WO2006068449A1

WO2006068449A1 - Power transmission apparatus having function of converting output and wheel chair having the same

Info

Publication number: WO2006068449A1
Application number: PCT/KR2005/004502
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hong-Gon Choi
Original assignee: Hong-Gon Choi
Priority date: 2004-12-24
Filing date: 2005-12-23
Publication date: 2006-06-29

Abstract

The present invention relates to a power transmission apparatus having an output converting function, and a wheelchair having the same, in particular, to a power transmission apparatus having an output converting function, and a wheelchair having the same, in which the power transmission apparatus is mounted to a driving portion, i.e., wheels of the wheelchair chair, and can select a two-way drive and one-way output stage, a two-way drive and two-way output stage, and a brake stage for speed reduction and parking, and the like by using a lever device for a user or a lever device for a protector so that it can freely be transformed into any one of the three stages.

Description

POWER TRANSMISSION APPARATUS HAVING FUNCTION OF CONVERTING OUTPUT AND WHEEL CHAIR HAVING THE SAME

Technical Field The present invention relates to a power transmission apparatus having an output converting function, and a wheelchair having the same, in particular to a power transmission apparatus having a output converting function, and a wheelchair having the same, in which the power transmission apparatus is mounted to a driving portion, i . e . , wheels of the wheelchair chair, and the power transmission apparatus can select a two-way drive and oneway output step, a two-way drive and two-way output step, and a brake step for speed reduction and parking, and the like by using a lever device for a user or a lever device for a protector so that it can freely be transformed into any one of the three steps .

Background Art

A conventional wheelchair has been constructed such that a hand rim, which is an input portion, is provided to the wheel to produce two-way drive and two-way output with uniform speed.

However, there occur problems of inconveniences of driving of the wheelchair together with the monotony operation, such as backward slide at the time of riding, big load at the start, difficulty of ascending or backward rolling or danger of collision at a low inclined road, difficulty of going beyond a small rise or an obstacle, unstable brake device, troublesome of the lever operation of the protector during the driving, and the like . Further, there occur problems that strain and fatigue of the body and muscle are produced due to the long partial unequal use of the body, and the long securing posture of the driver' s upper body causes stiffness of the body and decrease of the powers of concentration to thereby give rise to the danger of accident and injury of the body .

Accordingly, various improving measures have been studied and developed with respect to prevention devices for the backward slide at the riding, or in the field of the ascending device for a seat . However, it is difficult to realize and generalize them because unreasonable elements are too numerous in comparison with the obj ect of the technology, considering the complication of the basic structure, complex power transmission system, numerous connection structure of the small parts , outside operation, durability of the complex connection structure to the intermittent device, reduction of the production cost , design and manufacture, mass production system, increase in the weight and volume, lack of the reliability in the operation, production of noise and proj ection to the outside, frequent breakdowns , appearance, and the like .

Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems occurring in the conventional art , and it is a primary obj ect of the present invention to provide a power transmission apparatus having an output converting function with several structural advantages , in which it is possible to transmit the power without any incidental stop of driving or discontinuity of the power, the structure thereof is simple because it is possible to perform the operations of the two-way drive and one-way output, the two-way drive and two-way output , and the reduction of the speed and the brake for the parking based on the positions of a separating clutch, and it is possible to fabricate it compact, small volume, light weight, and simple structure because the input and output paths can be realized into one piece, further it is possible to fabricate main parts thereof rigid to thereby reduce breakdown, to improve the durability and reliability of operation, to reduce the production cost , the occurrence of noise, and the possibility of damage and contamination, to make the appearance thereof beautiful , to simplify the assembling process , to be exchanged with existed products, and to develop various designs . Another obj ect of the present invention is to provide a wheelchair, in which it is possible to achieve the safety of the user by installing the power transmission apparatus to the wheelchair, and performing three stage power transformations by means of lever devices, to thereby activate the brake in structure resulting in the occurrence of the braking action without any separate operation, in case of riding of the user as well as occurrence of reverse slide rotation toward the back thereof due to the progressing load at the time of moving on the inclined road and the like, to achieve the safety of the user as well as the protector because it is not moved backward when it moves on a rugged road surface, an inclined road, and a road sloping to the right and left , although both hands of the user are released, to mitigate the strain and fatigue of the human body caused from the monotony of the driving and the unequal long monotony use of the muscles, to reduce possibility of danger of accident and inj ury of human body by preventing the reduction of the power of the concentration, and by releasing the securing posture and the stiffness of the human body through the continuous related transformation of the driving, and to inspire driving intention by achieving the equal development of the muscles , and mitigating the stresses produced at the driving of the troublesome course, and long distance and long time driving .

Still another obj ect of the present invention is to provide a power transmission apparatus for a wheelchair, which can be operated by the protector with pushing the wheelchair by further installing a lever device for the protector operated in cooperation with a lever device for a driver .

Technical solution To solve such obj ects of the present invention, there is provided a power transmission apparatus having an output converting function, the apparatus including a securing shaft provided with a planetary gear group comprising a prime gear, a planetary gear, a planetary carrier, and a ring gear, and an output converting device for performing the gear transmission by the shift of a separating clutch, wherein the planetary gear group is constructed such that , the prime gear is bearing engaged with the securing shaft, one side of the prime gear is splined with an input portion so that the power can be transmitted directly, the planetary carrier is mounted on the outer peripheral surface of the rotation clutch proximate the prime gear and engaged with the securing shaft by using a carrier bearing, which is an one-way bearing, the planetary gear is mounted at one side of the planetary carrier by using a planetary bearing, which is an one-way bearing, one side of the planetary gear is tooth-engaged with outer teeth of the prime gear, a wheel hub cover is bearing-engaged with the outer peripheral surface of the prime gear, a wheel hub is engaged with the wheel hub cover so that it can receive the prime gear and the planetary carrier, and the ring gear is formed at the inner peripheral surface of the wheel hub to thereby tooth- engage with the planetary gear, and wherein the output converting device is constructed such that, a housing bearing- engaged with the wheel hub at the outer peripheral surface thereof and a housing cap covering one side of the housing are engaged with the securing shaft , the separating clutch is

engaged in the wheel hub so that it is tooth-engaged with the rotation clutch at one side and is splined with the securing shaft at the other side, a spring is interposed between the separating clutch and the housing so that it pressurize the separating clutch in one direction, a guide bar is formed at the separating clutch to extend into the housing at one end thereof, an engaging fragment with an engaging j aw is engaged with one end of the guide bar inserted into the housing, a drawing lever rotated by a wire is hinge-engaged with the housing cap by using a bracket so that it draws the engaging fragment in one side to thereby separate the separating clutch from the rotation clutch, a pad is mounted at one side of the separating clutch, and a brake drum is mounted at the wheel hub cover corresponding to the pad to execute the braking by contacting with the pad .

