JP2003116669A - Device and method for controlling air matt - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a device and a method for controlling an air matt, which effectively prevents the concentrated pressurization on a human body and the continuation of pressure at a specified part by controlling initial setting pressure and, then, shows an excellent bedsore preventing effect. SOLUTION: In the device for controlling the air mat 2, in which a plurality of connected air bag groups 2a and 2b consisting of a plurality of systems are alternately arranged, a compression air supply source 9 is provided via a rotary valve 5, and a pressure sensor 15 is arranged in an air pipe 9a which connects between the pressure air supply source 9 and the rotary valve 5.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a normal air mat or an air mat control device and a method for controlling the air mat which are used to prevent the occurrence of floor rub for a sick person or the like who is lying down on a bed.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In medical or nursing care sites, when a sick person or the like has been lying down for a long period of time, there is a possibility that the body may rub against the floor. Conventionally, various air matting devices have been used to prevent this floor rub. Is provided.

For example, the air matting device in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-38153 is equipped with a bag-shaped air cell which is divided into a plurality of groups and communicated with each other, and a distributor for switching an air transfer path between each group and an air pump. At times, the air pressure in the air cell is controlled by guiding the air in the air cell to a pressure sensor through a return path extending to the air cell to detect the air pressure.

On the other hand, the air mat air supply device disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 11-46934 discloses first and second air cell groups each having a tubular air cell, and air for switching air supply or exhaust to each air cell group. It is provided with a switching valve and a control circuit for controlling the air tube connecting them. During operation, when the pressure in the air cell group is lower than the preset value, the air pump is operated strongly,
Further, when it becomes higher than the set value, the air pump is made to operate weakly, and by repeating this operation, the pressure in the air cell group is brought close to the set pressure.

[0005]

However, the above-mentioned conventional example has the following problems. JP-A-9
In the air matting apparatus in Japanese Patent No. 38153, the pressure in the air cell at the time of air supply, which is the expansion process, is controlled, but the pressure at the time of exhaust, which is the contraction process, is not actively controlled. It became difficult to control the pressure with high precision, and it was difficult to effectively disperse the body pressure.

Further, in the air supply device of the air mat in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-46934, while air is being supplied to either one of the air cell groups, a pressure sensor is used to control the air cell group on the air supply side. Only pressure detection is performed,
Since the pressure in the other air cell on the exhaust side is not detected, it is not possible to control the pressures of the entire air cells on the air supply side and the air exhaust side at the same time.

Therefore, according to these, a high pressure difference occurs between the air cells at the time of air supply / exhaust, the load applied to the body becomes large, and the pressure is continuously applied due to the load being applied to a part of the body, It is not possible to reliably prevent floor rubs. In addition, since these air mat control devices cannot effectively control the pressure difference between the air cell groups, the state of dispersion of body pressure is poor, and it is difficult to effectively disperse body pressure during bed rest. .

The present invention has been developed in view of the conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is to intensively press the body or to a specific place by controlling the pressure to a predetermined set pressure. It is an object of the present invention to provide an air mat control device and a control method thereof, which effectively prevent continuous pressure from being exerted, and thereby exert an excellent floor rubbing prevention effect.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is an air mat control device in which a plurality of air bag groups connected to each system composed of a plurality of systems are alternately provided. There is provided a compressed air supply source via a rotary valve in the air matt control device, and a pressure sensor is provided in an air supply pipe connecting the compressed air supply source and the rotary valve.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the rotary valve is provided with a position sensor for recognizing the position of air supply or exhaust of the rotary valve, and a stepping motor for rotating the rotary valve. And the compressed air supply source is an air mat control device provided with at least one pressure sensor in the middle of the air supply pipe.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, when the pressure of each air bag group is measured by the pressure sensor, the bag group on the air supply side is measured by the compressed air at the air supply position of the rotary valve. Measurement is performed after the supply source is stopped and the pressure becomes stable, and the measurement of the bag group on the exhaust side is performed by rotating the stepping motor with the compressed air supply source stopped and setting the rotary valve to the supply position. After the pressure is stable, measure it,
In the bag group on the air supply side, the compressed air supply source is intermittently and repeatedly driven to set the pressure, and in the bag group on the exhaust side, the compressed air supply source is stopped. This is an air mat control device that rotates a stepping motor to alternately switch a rotary valve between an air supply position and an exhaust position to set a pressure.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, in the rotary valve, the air supply groove provided in the rotary valve is exhausted when the stepping motor is rotated to switch the air supply position and the air exhaust position alternately. It is a control device of an air mat which is shaped so as not to pass through the position.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the compressed air supply source is driven to supply compressed air to each air bag group of the air mat in which a plurality of air bag groups connected to each system are alternately arranged. A method of controlling an air mat for inflating and then contracting the compressed air supply source by stopping the compressed air supply source by driving the compressed air supply source to each air bag group of both systems to supply compressed air. After inflating the group to the set pressure, stop the compressed air supply source and deflate one of the air bag groups to the set pressure, hold this state for a certain time, and then compress each deflated air bag group. After driving the air supply source to supply compressed air to the same set pressure as the expanding air bag group of the other system, stop the compressed air supply source and set the other air bag group. After deflating to pressure and maintaining this state for a certain period of time, This is a control method of an air mat in which a compressed air supply source is driven to supply compressed air to control the same pressure as the inflating set pressure of each air bag group of one system, and this can be repeatedly controlled. .

