Boarding and alighting auxiliary device for automobile

Abstract

The utility model provides a get-on and get-off auxiliary device for an automobile. The vehicle getting-on and getting-off assisting device comprises a lifting mechanism which is supported by a vehicle body of a vehicle and has a variable length dimension in the height direction of the vehicle; the stool is arranged at the upper part of the lifting mechanism; and a lifting execution unit which is connected with the lifting mechanism and applies a driving force for lifting to the lifting mechanism so as to lower or raise the seat surface height of the stool. By means of the getting-on and getting-off auxiliary device for the automobile, a person using a wheelchair can easily move between the wheelchair and the automobile seat.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to an auxiliary device for getting on and off a car. Background Technology

[0002] Typically, it requires considerable physical effort for wheelchair users to move from a wheelchair to a car seat or vice versa. This is especially true for vehicles with high seat heights, such as SUVs.

[0003] However, no effective solution to this problem has been found in the existing technology. Therefore, there is a need to provide assistive devices that can help wheelchair users get in and out of cars easily. Utility Model Content

[0004] In view of the above situation, the purpose of this utility model is to provide a vehicle entry and exit assistance device that helps wheelchair users move easily between the wheelchair and the car seat.

[0005] As a technical solution to the above-mentioned technical problems, the present invention provides a vehicle entry and exit assistance device, which includes: a lifting mechanism supported by the vehicle body and having a variable length dimension in the vehicle height direction; a seat installed on the upper part of the lifting mechanism; and a lifting execution unit connected to the lifting mechanism and lowering or raising the seat height by applying a lifting driving force to the lifting mechanism.

[0006] Based on the above-described structure of this invention, when a wheelchair user is traveling in a car, the lifting actuator can be used to adjust the length of the lifting mechanism in the vehicle height direction so that the seat height of the bench is approximately the same as the seat height of the wheelchair. This allows the wheelchair user to easily move from the wheelchair to the bench. Then, with the wheelchair user seated on the bench, the lifting actuator can again adjust the length of the lifting mechanism in the vehicle height direction so that the seat height of the bench is the same as the seat height of the car seat. This allows the wheelchair user to easily move from the bench to the car seat. Thus, the wheelchair user can easily move from the wheelchair to the car seat. Similarly, by performing the reverse operation, the wheelchair user can easily move from the car seat to the wheelchair.

[0007] In addition, in the above-mentioned vehicle entry and exit auxiliary device of this utility model, it is preferred that the lifting mechanism is installed on the upper side of the side pedal of the vehicle body.

[0008] Based on this structure, the vehicle entry and exit assist device can be stably supported on the side of the vehicle door opening.

[0009] In addition, in the above-mentioned vehicle entry and exit auxiliary device of this utility model, it is preferred that the lifting mechanism is a pantograph-type mechanism composed of multiple connecting arms.

[0010] Based on this structure, the seat installed on the upper part of the lifting mechanism can keep the seat surface level during the lifting process. Attached Figure Description

[0011] Figure 1 This is a perspective view showing the area near the door opening of a car equipped with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0012] Figure 2 This is a side view showing the seat of the car entry / exit assist device according to an embodiment of the present invention in the lowered state.

[0013] Figure 3 This is a side view showing the seat of the car entry / exit assist device according to an embodiment of the present invention in the raised state.

[0014] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the state of a user after moving from a wheelchair to a car entry / exit assist device in an embodiment of this utility model.

[0015] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the state of a user after moving from the car entry / exit assist device to the driver's seat in an embodiment of this utility model.

[0016] Figure 6 This is a side view of a modified example 1 of the present invention, showing an auxiliary device for getting on and off a car.

[0017] Figure 7 This is a side view of a modified embodiment 2 of the present invention, showing an auxiliary device for getting on and off a car. Detailed Implementation

[0018] The embodiments of this utility model will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0019] In this embodiment, the invention will be described in the case of an automotive entry / exit assistive device that helps a user (a person using a wheelchair) move (get in and out of the vehicle) between the wheelchair and the driver's seat of a car (e.g., an SUV). However, the invention is also applicable to automotive entry / exit assistive devices that help a user move between a wheelchair and other seats (e.g., the rear seats). Hereinafter, for the sake of brevity, "automotive entry / exit assistive device" will be simply referred to as "entry / exit assistive device".

[0020] <Overview of the boarding and alighting assistance device>

[0021] Figure 1This is a perspective view showing the area near the door opening of a car V equipped with the vehicle entry / exit assist device 1 of this embodiment. Figure 1 (The car doors are omitted in the text).