Further, the planetary carrier is formed with a surface extending in the axial direction to contact with the rotation clutch, to which a ratchet gear is mounted, a bracket is secured and mounted to the inner peripheral edge of the wheel hub, a rolling lever is rotatably mounted at the bracket , an engaging pawl formed with gear teeth corresponding to the gear teeth of the ratchet gear is mounted on one end of the rolling lever, a compression spring is connected and mounted to the rolling lever and the wheel hub to make the engaging pawl be tooth-engaged with the ratchet gear by the elastic force of the spring, and a cone-shaped roller is mounted at the mid of the rolling lever so that it is pressurized by the pressing proj ection of the separating clutch to shift the rolling lever in the direction of the wheel hub to thereby separate the engaging pawl from the ratchet gear, when the separating clutch is tooth-engaged with the rotation clutch .

A wheelchair 200 including wheels 220 having an input portion 37 and mounted at both sides of a chair portion formed with a handle 210 , a power transmission apparatus 100 according to claim 1 and claim 2 mounted at the wheels and having an output converting function, and a protector' s handle mounted above a backrest of the chair portion, wherein the wheelchair comprises :

In addition, a wheelchair including wheels having an input portion and mounted at both sides of a chair portion formed with a handle, a power transmission apparatus according to claim 1 and claim 2 mounted at the wheels and having an output converting function, and a protector' s handle mounted above a backrest of the chair portion, wherein the wheelchair comprises : a lever device for the user comprising a control box mounted at sides of the wheelchair to which the power transmission apparatus is mounted, a rolling frame mounted inside of the control box and is connected with a wire engaged with a drawing lever of the power transmission apparatus at one side thereof, and a stick handle engaged integrally with one side of the rolling frame for rotating the rolling frame and controlling the position of the separating clutch by the wire connected to one side of the rolling frame; and a lever device for the protector constructed to be connected to the lever device for the user by means of a ball chain moved by the operation of a conversion lever, and is operated to control the position of the separating clutch by the wire connected to one side of the rolling frame rotated by the ball chain .

In addition, the lever device for the user comprises a control box opened to the upper portion, a V-shaped rolling frame mounted in the control box and to which one end of the wire engaged with the drawing lever is connected, a fan-shaped gear integrally formed at a hinge-rotating portion thereof, a sub-gear tooth-engaged with the fan-shaped gear and rotatably mounted at the control box, a ball chain gear engaged integrally with a sub-gear, a ball chain mounted on the ball chain gear, a stick handle formed at the mid one side of the rolling frame to extend into the open portion of the control box, a stopper formed proj ectively to restrict the rotation angle of the stick handle and the rolling frame, and spring levers engaged with both ends of the rolling frame respectively by means of a hinge pin, and having an elongated hole at the portion engaged with the hinge pin so that it can move slidably.

Also, the spring lever comprises a pin bracket , a bar integrally engaged with the pin bracket, an U-shaped supporting plate engaged with the bar, an elongated slide groove formed at one surface of the supporting plate for engaging with the hinge pin secured to the control box, and a spring interposed between the supporting plate and the pin bracket to press the pin bracket to one side .

Further, the lever device for the protector comprises a driving box mounted adj acent to the handle, a conversion lever hinge- engaged at the inside of the driving box to expose partially to the outside, a driving fan-shaped gear engaged with the driving box at one point and movably engaged with the conversion lever at one side, a driving sub-gear tooth-engaged with the fan- shaped gear and rotatably mounted on the driving box, and a driving ball chain gear engaged integrally with the driving sub- gear and connected to the ball chain of the lever device for the user .

Advantageous Effects

As described above, according to the power transmission apparatus having the power converting function, and the wheelchair having the same of the present invention, it is possible to transmit the power without any incidental stop of driving or discontinuity of the power, the structure thereof is simple because it is possible to perform the operations of the two-way drive and one-way output , the two-way drive and two-way output , and the reduction of the speed and the brake for the parking based on the positions of a separating clutch, and it is possible to fabricate it compact , small volume, light weight, and simple structure because the input and output paths can be realized into one piece, further it is possible to fabricate

main parts thereof rigid to thereby reduce breakdown, to improve the durability and reliability of operation, to reduce the production cost, the occurrence of noise, and the possibility of damage and contamination, to make the appearance thereof beautiful , to simplify the assembling process, to be exchanged with existed products , and to develop various designs .

Also, according to the present invention, it is possible to achieve the safety of the user by installing the power transmission apparatus to the wheelchair, and performing three stage power transformations by means of lever devices , to thereby activate the brake in structure resulting in the occurrence of the braking action without any separate operation, in case of riding of the user as well as occurrence of reverse slide rotation toward the back thereof due to the progressing load at the time of moving on the inclined road and the like, to achieve the safety of the user as well as the protector because it is not moved backward when it moves on a rugged road surface, an inclined road, and a road sloping to the right and left, although both hands of the user are released, to mitigate the strain and fatigue of the human body caused from the monotony of the driving and the unequal long monotony use of the muscles , to reduce possibility of danger of accident and inj ury of human body by preventing the reduction of the power of the concentration, and by releasing the securing posture and the stiffness of the human body through the continuous related transformation of the driving, and to inspire driving intention by achieving the equal development of the muscles, and mitigating the stresses produced at the driving of the troublesome course, and long distance and long time driving .

Further, it is possible to provide useful products , in which the power transmission apparatus can be operated through the protector' s pushing of the wheelchair by further installing a lever device for the protector operated in cooperation with a lever device for a driver .

