Slope device
The ramp device addresses bulkiness and tilting issues by distributing load through a support structure, ensuring compact deployment and improved strength and rigidity for wheelchair access.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- AISIN KEIKINZOKU CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2024-11-29
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-10
AI Technical Summary
Existing slope devices for wheelchairs are either too bulky when deployed or require significant wheelchair tilting due to height differences, compromising ease of use and structural integrity.
A ramp device with a mounting panel, a main panel rotatably connected to a sub-panel, featuring a support structure with a holding portion and extending portion that distributes load, ensuring strength and rigidity while minimizing ground contact.
The device is compact when deployed, reduces height differences, and provides enhanced support and rigidity, facilitating easy wheelchair boarding and alighting with reduced wheel detachment risk.
Smart Images
Figure 2026094775000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to a slope device used for boarding and alighting a wheelchair or the like on a vehicle.
Background Art
[0002] In order to allow a wheelchair, a cart, or the like to board and alight from a vehicle, a slope device that is linearly spanned between the rear of the cargo compartment of the vehicle body and the ground as shown in Patent Document 1 is known. Although the slope device of the publication becomes somewhat compact when stored by sliding, when boarding and alighting a wheelchair or the like, it is slid out and spanned on the ground, so it takes up a large amount of space at the boarding and alighting location and the device is likely to be large. On the other hand, as shown in Patent Document 2, some vehicles have a large back door that can be freely opened and closed upward and a small tailgate that can be freely opened and closed downward. For example, when boarding a wheelchair, the front wheels lifted by tilting the wheelchair backward can be placed on the open tailgate. However, if there is a large difference in height between the upper surface of the tailgate and the ground, it is necessary to tilt the wheelchair significantly, and the burden of lifting the rear wheel side to board is likely to increase.
Prior Art Documents
Patent Documents
[0003]
Patent Document 1
Patent Document 2
Summary of the Invention
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0004] An object of the present invention is to provide a slope device that is compact, easy to board and alight a wheelchair or the like, and excellent in strength and rigidity.
Means for Solving the Problems
[0005] The ramp device according to the present invention is a ramp device having a mounting panel fixed to the vehicle side, a main panel rotatably connected to the mounting panel in the front-rear direction, and a sub-panel rotatably connected to the main panel in the front-rear direction, wherein in the deployed state, the support structure abuts the support portion on the sub-panel side against the receiving portion on the main panel side, and the support portion in the support structure is characterized by having a holding portion that holds the side end of the sub-panel and an extending portion that extends vertically from the holding portion.
[0006] The support structure includes a holding portion that holds the side end of the sub-panel and an extending portion that extends vertically from the holding portion. As a result, the load applied to the sub-panel is distributed between the holding portion and the extending portion, which contacts the receiving portion on the main panel side, thereby improving support strength and rigidity. Furthermore, the extended portion rising from the sub-panel functions as a wheel-prevention mechanism when a wheelchair or similar vehicle is in motion.
[0007] In the present invention, the main panel and the sub-panel may be connected via a pivot portion, and the pivot portion may have a discharge hole in its vicinity. Having these discharge holes makes it easy to remove foreign matter and clean, and also provides excellent drainage. [Effects of the Invention]
[0008] The ramp device according to the present invention is compact, yet can reduce the height difference with the ground, and can easily ensure strength and rigidity by forming a support structure in which the main panel side contacts the holding part and the extended part on the sub-panel side. [Brief explanation of the drawing]
[0009] [Figure 1] (a) shows the sub-panel in the deployed state, and (b) shows a magnified view of the sub-panel in the retracted state. [Figure 2] (a) shows the cross-sectional end view along line AA, and (b) shows the cross-sectional end view along line BB. [Figure 3]A cross-sectional end view of line AA of another embodiment is shown. [Figure 4] (a) shows a cross-sectional view of each panel in the unfolded state, and (b) shows a cross-sectional view of each panel in the stored state. [Figure 5] (a) shows a magnified section of Figure 5(a), and (b) shows a magnified section of Figure 5(b). [Figure 6] (a) shows an example of wheelchair boarding and alighting, and (b) shows a partial cross-sectional view. [Modes for carrying out the invention]
[0010] The ramp device according to the present invention may, for example, have a mounting panel fixed to the cargo floor side of the vehicle, a main panel that rotates integrally with the tailgate, and a sub-panel that floats above the ground to form a ramp surface. In the deployed state, the sub-panel, which is rotated and deployed from the main panel side, is cantilevered, and in the stored state, the sub-panel is flipped and stored so as to overlap the main panel. As a result, the sub-panels do not touch the ground, making the setup relatively compact even when deployed, while the extended slope surface created by deploying the sub-panels comes closer to the ground. However, in this state where the sub-panel is suspended, the load on the slope surface cannot be supported by the ground, unlike the slope device shown in Patent Document 1. Therefore, by abutting the holding portion and extending portion of the support provided on the sub-panel against the receiving portion on the main panel or tailgate side to form a support structure when deployed, it becomes easier to ensure strength and rigidity. In other words, the ramp device according to the present invention forms a ramp surface with the sub-panel, which rotates and unfolds from the main panel, floating above the ground. This allows for a compact unfolded state while minimizing the height difference with the ground, and the support structure formed by the abutment between the main panel and the sub-panel makes it easier to ensure strength and rigidity.
