Vehicle ramp work assistance structure
A reference portion on vehicle slopes aids in easy wheelchair state recognition by marking one wheel's position, reducing operational burden and preventing accidents, and is suitable for retrofitting existing ramps.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Utility models
- Current Assignee / Owner
- 谷脇 彩心
- Filing Date
- 2026-02-08
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-26
AI Technical Summary
Existing vehicle ramps lack clear references for recognizing the traveling state of wheelchairs, leading to potential wheel detachment and tipping over due to the need to simultaneously check both left and right wheel positions, causing mental and physical burden during lifting and lowering.
A reference portion is provided on the vehicle slope to determine the traveling state based on the position of one wheel, using markings such as lines, strips, or points, which can be easily installed and retrofitted, and equipped with features like color, reflectivity, or luminescence for easy recognition.
Enables easy recognition of wheelchair movement by checking the positional relationship between the wheel and reference, reducing operational burden and preventing accidents like wheel detachment or tipping, and can be retrofitted to existing ramps for safety.
Smart Images

Figure 0003256365000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
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[0001] The present invention relates to a work assistance structure that enables easy recognition of the traveling state of a wheelchair when the wheelchair is lifted and lowered using a slope provided on a vehicle.
Background Art
[0002] Conventionally, slopes provided on vehicles generally have a non-display structure, and no clear reference for recognizing the traveling direction of the wheelchair or the positions of the left and right wheels is provided. Therefore, when the wheelchair travels obliquely on the slope, there is a risk that the wheels will ride onto the guide portion of the slope and cause wheel detachment or tipping over. In addition, it is necessary to check the positions of the wheels on both the left and right sides simultaneously, which places a large mental and physical burden during lifting and lowering, making safe operation difficult.
Summary of the Invention
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0003] An object of the present invention is to provide a work assistance structure that enables easy recognition of the traveling state of a wheelchair traveling on a slope provided on a vehicle. In particular, the problem is to enable recognition of the traveling state based on only the passing position of one of the left and right wheels, eliminating the need to check the positions of the wheels on both the left and right sides simultaneously, thereby reducing the burden during operation and reducing the risk of wheel detachment and tipping over of the wheelchair.
Means for Solving the Problems
[0004] The present invention provides a work assistance structure in which, for a wheelchair traveling on a slope provided on a vehicle, a reference portion for determining the traveling state based on the passing position of one of the left and right wheels is provided on the slope, and the traveling state of the wheelchair can be easily recognized based on the relative position between the one wheel and the reference portion for determining the traveling state. By checking the positional relationship between the reference portion for determining the traveling state and the one wheel, Based on whether or not one of the wheels is moving along the reference unit for determining the state of movement, it is possible to recognize that the wheelchair is moving along the ramp in the direction of travel. The aforementioned reference unit for determining the progress state is provided on either the left or right side of the slope, and is formed in the shape of a line, a strip, or a series of points, and is configured to be recognized continuously or pseudo-continuously along the direction of progress. Furthermore, the reference section for determining the progress status is provided by methods such as painting, sheet application, printing, tape application, and molding, and can be easily installed on-site, and can also be easily retrofitted to existing slopes. Furthermore, the reference unit for determining the progress status may be equipped with at least one or more of the following elements: color, reflectivity, luminescence, and unevenness, so that it can be recognized regardless of whether it is day or night. [Effects of the Invention]
[0005] According to this invention, the movement status of the wheelchair can be easily recognized by confirming the positional relationship between the reference unit for determining the movement status and one of the wheels. This eliminates the need to simultaneously check the position of both the left and right wheels, reducing the burden during operation. Furthermore, the design prevents wheelchairs from veering off course on the ramp, thus preventing accidents such as riding onto the guide, wheels coming off, or tipping over. Furthermore, the reference section for determining the progress status can be constructed using a combination of color, reflectivity, luminescence, or unevenness, making it recognizable day or night, and it can be easily retrofitted to existing vehicles, thus making it useful as a highly safe lifting assistance structure. [Brief explanation of the drawing]
