WO2020017103A1

WO2020017103A1 - Single-handedly operable wheelchair

Info

Publication number: WO2020017103A1
Application number: PCT/JP2019/013122
Authority: WO
Inventors: 齊藤徹
Original assignee: 合同会社ライフスペース研究所
Priority date: 2018-07-18
Filing date: 2019-03-27
Publication date: 2020-01-23
Also published as: JP6455953B1; JP2020010810A

Abstract

Provided is a wheelchair that can be operated readily with either the left or right hand. The invention comprises: left and right handrims; a rotary shaft for transmitting rotational force generated by rotating the handrim on one of the sides to the wheel on the opposite side via a drive mechanism; and a wheel hub for transmitting the rotational force generated by rotating the handrim on the one of the sides to the wheel on the same side via the drive mechanism. The constitution of the invention is such that: the drive mechanism comprises a mobile disc, and a force application device for transmitting the handrim movement to the mobile disc; the force application device comprises an arm coupled to the outer edge of the mobile disc and swinging around a pivot point which is at the lowest position; and, when the handrim is moved, the arm swings, causing the mobile disc to slide, so that an engaging part on the mobile disc engages selectively with an engaging part on the rotary shaft and/or an engaging part on the wheel hub, transmitting the rotational force to the wheel on the intended side.

Description

One-handed wheelchair

The present invention generally relates to a manual wheelchair (hereinafter simply referred to as “wheelchair”). More particularly, the present invention relates to a wheelchair equipped with a single hand rim on each of the left and right sides and can be easily operated with one hand.

A wheelchair is basically configured such that a wheelchair user (hereinafter, simply referred to as a “user”) operates left and right wheels with his / her own hand to perform operations such as forward, backward, left turn, right turn, and the like. However, it is difficult for a person who has a disability in one of the right and left bodies to use a general wheelchair because they cannot use both hands freely. Therefore, a wheelchair that can be operated with one hand only by a healthy hand even if the person is disabled on the left or right body has been proposed (see Patent Document 1). The wheelchair described in Patent Literature 1 disposes a double hand rim outside wheels on a side where a healthy body of a user is located, and operates the hand rim with a healthy hand to move the wheelchair. Is configured to be controlled.

On the other hand, there has been proposed a wheelchair in which a rotating shaft connecting the left and right wheels and operating means such as a lever and a clutch are interlocked, and these operating means are operated with one hand so that desired control can be performed. (See Patent Documents 2 to 4). In addition, a wheelchair in which a clutch that connects and disconnects left and right wheels by a lever (see Patent Literature 5) and a wheelchair including a brake control device that uses a sensor to prevent unexpected movement have been proposed ( Patent Document 6).

車 The wheelchairs described above were not easy to operate for people with physical disabilities. Therefore, the present inventor has proposed a one-handed wheelchair that can be easily operated by a healthy hand even for a person with a disability (see Patent Document 7).

Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 46-13386 JP 2004-141452 A JP 2010-279666 A Japanese Patent No. 5105256 JP 2006-055630 A JP 2010-075534 A Japanese Patent No. 6288746

(4) The wheelchair described in Patent Document 7 can be operated with one hand, so that it is easy to use for a person with a disability. It was also useful in sports competitions using wheelchairs such as wheelchair tennis and wheelchair basketball. The present invention seeks ease of use from a different viewpoint from the wheelchair described in Patent Literature 7, and aims to provide a wheelchair that can be easily operated with one hand without having to change the hand rim. And

A wheelchair operable with one hand according to claim 1 of the present application includes a frame, a right wheel and a left wheel, a right wheel cover and a left wheel cover, a right caster and a left caster, and a seat. A pair of left and right hand rims arranged concentrically with the axle of the vehicle and connected to hand rim spokes, respectively, for transmitting a rotational force generated by rotating the hand rim on one side to a wheel on the opposite side via a drive mechanism. A rotating shaft, and a pair of left and right wheel hubs for transmitting a rotating force generated by rotating the hand rim on one side to wheels on the same side via the driving mechanism, wherein the driving mechanism includes the axle A horizontally slidable movable disk mounted concentrically with the center of the hand rim, and transmitting the inward or outward movement of the hand rim to the movable disk And a force device, wherein the force device is connected to an outer end of the movable disk, and has an arm that swings inward or outward around a lowermost position of the wheel cover as a fulcrum. When the hand rim is moved inward or outward, the arm swings and slides the movable disk, and a spur gear provided on the movable disk is an inner gear provided on the rotating shaft. It is characterized in that the gear is selectively engaged with a gear and / or an internal gear provided on the wheel hub so that the rotational force is transmitted to a wheel on a desired side.

