WO2016051541A1

WO2016051541A1 - Operation section-supporting structure for electrically driven wheelchair

Info

Publication number: WO2016051541A1
Application number: PCT/JP2014/076205
Authority: WO
Inventors: 信之菅野
Original assignee: ヤマハ発動機株式会社
Priority date: 2014-09-30
Filing date: 2014-09-30
Publication date: 2016-04-07

Abstract

An operation section-supporting structure for an electrically driven wheelchair is provided with a frame member, an arm member (25) affixed to the frame member, and an operation section mounted to the arm member and operated by a rider in the wheelchair during the movement of the wheelchair. The arm member includes: a vertically extending first shaft (30) affixed to the frame member; a first arm section (31) rotatably supported by the first shaft; a vertically extending second shaft (32) rotatably supported by the first arm section; a second arm section (33) for supporting the operation section, the second arm section (33) being affixed to the second shaft and rotating together with the second shaft; an attitude-maintaining mechanism including a first gear member (45) affixed to the first shaft, a second gear member (46) affixed to the second shaft, and a belt (47) mounted over the gear members, the attitude-maintaining mechanism converting the rotational movement of the first arm section into rotational movement in the direction opposite the direction of the rotational movement of the first arm section and transmitting the converted rotational movement to the second gear member, thereby maintaining the attitude of the second arm section; and a lock mechanism for locking the first arm section in a non-rotatable condition.

Description

Electric wheelchair operation part support structure

The present invention relates to a support structure for an operation unit such as a J / S (joystick) controller mounted on an electric wheelchair.

There is known a self-propelled wheelchair in which an electric motor is mounted on a wheelchair and travels by operation of a J / S controller (operation unit) by an occupant. In this type of electric wheelchair, the J / S controller is disposed at a position where an occupant can easily operate, for example, near the front of an armrest (armrest). In this case, if the J / S controller is fixed to the wheelchair frame, the J / S controller may become an obstacle when the passenger sits on the table while sitting on the wheelchair or gets on or off the wheelchair.

Therefore, for example, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, a J / S controller is attached to an armrest via a foldable arm member using a parallel link mechanism. According to this structure, since the J / S controller can be retracted to the side of the armrest, convenience such as when the occupant sits on the wheelchair while sitting on the wheelchair is improved. In addition, since the J / S controller can be retracted while maintaining its posture (orientation), there is an advantage that a traveling operation in that state can be performed without any trouble.

However, the structure disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a relatively complicated mechanism, and it is conceivable that a finger or clothing is sandwiched between the links when the arm member is folded. From this point of view, recently, a horizontal articulated arm member is provided on an armrest, and a J / S controller is supported at the tip. That is, the arm member includes a first arm that is rotatably supported by the armrest and a second arm that is rotatably supported by the first arm, and the second arm is connected to the first arm via the belt and the pulley. It is configured to rotate in conjunction with the rotation. As a result, the J / S controller can be retracted to the side of the armrest while maintaining its posture (orientation).

By the way, the position where the J / S controller is retracted depends on the situation around the wheelchair. Also, the position of the J / S controller during traveling may not necessarily be the optimum position near the front of the armrest depending on the physique and the like. Therefore, in the above structure in which the J / S controller is supported by the horizontal articulated arm member, it is desirable that the degree of freedom of arrangement of the J / S controller is high. However, the conventional one can lock the arm member only in a state where the J / S controller is disposed at a position near the front of the armrest and a predetermined retracted position on the side of the armrest. It was difficult to place the J / S controller in a fixed position.

US5326063

An object of the present invention is to provide a flexible structure in which a J / S controller can be fixedly arranged with a rational structure in a structure in which an operation unit such as a J / S controller is supported on a horizontal articulated arm member. There is to increase.

An operation part support structure for an electric wheelchair according to the present invention includes a frame member, an arm member fixed to the frame member, and an operation part that is attached to the arm member and is operated by a passenger during traveling. A support structure for the operation portion of the electric wheelchair, wherein the arm member is fixed to the frame member and extends in a vertical direction, and a first arm portion rotatably supported by the first shaft; A second shaft that is rotatably supported by the first arm portion and extends in the vertical direction; and an arm portion that supports the operation portion and is fixed to the second shaft and rotates together with the second shaft. An arm portion; a first gear member fixed to the first shaft; a second gear member fixed to the second shaft; and a belt spanning the gear members; and rotating the first arm portion. Reverse to the first arm A posture maintaining mechanism that maintains the posture of the second arm portion by converting the rotational motion to a second gear member and transmitting it to the second gear member, and a lock mechanism that locks the first arm portion in a non-rotatable manner, The lock mechanism engages with the teeth of the belt non-mounting region of the second gear member to restrict the rotation of the second gear member, and the radial direction of the second gear member from the engagement position. An engaging member that can be displaced to a retracted position retracted outward, a first biasing member that biases the engaging member toward the engaging position, and restrains the engaging member at the engaging position. The lock member includes a lock member that can be displaced to a lock position and a lock release position that allows displacement of the engagement member.