Description of Drawings FIGs . 1 to 3 are cross-sectional views , each of which shows the three changeable stages of a separating clutch in a power transmission apparatus according to the present invention;

FIG . 4 is an exploded perspective view of the power transmission apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG . 5 is a schematic view showing the basic structure of the power transmission apparatus of the present invention;

FIG . 6 is a schematic view showing a back surface of FIG . 5 ; FIGs . 7 to 12 are schematic views showing the power transmission processes of the power transmission apparatus according to the present invention;

FIG . 13 is a perspective view of a wheelchair provided with the power transmission apparatus according to one preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG . 14 is a side view of a wheelchair provided with the power transmission apparatus according to one preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG . 15 is a schematic view showing a state of two-way drive and one-way output in a lever device for a driver installed in the wheelchair of the present invention;

FIG . 16 is a schematic view showing a state of two-way drive and two-way output in a lever device for a driver installed in the wheelchair of the present invention;

FIG . 17 is a schematic view showing a state of parking and brake in a lever device for a driver installed in the wheelchair of the present invention;

FIG . 18 is a perspective view showing an engagement state between a rolling frame and a fan-shaped gear according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG . 19 is a cross-sectional view showing another embodiment of a stick handle according to the present invention;

FIG . 20 is a perspective view showing a spring lever according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG . 21 is a schematic view showing a lever device for a protector according to one embodiment of the present invention .

*Brief description of reference number* 100 : Power transmission apparatus 200 : Wheelchair 10 : Planetary gear group 11 : Prime gear 12 : Planetary carrier 13 : Planetary gear

14 : Ring gear 15 : Carrier bearing 16 : Planetary gear 17 : Ratchet gear 20 : Output converting device 21 : Wheel hub 22 : Wheel hub cover 23 : Housing 24 : Housing cap 25 : Rotation clutch 26 : Separating clutch 27 , 585 : Spring 31 , 232 : Bracket 32 : Rotation lever 33 : Engaging pawl 34 : Compression spring

35 : Roller 36 : Securing Shaft 37 : Input portion 38 : Wire 50 : Lever device for the user 51 : Control box 52 : Rolling frame 53 : Stick handle 54 : Fan-shaped gear 55 : Sub-gear 56 : ball chain gear 57 : Ball chain 58 : Spring gear

60 : Lever device for the protector 61 : Driving box

62 : Conversion lever 63 : Fan-shaped gear of the protector

64 : Driving gear 65 : Driving ball chain gear

210 : Handle 220 : Wheel 221 : Brake drum 231 : Drawing lever 261 : Guide bar 262 : Engaging fragment 263 : Pressing proj ection 264 : Pad 511 : Stopper 512 : Hinge pin 531 : Securing button 581 : Pin bracket 582 : Bar 583 : Supporting plate 584 : Slide groove 586 : Extension point 587 : Contraction point

Best Mode for Invention

Hereinafter, the power transmission apparatus having a output converting function and the wheelchair having the same according to the present invention will be explained in detail with reference to the appended drawings below.

FIGs . 1 to 3 are cross-sectional views , each of which shows the three changeable stages of a separating clutch in a power transmission apparatus according to the present invention, and FIG . 4 is an exploded perspective view of the power transmission apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention . Prior to the explain the present invention, it is noted that the planetary gear group of the power transmission apparatus of the present invention and the operation principle thereof will be described based on Korean Patent Application No . 2005-38774 and Korean Patent Application No . 2005-79869 filed previously by the applicant of this patent application .

A planetary gear group 10 is mounted in a wheel hub 21 , and a prime gear 11 mounted to a securing shaft 36 is formed to be tube shape in which a surface contacting with the shaft is extended in the axial direction, a wheel hub cover 22 is bearing-engaged with one side of an outer peripheral surface of the extended tube and an input portion 37 is engaged to the outside thereof, and another wheel hub cover 22 is bearing- engaged with a housing 23 mounted integrally with the securing shaft . Further, the power transmitted from the input portion 37 is transmitted to more than one planetary gear 13 tooth-engaged with the prime gear 11. In this instance, the planetary gear 13 is mounted at one side of the planetary carrier 12 via an oneway planetary bearing 16 so that the power can be transmitted only one direction, and the planetary carrier 12 is engaged with an outer peripheral surface of a rotation clutch 25 mounted at the securing shaft 36 via an one-way carrier bearing 15.

Also, one side of the planetary gear 13 is engaged with a ring gear 14 formed at the inner peripheral surface of the wheel hub 21 , the planetary gear 13 is adapted to be tooth-engaged with the prime gear 11 and the ring gear 14 at the same time, and the planetary carrier 12 is formed to extend at a portion contacting with the rotation clutch and a ratchet gear 17 is secured to the extended surface . The planetary gear 13 is formed to be a pair at both sides of the planetary carrier so that the power transmission can be smoothly performed.

In addition, a bracket 31 is mounted at the inner peripheral edge of the wheel hub 21 , which is an output portion, one end of a rotation lever 32 is mounted at the bracket, an engaging pawl 33 is rotatably mounted at the other end of the rotation lever, the engaging pawl 33 is formed with a plurality of gear teeth at one surface so that it can be tooth-engaged with the ratchet gear 17. Also, a cone-shaped roller 35 is mounted at the mid of the rotation lever 32 so that the engaging pawl 33 can be tooth-engaged with or separated from the ratchet gear by the pressing of the separating clutch 26 to be described .

