JP7561333B2 - Electric wheelchair - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an electric wheelchair that enables a user who normally requires assistance to use a toilet by himself/herself without assistance.
The present invention also relates to an electric wheelchair that allows a user who requires assistance to clean the wheels of the wheelchair by himself/herself without assistance and that can be used both indoors and outdoors.

Patent Document 1 provides an electric wheelchair that has a toilet seat and allows a user to remove and put on lower body clothing while still sitting in the wheelchair, and then relieve himself/herself in a special toilet.
Furthermore, it appears that no conventional wheelchairs have been designed with consideration given to being used both indoors and outdoors.

Patent No. 5354432

However, the above-mentioned conventional technology requires a special toilet for wheelchair users, which limits the places where they can be used and prevents them from sharing the same toilet as able-bodied people.
Furthermore, in order to use a wheelchair indoors after having been used outdoors, it is desirable to clean the wheels to remove any dirt that has built up on them outdoors, but it is difficult for users who require assistance to clean the wheels themselves.

In order to solve the above problems, the first aspect of the present invention is a knee rest attached to the upper front surface of the base plate, which can raise and lower the user's knees independently and is equipped with a lifting device that can freely change the height, so that by raising the knees and tilting the backrest, the user's thighs and buttocks can be lifted off the seat.
In addition, the seat is divided from the center into left and right halves, each of which is composed of multiple rod-shaped members, and since only the lower parts of the rod-shaped members are connected, it has a shutter-like structure that can only bend in the downward direction , and by opening the seat to the left and right, a means is adopted that allows the underside of the user's buttocks to be exposed towards the toilet bowl.

The second invention has fixed legs for lifting the wheelchair body together with the wheels off the ground, and the fixed legs are connected via telescopic units (fixed leg lifting shafts) provided on the wheel fixing parts of the front and rear wheels . The fixed legs are attached parallel to the ground and have a length approximately equal to the length from the front of the front wheels to the rear of the rear wheels. The telescopic units (fixed leg lifting shafts) are extended to bring the fixed legs into contact with the ground and lift the wheels off the ground .

According to the above invention, a user who requires assistance can remove and put on his/her lower body clothes and relieve himself/herself while remaining in a wheelchair.
In addition, after a user who requires assistance goes out in a wheelchair, they can clean the wheels themselves before entering a building, so that the wheelchair can be brought indoors in a clean state even without an assistant.
As a result, users who normally require assistance will have more opportunities to act independently without a caregiver, enabling them to live more meaningful lives than before.

FIG. 5 is a side view of a wheelchair parked on a toilet bowl such as that shown in FIG. 4 in the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a side view of a wheelchair parked above a toilet bowl such as that shown in FIG. 4 and lowered to the height of the toilet seat in the first embodiment. FIG. 11 is a side view showing a state in which a gap is created between the seat surface and the buttocks due to the backrest angle being lowered and the knees being raised in the first embodiment. Toilet (any commonly used toilet is acceptable) FIG. 1 is a side view of the lifting unit in the first embodiment, showing half of the wheels when the wheelchair body is raised. FIG. 1 is a side view of the lifting unit in the first embodiment, with half of the wheels visible when the wheelchair body is lowered. FIG. 11 is a side view of the wheelchair according to the second embodiment, with the wheels lifted off the ground. FIG. 11 is a half-see-through side view of the wheel of the wheelchair when the wheel is lifted off the ground in the second embodiment. FIG. 2 is a side view showing a wheelchair in a normal use state in the first and second embodiments. FIG. 11 is a diagram of the lifting unit and wheels when the wheelchair body is raised in the first embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram of the lifting unit and wheels when the wheelchair body is lowered in the first embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram of the lifting unit and wheels when the wheels of the wheelchair are lifted off the ground in the second embodiment. FIG. 11 is a view showing a shutter-like seating surface in a closed state in the first embodiment. This is a diagram of the first embodiment when the shutter-like seat surface is opened to the left and right, the buttocks are placed on it, and it is lowered to the height of the toilet seat. FIG. 1 is a plan view of the wheelchair in the first and second embodiments when it is in a seated position, as seen from above. FIG. 5 is a plan view of the wheelchair when parked on the toilet bowl as shown in FIG. 4 in the first embodiment. FIG. 11 is a front view of the wheelchair in the second embodiment when the wheels are lifted off the ground. FIG. 5 is a front view of a wheelchair parked above a toilet bowl such as that shown in FIG. 4 and lowered to the height of the toilet seat in the first embodiment.

