Wheelchair in which distance between wheels is changeable in use by individually steering driving wheels

Abstract

To provide a wheelchair in which the distance between wheels is changeable in use in accordance with a using situation.SOLUTION: In the wheelchair with driving wheels on the right and left sides, the distance between wheels of the right and left driving wheels is changeable and the right and left driving wheels can be steered individually.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a wheelchair. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventional wheelchairs have a fixed wheelbase when in use, meaning that the wheelbase cannot be adjusted while in use to accommodate changes in aisle width, transfers, or other usage conditions. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] To provide a wheelchair capable of changing the wheel-to-wheel distance during use according to the usage situation. [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] In order to achieve the above-mentioned objective, a wheelchair in which the wheel spacing can be changed during use by individually steering the drive wheels is characterized in that, in a wheelchair with drive wheels on both the left and right, the wheel spacing between the left and right drive wheels is variable and the left and right drive wheels can be steered individually. Effect of the Invention

[0005] Depending on the usage situation, the left and right drive wheels can be steered individually and one or both of them can be moved left and right of the wheelchair, thereby changing the wheel-to-wheel distance between the left and right drive wheels during use. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] Principle diagram [Diagram 2] A diagram of the wheelchair being used to enter a toilet with a narrow width. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0007] Steering means determining the direction in which the wheels will travel, and the embodiment may include not only a typical method of applying a steering angle to the wheels themselves as shown in the figure, but also omnidirectional wheels that can determine the direction of travel by rotating the rim of the wheel, etc., as long as the direction of travel of the wheels can be determined and the wheels can travel in that direction, and is not limited to these forms. Independent steering means that the direction of travel of the left and right drive wheels can be determined separately. The steering and drive of the drive wheels may be manual or electric.

[0008] The diagram shows a simple, well-known technology in which the drive wheels, which are wheels of a typical structure, are individually steered in opposite directions so that the left and right drive wheels move left and right on the wheelchair as they rotate, thereby changing the distance between the wheels; details will be omitted.

[0009] The X-shaped cross link mechanism in the figure, which allows the distance between the left and right drive wheels to be changed, is a known technology that has been used for some time to fold wheelchairs left and right, but it differs in that the shape of the link can be changed when weight is applied to the wheelchair during use.

[0010] The figure shows an X-shaped link made up of two links, one with a drive wheel on one end and a caster on the other, joined in the middle; with this simple link, it is desirable that the wheel distance between the caster is linked to the wheel distance between the left and right drive wheels; however, this results in a wide distance between the front and rear wheel axles, so a desirable embodiment is one in which the wheel distance between the front and rear wheels is linked to the wheel distance between the left and right wheels, or at least does not change.

[0011] It is desirable to provide a function for adjusting the seat height. With this, when the distance between the wheels is wide in situations such as wide passages or uneven road surfaces, the seat can be lowered to allow for more stable and faster movement, and when there is little movement and objects to support on the left and right, the seat can be raised and the distance between the wheels can be narrowed until the left and right drive wheels are under the seat, allowing the vehicle to pass through passages as narrow as the width of the seat, and thus not taking up space in crowded public transport facilities. When transferring from a wheelchair to a driver's seat or bed, the seat height is adjusted and the drive wheel on the side being transferred to is placed under the seat, reducing the gap between the seat and the destination, making the transfer easier.

[0012] The structure that holds the drive wheels in the figure so that they can be steered is similar to that of the front wheels of an automobile, in that a knuckle arm is rotatably held at the end of a link, the knuckle arm holds an axle, and the axle holds the drive wheels so that they can be rotatably held; however, this structure is not limited to this and any other structure, including omnidirectional wheels.

[0013] As a specific example of its use, by narrowing the distance between the left and right drive wheels and casters, it can not only pass through narrow passageways, but also enter a general-use toilet with a narrow width from side to side, as shown in Figure 2.

[0014] Also, as shown in the figure, if there is no structure between the left and right drive wheels and the rear of the seat is open, the user can move backwards and place the drive wheels on either side of the toilet seat, making it easy to transfer to the toilet seat at the rear, just as they can to the driver's seat and bed on the left and right. Conventionally, a person would transfer to the toilet seat from a wheelchair that was facing the toilet seat or at a right angle, by using the handrail to change the direction of their body. With this configuration, however, the person can easily transfer from the seat to the toilet seat at the rear with a short horizontal movement with few steps, making it possible to use a narrow general-purpose toilet. The seat height can be adjusted to match the height of the toilet seat before transferring, similar to the driver's seat and bed described above; however, when transferring from the seat to the toilet seat at the rear, the calves rest on the seat, so it is desirable to have a structure that allows the seat to be folded downwards so that the calves can be lowered. As a result, the wheelchair can be moved further back, closer to the toilet seat, and the door can be closed.

[0015] It is possible to use the simple form shown in the figure, but adding armrests, a backrest, etc. can be effective depending on the physical ability of the user. It is desirable for the shape of these seats to be structured so that they can be freely moved in any direction as needed, so that passengers can transfer from the seat to the left, right, or rearward.

[0016] More precise steering is possible by individually steering the steering angles of the left and right drive wheels, but it is also possible to use a link mechanism that always keeps the left and right steering angles symmetrical.It is also desirable to have a stopper that can fix the left and right drive wheels parallel to the direction of travel when the required wheel distance is achieved.

[0017] When the distance between the wheels is narrowed until the left and right drive wheels are under the seat, the diameter of the drive wheels becomes small, so a structure can be used in which a one-way clutch and brake are provided, and one end of a lever that can rotate around the axle is swung back and forth to rotate the wheels. [Explanation of symbols]

[0018] 1 Drive wheel 2 axles 3 Knuckle Arm 4. Links 5 Joint 6 Seat 7 Caster 8 Toilet Seat

Claims

[Claim 1] In a wheelchair with drive wheels on both sides, The distance between the left and right drive wheels is variable, The left and right drive wheels are capable of being steered separately. A wheelchair that allows the wheel spacing to be changed during use by individually steering the drive wheels.

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