JP2009112463A - Cushion - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a cushion which has air cells respectively divided into a plurality of groups, enables an adjustment of the amount of air in the air cell for each group, and is integrally provided with an air volume adjustment device to avoid an unnecessarily large width. <P>SOLUTION: Each air cell 10, 20 is divided into four groups G1-G4. First through fourth communicating pipes 71-74 communicate with the inner air passage 60a and each group G1-G4. First through fourth solenoid valves 61-64 are provided in the respective first through fourth communicating pipes 71-74. An electric air pump 50 and a fifth solenoid valve 65 for discharging air are connected to the inner air passage 60a. Consequently, the amount of air in the air cell 10, 20 is adjusted for each group G1-G4. In addition, since the number of the solenoid valves is reduced as much as possible, the width of the cushion is not increased unnecessarily. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a pressure ulcer prevention cushion that is placed on a seating surface of, for example, a wheelchair or a chair and softly supports a seated person's buttocks.

  In general, this type of cushion includes a support member formed in a flat plate shape that can be placed on a seating surface of a wheelchair, and is formed so as to extend upward from the upper surface of the support member, and is aligned in a substantially horizontal direction. A plurality of air cells and air passages that communicate with each other in the air cells, and when the seated person sits on each air cell, the air pressure in each air cell becomes substantially equal to each other, and the pressure applied to the seated person's buttocks Is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

In addition, as another cushion, the support member is formed in a flat plate shape that can be placed on the bed, and is formed so as to extend upward from the upper surface of the support member, and the first group and the second group. A plurality of air cells that are arranged in a substantially horizontal direction, a first air passage that communicates with an air pump capable of supplying air and communicates with each air cell of the first group, and an air pump And a second air passage communicating with each air cell of the second group, a first on-off valve capable of blocking communication between the first air passage and the air pump, and a second air passage and the air pump. A second on-off valve capable of blocking communication, a third on-off valve capable of exhausting air in the first air passage, and a fourth on-off valve capable of exhausting air in the second air passage. That the air amount of the internal and to adjust for each group is known (e.g., see Patent Document 2.).
JP-T 6-510436 JP 2005-218731 A

  By the way, in the former cushion, the air passages are formed so as to communicate with each other in the air cells. Therefore, the air in each air cell moves so that the air pressures in all the air cells become substantially equal to each other. The pressure applied to the buttocks can be effectively dispersed.

  In the latter cushion, the amount of air in the first group of air cells can be arbitrarily adjusted by opening and closing the first on-off valve and the third on-off valve, and the second on-off valve and the fourth on-off valve can adjust the amount of air in the second group. The amount of air in the air cell can be arbitrarily adjusted. As a result, the amount of air can be adjusted for each group according to the patient's body shape and condition on the bed, and it is also possible to effectively prevent pressure ulcers that occur in the patient by supplying air to each group alternately. .

  Here, each of the cushions requires a plurality of air amount adjusting devices such as an air pump, a control device, and an on-off valve in order to adjust the air amount in each air cell. Are housed in a separate operation box, and the operation box and the cushion are connected by a flexible air pipe. For this reason, when placing the cushion on the seating surface of the wheelchair, it is necessary to attach the operation box to the side of the wheelchair, etc. There is a problem that the air piping connecting the operation box and the cushion obstructs the operation of the wheelchair.

  Therefore, in recent years, there is a demand for a cushion for a seating surface in which each air amount adjusting device is integrally provided. Further, the cushion for the seating surface is required to divide each air cell into a plurality of groups and adjust the amount of air in the air cell for each group.

  However, since each air amount adjusting device is not small with respect to the entire volume of the cushion for the seating surface, providing each air amount adjusting device integrally increases the thickness of the cushion, for example, When a cushion is placed on the seating surface of a wheelchair, the seating position becomes high and the posture of the seated person becomes unstable. It is possible to limit the thickness dimension of the cushion by reducing the height dimension of each air cell, but reducing the height dimension of each air cell is necessary for softly supporting the seated person's buttocks. There was also a problem that it was not preferable. Here, in the latter cushion, each air cell is divided into two groups, and two open / close valves are provided for each group. However, each open / close valve is also provided for the entire volume of the cushion for the seating surface. However, the volume occupied by the on-off valves increases as the number of on-off valves increases, which is not preferable in solving the above problems.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and its object is to divide each air cell into a plurality of groups and to adjust the amount of air in the air cell for each group, and to achieve a thickness. An object of the present invention is to provide a cushion in which an air amount adjusting device can be integrally provided so that the size does not become unnecessarily large.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a cushion that is placed on a predetermined seating surface and supports a seated person's buttocks, arranged so as to be aligned in a substantially horizontal direction and divided into a plurality of groups. The air cell is formed so as to extend along the seating surface, and communicates with the air cell of each group while communicating with the support member for supporting each air cell, the first air passage, and the first air passage, respectively. A plurality of second air passages, a plurality of on-off valves capable of blocking communication between the second air passages and the first air passages, an air pump capable of supplying air into the first air passages, and first air And an exhaust on-off valve capable of exhausting the air in the passage.

