Wheelchair fixing device

Abstract

To provide a wheelchair anchor in which a mechanism of a device itself can be simplified.SOLUTION: A wheelchair anchor 20 is equipped with: a slide shaft 40 that can make a wheelchair movable forward and backward by driving a drive mechanism 30 held by a support member 24 provided on a base member 22 to be installed in the wheelchair; a lock arm 42 that is rotatably installed on both sides of the base member 22 by having a cam hole 48 into which both ends of the slide shaft 40 are inserted, that holds down a fixing bar of the wheelchair by turning downward from above by means of the backward movement of the slide shaft 40, and that releases the holding down for the fixing bar by moving upward from below through the forward movement of the slide shaft 40; a switch arm mechanism 50 that turns by being pushed with the fixing bar of the forward moving wheelchair; and a lock switch 56 that drives the drive mechanism 30 by being pushed by the turned switch arm mechanism 50, and that thereby moves the slide shaft 40 backward.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a wheelchair fixing device.

Background Art

[0002] A wheelchair fixing device that can automatically restrain a wheelchair has been conventionally known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, a wheelchair fixing device as described above has a complicated mechanism of the device itself.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to obtain a wheelchair fixing device capable of simplifying the mechanism of the device itself.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To achieve the above object, a wheelchair fixing device according to a first aspect of the present invention is provided on a base member attached to a floor of a vehicle, and includes a support member that supports a drive mechanism, a slide shaft that is movable in the forward and backward directions of a wheelchair by driving of the drive mechanism, and cam hole portions that are respectively provided on both sides of the base member so as to be rotatable in the vertical direction and into which both end portions of the slide shaft are respectively inserted. When the slide shaft moves backward, the lock arm rotates from the upper side to the lower side to press down a fixing bar of the wheelchair, and when the slide shaft moves forward, the lock arm rotates from the lower side to the upper side to release the pressing on the fixing bar. The device further includes a switch arm mechanism that rotates when pushed by the fixing bar of the wheelchair moving forward, and a lock switch that drives the drive mechanism to move the slide shaft backward when pushed by the rotated switch arm mechanism.

[0007] According to the invention of the first aspect, a support member for supporting a drive mechanism is provided on a base member attached to the floor of a vehicle, and lock arms are respectively provided on both sides of the base member so as to be rotatable in the vertical direction. Both end portions of a slide shaft that is movable in the forward and backward directions of a wheelchair by driving of the drive mechanism are respectively inserted into cam hole portions of the lock arms. The drive mechanism is driven when a lock switch is pushed by a switch arm mechanism that rotates when pushed by a fixing bar of the wheelchair moving forward, and the slide shaft is moved backward. As a result, the lock arm rotates from the upper side to the lower side to press down the fixing bar of the wheelchair. Then, when the slide shaft moves forward, the lock arm rotates from the lower side to the upper side to release the pressing on the fixing bar of the wheelchair. Thus, according to the present invention, the mechanism of the device itself is simplified.

[0008] Further, the wheelchair fixing device according to the second aspect of the present invention is the wheelchair fixing device according to the first aspect, and when viewed from the axial direction of the slide shaft, the upper surface at the end portion on the rearward movement side of the lock arm is an inclined surface with which the lower surface of the step of the wheelchair moving in the forward direction can be in sliding contact. The lock arm is biased so as to rotate upward, and is configured to be rotatable downward when pushed by the step of the moving wheelchair.

[0009] According to the invention of the second aspect, when viewed from the axial direction of the slide shaft, the upper surface at the end portion on the rearward movement side of the lock arm is an inclined surface with which the lower surface of the step of the wheelchair moving in the forward direction can be in sliding contact. The lock arm is biased so as to rotate upward, and is configured to be rotatable downward when pushed by the step of the moving wheelchair. Therefore, when the wheelchair gets on and off, the step of the wheelchair will not get caught on the lock arm.

[0010] Further, the wheelchair fixing device according to the third aspect of the present invention is the wheelchair fixing device according to the second aspect, and the switch arm mechanism is provided so as to be biased to rotate toward the rearward movement side of the lock arm, and includes a first switch arm that is biased to rotate in the forward direction and is pushed and rotated by the fixed bar, and a second switch arm that is biased to rotate toward the rearward movement side of the base member and is pushed and rotated by the first switch arm that has been pushed and rotated in the forward direction. The lock switch is provided on the base member and is pushed by the second switch arm that has been pushed and rotated in the forward direction.

