AUTOMATIC SPEED REDUCTION WHEEL

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention:

[0001] The present invention relates to wheels, and more particularly, to a wheel automatically reducing the speed when moving downhill.2. Description of the Related Art:

[0002] Taiwan has entered an aging society which increasingly needs long-term care service. In hospitals or nursing organizations, patients or elder people often face inconvenience of moving due to physical disabilities or body weakness, and they have to rely on walkers or wheelchairs for facilitate their movement and outdoor activities. Therefore, use of walkers or wheelchairs accordingly increases.

[0003] Both walkers and wheelchairs are usually provided with wheels, which roll along the ground surface. However, when the walker or wheelchair is applied to move downhill, a sudden acceleration occurs due to the sliding force, resulting in the overspeed of the wheels. In this case, the user is usually unable to immediately respond, failing to control the brake mechanism for stopping the wheel in time, such that the user easily falls, or suffers from the accidental overturn of the walker or wheelchair, which poses high risks to the weak, the elder, or the disabled with weaker controlling capability. It is desirable to resolve such issues.

[0004] WO 2010036952 A2 discloses a wheel and a brake mechanism for use with a non-motorized cart such as a shopping cart. In some examples, the wheel has a hub having a plurality of first engagement features, and the brake mechanism includes at least one second engagement feature that can be moved between an unactuated position and an actuated position. In the unactuated position, the second engagement feature does not engage any of the plurality of first engagement features on the hub, and in the actuated position, the second engagement feature operatively engages at least one of the first engagement features in order to provide a braking force that locks the wheel. A magnetically-activated trigger maintains the second engagement feature in the unactuated position. In response to a triggering magnetic field, the trigger is released and allows the second engagement feature to move from the unactuated position to the actuated position.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] For improving the issues of the conventional wheels, the present invention, based on the idea of creation through various discussions, trial sample tests, revisions, and improvements, discloses an automatic speed reducing wheel.

[0006] The present invention provides an automatic speed reducing wheel, comprising: a wheel unit having a wheel seat, a wheel axle passing through the wheel seat, and a roller rotating about the wheel axle, the wheel seat comprising a through hole through which the wheel axle passes, the wheel axle comprising a non-circular section on one end thereof, the roller comprising a wheel frame whose outer periphery is combined with an outer wheel, the wheel frame comprising an axle bore passing through a center thereof, the wheel axle passing through the axle bore, the roller being configured to freely rotate about the wheel axle, a plurality of blockers disposed on one side of the wheel frame in adjacent to an edge thereof in a radiation shape arrangement, the plurality of blockers rotating along with the roller; and characterized by a speed reducing unit comprising a fixing seat and a sliding member, the fixing seat comprising a fixing bore and a sliding bore, the fixing bore mounted around the non-circular section of the wheel axle and fixed thereon, the fixing seat located on one side of the roller, the sliding member slidably disposed in the sliding bore, the sliding member comprising a sliding body, the sliding body comprising an elastic portion connected with a front end thereof, the elastic portion comprising a blocking portion connected with a front end thereof; when the roller moves downhill, the sliding bore slants downward by an inclination angle, and the sliding member slides along the sliding bore due to a gravity force, such that the blocking portion of the sliding member protrudes out of an outer side of the sliding bore to interrupt a rotation route of the blockers, whereby the blockers pass and hit the blocking portion one by one, such that a cooperation between the blocking portion and an elasticity of the elastic portion achieves a speed reducing effect.

[0007] When the roller moves downhill, the automatic speed reducing wheel of the present invention provides an automatic speed reducing function to avoid a sudden acceleration, thereby preventing the user from injury and increasing the safety of the user.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Fig. 1 is a perspective view in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is an exploded view of the present invention. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the fixing seat and the sliding member of the present invention. Fig. 4 is a sectional view of the present invention. Fig. 5 is a schematic view illustrating the automatic speed reducing operation when moving downhill. Fig. 6 is another schematic view illustrating the automatic speed reducing operation when moving downhill. Fig. 7 is a schematic view illustrating the usage of the present invention installed on a wheelchair. Fig. 8 is a schematic view illustrating the usage of the present invention installed on a mobility aid. Fig. 9 is a perspective view in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 10 is an exploded view in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 11 is a sectional view in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 12 is a schematic view illustrating the automatic speed reducing operation when moving downhill in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 13 is another schematic view illustrating the automatic speed reducing operation when moving downhill in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The aforementioned and further advantages and features of the present invention will be understood by reference to the description of the preferred embodiment in conjunction with the accompanying drawings where the components are illustrated based on a proportion for explanation but not subject to the actual component proportion.

[0010] The following content is illustrated in conjunction with the drawings of the preferable embodiments of the present invention, so as to enable people skilled in the art of the present invention to implement the present invention according to the specification.

[0011] Referring to Fig. 1 to Fig. 4, an automatic speed reducing wheel 1 of the present invention comprises a wheel unit 10 and a speed reducing unit 20.

[0012] The wheel unit 10 comprises a wheel seat 11, a wheel axle 12 passing through the wheel seat 11, and a roller 13 rotating about the wheel axle 12. Two side boards 111 extend from the wheel seat 11, and a through hole 1111 pass through the two side boards 111, such that the wheel axle 12 passes through the through hole 1111. The wheel axle 12 comprises a non-circular section 121 on one end thereof. The roller 13 is disposed between the two side boards 111. The roller 13 comprises a wheel frame 131 whose outer periphery is combined with an outer wheel 132. The wheel frame 131 comprises an axle bore 1311 passing through the center thereof. The wheel axle 12 passes through the axle bore 1311. Therefore, the roller 13 is configured to freely rotate about the wheel axle 12. A plurality of blockers 1312 is circularly disposed on one side of the wheel frame 131 in adjacent to an edge thereof in a radiation shape arrangement. The plurality of blockers 1312 rotates along with the roller 13.

[0013] The speed reducing unit 20 comprises a fixing seat 21, a sliding member 22, and a protection cover 23. The fixing seat 21 is disposed between the two side boards 111 and is arranged on one side of the roller 13. The fixing seat 21 comprises a fixing bore 211 and a sliding bore 212. The fixing bore 211 is mounted around the non-circular section 121 of the wheel axle 12 and fixed thereon. The sliding bore 212 is normally positioned in a horizontal arrangement. The sliding member 22 is slidably disposed in the sliding bore 212, such that the sliding member 22 is able to slide along the sliding bore 212. The sliding member 22 comprises a sliding body 221. The sliding body 221 comprises a sheet shaped elastic portion 222 connected with a front end of the sliding body 221. The elastic portion 222 comprises a blocking portion 223 connected with a front end of the elastic portion 222. The protection cover 23 is disposed between the two side boards 111 of the wheel seat 11 and is arranged on one side of the roller 13. The protection cover 23 covers the fixing seat 21 and the sliding member 22. The protection cover 23 comprises a combination bore 231 passing through the center thereof, such that the combination bore 231 is mounted around the non-circular section 121 and fixed thereon.

[0014] In use, the automatic speed reducing wheel 1 is able to be installed on a moving vehicle such as a wheelchair 2 (as shown by Fig. 7) or a mobility aid 3 (as shown by Fig. 8). When the wheelchair 2 or the mobility aid 3 move on a level ground, the blocking portion 223 of the sliding member 22 is away from the rotation route of the plurality of blockers 1312 (as shown by Fig. 4), so that the wheelchair 2 or the mobility aid 3 is able to normally move. Referring to Fig. 5 and Fig. 6, when the wheelchair 2 or the mobility aid 3 moves downhill, the sliding bore 212 slants downward by an inclination angle. The sliding member 22 slides along the sliding bore 212 due to the effect of the gravity force, such that the blocking portion 223 of the sliding member 22 protrudes out of an outer side of the sliding bore 212 to interrupt the rotation route of the plurality of blockers 1312, whereby the blocking portion 223 hinders the rotation of the blockers 1312 with the elastic deformation and resilience of the elastic portion 222, so that the plurality of blockers 1312 passes and hits the blocking portion 223 one by one, achieving a speed reducing effect.

[0015] Referring to Fig. 9 to Fig. 11, the automatic speed reducing wheel 1 in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention is provided, comprising a wheel unit 10 and a speed reducing unit 20.

[0016] The wheel unit 10 comprises a wheel seat 11, a wheel axle 12 passing through the wheel seat 11, and a roller 13 rotating about the wheel axle 12. Two side boards 111 extend from the wheel seat 11, and a through hole 1111 passes through the two side boards 111, such that the wheel axle 12 passes through the through hole 1111. The roller 13 is disposed between the two side boards 111. The roller 13 comprises a wheel frame 131 whose outer periphery is combined with an outer wheel 132. The wheel frame 131 comprises an axle bore 1311 passing through the center thereof. The wheel axle 12 passes through the axle bore 1311. Therefore, the roller 13 is configured to freely rotate about the wheel axle 12. A plurality of elastic blockers 1313 is circularly disposed on one side of the wheel frame 131 in adjacent to an edge thereof in a radiation shape arrangement. The plurality of elastic blockers 1313 rotates along with the roller 13.

[0017] The speed reducing unit 20 comprises a fixing seat 24, a sliding member 25, and a side cover 26. The fixing seat 24 is disposed on one side of the roller 13. The fixing seat 24 comprises a sliding bore 241. The sliding member 25 is slidably disposed in the sliding bore 241. The sliding member 25 comprises a position limiting groove 251 disposed on the middle section thereof. The position limiting groove 251 allows the sliding member 25 to slide along the sliding bore 241 in a position limiting range. The sliding member 25 comprises a blocking portion 252 on the front end thereof. The side cover 26 is disposed on one side of the roller 13 and is combined with the fixing seat 24. The side cover 26 covers the fixing seat 21 and the sliding member 22, such that the sliding bore 241 of the fixing seat 24 is normally positioned in a horizontal arrangement. The side cover 26 comprises a through bore 261 passing through the center thereof, and the wheel axle 12 passes through the through bore 261. The side cover 26 comprises an arc bore 262, by which two screws 263 pass to be fastened on one of the side boards 111, whereby the side cover 26 is connected with the wheel seat 11, and the wheel seat 11 is able to sway with respect to the side cover 26 within the arc bore 262. Therein, the position limiting groove 251 comprises a first end 2511 and a second end 2512. The position limiting range is the interval range between the first end 2511 and the second end 2512.

[0018] In use, the automatic speed reducing wheel 1 is able to be installed on a moving vehicle such as a wheelchair 2 (as shown by Fig. 7) or a mobility aid 3 (as shown by Fig. 8). When the wheelchair 2 or the mobility aid 3 move on a level ground, the blocking portion 252 of the sliding member 25 is away from the rotation route of the plurality of the elastic blockers 1313 (as shown by Fig. 11), so that the wheelchair 2 or the mobility aid 3 is able to normally move. Referring to Fig. 12 and Fig. 13, when the wheelchair 2 or the mobility aid 3 moves downhill, the sliding bore 241 slants downward by an inclination angle. The sliding member 25 slides along the sliding bore 241 due to the effect of the gravity force, such that the blocking portion 252 of the sliding member 25 protrudes out of an outer side of the sliding bore 241 to interrupt the rotation route of the plurality of elastic blockers 1313, whereby the blocking portion 252 hinders the rotation of the plurality of elastic blockers 1313 with the elastic deformation and resilience of the elastic blockers 1313, so that the elastic blockers 1313 pass and hit the blocking portion 252 one by one and then recover, achieving a speed reducing effect.

[0019] Further, referring to Fig. 11 to Fig. 13, the position limiting groove 251 comprises a first end 2511 and a second end 2512, and the side edge of the wheel axle 12 is engaged with the position limiting groove 251. When the sliding bore 241 slants downward by an inclination angle, the second end 2512 of the position limiting groove 251 abuts against the side edge of the wheel axle 12, such that the sliding member 25 is able to move within the position limiting range, preventing the sliding member 25 from being separated from the sliding bore 241.

[0020] With the foregoing configuration, the present invention achieves following advantages.

[0021] The automatic speed reducing wheel 1 is able to be installed on a moving vehicle such as a wheelchair 2 or mobility aid 3. When the moving vehicle moves downhill, the present invention provides an automatic speed reducing function to avoid a sudden acceleration, thereby preventing the user from injury during the downhill movement and increasing the safety of the user.

[0022] Although particular embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications and enhancements may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the present invention is not to be limited except as by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An automatic speed reducing wheel (1), comprising: a wheel unit (10) having a wheel seat (11), a wheel axle (12) passing through the wheel seat (11), and a roller (13) rotating about the wheel axle (12), the wheel seat (11) comprising a through hole (1111) through which the wheel axle (12) passes, the wheel axle (12) comprising a non-circular section (121) on one end thereof, the roller (13) comprising a wheel frame (131) whose outer periphery is combined with an outer wheel (132), the wheel frame (131) comprising an axle bore (1311) passing through a center thereof, the wheel axle (12) passing through the axle bore (1311), the roller (13) being configured to freely rotate about the wheel axle (12), a plurality of blockers (1312) disposed on one side of the wheel frame (131) in adjacent to an edge thereof in a radiation shape arrangement, the plurality of blockers (1312) being configured to rotate along with the roller (13); and a speed reducing unit (20), characterized in that the speed reducing unit (20) comprises a fixing seat (21) and a sliding member (22), the fixing seat (21) comprising a fixing bore (211) and a sliding bore (212), the fixing bore (211) mounted around the non-circular section (121) of the wheel axle (12) and fixed thereon, the fixing seat (21) located on one side of the roller (13), the sliding member (22) slidably disposed in the sliding bore (212), the sliding member (22) comprising a sliding body (221), the sliding body (221) comprising an elastic portion (222) connected with a front end thereof, the elastic portion (222) comprising a blocking portion (223) connected with a front end thereof; when the roller (13) moves downhill, the sliding bore (212) slants downward by an inclination angle, and the sliding member (22) slides along the sliding bore (212) due to a gravity force, such that the blocking portion (223) of the sliding member (22) protrudes out of an outer side of the sliding bore (212) to interrupt a rotation route of the blockers (1312), whereby the blockers (1312) pass and hit the blocking portion (223) one by one, such that a cooperation between the blocking portion (223) and an elasticity of the elastic portion (222) achieves a speed reducing effect.

2. The automatic speed reducing wheel (1) of claim 1, wherein the wheel seat (11) comprises two side boards (111) extending therefrom; the fixing seat (21) is disposed between the two side boards (111).

3. The automatic speed reducing wheel (1) of claim 1, wherein the sliding bore (212) is normally positioned in a horizontal arrangement.

4. The automatic speed reducing wheel (1) of claim 1, wherein the elastic portion (222) is formed in a sheet shape.

5. The automatic speed reducing wheel (1) of claim 1, wherein the speed reducing unit (20) comprises a protection cover (23); the protection cover (23) is disposed on one side of the roller (13) and covers the fixing seat (21) and the sliding member (22); the protection cover (23) comprises a combination bore (231) passing through a center thereof, such that the combination bore (231) is mounted around the non-circular section (121) and fixed thereon.