[0022] like Figure 1 As shown, the vehicle entry / exit assist device 1 is installed on the side step SS of the vehicle V. Specifically, the vehicle entry / exit assist device 1 is disposed on the upper surface of the side step SS and fixed to the rear part of the door opening on the driver's side. The side step SS is a component installed on the vehicle V to facilitate entry and exit for ordinary users, and it is fixed to the frame structure of the vehicle V, such as the side beam. Here, the side step SS can be an existing component (a conventional component already installed on the vehicle V when the vehicle entry / exit assist device 1 is not installed), or it can be a newly installed component specifically for the purpose of installing the vehicle entry / exit assist device 1.

[0023] The structure of the boarding / alighting assistance device 1 will be described later. First, the function of this boarding / alighting assistance device 1 will be briefly explained. Figure 1 As shown, the boarding / alighting assist device 1 includes a seat 3, the position of which can move in the vehicle height direction. When the seat 3 is in the predetermined lowered position, that is, in the seat lowered state (see reference...), Figure 4 When the seat height of stool 3 is the same as that of wheelchair C (refer to...), Figure 4 The seat heights of the two seats are roughly the same, making it easier for user U to move from wheelchair C to seat 3. Once user U is seated on seat 3, seat 3 rises to its raised position (see reference). Figure 5 At this point, the seat height of the stool 3 is approximately the same as the seat height of the driver's seat DS of the car V, thus facilitating the user U's movement from the stool 3 to the driver's seat DS. Therefore, the user U can easily move from the wheelchair C to the driver's seat DS of the car V. Similarly, by performing the reverse operation, the user U can easily move from the driver's seat DS of the car V to the wheelchair C.

[0024] <Structure of the boarding and alighting auxiliary device>

[0025] Figure 2 This is a side view showing the seat of the boarding / alighting assist device 1 in this embodiment in the lowered state. Figure 3 This is a side view showing the seat of the boarding / alighting assist device 1 in this embodiment in the raised state.

[0026] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the vehicle boarding and alighting auxiliary device 1 includes a base plate 2, a seat 3, a lifting mechanism 4, and a lifting execution unit 5.

[0027] The base plate 2 is composed of a metal sheet extending in the horizontal direction. For example... Figure 1As shown, the base plate 2 is mounted on the side pedal SS. Specifically, the base plate 2 is disposed on the upper surface of the side pedal SS and is fixed to the side pedal SS by means of bolts or the like.

[0028] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, support frames 21 are respectively provided on the front end (front end in the vehicle length direction) of the upper surface of the base plate 2, at the outer side in the vehicle width direction and the inner side in the vehicle width direction. Figure 2 and Figure 3 Only the support frame 21 located on the outer side in the vehicle width direction is shown. The support frame 21 supports the lower end of the connecting arm 41 of the lifting mechanism 4 (described later), which is supported so that it can rotate about the support frame 21 (the axis of rotation is parallel to the vehicle width direction). In approximately half of the area on the rear side (rear side in the vehicle length direction) of the upper surface of the base plate 2, sliding plates 22 are respectively provided on the outer side in the vehicle width direction and on the inner side in the vehicle width direction. Figure 2 and Figure 3 In the diagram, only the sliding plate 22 located on the outer side in the vehicle width direction is shown. On the sliding plate 22, there is an elongated hole 23 for supporting the lower end of the connecting arm 42 of the lifting mechanism 4 (described later) and allowing it to slide freely in the vehicle length direction.

[0029] The stool 3 includes a stool support plate 31 and a stool cushion 32. The stool support plate 31 is made of a metal sheet extending in the horizontal direction. The stool cushion 32, for the user U to sit on, is installed on the upper surface of the stool support plate 31. The stool cushion 32 is, for example, a component made by covering the surface of a padding material made of polyurethane foam or the like with an outer material.

[0030] Support frames 33 are respectively provided at the front end (front end in the vehicle length direction) of the lower surface of the seat support plate 31, on the outer side in the vehicle width direction and the inner side in the vehicle width direction. Figure 2 and Figure 3 Only the support frame 33 located on the outer side in the vehicle width direction is shown. The support frame 33 supports the upper end of the connecting arm 42 of the lifting mechanism 4 (described later), which is supported so that it can rotate about the support frame 33 (the axis of rotation is parallel to the vehicle width direction). In approximately half of the area on the rear side (rear side in the vehicle length direction) of the lower surface of the seat support plate 31, sliding plates 34 are respectively provided on the outer side in the vehicle width direction and the inner side in the vehicle width direction. Figure 2 and Figure 3 In the diagram, only the sliding plate 34 located on the outer side in the vehicle width direction is shown. On the sliding plate 34, an elongated hole 35 is formed to support the upper end of the connecting arm 41 of the lifting mechanism 4 (described later) and allow it to slide freely in the vehicle length direction.

[0031] The lifting mechanism 4 is a pantograph-type (also known as a scissor lift) mechanism. Specifically, the lifting mechanism 4 has four connecting arms (41, 42), two of which are located on the outer side in the vehicle width direction and two on the inner side in the vehicle width direction. Of the four connecting arms (41, 42), the two connecting arms (41, 42) located on the outer side in the vehicle width direction are rotatably connected relative to each other at their respective midpoints along their length. Similarly, the two connecting arms located on the inner side in the vehicle width direction (41, 42) are rotatably connected relative to each other at their respective midpoints along their length. Figure 2 and Figure 3 (Not shown in the image) They are also rotatably connected to each other at the midpoint of their respective length directions.

[0032] The lower end of the connecting arm 41 is rotatably connected to the support frame 21 provided on the upper surface of the base plate 2 (the axis of rotation is parallel to the vehicle width direction). The upper end of the connecting arm 41 is engaged with the elongated hole 35 formed on the sliding plate 34 and can slide freely along the elongated hole 35 in the vehicle length direction.

[0033] The upper end of the connecting arm 42 is rotatably connected to the bracket 33 located on the lower surface of the seat support plate 31 (the axis of rotation is parallel to the vehicle width direction). The lower end of the connecting arm 42 is engaged with the elongated hole 23 formed on the sliding plate 22 and can slide freely along the elongated hole 23 in the vehicle length direction.

[0034] The lifting actuator 5 is an electric cylinder, comprising an electric motor 51 and a cylinder 52 that extends and retracts the piston rod 53 under the drive of the electric motor 51. The upper end of the cylinder 52 is rotatably connected to the connecting arm 42. The piston rod 53 is retractable or extendable relative to the cylinder 52, and the lower end of the piston rod 53 is rotatably connected to the bracket 24 mounted on the upper surface of the base plate 2. The user can start the electric motor 51 by operating a switch (not shown). The switch could be, for example, a switch provided with the vehicle entry / exit assist device 1, or a switch provided with the door of the vehicle V. When the electric motor 51 is started, the piston rod 53 retracts or extends relative to the cylinder 52.

[0035] like Figure 2 As shown, when the electric motor 51 is activated, causing the piston rod 53 to retract into the cylinder 52, the connecting arms (41, 42) rotate in the downward direction, lowering the seat 3. At this time, the boarding / alighting auxiliary device 1 is in the seat-lowered state. Conversely, as... Figure 3 As shown, when the electric motor 51 is turned on and the piston rod 53 is extended from the cylinder 52, each connecting arm (41, 42) rotates in the direction of standing up and the seat 3 is raised. At this time, the boarding and alighting auxiliary device 1 is in the seat raised state.

[0036] like Figure 4As shown, when the vehicle access assist device 1 is in the seat-lowered state, the seat height of the seat 3 is approximately the same as the seat height of the wheelchair. Therefore, it is easy for the user U to move from the wheelchair C to the seat 3.

[0037] like Figure 5 As shown, when the vehicle entry / exit assist device 1 is in the seat-raised state, the seat height of the seat 3 is approximately the same as the seat height of the driver's seat DS of the vehicle V. Therefore, it is easy for the user U to move the driver's seat DS from the seat 3.

[0038] <Operation for moving from a wheelchair to a car seat>

[0039] The following describes the operation of moving from wheelchair C to the driver's seat DS of car V using the vehicle entry and exit assistance device 1.

[0040] First, user U moves their wheelchair C closer to the door opening of car V and opens the door. At this time, the vehicle entry / exit assist device 1 is in operation. Figure 2 The seat is shown in the lowered position. In this position, the seat height of the seat 3 of the vehicle access assist device 1 is approximately the same as the seat height of the wheelchair C, so the user U can easily move from the wheelchair C to the seat 3. Figure 4 This shows the state after the user U moves from wheelchair C to the seat 3 of the vehicle access assistance device 1, which is in the seated position.

[0041] After user U moves from wheelchair C to seat 3, they activate electric motor 51 by operating a switch. This causes piston rod 53 to extend from cylinder 52, raising seat 3. Thus, while seated on seat 3, user U can activate the getting-on / off assist device 1. Figure 3 The seat is shown in the raised position. In this position, the seat height of the seat 3 of the vehicle entry and exit assist device 1 is approximately the same as the seat height of the driver's seat DS of the vehicle V, so the user U can easily move from the seat 3 to the driver's seat DS. Figure 5 This shows the state after the user U moves from the seat-raising assist device 1 to the driver's seat DS of the car V.

[0042] Through the above operations, user U can easily move from wheelchair C to the driver's seat DS of car V. Similarly, through the reverse operations, user U can move from the driver's seat DS of car V to wheelchair C.

[0043] In addition, in this embodiment, the lifting mechanism 4 is supported on the upper side of the side pedal SS, so that the vehicle entry and exit assistance device 1 can be stably supported on the side of the door opening of the vehicle V.

[0044] In addition, in this embodiment, the lifting mechanism 4 is a pantograph-type mechanism composed of multiple connecting arms (41, 42), which enables the seat 3 installed on the upper part of the lifting mechanism 4 to keep the seat surface horizontal during the lifting process.

[0045] <Variation Example 1>

[0046] The following describes Modification 1. In this modification, only the structures of the lifting mechanism 4 and the lifting actuation unit 5 differ from those in the above embodiment. Hereinafter, only the differences between the lifting mechanism 4 and the lifting actuation unit 5 and those in the above embodiment will be described.

[0047] Figure 6 This is a side view showing the boarding and alighting auxiliary device 1 in this modified example. (See attached image.) Figure 6 As shown, the lifting mechanism 4 of the vehicle loading / unloading auxiliary device 1 in this modified example has a total of eight connecting arms (43, 44, 45, 46), of which four are located on the outer side in the vehicle width direction and four are located on the inner side in the vehicle width direction. Figure 6 Only four connecting arms (43-46) located on the outer side in the vehicle width direction are shown. Of the eight connecting arms (43-46), the first connecting arm 43, the second connecting arm 44, the third connecting arm 45, and the fourth connecting arm 46 are located on the outer side in the vehicle width direction. The lower end of the first connecting arm 43 is rotatably connected to the bracket 21 located on the upper surface of the base plate 2. The upper end of the first connecting arm 43 is rotatably connected to the lower end of the second connecting arm 44. The upper end of the second connecting arm 44 is rotatably connected to the bracket 33 located on the lower surface of the seat support plate 31.

[0048] On the other hand, the lower end of the third connecting arm 45 is engaged with the elongated hole 23 formed on the sliding plate 22 and is rotatably connected to the sliding shaft 54 ​​of the lifting actuator 5. The upper end of the third connecting arm 45 is rotatably connected to the lower end of the fourth connecting arm 46. The upper end of the fourth connecting arm 46 is engaged with the elongated hole 35 formed on the sliding plate 34 and can slide freely along the elongated hole 35 in the vehicle length direction.

[0049] Furthermore, the first connecting arm 43 and the third connecting arm 45 are rotatably connected relative to each other at their midpoints along their respective lengths. Similarly, the second connecting arm 44 and the fourth connecting arm 46 are rotatably connected relative to each other at their midpoints along their respective lengths.

[0050] The lifting actuator 5 includes an electric motor 51 and a sliding shaft 54 ​​that can slide under the drive of the electric motor 51. The electric motor 51 is mounted on the upper surface of the base plate 2. The sliding shaft 54 ​​passes through the interior of the electric motor 51 and can slide in the length direction, with its rear end connected to the lower end of the third connecting arm 45. In addition, for example, a rack and gear are housed inside the electric motor 51 to convert the rotation of the rotor of the electric motor 51 into the movement of the sliding shaft 54 ​​in the sliding direction.

[0051] In this modified example, when the sliding shaft 54 ​​moves to the left (rear in the direction of vehicle length) under the drive of the electric motor 51, each connecting arm (43-46) rotates in the downward direction, causing the seat 3 to lower, thus the boarding / alighting auxiliary device 1 is in the seat-lowered state. Conversely, when the sliding shaft 54 ​​moves to the right (front in the direction of vehicle length) under the drive of the electric motor 51, each connecting arm (43-46) rotates in the upward direction, causing the seat 3 to rise, thus the boarding / alighting auxiliary device 1 is in the seat-raised state.