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, when the pressure of each of the air bag groups is inflated, the compressed air supply source is intermittently driven from a pressure lower than a target set pressure, and air supply is repeated by a pressure sensor. While measuring the pressure, bring it to the set pressure, and set the pressure during contraction by repeatedly exhausting exhaust gas with the pressure sensor measuring the pressure intermittently from the pressure higher than the target set pressure and stopping the compressed air supply source intermittently. It is a control method of the air mat that brings it to the set pressure.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, when the set pressure of each of the air bag groups is measured, the compressed air supply source is stopped in the air supply state in the bag group on the inflating side to stabilize the pressure. After measuring with a pressure sensor, in the bag group on the contracting side, return to the air supply state with the compressed air supply source stopped from exhaust, and measure with the pressure sensor after the pressure stabilizes. It is a control method.

In the invention according to claim 8, when the one air bag group is inflated and the other air bag group is deflated, and the air bag group is held for a certain period of time, the air bag is deflated with the inflating side every predetermined time. This is a method of controlling the air mat in which the pressure on the side is alternately measured by the pressure sensor.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, when the one air bag group is inflated and the other air bag group is contracted, the pressure difference between the inflated bag group and the contracted bag group is reduced. This is a method of controlling the air mat so that the body is received by both air bag groups.

[0018]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An embodiment of an air mat control device and control method according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a reference diagram showing an example of an air mat control device according to the present invention. In the figure, 1 is a device body, 2 is an air mat, 3 is a first flow path pipe 3a, and a second flow path pipe 3b. This is a flow channel, and the apparatus main body 1 and the air mat 2 are connected by this flow channel 3 to form a compressed air flow channel.

The air mat 2 supplies compressed air inside,
Alternatively, a plurality of air bag groups connected to each system consisting of a plurality of systems capable of exhausting are arranged in parallel, and the air bag group in this example is the first
The air mat 2 is constituted by a set of an A air bag group 2a connected to the flow path pipe 3a and a B air bag group 2b connected to the second flow path pipe 3b. When compressed air is supplied to and exhausted from the flow path pipes 3a and 3b, the air bag groups 2a and 2b are inflated respectively.
It is possible to contract, and a pressure difference is provided when the body b is laid on the air mat 2. This air bag group 2
The a and 2b are made of cloth / resin having a sealing property and are formed in a bag shape by means of welding or the like, and are arranged alternately in the longitudinal direction of the air matte 2.

The flow passage pipe 3 is made of a flexible rubber hose or the like, and one end of the flow passage pipe 3 composed of 3a and 3b is A.
The air bag group 2a and the B air bag group 2b are respectively connected to unillustrated connecting portions, while the other end is a first flow path hole (hereinafter, referred to as A port) provided in the rotary valve 5 shown in FIG. 5a and a second flow path hole (hereinafter referred to as B port) 5
Each of them is connected to b to form an air flow path.

FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram showing a circuit configuration inside the apparatus main body 1. In the figure, 9 is a compressed air supply source (hereinafter referred to as an air pump) for supplying compressed air, and 9a.
Is an air supply pipe, and the air mat control device according to the present embodiment is provided with an air pump 9 on the air mat 2 via a rotary valve 5, and an air supply pipe 9a connecting the air pump 9 and the rotary valve 5 is provided in the air mat 2. At least one pressure sensor 15 is provided so that pressure can be detected.