[0011] According to the invention of the third aspect, the switch arm mechanism is provided with a lock arm biased to rotate toward the backward direction side, and a first switch arm that is pressed and rotated in the forward direction by a fixed bar of a wheelchair. The first switch arm is provided on a base member and biased to rotate toward the backward direction side, and a second switch arm that is pressed and rotated in the forward direction by the first switch arm that has been pressed and rotated in the forward direction. And the lock switch is provided on the base member and is pressed by the second switch arm that has been pressed and rotated in the forward direction. Therefore, the rotation range of the switch arm mechanism (the first switch arm) is reduced, and the lengths of the apparatus itself in the forward and backward directions are reduced. That is, the apparatus itself is miniaturized.

[0012] Moreover, the wheelchair fixing device according to the fourth aspect of the present invention is the wheelchair fixing device according to the third aspect, and includes a lock release switch that is provided on the base member and drives the drive mechanism to move the slide shaft in the forward direction when operated by an assistant who assists the wheelchair.

[0013] According to the invention of the fourth aspect, a lock release switch is provided on the base member that drives the drive mechanism to move the slide shaft in the forward direction when operated by an assistant who assists the wheelchair. Therefore, the installation of the wheelchair fixing device is simplified as compared with the case where the lock release switch is provided separately from the wheelchair fixing device.

[0014] Moreover, the wheelchair fixing device according to the fifth aspect of the present invention is the wheelchair fixing device according to the fourth aspect, and includes a cover member that covers the parts other than the lock release switch, and a slit portion that protrudes the lock arm and the first switch arm is formed in the cover member.

[0015] According to the invention of the fifth aspect, a cover member that covers the parts other than the lock release switch is provided, and a slit portion that protrudes the lock arm and the first switch arm is formed in the cover member. Therefore, the entry of dust and the like into the wheelchair fixing device is suppressed.

[0016] Moreover, the wheelchair fixing device according to the sixth aspect of the present invention is the wheelchair fixing device according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the drive mechanism includes a drive motor, a control device for controlling the drive motor, a gear whose axial direction is the vertical direction and which is configured to be rotatable in both forward and reverse directions by the drive motor, a moving member to which the slide shaft is attached, and a drive rod having one end attached to the peripheral edge of the gear and the other end attached to the moving member.

[0017] According to the invention of the sixth aspect, the drive mechanism includes a drive motor, a control device for controlling the drive motor, a gear whose axial direction is the vertical direction and which is configured to be rotatable in both forward and reverse directions by the drive motor, a moving member to which the slide shaft is attached, and a drive rod having one end attached to the peripheral edge of the gear and the other end attached to the moving member. Therefore, the height of the device itself is reduced. That is, the device itself is made thinner.

Effects of the Invention

[0018] As described above, according to the present invention, the mechanism of the wheelchair fixing device itself can be simplified.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0019]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0020] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. For convenience of explanation, the arrow UP appropriately shown in each figure is the upward direction of the vehicle, the arrow FR is the forward direction of the vehicle, and the arrow RH is the right direction of the vehicle. Therefore, in the following description, when the directions of up and down, front and back, and left and right are described without special mention, they indicate up and down, front and back, and left and right in the vehicle.

[0021] In addition, in the present embodiment, the wheelchair 60 described later is assumed to get on the vehicle 10 in a forward posture from the rear side of the vehicle 10. Therefore, the traveling direction of the vehicle 10 (the forward direction of the vehicle) becomes the forward direction (the forward direction) of the wheelchair 60, and the arrows UP, FR, and RH are also the upper side, the front side, and the right side of the wheelchair 60, respectively. Further, hereinafter, the forward direction of the wheelchair 60 may be simply referred to as the "forward direction", and the reverse direction, which is the reverse direction of the forward direction of the wheelchair 60, may be simply referred to as the "reverse direction".

[0022] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the wheelchair fixing device 20 according to the present embodiment is attached to the upper surface of the floor 12 (see FIGS. 4 to 6 and 9) of the passenger compartment in the vehicle 10. The floor 12 may be a horizontal flat surface or a flat surface inclined at a predetermined angle. The vehicle 10 in which the wheelchair fixing device 20 is installed may be any vehicle on which the wheelchair 60 can be boarded, such as a one-box car or a minivan. Further, the wheelchair fixing device 20 can also be installed, for example, in a bus which is a public transportation vehicle.