[0006] [Figure 1] A schematic diagram of a vehicle (1) and a ramp (2). A reference unit (4) for determining the state of travel is provided on the left or right side of the ramp (2). [Figure 2] The positional relationship between the reference unit (4) for determining the state of movement, which is provided on the ramp (2), and one of the wheels (3a) of the wheelchair (3). [Figure 3]An explanatory diagram showing the direction of travel (L) when the wheelchair (3) is ascending or descending. The direction of travel (L) includes both ascending and descending relative to the ramp (2). [Modes for carrying out the invention]
[0007] The reference section (4) for determining the progress status is provided on the surface of the slope (2) in the form of a line, a strip, or a series of points. The progress status determination reference unit (4) is provided along either the left or right side of the slope (2) and is configured to recognize continuously or pseudo-continuously along the direction of travel (L). The aforementioned progress status determination reference unit (4) can be provided by methods such as painting, sheet application, printing, tape application, or molding, and can be easily retrofitted to existing vehicles (1). The operator can, after knowing the position of the reference unit (4) for determining the state of movement in advance, recognize the positional relationship between one wheel (3a) and the reference unit (4) for determining the state of movement from the rear side of the wheelchair (3) while pushing the wheelchair (3). As a result, the operator can reliably check the state of movement of the wheelchair (3) without having to move their gaze significantly. [Industrial applicability]
[0008] This invention is applicable to all types of vehicles and can be widely used in welfare facilities, medical institutions, and vehicles for home care, as it is a structure that assists in the safe boarding and alighting of wheelchair users. [Explanation of Symbols]
[0009] 1. Vehicle 2. Slope 3. Wheelchair 3a. Wheel on one side of the wheelchair 4. Reference unit for determining progress status L. Direction of travel
Claims
1. A work assistance structure for a vehicle (1) that enables recognition of the progress of a wheelchair (3) moving on a ramp (2) provided on the vehicle (1), wherein the ramp (2) is provided with a reference unit (4) for determining the progress of a wheelchair (3) based on the position of one of the left and right wheels (3a) of the wheelchair (3), the reference unit (4) for determining the progress of a wheelchair (3) extends along the direction of travel (L) of the ramp (2), and the structure is configured to enable recognition of the state in which the wheelchair (3) is moving along a predetermined direction of travel (L) based on the relative position between the one wheel (3a) and the reference unit (4), the work assistance structure for a vehicle (1).
2. The aforementioned reference unit (4) for determining the progress state is provided on either the left or right side of the slope (2) and is characterized by extending along the direction of progress (L). A work assistance structure for the vehicle (1) according to claim 1.
3. The progress status determination reference unit (4) is formed in the shape of a line, a strip, or a series of points, and is configured to be recognizable continuously or pseudo-continuously along the direction of progress (L). A work assistance structure for a vehicle (1) according to claim 1 or 2.
4. The aforementioned progress status determination reference unit (4) is characterized by being easily constructed on-site by painting, sheet application, printing, tape application, molding, etc. A work assistance structure for a vehicle (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
5. The aforementioned progress status determination reference unit (4) is characterized by having at least one of the following: color, reflectivity, luminescence, and unevenness, so that it can be recognized day or night. A work assistance structure for a vehicle (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4.
6. The reference unit (4) for determining the state of movement is characterized by having a width that allows one side wheel (3a) of the wheelchair (3) to pass through and a predetermined length along the direction of travel (L). A work assistance structure for a vehicle (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5.
7. The aforementioned reference unit (4) for determining the state of movement is configured to reliably recognize the state of movement of the wheelchair (3) in accordance with the gradient of the ramp (2) when it is ascending and descending. A work assistance structure for a vehicle (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6.
8. The aforementioned reference unit (4) for determining the state of movement is positioned in a location that can be recognized from the rear side of the wheelchair (3), and is characterized in that it can reliably confirm the state of movement of the wheelchair (3). A work assistance structure for a vehicle (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7.
9. The aforementioned progress status determination reference unit (4) is configured to include at least one or more of the following: color, reflectivity, luminescence, and unevenness, and is characterized by being recognizable safely day or night. A work assistance structure for a vehicle (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8.