It is a side view (left side view) of an electric wheelchair to which the present invention is applied. It is a perspective view which shows the operation part support structure of the said electric wheelchair. It is sectional drawing of the arm member applied to the said operation part support structure. FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the arm member (a sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 3). FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the arm lock mechanism (a cross-sectional view taken along line VV in FIG. 3). FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the arm lock mechanism (a sectional view taken along line VI-VI in FIG. 3). It is sectional drawing (sectional drawing corresponded in FIG. 6) of the said arm locking mechanism when unlocking operation is performed. It is a top view of the arm member in a state where a J / S controller is arranged at a reference position. It is a top view of the said arm member in the state where the J / S controller has been arrange | positioned in the retracted position. It is a top view of the said arm member in the state where the J / S controller has been arrange | positioned in the retracted position.

Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<Wheelchair configuration>
FIG. 1 shows a side view of an electric wheelchair 1 (hereinafter abbreviated as wheelchair 1) to which the present invention is applied. In addition, about the directional relationship in the following description (up and down, right and left, front and back), the passenger | crew who seated on the wheelchair 1 is made into a reference | standard. In addition, “inside” refers to a side close to the center in the width direction (left-right direction) of the wheelchair 1, and “outside” refers to a side far from the center in the width direction.

The wheelchair 1 includes a body frame 2, a pair of left and right front wheels 4 that support the front part of the body frame 2, a pair of left and right rear wheels 5 that support the rear part of the body frame 2, a pair of left and right steps 6, A pair of fall prevention bars 7, a J / S (joystick) controller 8 (corresponding to the operation unit of the present invention) for traveling operation, and a battery 9 are provided.

The body frame 2 includes a pair of left and right frame bodies 3, and a pair of cross frames 17 and a pair of cross stays 18 that connect the left and right frame bodies 3.

The body frame 2 has a pair of cross frames 17 and a pair of cross stays that connect the left and right frame bodies 3 so that the frame bodies 3 are in a folded state where the frame bodies 3 approach each other, and the frame bodies 3 are separated from each other. It can be transformed to the use state.

Each frame body 3 is formed by welding a plurality of metal pipe materials. Each frame body 3 connects a base frame portion 11 extending in the front-rear direction at a lower position of the wheelchair 1, a seat frame portion 12 extending in the front-rear direction at an upper position thereof, and the

frame portions

11, 12 connected in the vertical direction. A front vertical frame portion 13 and a rear vertical frame portion 14; an armrest frame portion 15; and an intermediate vertical frame 16 that is interposed between the armrest frame portion 15 and the seat frame portion 12 and supports the armrest frame portion 15. Including. The rear vertical frame portion 14 extends above the seat frame portion 12, and the armrest frame portion 15 (corresponding to the frame member of the present invention) extends forward from the extended portion.

An unillustrated seat cushion for seating an occupant is attached to the upper side of the seat frame portion 12 of each frame body 3, and an unillustrated seat back is attached between the rear vertical frame portions 14. Yes. These seat cushions and seat backs are formed so as to be foldable in the left-right direction, and can be deformed as the body frame 2 is deformed (folded). An armrest (armrest) 21 made of a plastic material is fixed to each armrest frame portion 15.

The upper end portion of each rear vertical frame portion 14 is bent rearward, and a grip 20 for an assistant is attached to the bent portion.

The front side of each seat frame portion 12 is bent and extends downward, and the step 6 is attached to the front end (lower end) of each seat frame portion 12. Each step 6 is for a passenger sitting on the seat cushion to put his / her foot on. Each step 6 can be displaced between a use position shown in the figure and a retracted position leaning along the seat frame portion 12 for getting on and off the passenger and folding the wheelchair 1.

The caster-type front wheel 4 is fixed to the lower end portion of each front vertical frame portion 13, and the rear wheel 5 is attached to the lower portion of each rear vertical frame portion 14.

Each of the rear wheels 5 is provided with a hand rim 5a on the outside of the rear wheel 5 for the passenger to operate the wheel 5 by hand. In addition, each hub of each rear wheel 5 incorporates an electric unit 5b for driving the rear wheel 5 to rotate. The electric unit 5b includes an electric motor as a drive source, a power transmission mechanism including a reduction gear that decelerates the rotation of the electric motor and transmits it to the axle, a controller that controls the rotational speed and direction of the rear wheel 5, and the like. And.

A battery holder 22 is fixed to the electric unit 5b of the right rear wheel 5, and the battery 9 as a power source of the electric motor is detachably supported by the battery holder 22. In this example, a nickel metal hydride battery is mounted on the wheelchair 1 as the battery 9.

Further, a horizontal articulated arm member 25 is attached to the front end portion of the armrest frame portion 15 in the right frame body 3, and the J / S controller 8 is supported by the arm member 25. .

The J / S controller 8 is for the occupant to input the traveling direction and traveling speed of the wheelchair 1. The J / S controller 8 has a configuration in which a joystick 8b, a power switch 8c, and the like are provided in a box-shaped controller body 8a. That is, when the occupant tilts the joystick 8b, a signal corresponding to the tilt direction and tilt angle is transmitted from the J / S controller 8 to the electric unit 5b of each rear wheel 5, and the controller of each electric unit 5b The rotational speed and direction of the rear wheel 5 are controlled in accordance with (the tilt direction and tilt angle). Thereby, the passenger | crew can drive the wheelchair 1 with the intended direction and speed.