[0011] An example of the structure of the ramp device according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the figures. Figure 1(a) shows the sub-panel 31 unfolded from the main panel 21, and (b) shows the stored state. At the tip of the mounting panel 11, the base end of the main panel 21 is pivotally attached by a mounting-side pivoting portion 12 using a hinge structure or the like. Similarly, at the tip of the main panel 21, the base end of the sub-panel 31 is pivotally attached by a pivoting portion 22. The sub-panel 31 is in a cantilever state without being grounded on the ground F or the like in the deployed state. At this time, in addition to being supported by the pivoting portion 22, the support portion 32 provided on the sub-panel 31 abuts against the receiving portion 5 on the main panel 21 or the tailgate 1 side. Preferably, the support portion 32 is abutted against the receiving portion 5 below a position farther from the center of the rotation axis of the pivoting portion 22 to support the sub-panel 31. The purpose is to prevent the load from concentrating on the pivoting portion 22. The abutting portion may be at a position higher or lower than the rotation axis, and it is not necessarily directly below the center of the rotation axis. In this embodiment, rail-shaped support portions 32 extending in the front-rear direction are respectively attached to both the left and right ends of the sub-panel 31. <UNK> In accordance with the movement of the sub-panel 31 that rotates and deploys, a support structure is formed by the base end side of the support portion 32 abutting against the tip portion 5a of the receiving portion 5 approximately in the front-rear direction. The receiving portion 5 of this embodiment is a separate member disposed between the main panel 21 and the tailgate 1, and has a tip portion 5a that protrudes rearward of the vehicle from the tailgate 1 during deployment. However, for example, a part of the tailgate or the main panel may be the receiving portion.
[0012] FIG. 2(a) shows a cross-sectional end view taken along the line A-A of FIG. 1(a). The support portion 32 has a holding portion 32a having a substantially U-shaped cross-section that holds the side end portions 31a on both the left and right sides of the sub-panel 31, and an extending portion 32b extending in the vertical direction from this holding portion. This embodiment is an example having the extending portion 32b on one side in the vertical direction of the holding portion 32a. However, as shown in FIG. 3, the extending portions 32b may be provided on both sides in the vertical direction of the holding portion 32a respectively. Due to the extending portions 32b standing up at both the left and right ends of the sub-panel 31, it is easier for a wheelchair or the like to travel on the sub-panel 31 with the risk of wheel detachment reduced.
[0013] As shown in Fig. 1(a), the deployed sub-panel 31 may have a gentle curved shape such that the tip side is positioned below the base end side. On the other hand, the support portion 32 is an example of a substantially linear shape. The base end portion side of the support portion 32 holds the side end portion 31a of the sub-panel 31 by the holding portion 32a, is positioned below the rotation center of the pivot portion 22 during deployment, and abuts against the tip end portion 5a of the receiving portion 5. Therefore, the load acting on the slope surface can be borne not only near the pivot portion 22 but also at the contact portion between the holding portion 32a and the extending portion 32b on the base end side of the support portion, which is at a lower position than this, and the tip end portion 5a of the receiving portion, and the load can be propagated to the vehicle body side via the main panel 21, the mounting panel 11, the tailgate 1, etc. For example, since the support portion 32 in Fig. 3 has both the extending portion 32b standing up from the holding portion 32a and the extending portion 32b hanging down, the vertical width W can be set larger than that of the support portion 32 in Fig. 2(a), and the strength of the support structure is improved.
[0014] Fig. 1(b) shows the state in which the sub-panel of the slope device is stored, and Fig. 2(b) shows the cross-sectional end view taken along the line B-B thereof. Depending on the boarding and alighting locations and as required, it can also be used in the state where the slope device is stored. In this embodiment, during storage, as shown in Fig. 2(b), it is an example in which the extending portion 32b of the support portion stands up from the sub-panel 31. On the other hand, the support portion 32 shown in Fig. 3 functions as a wheel anti-drop portion with the extending portion 32b standing up from the sub-panel 31 both during deployment and storage, so it is easier to appropriately select and use the deployed state and the stored state.