The one-handed wheelchair described in claim 2 of the present application is a wheelchair having a frame, a right wheel and a left wheel, a right wheel cover and a left wheel cover, a right caster and a left caster, and a seat, A pair of left and right hand rims arranged concentrically with the axles of the respective wheels and respectively connected to hand rim spokes, and a rotational force generated by rotating the hand rim on one side is transmitted to an opposite wheel via a drive mechanism. And a pair of left and right wheel hubs for transmitting a rotational force generated by rotating the hand rim on one side to the wheels on the same side via the drive mechanism. A horizontally slidable movable disk mounted concentrically with the center of the axle, and allowing the hand rim to move inward or outward. A force device for transmitting the force to the disk, wherein the force device is connected to an outer end of the movable disk, and the arm swings inward or outward around a lowermost position of the wheel cover as a fulcrum. When the hand rim is moved inward or outward, the arm swings and slides the movable disk, and the engaging portion provided on the movable disk and in contact with the surface, The rotating force is transmitted to a desired side wheel by selectively engaging with a surface contacting engaging portion provided on a rotating shaft and / or a surface contacting engaging portion provided on the wheel hub. It is characterized by having such a configuration.

According to the wheelchair of the present invention, since the number of hand rims provided on each of the right and left sides is one instead of two, it is not necessary to change the hand rim at the time of operation, so that the user is very convenient to use. Good effect can be obtained.

車 The wheelchair of the present invention can be used by people other than those who are physically disabled. That is, the wheelchair of the present invention is useful when a person who has healthy both hands moves in a wheelchair while holding an article (smartphone, tableware, umbrella, etc.) in one hand. It is also useful when playing sports such as tennis and basketball in a wheelchair.

1 is a right side view showing a wheelchair according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a rear view of the wheelchair of FIG. 2 shows a configuration of a drive mechanism of the wheelchair of FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view showing a main part of FIG. 3. FIG. 5A is an enlarged sectional view of the drive mechanism when the hand rim is inclined inward, and FIG. 5B is an enlarged sectional view of the drive mechanism when the hand rim is inclined outward. FIG. 6A is a partially cutaway perspective view for explaining a force applying device, and FIG. 6B is a partially cutout enlarged view of a portion 6b of FIG. 6A. It is a series of schematic diagrams for explaining the operation state of the wheelchair. It is a series of other schematic diagrams for demonstrating the operation state of a wheelchair.

Next, a wheelchair according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a right side view showing a wheelchair according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a rear view of the wheelchair of FIG.

A wheelchair according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, which is generally indicated by reference numeral 10 in FIG. 1, includes a frame 12 forming a skeleton of the wheelchair, right wheels 14a and left wheels 14b, a pair of casters 16a, 16b, and a seat. 18 is provided.

Note that the wheelchair 10 is in principle symmetrical with respect to its center line and has the same components on each of the left and right sides. However, in the following description, reference numerals of components located on the right side of the wheelchair 10 , "B" is added to the reference numerals of the components located on the left side of the wheelchair 10. Further, in this specification, “inside” means a side where a user sitting in a wheelchair is located, and “outside” means a side opposite to a side where the user is located.

車輪 Wheel covers 14a1 and 14b1 are attached to the outside of the right wheel 14a and the left wheel 14b, respectively, so as not to pinch a finger between the wheel spokes 14a2 and 14b2.

The wheelchair 10 also includes a hand rim 20a disposed outside the right wheel 14a concentrically with the axle 24a of the right wheel 14a. The hand rim 20a is connected to the hand rim spoke 20a1. Although four hand rim spokes 20a1 are shown in FIG. 1, the number of hand rim spokes 20a1 is not limited to this.

