JP2009082216A - Mat device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a compact mat device 6 preventing generation of a bedsore. <P>SOLUTION: The mat device 6 comprises a mat section 8 and a pressure adjusting section 10. The mat section 8 has a first cell 12 and a second cell 14. The first cell 12 and the second cell 14 respectively have porous bodies with deformation restoration property and bag bodies covering the porous bodies airtightly. The pressure adjusting section 10 has a compressor 28, a first valve 30, a second valve 32, a third valve 34, a fourth valve 35 and a control section 36. When the first valve 30 is "ON" and the second valve 32 is "OFF", air discharged from the first cell 12 is injected into the second cell 14 via the compressor 28. When the first valve 30 is "OFF" and the second valve 32 is "ON", air discharged from the second cell 14 is injected into the first cell 12 via the compressor 28. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a mat device applied to a chair, a bed and the like.

  When an inpatient lives a long-living life, a specific part of the human body is strongly pressed against the bed. The patient's body continues to be pressed locally. In the pressed area, poor circulation occurs. This poor circulation results in pressure ulcers. Similar pressure sores can occur when a disabled person continues to sit in a chair.

  For the purpose of pressure ulcer control, a mat made of a porous material having low resilience is used. This porous body easily deforms along the shape of the human body. Due to this deformation, the mat supports the weight in a large area. Since the pressure applied to the human body is dispersed by this mat, pressure ulcer is suppressed. Such a mat is commercially available under the trademark “Tempur”. In this mat, the pressure applied to the human body is dispersed, but a specific part of the human body continues to be compressed. With this mat, the pressure ulcer suppression effect is not sufficient.

An air mat that can suppress pressure ulcers has also been proposed. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a conventional air mat 2. The air mat 2 includes a large number of air chambers 4. Although not shown, in the air mat 2, a path is connected to each air chamber 4. Air is injected into the air chamber 4 through this path. Air is discharged from the air chamber 4 through this path. By injecting and discharging air, each air chamber 4 is expanded and contracted. Adjacent air chambers 4 are alternately expanded. The air mat 2 moves the part of the human body that is pressed. This air mat 2 can suppress pressure ulcers. Such mats are disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 7-42631, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-197672, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-65405, and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-204561.
Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 7-42631 JP 2000-197672 A JP 2002-65405 A JP 2006-204561 A

  Air is injected into the air chamber 4 by a compressor. A large, high-performance compressor is required for proper injection. However, beds, chairs, etc. may not have space for installing large compressors. In portable beds and wheelchairs, operability is impaired by the installation of heavy compressors. In addition, large compressors consume a lot of power and are noisy. Portable beds and wheelchairs require a battery to run the compressor. A large compressor consumes a large amount of power, so the battery drive time is short.

  It is an object of the present invention to provide a mat device that prevents pressure ulcers and is compact.

  The mat device according to the present invention includes a mat portion and a pressure adjusting portion. The mat portion includes a first cell and a second cell. Each of the first cell and the second cell includes a porous body having deformation restoring properties and a bag body that encloses the porous body in an airtight manner. The pressure adjustment unit can control injection of fluid into the first cell and discharge of fluid from the first cell. The pressure regulator may further control the injection of fluid into the second cell and the discharge of fluid from the second cell.

  Preferably, the pressure adjusting unit can inject the fluid discharged from the first cell into the second cell and inject the fluid discharged from the second cell into the second cell. The pressure adjusting member includes a first valve, a second valve, a third valve, a fourth valve, and a compressor. The first valve and the second valve are both two-position types. A first valve and a third valve are directly connected to the first cell. A first valve and a fourth valve are directly connected to the second cell. Due to the weight load, part of the fluid in the first cell and part of the fluid in the second cell are discharged from the third valve and the fourth valve, respectively. A state in which the fluid discharged from the first cell is injected into the second cell through the compressor by changing the positions of the first valve and the second valve after the third valve and the fourth valve are closed. And a state in which the fluid discharged from the second cell is injected into the first cell through the compressor.

  Preferably, the porous body has a flat upper surface. The upper surface and the lower surface of the porous body are joined to the bag body. Preferably, an interval between adjacent cells is 5 mm or more and 50 mm or less.