[0023] The wheelchair fixing device 20 is covered by a cover member 14 except for a lock release switch 58 described later. On the upper wall 16 of the cover member 14, a pair of long slits 18 in the front-rear direction are formed on the left and right, from which the tip portions 46 side of a pair of left and right lock arms 42 and a pair of left and right first switch arms 52 described later protrude.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 9, the wheelchair 60 locked by the wheelchair fixing device 20 has a fixing bar 68 near approximately the middle between the front wheels 62 and the rear wheels 64. The fixing bar 68 is, for example, in a cylindrical shape with a diameter of 12 mm, and is installed with the width direction of the wheelchair 60 as the axial direction at a position where the lower end surface is at a height H (H = 40 mm to 50 mm) from the floor 12. This fixing bar 68 abuts on each first switch arm 52 protruding from the cover member 14, and is configured to be locked by being pressed into the tip portion 46 of each lock arm 42 from above.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 2, the wheelchair fixing device 20 includes a base member 22 attached to the upper surface of the floor 12 by screws (not shown) or the like. The base member 22 is formed in a substantially wide "U" shape in a front view seen from the front-rear direction, and a support plate 24 as a support member for supporting the drive mechanism 30 is provided on the inner side thereof.

[0026] The support plate 24 is formed in a substantially rectangular flat plate shape that is approximately the same size as the upper surface of the base member 22, and has side wall portions 24S of a predetermined height that are bent downward and stand up at both left and right end portions thereof. Due to these side wall portions 24S, a gap G of a predetermined height (slightly larger than the thickness of the gear 36 described later) is formed between the upper surface 22A of the base member 22 and the lower surface 24B of the support plate 24.

[0027] The drive mechanism 30 includes a drive motor 34 that is a thin electric motor (with a thickness such that it does not protrude upward from the side wall portion 22S described later in a side view) provided at the rear portion on the upper surface 24A of the support plate 24, and a thin control device 32 (with a thickness such that it does not protrude upward from the side wall portion 22S described later in a side view) provided at the rear portion on the upper surface 24A of the support plate 24 for controlling the drive motor 34. The drive motor 34 and the control device 32 are configured to be driven by electric power supplied from a battery (not shown) such as a rechargeable battery incorporated in the control device 32. Note that the illustration of the wiring in each part including these is omitted.

[0028] The rotating shaft (not shown) of the drive motor 34 protrudes downward through the support plate 24, and a drive gear (not shown) is fixed to the rotating shaft. The drive mechanism 30 has a gear 36 that is rotatably provided on the lower surface 24B on the rear portion side of the support plate 24 with the vertical direction as the axial direction. This gear 36 meshes with the drive gear of the drive motor 34 and is configured to be rotatable in both forward and reverse directions by the rotational drive of the drive motor 34.

[0029] Further, the drive mechanism 30 has a slider 38 as a moving member that is movable in the front-rear direction at the center in the left-right direction at the front portion of the support plate 24. A substantially elliptical long hole 26 penetrating in the front-rear direction as the longitudinal direction is formed at the center in the left-right direction at the front portion of the support plate 24, and the lower end portion of the slider 38 is inserted into the long hole 26 and is slidably supported on the upper surface of the base member 22. That is, the slider 38 is capable of reciprocating (sliding) in the front-rear direction along the long hole 26.

[0030] The drive mechanism 30 also has a drive rod 37 with one end 37A attached to the peripheral edge 36A of the gear 36 and the other end 37B attached to the rear end 38A of the slider 38. In the support plate 24, a long hole 28 having a predetermined size (length) that is bent in a substantially arc shape in plan view is formed at a portion that faces the rotation locus of the peripheral edge 36A of the gear 36 in the vertical direction.

[0031] A columnar pin 35 can be inserted into this long hole 28. The lower end portion of the pin 35 is attached to the peripheral edge 36A of the gear 36, and the upper end portion of the pin 35 is attached to one end 37A of the drive rod 37. That is, the peripheral edge 36A of the gear 36 and one end 37A of the drive rod 37 are rotatably coupled by the pin 35 inserted into the long hole 28. As a result, a configuration is provided in which one end 37A of the drive rod 37 and the peripheral edge 36A (pin 35) of the gear 36 can move along the long hole 28.