The above-described overturn prevention bar 7 having a roller 7a at the tip (lower end) is attached to the electric unit 5b of the left and right rear wheels 5. The fall prevention bar 7 prevents the wheelchair 1 from falling backward while traveling on a slope (uphill). Each fall prevention bar 7 can be displaced from the use position shown in FIG. 1 to the retracted position folded from the position inside the frame main bodies 3.

In addition, the code | symbol 23 in FIG. 1 is a parking brake apparatus. The parking brake device 23 includes an operation lever 23a and a brake pad 23b that moves according to the operation. The brake pad 23b can be displaced to a position where it is pressed against the rear wheel 5 and a position (position shown in FIG. 1) which is separated from the rear wheel 5 by operating the operation lever 23a. Thereby, for example, when the passenger gets on and off the wheelchair 1, the brake pad 23b is pressed against the rear wheel 5 by the operation of the operation lever 23a, so that the wheelchair 1 is stably stopped.

<Support structure of J / S controller 8>
Next, the support structure of the J / S controller 8 will be described in detail.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the armrest frame portion 15 of the right frame body 3 includes a stay 24 that protrudes forward from the tip of the armrest 21. A horizontal articulated arm member 25 is attached to the stay 24, and the J / S controller 8 is supported at the tip of the arm member 25.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the arm member 25 includes a first shaft 30 that is fixed to the stay 24 and extends downward (vertical direction), and a first arm portion that is rotatably supported by the first shaft 30. 31, a second shaft 32 that is rotatably supported by the first arm portion 31 and extends upward (vertical direction), and a second arm portion 33 that is fixed to the second shaft 32.

The first shaft 30 is directly fixed to the stay 24 by a bolt B1. Further, the first shaft 30 has a flange 301 formed at the base end (upper end) thereof, and the fixing member 38 drawn and fixed to the lower surface of the stay 24 by the bolt B <b> 2 is disposed on the lower side of the flange 301. Is engaged from. Accordingly, the first shaft 30 is firmly fixed to the stay 24 in a non-rotatable state.

The first arm portion 31 has an elongated shape extending substantially straight in the horizontal direction. One end portion in the longitudinal direction is supported by the first shaft 30 and the second end portion is disposed on the second end portion. A shaft 32 is supported. In the following description regarding the first arm portion 31, the side supported by the first shaft 30 (the right side in FIGS. 2 and 3) is the rear side, and the side supporting the second shaft 32 (FIGS. 2 and 3). Is referred to as the front side. Moreover, the said longitudinal direction of the 1st arm part 31 is called the front-back direction, and the horizontal direction orthogonal to a longitudinal direction is called the width direction.

The first arm portion 31 closes the opening of the arm main body 40 having an upper wall portion and a peripheral wall portion hanging downward from the upper wall portion, the downwardly opening arm main body 40, the adapter 41 incorporated in the arm main body 40, and the arm main body 40. The plate-like under cover 42 is generally provided in a box shape. The arm body 40 and the adapter 41 are made of a resin material, and the under cover 42 is made of metal.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the upper wall portion of the rear end portion of the arm body 40 is formed with an upward projecting boss portion 401 having a hole portion 402 penetrating in the vertical direction. 41 is inserted into the boss 401. If it demonstrates in detail, the adapter 41 is a substantially cylindrical member provided with the cylindrical part 411 extended in an up-down direction, and the collar part 412 provided in a row by the upper end part. The adapter 41 is fixed to the boss portion 401 by a bolt B4 in a state where the cylindrical portion 411 is fitted into the boss portion 401 (hole portion 402) and the flange portion 412 is abutted against the upper end surface of the boss portion 401. ing. Specifically, a pair of bolt holes 414 are formed on both sides of the hole portion 413 in the flange portion 412 of the adapter 41, and the bolt B4 is inserted into the bolt hole 414 from the upper side of the flange portion 412 to form a sleeve. The screw holes formed in the upper end surface of the part 401 are respectively screwed and inserted. Thereby, the adapter 41 is fixed to the boss portion 401.

The first shaft 30 is inserted inside the adapter 41 (hole 413). The lower end portion of the first shaft 30 protrudes downward from the adapter 41, and the lower end portion has a first toothed pulley 45 (hereinafter simply referred to as the first pulley 45 / corresponding to the first gear member of the present invention). Is fixed with a nut N2. The first pulley 45 also functions as a retainer for the first arm portion 31, whereby the first arm portion 31 is rotatably supported on the first shaft 30. The first pulley 45 and the first shaft 30 are integrally coupled by a fixing pin P1.