The rotary valve 5 is connected to a stepping motor 8 as shown in FIG. 7, and the rotation from the stepping motor 8 is transmitted to the rotary valve 5.
A joint 17 pivotally attached to the stepping motor 8 is attached, and a rotor 5c is further attached to the joint 17. When the stepping motor 8 rotates, this rotation is transmitted to the rotor 5c via the joint 17 so that the rotor 5c is rotatable. It is provided so that.

The A port 5a and the B port 5b are provided on the side of the fixed portion 16 fixed inside the main body 1 of the apparatus.
The ports 5a and B ports 5b are provided with groove portions having a substantially arc shape on the rotor 5c side. Further, the fixed portion 16 is connected to the air pump 9, and an air supply hole 6 for supplying the compressed air supplied from the air pump 9 into the rotary valve 5, and the compressed air in the air mat 2 into the air. An exhaust hole 7 for exhausting air is provided as an air flow path.

In FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, A of the air mat 2
The air flow paths of the air bag group 2a and the B air bag group 2b communicate with the air supply hole 6 through the air supply pipe 9a. By measuring the pressure in the air supply pipe 9a with the pressure sensor 15,
The pressure in the air bag group 2a or B air bag group 2b can be measured.

The rotor 5c is held by a fixed portion 16 and a surface pressure seal, and the rotor 5c rotates in an air flow path formed inside the rotary valve 5 due to the close contact between the rotor 5c and the fixed portion 16. It is switchable. When the rotor 5c is rotated, the groove portion of the A port 5a or the B port 5b of the fixing portion 16 and the air supply hole 6 are provided through the groove-like air supply groove 5d provided in the rotor 5c. , Or the exhaust holes 7 communicate with each other to form an air flow path as shown in FIG. The rotation operation of the rotor 5c is controlled by the control circuit 1
It is controlled by the microcomputer 12 in 1 and can be controlled with high precision by issuing a signal from the microcomputer 12 to the stepping motor 8. Reference numeral 13 is a spring elastically provided between the rotor 5c and the joint 17, and elastically holds the rotor 5c on the fixed portion 16 side.

Reference numeral 5e is a detection portion formed by punching a plurality of annular projections on the outer periphery of the rotor 5c,
On the other hand, 10 is a position sensor provided so as to sandwich the annular portion of the rotor 5c. When the stepping motor 8 is operated and the rotor 5c is rotated, the position sensor 10 detects the detection unit 5e, and this detection data is sent to the control circuit 11, which causes the control circuit 11 to detect the state of the air supply groove 5d. Is recognized to recognize the position of air supply or exhaust of the rotary valve 5. In addition, the perforation position of the detection unit 5e may be provided at a perforation position other than the drawing, and the position sensor 1 may be provided when the rotor 5c rotates.
It may be detected by 0.

The control circuit 11 includes a pressure sensor 15, a microcomputer 12 electrically connected to the stepping motor 8 to control the operation of the stepping motor 8, and a pressure provided outside the apparatus main body 1 so that the pressure can be set. A setting operation unit (button) 14 is provided. The pressure setting button 14 is, for example, an operation unit (button) set to a weight of each stage of 30, 50, 80, and 100 kg, and when this button is pressed according to the weight of the body to be recumbent, it is suitable for that weight. Further, the pressure at the time of inflation and deflation of each air bag group 2a, 2b is set, and the compressed air is supplied and exhausted while being controlled by the microcomputer 12 so as to reach the set pressure.

The control circuit 11 controls the rotation operation of the stepping motor 8 and the operation operation of the air pump 9 according to the state of the detection unit 5e detected by the position sensor 10 and the pressure value in the air mat 2 measured by the pressure sensor 15. Have control. 1a is a power switch, and 1b is a power cord for connecting to a household power supply.

Next, the operation of the above embodiment will be described. When the control device of the air mat in this example is operated, this control device drives the air pump 9 to the air bag groups 2a and 2b of both systems to supply compressed air to the air bag groups 2a and 2b, respectively.
After inflating 2b to the set pressure, the air pump 9 is stopped and one of the air bag groups is deflated to the set pressure, and this state is maintained for a certain period of time. After being driven to supply compressed air to the same set pressure as the expanding pressure of each air bag group of the other system, the air pump 9
After stopping each air bag group to the set pressure and maintaining this state for a certain time, each air bag group that has contracted is driven by the air pump 9 to supply compressed air to the one of the systems. The pressure is controlled to be the same as the inflating set pressure of each air bladder group, and this is repeatedly controlled.

