 28 are still pressing against the second and third pawl clockwise. There is. As a result, the movement of the movable pin 6 along the slot 7 is limited (stopped) in one direction at the second pawl. One end of the first pawl and the other end of the second pawl prevent movement of the movable pin 6. At this time.

The distance between the movable pin 6 and the rotation axis of the screw is the distance from the midpoint of the first and second pawls to the rotation axis of the screw 1. The movement of the screw 1 is therefore transmitted over a shorter arm length of the screw than in the case shown in FIG. 5A. Figure 5A
and B, in the case of Fig. 5 A, the movement that occurs is large, but
In the case of Figure 5B, where the user is required to use a large amount of force,
While less movement occurs, less force is required from the user.

Speed conversion through third and fourth gear positions is accomplished in a similar manner. In the third gear position, the first and second pawls are pushed counterclockwise and only the third pawl is pushed clockwise. The movable pin 6 is therefore caught intermediate between the second and third pawl.

In the fourth gear position, all pawls are pushed counterclockwise, so that the movable pin 6 is confined between the third pawl and the end of the hole 7.

Another wheelchair embodiment is shown in FIG. A ratchet 29 is attached to the flywheel 23 and a pawl 30 meshes with the ratchet 28. pawl 3
A catch 31 is provided at the other end of the wheelchair to prevent the wheelchair from rolling back due to its own weight, such as when going uphill. The pawl 30 is connected to the forward/reverse selector 4 through a wire and is released from the ratchet 29 when backward movement is desired. Thus, during forward movement,
Reverse movement is automatically prevented. Although unnecessary on flat roads, it is very comfortable on uphill slopes (up to an angle of inclination of about 30°), and the wheelchair does not roll back due to its own weight, making it much easier to move uphill. When going downhill, use lever 1.
Control of speed can be easily achieved with the use of brakes mounted on.

In FIGS. 7 and 8A and 8B, the roller bearing 14
and instead of the leaf spring 22, two roller bearings 1
4 and the coiled spring 22 separating these are the cam fist clutch 21
in each depression. The two a-lar bearings 14 are confined between the paired arms of the forward/reverse movement regulating means 15, and switching between forward and backward aM movements can be made quite easily and smoothly.

In the case of forward movement, the two rollers are brought to the left side of the recess by the forward/reverse regulating means, and the left-hand bearing 14 acts as a wedge between the flywheel 23 and the cam clutch 21, while the right-hand bearing Roller bearings are loose. In the case of backward movement, the two rollers are brought to the right side of the recess by the defining means 15, and now the right bearing! 4 acts as a wedge, and during this time the left roller bearing is in a wrapped state.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, the wheelchair embodying the present invention overcomes all the problems of conventional wheelchairs.