  As a result, each air cell is divided into a plurality of groups, each second air passage communicates with each first air passage and each group air cell, and each on-off valve communicates with each second air passage. For each group, there is an air pump capable of blocking communication with one air passage, and an air pump capable of supplying air to the first air passage and an exhaust valve capable of exhausting air in the first air passage. The amount of air in the air cell can be adjusted. In addition, since one on-off valve is provided for each group of air cells and one on-off valve for exhaust is provided, the amount of air in the air cell can be adjusted for each group. The number can be reduced as much as possible.

  According to the present invention, since the number of on-off valves can be reduced as much as possible, an air amount adjusting device such as an air pump, a control device, and an exhaust on-off valve is integrated with the cushion so that the thickness dimension is not increased unnecessarily. It is extremely advantageous when it is provided.

  1 to 3 show an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a plan view of the cushion, FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the cushion. In addition, description of the direction in the following sentences applies to the front-back direction, the seating surface width direction, and the up-down direction shown in FIG.1, FIG2 and FIG.3. Further, the seating surface width direction and the width direction of the heel portion match, and the front-rear direction and the front-rear direction of the seating surface match.

  The cushion has a plurality of first air cells 10 arranged so as to be arranged in a substantially horizontal direction, a larger area in plan view than each first air cell 10, and is arranged in a substantially horizontal direction with each first air cell 10. The two second air cells 20 arranged in this manner, a flexible support member 30 that is formed so as to extend along the seating surface of the wheelchair, for example, and supports the lower ends of the air cells 10 and 20, respectively, and each air cell A front end side support member 40 provided on the front end side of the seating surface with respect to the air cell group 10, 20, a known electric air pump 50, and a five-way electromagnetic valve 60 connected to the electric air pump 50. A first communication pipe 71, a second communication pipe 72, a third communication pipe 73, and a fourth communication pipe 74 that connect the five-way solenoid valve 60 and each air cell 10, 20. And a control unit 80.

  Each first air cell 10 is made of a flexible material such as rubber or plastic. Further, each first air cell 10 is formed in a bag shape having an opening at the lower end and capable of enclosing air therein, and extends upward from the upper surface of the support member 30.

  Each second air cell 20 is made of a flexible material such as rubber or plastic. Each second air cell 20 is formed in a bag shape having an opening at the lower end and capable of enclosing air therein, and extends upward from the upper surface of the support member 30.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the air cells 10 and 20 are divided into a first group G1, a second group G2, a third group G3, and a fourth group G4.

  The support member 30 includes an upper sheet-like member 31 and a lower sheet-like member 32. Each of the sheet-like members 31 and 32 is made of a flexible material such as rubber or plastic, and each of the sheet-like members 31 and 32 is formed in a flat plate shape. The lower surface of the upper sheet-like member 31 is bonded to the upper surface of the lower sheet-like member 32 with an adhesive or the like. The upper sheet-like member 31 is formed integrally with each air cell 10, 20, and the upper sheet-like member 31 is continuous with the lower end side of each air cell 10, 20. Thereby, the lower end side of each air cell 10, 20 is supported by the support member 30. The lower sheet-like member 32 is provided with a plurality of through holes 32a, and each through-hole 32a penetrates the lower sheet-like member 32 in the vertical direction and is provided so as to correspond to each first air cell 10 one by one. The second air cells 20 are provided so as to correspond to two each. The front end side of the seating surface of the support member 30 has a thickness dimension larger than that of other portions of the support member 30, and has a hollow portion 30a that opens downward.

  The front end side support member 40 is made of a sponge-like member such as urethane foam, and the lower end surface thereof is attached to the upper surface on the front end side of the support member 30 with an adhesive or the like. That is, the front end side support member 40 is supported at the lower end side by the support member 30, and the hollow portion 30 a of the support member 30 is disposed below the front end side support member 40. Further, the front end side support member 40 supports the vicinity of the thigh of the seated person.