To explain this operation, first, when the power cord 1b is inserted into the household power source and the power switch 1a is turned on to operate the apparatus main body 1, compressed air from the air pump 9 is supplied to the rotary valve 5. Pipe 9a
Air is supplied to the A air bag group 2a and the B air bag group 2b via the. This compressed air is then supplied to and exhausted from the air bag groups 2a and 2b by the supply / exhaust cycle as shown in the chart of FIG.

The pressure in each air bag group 2a, 2b is shown in FIG.
As shown in the states (a) to (e), pressure control is performed by rotationally driving the rotor 5c of the rotary valve 5 by the stepping motor 8, and, for example, when the air pump 9 operates to the state (a). , The air supply hole 6 of the fixed portion 16 communicates with the A port 5a and the B port 5b through the air supply groove 5d, and the compressed air from the air pump 9 is supplied to both the A port 5a and the B port 5b. Air bag group 2
Both a and B air bag groups 2b start to inflate.

When the pressure in the air bladder groups 2a, 2b approaches the set pressure set by the pressure setting button 14, the microcomputer 12 controls the operation / stop operation of the air pump 9 so as to intermittently supply air from the air pump 9. Then, the pressure is gradually increased stepwise from the pressure lower than the target set pressure so as to approach the set pressure. In this state, the body b is laid down, and then the air supply is intermittently performed until the set pressure corresponding to the supine weight is reached. At this time, the pressure is measured by the air supply pipe 9
This pressure measurement is performed by one pressure sensor 15 provided in a. The air bag groups 2a and 2b whose pressure values are stable after the air supply from the rotary valve 5 is temporarily stopped and a predetermined time has elapsed. Measure the pressure inside. In this example, the set pressure at this time is, for example, 5 KPa.
It is set to (0.05 kg / cm ² ).

The state (a) is a state in which both the air bag groups 2a and 2b are inflated at the same time when the operation is started. When the air bag groups 2a and 2b reach the set pressure, the subsequent pressure control is performed. Controls the rotation of the rotor 5c (b) ~
This is performed by setting the state of (e).

Next, as shown in FIG. 3, B air bag group 2b
Is exhausted to reduce the pressure, and the B air bag group 2b is contracted. As the operation at this time, when the air pump 9 is stopped and the stepping motor 8 is controlled by the microcomputer 12 to rotate the rotor 5c to the state of (e), the B port 5b and the exhaust air are discharged through the air supply groove 5d. The compressed air in the B air bag group 2b is exhausted from the exhaust port 7 by communicating with the hole 7. At this time, since the A port 5a is blocked by the rotor 5c, the pressure in the A air bag group 2a is held, and only the B air bag group 2b is contracted while keeping the A air bag group 2a inflated. I have to.

When the pressure in the B air bag group 2b approaches the set pressure at the time of contraction, the rotor 5c rotates to be in the state of air supply (d), and in this state, the B port 5b and the air supply hole. 6 and the exhaust from the B air bag group 2b is stopped, and the pressure in the B air bag group 2b is stabilized by allowing a predetermined time to elapse in this state. I am trying to measure.

When the measured pressure is higher than the set pressure at the time of contraction, the stepping motor 8 is rotated to bring the rotary valve 5 to the exhaust position (e) again, exhaust from the B air bag group 2b, and again ( After returning to the state of d), the pressure is measured after a lapse of a predetermined time. In this way the air pump 9
By repeating the operation of alternately switching the rotary valve 5 between the air supply state and the exhaust state in the state where the pressure is stopped, the pressure setting at the time of contraction is intermittently repeated from the pressure higher than the target set pressure. Then, the pressure sensor 15 measures the pressure and brings it to the set pressure to perform highly accurate pressure adjustment.