  In this mat apparatus, the weight is supported not only by the internal pressure of the fluid but also by the compressive stress of the porous body. Since the compressive stress of the porous body compensates the internal pressure of the fluid, a large amount of fluid does not need to flow. In this mat apparatus, it is sufficient if a small compressor is prepared. This mat device is compact.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on preferred embodiments with appropriate reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing a mat device 6 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The mat device 6 includes a mat portion 8 and a pressure adjusting portion 10. The mat device 6 is used by being laid on a seat plate of a chair.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the mat portion 8 of the mat device 6 of FIG. 3 is the same as FIG.
It is sectional drawing along the III-III line. The mat portion 8 includes a large number of first cells 12 and a large number of second cells 14. In this example, the mat portion 8 includes eight first cells 12 and eight second cells 14. The total number of cells is 16. The total number of cells is appropriately determined according to the application. In FIG. 1, one first cell 12 and one second cell 14 are shown for convenience. FIG. 3 also shows the path 16 and the path 18.

  As is apparent from FIG. 2, the first cells 12 and the second cells 14 are arranged alternately. The first cell 12 is located at a predetermined interval from the adjacent second cell 14. The planar shapes of the first cell 12 and the second cell 14 are substantially square. Other shaped cells may be used. The mat portion 8 may include three or more types of cells.

4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the first cell 12 of the mat portion 8 of FIG. Although not shown, the configuration of the second cell 14 is equivalent to the configuration of the first cell 12. The first cell 12 includes a porous body 20, a bag body 22, and a vent hole 24. The porous body 20 is accommodated in the bag body 22. The porous body 20 is substantially a rectangular parallelepiped. The porous body 20 has a flat upper surface 26. A typical size of the porous body 20 is 100 mm in length, 100 mm in width, and 40 mm in thickness. The volume of the bag body 22 is 400 cm ³ .

  The porous body 20 is a polymer molded body containing open cells. The porous body 20 is flexible. The porous body 20 is deformed by a load and restored by removing the load. A synthetic resin or rubber can be used as the base polymer of the porous body 20. Specific examples of the synthetic resin material include polyurethane, polyester, polyamide, polyolefin, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, silicone, and various thermoplastic elastomers. Specific examples of rubber include natural rubber, polyisoprene, polybutadiene, styrene-butadiene copolymer, acrylonitrile-butadiene copolymer, and ethylene-propylene-diene copolymer. From the viewpoint of processability, polyurethane is preferred. Either ester polyurethane or ether polyurethane can be used. Ether-based polyurethanes excellent in shape restoration properties are preferred.

  The bubbles of the porous body 20 are obtained by chemical or physical treatment. Specific production methods include a method of using a volatile gas at the time of a chemical reaction, a method of mixing a foaming agent, and a method of foaming at the time of stirring.

  Explosive methods and elution methods may be mentioned as production methods suitable for the formation of open cells. In the explosion method, after the block is foam-molded, the bubble wall of the single foam is broken by the explosive force to form open cells. In the elution method, after a block is injection-molded from a material in which a fine powder of calcium carbonate is kneaded, the block is immersed in hydrochloric acid water to elute powdered calcium carbonate.

  The bag body 22 is flexible and air impermeable. The bag body 22 encloses the porous body 20 in an airtight manner. The bag body 22 is made of a synthetic resin film. Examples of the base polymer of the bag body 22 include polyurethane, polyolefin, polyvinyl chloride, polyamide, and polyester. Specific examples of the polyolefin include polyethylene and polypropylene. The bag body 22 may be formed by laminating a plurality of films of different materials.

  The bag body 22 may be manufactured from the sheet | seat in which the film made from a thermoplastic resin is welded and laminated | stacked on the fabric. Examples of the film material include polyamide, polyurethane, polyester, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, and polyolefin.

  The vent hole 24 is formed in the bag body 22. The passage 16 is passed through the vent hole 24.

  The upper surface 26 of the porous body 20 is joined to the bag body 22. Examples of the bonding means include an adhesive or heat welding. By applying a liquid polymer composition to the surface of the porous body 20, the bag body 22 made of this polymer composition may be obtained. The bag body 22 obtained by coating adheres firmly to the porous body 20.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the pressure adjustment unit 10 includes a compressor 28, a first valve 30, a second valve 32, a third valve 34, a fourth valve 35, a control unit 36, a first flow meter 38, a second flow rate. A total 40, a first pressure gauge 42 and a second pressure gauge 44 are provided. The control unit 36 includes an A / D converter 46 and a D / A converter 48.