Next, a wheelchair 10 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described mainly with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of a drive mechanism of the wheelchair 10, and FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view showing a main part of FIG.

The wheelchair 10 includes an axle 24a that supports the right wheel 14a. The axle 24a has a circular disk portion 24a1 having an opening 24a2 at the center, a cylindrical inner cylinder portion 24a3 fixed inside the disk portion 24a1 so as to be concentric with the disk portion 24a1, and a disk portion. The outer cylindrical portion 24a1 has a cylindrical outer cylindrical portion 24a4 fixed concentrically with the disk portion 24a1, and the inner cylindrical portion 24a3 is attached to the frame 12 via the mounting boss 26a and the mounting sleeve 28a. Installed. Reference numeral 24a5 is a known lever member with an axle fixing spring used to fix the axle 24a.

回転 A rotating shaft 30a is rotatably disposed on the inner cylindrical portion 24a3 of the axle 24a. The rotating shaft 30a has a cylindrical shaft portion 30a1 and a disk-shaped disk portion 30a2 provided at an outer end of the shaft portion 30a1 and located in an outer cylindrical portion 24a4 of the axle 24a. An internal gear 30a3 is arranged on the outer periphery. The shaft portion 30a1 is rotatably supported in the inner cylindrical portion 24a3 by a bearing 30a4. In addition, a rotation shaft 30b having a similar configuration is provided in a corresponding portion on the left side portion of the wheelchair 10.

Although FIG. 3 shows the shaft portion 30a1 and the shaft portion 30b1 in a state of being interrupted at the center, the shaft portion 30a1 and the shaft portion 30b1 may be integrally formed, or the shaft portions 30a1 and 30b1 may be formed integrally. May be formed separately and connected via a connecting sleeve (not shown) to form one rotating shaft.

The wheel hub 32a is rotatably supported on the axle 24a. The wheel hub 32a has a circular disk portion 32a1 having an opening 32a2 at the center, and a cylindrical inner portion extending inward around the opening 32a2 of the disk portion 32a1 and fixed to be concentric with the disk portion 32a1. It has a cylindrical portion 32a3 and a cylindrical outer cylindrical portion 32a4 which extends inward on the outer periphery of the disk portion 32a1 and is fixed so as to be concentric with the disk portion 32a1. An internal gear 32a5 is arranged on the inner periphery of the distal end of the inner cylindrical portion 32a3. The outer cylinder part 32a4 is rotatably supported by the outer cylinder part 24a4 of the axle 24a by a bearing 32a6. A wheel spoke 14a2 of the right wheel 14a is connected to the outer periphery of the wheel hub 32a.

The wheelchair 10 also includes an outer shaft 34a having a cylindrical inner portion 34a1 and a cylindrical outer portion 34a2 connected to each other by an elastic connecting member 34a3, and the inner portion 34a1 is formed by a bearing 34a4. The wheel hub 32a is rotatably supported in the inner cylindrical portion 32a3. The through hole 34a5 of the inner portion 34a1 and the through hole 34a6 of the outer portion 34a2 are spline holes, respectively, and a shaft portion 36a1 of a spline shaft described later is inserted into the through holes 34a5 and 34a6. The elastic connecting member 34a3 is formed of a shape memory material, and unless a force is applied by a later-described force applying device 40a, the central position (as shown in FIG. 4, the spur gear 36a3 is connected to the internal gear 30a3 and the internal gear 30a3). (A position meshing with both the gears 32a5). Instead of using the elastic connecting member 34a3 made of a shape memory material, an elastic member (for example, a spring) that holds the center position when no force is applied by the force applying device 40a may be used.

The wheelchair 10 also includes a movable disk 36a having a cylindrical shaft portion 36a1 and a disk portion 36a2 fixed to the inner end of the shaft portion 36a1. The shaft portion 36a1 of the movable disk 36a is a spline shaft, and is slidably disposed in the through hole 34a5 of the inner portion 34a1 of the outer shaft 34a and in the through hole 34a6 of the outer portion 34a2. A spur gear 36a3 is provided on the outer periphery of the disk portion 36a2 of the movable disk 36a, and the spur gear 36a3 is connected to the inner gear 30a3 of the disk portion 30a2 of the rotating shaft 30a and / or the inner cylindrical portion 32a3 of the wheel hub 32. It engages with the gear 32a5. FIG. 4 shows a state in which the spur gear 36a3 of the disk portion 36a2 meshes with both the internal gear 30a3 of the disk portion 30a2 and the internal gear 32a5 of the inner cylindrical portion 32a3. FIG. 5 (a) shows the spur gear of the disk portion 36a2. FIG. 5 (b) shows a state in which the spur gear 36a3 of the disk portion 36a2 meshes only with the internal gear 32a5 of the inner cylinder portion 32a3.