The set value of the B air bag group 2b at the time of contraction is, for example, 4.5 KPa (0.045) in this example.
kg / cm ² ) as the set pressure, while the inflated A air bag group 2a has a pressure of 5 KPa (0.05 kg / cm ² ).
² ) is maintained. In this way, the set pressure difference between the inflated air bag group and the inflated air bag group is set to 0.5.
By suppressing the pressure difference between the air bladder groups 2a and 2b to be as small as possible by suppressing it to KPa (0.005 kg / cm ² ) or less,
When the body b is laid down and pressure is applied from the air bladder group, it is possible to prevent the pressure on the body b from being continued due to an extremely small pressure difference.

While the two air bag groups 2a and 2b are kept at the set pressure for a predetermined time, the rotary valve 5 which seals the surface pressure by a hose connecting portion (not shown) and the spring 13 is shown.
Since air leakage gradually occurs from etc., during this period,
The pressures in both air bag groups 2a and 2b are alternately measured by the pressure sensor 15 at predetermined time intervals so that the set pressure of the air bag groups is maintained. For example, as described above, while the B air bag group 2b is inflated and the A air bag group 2a is held in the deflated state for 5 minutes, the pressure in each air bag group 2a, 2b is measured by the pressure sensor 15. The operation for pressure adjustment will be described.

First, in the state of (b), the rotary valve 5
When is rotated, the air supply hole 6 and the A port 5a communicate with each other to measure the pressure in the A air bag group 2a in a contracted state, and in this example, the pressure is controlled up to a set pressure in each air bag group 2a, 2b. The pressure is measured in a stable state after a lapse of about 1 minute thereafter.

During pressure measurement, if the pressure in the A air bladder group 2a is lower than the set pressure, the air pump 9 is operated in the state of (b) to raise the pressure to near the set pressure. When the pressure approaches the set pressure, the air pump 9 is temporarily stopped and the pressure is measured after a lapse of a predetermined time. If the pressure is lower than the set pressure, the air pump 9 is continuously operated. By repeating this operation, the pressure is gradually increased until it reaches the set pressure.

Next, with the air pump 9 stopped, approximately 1
After a lapse of a minute, the state is rotated to the state of (d), the air supply hole 6 and the B port 5b communicate with each other, and the pressure in the inflated B air bag group 2b is measured. If this pressure is lower than the set value,
In the state of (d), the air pump 9 is operated to raise the pressure to near the set pressure. When the pressure approaches the set pressure, the air pump 9 is temporarily stopped and the pressure is measured after a lapse of a predetermined time. If the pressure is lower than the set pressure, the air pump 9 continues.
The operation is performed and the operation is repeated to gradually increase the pressure until the set pressure is reached.

The pressure measurement and the pressure control are carried out by the air bag groups 2a which are depressurized by air leakage as described above.
The pressure in 2b is to be raised to the set pressure at the time of inflation / deflation, but the pressure in each of the air bag groups 2a and 2b may be lowered if necessary, for example, A When the pressure in the air bladder group 2a is higher than the set pressure, the A port 5a and the exhaust hole 7 are communicated with each other while the air pump 9 is stopped as shown in FIG. A state where air is exhausted and A as shown in (b)
While alternately repeating the state where the port 5a and the air supply hole 6 are communicated with each other to stabilize the pressure and measure the pressure, the pressure is gradually increased until the pressure reaches the set pressure when the pressure is measured after a predetermined time elapses in (b). Lower it.

When the measured pressure in the B air bag group 2b is higher than the set value, the B port 5b is set as shown in (e).
And the exhaust hole 7 are communicated with each other to exhaust the gas, and the state in which the B port 5b and the air supply hole 6 are communicated with each other to stabilize the pressure and measure the pressure as shown in (d) are alternately repeated. When the pressure is measured after a predetermined time has elapsed, the pressure is gradually decreased until this pressure reaches the set pressure. In this way, it is possible to accurately perform pressure control by intermittently raising or lowering the compressed air in each air bag group 2a, 2b. In the present example, in order to make this pressure control highly accurate. As described above, it is desirable to perform it approximately every 1 minute.

The pressure measurement is performed by expanding A as described above.
The air bag group 2a and the contracted B air bag group 2b are alternately performed, but the rotation of the rotor 5c at this time is from (b) to (d) or (d) to (b). In this way, when the stepping motor 8 is rotated to switch between the supply position and the exhaust position alternately, the supply groove 5d provided in the rotary valve 5 may communicate with the exhaust hole 7. In addition, the pressure in the air bag group 2a or 2b can be measured without reducing the pressure.

