An easy-to-maintain wheelchair caster device

Abstract

This case relates to an easy-to-maintain wheelchair caster device, including a quick-release shaft that is detachably connected to a frame at one end and a wheel fork connected to the other end of the quick-release shaft. The upper end of the wheel fork is provided with a bushing structure that is integral with the wheel fork. A bearing is provided inside the bushing structure. The quick-release shaft passes through the bearing and is connected to the wheel fork, realizing the separate installation of the bearing and the frame, thereby significantly improving the maintenance convenience and overall user experience of the wheelchair caster.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of omnidirectional wheel technology, specifically to the field of an easy-to-maintain wheelchair omnidirectional wheel device. Background Technology

[0002] In existing wheelchair designs, the bearings of the casters are typically mounted to the wheelchair frame via a bearing sleeve. This bearing sleeve is further connected to the wheel fork via an axle, thereby enabling the wheel's rotation and directional adjustment functions. (See attached image) Figure 7 As shown, the bearing sleeve 100 is fixed on the frame 200. At this time, the bearing is inside the bearing sleeve 100, and the bearing sleeve 100 is connected to the wheel fork 300 through the shaft.

[0003] While this design meets basic usage requirements, it has significant shortcomings in terms of maintenance. Specifically, since the bearings are directly fixed to the frame 200, any inspection, cleaning, or replacement of the bearings inevitably requires disassembling the entire frame 200. This not only increases the complexity and time cost of maintenance work, but may also affect the integrity and stability of the frame structure due to frequent disassembly and assembly. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In response to the aforementioned needs, this application proposes an easy-to-maintain wheelchair caster device, which aims to separate the bearing from the frame for installation, thereby simplifying the maintenance process and improving maintenance efficiency.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present application adopts the following technical solution:

[0006] An easy-to-maintain wheelchair caster device includes a quick-release shaft that is detachably connected to a frame at one end, a wheel fork connected to the other end of the quick-release shaft, and a bushing structure integral with the wheel fork at the upper end of the wheel fork.

[0007] The bushing structure contains a bearing, and the quick-release shaft passes through the bearing and is connected to the wheel fork.

[0008] Thus, through the quick-release axle and the bushing structure integrated with the wheel fork, the bearing and frame can be installed separately, significantly improving the maintenance convenience and overall user experience of the wheelchair casters. During operation, bearing replacement can be achieved simply by disassembling and assembling the wheel fork, without any modification or disassembly of the wheelchair frame, reducing maintenance costs and time consumption.

[0009] In some possible implementations, an adjusting screw is also included between the frame of the quick-release shaft and the wheel fork, and a shock-absorbing spring is also included between the adjusting screw and the wheel fork.

[0010] In some possible implementations, a protective gasket is also included between the shock-absorbing spring and the wheel fork.

[0011] In some possible implementations, there are two bearings.

[0012] In some possible implementations, the quick-release shaft has screws at both ends, and the quick-release shaft serves as a bolt connection to secure the wheel fork and the frame.

[0013] In some possible implementations, a shaft adapter plate is also included, through which the quick-release shaft is connected to the frame and the foot pedal bracket.

[0014] In some possible implementations, the shaft adapter plate is provided with a U-shaped mounting groove for connection to the frame.

[0015] In some possible implementations, the shaft adapter plate and the foot pedal bracket are connected by a guide quick-connect.

[0016] In some possible implementations, the shaft adapter plate is provided with reinforcing ribs between its connection to the frame and its connection to the footrest bracket. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a side view of the wheelchair to which the wheelchair caster device of this application is applied;

[0018] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the installation status of the wheelchair caster device of this application;

[0019] Figure 3 This is an exploded schematic diagram of the wheelchair caster device of this application;

[0020] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view of the wheel fork of this application;

[0021] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram showing the installation relationship between the shaft adapter plate and the foot bracket in this application;

[0022] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the shaft adapter plate of this application;

[0023] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of an existing technology embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0024] The following examples further illustrate the features of this application and other related features in detail, so as to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art:

[0025] It should be noted that the terms “front,” “back,” “left,” “right,” “up,” and “down” used in the following description refer to the directions in the attached diagrams, while the terms “bottom surface,” “top surface,” “inner,” and “outer” refer to the directions toward or away from the geometric center of a specific component, respectively.

[0026] Furthermore, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "linking" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this case based on the specific circumstances.

[0027] Please refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the easy-maintain wheelchair caster device 10 of this application installed on a wheelchair. In the figure, the wheelchair frame 20 is connected to the front wheels 30 and the rear wheels 40, forming the main structure of the wheelchair. When pushing the wheelchair, the front wheels 30 are used as swivel wheels for reversing direction. The easy-maintain wheelchair caster device 10 of this application is installed on the front wheels 30 and connected to the frame 20 and the footrest bracket 50.

[0028] Please refer to Figure 3 and Figure 4 This application discloses an easy-to-maintain wheelchair caster device, comprising a quick-release shaft 1 detachably connected to a frame 20 at one end, and a wheel fork 2 connected to the other end of the quick-release shaft 1. A bushing structure 21, integrally designed with the wheel fork 2, is provided at the upper end of the wheel fork 2. A bearing 22 is disposed inside the bushing structure 21, and the quick-release shaft 1 passes through the bearing and is connected to the wheel fork 2. The connection between the wheel fork 2 and the front wheel 30 is a conventional technical method in the industry and will not be described in detail.