  The compressor 28 includes an IN port and an OUT port. Air is sucked into the compressor 28 by the IN port. Air is exhausted from the compressor 28 through the OUT port. Electric power is supplied to the compressor 28 from a battery (not shown).

  The first valve 30 includes an A port, two P ports, and two R ports. When the switch of the first valve 30 is “OFF”, the A port communicates with each R port. When the switch of the first valve 30 is “ON”, the A port communicates with each P port. The first valve 30 is a two-position type. The configuration of the second valve 32 is the same as the configuration of the first valve 30. One P port of the first valve 30 is connected to one P port of the second valve 32. One R port of the first valve 30 is connected to one R port of the second valve 32. A so-called manifold valve is formed by the first valve 30 and the second valve 32.

  The other P port of the first valve 30 is connected to the second cell 14 by a path 18. The other R port of the first valve 30 is connected to the first cell 12 by a path 16. The other P port of the second valve 32 is closed. The other R port of the second valve is closed.

  A first pressure gauge and a third valve are disposed in the middle of the path 16. Although not shown in FIG. 1, the path 16 is branched and connected to the eight first cells 12. A second pressure gauge and a fourth valve are arranged in the middle of the path 18. Although not shown in FIG. 1, the path 18 is branched and connected to the eight second cells 14.

  The OUT port of the compressor 28 is connected to the A port of the first valve 30 by a path 54. A first flow meter 38 is disposed in the middle of this path 54. The IN port of the compressor 28 is connected to the A port of the second valve 32 by a path 56. A second flow meter 40 is arranged in the middle of this path 56.

  In the mat device 6, the first valve and the third valve are directly connected to the first cell. Further, in the mat device 6, the first valve and the fourth valve are directly connected to the second cell.

  The A / D converter 46 converts an analog signal transmitted from the first flow meter 38, the second flow meter 40, the first pressure gauge 42, and the second pressure gauge 44 into a digital signal. The D / A converter 48 converts the digital signal into an analog signal and transmits it to the first valve 30, the second valve 32, the third valve 34 and the fourth valve 35. The control unit 36 controls the first valve 30, the second valve 32, the third valve 34, and the fourth valve 35 based on the digital signal converted by the A / D converter 46.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of how to use the mat device 6 of FIG. In the initial state, the third valve 34 and the fourth valve 35 are opened. Accordingly, the first cell 12 and the second cell 14 are in communication with the atmosphere. Air is contained inside the first cell 12 and the second cell 14.

  A user sits on a chair on which the mat device 6 is laid on a seat plate (STEP 1). By sitting, the first cell 12 and the second cell 14 are weighted. The porous body 20 of the first cell 12 and the second cell 14 undergoes compression deformation. A part of the air in the first cell 12 is discharged to the atmosphere through the path 16 and the third valve 34. The remaining air remains in the first cell 12. A part of the air in the second cell 14 is discharged to the atmosphere through the path 18 and the fourth valve 35. The remaining air remains in the second cell 14. The body weight is supported by the porous body 20.

  After a predetermined time has elapsed from the seating (STEP 1), the third valve 34 and the fourth valve 35 are closed (STEP 2). Further, the first valve 30 is turned “ON” and the second valve 32 is turned “OFF” (STEP 3). When the first valve 30 is “ON”, the OUT port of the compressor 28 communicates with the second cell 14. When the second valve 32 is “OFF”, the IN port of the compressor 28 communicates with the first cell 12. The air in the first cell 12 is discharged from the first cell 12 by the operation of the compressor 28. This air flows to the compressor 28 through the path 16, the first valve 30, the second valve 32 and the path 56. Air is drawn into the compressor 28 through the IN port. This air is exhausted from the OUT port of the compressor 28 and flows to the second cell 14 through the path 54, the first valve 30 and the path 18. Air is injected into the second cell 14. By discharging air from the first cell 12, the first cell 12 is depressurized. The second cell 14 is pressurized by injecting air into the second cell 14.

  The flow rate of air is measured by the first flow meter 38 and the second flow meter 40. When the predetermined amount of air flows, the second valve 32 is turned “ON” (STEP 4). In the first valve 30, the “ON” state is maintained. In this state, the internal pressure of the first cell 12 is maintained, and the internal pressure of the second cell 14 is also maintained. Since the internal pressure of the second cell 14 is high and the internal pressure of the first cell 12 is low, the portion of the human body M (see FIG. 3) that is in contact with the second cell 14 is strongly pressed and is in contact with the first cell 12. The part that is being pressed is not pressed. Blood circulation failure does not occur at the portion in contact with the first cell 12.