When the pressure of each air bladder group 2a, 2b is set, the states of (b) and (c) of the A air bladder group 2a are repeatedly controlled to the set pressure or the B air bladder is set. Even if the states of (d) and (e) are repeatedly controlled to the set pressure for the group 2b, the pressure in the other air bag group 2a, 2b which is not controlled during this control can be reduced. Absent. Thus, the A port 5 provided on the fixing portion 16
The combination of a, the B port 5b, the air supply hole 6 and the air exhaust hole 7 and the air supply groove 5d formed in a substantially V shape has a shape that the air supply groove 5d does not pass through the position of the exhaust gas. Without affecting the pressure in the other air bag group,
Highly accurate pressure control can be performed.

Next, after a lapse of a predetermined time, in this example, 5 minutes, compressed air is supplied to the B port 5b from the air pump 9 to set the B air bag group 2b at a set pressure of 5 KPa.
(0.05 kg / cm ² ) and inflated both the A air bag group 2a and the B air bag group 2b to the state of 5 KPa (0.05 kg / cm ² ) which is the set pressure when inflated as shown in FIG. To do.

The rotation control of the rotary valve 5 at this time is performed by operating the air pump 9 and
With c set to the state of (d), the B port 5b and the air supply hole 6 are made to communicate with each other, and compressed air is supplied to the B port 5b. When the pressure in the B air bag group 2b rises to near the set pressure at the time of inflation, the rotary valve 5 stops the air pump 9 at the air supply position, and the measurement is performed after the pressure has stabilized for a predetermined time. If the pressure measured at this time is lower than the set pressure at the time of expansion, the air pump 9 is again operated for a predetermined time, stopped again, and the pressure is measured after the predetermined time has elapsed. By repeating this control intermittently, the pressure is gradually increased, and highly accurate pressure control is performed.

In this way, the air pump 9 is intermittently operated so that the pressure lower than the set value approaches the set pressure, and the set pressure is not exceeded while the B air bag group 2
b is expanded.

Next, in FIG. 5, in the contracting operation of the air bag group 2a, the rotary valve 5 is rotationally controlled to the state (c) so that the A port 5a and the exhaust hole 7 are communicated with each other.
A with port 5b closed and pressure inside B bladder group 2b kept at 5 KPa (0.05 kg / cm ² ).
The compressed air in the air bag group 2a is exhausted to the B air bag group 2b.
Only the air bag group 2a of A is contracted while maintaining the expansion of the air bag. At this time, the pressure control in the A air bladder group 2a is rotated to the state of (b) when the pressure is reduced to around the set pressure in the state of (c), as in the case of the contraction operation of the B air bag group 2b. 3. The pressure is measured after a lapse of a predetermined time, and the set pressure is set while repeating the states (c) and (b).
The pressure is lowered to 5 KPa (0.045 kg / cm ² ) and kept for a predetermined time.

While the set pressures of the air bag groups 2a and 2b are being held, air pressure is leaked by measuring and controlling the pressure in the A and B air bag groups 2a and 2b by the above-described operation. The air bag groups 2a, 2b which are repeatedly performed after that.
The pressure measurement and the pressure control are similarly performed while the set pressure is maintained.

Then, in the air bag group 2a of A, (b)
In this state, the rotary valve 5 is controlled to make the air supply hole 6 communicate with the A port 5a, and the air pump 9 is operated to expand the pressure in the A air bag group 2a to the set pressure as shown in FIG. The pressure inside the air bag group 2a is the set pressure 5
When approaching KPa (0.05 kg / cm ² ),
Air pump 9 as in the case of the inflating operation of B air bag group 2b
Is stopped and the pressure is measured after a lapse of a predetermined time, and when the pressure is lower than the set pressure, the air pump 9 is operated again for a predetermined time. In this way, the operation of the air pump 9 is repeated for a predetermined time, the pressure is measured by the pressure sensor 15, and the pressure is gradually increased to the set pressure to perform highly accurate pressure control. As described above, the pressure control up to the set pressure of the A air bag group 2a is performed in the same manner as when the B air bag group 2b is inflated and deflated, and the A air bag group 2a and the B air bag group 2b are The expansion / contraction operation of is repeatedly performed as shown in FIG. It should be noted that for each of the air bag groups 2a and 2b, the holding time in which one is in the inflated state and the other is in the deflated state is 5 in this example.
Although it is set to about 10 minutes, it may be set to about 10 minutes.

As described above, the air mat controller according to the present invention includes a pressure sensor on the air supply pipe 9a connecting the air pump 9 and the rotary valve 5 when alternately inflating and deflating the air bag groups 2a and 2b of a plurality of systems. 15, the air pump 9 is driven to supply and exhaust compressed air to and from the air bag groups of both systems of the A air bag group 2a and the B air bag group 2b of the air mat 2 to apply pressure to the contact portion of the body b. The difference is generated alternately. While maintaining the inflation / deflation, the pressure sensor 15 alternately measures the pressure in the inflating air bag group and the pressure in the other inflating air bag group to control the set pressure. Since the pressure can be controlled and maintained constant, the body pressure during bed rest can be effectively dispersed.

Moreover, during pressure control, the microcomputer 12 intermittently supplies and exhausts compressed air, and the pressure in the inflated state of either one of the air bag groups can be controlled with high accuracy. Since the other bladder group holds the contracted state, the air bag groups 2a and 2b are once inflated together, and then only one of the bladder groups is contracted, so that the body b moves up and down. There is no shaking and so-called seasickness phenomenon can be prevented.

By reducing the pressure difference between the bag group on the inflating side and the bag group on the deflating side, the body b is shaped to be received by both the inflating and deflating bag groups 2a, 2b, so that the distribution of the body pressure is improved, and at the same time, it is optional. Since the pressure of the air bag group on the inflating side can be set lower than that of the conventional product with respect to the body weight, it is possible to prevent intensive pressure, and it is possible to effectively continue pressure to a specific location where inflation and deflation repeatedly occur. Can be prevented.

[0055]

As is apparent from the above, according to the air mat control device of the present invention, it is possible to control the pressure when expanding or contracting each of the air bag groups of the air mat. Since the pressure inside each air bag can be maintained at the set pressure by effectively controlling the pressure, it is possible to effectively prevent concentrated pressure and continuation of pressure to a specific place, and exert an excellent floor rubbing prevention effect. be able to.

During the pressure measurement, the pressure of the rotary valve can be controlled with high accuracy, and the pressure can be measured alternately. Therefore, the pressure can be measured accurately.

Further, the set pressure can be brought close to the set pressure with high accuracy for any of the air bag groups at the time of air supply / exhaust, and at this time, the set pressure is gradually made close to the set pressure. There is no worry about the occurrence of.

In addition, when the pressure of one of the air bags is controlled during the air supply / exhaust, the pressure of the other air bag is not affected, and the other air bag is not pressure-controlled. It is an air mat control device that can maintain the pressure state of the air mat.

The air mat control method according to the present invention is a control method for expanding and contracting a bed-rested body with almost no pressure difference, and the floor rubbing prevention can be comfortably used by fine pressure control. It is a method of controlling an air mat having a function.

When the pressure is brought close to the set pressure, the pressure is changed little by little, and the pressure is expanded above the set pressure at the time of expansion, or contracted below the set pressure at the time of contraction. The respective set pressures at the time are not exceeded and the set pressures are accurately brought close to each other, and it is possible to perform pressure control without waste.

Further, the pressure measurement at this time is such that the bag body pressure can be measured with an accurate value and the occurrence of an error during pressure measurement is prevented.

When the respective air bag groups are inflated and deflated, the respective set pressures can be maintained, so that the pressure generated between the inflated air bag group and the deflated air bag group. The pressure difference can be kept to a very small level, and a large pressure difference will not occur.

This is a method of controlling an air mat which can effectively disperse body pressure during bed rest and exhibit an excellent floor rubbing prevention effect.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a reference diagram showing an example of an air mat control device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram showing a circuit configuration inside the apparatus main body.

FIG. 3 is a schematic explanatory view showing the air supply / exhaust state of the air mat.

FIG. 4 is a schematic explanatory view showing the air supply / exhaust state of the air mat.

FIG. 5 is a schematic explanatory view showing the air supply / exhaust state of the air mat.

FIG. 6 is a chart showing an air supply / exhaust state.

FIG. 7 is a schematic sectional view of a rotary valve.

FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the fixed portion.

FIG. 9 is a plan view of the rotor.

10 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a rotating operation of a rotary valve.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 device body 2 Air mat 2a, 2b Air bag group 5 Rotary valve 5d air supply groove 8 stepping motor 9 Compressed air supply source (air pump) 9a Air supply pipe 10 Position sensor 15 Pressure sensor b body

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[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] July 15, 2002 (2002.7.1)
5)

[Procedure Amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Name of item to be corrected] Claim 4

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

[Procedure Amendment 2]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Name of item to be corrected] Claim 8

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

[Procedure 3]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Name of item to be corrected] Claim 9

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    F term (reference) 3B096 AC12 AD03                 4C040 AA01 CC03 EE02                 4C100 AD02 BB05 BC13 CA13 DA05                       DA06

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A control device for an air mat in which a plurality of air bag groups connected to each system of a plurality of systems are alternately provided, and a compressed air supply source is provided to the control device of the air mat via a rotary valve. An air mat control device, wherein a pressure sensor is provided on an air supply pipe connecting the compressed air supply source and a rotary valve. 2. The rotary valve is provided with a position sensor for recognizing the air supply or exhaust position of the rotary valve and a stepping motor for rotating the rotary valve, and further the rotary valve and the compressed air supply source. The air-mat control device according to claim 1, wherein at least one pressure sensor is provided in the middle of the air supply pipe provided at and. 3. When measuring the pressure of each air bag group by the pressure sensor, the measurement of the air bag group is performed by stopping the compressed air supply source at the air supply position of the rotary valve. Measurement is performed after the pressure has stabilized, and the measurement of the bag group on the exhaust side is
When the stepping motor is rotated with the compressed air supply source stopped and the pressure is stabilized after the rotary valve is set to the supply position, the compressed air supply is performed for the bag group on the supply side. In addition to intermittently repeating the driving of the air source to the set pressure, in the bag group on the exhaust side, the stepping motor is rotated while the compressed air supply source is stopped and the rotary valve is alternately set to the air supply position. 3. The air mat control device according to claim 1, wherein the set pressure is set by switching to an exhaust position. 4. The shape of the rotary valve, wherein the air supply groove provided in the rotary valve does not pass through the exhaust position when the stepping motor is rotated to switch between the supply position and the exhaust position. The air mat control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: 5. A compressed air supply source is driven in each air bag group of an air mat in which a plurality of air bag groups connected to each system consisting of a plurality of systems are alternately provided to expand compressed air by supplying compressed air. A method of controlling an air mat for stopping an air supply source to cause it to contract, by driving a compressed air supply source to each air bag group of both systems to supply compressed air and expanding both air bag groups to a set pressure. After that, the compressed air supply source is stopped, one of the air bag groups is contracted to the set pressure, this state is maintained for a certain time, and then each compressed air bag group is driven by the compressed air supply source. After supplying compressed air to the same pressure as the expanding set pressure of each air bag group of the other system, stop the compressed air supply source and shrink the other air bag group to the set pressure, After holding this state for a certain period of time, drive the compressed air supply source to each compressed air bag group. A method for controlling an air mat, characterized in that compressed air is supplied to control to the same set pressure as the inflation pressure of each air bag group of one system, and this can be repeatedly controlled. 6. The pressure setting when the air bags are inflated is
The compressed air supply source is intermittently driven from a pressure lower than the target set pressure, and the supply air is repeatedly brought to the set pressure while measuring the pressure with a pressure sensor, and the pressure setting during contraction is higher than the target set pressure. The control of an air mat according to claim 5, wherein exhaust gas is repeatedly brought to a set pressure while the compressed air supply source is stopped intermittently from a high pressure while the pressure sensor repeatedly measures the pressure. Method. 7. When measuring the set pressure of each of the air bag groups, for the bag group on the inflating side, the compressed air supply source is stopped in the air supply state and the pressure is measured after the pressure is stabilized. In the bag group on the contracting side, the compressed air supply source is returned from the exhaust gas to the air supply state, and after the pressure is stabilized, the pressure sensor measures the pressure. Alternatively, the method of controlling the air mat according to claim 6. 8. When the one air bag group is inflated and the other air bag group is deflated and held for a certain period of time, the inflation side pressure and the deflation side pressure are alternated at predetermined time intervals. 6. The pressure sensor is used for measurement.
8. The method for controlling an air mat according to claim 7. 9. When the one air bag group is inflated and the other air bag group is deflated, the pressure difference between the inflated bag group and the deflated bag group is reduced to keep the body in the air bag group. The air mat control method according to any one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that the air mat is received.