In addition, the general principles outlined here have proven to be extremely effective in terms of ease of uphill travel, ease of use, and ease of control according to the user's choices. It should be understood that many modifications and changes may be made by those skilled in the art without alteration, and that such modifications and changes are within the spirit and scope of the invention.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a side view illustrating a wheelchair equipped with a propulsion-speed conversion mechanism embodying the present invention. FIG. 2 is a front view of the wheelchair shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is an illustrative perspective view with the surface partially removed to illustrate in detail the propulsion/speed conversion mechanism used in the wheelchair shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is an exploded view illustrating a beggar assembly including a flywheel and cam clutch for use in a wheelchair embodying the present invention. 5A and 5B are explanatory diagrams illustrating the operation of the speed converting means provided according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a side view of a wheelchair illustrating another embodiment of the invention. FIG. 7 is an exploded view similar to FIG. 4 showing another example of clutching means provided by another flywheel and cam clutch assembly. 8A and 8B are partial explanatory views illustrating the function of the clutching means shown in FIG. 7. In the figure, each reference number indicates: l: propulsion fist speed conversion lever, 2: connection culm, 3: propulsion means,
4: Forward/backward selector, 5: Pawl, 6: Movable pin, 7
: Rectangular hole (slot)), 8: Speed conversion control handle, 9
: Speed conversion control notch, 10: Speed conversion control hole, 11:
Fixed pin, 12: Propulsion/speed conversion rod, 13: Axle, 14
: Roller bearing, 15: Forward number and backward movement regulation means,
17: Bearing, 18: Wheelchair body, 21: Cam fist clutch, 22: Leaf spring or coiled spring, 23: Flywheel,
24: Koshiki, 25: Shaft, 26: Spoke hole, 2
7.28: Leaf spring, 29: Ratchet, 30: Pawl,
31, stop and catch, 50 nibureki means.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A propulsion and speed conversion lever 1 having a rectangular hole 7; a plurality of movable stops 5 spaced at selected intervals along the hole 7;
A main body 18 with an axle 13, the axle having a main wheel with a main wheel shaft 25; a lever 24 on the shaft 25, on which the shaft and the shovel can rotate. A cylindrical flywheel 23 mounted on the shaft 24 of the main wheel shaft 25; a cam clutch 21, a roller bearing 14, and a leaf spring 22, the cam clutch comprising a plurality of one having a recess, and the roller bearing and the leaf spring are located in the recess; a forward and reverse movement regulating means 15, which is incorporated in the cam clutch having the roller bearing and the leaf spring; and further installed entirely inside the flywheel 23; a first joint pipe gear 20 located at the center of the cam clutch; a second joint pipe gear 19 meshing with the first joint pipe gear; ; A propulsion/speed conversion rod 12 having the second joint pipe gear 19 on its rotating shaft, so that the cam/clutch 21 and the propulsion/speed conversion rod 12 move in unison. The cam clutch 21 and the rod 12 are attached to the axle 13 of the main body frame via a rotating bearing 17; a connecting rod 2, one end of which is attached to the propulsion/speed conversion rod 12; The forward/reverse selector 4 is connected to one of the plurality of holes by a fixed pin 11, and the other end is connected to the movable pin 6 in the hole 7 of the screw 1;・
A wheelchair equipped with a propulsion/speed conversion mechanism that is connected to a backward movement regulation means 15 by a wire. 2. The wheelchair according to claim 1, further comprising a ratchet 23 attached to the flywheel 23; a pawl 30 for allowing movement of the flywheel only in the forward direction; and a catch 31 attached to the end of the pawl 30. , the end of the pawl 30 is connected to the forward/backward selector by a wire, allowing simultaneous operation of the pawl 30 and the forward/backward movement regulating means 15. 3. The wheelchair according to claim 1, wherein the cam clutch 21 has at least two recesses, the recesses having sides inclined in opposite directions toward the center; One roller bearing 14 is attached, and one leaf spring 22 is attached to the center of each; the forward/backward movement regulating means 15 has at least two pairs of arms, and the roller bearing each bearing 14 is confined between two pairs of the arms; the arms can rotate, with which the roller bearings pass over the springs and into the recesses; selectively positioned on opposite sides of the
As a result, an engagement occurs between the clutch 21 and the flywheel, and forward or reverse movement is selected. 4. The wheelchair according to claim 1, wherein the cam clutch 21 has at least two recesses spaced apart along its periphery, each recess having a spaced apart roller bearing. one pair of each bearing, and the bearings are connected by a spring; the forward/reverse movement regulating means has at least two pairs of arms spaced apart along its periphery; two pairs of the arms; The pair of bearings is positioned between them, and the arm moves the pair of bearings along the circumference in opposite directions to select the forward or reverse direction. 