[0029] Specifically, the quick-release shaft 1 has screws at both ends. The quick-release shaft 1 is used as a bolt connection to fix the wheel fork 2 and the frame 20. The wheel fork 2 is fixed to the wheel fork 2 by a nut 11.

[0030] Preferably, two bearings 22 are stacked together. The stacking of two bearings 22 is primarily to enhance the load-bearing capacity and stability of the structure. Traditional structures utilize bearing sleeves to maintain axial stability and the connection stability with the frame structure. This application designs the bearing sleeve structure 21 of the bearing 22 as an integral part of the wheel fork 2, making the bearing 22 easier to maintain while ensuring its stability.

[0031] Furthermore, as a shock absorption measure, an adjusting screw 12 is provided between the frame 20 of the quick-release shaft 1 and the wheel fork 2. A shock-absorbing spring 3 is provided between the adjusting screw 12 and the wheel fork 2. Furthermore, a protective washer 4 is provided between the shock-absorbing spring 3 and the wheel fork 2 to protect the bearing 22.

[0032] Thus, through the quick-release shaft 1 and the bushing structure 21 integrated with the wheel fork 2, the bearing 22 and the frame 20 can be installed separately, significantly improving the maintenance convenience and overall user experience of the wheelchair casters. During operation, the bearing 22 can be replaced simply by disassembling and assembling the wheel fork 2, without any modification or disassembly of the wheelchair frame 20, reducing maintenance costs and time consumption.

[0033] As mentioned above, one of the main reasons for using a bearing sleeve that is fixedly connected to the frame 20 in a conventional design is the need for a stable connection between the frame 20 and the caster wheel structure.

[0034] Please refer to the following for details. Figure 3 and Figure 6 In this application, the quick-release shaft 1 is connected to the frame 20 and the footrest bracket 50 via a shaft adapter plate 5. Specifically, a U-shaped mounting groove 51 is provided at the connection between the shaft adapter plate 5 and the frame 20, while the frame 20 has a U-shaped bend at the connection with the shaft adapter plate 5, which makes it more stable overall compared to a right-angle welded structure. When connecting with the shaft adapter plate 5, the U-shaped mounting groove 51 provides a "hugging" connection to the frame 20, providing a stable rigid connection while avoiding stress concentration on the easy-to-maintain wheelchair caster device 10 of this application.

[0035] At this point, the quick-release shaft 1 is screwed into the shaft adapter plate 5, and the adjusting screw 12 is then securely connected to the lower end of the shaft adapter plate 5 via an elastic washer. The shock-absorbing spring 3 is actually located between the shaft adapter plate 5 and the wheel fork 2.

[0036] Please refer to Figure 5 and Figure 6 The shaft adapter plate 5 and the foot pedal bracket 50 are connected by a guide quick-connect. Specifically, the foot pedal bracket 50 is provided with a guide groove 52, and the shaft adapter plate 5 is provided with a corresponding slider 53. The positions of these sliders can be replaced in specific applications. A locking device 54 is also provided to prevent sliding, which facilitates the disassembly and assembly of the foot pedal bracket 50.

[0037] At this time, the frame 20 and the foot pedal bracket 50 are located at both ends of the shaft adapter plate 5, which will exert a bending force on the shaft adapter plate 5. To address this, a reinforcing rib 55 is provided between the shaft adapter plate 5 and the connection between it and the frame 20 and the connection between it and the foot pedal bracket 50.

[0038] As stated above, this case protects an easy-to-maintain wheelchair caster device, and all technical solutions that are the same as or similar to this case should be considered to fall within the scope of protection of this case.

Claims

1. A maintenance-friendly wheelchair caster device, characterized in that, It includes a quick-release shaft (1) that is detachably connected to the frame (20) at one end, and a wheel fork (2) connected to the other end of the quick-release shaft (1). The upper end of the wheel fork (2) is provided with a bushing structure (21) that is integral with the wheel fork (2). The bushing structure (21) is provided with a bearing (22), and the quick-release shaft (1) passes through the bearing (22) and is connected to the wheel fork (2).

2. The easy-to-maintain wheelchair caster device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes an adjusting screw (12) disposed between the frame (20) of the quick-release shaft (1) and the wheel fork (2) and a shock-absorbing spring (3) disposed between the adjusting screw (12) and the wheel fork (2).

3. The easy-to-maintain wheelchair caster device as described in claim 2, characterized in that, It also includes a protective gasket (4) disposed between the shock-absorbing spring (3) and the wheel fork (2).

4. The easy-to-maintain wheelchair caster device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, There are two bearings (22).

5. The easy-to-maintain wheelchair caster device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The quick-release shaft (1) is provided with screws at both ends, and the quick-release shaft (1) is used as a bolt connection to fix the wheel fork (2) and the frame (20).

6. The easy-to-maintain wheelchair caster device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a shaft adapter plate (5), through which the quick-release shaft (1) is connected to the frame (20) and the foot pedal bracket (50).

7. The easy-to-maintain wheelchair caster device as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The shaft adapter plate (5) is provided with a U-shaped mounting groove (51) that connects to the frame (20).

8. The easy-to-maintain wheelchair caster device as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The shaft adapter plate (5) and the foot pedal bracket (50) are connected by a guide quick-connect.

9. The easy-to-maintain wheelchair caster device as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The shaft adapter plate (5) is provided with reinforcing ribs (55) between its connection with the frame (20) and its connection with the foot support (50).

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