As shown in FIG. 4, the cylindrical portion 411 of the adapter 41 and the hole portion 402 of the boss portion 401 each have a rectangular cross section. The hole portion 402 of the boss portion 401 is slightly larger in the front-rear direction than the cylindrical portion 411 of the adapter 41. The bolt hole 414 for fixing the adapter 41 and the boss 401 is also a long hole in the front-rear direction. That is, by loosening the bolt B4, the arm body 40 can be moved in the front-rear direction with respect to the arm body 40 (first shaft 30). A screw shaft B3 that passes through the side wall and enters the hole 402 and contacts the adapter 41 (tubular portion 411) is screwed into the front side wall of the boss portion 401, and the nut N1. It is fixed. The screw shaft B3 is for adjusting the position of the arm body 40 in the front-rear direction with respect to the first shaft 30. As will be described later, the arm member 25 can adjust the tension of the post-tooth belt 47 stretched around the first pulley 45 by this configuration. In this example, the adapter 41, the bolt B3, the nut N1, and the like constitute the belt tension adjusting mechanism of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, a boss portion 405 having a circular cross section protruding downward and having a hole portion 404 penetrating in the vertical direction is formed on the upper wall portion of the front end portion of the arm body 40. The second shaft 32 is inserted into the boss 405 (hole 404). The lower end portion of the second shaft 32 protrudes below the boss portion 405, and the lower end portion is provided with a second toothed pulley 46 (hereinafter simply referred to as the second pulley 46 / corresponding to the second gear member of the present invention). Is fixed with a nut N3. The second pulley 46 also functions as a retainer for the second shaft 32, whereby the second shaft 32 is rotatably supported at the front end portion of the arm body 40. Note that the second pulley 46 and the second shaft 32 are integrally coupled by a fixing pin P2.

The second arm portion 33 is fixed to the second shaft 32 and rotates together with the second shaft 32. The second arm portion 33 forms a ball joint in cooperation with the ball stud 80 fixed to the J / S controller 8. That is, the second arm portion 33 is formed with a spherical recess 331, and the ball stud 80 is supported by the second arm portion 33 in a state where the ball head 80 a of the ball stud 80 is inserted into the spherical recess 331. Has been. Thereby, the J / S controller 8 is supported by the front-end | tip part (2nd arm part 33) of the arm member 25 in the state which can rock | fluctuate back and forth, and right and left.

The second pulley 46 fixed to the second shaft 32 and the first pulley 45 fixed to the first shaft 30 are hooked with a toothed belt 47 (hereinafter simply referred to as a belt 47). Has been passed. As a result, the rotational motion of the first arm portion 31 is converted into the rotational motion in the direction opposite to that of the first arm portion 31 and transmitted to the second pulley 46. That is, the first pulley 45 is integrally coupled to the first shaft 30 fixed to the stay 24, but when the first arm portion 31 rotates around the first shaft 30, the first shaft 30 is moved to the first arm 30. The rotation direction of the portion 31 is relatively opposite to the rotation direction. This rotation is transmitted to the second shaft 32 via the

pulleys

45 and 46 and the belt 47, so that the second arm portion 33 rotates in the direction opposite to the rotation direction of the first arm portion 31. Here, both the

pulleys

45 and 46 have the same outer diameter. Therefore, when the first arm portion 31 rotates around the first shaft 30, the second shaft 32 is interlocked with the first shaft portion 31. The arm portion 31 rotates in the opposite direction by the same angle, and as a result, the posture (direction) of the second arm portion 33 is maintained. That is, the J / S controller 8 is maintained in a constant posture regardless of the rotation of the first arm portion 31.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, when a state where the first arm portion 31 and the second arm portion 33 are arranged in a line in the front-rear direction in front of the armrest 21 is used as the reference position of the arm member 25, When the first arm portion 31 is rotated from the reference position toward the outside of the wheelchair 1 (clockwise), the second shaft 32 is rotated counterclockwise along with this, and as shown in FIG. The second arm portion 33 (J / S controller 8) retreats outside the wheelchair 1 while maintaining its orientation. On the contrary, when the first arm portion 31 is rotated from the reference position toward the inside of the wheelchair 1 (counterclockwise), the second shaft 32 is rotated clockwise accordingly, and as shown in FIG. As described above, the second arm portion 33 (J / S controller 8) is retracted inside the wheelchair 1 while maintaining its orientation. In this example, the posture of the present invention is such that the posture (orientation) of the second arm portion 33 (J / S controller 8) is maintained by the

pulleys

45 and 46 and the belt 47 or the like hung around the

pulleys

45 and 46. A maintenance mechanism is configured.

The arm member 25 incorporates an arm lock mechanism (corresponding to the lock mechanism of the present invention) for locking the arm member 25 so as not to rotate. The arm lock mechanism includes an arm positioning mechanism 35 and a gear lock mechanism 36.

The arm positioning mechanism 35 is a mechanism for positioning the first arm portion 31 at a plurality of positions around the first shaft 30. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, the arm positioning mechanism 35 is disposed behind the second pulley 46 in the first arm portion 31. The arm positioning mechanism 35 includes a metal sphere 51a (corresponding to the engaging member of the present invention, which corresponds to the spherical portion) and a rear side thereof, and urges the sphere 51a forward (to the second pulley 46 side). A compression coil spring 52 (corresponding to the first biasing member of the present invention) and a holder 50 for holding the spherical body 51 a and the compression coil spring 52. The spherical body 51a and the compression coil spring 52g are accommodated in a through-hole 50a formed in the holder 50 and extending in the front-rear direction. The spherical body 51a is engaged with the tooth portion 46a of the second pulley 46 and the engagement position. From the second pulley 46 to the retreat position retracted to the outside in the radial direction.