  The electric air pump 50 is fixed in the box 51 with bolts or the like, and the box 51 is attached by being fitted into the hollow portion 30a of the support member 30 from below. Further, it is possible to further provide other equipment such as a pressure sensor in the box 51. The electric air pump 50 is connected to an internal air passage 60 a described later via a communication pipe 52.

  The five-series solenoid valve 60 includes first to fifth solenoid valves 61, 62, 63, 64, 65. In addition, an internal air passage 60 a that communicates the electromagnetic valves 61, 62, 63, 64, 65 with each other is provided inside the five-way electromagnetic valve 60. The five-way solenoid valve 60 is attached by being fitted into the hollow portion 30a of the support member 30 from below. It is also possible to fix the five-way solenoid valve 60 in the box and attach the box in the hollow portion 30a. The internal air passage 60a corresponds to the first air passage described in the claims, the first to fourth electromagnetic valves 61 to 64 correspond to the plurality of on-off valves described in the claims, and the fifth The electromagnetic valve 65 corresponds to the exhaust on-off valve described in the claims.

  The first to fourth communication pipes 71 to 74 are made of a well-known flexible rubber pipe or plastic pipe, and are inserted into the through holes 32a so as to communicate with the air cells 10 and 20. It has become. The first to fourth communication pipes 71 to 74 correspond to the second air passage described in the claims.

  The first communication pipe 71 communicates with the internal air passage 60a via the second electromagnetic valve 62 and also communicates with each first air cell 10 of the first group G1. The second communication pipe 72 communicates with the internal air passage 60a via the first electromagnetic valve 61 and also communicates with each first air cell 10 of the second group G2. The third communication pipe 73 communicates with the internal air passage 60a through the fourth electromagnetic valve 64 and also communicates with the air cells 10 and 20 of the third group G3. The fourth communication pipe 74 communicates with the internal air passage 60a via the third electromagnetic valve 61 and also communicates with the air cells 10 and 20 of the fourth group G4. The fifth electromagnetic valve 65 can exhaust the air in the internal air passage 60a.

  The control device 80 includes a known microcomputer having a CPU, a memory, and the like. The control device 80 is fixed in the box 81 with a bolt or the like, and is attached by fitting the box 81 into the hollow portion 30a of the support member 30 from below. Further, it is possible to further provide other equipment such as a pressure sensor in the box 81. In addition, it is possible to provide one box instead of the box 51 and the box 81, fix the electric air pump 50 and the control device 80 in the box, and attach the box in the hollow portion 30a. The control device 80 is connected to the electric air pump 50 and the electromagnetic valves 61 to 65 by a connection line (not shown), and controls the electric pump 50 and the electromagnetic valves 61 to 65 according to a predetermined program.

  The cushion configured as described above is used by being placed on a seating surface of a wheelchair, for example. In addition, a predetermined amount of air is sealed in the air cells 10 and 20 by the electric air pump 50 before the seated person is seated.

  Here, the first to fourth communication pipes 71, 72, 73, 74 communicate with the internal air passage 60a, respectively, and communicate with the air cells 10, 20 of the groups G1, G2, G3, G4, respectively. The 1st-4th solenoid valves 61, 62, 63, 64 can block | disconnect the communication with the 1st-4th communication pipes 71, 72, 73, 74 and the internal air passage 60a, respectively. Therefore, when a seated person sits on each air cell 10, 20, for example, the control device 80 opens the first to fourth electromagnetic valves 61, 62, 63, 64 and closes the fifth electromagnetic valve 65. Then, the amount of air in each of the air cells 10 and 20 is adjusted so that the air pressures in all of the air cells 10 and 20 are substantially equal to each other, and the pressure applied to the seated person's buttocks can be effectively dispersed.

  The air cells 10 and 20 are divided into groups G1, G2, G3, and G4. The first to fourth communication pipes 71, 72, 73, and 74 communicate with the internal air passage 60a, and the groups G1, G2 , G3, G4 communicate with the air cells 10, 20, respectively, and the first to fourth solenoid valves 61, 62, 63, 64 are connected to the first to fourth communication pipes 71, 72, 73, 74 and the internal air passage 60a. The electric air pump 50 capable of supplying air to the internal air passage 60a and the fifth electromagnetic valve 65 capable of exhausting the air in the internal air passage 60a are provided. The amount of air in the air cells 10 and 20 can be adjusted for each of G1, G2, G3, and G4. Therefore, it is possible to adjust the air amount for each of the groups G1, G2, G3, and G4 according to the weight of the seated person and the shape of the buttocks, and supply air to each of the groups G1, G2, G3, and G4 alternately. It is also possible to effectively prevent pressure ulcers that occur in the seated person.