Also, the separating clutch 26, which is spline-engaged with the securing shaft 36 so that it can move slidably, is formed to be tooth-engaged with the rotation clutch 25 at one side, and a pad 264 is mounted at the other side of the separating clutch to the outside, so that it can contact with a brake drum 221 securing to the wheel hub cover 22 to produce the braking action, when it is moved to other direction after separated from the rotation clutch 25. Accordingly, the separating clutch 26 is formed with an inclined surface at the outside of the surface contacting with the rotation clutch so that it can contact with the roller formed at the rotation lever 32 to apply force to the outside direction of the shaft, and a pad 264 is attached to the other side thereof so that braking action can be produced by contacting with the brake drum 221 when it is moved. Meanwhile, the housing 23 with which the wheel hub cover 22 is engaged, the brake drum 221 also engaged with the wheel hub cover, and the separating clutch 26 is inserted a spring 27 so that the separating clutch 26 can be tooth-engaged with the rotation clutch 25 by means of the elastic force of the spring . The separating clutch 26 is formed with a guide bar 261 extending and partially inserted into the housing, the inserted end is engaged with an engaging fragment 262 , and the separating clutch is configured to move slidably in the axial direction by a drawing lever 231 mounted in the housing, so that the braking can be controlled by the tooth-engagement between the engaging pawl 33 and the ratchet gear 17 , and the bonding between the separating clutch 26 and the brake drum 221 by means of the moving separating clutch . Also, the separating clutch 26 is configured to move by drawing the engaging fragment 262 in one side through the drawing of a wire 38 connected to one side thereof by means of a drawing lever 231 hinge-engaged with the bracket 232 mounted inside of the housing 23.

Also, the rotation clutch 25 can be engaged with the securing shaft 36 via a bushing to reduce direct abrasion produced from the rotation and to facilitate the rotation thereof, and a spring can be further mounted to the drawing lever connected to the wire so that the drawing lever 231 pulled by the wire 38 can be returned to its original position .

Hereinafter, the operation of the separating clutch 26 of the power transmission apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described below .

As shown in FIG. 1, when the drawing force of the drawing lever 231 has been removed by the removal of the strained state of the wire, the separating clutch 26 is tooth-engaged with the rotation clutch 25 by the elastic force of the spring 27 inserted into the securing shaft, and a pressing proj ection 263 of the separating clutch presses the roller 35 mounted to the rotation lever to thereby move the roller to the wheel hub 21 , which is positioned at the outside of the shaft , during the tooth-engaging process, so that the engaging pawl 33 hinge- engaged with the roller can be separated from the ratchet gear 17 according to the movement of the roller 35.

Next, as shown in FIG . 2 , when the wire 38 maintains the strained state of a mid level, the drawing lever 231 pulls the engaging fragment 262 by a predetermined length, and the separating clutch 26 connected to the engaging fragment is separated from the rotation clutch 25 and moved to the direction of the housing 23 by a predetermined length to thereby allow the pressing proj ection 263 of the separating clutch from the roller 35 , resulting in the removal of the pressing force to the roller during the moving process , so that the rotation lever 32 , with which the roller is engaged, can be moved to the ratchet gear by the elastic force of a compression spring 34 mounted between the rotation lever and the bracket to thereby achieve the tooth- engagement of the ratchet gear with the engaging pawl 33.

Then, as shown in FIG . 3 , when the wire 38 has been strained to the maximum, the drawing lever 231 will pull the engaging fragment 262 to the maximum, and the separating clutch connected to the engaging fragment is moved to the wheel hub cover, so that the pad of the separating clutch can be contacted with the brake drum 221 mounted to the wheel hub cover to thereby produce the reduction of the speed and the braking action .

FIG . 5 is a schematic view showing the basic structure of the power transmission apparatus of the present invention, and FIG . 6 is a schematic view showing a back surface of FIG . 5. Referring to FIG. 5 , in the planetary gear group 10 , more than one planetary gear 13 is engaged with the planetary carrier 12 via the planetary bearing 16, the prime gear 11 and the planetary carrier 12 are engaged to the securing shaft 36 in such a way that the prime gear 11 is rotatably engaged with the shaft , and the planetary gear 12 is configured to rotate in one direction by mounting the one-way carrier bearing 16 at the center thereof . Further, the planetary gear 13 is engaged with one side of the planetary carrier 12 with the one-way planetary bearing 16 is mounted at the center of the planetary gear, in such a way that the center shaft of the planetary bearing 16 is engaged integrally with the planetary carrier 12 , and the planetary gear 13 is tooth-engaged with the inside teeth of the ring gear 14 rotatably mounted to the same shaft of the planetary carrier 12. In this instance, it is features that the planetary bearing 16 and the carrier bearing 15 are combined and arranged to each other in the same direction of the right-way idle rotation .

Referring to FIG . 6, the ratchet gear 17 is firmly securing to the back side of the planetary carrier 12 and the bracket 31 is strongly securing to the wheel hub 21 , which is the output portion, and the bracket 31 and the rotation lever 32 are hinge- engaged with each other by a pin, and the rotation lever 32 is pressed toward the securing shaft direction via the compression spring 34. The rotation lever 32 includes a projection portion at the center thereof and a pin mounted at the proj ection portion, and a triangular cone-shaped roller 35 , which has a rolling element such as a bushing and a bearing, and the like, is mounted at the inside of the pin . The roller 35 contacts with a pressing proj ection, which is an extended periphery of the separating clutch 26, and is pressed by the movement of the separating clutch to make the engaging pawl 33 connected to one side of the rotation lever 32 be tooth-engaged with or separated from the ratchet gear . Accordingly, the wheel hub 21 , which is the output portion, and the ratchet gear 17 secured to the back of the planetary carrier 12 are configured that the engaging pawl engaged with one end of the rotation lever can be tooth- engaged with or separated from the ratchet gear by the movement of the separating clutch .

FIGs . 7 to 12 are schematic views showing the power transmission process of the power transmission apparatus according to the present invention, in which the left drawings show the front side and the left drawings show the back side using the power transmission apparatus , and which explain the seven basic functions and actions .

FIG . 7 is an example of the two-way driving and one-way output , in which the apparatus is driven in the right direction and output in the right direction as shown in FIG . 1 , and the separating clutch 26 and the rotation clutch 25 are securing by the tooth-engagement, and the engaging pawl 33 is separated from the ratchet gear 17 by the pressing proj ection 263 of the separating clutch 26. While the prime gear 11 transmits the drive in the right direction of the driving portion to the planetary gear 13 , the planetary bearing in the planetary gear 13 , which is the one-way bearing, becomes to be rotation lock state in the reverse direction to make the ring gear 14 of the output portion, which is engaged and synchronized with planetary gear 13 , rotate in the right direction to achieve the equal rotation output . In this instance, as the carrier bearing 15 becomes to be unloaded state so that the planetary carrier 12 can rotate in the right direction .