That is, the arm positioning mechanism 35 regulates the rotation of the second pulley 46 by fitting the sphere 51a between the teeth of the second pulley 46 and engaging the tooth portion 46a by the elastic force of the compression coil spring 52. Thereby, the 1st arm part 31 is positioned in the position corresponding to the said interdental space (tooth part 46a). In this case, since a plurality of teeth (tooth portions 46a) are formed at regular intervals on the outer peripheral surface of the second pulley 46, the arm positioning mechanism 35 has a plurality of rotations around the first shaft 30 as described above. The first arm portion 31 can be positioned at the position.

On the other hand, when a rotational force larger than the elastic force of the compression coil spring 52 is input to the second pulley 46 (first arm portion 31), the arm positioning mechanism 35 releases the positioning state of the first arm portion 31. Then, the first arm portion 31 is allowed to rotate. That is, when a rotational force larger than the elastic force is input, the sphere 51a is pushed back to the retracted position against the elastic force, and as a result, the first arm portion 31 is allowed to rotate. 6 shows a locked state in which the sphere 51a is constrained by the gear locking mechanism 36. As will be described later, the sphere 51a is not affected by the elastic force only when the lock is released (see FIG. 7). It can be pushed back to the retracted position.

As described above, the arm positioning mechanism 35 holds the first arm portion 31 at a plurality of positions around the first shaft 30 by the elastic force of the compression coil spring 52, while the operation force of the occupant, etc. When a rotational force larger than the elastic force of the compression coil spring 52 is input to the first arm portion 31, the first arm portion 31 is allowed to rotate.

As shown in FIG. 3, the second pulley 46 is formed with a concave section 46b having a circular cross section that is recessed downward in the upper portion thereof, and the second shaft 32 in a state where the boss section 405 is inserted into the concave section 46b. It is fixed to. Then, the belt 47 is mounted (hanged) mainly on the lower region of the outer peripheral surface of the second pulley 46, and is located on the upper belt non-mounting region and corresponding to the boss 405. The sphere 51a is pressed.

The gear lock mechanism 36 locks the second pulley 46 in a non-rotatable manner, thereby locking the first arm portion 31 (that is, the arm member 25) in a state in which the rotation is impossible, and a mechanism for releasing the lock. It is.

As shown in FIGS. 3, 5 and 6, the gear locking mechanism 36 includes a metal sphere 51b housed in the through-hole 50a of the holder 50, and a sphere 51a separately from the sphere 51a of the arm positioning mechanism 35. , 51b, a metal shaft 53, an operation shaft 55 (corresponding to the lock member of the present invention) disposed on the rear side of the holder 50 and extending in the width direction, and the operation shaft 55 A lever 56 for operation and a compression coil spring 57 (corresponding to the second urging member of the present invention) for elastically returning the operation shaft 55 to the lock position described later are provided.

The spherical body 51 b is the same spherical body as the spherical body 51 a of the arm positioning mechanism 35, and is disposed on the rear side of the compression coil spring 52.

The shaft body 53 is a solid metal shaft and is inserted inside the compression coil spring 52. The shaft body 53 has an axial length so that both ends of the shaft body 53 come into contact with the

spheres

51 a and 51 b when the rearward displacement of the sphere 51 a is restrained by an operation shaft 55 (restraining portion 55 a) described later. Is set.

The operation shaft 55 is a metal solid shaft having a circular cross section, and is disposed on the rear side (right side in FIG. 6) of the holder 50. The operation shaft 55 is supported by the arm body 40 so as to be movable in the width direction of the first arm portion 31 along the rear end surface of the holder 50.

The operation shaft 55 includes a restraining portion 55a located at the center thereof, and a restraint releasing portion 55b located on both sides thereof. The restraining portion 55a has an outer diameter that can restrict the rearward displacement of the sphere 51b, and the restraining release portion 55b has an outer diameter smaller than that of the restraining portion 55a and is behind the sphere 51b. And a restraint releasing portion 55b having an outer diameter dimension that allows displacement to the outside.

That is, as shown in FIG. 6, when the restraining portion 55a is disposed at a position facing the sphere 51b, the backward displacement of the sphere 51b is restricted. As a result, the rearward displacement of the sphere 51 a is restricted via the sphere 51 b and the shaft body 53, and the sphere 51 a is fixed at the engagement position where the sphere 51 a is engaged with the tooth portion 46 a of the second pulley 46. Thereby, the 1st arm part 31 is locked in the state which cannot rotate. On the other hand, when the restraint releasing portion 55b is arranged at a position facing the sphere 51b, the backward displacement of the sphere 51b is restricted as shown in FIG. As a result, the rearward movement (retracted position) of the sphere 51a is permitted, and as a result, the first arm portion 31 is allowed to rotate.

In the following description, the position where the restricting portion 55a faces the sphere 51b is referred to as the lock position of the operation shaft 55, and the position where the restricting portion 55a faces the sphere 51b is referred to as the lock release position of the operation shaft 55.

The lever 56 is disposed on the upper portion of the arm body 40 and is fixed to the operation shaft 55. Specifically, the operation shaft 55 protrudes outward in the width direction of the arm body 40. As shown in FIG. 5, the lever 56 has a reverse U-shape in cross-sectional view including an upper wall portion 561 and side wall portions 562 depending from both sides in the width direction. Both ends of the shaft 55 are fixed with bolts B5. Thus, when the lever 56 is slid in the width direction along the first arm portion 31, the operation shaft 55 is displaced by being slid in the axial direction integrally with the lever 56.