5. A propulsion mechanism for a wheelchair having a body frame and wheels, in which the wheels are attached to a shaft attached to the body frame so that the chair can rotate on its axis, a propulsion lever pivoted on the main body frame so as to move forward or backward when operated; a clutch means connected to the shaft; a coupling means for coupling the propulsion lever to the clutch means; A device that drives the shaft by converting the back and forth movement of the screw into a rotational movement of the clutch means; a forward/reverse selection device, regardless of the direction of the back and forth movement of the propulsion screw; consisting only of means in said clutch means for rotating said shaft in a selected direction. 6. The wheelchair propulsion mechanism according to claim 5, wherein the propulsion lever includes a speed converting means, which comprises a shaft pivoting the lever and a connecting portion of the coupling means to the lever. A device that selectively changes the length of the lever arm between. 7. The wheelchair propulsion mechanism according to claim 8, wherein the speed conversion means comprises a plurality of pivoted pawls spaced apart from each other along the lever; a speed conversion control member; movable between a plurality of positions along the lever; spring means on the member which, by engaging the pawl, pivot the pawl in different directions depending on the position of the control member; a pin connected to the coupling means and a slot extending radially from the pin along the screw, through which the pin can move, and when the pawl is rotated, the slot by intersecting the pin to confine the pin to a selected length section of the lever arm length. 8. The wheelchair propulsion mechanism according to claim 5, wherein the control member is mounted so that the forward/backward movement regulating means can rotate around the axis, and the control member is configured to move from a neutral position to either a forward or backward movement position. A movable object; the clutch means having a flywheel and coupled to the shaft; a clutching member rotated by the coupling means, which is mounted inside the flywheel and can rotate freely; a coupling a member movably mounted in the clutching member and between the clutching member and the flywheel means; the restraint means comprising means on the control member; the restraining means comprising means on the control member; the clutching member is coupled to the flywheel and rotated in opposite directions by displacing the coupling means in opposite directions from a neutral position in which the clutch members are separated from the flywheel. 9. The wheelchair propulsion mechanism according to claim 8, wherein the clutching member has a recess, and the recess has a surface inclined from the bottom in a direction opposite to the direction of the flywheel; The coupling member comprises a roller located in the recess and movable by the control member between a neutral position and the ramp on each ramp, and the clutching member selectively wedges between the clutching member and the flywheel depending on the direction of rotation of the member. 10. The wheelchair propulsion mechanism according to claim 9, further comprising a leaf spring on the inclined surface and at the bottom of the recess, over which the roller rotates. 11. The wheelchair propulsion mechanism according to claim 9, wherein there is a pair of rollers in the recess, and the rollers have a coiled spring sandwiched between them. 12. The wheelchair propulsion mechanism according to claim 9, wherein the control member comprises: a ring adapted to rotate about the axle of the wheelchair; a pair of fingers projecting axially from the ring; in,
A device that pinches the roller and moves the roller around the shaft axis in accordance with the movement of the ring;
A means operable by a wheelchair user, which rotates the ring in an opposite direction from a neutral position to select neutral, forward or backward movement of the wheelchair. 13. The wheelchair propulsion mechanism according to claim 8, wherein the coupling means includes a coupling portion coupled to the clutching member and extending in a radial direction from the shaft axis; and a coupling portion connected to the coupling portion at a position distant from the shaft axis. Includes a coupling rod that is pivoted and also pivoted to the propulsion lever. 14. The wheelchair propulsion mechanism according to claim 13, wherein a plurality of positions where the rod can be pivoted and coupled are provided. 15. The wheelchair propulsion mechanism according to claim 8, further comprising: a ratchet connected to the flywheel; a pawl that engages with the ratchet so that the ratchet and the flywheel rotate in only one direction; means connected to the pawl. and which can be operated by a wheelchair user and which disengages the pawl from the ratchet. 16. The wheelchair propulsion mechanism according to claim 5, wherein the clutch means includes a driven wheel coupled to the shaft and a driving wheel having a common shaft with the driven wheel and coupled to the propulsion lever, the former being The inner periphery of the latter and the outer periphery of the latter are opposed to each other with a gap between them; at least one clutching member that can move along the periphery and is located in the middle; the selection means,
including a direction of movement selection member coupled to the clutching member to move it in opposite directions along the surface; comprising the surface and the direction of movement selection member, the clutching member having a wedge between the surfaces; By causing a torque to be transferred between the drive wheel and the driven wheel, and thus to the shaft, only when the driven wheel rotates in a direction such that the shaft is driven in a selected direction. consisting of a means of communicating.