[0032] The slider 38 is formed in a substantially "convex" shape in side view, and the rear end 38A that protrudes rearward is rotatably coupled to the other end 37B of the drive rod 37 by a pin 39. At the center in the front-rear direction of the slider 38, the central portion in the axial direction of a columnar slide shaft 40 having the left-right direction as the axial direction is attached.

[0033] With the drive mechanism 30 configured as described above (specifically, by the rotational drive of the drive motor 34 controlled by the control device 32, the gear 36 rotates in both forward and reverse directions via the drive gear, and the slider 38 moves in the front-rear direction via the drive rod 37), the slide shaft 40 can reciprocate (slide) in the forward and reverse directions of the wheelchair 60.

[0034] Both the left and right sides of the base member 22 are formed to be bent upward to form side wall portions 22S of a predetermined height that stand up. And outside each side wall portion 22S, locking arms 42 are respectively provided so as to be rotatable in the vertical direction. The pair of left and right locking arms 42 are formed in a flat plate shape with the longitudinal direction being the front-rear direction, and a base portion 44 disposed at the front end portion of the base member 22 is rotatably attached to the front end portion of the side wall portion 22S of the base member 22 by a shaft portion 45 having the left-right direction as the axial direction.

[0035] And for each locking arm 42, a torsion spring (not shown), which is an example of a biasing member, is provided on the shaft portion 45 that rotatably supports each base portion 44 such that the tip portion (the end portion on the rearward movement side of the wheelchair 60) 46 side disposed on the rear portion side of the base member 22 is constantly biased upward. That is, one end portion of the torsion spring is locked to the locking arm 42, and the other end portion of the torsion spring is locked to the base member 22.

[0036] Long holes 22B through which both axial ends of the slide shaft 40 are respectively inserted are formed in the side wall portions 22S of the base member 22 with the longitudinal direction being the front-rear direction, and cam hole portions 48 into which both axial ends of the slide shaft 40 are respectively inserted are formed in the middle portion in the longitudinal direction of each locking arm 42. Each cam hole portion 48 is formed in a predetermined cam shape with the longitudinal direction being the front-rear direction. And on the lower side of the tip portion 46 of each locking arm 42, a substantially arc-shaped notch portion 46A into which the fixed bar 68 of the wheelchair 60 is fitted (locks the fixed bar 68) is formed.

[0037] Each locking arm 42 configured as described above is, as shown in FIG. 6, configured such that when the slide shaft 40 moves rearward (in the backward direction of the wheelchair 60), the tip portions 46 of each locking arm rotate from the upper side to the lower side against the biasing force of the torsion spring and press down on the fixed bar 68 provided on the wheelchair 60. That is, the notch portions 46A of the respective locking arms 42 are fitted into the fixed bar 68 of the wheelchair 60, and each locking arm 42 is configured to lock the wheelchair 60 so that it cannot move.

[0038] And each locking arm 42 is configured such that when the slide shaft 40 moves forward (in the forward direction of the wheelchair 60), the tip portions 46 of each locking arm rotate from the lower side to the upper side by the biasing force (restoring force) of the torsion spring and release the pressing on the fixed bar 68 of the wheelchair 60. That is, the notch portions 46A of the respective locking arms 42 are disengaged from the fixed bar 68, and each locking arm 42 is configured to unlock the wheelchair 60 so that it can move.

[0039] Note that, when viewed in the axial direction of the slide shaft 40, the upper surface of the tip portion 46 of each locking arm 42 is an inclined surface 46B at a predetermined angle θ (see FIGS. 4 to 6) with which the lower surface of the step 66 of the advancing (moving in the forward direction) wheelchair 60 can be in sliding contact. This is because, as shown in FIG. 9, the step 66 of the wheelchair 60 is also inclined at a predetermined angle obliquely upward in the front direction with respect to the horizontal direction.

[0040] That is, as shown in FIG. 7(B), the inclined surface 46B of each locking arm 42 is caught by the lower surface of the step 66 of the advancing wheelchair 60, and is pushed from the upper side against the lower surface of the step 66 so as to be able to rotate downward while being in relative sliding contact without interfering with the boarding of the wheelchair 60.