FIG . 8 is an example of the two-way driving and one-way output , in which the apparatus is driven in the reverse direction and output in the right direction shown in FIG . 1, and the separating clutch 26 and the rotation clutch 25 are securing by the tooth-engagement, and the engaging pawl 33 is separated from the ratchet gear 17 by the pressing projection 263 of the separating clutch 26.

While the prime gear 11 transmits the drive in the reverse direction of the driving portion to the planetary gear 13 , the planetary bearing 16, which is the one-way bearing, in the planetary gear 13 becomes to be unloaded state and rotate in the right direction so as to rotate the planetary carrier 12 in the reverse direction . However, the planetary carrier 12 becomes to be a stopped state at its position because the carrier bearing 15 is engaged with the securing shaft 36 to become a rotation lock state, and the self rotation of the planetary gear 13 in the right direction make the ring gear 14 of the output portion rotate with reduced speed and output in the right direction .

FIG . 9 is an example of the two-way driving and one-way output , which shows an idle rotation clutch state of the output portion of FIG . 1 in the right direction, in which the separating clutch 26 and the rotation clutch 25 are securing by the tooth-engagement, and the engaging pawl 33 of the ring gear 14 in the output portion is separated from the ratchet gear 17 by the pressing proj ection 263 of the separating clutch .

When the ring gear 14 of the output portion rotates in the right direction under the repose state of the driving portion and the prime gear, as the one-way bearings in the planetary gear 13 and the planetary carrier 12 become to be an unloaded idle rotation state at the same time, the planetary gear 13 only rotates in the right direction around the outer peripheral surface of the prime gear 11 , and the power is not transmitted to result in an idle rotation clutch state . Identical operation is produced if the rotation speed of the prime gear 11 cannot reach the rotation speed of the ring gear 14 of the output portion, when the prime gear 11 is driven in the right or reverse direction . FIG . 10 is an example showing two-way driving and one-way output, which shows a rotation lock state of FIG . 1 produced from the automatic brake state of the reverse direction slide rotation of the output portion, in which the separating clutch and the rotation clutch are securing by the tooth-engagement, and the engaging pawl 33 of the ring gear 14 in the output portion is separated from the ratchet gear 17 by the pressing proj ection of the separating clutch .

If the ring gear 14 of the output portion rotates in the reverse direction, the respective inside one-way bearing of the planetary gear 13 and the planetary carrier 12 becomes to be a rotation lock state at the same time, so that the ring gear 14 of the output portion, the planetary gear 13 , the planetary carrier 12 , and the prime gear 11 and the securing shaft 36 are all engaged with and synchronized with each other to thereby achieve the rotation lock state, resulting in a state of incapable of rotating in the reverse direction . This is advantageous because it functions as an automatic brake for preventing the backward rotation thereof .

FIG . 11 is an example of the two-way driving and one-way output , in which the driving portion is driven in the right direction and output in the right direction as shown in FIG . 2 , and the separating clutch and the rotation clutch are separated from each other to make the planetary carrier 12 and the securing shaft 36 free, and the engaging pawl 33 of the ring gear 14 in the output portion and the ratchet gear 17 are tooth- engaged with each other by the backward movement of the separating clutch .

While the prime gear 11 transmits the driving of the driving portion in the right direction to the planetary gear 13 , the planetary bearing 16, which is the one-way bearing, in the planetary gear 13 becomes to be a rotation lock state in the reverse direction, and rotates the ring gear 14 of the output portion engaged and synchronized with the planetary gear 13 in the right direction, resulting in the equal speed rotation output in the right direction . In this instance, the carrier bearing 15 becomes to be the unloaded state and the planetary carrier 12 is to rotate in the right direction, and the engaging pawl 33 of the ring gear 14 in the output portion and the ratchet gear 17 are engaged and synchronized with each other to make the whole of them integral to produce equal speed rotation output in the right direction . FIG . 12 is an example of the two-way driving and two-way output , in which the driving portion is driven in the reverse direction and output in the reverse direction as shown in FIG . 2 , and the separating clutch and the rotation clutch are separated from each other to make the planetary carrier 12 and the securing shaft 36 free, and the engaging pawl 33 of the ring gear 14 in the output portion and the ratchet gear 17 secured to the back of the planetary carrier 12 are tooth-engaged with each other by the backward movement of the separating clutch .

While the prime gear 11 transmits the driving of the driving portion in the reverse direction to the planetary gear 13 , the planetary bearing 16, which is the one-way bearing, in the planetary gear 13 rotates in itself in the forward direction at an unloaded state, and is adapted to rotate the planetary- carrier 12 in the reverse direction . However, as the carrier bearing 15 in the planetary bearing is engaged with the securing shaft 36 to thereby become to be a rotation lock state, the planetary carrier 12 becomes to be a state stopped to its position, and the planetary gear 13 , which rotates in itself in the forward direction, is adapted to rotate the engaged ring gear 14 of the output portion with reduced speed in the forward direction, as the engaging pawl 33 of the ring gear 14 in the output portion and the ratchet gear 17 are tooth-engaged with each other so that the ring gear 14 of the output portion is prevented from the rotation in the forward direction, and whole of them are securing integrally to produce equal speed rotation output in the reverse direction .

At last, referring to FIG . 3 , which shows the state of the reduced speed and braking for the parking, the separating clutch and the rotation clutch are separated from each other, the planetary carrier 12 and the securing shaft 36 become to be free, and the engaging pawl 33 of the ring gear 14 and the ratchet gear 17 are at the tooth-engaged state .

In this instance, the brake drum 221 mounted at one side of the inside of the output portion and the pad 264 of the separating clutch 26 is closely adhered, and they are used as the brake for the speed reduction or parking according to the degree of close adhesion .

Hereinafter, the power transmission process of the present embodiment will be described as follows .