  After a predetermined time has elapsed, the first valve 30 is turned “OFF” (STEP 5). The second valve 32 is maintained in the “ON” state. When the first valve 30 is “OFF”, the OUT port of the compressor 28 communicates with the first cell 12. By turning on the second valve 32, the IN port of the compressor 28 communicates with the second cell 14. The operation of the compressor 28 causes the air in the second cell 14 to be discharged from the second cell 14. This air flows to the compressor 28 through the path 18, the first valve 30, the second valve 32 and the path 56. Air is drawn into the compressor 28 through the IN port. This air is exhausted from the OUT port of the compressor 28 and flows to the first cell 12 through the path 54, the first valve 30 and the path 16. Air is injected into the first cell 12. The second cell 14 is depressurized by the discharge of air from the second cell 14. The first cell 12 is pressurized by the injection of air into the first cell 12.

  The flow rate of air is measured by the first flow meter 38 and the second flow meter 40. When the predetermined amount of air has moved, the second valve 32 is turned “OFF” (STEP 6). In the first valve 30, the “OFF” state is maintained. In this state, the internal pressure of the first cell 12 is maintained, and the internal pressure of the second cell 14 is also maintained. Since the internal pressure of the first cell 12 is high and the internal pressure of the second cell 14 is low, the portion of the human body M that is in contact with the first cell 12 is strongly compressed, and the portion of the human cell M that is in contact with the second cell 14 is compressed. Not. Blood circulation failure does not occur at the portion in contact with the second cell 14.

  While the user is seated, the step (STEP 6) in which the internal pressure of the first cell 12 is maintained is repeated from the step (STEP 3) in which air is injected into the second cell 14. When the use is terminated, the third valve 34 and the fourth valve 35 are opened (STEP 7). By opening, the first cell 12 and the second cell 14 communicate with the atmosphere.

  The first pressure gauge 42 detects the internal pressure of the first cell 12. If the internal pressure of the second cell 14 is excessive, air is discharged through the third valve 34. The second pressure gauge 44 detects the internal pressure of the second cell 14. If the internal pressure of the second cell 14 is excessive, air is discharged through the fourth valve 35. The puncture of the cells 12 and 14 is prevented by the discharge.

  In this mat apparatus 6, when the 1st cell 12 is in a pressure-reduced state, the site | part which contact | abuts to this 1st cell 12 among the human bodies M is not compressed. When the second cell 14 is in a reduced pressure state, a portion of the human body M that contacts the second cell 14 is not compressed. In this mat device 6, poor blood circulation for a long time does not occur in a specific part. In this mat apparatus 6, pressure sores are suppressed.

  As described above, the upper surface 26 of the porous body 20 is joined to the bag body 22. Therefore, even if internal pressure is applied to the bag body 22, the bag body 22 does not bulge upward. The shape of the porous body 20 is reflected in the shape of the bag body 22. Accordingly, the seat surface of the mat portion 8 is substantially flat. In the air mat 2 shown in FIG. 6, the air chamber 4 bulges upward due to the internal pressure. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6, the contact area between the air mat 2 and the human body M is small. A small contact area gives the user a sense of incongruity. As is clear from FIG. 3, in the mat device 6 according to the present invention, the contact area between the mat portion 8 and the human body M is large. The mat device 6 gives comfort to the user.

  In FIG. 6, the distance indicated by the arrow X <b> 2 is the distance between the portions where the human body and the air mat 2 are not in contact. As described above, since the contact area between the air mat 2 and the human body M is small, the distance X is large. Therefore, in order to alleviate the user's uncomfortable feeling, the distance Y2 between the air chamber 4 and the adjacent air chamber 4 needs to be set small. In the mat apparatus 6 according to the present invention, as shown in FIG. 3, the distance X1 is equal to the distance X2 although the distance Y1 between the first cell 12 and the second cell 14 adjacent thereto is larger than the distance Y2. Smaller than. In other words, in the mat device 6, the distance Y1 can be set large. The large distance Y1 contributes to the air permeability of the mat portion 8. In the mat device 6, the stuffiness can be suppressed. In light of suppression of stuffiness, the distance Y1 is preferably 5 mm or more, and more preferably 7 mm or more. From the viewpoint of suppressing the uncomfortable feeling, the distance Y1 is preferably 50 mm or less, and more preferably 30 mm or less.

  It is preferable that not only the upper surface 26 but also the lower surface 58 (see FIG. 4) of the porous body 20 is joined to the bag body 22. The mat portion 8 is stabilized by the joining of the upper surface 26 and the lower surface 58. It is preferable that the side surface 60 of the porous body 20 is not joined to the bag body 22. Since the site | part which contact | abuts the side surface 60 of the bag body 22 is free, the internal pressure of the cells 12 and 14 can be optimized.

  Hereinafter, the effects of the present invention will be clarified by examples. However, the present invention should not be construed in a limited manner based on the description of the examples.

[Example]
The mat apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 was prepared. The volume of each cell of this mat device is 400 cc. The total volume of all cells is 6400 cc. Using this mat device, the flow shown in FIG. 5 was executed. By sitting (STEP 1), 2200 cc of air was discharged from the mat portion to the atmosphere. Therefore, the air remaining in the mat portion is 4200 cc. When all the air in the second cell flows to the first cell in STEP 3, the flow rate of air is 2100 cc. When all the air in the first cell flows to the second cell in STEP 5, the air flow rate is 4200 cc.

[Comparative example]
An air mat shown in FIG. 6 was prepared. This air mat includes eight first air chambers and eight second air chambers. The volume of each air chamber is 400 cc. The total volume of all air chambers is 6400 cc. Since this air mat does not include a porous body, all the air chambers need to be filled with air prior to sitting. The flow rate of air for this filling is 6400 cc. When all the air in the second air chamber flows into the first air chamber, the air flow rate is 3200 cc. Thereafter, when all the air in the first air chamber flows into the second air chamber, the flow rate of the air is 6400 cc.

[Contrast]
The results of comparing the mat device of the example and the air mat of the comparative example are shown below.

Example Comparative Example Preparation Step 0cc 6400cc
First air movement 2100cc 3200cc
Second air movement 4200cc 6400cc

  As is apparent from this evaluation result, the air flow rate is small in the mat device of the example. In this mat apparatus, the load applied to the compressor is small. In this mat apparatus, it is sufficient if a small compressor is prepared. A small compressor consumes less power and produces less noise. When this mat device is used for a wheelchair, a small battery is sufficient.

  The mat device according to the present invention can be used not only for a chair but also for a bed, a sofa, and the like.

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing a mat device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a mat portion of the mat device of FIG. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the first cell of the mat portion of FIG. 3 together with a part of the path. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a method of using the mat device of FIG. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a conventional air mat.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 6 ... Mat apparatus 8 ... Mat part 10 ... Pressure adjustment part 12 ... 1st cell 14 ... 2nd cell 20 ... Porous body 22 ... Bag body 28 ... Compressor 30 ... first valve 32 ... second valve 34 ... third valve 35 ... fourth valve 36 ... control unit

Claims (5)

It has a mat part and a pressure adjustment part,
The mat portion includes a first cell and a second cell,
Each of the first cell and the second cell has a porous body having deformation restoring properties, and a bag body that encloses the porous body in an airtight manner.
A mat in which the pressure adjusting unit controls the injection of fluid into the first cell and the discharge of fluid from the first cell, and can control the injection of fluid into the second cell and the discharge of fluid from the second cell. apparatus.   The mat apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pressure adjusting unit can inject the fluid discharged from the first cell into the second cell and inject the fluid discharged from the second cell into the second cell. The pressure adjusting member includes a first valve, a second valve, a third valve, a fourth valve, and a compressor,
Both the first and second valves are two-position types.
The first valve and the third valve are directly connected to the first cell,
The first valve and the fourth valve are directly connected to the second cell,
Due to the weight load, a part of the fluid in the first cell and a part of the fluid in the second cell are discharged from the third valve and the fourth valve, respectively.
A state in which the fluid discharged from the first cell is injected into the second cell through the compressor by changing the positions of the first valve and the second valve after the third valve and the fourth valve are closed. The mat device according to claim 2, wherein the mat device is configured to be able to be switched between a state in which the fluid discharged from the second cell is injected into the first cell through the compressor.   The mat device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the porous body has a flat upper surface, and the upper surface and the lower surface of the porous body are joined to the bag body.   The mat apparatus according to claim 4, wherein an interval between adjacent cells is 5 mm or more and 50 mm or less.

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