An elastic member receiving disk 38a is fixed to the outer end of the outer portion 34a2 of the outer shaft 34a concentrically with the outer portion 34a2, and the elastic member 38a1 is disposed in an arc-shaped groove provided in the elastic member receiving disk 38a. Have been. The inner ring member 38a2 is attached to the elastic member receiving disk 38a concentrically with the outer portion 34a2 via the elastic member 38a1, and the outer ring member 38a3 is rotatable to the inner ring member 38a2 via the bearing 38a4. Supported. The elastic member 38a1 is formed of an elastic material such as natural rubber or synthetic rubber.

As shown in FIG. 4, a ring-shaped hand rim spoke receiving member 20a2 is attached to the outer surface of the inner ring member 38a2, and the hand rim 20a is set at an equal distance in the circumferential direction (in this example, 90 degrees). The hand rim spokes 20a1 supported at the bent portions are attached to the hand rim spoke receiving members 20a2.

The wheelchair 10 further includes a force applying device 40a for transmitting the inward or outward movement of the hand rim 20a to the movable disk 36a. FIG. 6A is a partially cutaway perspective view for explaining the force applying device 40a. As best shown in FIG. 6A, the force applying device 40a has a pair of arms 40a1 whose upper ends are fixed to the outer ring member 38a3 and whose lower ends are hinged to the lowest position of the wheel cover member 14a1. are doing. FIG. 6B is an enlarged view of a portion 6b of FIG. A U-shaped frame 40a2 in plan view is attached to the lowermost position of the wheel cover member 14a1, and a columnar member 40a3 is rotatably attached inside the frame 40a2. The lower ends of the pair of arms 40a1 are fixed to the columnar member 40a3, whereby the arm 40a1 swings around the columnar member 40a3.

When the hand rim 20a is swung (that is, when the hand rim 20a is tilted inward or outward), the arm 40a1 is tilted inward or outward with the lower end serving as a fulcrum. Is absorbed by the elastic member 38a1 to move the outer portion 34a2 of the outer shaft 34a inward or outward, and the shaft portion 36a1 of the movable disk 36a moves through the through hole 34a5 of the inner portion 34a1 of the outer shaft 34a. It will slide. Since the hand rim spoke 20a1 is connected to the arm 40a1 via the elastic member 38a1, the inward or outward movement of the hand rim 20a is smoothly transmitted to the movable disk 36a.

In FIGS. 3 to 5, black arrows indicate paths of transmission of force generated by tilting the hand rims 20a and 20b.

In the above description, the configuration of the right side portion of the wheelchair 10 has been mainly described. However, the left side portion of the wheelchair 10 has substantially the same configuration as the right side portion. That is, as for the main components, 20b is a hand rim, 24b is an axle, 30b is a rotating shaft, 32b is a wheel hub, 34b is an outer shaft, 36b is a movable disk, and 40b is a force applying device.

The operation of the wheelchair 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 7 is a schematic plan view showing a right turn or a left turn traveling of the wheelchair 10, and FIG. 8 is a schematic plan view showing a straight traveling of the wheelchair 10.