1. Referring to the procedures of the two-way drive and one-way output of the power transmission apparatus according to the present invention, they are as follows : a) When the driving portion is driven in the forward direction : hand rim of the input portion 37 → prime gear 11 → planetary gear 13 → ring gear 14 → wheel hub cover 22 : the engagement of the engaging pawl 33 and the ratchet gear 17 is released . b) When the driving portion is driven in the reverse direction: hand rim of the input portion 37 → prime gear 11 → planetary gear 13 → planetary carrier 12 → ring gear 14 → wheel hub cover 22 : the engagement of the engaging pawl 33 and the ratchet gear 17 is released. c) When the output portion is driven in the forward direction : wheel hub cover 22 → ring gear 14 → planetary gear 13 → planetary carrier 12 : the engagement of the engaging pawl 33 and the ratchet gear 17 is released. d) When the output portion is driven in the reverse direction: wheel hub cover 22 → ring gear 14 → planetary gear 13 → planetary carrier 12 : the engagement of the engaging pawl 33 and the ratchet gear 17 is released.

2. Referring to the procedures of the two-way drive and two-way output of the power transmission apparatus according to the present invention, they are as follows : a ) When the driving portion is driven in the forward direction : hand rim of the input portion 37 → prime gear 11 → planetary gear 13 → ring gear 14 → planetary carrier 12 → ratchet gear 17 → engaging pawl 33 → rotation lever 32 → bracket 31 → output portion → wheel hub cover 22 : the engaging pawl 33 and the ratchet gear 17 are in the engaging state . b) When the driving portion is driven in the reverse direction : hand rim of the input portion 37 → prime gear 11 → planetary gear 13 → ring gear 14 → planetary carrier 12 → ratchet gear 17 → engaging pawl 33 → rotation lever 32 → bracket 31 → output portion → wheel hub cover 22 : the engaging pawl 33 and the ratchet gear 17 are in the engaging state . In this instance, as the rotation clutch 25 is separated from the separating clutch 26, the planetary carrier 12 becomes to be free in both directions .

3. Referring to the brake procedure for the speed reduction and parking of the power transmission apparatus according to the present invention, it is as follows .

Wire 38 of the lever device 50 , 60 in the three stages output converting mode → drawing lever 231 → engaging fragment

262 → guide bar 261 → separating clutch 26 → pad 264 → brake drum 221 → output portion : the engaging pawl 33 and the ratchet gear 17 are in the engagement state .

The power transmission procedures of the power transmission apparatus are represented in Table 1 and Table 2. Table 1 represents a case of the two-way drive and one-way output, in which the separating clutch and the rotation clutch are tooth-engaged, and table 2 represents a case of the two-way drive and the two-way output , in which the separating clutch and the rotation clutch are separated.

Table 1

1 ) Equal speed rotation output in the forward direction by the driving in the forward direction, 2 ) Reduced speed rotation output in the forward direction by the driving in the reverse direction, 3 ) Unloaded idle rotation clutch state, and 4 ) Impossible to rotation output in the reverse direction . ϊ& Contents described in the ( ) represent the operation state of the respective one-way bearing .

In table 2 , following contents are included in 1 ) and 2 ) respectively.

1 ) Equal speed rotation output in the forward direction by the driving in the forward direction, 2 ) Equal speed rotation output in the reverse direction by the driving in the reverse direction .

Table 2

S& Contents described in the ( ) represent the operation state of the respective one-way bearing .

FIG . 13 is a perspective view of a wheelchair having the power transmission apparatus according to one preferred embodiment of the present invention, and FIG . 14 is a side view of a wheelchair having the power transmission apparatus according to one preferred embodiment of the present invention .

In the wheelchair of the present embodiment, the power transmission apparatus 100 operated as described above is mounted to both of wheels 220 or a wheel of the wheelchair 200.

Specifically, the power transmission apparatus 200 is mounted to a central hub of both the wheels to provide the hand rim, which is the input portion 37 , to the outside thereof, so that the driving force of the input portion is transmitted to the power transmission apparatus 100 to thereby produce the final output .

Thus , in the wheelchair of the present invention, a lever device 50 for the user is mounted at the front of an armrest , and a lever device 60 for the protector is mounted above a backrest in the chair portion, the power transmission apparatus 100 and the lever device 50 for the user are connected by means of the wire 38 , and the lever device for the user and the lever device for the protector are connected by means of a ball chain 57 so that the stage of the two-way drive and one-way output, the stage of the two-way drive and two-way output and the stage to the parking and brake can be selectively used by controlling the position of he separating clutch of the power transmission apparatus 100 through the operation of the lever device for the user and the lever device for the protector . FIG . 15 is a schematic view showing a state of two-way drive and one-way output in a lever device for a driver installed in the wheelchair of the present invention, FIG . 16 is a schematic view showing a state of two-way drive and two-way output in a lever device for a driver installed in the wheelchair of the present invention, FIG . 17 is a schematic view showing a state of parking and brake in a lever device for a driver installed in the wheelchair of the present invention, FIG . 18 is a perspective view showing an engagement state between a rolling frame and a fan-shaped gear according to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view showing another embodiment of a stick handle according to the present invention, and FIG . 20 is a perspective view showing a spring lever according to one embodiment of the present invention . As shown in the drawings, the lever device 50 for the user comprises a control box 51 opened to the upper portion, a V- shaped rolling frame 52 mounted in the control box and a bent portion thereof is hinge-engaged, a stick handle 53 formed at the mid one side of the rolling frame to extend to the outside, a spring lever 58 rotatably engaged with both ends of the rolling frame, a fan-shaped gear 54 engaged at the mid of the rolling frame, a sub-gear 55 tooth-engaged with the fan-shaped gear, and a ball chain gear 56 engaged integrally with a sub- gear .

The rolling frame 52 is hinge-engaged with the control box 51 , and the wire 38 connected to a drawing lever 231 of the power transmission apparatus at one end, is connected at one side thereof, so that the drawing lever 231 is pulled to thereby shift the separating clutch 26 at the time of rotating the rolling frame . Also, as shown in FIG . 18 , the fan—shaped gear 54 is mounted integrally at the mid of the rolling frame 52 , and the fan-shaped gear 54 is tooth-engaged with the sub-gear 55 , which is hinge-engaged with the control box 51 , to thereby rotate the rolling frame 52 according to the rotation of the sub-gear . Further, the sub-gear is formed integrally with a ball chain gear 56 for rotating by the pull of the ball chain engaged with the ball chain gear .

