GAIT ASSISTING VEHICLE

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a gait assisting vehicle which can detect a level difference and an obstacle on a road surface existing ahead of the traveling gait assisting vehicle. SOLUTION: A vehicle body 1 supports front wheels 3 and rear wheels 4 on lower legs 1b. A handle shaft 2a of a handle 2 having grips 2b is extendably attached to a supporting shaft 1a. Infrared distance sensors 8 and 9 are attached face down to the fronts of the two legs 1b, and an infrared distance sensor 7 attached face down to the supporting shaft 1a above them. In a use condition, the sensors measure distances up to reflection points and compare the measured distances with threshold values. When there is an obstacle or an ascending level difference ahead, the measured distances become smaller than respective threshold values and allow the sensors to sense the obstacle or the level difference. In the case of a descending level difference, the measured distances become greater than the threshold values and allow the sensors to sense the level difference. Consequently, the sensors can detect a level difference on a road surface and an obstacle slightly higher than a ground surface in a position ahead of the gait assisting vehicle. COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT