EP3970565A1

EP3970565A1 - Bed device

Info

Publication number: EP3970565A1
Application number: EP20865966.4A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Syunichi ISHIBASHI; Gary Peng; Tc HUANG
Original assignee: France Bed Co Ltd
Current assignee: France Bed Co Ltd
Priority date: 2019-09-19
Filing date: 2020-02-25
Publication date: 2022-03-23
Also published as: JP6957572B2; JP2022000230A; TW202112334A; WO2021053849A1; JP7171868B2; CN114269206A; JP2022186990A; JP7375147B2; EP3970565A4; JP2021045381A; TWI737213B

Abstract

This bed device comprises a bed frame, a back bottom, a waist bottom coupled to the back bottom, a leg bottom which includes a femoral bottom coupled to the waist bottom, and a driving mechanism for deforming the back bottom, the waist bottom, and the leg bottom into at least a recumbent state in which the back bottom is horizontal and a sitting state in which the back bottom is standing and the femoral bottom is positioned at an end section of the bed frame. The driving mechanism can rotate the femoral bottom about one end of the femoral bottom coupled to the waist bottom in the recumbent state and in the sitting state.

Description

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a bed device capable of being transformed from a recumbent state to a sitting state.

Background Art

Conventionally, a bed device comprising auxiliary functions such as a back-raising function and a knee-raising function such that a user such as an elderly person or a physically handicapped person can easily change his or her posture on the bed device are known. The bed device of this type has a plurality of bottoms including a back bottom, a waist bottom and a leg bottom, and a drive mechanism rotates each of the bottoms with each other in response to an operation of an input device such as a remote controller.
In addition, a bed device capable of being transformed from a recumbent state in which each bottom has a flat shape to a sitting state has also been proposed (see, for example, Patent Literature 1 to 3). In the sitting state, each bottom moves to the foot side of the bed device, and the back bottom rises.
This allows the user to sit on each bottom with their feet on the floor on which the bed device is placed.

Citation List

Patent Literatures

Patent Literature 1: JP H04-819 U
Patent Literature 2: JP 4231549 B
Patent Literature 3: JP 2018-15269 A

Summary of Invention

Technical Problem

A bed device capable of being transformed from a recumbent state to a sitting state is extremely useful in that it can reduce the physical burden on the user and the caregiver. In the bed device of this type, however, there is room for improvement in the posture of the bottom in the sitting state, a mechanism for transformation to the sitting state, and operability of an input device for instructing the transformation to the sitting state.
The present invention mainly aims to further improve the convenience of the bed device capable of being transformed from the recumbent state to the sitting state.

Solution to Problem

According to one aspect of the invention, a bed device comprises:

a bed frame;
a back bottom;
a waist bottom connected to the back bottom;
a leg bottom including a femoral bottom connected to the waist bottom; and
a drive mechanism capable of transforming the back bottom, the waist bottom, and the leg bottom to a recumbent state in which at least the back bottom is horizontal, and a sitting state in which the back bottom rises and the femoral bottom is located at an end part of the bed frame,

wherein the drive mechanism is capable of rotating the femoral bottom about an end of the femoral bottom connected to the waist bottom, in each of the recumbent state and the sitting state.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a bed device comprises:

a bed frame;
a back bottom;
a waist bottom connected to the back bottom;
a leg bottom including a first plate and a second plate at least partially overlaid on each other; and
a drive mechanism capable of transforming the back bottom, the waist bottom, and the leg bottom to a recumbent state in which at least the back bottom is horizontal, and a sitting state in which the back bottom rises and the first plate and the second plate are located below the waist bottom,
wherein the drive mechanism including:
- a first slide frame which supports the back bottom and the waist bottom and which is attached to the bed frame;
- a second slide frame attached to the first slide frame;
- a first link rotatably connecting the first plate and the second slide frame about a plurality of rotation axes; and
- a second link rotatably connecting the second plate and the second slide frame about different number of rotation axes from the first link, and
- in transformation from the recumbent state to the sitting state, the first slide frame moves relative to the bed frame in a first direction, the second slide frame moves relative to the first slide frame in a second direction opposite to the first direction, and the first plate and the second plate thereby rotate toward a lower side of the waist bottom by the first link and the second link, respectively, while sliding with each other.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a bed device comprisies:

a bed frame;
a back bottom;
a waist bottom connected to the back bottom;
a leg bottom including a femoral bottom connected to the waist bottom;
a drive mechanism capable of transforming the back bottom, the waist bottom, and the leg bottom to a recumbent state in which at least the back bottom is horizontal, and a sitting state in which the back bottom rises and the femoral bottom is located at an end part of the bed frame; and
an input device including a button for inputting a command to transform from the recumbent state to the sitting state,
wherein the drive mechanism includes:
- a horizontal frame attached to the bed frame; and
- a tilt frame which is rotatably connected to the horizontal frame and which supports the back bottom and the waist bottom, and
- the drive mechanism transforms the back bottom, the waist bottom, and the leg bottom to the sitting state in response to an operation of the button in the recumbent state, and then tilting the tilt frame to the horizontal frame to tilt the back bottom forward in response to the button being operated again.

According to yet another aspect of the embodiment, a bed device comprises:

a bed frame;
a back bottom;
a waist bottom connected to the back bottom;
a leg bottom including a femoral bottom connected to the waist bottom; and
a drive mechanism capable of transforming the back bottom, the waist bottom, and the leg bottom to a recumbent state in which at least the back bottom is horizontal, and a sitting state in which the back bottom rises and the femoral bottom is located at an end part of the bed frame,
wherein the back bottom includes:
- a central bottom to which the waist bottom is connected;
- a pair of side bottoms rotatably connected to sides of the central bottom in a width direction, respectively; and
- a pair of ridge portions provided on back surfaces of the pair of side bottoms, respectively, and extending in a longitudinal direction intersecting the width direction, and
- the drive mechanism includes a pair of rollers that tilt each of the pair of side bottoms to the central bottom by pushing each of the pair of ridge portions, in the transformation from the recumbent state to the sitting state.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

According to the present invention, the convenience of the bed device that can be transformed from the recumbent state to the sitting state can be further improved.

Brief Description of Drawings

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a bed device according to an embodiment.
FIG. 2 is another schematic perspective view showing the bed device.
FIG. 3 is a schematic side view showing the bed device.
FIG. 4 is a side view schematically showing several examples of a shape of a bottom unit provided in the bed device.
FIG. 5 is a side view schematically showing the other examples of the shape of the bottom unit.
FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view showing the bed device with the bottom unit removed.
FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view illustrating an elevating mechanism provided in the bed device.
FIG. 8 is a schematic plan view illustrating a slide mechanism provided in the bed device.
FIG. 9 is another schematic plan view illustrating the slide mechanism.
FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view showing a link mechanism for connecting first and second plates and a second slide frame provided in the bed device.
FIG. 11 is a schematic exploded perspective view showing main elements shown in FIG. 10.
FIG. 12 is a schematic side view showing the bottom unit in the process of being transformed to a sitting state.
FIG. 13 is a schematic side view showing the bottom unit in the sitting state.
FIG. 14 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a back raising mechanism provided in the bed device.
FIG. 15 is another schematic perspective view illustrating the back raising mechanism.
FIG. 16 is a view showing an example of a back bottom support structure with a back raising frame provided in the back raising mechanism.
FIG. 17 is a perspective view schematically showing a back surface of the back bottom and the like.
FIG. 18 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a knee raising mechanism provided in the bed device.
FIG. 19 is another schematic perspective view illustrating the knee raising mechanism.
FIG. 20 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing each element shown in FIG. 19 along line F20-F20.
FIG. 21 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a waist raising mechanism provided in the bed device.
FIG. 22 is another schematic perspective view illustrating the waist raising mechanism.
FIG. 23 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing each element shown in FIG. 22 as taken along line F23-F23.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

The bed device according to one of embodiments of the present invention will be described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 are schematic perspective views showing a bed device B according to the present embodiment. In the following descriptions, an X direction, a Y direction, and a Z direction are defined as illustrated. The X direction is a direction from a head side to a foot side of the bed device B. The Y direction is a width direction of the bed device B.
The Z direction is a height direction of the bed device B. The side indicated by an arrow of the Y direction (left as seen from a user in a recumbent posture) may be referred to as "left", and the opposite side (right as seen from the user in the recumbent posture) may be referred to as "right". In addition, the side indicated by an arrow of the Z direction may be referred to as "up", and the opposite side may be referred to as "down".
The bed device B comprises a bottom unit 1, a drive mechanism 2, a bed frame 3, a base frame 4, an input device 5, and a control device 6 (see FIG. 2). A mattress or the like (not shown) is placed on the bottom unit 1.
In the present embodiment, the bottom unit 1 comprises a back bottom 10 that supports a back of the user, a waist bottom 11 that supports a waist of the user, and a leg bottom 12 that supports legs of the user.
The back bottom 10 includes a central bottom 10C and a pair of side bottoms 10L and 10R. The side bottoms 10L and 10R are connected to the left and right sides of the central bottom 10C in the width direction (Y direction), respectively, so as to be rotatable around an axis parallel to the longitudinal direction of the central bottom 10C (direction orthogonal to the Y direction) (see FIG. 17).
The waist bottom 11 includes a first waist bottom 13 and a second waist bottom 14. In addition, the leg bottom 12 includes a femoral bottom 15 that supports a user's thigh, a knee bottom 16 that supports a user's knee or abdomen, and a first plate 17 and a second plate 18 that support a user's foot.
The central bottom 10C and the first waist bottom 13, the first waist bottom 13 and the second waist bottom 14, the second waist bottom 14 and the femoral bottom 15, the femoral bottom 15 and the knee bottom 16, and the knee bottom 16 and the first plate 17 are connected so as to be rotatable around an axis parallel to the Y direction. The second plate 18 is slidable toward the first plate 17. At least parts of the first plate 17 and the second plate 18 are overlaid on each other.
In FIG. 1, the back bottom 10, the waist bottom 11, and the leg bottom 12 are horizontal (parallel to an X-Y plane). In contrast, in FIG. 2, the back bottom 10 and the first waist bottom 13 rise in the Z direction, and the leg bottom 12 is bent such that the knee bottom 16 is an apex.
The drive mechanism 2 supports the bottom unit 1 and transforms the bottom unit 1 to various shapes to be described later. The bed frame 3 is arranged below the bottom unit 1. The base frame 4 supports the bed frame 3. The base frame 4 has legs 4a that are in contact with the floor surface at four corners of the bed device B. The base frame 4 may have casters instead of the legs 4a.
The input device 5 is, for example, a remote controller, and has a plurality of buttons for inputting commands to transform the bottom unit 1 and to lower and raise the bed frame 3 to and from the base frame 4. The input device 5 includes a sitting state transformation button 5a for inputting a command to transform the bottom unit 1 from the recumbent state state to the sitting state, which will be described later.
The control device 6 is attached to, for example, the bed frame 3. The control device 6 controls the drive mechanism 2 in response to a command input from the input device 5. The input device 5 and the control device 6 are connected for communication via, for example, a cord 5b. However, the input device 5 and the control device 6 may be wirelessly connected for communication.
FIG. 3 is a schematic side view showing the bed device B. The drive mechanism 2 comprises, as elements for supporting the bottom unit 1, a fixing pin 35, a back raising frame 41, a pair of knee raising arms 51L and 51R, and a pair of knee raising rollers 52L and 52R attached to distal parts thereof (see FIG. 18 and FIG. 19), and a pair of first links 71L and 71R and a pair of second links 72L and 72R (see FIG. 10 and FIG. 11).
The fixing pin 35 is passed through a pair of holes 14a (see FIG. 1 and FIG. 2) provided in the second waist bottom 14. The back raising frame 41 supports a back surface of the back bottom 10 (center bottom 10C). The knee raising rollers 52L and 52R support a back surface of the femoral bottom 15. The first links 71L and 71R rotatably support the first plate 17. The second links 72L and 72R rotatably support the second plate 18.
The drive mechanism 2 can transform the bottom unit 1 to various shapes by adjusting the positional relationships and tilt angles of the back raising frame 41, the knee raising arms 51L and 51R, the first links 71L and 71R, and the second links 72L and 72R.
FIG. 4 is a side view schematically showing an example of the shape of the bottom unit 1. In the bottom unit 1 shown in FIG. 4(a), the back bottom 10, the waist bottom 11, and the leg bottom 12 are all arranged horizontally, similarly to the example of FIG. 1. The shape of the bottom unit 1 in which at least the back bottom 10 is horizontal (parallel to the X-Y plane) is hereinafter referred to as a recumbent state.
In the bottom unit 1 shown in FIG. 4(b), the back bottom 10 rises in the Z direction, and the waist bottom 11 and the leg bottom 12 are bent, similarly to the example of FIG. 2. More specifically, the first waist bottom 13 rises in the Z direction, and the leg bottom 12 protrudes upward such that the knee bottom 16 is located above the femoral bottom 15 and the plates 17 and 18.
In the bottom unit 1 shown in FIG. 4(c), each of the plates 17 and 18 is located below the waist bottom 11 and the femoral bottom 15. The femoral bottom 15 is located near, for example, an end 3a of a foot side of the bed frame 3, and forms a seating surface together with the waist bottom 11. The knee bottom 16 extends in the Z direction between the femoral bottom 15 and the first plate 17. Such a shape of the bottom unit 1 is hereinafter referred to as a sitting state.
The bottom unit 1 shown in FIG. 4(d) is also in the sitting state, and the entire bottom unit 1 is tilted forward as compared with the example of FIG. 4(c). In the present embodiment, "tilting forward" means that the bottom unit 1 rotates such that at least the upper end of the back bottom 10 faces the foot side and the lower end of the back bottom 10 faces the head side. Such transformation of the bottom unit 1 to the shape is useful in assisting the user's action of standing up from the sitting state.
Thus, the bottom unit 1 can be transformed from the recumbent state shown in FIG. 4(a) to the sitting state shown in (c) and (d) of FIG. 4 through the shape shown in FIG. 4(b).
The operation of raising the back bottom 10 as shown in (b) to (c) of FIG. 4 is hereinafter referred to as back raising. In addition, the operation of raising the femoral bottom 15 in the Z direction as shown in FIG. 4(b) is referred to as knee raising. Furthermore, the operation of tilting the bottom unit 1 in the sitting state forward as shown in FIG. 4(d) is referred to as waist raising.
(a) to (c) of FIG. 4 show a distance D at which the first plate 17 and the second plate 18 are overlaid. The distance D and the area S where the plates 17 and 18 are overlaid increase from the recumbent state shown in FIG. 4(a) toward the sitting state shown in FIG. 4(c). That is, the first plate 17 and the second plate 18 slide in a direction in which the area where they are overlaid increases, in the transformation from the recumbent state to the sitting state.
The command for transformation from the recumbent state shown in FIG. 4(a) to the sitting state shown in FIG. 4(c) can be input by the above-mentioned sitting state transformation button 5a. That is, when the sitting state transformation button 5a is continuously pressed in the recumbent state, the drive mechanism 2 gradually transforms the bottom unit 1 to the sitting state. When the pressing of the sitting state transformation button 5a is stopped during this transformation, the transformation of the bottom unit 1 is also stopped.
When the bottom unit 1 ends transformation to the sitting state, the bottom unit 1 does not transform at all even if the sitting state transformation button 5a is continuously pressed. In contrast, when the pressing of the sitting state transformation button 5a is stopped once and then the button 5a is pressed again, the drive mechanism 2 tilts the bottom unit 1 forward as shown in FIG. 4(d).
The above-mentioned input device 5 also comprise a button for inputting a command to transform the bottom unit 1 from the sitting state to the recumbent state. While this button is pressed, the bottom unit 1 is gradually transformed from the state shown in FIG. 4(d) to the recumbent state shown in FIG. 4(a).
FIG. 5 is a side view schematically showing another example of the shape of the bottom unit 1. As shown in FIG. 5(a), even in the recumbent state, the knee can be raised by raising the femoral bottom 15 from the horizontal state in the Z direction. By thus raising the knee in the recumbent state, the knee of the user in the recumbent state can be bent.
Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 5(b), the knee can be raised by raising the femoral bottom 15 from the horizontal state in the Z direction, even in the sitting state. If the knee is thus raised in the sitting state, the user sitting on the bottom unit 1 is less likely to slip off the seat surface.
FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view showing the bed device B with the bottom unit 1 removed. The above-mentioned drive mechanism 2 comprises an elevating mechanism 20 including an elevating motor M1, a slide mechanism 30 including a first slide motor M2 and a second slide motor M3, a back raising mechanism 40 including a back raising motor M4, a knee raising mechanism 50 including a knee raising motor M5, and a waist raising mechanism 60 including a waist raising motor M6. Each of the motors M1 to M6 is an example of a drive source.
The slide mechanism 30 comprises a first slide frame 31 and a second slide frame 32, which will be described in detail later. The first slide frame 31 is slidably attached to the bed frame 3. The second slide frame 32 is slidably attached to the first slide frame 31.
The first slide frame 31 includes a horizontal frame 33 and a tilt frame 34. The horizontal frame 33 is parallel to the X-Y plane. The tilt frame 34 can be tilted to the horizontal frame 33. The tilt frame 34 is provided with the back raising frame 41, a pair of fixing pins 35, a pair of knee raising arms 51L and 51R, a pair of knee raising rollers 52L and 52R, and the like, which have been described above.
The details of the elevating mechanism 20, the slide mechanism 30, the back raising mechanism 40, the knee raising mechanism 50, and the waist raising mechanism 60 will be described below in order.

[Elevating mechanism 20]

FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view illustrating the elevating mechanism 20. Elements that are not related to the elevating mechanism 20 are omitted in this figure.
One-side parts of the bed frame 3 and the base frame 4 in the Y direction are connected by a first elevating link 21L and a second elevating link 22L that intersect in the shape of letter X. The other side parts of the bed frame 3 and the base frame 4 in the Y direction are connected by a first elevating link 21R and a second elevating link 22R that intersect in the shape of letter X.
The first elevating link 21L and the second elevating link 22L are connected by a rotating shaft 23. One end of the first elevating link 21L is rotatably connected to the base frame 4 via a bracket 211. A roller 212 is provided at the other end of the first elevating link 21L. The roller 212 can roll in a rail 24 provided on the bed frame 3, along the X direction.
One end of the second elevating link 22L is rotatably connected to the bed frame 3 via a bracket 221. A roller is provided at the other end of the second elevating link 22L, which is not illustrated in FIG. 7. This roller can roll in a rail 25 provided on the base frame 4, along the X direction.
The structure in which the first elevating link 21R and the second elevating link 22R are connected to the bed frame 3 and the base frame 4, respectively, is the same as a structure in which the first elevating link 21L and the second elevating link 22L are connected to these frames 3 and 4, respectively.
The elevating motor M1 is provided with a tubular cylinder C1 and a rod R1 accommodated in the cylinder C1. The amount of protrusion of the rod R1 from the cylinder C1 changes with the operation of the elevating motor M1. The elevating motor M1 is rotatably connected to a bracket B11 provided on the base frame 4. A tip of the rod R1 is rotatably connected to a bracket B12 provided on a push-up member 26 elongated in the Y direction. The push-up member 26 is in contact with the lower surfaces of the first elevating links 21L and 21R.
When the elevating motor M1 is driven and the amount of protrusion of the rod R1 from the cylinder C1 increases, the push-up member 26 pushes up the first elevating links 21L and 21R. As a result, a roller 212 of each of the first elevating link 21L and 21R rolls on the rail 24, and a roller of each of the second elevating link 22L and 22R rolls in the rail 25. The bed frame 3 is pushed up in the Z direction by the first elevating links 21L and 21R and the second elevating links 22L and 22R to rise to the base frame 4. On the contrary, when the amount of protrusion of the rod R1 from the cylinder C1 decreases, the bed frame 3 descends toward the base frame 4. The bottom unit 1 can be elevated and lowered with such an elevating mechanism 20.

[Slide mechanism 30]

FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 are schematic plan views illustrating the slide mechanism 30. Elements that are not related to the slide mechanism 30 are omitted in these figures.
The bed frame 3 has a pair of rails 36L and 36R arranged and spaced apart in the Y direction. The rails 36L and 36R both extend in the X direction. The first slide frame 31 and the second slide frame 32 described above are arranged between the rails 36L and 36R.
The horizontal frame 33 of the first slide frame 31 has a pair of frame members 331L and 331R arranged and spaced apart in the Y direction, and a connecting member 332 that connects end parts of the frame members 331L and 331R on the head side (left side in the figures). The frame materials 331L and 331R both extend in the X direction.
Furthermore, the horizontal frame 33 has a plurality of rods 333 extending from the frame materials 331L and 331R toward the outside of the frame 33. As shown by breaking a part of the rail 36L in FIG. 8, a roller 334 is provided at the tip of each rod 333. The first slide frame 31 can slide parallel to the X direction with respect to the bed frame 3 by rolling the rollers 334 in the rails 36L and 36R.
The tilt frame 34 of the first slide frame 31 includes a pair of frame members 341L and 341R arranged and spaced apart in the Y direction, a connecting member 342 that connects end parts of the frame members 341L and 341R on the head side (left side in the figures), and a connecting member 343 that connects the end parts of the frame members 341L and 341R on the foot side (right side in the figures). The frame members 341L and 341R are rotatably connected to the frame members 331L and 331R, respectively, which will be described later in detail with reference to FIG. 21 and FIG. 22. The pair of fixing pins 35 described above are provided on the frame members 341L and 341R, respectively.
The second slide frame 32 includes a pair of rails 321L and 321R arranged and spaced apart in the Y direction, and a connecting member 322 that connects end parts of the rails 321L and 321R on the foot side (right side in the figures). The rails 321L and 321R both extend in the X direction.
The tilt frame 34 includes a plurality of rods 344 extending from the frame materials 341L and 341R toward the outside of the frame 34. As a part of the rail 321R is broken and shown in FIG. 8, a roller 345 is provided at the tip of each rod 344. The rollers 345 roll in the rails 321L and 321R, and the second slide frame 32 can thereby slide toward the first slide frame 31 (tilt frame 34).
The first slide motor M2 (first drive source) is provided with a tubular cylinder C2 and a rod R2 accommodated in the cylinder C2. The amount of protrusion of the rod R2 from the cylinder C2 changes with the operation of the first slide motor M2.
The first slide motor M2 is connected to a bracket B21 provided on the bed frame 3. A protruding member 335 extending from the connecting member 332 of the horizontal frame 33 toward the inside of the first slide frame 31 in the X direction is provided below the cylinder C2 (see FIG. 9). A tip of the rod R2 is connected to a bracket B22 provided on the protruding member 335.
The second slide motor M3 (second drive source) is provided with a tubular cylinder C3 and a rod R3 accommodated in the cylinder C3. The amount of protrusion of the rod R3 from the cylinder C3 changes with the operation of the second slide motor M3.
The second slide motor M3 and the cylinder C3 are arranged on a bracket B31 elongated in the X direction and attached to the connecting members 342 and 343 of the tilt frame 34, and are supported by the bracket B31. A tip of the rod R3 is rotatably connected to a bracket B32 provided on the connecting member 322 of the second slide frame 32. In such a configuration, the second slide motor M3, the cylinder C3, and the rod R3 are tilted to the horizontal frame 33 together with the tilt frame 34 and the second slide frame 32 when the waist is raised by the waist raising mechanism 60 to be described later.
A positional relationship between the first slide frame 31 and the second slide frame 32 shown in FIG. 8 corresponds to the recumbent state. In contrast, the positional relationship between the first slide frame 31 and the second slide frame 32 shown in FIG. 9 corresponds to the sitting state.
That is, in the recumbent state, the rod R2 of the first slide motor M2 is accommodated in the cylinder C2 as much as possible, and the rod R3 of the second slide motor M3 protrudes as much as possible from the cylinder C3. As a result, the second slide frame 32 protrudes greatly from the first slide frame 31 to the foot side (right side in the figure).
In the transformation from the recumbent state shown in FIG. 8 to the sitting state shown in FIG. 9, the rod R2 is sent out from the cylinder C2 by the first slide motor M2 and, at the same time, the rod R3 is pulled into the cylinder C3 by the second slide motor M3. At this time, the first slide frame 31, the second slide motor M3, and the like are pushed to the bed frame 3 in the X direction (first direction). In addition, the second slide frame 32 is pulled to the first slide frame 31 and the bed frame 3 in a direction (second direction) opposite to the X direction. In the example of FIG. 9, the foot-side end (connecting member 322) of the second slide frame 32 is located closer to the head side than to the foot-side end (connecting member 343) of the first slide frame 31.
In the sitting state in FIG. 9, the first slide frame 31 is moved to the foot side of the bed frame 3 as compared with the recumbent state shown in FIG. 8, due to such a slide operation. Furthermore, the second slide frame 32 is moved to the head side of the bed frame 3 as compared with the recumbent state shown in FIG. 8.
In the transformation of the bottom unit 1 from the recumbent state shown in FIG. 4(a) to the sitting state shown in FIG. 4(c), the femoral bottom 15 is positioned at the end part on the foot side of the bed frame 3, by the operation of the slide mechanism 30. Furthermore, the first plate 17 and the second plate 18 are pulled below the waist bottom 11.
FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view showing a link mechanism that connects the first plate 17, the second plate 18, and the second slide frame 32. FIG. 11 is a schematic exploded perspective view showing main elements shown in FIG. 10.
As shown in FIG. 10 and FIG. 11, first attachment members 73L and 73R extending in the X direction are provided on lower surfaces of tip parts of the rails 321L and 321R, respectively. Second attachment members 74L and 74R extending in the Y direction are provided on inner surfaces of the first attachment members 73L and 73R, which face each other, respectively.
As shown in FIG. 11, a grading-like frame 171 is attached to the back surface of the first plate 17. Furthermore, the first plate 17 has slits 172 in the vicinity of both ends in the Y direction. In contrast, groove portions 181 are formed at both ends in the Y direction, on the back surface of the second plate 18. The first plate 17 is slidably attached to the second plate 18 by inserting both ends of the first plate 17 separated by the slits 172 into the groove portions 181, respectively.
Each of the above-mentioned first links 71L and 71R has a first bracket 711, a second bracket 712, and an arm 713. The first bracket 711 of the first link 71L is attached to the second attachment member 74L. The first bracket 711 of the second link 72R is attached to the second attachment member 74R. The second bracket 712 of each of the first links 71L and 71R is attached to the frame 171.
In each of the first links 71L and 71R, one end of the arm 713 is rotatably connected to the first bracket 711 by a first rotation shaft 714, and the other end of the arm 713 is rotatably connected to the second bracket 712 by a second rotation shaft 715.
Each of the second links 72L and 72R includes a bracket 721 attached to the first attachment members 73L and 73R, and an arm 722 attached to the back surface of the second plate 18. In each of the second links 72L and 72R, the bracket 721 and the arm 722 are rotatably connected by a rotation shaft 723.
FIG. 12 is a schematic side view showing the bottom unit 1 in the process of being transformed into the sitting state. FIG. 13 is a schematic side view showing the bottom unit 1 in the sitting state. In each figure, the second slide motor M3, the cylinder C3, the rod R3, the first link 71R and the second link 72R are also shown.
In FIG. 12, the rod R3 protrudes from the cylinder C3. In FIG. 13, the rod R3 is accommodated in the cylinder C3 as much as possible. In the process of thus accommodating the rod R3 in the cylinder C3, the first plate 17 and the second plate 18 are pulled below the waist bottom 11.
At this time, the first link 71R (71L) rotates on the first rotation shaft 714 and the second rotation shaft 715 mentioned above, and the second link 72R (72L) rotates on the above-mentioned rotation shaft 723. Since the second plate 18 rotates on one axis, the plate draws a perfect circular locus. In contrast, since the first plate 17 rotates in two axes, the plate can draw a more complicated locus.
If the first plate 17 also rotates on one axis, the plates 17 and 18 cannot be pulled into the positions shown in FIG. 13 while sliding each other. In contrast, when the first plate 17 rotates in two axes, both plates 17 and 18 can be pulled in to the positions shown in FIG. 13 while sliding each other.
Moreover, as the pulling progresses, the area where the first plate 17 and the second plate 18 are overlaid increases, and both the plates 17 and 18 become compact. As a result, the height from the floor surface required for rotation may be low.
The number of rotating shafts (M) of the first links 71L and 71R and the number of rotating shafts (N) of the second links 72L and 72R are not limited to the case where M = 2 and N = 1, similarly to the present embodiment, if M and N are different from each other. In addition, if M and N are different from each other, the relationship of M<N may be met.

[Back raising mechanism 40]

FIG. 14 and FIG. 15 are schematic perspective views illustrating the back raising mechanism 40. Elements that are not related to the back raising mechanism 40 are omitted in these figures.
The above-mentioned back raising frame 41 includes a back raising shaft 42 extending in the Y direction, and elongated support members 43L and 43R connected to the back raising shaft 42. The back raising shaft 42 is rotatably connected to the frame members 341L and 341R of the tilt frame 34.
Two rollers 44 are provided on the inner surfaces of the support members 43L and 43R facing each other. In addition, two movable rods 45 are provided on the outer surfaces of the support members 43L and 43R, respectively. A roller 46 is provided at the tip of each movable rod 45.
The back raising motor M4 is provided with a tubular cylinder C4, and a rod R4 accommodated in the cylinder C4. The amount of protrusion of the rod R4 from the cylinder C4 changes with the operation of the back raising motor M4. The back raising motor M4 is rotatably connected to a bracket B41 provided on the connecting member 343 of the tilt frame 34. The tip of the rod R4 is rotatably connected to a bracket B42 provided on the back raising shaft 42.
FIG. 14 corresponds to the recumbent state, and the support members 43L and 43R are parallel to the X direction. When the rod R4 is sent out from the cylinder C4 by the back raising motor M4, in this state, the back raising shaft 42 rotates via the bracket B42. As a result, as shown in FIG. 15, the support members 43L and 43R rotate around the back raising shaft 42 to rise.
The back bottom 10 is supported by the back raising frame 41. That is, as the posture of the back raising frame 41 changes from the state shown in FIG. 14 to the state shown in FIG. 15, the back bottom 10 rises as shown in (b) and (c) of FIG. 4 from the horizontal state shown in FIG. 4(a).
FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of a support structure of the back bottom 10 by the back raising frame 41. In the example illustrated, a pair of rails 47L and 47R are provided on the back surface of the central bottom 10C. These rails 47L and 47R are elongated along the longitudinal direction (X direction in the recumbent position) of the central bottom 10C and are located between the support members 43L and 43R.
As a part of the rail 47R is broken and shown in FIG. 16, the rollers 44 provided on the support members 43L and 43R are located in the rails 47L and 47R, respectively. That is, the central bottom 10C is supported slidably to the support members 43L and 43R in the longitudinal direction by the rails 47L and 47R and each roller 44.
The positional relationship between the support members 43L and 43R and the rails 47L and 47R shown in FIG. 16 corresponds to the sitting state. For example, when the movable rod 45 on the upper left in the figure is focused, the movable rod 45 is located at position P1 indicated by a broken line in the recumbent state. In the transformation from the recumbent state to the sitting position, as the back raising frame 41 rises, the support members 43L and 43R slide and the movable rod 45 moves to position P2 in the figure.
The side bottom 10L is connected to a left side of the center bottom 10C by two hinges 48. Similarly, the side bottom 10R is connected to a right side of the central bottom 10C by two hinges 48.
Two ridge portions 49 are provided on each of the back surfaces RF of the side bottoms 10L and 10R. Each ridge portion 49 extends along the longitudinal direction (direction orthogonal to the Y direction) of the side bottoms 10L and 10R, and is arranged at a position corresponding to the movable rod 45 and the roller 46.
The movable rod 45 has a rotating shaft 45a in the middle thereof and can be bent around the rotating shaft 45a. In the example of FIG. 16, each movable rod 45 is bent at right angles. In this case, each roller 46 is retracted to a position where it is not overlaid on each protrusion 49. In contrast, when the movable rod 45 is extended in a straight line as represented by a broken line with respect to the movable rod 45 and the roller 46 on the upper right of FIG. 16, the roller 46 is overlaid on the ridge portion 49.
FIG. 17 is a perspective view schematically showing the back surface of the back bottom 10 and parts of the rollers 46. In this figure, the movable rods 45 are extended in a straight line, and the rollers 46 are overlaid on the ridge portions 49.
The ridge portions 49 have tilted surfaces 49a that come into contact with the rollers 46. For example, the tilted surfaces 49a are curved surfaces in which the heights of the side bottoms 10L and 10R from the back surfaces RF increase and the central bottom 10C side is more tilted toward the lower side in the figure (i.e., the direction in which the waist bottom 11 is located).
The rollers 46 in FIG. 17 are in the position P1 of the recumbent state. At this time, the central bottom 10C and the side bottoms 10L and 10R are parallel to each other, and the flat back bottom 10 is formed.
In the transformation to the sitting state, the rollers 46 roll on the tilted surfaces 49a from the position P1 in which the height from the back surface RF is small to the position P2 in which the height is large. As a result, the ridge portions 49 are pushed by the rollers 46, and the side bottoms 10L and 10R rotate around the rotation axes of the hinges 48 and tilt to the central bottom 10C as shown by the broken lines.
When the side bottoms 10L and 10R are thus tilted, the right and left sides of the user's upper body are supported in the sitting state, and the safety of the bed device B is therefore improved. A structure disclosed in JP 3910873 B may be applied to the details of the structure for tilting the side bottoms 10L and 10R.

[Knee raising mechanism 50]

FIG. 18 and FIG. 19 are schematic perspective views illustrating the knee raising mechanism 50. Elements that are not related to the knee raising mechanism 50 are omitted in these figures.
A knee raising shaft 53 extending in the Y direction is arranged between the frame members 341L and 341R of the tilt frame 34. The knee raising shaft 53 is rotatably connected to the frame members 341L and 341R.
One-side ends of the above-mentioned knee-raising arms 51L and 51R are connected to the knee raising shaft 53. The above-mentioned knee raising rollers 52L and 52R are attached to the other ends of the knee raising arms 51L and 51R, respectively.
The knee raising motor M5 is provided with a tubular cylinder C5 and a rod R5 accommodated in the cylinder C5. The amount of protrusion of the rod R5 from the cylinder C5 changes with the operation of the knee raising motor M5. The knee raising motor M5 is rotatably connected to a bracket B51 provided on the connecting member 342 of the tilt frame 34. The tip of the rod R5 is rotatably connected to a bracket B52 provided on the knee raising shaft 53.
FIG. 18 corresponds to a state in which the knee is not raised, and the knee raising arms 51L and 51R are parallel to the X direction. When the rod R5 is sent out from the cylinder C5 by the knee raising motor M5, in this state, the knee raising shaft 53 rotates via the bracket B52. As a result, as shown in FIG. 19, the knee raising arms 51L and 51R rotate together with the knee raising shaft 53 to rise.
FIG. 20 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing each element shown in FIG. 19 along line F20-F20. In this figure, the femoral bottom 15 is also shown. The knee raising roller 52R (52L) is in contact with the back surface of the femoral bottom 15.
When the knee raising arm 51R (51L) rotates from the state shown in FIG. 18 to the state shown in FIG. 19, the knee raising roller 52R (52L) pushes up the back surface of the femoral bottom 15, and the femoral bottom 15 is tilted to the X direction as shown in FIG. 20.
The elements such as the knee raising motor M5, the knee raising shaft 53, the knee-raising arms 51L and 51R, and the knee raising rollers 52L and 52R are supported by the first slide frame 31 (tilt frame 34). Therefore, these elements can slide together with the first slide frame 31, and the knee raising rollers 52L and 52R are located directly below the femoral bottom 15 in both the recumbent state and the sitting state. For this reason, knee raising can be performed in both the recumbent state and the sitting state as shown in (a) and (b) of FIG. 5.

[Waist raising mechanism 60]

FIG. 21 and FIG. 22 are schematic perspective views illustrating the waist raising mechanism 60. Elements that are not related to the waist raising mechanism 60 are omitted in these figures.
The above-mentioned horizontal frame 33 and the tilt frame 34 are rotatably connected by a pair of rotating shafts 61L and 61R. More specifically, the rotating shaft 61L connects the frame material 331L of the horizontal frame 33 and the frame material 341L of the tilt frame 34 so as to be rotatable. In addition, the rotating shaft 61R connects the frame material 331R of the horizontal frame 33 and the frame material 341R of the tilt frame 34 so as to be rotatable.
In the examples of FIG. 21 and FIG. 22, the frame members 341L and 341R are covers with lower parts opened, and are made to cover the frame members 331L and 331R as shown in FIG. 21 when the tilt frame 34 is not tilted.
The waist raising motor M6 is provided with a tubular cylinder C6 and a rod R6 accommodated in the cylinder C6. The amount of protrusion of the rod R6 from the cylinder C6 changes with the operation of the waist raising motor M6. The waist raising motor M6 is rotatably connected to a bracket B61 provided on the connecting member 332 of the horizontal frame 33. A tip of the rod R6 is rotatably connected to a bracket B62 provided on the connecting member 342 of the tilt frame 34. The connecting member 342 is located above the connecting member 332. The cylinder C6 and the rod R6 are tilted such that the tip sides of the cylinder C6 and the rod R6 are positioned upward when the tilt frame 34 is not tilted.
FIG. 21 corresponds to the sitting state in which the waist is not raised, and the frame members 341L and 341R are parallel to the X direction. In this state, when the rod R6 is sent out from the cylinder C6 by the waist raising motor M6, the head side (left side in the figure) of the tilt frame 34 is raised as shown in FIG. 22. Elements such as the second slide frame 32, the back raising frame 41, and the knee raising arms 51L and 51R and the like that are supported by the tilt frame 34 are also tilted together with the tilt frame 34.
FIG. 23 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing each element shown in FIG. 22 as taken along line F23-F23. In this figure, the bottom unit 1 is also shown. Elements that support the bottom unit 1, such as the back raising frame 41, the knee-raising arms 51L and 51R, the first links 71L and 71R, and the second links 72L and 72R (see FIG. 10), are all provided on the tilt frame 34 or the second slide frame 32.
That is, the back bottom 10, the waist bottom 11, and the leg bottom 12 are supported by the tilt frame 34 and the second slide frame 32. Therefore, when the waist raising operation is executed by the waist raising mechanism 60, the bottom unit 1 in the sitting state tilts forward as a whole as shown in FIG. 4(d).
The bottom unit 1 can be transformed to a recumbent state, a sitting state, or the other state as shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 and the height of the bottom unit 1 from the floor surface can be changed, by using the elevating mechanism 20, the slide mechanism 30, the back raising mechanism 40, the knee raising mechanism 50, and the waist raising mechanism 60 described above. This makes it easier for the user to change his/her posture and rise from the bed device B.
In the present embodiment, the knee can be raised in both the recumbent state and the sitting state as shown in (a) and (b) of FIG. 5. If the knee raising in the recumbent state and the sitting state is realized by separate mechanisms, the number of components of the bed device increases and the manufacturing cost also increases. Furthermore, it may be difficult to secure a space for arranging various mechanisms under the bottom unit. In contrast, in the present embodiment, since knee raising can be performed in both the recumbent state and the sitting state by the knee raising mechanism 50, these problems can be suppressed.
In the present embodiment, an end portion of the leg bottom 12 is composed of the first plate 17 and the second plate 18, and these plates 17 and 18 are connected to the second slide frame 32 via the first links 71L and 71R and the second links 72L and 72R, respectively. Moreover, the number of rotating shafts of the first links 71L and 71R is different from the number of rotating shafts of the second links 72L and 72R. With such a configuration, the first plate 17 and the second plate 18 can be pulled down below the waist bottom 11 while sliding each other, in the transformation from the recumbent state to the sitting state.
As explained with reference to FIG. 4, the area where the first plate 17 and the second plate 18 are overlaid in the recumbent state is smaller than the area where the plates 17 and 18 are overlaid in the sitting state. In this case, the leg bottom 12 in the sitting state can be made compact while securing a large area of the bottom unit 1 in the recumbent state.
In the present embodiment, the bottom unit 1 can be tilted forward (the waist can be raised) by the waist raising mechanism 60 by pressing the sitting state transformation button 5a for transforming the bottom unit 1 from the recumbent state to the sitting state again after the transformation to the sitting state is completed. If the transformation to the sitting state and then the waist raise are thus performed by operating one button, the user can perform a series of operations of getting off the bed device B extremely smoothly.
In the present embodiment, the side bottoms 10L and 10R are tilted to the central bottom 10C in the transformation to the sitting state, by the structure including the roller 46 and the ridge portion 49 described with reference to FIG. 16 and FIG. 17. As a result, since the right and left sides of the user's upper body are supported in the sitting state, the safety of the bed device B is improved. Moreover, since the side bottoms 10L and 10R are tilted with the operation of the back raising mechanism 40 for raising the back bottom 10, a dedicated drive source for tilting the side bottoms 10L and 10R is unnecessary.
If it is unnecessary to tilt the side bottoms 10L and 10R, the movable rod 45 may be retracted to a position where it is not overlaid on the ridge portion 49 as shown in FIG. 16.
In addition, various suitable advantages can be obtained from the present embodiment. According to the present embodiment, the convenience of the bed device B capable of being transformed from the recumbent state to the sitting state is remarkably improved.
The above-described embodiment does not limit the scope of the present invention to the configuration disclosed in the embodiment. The present invention can be implemented by modifying the configuration disclosed in the above-described embodiment into various aspects.