[0052] Therefore, similar to the above-described embodiment, when the vehicle entry / exit assist device 1 is in the seat-lowered state, the seat height of the seat 3 is approximately the same as the seat height of the wheelchair C, allowing the user U to easily move from the wheelchair C to the seat 3. When the vehicle entry / exit assist device 1 is in the seat-raised state, the seat height of the seat 3 is approximately the same as the seat height of the driver's seat DS of the vehicle V, allowing the user U to easily move from the seat 3 to the driver's seat DS.

[0053] <Variation Example 2>

[0054] The following describes Modification 2. This modification differs from the above embodiment only in the structure of the lifting mechanism 4 and the lifting actuation unit 5. Hereinafter, only the differences between the lifting mechanism 4 and the above embodiment and the above embodiment will be described.

[0055] Figure 7 This is a side view showing the boarding and alighting auxiliary device 1 in this modified example. (See attached image.) Figure 7 As shown, the lifting mechanism 4 of the boarding / alighting auxiliary device 1 in this modified example has four connecting arms, namely, a first connecting arm 47a, a second connecting arm 47b, a third connecting arm 48a, and a fourth connecting arm 48b. The lower ends of the first connecting arm 47a and the second connecting arm 47b are rotatably connected to the base bracket 25 mounted on the side step SS. At the same time, the upper ends of the third connecting arm 48a and the fourth connecting arm 48b are rotatably connected to the bracket 36 mounted on the lower side of the seat 3.

[0056] The upper end of the first connecting arm 47a is rotatably connected to the lower end of the third connecting arm 48a, and a nut seat 55 is installed at the connection point. The nut seat 55 has a through hole extending in the length direction. An internal thread is formed on the inner wall surface of the through hole.

[0057] The upper end of the second connecting arm 47b and the lower end of the fourth connecting arm 48b are rotatably connected relative to each other, and an electric motor 51 of the lifting actuator 5 is installed at the connection point between the two. The electric motor 51 has a rotating shaft 56 extending in the length direction of the vehicle, and an external thread is formed on the outer surface of the rotating shaft 56. The rotating shaft 56 is inserted into the through hole of the nut seat 55 with the external thread at its front end engaging with the internal thread of the through hole of the nut seat 55.

[0058] Therefore, when the electric motor 51 is started, the rotating shaft 56 rotates, and the distance between the electric motor 51 and the nut seat 55 changes accordingly with the direction of rotation of the rotating shaft 56. That is, when the distance between the electric motor 51 and the nut seat 55 increases, each connecting arm (47a, 47b, 48a, 48b) rotates in the downward direction, causing the seat 3 to lower, thus the boarding / alighting auxiliary device 1 is in the seat-lowered state. Conversely, when the distance between the electric motor 51 and the nut seat 55 decreases, each connecting arm (47a, 47b, 48a, 48b) rotates in the upward direction, causing the seat 3 to rise, thus the boarding / alighting auxiliary device 1 is in the seat-raised state.

[0059] Therefore, similar to the above-described embodiment, when the vehicle entry / exit assist device 1 is in the seat-lowered state, the seat height of the seat 3 is approximately the same as the seat height of the wheelchair C, allowing the user U to easily move from the wheelchair C to the seat 3. When the vehicle entry / exit assist device 1 is in the seat-raised state, the seat height of the seat 3 is approximately the same as the seat height of the driver's seat DS of the vehicle V, allowing the user U to easily move from the seat 3 to the driver's seat DS.

[0060] However, this invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and modifications, and appropriate changes can be made. For example, in the above embodiments and modifications, an example of installing the entry / exit assist device 1 on a fixed side step SS is given, but this invention is not limited to this, and the entry / exit assist device 1 can also be installed on a retractable side step SS. In this case, corresponding to the retraction of the side step SS (e.g., retracted under the side beam when not in use), the entry / exit assist device 1 is also retracted when not in use.

Claims

1. A vehicle entry and exit assist device, characterized in that: have A lifting mechanism supported by the vehicle body and whose length in the height direction is variable; A stool installed on the upper part of the lifting mechanism; and A lifting actuator connected to the lifting mechanism, which lowers or raises the seat height of the stool by applying a lifting driving force to the lifting mechanism.

2. The vehicle entry and exit assist device as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The lifting mechanism is installed on the upper side of the side pedal of the vehicle body.

3. The vehicle entry and exit assist device as described in claim 2, characterized in that: The lifting mechanism is a pantograph-type mechanism composed of multiple connecting arms.

Images