JP2006020722A - Apparatus for preventing snoring - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To effectively prevent a sleeper from snoring by effectively changing the body posture of the sleeper. <P>SOLUTION: A left position detecting air bag 10L and a right position detecting air bag 10R are arranged at the lower parts of the front sides of a corresponding left body posture changing air bag 9L and right body posture changing air bag 9R for receiving the head portion of the sleeper, respectively. The Airs in the left position detecting air bag 10L and the right position detecting air bag 10R are led to a pressure sensor via conduits 12L, 12R respectively to detect the pressure of the airs in the position detecting air bags 10L, 10R. The position of the sleeper can be detected on the basis of the pressure in the position detecting bags 10L, 10R and air supplying to and air releasing from the pair of body posture changing air bags 9L, 9R can be performed based on the detecting result. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a snoring prevention device for preventing snoring of a sleeping person.

The snoring prevention device can receive the head of the sleeping person, and when snoring is detected by the snoring sensor, the snoring is prevented by tilting the head of the sleeping person to change the position of the sleeping person. An anti-snoring pillow has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 61-203013

However, in the above prior art, since the operation for tilting the head is performed regardless of the position of the sleeping person, the posture of the sleeping person cannot be effectively converted, and the snoring of the sleeping person is effectively prevented. There was a case that could not be done.
The present invention has been made under such a background, and an object of the present invention is to provide a snoring prevention device that can effectively prevent a sleeper's snoring by effectively changing the position of the sleeper. .

  The invention described in claim 1 for achieving the above object is a snoring prevention device (1, 1A) for preventing snoring of a sleeping person, and receiving a part (H) of the sleeping person's body. Position detection air bags (10L, 10R), position detection means (15, 18, 25) for detecting the position of the sleeper based on the pressure of the air in the position detection air bag, and the sleeper A plurality of postural change air bags (9L, 9R) capable of receiving a part of the body (H), and air supply to the plurality of postural change air bags based on the detection result by the position detecting means; The snoring prevention apparatus includes posture change means (15, 16, 19, 20) for changing the posture of the sleeping person by exhausting and preventing the sleeping person from snoring.

The alphanumeric characters in parentheses represent corresponding components in the embodiments described later. The same applies hereinafter.
According to this configuration, the position of the sleeping person is detected based on the pressure of the air in the position detection air bag, and air supply or exhaust to the plurality of body position conversion air bags is performed based on the detection result. it can. Therefore, since it is possible to supply or exhaust a plurality of postural change air bags in an appropriate manner to change the posture of the sleeping person, the posture of the sleeping person can be effectively changed, and the sleeping person can be changed. Snoring can be effectively prevented.

The invention described in claim 2 further includes air supply means (15, 17, 18; 15, 16, 19) for supplying air to the position detection air bags (10L, 10R). The snoring prevention device (1, 1A) according to claim 1.
According to this configuration, when the position detection air bag is filled with air for a long period of time, the air in the position detection air bag naturally leaks out, and the air pressure inside the air bag Even when the air pressure drops, the air can be supplied to the position detection air bag, and the internal air pressure can be increased to a predetermined pressure (pressure necessary for detection by the position detection means). .

The invention according to claim 3 is characterized in that the position detection air bags (10L, 10R) are provided in association with the plurality of body position changing air bags (9L, 9R), respectively. The snoring prevention device (1, 1A) according to 1 or 2.
According to this configuration, since the position of the sleeping person can be detected based on the pressure of the air in the position detection air bag associated with each posture change air bag, any posture change air bag Therefore, it is possible to satisfactorily determine whether to supply or exhaust air. Accordingly, the posture of the sleeping person can be converted more effectively, and the snoring of the sleeping person can be more effectively prevented.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the position detection air bags (10L, 10R) are provided in association with the plurality of body position changing air bags (9L, 9R), respectively, and the air supply means (15 16, 16, 19) is configured to supply air to the position detection air bag via the corresponding body position conversion air bag. ).

  According to this configuration, since the position of the sleeping person can be detected based on the pressure of the air in the position detection air bag associated with each posture change air bag, any posture change air bag Therefore, it is possible to satisfactorily determine whether to supply or exhaust air. Accordingly, the posture of the sleeping person can be converted more effectively, and the snoring of the sleeping person can be more effectively prevented.

  In particular, since it is possible to supply air to the position detection air bag via the corresponding posture change air bag, air supply to the position detection air bag is simultaneously performed when supplying air to the position change air bag. be able to. Therefore, since the air for supplying air to the position detecting air bag can be supplied by using the means for supplying air to the posture changing air bag, a dedicated means for supplying air to the position detecting air bag is provided. There is no need to supply air to the position detection air bag with a simple configuration.

In addition, air can be supplied into the position detection air bag each time air is supplied to the body position changing air bag. Therefore, since the pressure of the air in the position detection air bag can be maintained at a predetermined pressure (pressure necessary for performing detection by the position detection means), it is possible to always detect the position of the sleeping person well. it can.
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided backflow prevention means for preventing the air in the position detection air bags (10L, 10R) from flowing back to the corresponding body position changing air bags (9L, 9R). 27L, 27R). The snoring prevention device (1A) according to claim 4, further comprising: 27L, 27R).

According to this configuration, even when the posture changing air bag is exhausted, the air in the corresponding position detecting air bag is not exhausted accordingly. Therefore, since the pressure of the air in the position detection air bag can be maintained at a predetermined pressure (pressure necessary for performing detection by the position detection means), it is possible to always detect the position of the sleeping person well. it can.
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the position detection means (15, 18, 25) includes a pressure sensor (25) for detecting the pressure of air in the position detection air bag (10L, 10R), and the Switching for switching which one of the plurality of position detection air bags associated with the plurality of body position conversion air bags (9L, 9R) guides the air in the position detection air bag to the pressure sensor. The snoring prevention device (1, 1A) according to any one of claims 3 to 5, comprising means (18).

According to this configuration, by switching the switching means, the air in each position detection air bag can be appropriately guided to the pressure sensor, and the pressure of the air in the position detection air bag can be detected. Therefore, since it is not necessary to provide a plurality of pressure sensors, the manufacturing cost can be reduced.
According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the position detection air bag (10L, 10R) receives a part (H) of a sleeping person's body via the corresponding body position changing air bag (9L, 9R). The snoring prevention device (1, 1A) according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein the snoring prevention device (1, 1A) is provided.

  According to this configuration, it is possible to receive a load on each posture change air bag by the corresponding position detection air bag and detect the position of the sleeping person based on the pressure of the air in the position detection air bag. Therefore, it is possible to better determine which posture change air bag should be supplied or exhausted. Therefore, the position of the sleeping person can be converted more effectively, and the snoring of the sleeping person can be more effectively prevented.

In the invention according to claim 8, each of the position detection air bags (10L, 10R) and the body position changing air bags (9L, 9R) can receive the head (H) of a sleeping person. The snoring prevention device (1, 1A) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the snoring prevention device (1, 1A) is provided.
According to this configuration, the position of the sleeping person's head is detected based on the pressure of the air in the position detection air bag, and air supply or exhaust to the plurality of body position conversion air bags is detected based on the detection result. By doing so, the sleeping person's head can be tilted to change the sleeping person's posture. Therefore, it is possible to provide a snoring prevention pillow that can effectively change the position of the sleeping person and can effectively prevent the sleeping person from snoring.

Embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing an installation mode of a snoring prevention device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
The snoring prevention device 1 can receive a sleeping person's head, and when snoring is detected, the sleeping person's head is tilted to change the sleeping person's position (for example, by turning the sleeping person upside down). ), A snoring prevention pillow that can prevent snoring. The snoring prevention device 1 is installed on a bedding 2 such as a mattress, a futon, a bed, etc., and is installed on the side of the bedding 2 and a pillow part 3 for receiving the head of the sleeping person. A control device 4 for controlling, and a connection portion 5 made of wiring, piping or the like for connecting the pillow portion 3 and the control device 4 are provided.

In this embodiment, with the sleeping person lying on the bedding 2, the left side (left back side in FIG. 1) viewed from the sleeping person is on the left side, and the right side (right front side in FIG. 1) is viewed from the sleeping person. ) On the right side, the sleeping person's head side (the left front side in FIG. 1) is the rear side, and the sleeping person's foot side (the right back side in FIG. 1) is the front side.
FIG. 2 is a left side view of the pillow part 3. FIG. 3 is a plan view of the pillow part 3. The entire pillow portion 3 is covered with a stretchable cover 3 ′ formed of, for example, cloth, but FIGS. 2 and 3 show a state in which the cover 3 ′ is omitted.

  With reference to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the pillow part 3 is disposed above the bedding 2, the lower member 6 placed on the bedding 2, the middle member 7 disposed above the rear part of the lower member 6, and the middle member 7. The outer member 8 is partitioned by the upper member 8 formed. The lower member 6, the middle member 7 and the upper member 8 are members having elasticity (for example, low resilience) formed of a resin such as urethane or sponge. The sleeping person who lies on the bedding 2 then places his head on the upper member 8 and places the upper part of the back (the part from the lung to the shoulder) on the front part of the lower member 6.

  Between the upper member 8 and the middle member 7, a pair of posture change air bags (left posture change air bag 9L and right posture) used to tilt the sleeping person's head are arranged symmetrically. A pair of position detection air bags (left position) that are used to detect the position of the head of the sleeper by contacting the conversion air bags 9R) and the front lower surfaces of the body position conversion air bags 9L, 9R. A detection air bag 10L and a right position detection air bag 10R) are arranged.

  The left posture changing air bag 9L and the right posture changing air bag 9R are bag-like members having a substantially square shape in plan view, and the rear end portions of the pipes 11L and 11R communicating with the control device 4 are provided at the respective rear end portions. Is connected. The left position detection air bag 10L and the right position detection air bag 10R are substantially rectangular bag-like members that are elongated in the left-right direction in a plan view, and are used for left end detection and right position detection of the left position detection air bag 10L. The ends of the pipes 12L and 12R communicating with the control device 4 are respectively connected to the right end of the air bag 10R. Each of the pipes 11L, 11R, 12L, and 12R is formed of an elastic member such as a silicon tube, for example.

In the front part of the lower member 6, a snoring detection microphone 13 is built in the central part on the rear side in the left-right direction, and a breathing detection sensor 14 extending in the left-right direction is built in the front side. The snoring detection microphone 13 and the respiration detection sensor 14 are each electrically connected to the control device 4 via wiring.
The snoring detection microphone 13 is for converting the detected sleeper's voice into an electrical signal and inputting it into the control device 4. If a configuration is adopted in which when a sound is periodically detected based on an electrical signal input from the snore detection microphone 13 to the control device 4, the sleeper is determined to be snoring, the sleeper's Snoring can be detected well.

  The respiratory detection sensor 14 is, for example, a plurality of electrode plates facing in the vertical direction (not limited to plate-like ones, for example, a sheet having conductivity and flexibility such as a cloth woven with conductive fibers. And a dielectric structure (insulator) disposed between the electrode plates. When detecting snoring, each electrode plate has a capacitor structure. By applying the voltage, a predetermined amount of charge is accumulated. The breathing detection sensor 14 is disposed at a position facing the sleeping person's lungs, the left side portion thereof facing the sleeping person's left side lung, and the right side portion thereof facing the sleeping person's right side lung. Therefore, when the sleeping person breathes, the load applied to the breathing detection sensor 14 increases due to the swelling of the sleeping person's lungs, the interval between the electrode plates is reduced, and the dielectric layer is compressed and deformed. It becomes. As a result, the capacitance C (C = ε · S / d; ε is the dielectric constant, S is the area of the electrode plate, and d is the distance between the electrode plates) of the respiratory detection sensor 14 having the capacitor structure is increased. Therefore, by detecting the change in the capacitance C, the sleep state of the sleeping person can be detected well. By comparing the sleep cycle of the sleeping person detected by the breath detection sensor 14 with the sleep cycle of the sleeper detected by the snoring detection microphone 13, it is determined whether or not the sleeper is snoring. More accurate judgment can be made.

FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram showing the piping arrangement of the snoring prevention device 1.
Referring to FIG. 4, in the control device 4, a posture for supplying air to the control board 15 that controls the snoring prevention device 1 and the pair of posture changing air bags 9 </ b> L and 9 </ b> R. A conversion pump 16 and a position detection pump 17 for supplying air to the pair of position detection air bags 10L and 10R are provided. The control board 15 includes a microcomputer, and based on signals input from the snoring detection microphone 13 and the respiration detection sensor 14, the body position conversion pump 16, the position detection pump 17, and a later-described one. The operation of the switching valves 18, 19, and 20 is controlled.

  The other ends of the pipes 11L and 11R, each of which is connected to the left posture changing air bag 9L and the right posture changing air bag 9R, are connected to a common switching valve 19 provided in the control device 4. Yes. The switching valve 19 is a three-way valve to which the end of a pipe 21 communicating with the body position conversion pump 16 is connected in addition to the two pipes 11L and 11R. Of the three pipes 11L, 11R, and 21 The two can be arbitrarily communicated. The other end portion of the branch pipe 22 whose one end portion is opened to the outside of the control device 4 is connected to the middle portion of the pipe 21. A switching valve 20 (two-way valve) is interposed in the branch pipe 22. Accordingly, by switching one of the two pipes 11L and 11R and the pipe 21 by the switching valve 19 and driving the posture changing pump 16 with the switching valve 20 closed, the left posture changing air bag is driven. It is possible to supply air alternatively to one of 9L and the right posture change air bag 9R. Further, the driving of the postural change pump 16 is stopped (in this state, the air flow from the discharge port side of the postural change pump 16 to the suction port side is a check incorporated in the postural change pump 16. Therefore, one of the two pipes 11L and 11R and the pipe 21 are communicated by the switching valve 19 and the switching valve 20 is opened, so that the left posture change air bag 9L and the right The air filled in one of the posture change air bladders 9R can be alternatively exhausted through the branch pipe 22.

  The other ends of the pipes 12L and 12R, each having one end connected to the left position detecting air bag 10L and the right position detecting air bag 10R, are connected to a common switching valve 18 provided in the control device 4. Yes. The switching valve 18 is a three-way valve to which the end of the pipe 23 communicating with the position detection pump 17 is connected in addition to the two pipes 12L and 12R. Of the three pipes 12L, 12R and 23, The two can be arbitrarily communicated. One end of the branch pipe 24 is connected to the middle of the pipe 23. The other end of the branch pipe 24 is connected to a pressure sensor 25 for detecting the pressure (air pressure) of the air in the position detection air bags 10L, 10R. Accordingly, the position detection pump 17 is driven in a state where one of the two pipes 12L and 12R is in communication with the pipe 23 by the switching valve 18, whereby the left position detection air bag 10L and the right position detection air bag 10 are driven. It is possible to supply air alternatively to one of 10R. Further, the driving of the position detection pump 17 is stopped (in this state, the air flow from the discharge port side to the suction port side of the position detection pump 17 is a check incorporated in the position detection pump 17. Therefore, one of the two pipes 12L and 12R and the pipe 23 are communicated with each other by the switching valve 18 so that one of the left position detecting air bag 10L and the right position detecting air bag 10R is connected. The air filled in is guided to the pressure sensor 25 through the branch pipe 24, and the air pressure can be detected alternatively.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing an operation mode for preventing a sleeper from snoring by the snoring prevention apparatus 1.
At the start of use of the snoring prevention device 1, by switching the switching valve 19, the two pipes 11 </ b> L and 11 </ b> R are sequentially communicated with the pipe 21 and the postural change pump 16 is driven, whereby the left posture changing air bag 9 </ b> L and the right posture. Air is supplied to the conversion air bag 9R. As a result, when the snoring prevention device 1 is in use (when the sleeping person is sleeping without snoring), as shown in FIG. 5A, the left body position conversion air bag 9L and the right body position conversion are performed. The air bag 9R is filled with a predetermined amount of air so that the air pressure is about 0.5 kPa. Accordingly, since the sleeping person's head H can be received by the left posture changing air bag 9L and the right posture changing air bag 9R with an appropriate elasticity, the sleeping person can sleep comfortably. While the snoring prevention device 1 is in use, the left position detection air bag 10L and the right position detection air bag 10R are also filled with air at a predetermined pressure.

  If it is determined that the sleeping person is snoring while the snoring prevention device 1 is in use, the two pipes 12L and 12R are switched by switching the switching valve 18 in a state where the driving of the position detection pump 17 is stopped. By sequentially communicating with the piping 23, the air filled in the left position detection air bag 10L and the right position detection air bag 10R is sequentially guided to the pressure sensor 25, and each position detection air bag 10L, The air pressure in 10R is detected. Thereby, it can be determined that the sleeping person's head H is close to the position detection air bags 10L and 10R where the detected air pressure is high.

  If it is determined by detecting the air pressure in the position detection air bags 10L and 10R that the sleeping person's head H is on the right side, the switching valve 19 is switched to connect the piping 11R and the piping 21 to each other. In this state, the posture changing pump 16 is driven to supply air to the right posture changing air bag 9R. As a result, as shown in FIG. 5 (b), the sleeping person's head H is tilted to the left side, and the sleeping person is urged to turn to the left-side lying state, effectively preventing the sleeping person from snoring. Can do.

  Thereafter, when a predetermined time elapses, the switching valve 20 is opened in a state where the pipe 11R and the pipe 21 are in communication with each other, so that the air filled in the right posture change air bag 9R passes through the branch pipe 22. It will be exhausted through. When exhaust of the air in the right posture change air bladder 9R is completed, the switching valve 20 is closed in a state where the pipe 11R and the pipe 21 are in communication, and the posture change pump 16 is driven, so that the right posture change is performed. The air bag 9R is supplied with air again, and the air pressure in the right posture changing air bag 9R is set to the same level as the air pressure in the left posture changing air bag 9L.

  On the other hand, if it is determined by detecting the air pressure in the position detection air bags 10L and 10R that the sleeping person's head H is on the left side, the switching valve 19 is switched to switch the piping 11L and the piping 21. In this state, the posture changing pump 16 is driven to supply air to the left posture changing air bag 9L. As a result, as shown in FIG. 5C, the sleeper's head H is tilted to the right, prompting the sleeper to turn to the right-side lying state, and effectively preventing the sleeper's snoring. Can do.

  Thereafter, when a predetermined time elapses, the switching valve 20 is opened in a state where the pipe 11L and the pipe 21 are communicated with each other, so that the air filled in the left posture changing air bag 9L passes through the branch pipe 22. It will be exhausted through. When exhaust of the air in the left posture changing air bag 9L is completed, the switching valve 20 is closed in a state where the pipe 11L and the pipe 21 are in communication with each other, and the posture changing pump 16 is driven, thereby changing the left posture. The air bag 9L is supplied with air again, and the air pressure in the left posture changing air bag 9L is set to be the same as the air pressure in the right posture changing air bag 9R.

  However, the configuration is such that the sleeper's head H is tilted by supplying air to the posture-changing air bags 9L, 9R on the side where the sleeper's head H is determined to be approaching. The configuration in which the sleeping person's head H is inclined by exhausting the air in the posture changing air bags 9L and 9R on the opposite side to the side on which the sleeping person's head H is determined to be approaching. It may be. In this case, if the posture-changing air bags 9L and 9R are inflated larger in advance, the inclination of the head H when the air in one posture-changing air bag is exhausted can be made remarkable. Even with such a configuration, the sleeper can be urged to turn over and the snorer can be effectively prevented from snoring, as in the case of the above embodiment.

  In this embodiment, the position of the sleeping person is detected based on the pressure of the air in the position detection air bags 10L, 10R, and the air supply to the pair of body position changing air bags 9L, 9R is based on the detection result. Alternatively, exhaust can be performed. Therefore, air can be supplied to or exhausted from the pair of postural change air bags 9L and 9R in an appropriate manner to change the posture of the sleeping person (a more effective way to encourage the sleeping person to turn over). Thus, the posture of the sleeping person can be effectively changed, and the snoring of the sleeping person can be effectively prevented.

  In addition, when the position detection air bags 10L and 10R are left to stand for a long time with air filled therein, the air in the position detection air bags 10L and 10R naturally leaks and the air inside the air bags Even when the pressure of the air pressure drops, the position detection pump 17 is driven to supply air to the position detection air bags 10L and 10R, and the internal air pressure is changed to a predetermined pressure (detected by the pressure sensor 25). Pressure required to do).

  Further, since the position of the sleeping person can be detected based on the pressure of the air in the position detection air bags 10L and 10R associated with the posture changing air bags 9L and 9R, any position changing air bag can be detected. It is possible to satisfactorily determine whether to supply or exhaust air to the air bags 9L and 9R. Accordingly, the posture of the sleeping person can be converted more effectively, and the snoring of the sleeping person can be more effectively prevented.

Further, by switching the switching valve 18, the air in the position detection air bags 10L, 10R can be guided to the pressure sensor 25 as appropriate, and the pressure of the air in the position detection air bags 10L, 10R can be detected. . Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a plurality of pressure sensors 25, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.
Furthermore, each of the position detection air bags 10L and 10R can receive the sleeping person's head H via the corresponding body position changing air bags 9L and 9R. As a result, the position detection air bags 10L and 10R receive the load on the body position conversion air bags 9L and 9R, and based on the pressure of the air in the position detection air bags 10L and 10R, the sleeper's Since the position can be detected, it is possible to better determine which of the postural change air bags 9L and 9R should be supplied or exhausted. Therefore, the position of the sleeping person can be converted more effectively, and the snoring of the sleeping person can be more effectively prevented.

  FIG. 6 is a plan view of the pillow portion 3A provided in the snoring prevention device 1A according to another embodiment. FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram showing the piping arrangement of the snoring prevention apparatus 1A. In this embodiment, instead of supplying air to the position detection air bags 10L, 10R by driving the position detection pump 17 as in the above embodiment, the body position conversion air bag is driven by driving the body position conversion pump 16. It is possible to supply air to the position detection air bags 10L and 10R via 9L and 9R. Accordingly, the position detection pump 17 is omitted, and the arrangement of the piping is such that the air supply to the position detection air bags 10L and 10R can be performed via the body position conversion air bags 9L and 9R. Since the configuration is the same as that of the above-described embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the drawings and the description thereof is omitted.

  With reference to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, to the left position detection air bag 10 </ b> L, in addition to the pipe 12 </ b> L communicating with the control device 4, a pipe 26 </ b> L communicating with the left body position conversion air bag 9 </ b> L is connected. In addition to the pipe 12R communicating with the control device 4, a pipe 26R communicating with the right body position changing air bag 9R is connected to the right position detecting air bladder 10R. Each of the pipes 26L and 26R is formed of an elastic member such as a silicon tube, for example.

  By switching one of the two pipes 11L and 11R and the pipe 21 by the switching valve 19 and driving the posture changing pump 16 with the switching valve 20 closed, the left posture changing air bag 9L and The air can be selectively supplied to one of the right posture change air bags 9R, and the position detection air bags 10L and 10R corresponding to the posture change air bags 9L and 9R that are supplied with the air. In contrast, air can be supplied through the pipes 26L and 26R. Check valves 27L and 27R are provided in the middle of the pipes 26L and 26R, and the air in the position detection air bags 10L and 10R flows back to the corresponding body position changing air bags 9L and 9R. Can be prevented.

  In addition to these two pipes 12L and 12R, the switching valve 18 (three-way valve) to which the two pipes 12L and 12R communicating with the left position detection air bag 10L and the right position detection air bag 10R are connected in common is added. A pipe 28 communicating with the pressure sensor 25 is connected. Therefore, by making one of the two pipes 12L and 12R communicate with the pipe 28 by the switching valve 18, the air filled in one of the left position detection air bag 10L and the right position detection air bag 10R is supplied. The pressure can be guided to the pressure sensor 25 to selectively detect the air pressure.

  In this embodiment, the position of the sleeping person is detected based on the pressure of the air in the position detection air bags 10L, 10R, and the air supply to the pair of body position changing air bags 9L, 9R is based on the detection result. Alternatively, exhaust can be performed. Therefore, air can be supplied to or exhausted from the pair of postural change air bags 9L and 9R in an appropriate manner to change the posture of the sleeping person (a more effective way to encourage the sleeping person to turn over). Thus, the posture of the sleeping person can be effectively changed, and the snoring of the sleeping person can be effectively prevented.

  In addition, when the position detection air bags 10L and 10R are left to stand for a long time with air filled therein, the air in the position detection air bags 10L and 10R naturally leaks and the air inside the air bags Even when the pressure is reduced, the position change air bladders 9L and 9R are driven by the position change pump 16 to supply air to the position detection air bags 10L and 10R, and the internal air pressure is set to a predetermined value. Can be raised to the pressure (the pressure required to perform detection by the pressure sensor 25).

  Further, since the position of the sleeping person can be detected based on the pressure of the air in the position detection air bags 10L and 10R associated with the posture changing air bags 9L and 9R, any position changing air bag can be detected. It is possible to satisfactorily determine whether to supply or exhaust air to the air bags 9L and 9R. Accordingly, the posture of the sleeping person can be converted more effectively, and the snoring of the sleeping person can be more effectively prevented.

  In particular, since the air can be supplied to the position detection air bags 10L and 10R via the corresponding body position changing air bags 9L and 9R, the position detection is performed at the time of supplying air to the body position changing air bags 9L and 9R. The air bags 10L and 10R can be supplied with air at the same time. Therefore, the air for position detection can be supplied to the position detection air bags 10L, 10R using the means for supplying air to the body position conversion air bags 9L, 9R (position conversion pump 16). It is not necessary to provide a dedicated means (position detection pump 17) for supplying air to the bags 10L and 10R, and air can be supplied to the position detection air bags 10L and 10R with a simple configuration.

In addition, air can be supplied into the position detection air bags 10L and 10R each time air is supplied to the body position changing air bags 9L and 9R. Accordingly, the pressure of the air in the position detection air bags 10L and 10R can be maintained at a predetermined pressure (pressure necessary for detection by the pressure sensor 25), so that the position of the sleeping person is always detected well. can do.
Further, the check valves 27L and 27R can prevent the air in the position detection air bags 10L and 10R from flowing back to the corresponding body position changing air bags 9L and 9R. Even when the bags 9L and 9R are exhausted, the air in the corresponding position detection air bags 10L and 10R is not exhausted accordingly. Accordingly, the pressure of the air in the position detection air bags 10L and 10R can be maintained at a predetermined pressure (pressure necessary for detection by the pressure sensor 25), so that the position of the sleeping person is always detected well. can do.