First, a description will be given of how the wheelchair 10 travels right or left. When trying to make a right turn with the right hand, the user grips the hand rim 20a with the right hand and inclines inward (see FIG. 7A). When the hand rim 20a is tilted inward, the arm 40a1 tilts inward with the lower end serving as a fulcrum, and accordingly, the outer portion 34a2 of the outer shaft 34a moves inward, and the movable disk 36a slides inward. Then, the spur gear 36a3 of the disk portion 36a2 of the movable disk 36a meshes with the internal gear 30a4 of the disk portion 30a2 of the rotating shaft 30a (see FIG. 5A). When the hand rim 20a is rotated forward in this state, the rotational force of the hand rim 20a is transmitted to the rotating shaft 30a and then to the rotating shaft 30b via the movable disk 36a to rotate the left wheel 14b, so that the right wheel 14a does not rotate. Then, the left wheel 14b is rotated, whereby the wheelchair 10 turns right. When trying to turn left using the right hand, the user grips the hand rim 20a with the right hand and inclines outward (see FIG. 7B). When the hand rim 20a is tilted outward, the arm 40a1 is tilted outward with the lower end as a fulcrum, and accordingly, the outer portion 34a2 of the outer shaft 34a moves outward, and the movable disk 36a slides outward. Then, the spur gear 36a3 of the disk portion 36a2 of the movable disk 36a meshes with the internal gear 32a5 of the inner cylindrical portion 32a3 of the wheel hub 32a (see FIG. 5B). When the hand rim 20a is rotated forward in this state, the rotational force of the hand rim 20a is transmitted to the wheel hub 32a via the movable disk 36a to rotate the right wheel 14a, so that the right wheel 14a is rotated without the left wheel 14b rotating. Rotates, whereby the wheelchair 10 turns left. When making a left turn using the left hand, the user grips the hand rim 20b with the left hand and tilts it inward (see FIG. 7C). When the hand rim 20b is tilted inward, the arm 40b1 tilts inward with the lower end serving as a fulcrum, and accordingly, the outer portion 34b2 of the outer shaft 34b moves inward, and the movable disc 36b slides inward. Then, the spur gear 36b3 of the disk portion 36b2 of the movable disk 36b meshes with the internal gear 30b4 of the disk portion 30b2 of the rotating shaft 30b. When the hand rim 20b is rotated forward in this state, the rotational force of the hand rim 20b is transmitted to the rotating shaft 30b and then to the rotating shaft 30a via the movable disk 36b to rotate the right wheel 14a, so that the left wheel 14b does not rotate. The right wheel 14a rotates, whereby the wheelchair 10 turns left. When trying to make a right turn using the left hand, the user grips the hand rim 20b with the left hand and tilts it outward (see FIG. 7D). When the hand rim 20b is tilted outward, the arm 40b1 tilts outward with the lower end serving as a fulcrum, and accordingly, the outer portion 34b2 of the outer shaft 34b moves outward, and the movable disk 36b slides outward. Then, the spur gear 36b3 of the disk portion 36b2 of the movable disk 36b meshes with the internal gear 32b5 of the inner cylindrical portion 32b3 of the wheel hub 32b. When the hand rim 20b is rotated forward in this state, the rotational force of the hand rim 20b is transmitted to the wheel hub 32b via the movable disc 36b to rotate the left wheel 14b, so that the left wheel 14b is rotated without the right wheel 14a rotating. Rotates, whereby the wheelchair 10 turns right. In summary, when trying to turn to the side of the healthy hand (hand to operate), the hand rims 20a and 20b are tilted inward and operated, and the hand of the healthy one (hand to operate) is operated. When turning to the opposite side, the hand rims 22a and 22b may be tilted outward for operation.

Next, the straight running of the wheelchair 10 will be described. When trying to move forward with the right hand, the hand rim 20a is moved to the center position with the right hand (that is, the spur gear 36a3 of the disk portion 36a2 of the movable disk 36a is moved to the inner gear 30a3 of the disk portion 30a2 of the rotary shaft 30a and the wheel hub 32a. It is rotated forward while being held at a position where it engages with both of the inner gears 32a5 of the inner cylinder portion 32a3 (see FIG. 8A). Then, the rotating force of the hand rim 20a is transmitted to the rotating shaft 30a and then to the rotating shaft 30b via the movable disc 36a to rotate the left wheel 14b, and the rotating force of the hand rim 20a rotates the right wheel 14a via the wheel hub 32a. The wheelchair 10 moves forward. When trying to move forward with the left hand, the hand rim 20b is rotated forward while holding the hand rim 20b at the center position with the left hand (see FIG. 8B). Then, the rotating force of the hand rim 20b is transmitted to the rotating shaft 30b and then to the rotating shaft 30a via the movable disk 36b to rotate the right wheel 14a, and the rotating force of the hand rim 20b rotates the left wheel 14b via the wheel hub 32b. The wheelchair 10 moves forward. Further, the user can move forward with both hands (see FIG. 8C). In this case, the user rotates the hand rim 20a forward while holding the hand rim 20a at the center position with the right hand, and rotates the hand rim 20b forward while holding the hand rim 20b at the center position with the left hand. In addition, as described above, in addition to being able to move forward at the center position, when the left and