In addition, as shown in FIG . 19, the stick handle 53 is mounted on an extended portion of the frame at one side of the rolling frame 52. The stick handle 53 is preferably formed to be a general bar or a rod shape, or as shown in the drawing, a securing button 531 is mounted inside of the stick handle, so that it can secure or release the shift of the stick handle by the push of the button . As the securing button is a general part , explanation thereof is omitted.

Also, each of the spring lever 58 is mounted at both ends of the rolling frame 52. As shown in FIG. 20 , the spring lever 58 comprises a pin bracket 581 hinge-engaged with one end of the rolling frame, a bar 582 integrally engaged at the pin bracket, a supporting plate 583 mounted at one side of the bar, and a spring 585 interposed between the pin bracket and the supporting plate . A slide groove 584 is formed at one side of the supporting plate so that a hinge pin 512 secured to the control box is exposed through the slide groove . In other words , the exposed surface of the hinge pin is formed to be a wide surface, and the slide groove 584 is formed to be a thin rod body to rotatably secure the supporting plate .

Meanwhile, the control box 51 is further formed with a stopper 511. The stopper 511 is formed within the shift range of the rolling frame 52 and the rotation angle of the stick handle to restrict the rotation angle of the stick handle and the shift distance of the rolling frame 52.

The lever device 50 for the user constructed as described above provides three stage power conversion mode by means of respective construction . That is , it becomes possible to provide three stage power conversion mode by the engagement of the rolling frame 52 and the spring lever 58 , in contrast with conventional two stage power conversion mode . The principal operation system of the lever device for the user, which is capable of power converting in three stages , is as follows .

FIG . 15 shows the case of two-way drive and one-way output, in which the separating clutch is tooth-engaged with the rotation clutch, with the wire not being pulled .

As shown in the drawing, the stick handle 53 is positioned at the left , the hinge pin 512 of the lower spring lever 58 located relatively at the lower portion of the two spring levers 58 of the rolling frame 52 is positioned at an extension point 586 of the supporting plate 583, the hinge pin of the upper spring lever 58 is positioned at a contraction point 587 of the supporting plate, and the right portion of the fan-shaped gear 54 is tooth-engaged with the sub-gear 55. In this instance, as shown in FIG. 16, when the stick handle 52 is rotated in the clockwise direction, the rolling frame 52 becomes to rotate in the clockwise direction on the basis of a point hinge-engaged with the control box 51 , the lower of a point hinge-engaged with the control box 51 , the lower spring lever 58 rotates in the counter-clockwise direction with centering the hinge pin so that the hinge pin becomes to move from the extension point 586 to the contraction point 587 of the supporting plate 583 , the upper spring lever 58 rotates in the counter-clockwise direction with centering the hinge pin 512 , however, the hinge pin is maintained to the contraction point as it was . Then the sub-gear 55 is tooth-engaged with at mid portion of the fan-shaped gear 54 , and the rolling frame pulls the wire 38 connected at one side thereof by its rolling to thereby operate the drawing lever 231 of the power transmission apparatus by the drawn length . Concurrently, as shown in FIG . 17 , when the stick handle 53 is further rotated in the clockwise direction, the rolling frame 52 is also rotated in the clockwise direction, the lower spring lever 58 becomes to rotate in the counterclockwise direction with centering the hinge pin with maintaining the hinge pin at the extension point 586, and the upper spring lever 58 becomes to rotate in the counter-clockwise direction to make the hinge pin 512 to shift from the contraction point 587 to the extension point 586 of the supporting plate . Then, the sub-gear 55 is tooth-engaged at the left side of the fan-shaped gear 54 so that the wire engaged with the rolling frame can be pulled to the maximum.

When the stick handle 53 is positioned at the left during the procedure, the angle formed between the rolling frame 52 and the lower spring lever 58 becomes to be an acute angle . Accordingly, if the stick handle 53 is to overcome the acute angle and shift to the right, big force is reguired to thereby prevent the shift of the stick handle 53 naturally .

Also, when the stick handle 53 is positioned at the mid thereof, equilibrium of the force is achieved because the upper and lower spring levers are positioned to face each other, and the hinge pin 512 of the two spring levers becomes to be positioned at the contraction point to make the positions of the rolling frame 52 and the hinge pin 512 come close so that it is difficult to overcome the relations thereof naturally to roll in any one direction, resulting in the prevention of the shift of the stick handle 53.

Next, when the stick handle 53 is positioned at the right , the angle formed between the rolling frame 52 and the lower spring lever 58 becomes also to be an acute angle . Accordingly, if the stick handle 53 is to overcome the acute angle and shift to the left , big force is required to thereby prevent the shift of the stick handle 53 naturally.

FIG . 21 is a schematic view showing the lever device for the protector according to one embodiment of the present invention . As shown in the drawing, the lever device for the protector 60 is mounted proximate to an upper handle of the wheelchair backrest in the wheelchair 200 of the present invention, so that the protector can also easily control the power transmission apparatus 100. The lever device 60 for the protector comprises a driving box 61 constituting an outer case, a conversion lever 62 hinge- engaged at the inside of the driving box to expose partially to the outside, a fan-shaped gear 63 of the driving portion movably engaged with the conversion lever, and a driving ball chain gear 65 engaged integrally with the fan-shaped gear .

The fan-shaped gear 63 is hinge-engaged with the driving box to rotate with centering the hinge-engagement portion at the time of operating the conversion lever 62. Therefore , when the conversion lever is activated, the tooth-engaged driving gear 64 is rotated together with the rotation of the driving ball chain gear .

Accordingly, as a ball chain 57 connected to the driving ball chain gear 65 is connected to a ball chain gear 56 of the lever device for the user, when the conversion lever 62 of the lever device for the protector is activated, the ball chain gear 56 of the lever device 50 for the user is rotated and the integrally engaged sub-gear 55 is also rotated. Then, the rolling frame is rotated by the rotation of the sub-gear 55 to draw the wire so that it is possible to achieve three stage output conversion by using the lever device for the protector .