Further, by switching the switching valve 18, the air in the position detection air bags 10L, 10R can be guided to the pressure sensor 25 as appropriate, and the pressure of the air in the position detection air bags 10L, 10R can be detected. . Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a plurality of pressure sensors 25, so that the manufacturing cost can be reduced.
Furthermore, each of the position detection air bags 10L and 10R can receive the sleeping person's head H via the corresponding body position changing air bags 9L and 9R. As a result, the position detection air bags 10L and 10R receive the load on the body position conversion air bags 9L and 9R, and based on the pressure of the air in the position detection air bags 10L and 10R, the sleeper's Since the position can be detected, it is possible to better determine which of the postural change air bags 9L and 9R should be supplied or exhausted. Therefore, the position of the sleeping person can be converted more effectively, and the snoring of the sleeping person can be more effectively prevented.

The present invention is not limited to the contents of the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims.
For example, the postural change air bag is not limited to one composed of a pair of left and right air bags (left posture change air bag 9L and right posture change air bag 9R), and is composed of three or more air bags. It may be a thing.

  Further, the position detection air bag is not limited to one constituted by a pair of left and right air bags (left position detection air bag 10L and right position detection air bag 10R), and is constituted by one air bag. It may be constituted by three or more air bags. The position detection air bag is not limited to a configuration built in the pillow portions 3 and 3A, and may be configured to be disposed outside the pillow portions 3 and 3A.

  The posture changing air bags 9L and 9R and the position detecting air bags 10L and 10R are not limited to receiving the sleeping person's head, but are configured to receive other parts of the sleeping person's body. May be.

It is a schematic perspective view which shows the installation aspect of the snoring prevention apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a left view of a pillow part. It is a top view of a pillow part. It is a circuit diagram which shows the piping arrangement | positioning of a snoring prevention apparatus. It is the schematic which shows the operation | movement aspect for preventing a snoring of a sleeping person by a snoring prevention apparatus. It is a top view of the pillow part with which the snoring prevention apparatus which concerns on other embodiment was equipped. It is a circuit diagram which shows the piping arrangement | positioning of the same snoring prevention apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

1,1A Snoring prevention device 9L Left posture change air bag 9R Right posture change air bag 10L Left position detection air bag 10R Right position detection air bag 15 Control board 16 Position change pump 17 Position detection pump 18, 19, 20 switching valve 25 pressure sensor 27L, 27R check valve H (sleeper) head

Claims (8)

A snoring prevention device for preventing a snoring of a sleeper,
A position sensing air bag that can receive a part of the sleeping person's body;
Position detecting means for detecting the position of the sleeping person based on the pressure of the air in the position detection air bag;
A plurality of postural change bladders capable of receiving a part of a sleeper's body;
Based on the detection result by the position detecting means, the posture changing means for preventing the snoring of the sleeper by changing the posture of the sleeper by supplying or exhausting air to the plurality of posture changing air bags. The snoring prevention apparatus characterized by including these.   2. The snoring prevention apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an air supply means for supplying air to the position detection air bag.   The snoring prevention apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the position detection air bags are provided in association with the plurality of body position changing air bags, respectively. The position detecting air bags are provided in association with the plurality of body position changing air bags,
3. The snoring prevention apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the air supply means supplies air to the position detection air bag via the corresponding body position changing air bag.   5. The snoring prevention apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising backflow prevention means for preventing the air in the position detection air bag from flowing back to the corresponding body position changing air bag. The position detecting means is
A pressure sensor for detecting the pressure of air in the position detection air bag;
Switching means for switching which of the plurality of position detection air bags associated with the plurality of body position conversion air bags guides the air in the position detection air bag to the pressure sensor. The snoring prevention apparatus in any one of Claims 3-5 characterized by the above-mentioned.   The snoring prevention apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein the position detection air bag can receive a part of a sleeping person's body through the corresponding body position changing air bag.   The snoring prevention apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein each of the position detection air bag and the body position changing air bag can receive a head of a sleeping person.

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