(First embodiment)
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A first embodiment of an electric wheelchair according to the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings.

In the electric wheelchair shown in Figure 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a base plate, which is connected to main shaft receivers 2a to 2d with lifting functions. Wheels 6a to 6d are fixed to wheel fixing parts 4a and 4b, and are all drive wheels.
As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the main shafts with lifting and lowering functions 3a to 3d are provided between the wheel fixing parts 4a, 4b and the main shaft supports with lifting and lowering functions 2a to 2d, and the height of the wheelchair body can be raised and lowered by extending and contracting the main shafts with lifting and lowering functions 3a to 3d.
As shown in Figure 3, the backrest 12 can be tilted or tilted. The knee rest 15 can be raised and lowered by extending and contracting the knee rest lifting units 14a and 14b attached to the front upper surface of the base plate . It can also be linked to the backrest 12.
As shown in Figures 13 and 14, the seat surfaces 7a and 7b are made up of multiple (e.g., three) rod-shaped members connected only at the lower parts on the left and right sides, and have a shutter-like structure that can bend only in the direction of the lower part. When creating a gap in the center of the seat surface, the rod-shaped members move left and right, and the rod-shaped members on both sides bend, leaving only the central rod-shaped member on the seat surface. The thighs and buttocks can be supported by the remaining rod-shaped members on the seat surface.
This allows the underside of the user's buttocks to be exposed towards the toilet bowl.
During normal use, the height of the wheelchair body and the knee rest are not raised, the shutter-like seat is closed, and the backrest is in the upright position, as shown in Figure 8.

The procedure for using this electric wheelchair in a toilet will be explained.
First, as shown in Figs. 1 and 5, the height of the wheelchair body is raised by extending the main shafts 3a to 3d with lifting function housed inside the main shaft receivers 2a to 2d with lifting function.
3, the backrest 12 is tilted, and in conjunction with this or separately, the knee rest lifting units 14a and 14b are extended to lift the knee rest 15. Then, the shutter-like seat surfaces 7a and 7b are opened to the left and right as shown in FIG.
This creates a space between the user's buttocks and the seat. In this state, the user removes his/her lower body clothing down to the knees.
Next, the knee rest lifting units 14a and 14b are retracted to lower the knee rest 15 and raise the angle of the backrest 12.
As shown in Figs. 14 and 16, the shutter-like seating surfaces 7a, 7b remain partially on the seating surfaces even when they are opened to the left and right, so that the buttocks are supported by the remaining seating surfaces.
In this state, the wheelchair is moved and stopped above the toilet seat as shown in FIG.
As a result of the above, an opening necessary for using the toilet can be created in the center of the seat while still supporting the user's buttocks.
Next, by contracting the lifting shafts 3a to 3d as shown in Figs. 6 and 11, the height of the wheelchair body is lowered to the height of the toilet seat as shown in Figs. 2 and 18, and the user can use the toilet.
After using the toilet, the height of the wheelchair body is raised by extending the main shafts 3a to 3d with the lifting function as shown in Figs. 1, 5 and 10, and the wheelchair can be moved to a place other than the toilet seat.
Next, the backrest 12 is tilted as shown in Figure 3. In conjunction with this, the knee rest lifting units 14a and 14b are extended to raise the knee rest 15, creating a space between the buttocks and the seat. In this state, the lower body clothes are put on.
Next, the shutter-like seat surfaces 7a and 7b are closed to prepare the seat as shown in Figures 13 and 15, and the knee rest lifting units 14a and 14b are contracted to lower the knee rest 15. In conjunction with this, the angle of the backrest 12 is raised.