[0015] As described above, the main panel 21 and the sub-panel 31 mutually rotate in reverse between the deployed state and the stored state. This embodiment is an example in which each panel is configured using a panel member having a hollow cross-sectional shape as shown in Figs. 4 and 5, and each panel is excellent in rigidity. There is no limit to the number of hollow portions in the hollow cross-sectional shape that can be formed by extrusion molding or the like. As shown in Figure 5(a), it is preferable that the leading edge of the main panel 21 is a gently sloping inclined portion 23 such that the leading edge is lower when unfolded. In particular, if the inclined section 23 has a gently curved, mountain-like shape on its upper surface, it functions as a guide section that directs the front wheels 3 of the wheelchair forward, as will be described later. In that case, the inclined portion 23 may be connected to the pivot portion 22, and a sub-inclined portion 31a may be provided on the base end side of the sub-panel 31, as shown in Figure 5(a). As shown in Figure 5(b), when stored, the inclined portion 23 of the main panel 21 and the base end side (sub-inclined portion 31a) of the sub-panel 31 are in a relationship where they roughly overlap each other. Furthermore, as shown in Figures 4(a) and 4(b), there may be a discharge hole 22a that penetrates vertically near the pivot portion 22, allowing foreign matter and water droplets to be removed from this discharge hole during deployment and storage.
[0016] Figure 6 illustrates an example of wheelchair boarding and alighting using the ramp device 10. Figure 6(a) shows a cross-sectional view in the boarding / alighting direction with a ramp surface, showing the vehicle's back door 2 open upwards and the tailgate 1 open downwards. The ramp device 10 includes a mounting panel 11 fixed to the vehicle, a main panel 21 rotatably connected to the mounting panel in the front-rear direction, and a sub-panel 31 rotatably connected to the main panel 21 in the front-rear direction. Here, the front-to-back direction refers to the direction in which wheelchairs and other objects are boarded and alighted. In this embodiment, boarding and alighting are done from the back door side, so this coincides with the front-to-back direction of the vehicle. In this embodiment, the mounting panel 11 is attached to the cargo floor side, and the main panel 21 rotates integrally with the tailgate 1 which opens downwards. The sub-panel 31 rotates towards the rear from the main panel 21 side and unfolds outwards from the vehicle, thereby forming a ramp surface while floating above the ground F. The deployed sub-panel 31 is inclined such that the tip end is lower towards the ground than the base end that connects to the main panel 21. In the storage state, where the sub-panel 31 is reversed and stacked on top of the main panel 21 when the ramp device is deployed, for example, when the tailgate 1 is closed, the main panel 21 and sub-panel 31, which have moved together with the tailgate, are stored inside the vehicle in a compact state. Figure 6(b) shows an enlarged view. The sub-panel 31 has a short front-to-back width of, for example, about 10-30 cm, and forms a slope surface while floating above the ground F, so the deployed state is compact. In this state, the front wheels 3 of the wheelchair can be placed on the upper surface of the sub-panel 31. For example, by tilting the wheelchair backward while keeping the rear wheels 4 in contact with the ground F, the front wheels 3 can be lifted off the ground. As the leading edge of the sub-panel 31 approaches the ground F, the difference in height between the slope surface and the ground F becomes relatively small, eliminating the need to tilt the wheelchair significantly. For example, the front-to-back width and height of each panel may be set such that the front wheel 3 is positioned on the inclined portion 23 of the main panel while the rear wheel 4 is close to the tip of the sub-panel 31. As the front wheels 3 rotate while in contact with the inclined section 23, they face forward in accordance with the movement towards the inside of the vehicle, and the front wheels 3 automatically adjust to a direction that facilitates driving without any adjustment. The front wheels 3 can be positioned along the main panel 21 while the rear wheels 4 are placed on the upper surface of the sub-panel 31. Here, the main panel 21 may have a recess 24 that curves gently downward toward the base end, closer to the inclined portion 23. With the front wheels 3 fitted into the recess 24 and the rear wheels 4 positioned on the sub-panel 31, it is easier to maintain a state where both wheels of the wheelchair are on the slope surface. [Explanation of symbols]
[0017] 1 Tailgate 5 Receiving part 10. Slope device 11 Mounting Panel 21 Main Panel 31 Subpanel 32 Support part
Claims
1. A ramp device having a mounting panel fixed to the vehicle, a main panel rotatably connected to the mounting panel in the front-rear direction, and a sub-panel rotatably connected to the main panel in the front-rear direction, wherein in the deployed state, the support structure abuts the support portion on the sub-panel side against the receiving portion on the main panel side. The support structure of the ramp device is characterized in that the support portion has a holding portion that holds the side end of the sub-panel and an extending portion that extends vertically from the holding portion.
2. The ramp device according to claim 1, characterized in that the main panel and the sub-panel are connected via a pivot, and a discharge hole is located near the pivot.