  In addition, one electromagnetic valve 61, 62, 63, 64 is provided for each group G1, G2, G3, G4, and one fifth electromagnetic valve 65 is provided. Since the amount of air in the air cells 10 and 20 can be adjusted for each of G3 and G4, the number of solenoid valves can be reduced as much as possible.

  Thus, according to this embodiment, since the number of solenoid valves can be reduced as much as possible, the electromagnetic air pump 50, the control device 80, and each solenoid valve 61 to prevent the cushion thickness from becoming unnecessarily large. It is extremely advantageous to provide 65 integrally with the support member 30 of the cushion. Moreover, the electric power for driving the electromagnetic valve can be reduced, the manufacturing cost can be reduced according to the reduction in the number of electromagnetic valves, and the weight of the cushion can be reduced.

  Moreover, since each electromagnetic valve 61-65, the electric air pump 50, and the control apparatus 80 were attached to the support member 30, when each electromagnetic valve 61-65, the electric air pump 50, and the control apparatus 80 are provided separately from a cushion, In comparison, the cushion becomes easier to handle.

  Further, a front end side support member 40 is provided on the front end side of the seating surface with respect to the air cell group including the air cells 10 and 20, and the lower end side is supported by the support member 30 and supports the vicinity of the thigh of the seated person. I have. Further, the air amount adjusting devices such as the electromagnetic valves 61 to 65, the electric air pump 50, and the control device 80 are attached to the support member 30 so as to be disposed below the front end side support member 40. For this reason, each air quantity adjusting device is not disposed below each air cell 10, 20 that supports the occupant's buttocks, and the height dimension of each air cell 10, 20 can be increased as much as possible. That is, it is extremely advantageous for effectively dispersing the pressure applied to the seated person's buttocks. Further, since the seating surface of the wheelchair is usually flexible and the support member 30 is also flexible, when each air amount adjusting device is provided on the front end side of the support member 30, it is harder than the support member 30. Each air amount adjusting device acts as an anchor. That is, the movement of the cushion on the seating surface is regulated by each air amount adjusting device.

  An internal air passage 60a is provided inside the five-way solenoid valve 60, and the first to fourth solenoid valves 61 to 64 of the five-way solenoid valve 60 are connected to the communication pipes 71 to 74 and the internal air passage 60a. Since the fifth solenoid valve 65 of the five-way solenoid valve 60 can exhaust the air in the internal air passage 60a, the solenoid valve can be connected to each other. The volume occupied by the valves 61-65 can be reduced, and the electromagnetic air pump 50, the control device 80, and the electromagnetic valves 61-65 are integrated with the cushion support member 30 so that the thickness of the cushion does not increase unnecessarily. It is more advantageous in providing.

  In the present embodiment, the solenoid valves 61 to 65 are shown in a multiple connection type. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4, each electromagnetic valve 61 to 65 is composed of individual electromagnetic valves 61 to 65 that are not a multiple type, and each electromagnetic valve 61 to 65 is mounted in the hollow portion 30 a. While connecting each electromagnetic valve 61-65 to the 1st air passage 66, it is also possible to connect the 1st-4th electromagnetic valve 61-64 to the 1st-4th communication pipes 71-74, respectively. Even in this case, by opening and closing the first to fourth electromagnetic valves 61 to 64, the air amount in each air cell 10, 20 can be adjusted so that the air pressures in all the air cells 10, 20 are substantially equal to each other. The amount of air in the air cells 10 and 20 can be adjusted for each of G1, G2, G3, and G4, and the number of solenoid valves can be reduced as much as possible. Similar effects can be achieved.

  In the present embodiment, the air cells 10 and 20 are provided integrally with the upper sheet-like member 31 in the support member 30. On the other hand, the air cells 10 and 20 can be detachably provided on the support member 30, and even in this case, the same operational effects as described above can be achieved.

  In the present embodiment, the support member 30 supports the lower ends of the air cells 10 and 20. On the other hand, it is possible to form the support member 30 so as to support the center in the vertical direction of each of the air cells 10 and 20, and even in this case, it is possible to achieve the same effect as described above.