The compression coil spring 57 is disposed between the lever 56 and the arm body 40 in a state in which it can be elastically deformed in the width direction of the arm body 40. As shown in FIG. 5, the compression coil spring 57 is supported by the inner bottom portion of the concave portion 56 a with a lower half interposed in a widthwise concave portion 408 formed on the upper surface of the arm body 40. . On the other hand, on the lower surface of the upper wall portion 561 of the lever 56, a pair of engaging portions 56 a that protrude downward are formed, and these engaging portions 56 a are respectively compressed coil springs 57 from both sides in the width direction of the arm body 40. Abut. That is, in a state where no external force (sliding operation force) is applied to the lever 56, the compression coil spring 57 is in a predetermined extended state, whereby the operation shaft 55 is locked via the lever 56 (the engaging portion 56a). Held in position. When the lever 56 receives a sliding operation in the width direction (left or right), the operation shaft 55 is disposed at the unlock position. In this state, the compression coil spring 57 is compressed between the engagement portion 56a on one side and the inner end surface of the recess 408, and the operating shaft serves as a return force for returning the elastic force of the compression coil spring 57 to the lock position. 55 is acted upon. That is, the compression coil spring 57 is biased to the lock position by the compression coil spring 57.

As shown in FIG. 6, in a state where the operation shaft 55 is disposed at the lock position, the lever 56 has an inner surface between the side surface of each side wall portion 562 and the side surface of the arm body 40. A gap that allows a sliding operation (displacement in the width direction) is formed. The clearance is set so that the operation shaft 55 is disposed at the unlocked position when the lever 56 is slid to the position where the side wall portion 562 contacts the side surface of the arm body 40. Thus, when the lever 56 is slid to the position where the side wall portion 562 contacts the side surface of the arm body 40, the operation shaft 55 is automatically placed in the unlocked position, and when the operation force is removed, the compression coil spring The operating shaft 55 is automatically returned to the locked position by the elastic force of 57.

<Operational effect of the support structure of the J / S controller 8>
In the support structure of the J / S controller 8 described above, the arm member 25 is disposed at a reference position as shown in FIG. That is, the arm member 25 is extended straight in the front-rear direction, and the J / S controller 8 is disposed in front of the armrest 21. Thereby, traveling operation can be performed in an easy posture with the elbow placed on the armrest 21.

On the other hand, if necessary, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the J / S controller 8 is retracted outside or inside the armrest 21 by rotating the first arm portion 31 around the first shaft 30. be able to.

At this time, for example, when the J / S controller 8 is retracted to the outside of the armrest 21, that is, when the first arm portion 31 is rotated outward (clockwise), the lever 56 is gripped, and one point in FIG. As indicated by a chain line arrow, the first arm portion 31 may be pressed outward while sliding outward, and the lever 56 may be released at a desired position.

When the lever 56 is slid in this way, the operation shaft 55 is displaced from the lock position (position shown in FIG. 6) to the lock release position (position shown in FIG. 7) in accordance with the slide operation, thereby locking the arm member 25. Is released. Therefore, for example, the occupant can rotate the first arm portion 31 to a desired position without difficulty by continuously pressing the first arm portion 31 while holding the lever 56. When the lever 56 is released, the operating shaft 55 is returned to the locked position together with the lever 56 by the elastic force of the compression coil spring 57, whereby the arm member 25 is locked.

In addition, when the 1st arm part 31 is rotated as mentioned above, the 2nd pulley 46 rotates in connection with this, and the spherical body 51a fitted between the teeth of the said 2nd pulley 46 is sequentially between adjacent teeth. Moving. Therefore, the occupant can obtain a moderation feeling due to vibration or collision sound when the sphere 51a elastically returns beyond the tooth portion 46a, and senses the position where the arm member 25 is locked, that is, the position where the lever 56 is released. Can know.

On the other hand, when the J / S controller 8 is retracted to the inside of the armrest 21, that is, when the first arm portion 31 is rotated inward (counterclockwise), the occupant holds the lever 56, and The first arm portion 31 may be pulled inward while sliding the lever inward to release the lever 56 at a desired position. Thereby, the position of the J / S controller 8 can be changed in the same manner.

As described above, according to the support structure of the J / S controller 8 described above, the J / S controller 8 can be retracted to the side (outside or inside) of the armrest 21, so that the occupant remains seated on the wheelchair 1. It is possible to ensure convenience when the user arrives at the table. At this time, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the second arm portion 33 can be retracted to the side of the armrest 21 while maintaining its posture (orientation). The traveling operation can be performed without any trouble in the state where the door is retracted.

Moreover, according to the support structure described above, the arm member 25 is positioned by engaging the spherical body 51a with the tooth portion 46a of the second pulley 46, so that the number corresponding to the number of tooth portions 46a of the second pulley 46 is large. The arm member 25 can be locked in a state where the arm member 25 is positioned at the position. Accordingly, the J / S controller 8 has a rational configuration using the second pulley 46 that is a part of a mechanism (posture maintaining mechanism) for maintaining the posture of the second arm portion 33 (J / S controller 8). There is an advantage that the degree of freedom of the position where the can be fixedly arranged can be increased.

Further, when the first arm portion 31 is rotated, the occupant can obtain a moderation feeling due to vibration and collision sound when the sphere 51a elastically returns beyond the tooth portion 46a as described above. Therefore, the occupant can sensuously know the position where the arm member 25 can be locked, so that the operability when changing the position of the J / S controller 8 is also improved.

Further, according to the above support structure, when the J / S controller 8 is moved, the first arm portion 31 is pressed or pulled as it is while the lever 56 is slid in that direction, and the lever 56 is moved by hand. If released, a series of operations of unlocking the arm member 25, moving the J / S controller 8 and locking the arm member 25 are performed. Therefore, the occupant can move the J / S controller 8 to a desired position by a so-called one-touch operation, and there is an advantage that the operability is good also in this respect.

In addition, according to said support structure, there also exists an advantage that the tension | tensile_strength of the belt 47 can be adjusted as needed. Specifically, the bolt B4 that fixes the arm body 40 and the adapter 41 and the nut N1 that fixes the screw shaft B3 are loosened, and in this state, the screw shaft B3 is screwed into the boss portion 401. By doing so, the arm body 40 is moved in the front-rear direction with respect to the first shaft 30. That is, the interval between the first pulley 45 and the second pulley 46 is increased. Then, the bolt B4 is tightened to fix the arm body 40 and the adapter 41, and the nut N1 is tightened to fix the screw shaft B3 to the boss portion 401. Thereby, the tension of the belt 47 can be adjusted. According to such a structure, it is possible to maintain the tension of the belt 47 at an appropriate tension for a long time without exchanging the belt 47. Therefore, it is possible to appropriately operate the mechanism for maintaining the posture of the J / S controller 8 (posture maintenance mechanism) in the long term while suppressing maintenance costs.

The support structure of the J / S controller 8 described above is an exemplification of a preferred embodiment of the operation unit support structure of the electric wheelchair 1 according to the present invention, and the specific structure does not depart from the gist of the present invention. The range can be changed as appropriate.

For example, in the above embodiment, the engaging member of the present invention and the sphere 51a are applied, but the engaging member is detachably engaged with the second pulley 46 (tooth portion 46a) and the second pulley. Any shape that can form 46 rotations is acceptable. However, the second pulley 46 and the engagement member are stably engaged without rattling, and the engagement between the tooth portion 46a and the engagement member accompanying the rotation operation of the first arm portion 31 or the engagement state thereof. In order to smoothly release the engagement member, the engagement member preferably includes a spherical portion that fits between the tooth portions 46a of the second pulley 46 and is engaged with the tooth portions 46a. It is.

In the above embodiment, the sphere 51a of the arm positioning mechanism 35 and the shaft 53 of the gear locking mechanism 36 are separate, but they may be formed integrally.

Further, the lock mechanism 36 of the above embodiment is configured to slide the lever 56 in the width direction of the first arm portion 31. For example, the lock mechanism 36 is configured to slide in the front-rear direction of the first arm portion 31. Also good.

The characteristics of the present invention described above are summarized as follows.

The present invention includes a frame member, an arm member fixed to the frame member, and an operation unit that is attached to the arm member and that is operated by an occupant during traveling. The arm member is fixed to the frame member and extends in a vertical direction, a first arm portion rotatably supported by the first shaft, and a first arm portion that is rotatable. A second shaft supported in the vertical direction, an arm portion supporting the operation portion, a second arm portion fixed to the second shaft and rotating together with the second shaft, and the first shaft A first gear member that is fixed; a second gear member that is fixed to the second shaft; and a belt that spans the gear member. The rotational movement of the first arm portion is in a direction opposite to that of the first arm portion. The second gear part is converted into the rotational motion of An attitude maintaining mechanism that maintains the attitude of the second arm portion by transmitting to the first arm portion, and a lock mechanism that locks the first arm portion in a non-rotatable manner, and the lock mechanism includes the belt of the second gear member. An engagement member that is displaceable from an engagement position that restricts rotation of the second gear member by engaging with a tooth in a non-mounting region and a position retracted from the position to the radially outer side of the second gear member; A first urging member that urges the engagement member toward the engagement position, a lock position that restrains the engagement member at the engagement position, and a lock release position that allows displacement of the engagement member. And a displaceable locking member.

In this structure, if the first arm portion is rotated around the first axis while the lock member is disposed at the unlock position, the position of the operation portion can be changed while maintaining the posture (orientation) of the operation portion. Can do. And if a lock member is arrange | positioned in a lock position, an engagement member will be restrained by an engagement position and rotation of a 2nd gear member will be controlled, As a result, a 1st arm part will be locked so that rotation is impossible. According to this structure, since the first arm portion is positioned by engaging the engaging member with the teeth of the second gear member, the first arm is positioned at many positions corresponding to the number of teeth of the second gear member. The first arm portion can be locked with the portion positioned. Therefore, it is possible to increase the degree of freedom of the position where the operation unit can be arranged with a rational configuration using the second gear member that is a component of the posture maintaining mechanism.