right hand rims

20a, 20b are tilted outward, respectively, only the

respective wheels

14a, 14b can be driven, and the right and left turns can be freely made. Can be.

The wheelchair 10 described above is configured so that the rotational force is transmitted by meshing between the spur gear and the internal gear, but may be configured so that the rotational force is transmitted by an engaging portion that makes surface contact. The engaging portion in surface contact is formed of a material having a high coefficient of friction (for example, rubber) or a tooth surface having a shape complementary to the engaging surface of the corresponding engaging portion, or is provided with a high friction coating.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments of the invention, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention described in the claims, and these are also included in the scope of the invention. Needless to say, it is.

For example, the wheelchair component details shown are merely exemplary and may be modified.

Reference Signs List 10 wheelchair 12

frame

14a, 14b wheels 14a1, 14b1 wheel covers 14a2, 14b2 wheel spokes 16a, 16b casters 18

seats

20a, 20b hand rims 20a1, 20b1 hand rim spokes 20a2, 20b2 hand rim spoke receiving

members

24a, 24a axle 26a axle 26a axle 26a ,

28b Mounting sleeve

30a,

30b Rotary shaft

32a,

32b Wheel hub

34a,

34b Outer shaft

36a, 36b

Movable disk

38a, 38b Elastic

member receiving disk

40a, 40b Loading device

Claims

A wheelchair having a frame, a right wheel and a left wheel, a right wheel cover and a left wheel cover, a right caster and a left caster, and a seat,
A pair of left and right hand rims arranged concentrically with the axles of the respective wheels and respectively connected to hand rim spokes,
A rotating shaft for transmitting a rotational force generated by rotating the hand rim on one side to a wheel on the opposite side via a drive mechanism;
A pair of left and right wheel hubs for transmitting a rotational force generated by rotating the hand rim on one side to wheels on the same side via the drive mechanism;
The drive mechanism includes a horizontally slidable movable disk mounted concentrically with the center of the axle, and an additional member for transmitting inward or outward movement of the hand rim to the movable disk. A force device, the force device is connected to the outer end of the movable disk, and has an arm that swings inward or outward with the lowest position of the wheel cover as a fulcrum,
When the hand rim is moved inward or outward, the arm swings and slides the movable disk, and a spur gear provided on the movable disk is replaced by an internal gear provided on the rotating shaft and / or Alternatively, the wheelchair is configured to selectively engage with an internal gear provided on the wheel hub so that the rotational force is transmitted to a wheel on a desired side.
A wheelchair having a frame, a right wheel and a left wheel, a right wheel cover and a left wheel cover, a right caster and a left caster, and a seat,
A pair of left and right hand rims arranged concentrically with the axles of the respective wheels and respectively connected to hand rim spokes,
A rotating shaft for transmitting a rotational force generated by rotating the hand rim on one side to a wheel on the opposite side via a drive mechanism;
A pair of left and right wheel hubs for transmitting a rotational force generated by rotating the hand rim on one side to wheels on the same side via the drive mechanism;
The drive mechanism includes a horizontally slidable movable disk mounted concentrically with the center of the axle, and an additional member for transmitting inward or outward movement of the hand rim to the movable disk. A force device, the force device is connected to the outer end of the movable disk, and has an arm that swings inward or outward with the lowest position of the wheel cover as a fulcrum,
When the hand rim is moved inward or outward, the arm swings and slides the movable disk, and a surface contact engaging portion provided on the movable disk is provided on the rotating shaft. The rotating force is transmitted to a desired side wheel by selectively engaging with a surface-contacting engaging portion and / or a surface-contacting engaging portion provided on the wheel hub. A wheelchair characterized by the following.