[0041] Therefore, the angle θ at the tip 46 of each lock arm 42 is set corresponding to the inclination angle of the step 66 of the wheelchair 60, and is generally 35 degrees to 45 degrees, preferably 38 degrees to 42 degrees. In this embodiment, it is set to 40 degrees. Further, each lock arm 42 is configured to be pushed from above without being caught by the step 66 even when the wheelchair 60 moves backward (moves in the backward direction), and can be rotated downward by being pushed from above by the step 66 (see FIG. 8(D)).

[0042] Also, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, between each lock arm 42 and the side wall portion 22S of the base member 22, there are provided a pair of left and right switch arm mechanisms 50 that are pushed forward by the fixed bar 68 of the advancing wheelchair 60 and rotate in the forward direction, and press (turn on) each lock switch 56 described later. Since each switch arm mechanism 50 has a symmetric shape and the same configuration, hereinafter, one side switch arm mechanism 50 will be described.

[0043] The switch arm mechanism 50 includes a first switch arm 52 that is biased to rotate in the backward direction on the lock arm 42 and rotates when pushed in the forward direction by the fixed bar 68, and a second switch arm 54 that is biased to rotate in the backward direction on the base member 22 and rotates when pushed in the forward direction by a cylindrical pin 52A provided at the lower end of the first switch arm 52 that has rotated when pushed in the forward direction.

[0044] The first switch arm 52 has a flat rear end surface with which the fixed bar 68 abuts, and the pin 52A projects from the lower end of the first switch arm 52 toward the inner side of the base member 22 at a predetermined height. And at the rear part of the side wall portion 22S of the base member 22, a through hole 22C having a predetermined size and shape that allows the movement of the pin 52A is formed and the pin 52A is inserted therein.

[0045] Note that the configuration for biasing the first switch arm 52 toward the reverse direction is the same as that of the lock arm 42. That is, a torsion spring (not shown), which is an example of a biasing member, is provided on the shaft portion for rotatably attaching the first switch arm 52 to the lock arm 42. One end of the torsion spring is locked to the first switch arm 52, and the other end of the torsion spring is locked to the lock arm 42.

[0046] Also, the configuration for biasing the second switch arm 54 toward the reverse direction is the same as that of the lock arm 42. That is, a torsion spring (not shown), which is an example of a biasing member, is provided on the shaft portion for rotatably attaching the second switch arm 54 to the base member 22. One end of the torsion spring is locked to the second switch arm 54, and the other end of the torsion spring is locked to the base member 22.

[0047] And, a lock switch 56 electrically connected to the control device 32 is provided on the inner surface side of the side wall portion 22S of the base member 22. This lock switch 56 is turned ON by being pushed by the second switch arm 54 of the switch arm mechanism 50 pushed and rotated in the forward direction, and transmits the lock signal generated thereby to the control device 32. The control device 32 that has received the lock signal is configured to drive the drive mechanism 30 to move the slide shaft 40 in the reverse direction.

[0048] In addition, an extension portion 23 extending to the right side is integrally formed on the right side portion at the rear end portion of the base member 22, and a lock release switch 58 electrically connected to the control device 32 is provided on the upper surface of the extension portion 23. This lock release switch 58 is turned ON by being operated (stepped on with the foot) by an assistant who assists the wheelchair 60, and transmits the unlock signal generated thereby to the control device 32. The control device 32 that has received the unlock signal is configured to drive the drive mechanism 30 to move the slide shaft 40 in the forward direction.

[0049] In the wheelchair fixing device 20 according to the present embodiment configured as described above, the operation thereof will be described next.

[0050] As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the wheelchair fixing device 20 is attached to the upper surface of the floor 12 of the vehicle 10. In this wheelchair fixing device 20, as shown in FIG. 1, from the slit portion 18 formed in the upper wall 16 of the cover member 14, a pair of left and right lock arms 42 and a first switch arm 52 project upward by the biasing force of torsion springs, respectively.

[0051] And in this state, as shown in FIGS. 7(A) and 7(B), the caregiver rides on the vehicle 10 while pushing the wheelchair 60 in the forward direction. Here, the upper surface of the tip portion 46 of each lock arm 42 is an inclined surface 46B having a predetermined angle θ in a side view. And each lock arm 42 is configured to be rotatable downward against the biasing force of the torsion spring by being pushed from above.