In the operation portion support structure described above, it is preferable that the engagement member includes a spherical portion that engages with the teeth by fitting between adjacent teeth of the second gear member.

According to this structure, the teeth of the second gear member and the engaging member are stably engaged without rattling. In addition, the engagement between the teeth and the engagement member and the release of the engagement state associated with the rotation operation of the first arm portion are smoothly performed. Therefore, the operability when changing the position of the operation unit is improved.

In the operation unit support structure described above, it is preferable that the lock mechanism includes a second urging member that urges the lock member to the lock position.

According to this structure, it is possible to prevent the locking member from unintentionally moving to the unlocking position and releasing the locked state of the first arm portion.

In the operation portion support structure, it is preferable that the lock member is displaced to a lock position and a lock release position by receiving a slide operation along the first arm portion.

According to this structure, the operation of the lock member becomes simple, and the operability when changing the position of the operation unit is improved.

In this case, it is preferable that the direction of the slide operation is a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the first axis and the second axis are arranged.

According to this structure, since the lock member is operated in a direction substantially parallel to the movement (rotation) direction of the first arm portion, the operability is improved.

In this case, the lock member is located on both sides of the restraint portion that restrains the displacement of the engagement member and the restraint portion in a direction parallel to the slide operation direction, and the restraint allows the displacement of the engagement member. A disengagement portion, the displacement of the engagement member is constrained by the restraining portion by being disposed at the lock position, and the restraint operation is performed by receiving the slide operation on one side or the other side around the lock position. It is preferable to release the restrained state of the engaging member by the portion.

According to this structure, the locked state of the first arm portion can be released by moving the lock member in the direction in which the first arm portion is moved. Therefore, when changing the position of the operation unit, it is possible to intuitively operate the lock member, and the operation of the lock member is good.

In the operation unit support structure described above, the first arm unit moves the first arm unit in the direction in which the second shaft is supported and the first shaft and the second shaft are aligned. It is preferable that a belt tension adjusting mechanism that changes the belt tension by being displaced with respect to the shaft is included.

This structure makes it possible to maintain the belt tension of the posture maintaining mechanism at an appropriate tension for a long time without belt replacement. Therefore, it is possible to appropriately maintain the function of the posture maintaining mechanism while suppressing maintenance costs.

Claims

A support structure for the operation portion of the electric wheelchair, comprising: a frame member; an arm member fixed to the frame member; and an operation portion attached to the arm member and operated by an occupant during traveling.
The arm member is
A first shaft fixed to the frame member and extending in the vertical direction;
A first arm portion rotatably supported by the first shaft;
A second shaft that is rotatably supported by the first arm portion and extends in the vertical direction;
A second arm portion that supports the operation portion and is fixed to the second shaft and rotates together with the second shaft;
A first gear member that is fixed to the first shaft; a second gear member that is fixed to the second shaft; and a belt that spans between the gear members, the rotational movement of the first arm portion being the first arm A posture maintaining mechanism for maintaining the posture of the second arm unit by converting the rotational motion in the opposite direction to the part and transmitting it to the second gear member;
A lock mechanism that locks the first arm portion in a non-rotatable manner,
The locking mechanism is
An engagement position for restricting rotation of the second gear member by engaging with a tooth of the belt non-mounting region of the second gear member, and the second gear member is retracted radially outward from the engagement position. An engaging member displaceable to a retracted position;
A first biasing member that biases the engagement member toward the engagement position;
An operating part supporting structure for an electric wheelchair, comprising: a lock member that is displaceable between a lock position that restrains the engagement member at the engagement position and a lock release position that allows displacement of the engagement member. .
In the operation part support structure of the electric wheelchair according to claim 1,
The operation member support structure for an electric wheelchair characterized in that the engagement member includes a spherical portion that engages between teeth of the second gear member that are adjacent to each other.
In the operation part support structure of the electric wheelchair according to claim 1 or 2,
The operating mechanism supporting structure for an electric wheelchair, wherein the lock mechanism includes a second urging member that urges the lock member to the lock position.
In the operation part support structure of the electric wheelchair as described in any one of Claims 1 thru | or 3,
The operation part support structure for an electric wheelchair, wherein the lock member is displaced to a lock position and an unlock position by receiving a slide operation along the first arm part.
In the operation part support structure of the electric wheelchair according to claim 4,
The operation part support structure for an electric wheelchair, characterized in that the direction of the sliding operation is a direction orthogonal to an arrangement direction of the first axis and the second axis.
In the operation part support structure of the electric wheelchair according to claim 5,
The lock member includes a restraint portion that restrains the displacement of the engagement member, and a restraint release portion that is located on both sides of the restraint portion in a direction parallel to the slide operation direction and allows the displacement of the engagement member. The displacement of the engagement member is restrained by the restraining portion by being arranged at the lock position, and the slide operation is received on one side or the other side of the lock position as a center. An operation support structure for an electric wheelchair, wherein a restraint state of the joint member is released.
In the operation part support structure of the electric wheelchair as described in any one of Claims 1 thru | or 6,
The first arm portion is configured to displace the arm body with respect to the first axis in an arrangement direction of the arm body on which the second axis is supported and the first axis and the second axis. An operation support structure for an electric wheelchair, comprising: a belt tension adjusting mechanism that changes tension.