Reference Signs List

B ... bed device, 1... bottom unit, 2 ... drive mechanism, 3 ... bed frame, 4 ... base frame, 5 ... input device, 6 ... control device, 10 ... back bottom, 10C ... center bottom, 10L and 10R ... side bottoms, 11 ... waist bottom, 12 ... leg bottom, 13 ... first waist bottom, 14 ... second waist bottom, 15 ... femoral bottom, 16 ... knee bottom, 17 ... first plate, 18 ... second plate, 31 ... first slide frame, 32 ... second slide frame, 33 ... horizontal frame, 34 ... tilt frame, 41... back raising frame, 46 ... roller, 49 ... ridge portion, 51L and 51R ... knee raising arms, 52L and 52R ... knee raising rollers, M1 ... lifting motor, M2 ... first slide motor, M3 ... second slide motor, M4 ... back raising motor, M5 ... knee raising motor, M6 ... waist raising motor.

Claims

A bed device comprising:
a bed frame;

a back bottom;

a waist bottom connected to the back bottom;

a leg bottom including a femoral bottom connected to the waist bottom; and

a drive mechanism capable of transforming the back bottom, the waist bottom, and the leg bottom to a recumbent state in which at least the back bottom is horizontal, and a sitting state in which the back bottom rises and the femoral bottom is located at an end part of the bed frame,

wherein the drive mechanism is capable of rotating the femoral bottom about an end of the femoral bottom connected to the waist bottom, in each of the recumbent state and the sitting state.
The bed device of claim 1, wherein
the leg bottom is bent such that a part of the leg bottom is located below the waist bottom, in the sitting state.
The bed device of claim 2, wherein
the drive mechanism includes:
a first slide frame which supports the back bottom and the waist bottom and which is attached to the bed frame; and

a second slide frame which supports the leg bottom and which is attached to the first slide frame, and

in transformation from the recumbent state to the sitting state, the first slide frame moves relative to the bed frame in a first direction, the second slide frame moves relative to the first slide frame in a second direction opposite to the first direction, and a part of the leg bottom is pulled below the waist bottom while the second slide frame moves in the second direction.
The bed device of claim 3, wherein
the drive mechanism includes:
a shaft provided on the first slide frame;

an arm connected to the shaft;

a roller which is provided at a tip of the arm and which is in contact with a back surface of the femoral bottom; and

a drive source capable of rotating the arm and the roller about the shaft, and

when the drive source rotates the arm and the roller about the shaft, the femoral bottom rotates about the end of the femoral bottom connected to the waist bottom, in each of the recumbent state and the sitting state.
A bed device comprising:
a bed frame;

a back bottom;

a waist bottom connected to the back bottom;

a leg bottom including a first plate and a second plate at least partially overlaid on each other; and

a drive mechanism capable of transforming the back bottom, the waist bottom, and the leg bottom to a recumbent state in which at least the back bottom is horizontal, and a sitting state in which the back bottom rises and the first plate and the second plate are located below the waist bottom,

wherein the drive mechanism including:
a first slide frame which supports the back bottom and the waist bottom and which is attached to the bed frame;

a second slide frame attached to the first slide frame;

a first link rotatably connecting the first plate and the second slide frame about a plurality of rotation axes; and

a second link rotatably connecting the second plate and the second slide frame about different number of rotation axes from the first link, and

in transformation from the recumbent state to the sitting state, the first slide frame moves relative to the bed frame in a first direction, the second slide frame moves relative to the first slide frame in a second direction opposite to the first direction, and the first plate and the second plate thereby rotate toward a lower side of the waist bottom by the first link and the second link, respectively, while sliding with each other.
The bed device of claim 5, wherein
in the transformation from the recumbent state to the sitting state, the first plate and the second plate slide in a direction in which an area where the plates are overlaid increases.
The bed device of claim 5 or 6, wherein
the drive mechanism includes:
a first drive source attached to the bed frame to push the first slide frame in the first direction in the transformation from the recumbent state to the sitting state; and

a second drive source attached to the first slide frame to pull the second slide frame in the second direction, in the transformation from the recumbent state to the sitting state.
A bed device comprising:
a bed frame;

a back bottom;

a waist bottom connected to the back bottom;

a leg bottom including a femoral bottom connected to the waist bottom;

a drive mechanism capable of transforming the back bottom, the waist bottom, and the leg bottom to a recumbent state in which at least the back bottom is horizontal, and a sitting state in which the back bottom rises and the femoral bottom is located at an end part of the bed frame; and

an input device including a button for inputting a command to transform from the recumbent state to the sitting state,

wherein the drive mechanism includes:
a horizontal frame attached to the bed frame; and

a tilt frame which is rotatably connected to the horizontal frame and which supports the back bottom and the waist bottom, and

the drive mechanism transforms the back bottom, the waist bottom, and the leg bottom to the sitting state in response to an operation of the button in the recumbent state, and then tilting the tilt frame to the horizontal frame to tilt the back bottom forward in response to the button being operated again.
A bed device comprising:
a bed frame;

a back bottom;

a waist bottom connected to the back bottom;

a leg bottom including a femoral bottom connected to the waist bottom; and

a drive mechanism capable of transforming the back bottom, the waist bottom, and the leg bottom to a recumbent state in which at least the back bottom is horizontal, and a sitting state in which the back bottom rises and the femoral bottom is located at an end part of the bed frame,

wherein the back bottom includes:
a central bottom to which the waist bottom is connected;

a pair of side bottoms rotatably connected to sides of the central bottom in a width direction, respectively; and

a pair of ridge portions provided on back surfaces of the pair of side bottoms, respectively, and extending in a longitudinal direction intersecting the width direction, and

the drive mechanism includes a pair of rollers that tilt each of the pair of side bottoms to the central bottom by pushing each of the pair of ridge portions, in the transformation from the recumbent state to the sitting state.
The bed device of claim 9, wherein
each of the pair of ridge portions includes a tilt surface in which a height from the back surface increases toward the waist bottom, and

in the transformation from the recumbent state to the sitting state, each of the rollers rolls on the tilt surface of each of the ridge portions from a position in which a height from the back surface is small to a position in which the height from the back surface is large, and each of the side bottoms thereby tilt to the central bottom.