  In the present embodiment, the air cells 10 and 20 of the first to fourth groups G1 to G4 and the internal air passage 60a are communicated by the first to fourth communication pipes 71 to 74, respectively. On the other hand, four air passages corresponding to the first to fourth communication pipes 71 to 74 are provided in the support member 30, and the air cells 10 and 20 of the first to fourth groups G1 to G4 and these air passages It is also possible to communicate with the internal air passage 60a, and even in this case, it is possible to achieve the same effect as described above. Each of the air passages in the support member 30 can be provided with a groove formed on the upper surface of the lower sheet-like member 32, for example.

  Moreover, in this embodiment, what divided each air cell 10 and 20 into four groups G1-G4 was shown. On the other hand, the air cells 10 and 20 can be divided into two groups, and can be divided into five or more groups. Here, when each of the air cells 10 and 20 is divided into four groups G1 to G4, five solenoid valves 61 to 65 are required, and when each of the air cells 10 and 20 is divided into N groups, N + 1. One solenoid valve is required.

  In the present embodiment, the control device 80 is mounted in the hollow portion 30 a of the support member 30, and the electric air pump 50 and the electromagnetic valves 61 to 65 are controlled by the control device 80. On the other hand, an operation button is provided in place of the control device 80, the operation button is connected to the electric air pump 50 and each electromagnetic valve 61 to 65, and the electric air pump 50 and each electromagnetic valve 61 to 65 are operated by the operation button. It is also possible to do. Even in this case, it is possible to achieve the same effect as described above.

  It is also possible to separately provide a pressure sensor for detecting the air pressure in the internal air passage 60a. Here, the air cells 10 and 20 of the groups G1 to G4 communicate with the internal air passage 60a through the communication pipes 71 to 74, respectively, and the first to fourth electromagnetic valves 61 to 64 are connected to the communication pipes 71, respectively. -74 and the internal air passage 60a can be disconnected. For this reason, the air pressure in each of the air cells 10 and 20 can be detected for each of the groups G1 to G4 by the pressure sensor. For example, it is extremely advantageous for adjusting the air pressure in each of the air cells 10 and 20 for each of the groups G1 to G4. is there.

  It is also possible to provide a check valve capable of regulating the flow of air to the electric air pump 50 side in the communication pipe 52 that connects the internal air passage 60a and the electric air pump 50. As a result, the air sent from the electric air pump 50 to the internal air passage 60a does not flow backward to the electric air pump 50 side, which is advantageous in accurately adjusting the amount of air in each of the air cells 10, 20.

The top view of the cushion which shows one Embodiment in this invention AA line sectional view in FIG. Bottom view of cushion The bottom view of the cushion which shows the modification of this embodiment

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... 1st air cell, 20 ... 2nd air cell, 30 ... Support member, 40 ... Front end side support member, 50 ... Electric air pump, 51 ... Box, 60 ... Five-unit solenoid valve, 61 ... First solenoid valve, 62 2nd solenoid valve, 63 ... 3rd solenoid valve, 64 ... 4th solenoid valve, 65 ... 5th solenoid valve, 71 ... 1st communication pipe, 72 ... 2nd communication pipe, 73 ... 3rd communication pipe, 74 ... 4th communication pipe, 80 ... control device, 81 ... box.

Claims (7)

In the cushion that is placed on a predetermined seating surface and supports the buttocks of the seated person,
A plurality of air cells arranged in a substantially horizontal direction and divided into a plurality of groups;
A support member that is formed to extend along the seating surface and supports each air cell;
A first air passage;
A plurality of second air passages that respectively communicate with the first air passages and communicate with the air cells of each group;
A plurality of on-off valves each capable of blocking communication between each second air passage and the first air passage;
An air pump capable of supplying air into the first air passage;
An exhaust opening / closing valve capable of exhausting air in the first air passage. The cushion according to claim 1, wherein the support member is configured to support a lower end side of each air cell. The cushion according to claim 1, wherein the on-off valve, the air pump, and the exhaust on-off valve are attached to a support member. Provided on the front end side of the seating surface for the air cell group composed of each air cell, the lower end side is supported by the support member, and includes a front end side support member that supports the vicinity of the thigh of the seated person,
The cushion according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the on-off valve, the air pump, and the exhaust on-off valve are attached to the support member so as to be disposed below the front end side support member. Each on-off valve and exhaust on-off valve are constituted by each solenoid valve of a multiple solenoid valve, and the first air passage is constituted by an internal air passage provided in the multiple solenoid valve. The cushion according to claim 1, 2, 3 or 4. The cushion according to claim 1, further comprising a pressure sensor that detects an air pressure in the first air passage. The check valve according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6, further comprising a check valve capable of regulating air flow to the air pump side between the first air passage and the air pump. cushion.

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