By following the above procedure, the user can remove and put on the lower half of their body clothes by themselves when they need to use the toilet, so they do not have to worry about the caregiver. Also, the burden on the caregiver is reduced.

(Second embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of an electric wheelchair according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

7, 8, 12, and 17, wheels 6a to 6d are attached to wheel attachment parts 4a and 4b. By extending fixed leg lifting shafts 8a to 8d housed in fixed legs 5a and 5b, the fixed legs 5a and 5b touch the ground, the entire wheelchair is lifted, and the wheels can be lifted off the ground.

The procedure for wiping the wheels of this electric wheelchair after going out will be described below. After returning home, at the front door, first extend the fixed leg lifting shafts 8a to 8d and lower the fixed legs 5a and 5b so that the fixed legs 5a and 5b touch the ground. Then, extend the fixed leg lifting shafts to lower the fixed legs 5a and 5b and lift the wheels 6a to 6d off the ground.
In this state, the wheels 6a to 6d are cleaned by using, for example, a brush while rotating.
After cleaning, the fixed leg lifting shafts 8a to 8d are retracted, the fixed legs 5a and 5b are raised, and the fixed legs 5a and 5b are lifted off the ground so that the wheels touch the ground. After that, the wheelchair can be used indoors.
In this way, cleaning the wheels allows for use both indoors and outdoors.

According to the first and second embodiments described above, the user can carry out daily activities such as relieving himself/herself in the toilet indoors without the help of a caregiver.
In addition, when going indoors from outdoors, the wheels can be cleaned to remove dirt that has built up on them outdoors, allowing the user to go out on their own. As a result, users who normally require assistance will have more opportunities to act independently without a caregiver, and will be able to live a more meaningful life than before.

1 Base plate 2a to 2d Main shaft receiver with lift function 3a to 3d Main shaft with lift function 4a, 4b Wheel fixing part 5a, 5b Fixed leg 6a to 6d Wheel 7a, 7b Shutter-like seat surface 8a to 8d Fixed leg lift shaft 9a, 9b Footrest 10 Mounting frame 11 Backrest reclining adjustment part 12 Backrest 13a, 13b Armrest 14a, 14b Knee rest lift unit 15 Knee rest 100 Toilet 101 Toilet tank 200 Ground, floor surface

Claims (1)

In a four-wheel drive electric wheelchair equipped with three lifting devices, the seat of the wheelchair is divided into a portion that supports the user's knees (knee rest) and a portion that supports the thighs and buttocks, and the portion that supports the user's knees (knee rest) is attached to the front upper surface of the base plate via a knee rest lifting unit that can be raised and lowered independently, and has a function that allows the knee rest to be raised in conjunction with the operation of tilting the backrest. The second lifting device of the electric wheelchair is equipped with a lifting device (main shaft with extension and lowering function) between the lower surface of the base plate and the upper surface of the wheel fixing part, and the height of the wheelchair (with the wheels still on the ground) can be raised and lowered by extending and retracting this main shaft with extension and lowering function. The third lifting device of the electric wheelchair has fixed legs attached to the lower surface of the wheel fixing part via fixed leg lifting shafts. The fixed legs are in the form of two rods that are connected parallel to the ground and are long enough to stabilise the centre of gravity and support the wheelchair (approximately from the front of the front wheel to the rear of the rear wheel on each side), and the electric wheelchair is equipped with a lifting device that allows the fixed legs to land on the ground by extending the fixed leg lifting shaft, thereby lifting the entire wheelchair, including the wheels, off the ground.

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