[0052] Therefore, when the caregiver rides on the vehicle 10 while pushing the wheelchair 60 in the forward direction, the lower surface of the step 66 of the wheelchair 60 is in sliding contact with the inclined surface 46B of each lock arm 42 protruding upward from the slit portion 18, and each lock arm 42 can be rotated downward by the step 66 against the biasing force of the torsion spring. Therefore, when the wheelchair 60 rides on the vehicle 10, the step 66 of the wheelchair 60 does not get caught on the tip portion 46 of each lock arm 42. That is, the boarding of the wheelchair 60 is not hindered by each lock arm 42.

[0053] Thus, when the step 66 of the wheelchair 60 passes above each lock arm 42, as shown in FIG. 4, each lock arm 42 rotates upward by the biasing force of the torsion spring and projects upward from the slit portion 18 (see FIG. 1) again. And in this state, when the wheelchair 60 is further advanced, the fixing bar 68 of the wheelchair 60 abuts against the rear end surfaces of a pair of left and right first switch arms 52 protruding upward from the slit portion 18 together with each lock arm 42.

[0054] The fixing bar 68 of the wheelchair 60 that abuts against the rear end surface of each first switch arm 52 presses each first switch arm 52 in the forward direction and rotates each first switch arm 52 in the forward direction as the wheelchair 60 moves forward, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 7(C). Then, the pair of left and right second switch arms 54 are each pressed by the respective first switch arm 52 and rotate in the forward direction, and each second switch arm 54 presses the pair of left and right lock switches 56, respectively.

[0055] As a result, each lock switch 56 is turned ON, and a lock signal is transmitted to the control device 32. Then, under the control of the control device 32 that has received the lock signal, the drive motor 34 is driven, and the slider 38 moves in the backward direction via the drive gear, gear 36, and drive rod 37, and the slide shaft 40 moves toward the rear side.

[0056] As a result, the tip 46 of each lock arm 42 rotates from the upper side to the lower side against the biasing force of the torsion spring, and each notch 46A fits into the substantially central portion in the axial direction of the fixing bar 68. That is, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7(D), each lock arm 42 presses the fixing bar 68 from the upper side, and the wheelchair 60 is locked so as not to move.

[0057] Note that each lock arm 42 is configured not to rotate downward unless the fixing bar 68 presses the first switch arm 52. Therefore, when the wheelchair 60 is tilted slightly in its width direction in plan view, in other words, when only one of the first switch arms 52 is pressed, the fixing bar 68 is not locked. Therefore, there is no locking failure in the first place, and the wheelchair 60 is surely and automatically locked in the correct position. Thus, the usability of the wheelchair fixing device 20 can be improved.

[0058] On the other hand, when the wheelchair 60 is to be disembarked from the vehicle 10, the caregiver steps on the unlock switch 58 with their foot. That is, the unlock switch 58 is turned ON and an unlock signal is transmitted to the control device 32. Then, as shown in Fig. 8(A), under the control of the control device 32 that has received the unlock signal, the drive motor 34 is driven, and the slider 38 moves in the forward direction via the drive gear, gear 36, and drive rod 37, and the slide shaft 40 moves forward.

[0059] As a result, the tip 46 of each lock arm 42 rotates from the lower side to the upper side by the biasing force (restoring force) of the torsion spring, and each notch 46A disengages from the substantially central portion in the axial direction of the fixed bar 68. That is, as shown in Fig. 8(B), the pressing of the fixed bar 68 by each lock arm 42 is released, and the wheelchair 60 is unlocked so that it can move.

[0060] When the lock of the wheelchair 60 is released, as shown in Fig. 8(C), the caregiver moves the wheelchair 60 backward. At this time, the tip 46 side of each lock arm 42 protrudes upward from the slit portion 18, but as shown in Fig. 8(D), the wheelchair 60 can move backward while the step 66 pushes the tip 46 side of each lock arm 42 into the cover member 14. That is, the wheelchair 60 can disembark from the vehicle 10 without being caught by the step 66 on each lock arm 42.

[0061] As described above, the wheelchair fixing device 20 according to the present embodiment has the above-described configuration and operation. Therefore, the mechanism of the device itself can be simplified. In addition, since the drive mechanism 30 supported by the support plate 24 is composed of the drive motor 34, the control device 32, the gear 36, the slider 38, and the drive rod 37, the height of the device itself can also be reduced. That is, the device itself can be made thinner (specifically, excluding the lock arm 42 and the first switch arm 52, its height can be made 40 mm or less).