Claims

1. A power transmission apparatus having an output converting function, the apparatus including a securing shaft 36 provided with a planetary gear group 10 comprising a prime gear 11 , a planetary gear 13 , a planetary carrier 12 , and a ring gear 14 , and an output converting device 20 for performing the gear transmission by the shift of a separating clutch 26, wherein the planetary gear group 10 is constructed such that , the prime gear 11 is bearing engaged with the securing shaft 36, one side of the prime gear is splined with an input portion so that the power can be transmitted directly, the planetary carrier 12 is mounted on the outer peripheral surface of the rotation clutch 25 proximate the prime gear and engaged with the securing shaft by using a carrier bearing 15 , which is an one-way bearing, the planetary gear 13 is mounted at one side of the planetary carrier 12 by using a planetary bearing 16, which is an one-way bearing, one side of the planetary gear is tooth-engaged with outer teeth of the prime gear, a wheel hub cover 22 is bearing-engaged with the outer peripheral surface of the prime gear 11 , a wheel hub 21 is engaged with the wheel hub cover 22 so that it can receive the prime gear and the planetary carrier, and the ring gear 14 is formed at the inner peripheral surface of the wheel hub to thereby tooth-engage with the planetary gear 13 ; and, wherein the output converting device 20 is constructed such

that , a housing 23 bearing-engaged with the wheel hub 21 at the outer peripheral surface thereof and a housing cap 24 covering one side of the housing are engaged with the securing shaft, the separating clutch 26 is engaged in the wheel hub so that it is tooth-engaged with the rotation clutch at one side and is splined with the securing shaft at the other side, a spring 27 is interposed between the separating clutch 26 and the housing 23 so that it pressurize the separating clutch in one direction, a guide bar 261 is formed at the separating clutch to extend into the housing 23 at one end thereof, an engaging fragment 262 with an engaging j aw is engaged with one end of the guide bar inserted into the housing, a drawing lever 231 rotated by a wire 38 is hinge-engaged with the housing cap 24 by using a bracket 232 so that it draws the engaging fragment 262 in one side to thereby separate the separating clutch 26 from the rotation clutch 25, a pad 264 is mounted at one side of the separating clutch, and a brake drum 221 is mounted at the wheel hub cover 22 corresponding to the pad to execute the braking by contacting with the pad.

2. The power transmission apparatus having an output converting function according to claim 1 , wherein the planetary carrier 12 is formed with a surface extending in the axial direction to contact with the rotation clutch 25 , to which a ratchet gear 17 is mounted, a bracket 31 is secured and mounted to the inner peripheral edge of the wheel hub 21 , a rolling

lever 32 is rotatably mounted at the bracket, an engaging pawl 33 formed with gear teeth corresponding to the gear teeth of the ratchet gear 17 is mounted on one end of the rolling lever, a compression spring 34 is connected and mounted to the rolling lever and the wheel hub to make the engaging pawl be tooth- engaged with the ratchet gear by the elastic force of the spring, and a cone-shaped roller 35 is mounted at the mid of the rolling lever so that it is pressurized by the pressing proj ection 263 of the separating clutch to shift the rolling lever 32 in the direction of the wheel hub to thereby separate the engaging pawl 33 from the ratchet gear, when the separating clutch is tooth- engaged with the rotation clutch .

3. A wheelchair 200 including wheels 220 having an input portion 37 and mounted at both sides of a chair portion formed with a handle 210 , a power transmission apparatus 100 according to claim 1 and claim 2 mounted at the wheels and having an output converting function, and a protector' s handle mounted above a backrest of the chair portion, wherein the wheelchair comprises : a lever device 50 for the user comprising a control box 51 mounted at sides of the wheelchair to which the power transmission apparatus is mounted, a rolling frame 52 mounted inside of the control box and is connected with a wire 38 engaged with a drawing lever 231 of the power transmission apparatus at one side thereof, and a stick handle 53 engaged

integrally with one side of the rolling frame for rotating the rolling frame and controlling the position of the separating clutch 26 by the wire connected to one side of the rolling frame; and a lever device 60 for the protector constructed to be connected to the lever device 50 for the user by means of a ball chain 57 moved by the operation of a conversion lever 62 , and is operated to control the position of the separating clutch by the wire 38 connected to one side of the rolling frame 52 rotated by the ball chain .

4. The wheelchair cleaning robot having a double suction device according to claim 3 , wherein the lever device 50 for the user comprises a control box 51 opened to the upper portion, a V-shaped rolling frame 52 mounted in the control box and to which one end of the wire engaged with the drawing lever 231 is connected, a fan-shaped gear 54 integrally formed at a hinge- rotating portion thereof, a sub-gear 55 tooth-engaged with the fan-shaped gear and rotatably mounted at the control box, a ball chain gear 56 engaged integrally with a sub-gear, a ball chain 57 mounted on the ball chain gear, a stick handle 53 formed at the mid one side of the rolling frame to extend into the open portion of the control box, a stopper 511 formed proj ectively to restrict the rotation angle of the stick handle and the rolling frame, and spring levers 58 engaged with both ends of the rolling frame respectively by means of a hinge pin 512 , and having an elongated hole at the portion engaged with the hinge pin so that it can move slidably.

5. The cleaning robot having a double suction device according to claim 4 , wherein the spring lever 58 comprises a pin bracket 581 , a bar integrally engaged with the pin bracket , an U-shaped supporting plate 583 engaged with the bar, an elongated slide groove 584 formed at one surface of the supporting plate for engaging with the hinge pin secured to the control box, and a spring 585 interposed between the supporting plate and the pin bracket to press the pin bracket 581 to one side .

6. The cleaning robot having a double suction device according to claim 1 , wherein the lever device 60 for the protector comprises a driving box 61 mounted adj acent to the handle, a conversion lever 62 hinge-engaged at the inside of the driving box to expose partially to the outside, a driving fan- shaped gear 63 engaged with the driving box at one point and movably engaged with the conversion lever at one side, a driving sub-gear 64 tooth-engaged with the fan-shaped gear and rotatably mounted on the driving box, and a driving ball chain gear 65 engaged integrally with the driving sub-gear and connected to the ball chain of the lever device 50 for the user .