[0062] Further, the switch arm mechanism 50 has a first switch arm 52 and a second switch arm 54 that is pushed by the first switch arm 52, and the lock switch 56 is configured to be pushed by the second switch arm 54. Therefore, the rotation range of the switch arm mechanism 50 (the first switch arm 52) can be reduced, and the length of the apparatus itself in the front-rear direction can also be reduced. That is, the apparatus itself can be miniaturized. Thus, it can be mounted on various vehicle types.

[0063] Furthermore, the wheelchair fixing device 20 according to the present embodiment is provided with an unlock switch 58. Therefore, compared with the case where the unlock switch 58 is provided separately from the wheelchair fixing device 20, the installation of the wheelchair fixing device 20 on the floor 12 of the vehicle 10 is facilitated. In addition, the wheelchair fixing device 20 according to the present embodiment includes a cover member 14 that covers the parts other than the unlock switch 58. Therefore, the entry of dust and the like into the interior of the wheelchair fixing device 20 can be suppressed.

[0064] As described above, the wheelchair fixing device 20 according to the present embodiment has been described with reference to the drawings. However, the wheelchair fixing device 20 according to the present embodiment is not limited to that shown in the drawings, and can be appropriately designed and changed within a range not departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, the unlock switch 58 is not limited to the configuration provided at the position shown in the drawings, and an extension portion (not shown) extending rearward may be integrally formed at the rear end portion of the base member 22, and it may be configured to be provided on the upper surface of the extension portion.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0065] 10 Vehicle 12 Floor 14 Cover Member 18 Slit Portion 20 Wheelchair Fixing Device 22 Base Member 24 Support Plate (Support Member) 30 Drive Mechanism 32 Control Device 34 Drive Motor 36 gears 37 drive rod 38 slider (moving member) 40 slide shaft 42 lock arm 48 cam hole part 50 switch arm mechanism 52 first switch arm 54 second switch arm 56 lock switch 58 unlock switch 60 wheelchair 66 step 68 fixed bar

Claims

1. A support member provided on a base member attached to the floor of a vehicle, for supporting a drive mechanism; A slide shaft movable in the forward and backward directions of a wheelchair by driving of the drive mechanism; Lock arms respectively provided on both sides of the base member so as to be rotatable in the vertical direction, each having a cam hole portion into which both end portions of the slide shaft are inserted, and rotating from the upper side to the lower side by the backward movement of the slide shaft to press down a fixing bar of the wheelchair, and rotating from the lower side to the upper side by the forward movement of the slide shaft to release the pressing against the fixing bar; A switch arm mechanism rotated by being pushed by the fixing bar of the wheelchair moving in the forward direction; A lock switch that drives the drive mechanism by being pushed by the rotated switch arm mechanism to move the slide shaft in the backward direction; A wheelchair fixing device comprising the above.

2. When viewed from the axial direction of the slide shaft, the upper surface at the end portion on the backward movement side of the lock arm is an inclined surface that can be in sliding contact with the lower surface of a step of the wheelchair moving in the forward direction; The lock arm is biased to rotate upward, and is configured to be rotatable downward by being pushed by the step of the moving wheelchair. The wheelchair fixing device according to Claim 1.

3. The switch arm mechanism: A first switch arm provided so as to be biased to rotate toward the backward movement side of the lock arm, and rotated by being pushed in the forward direction by the fixing bar; A second switch arm provided so as to be biased to rotate toward the backward movement side of the base member, and rotated in the forward direction by being pushed by the first switch arm rotated in the forward direction; And has: The lock switch: Is provided on the base member, and is pushed by the second switch arm rotated by being pushed in the forward direction. The wheelchair fixing device according to Claim 2.

4. The wheelchair fixing device according to Claim 3, further comprising a lock release switch provided on the base member and operated by an assistant assisting the wheelchair to drive the drive mechanism to move the slide shaft in the forward direction.

5. Comprising a cover member covering other than the lock release switch. The wheelchair fixing device according to claim 4, wherein a slit portion for protruding the lock arm and the first switch arm is formed in the cover member.

6. The drive mechanism includes a drive motor, a control device for controlling the drive motor, a gear whose vertical direction is the axial direction and which is configured to be rotatable in both forward and reverse directions by the drive motor, a moving member to which the slide shaft is attached, a drive rod having one end attached to the peripheral edge of the gear and the other end attached to the moving member, and is the wheelchair fixing device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

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