JP2010233614A - Seating posture assumption device in chair - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a seating posture assumption device in a chair that can easily and inexpensively assume a seating posture of a user who sits on a chair. <P>SOLUTION: A seating sensor 18, outputting a seating status or seat-leaving status by measuring the capacitance between detection electrodes 13 and comparing the measured value with the preset value of the capacitance, assumes user's seating posture by providing a plurality of seating sensors 18 on the seat surface 12 and back face 11 of a chair 1. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a seating posture assumption device for a chair that assumes a user's sitting posture using a seating sensor that detects a user's sitting state or leaving state using a pair of detection electrodes.

  Conventionally, the seating surface (seat) and backrest (backrest) of a chair are provided with multiple pressure measuring means for measuring the pressure applied to the seating surface and backrest, and the human body (user) is seated. Thus, there is a seating state evaluation device that evaluates the seating state of the human body on the seating portion and the backrest using the pressure value measured by the pressure measuring means (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2004-85435 A (page 4, FIG. 1)

  However, in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to attach the pressure measuring means to the seating surface portion (seat portion) and the backrest surface portion (backrest) of the chair, and pressure measurement is performed by detecting mechanical contact. Therefore, there is a problem that the installation cost increases.

  The present invention has been made paying attention to such problems, and an object thereof is to provide a seating posture assumption device for a chair that can easily and inexpensively assume a seating posture of a user sitting on a chair. To do.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, a seating posture assumption device in a chair according to claim 1 of the present invention,
In a chair provided with a seating sensor for detecting a user's sitting state or leaving state by a pair of detection electrodes,
The seating sensor measures a capacitance between the detection electrodes, and compares the measured value of the capacitance with a preset value to output a seated state or a seated state. ,
The seating posture of the user is assumed by providing a plurality of seating sensors on the seat surface and the back surface of the chair.
According to this feature, the seating posture of the user sitting on the chair can be assumed at low cost by providing only one type of seating sensor with a simple configuration on the seating surface and the back surface. Also, for example, a seating sensor placed on a cushion placed on the seat surface of a chair or a cushion attached to the back surface of the chair, and the seating sensor is removed and used for other chairs. can do.

The sitting posture assumption device in the chair according to claim 2 of the present invention is the chair according to claim 1,
A plurality of the seating sensors are arranged in parallel in the front-rear direction of the seating surface and the vertical direction of the back surface.
According to this feature, it is possible to detect the deviation of the posture of the user sitting on the chair in the front-rear direction. For example, how deeply the user sits on the seating surface and how much the user leans on the back surface. It is possible to assume a seating posture such as whether it is hanging more precisely.

The sitting posture assumption device in the chair according to claim 3 of the present invention is the chair according to claim 1 or 2,
A plurality of the seating sensors are arranged side by side in the left-right direction between the seating surface and the back surface.
According to this feature, since it is possible to detect a lateral deviation of the posture of the user sitting on the chair, for example, it is possible to further assume the sitting posture such as whether the user is crossing legs it can.
In addition, by arranging a plurality of seating sensors in combination of the front-rear direction of the seating surface and the vertical direction of the rear surface, it is possible to measure a change in posture due to the user continuously sitting on the chair.

The sitting posture assumption device for a chair according to claim 4 of the present invention is the chair according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The back surface is pivotally supported so as to be swingable in the front-rear direction, and assumes a seating posture of the user based on the plurality of seating sensors and swing detection means for detecting the swing angle of the back surface. It is a feature.
According to this feature, the sitting posture of the seated user can be assumed even with a reclining chair or the like that can change the angle of the back surface.

The sitting posture assumption device in the chair according to claim 5 of the present invention is the chair according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
It is characterized by comprising storage means for storing information on the assumed sitting posture.
According to this feature, even if the assumed situation of the sitting posture is not constantly monitored, after completion of the detection of the sitting posture using the seating sensor, the work such as analysis is performed by using the storage means storing the sitting posture information. It can be performed.

The sitting posture assumption device in the chair according to claim 6 of the present invention is the chair according to claim 5,
It has the transmitter which transmits the information on the sitting posture memorize | stored in the said memory | storage means to the receiver provided outside.
According to this feature, the sitting posture information received by the receiver can be monitored at a place away from the chair, and the analysis and the like can be performed while monitoring the sitting posture. .

It is a perspective view which shows the chair to which the seating posture assumption apparatus in the Example was applied. It is a conceptual diagram which shows operation | movement of a seating sensor. (A) is a figure which shows the state sat down shallowly, (b) is a figure which shows the state sat down deeply, (c) is a figure which shows the state which put the leg together, (d) It is a figure which shows the state which defeated the backrest. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a seating attitude | position assumption apparatus. It is a figure which shows a seating attitude | position memory table. It is a flowchart of the seating attitude | position detection process performed with a chair control circuit and an analysis control circuit.

  EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION The form for implementing the sitting posture assumption apparatus in the chair which concerns on this invention is demonstrated below based on an Example.

  The chair according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. Hereinafter, the lower side in FIG. 2 is the front side of the chair, and the upper side is the back side of the chair. Similarly, the horizontal direction in FIG. 2 will be described as the horizontal direction of the chair. First, reference numeral 1 in FIG. 1 is a chair to which the present invention is applied. As shown in FIG. 1, the chair 1 includes a pedestal 1 b provided with casters 1 a that can move on the floor, and a seat 1 c that is attached to the upper end of the pedestal 1 b and on which a user sits. The backrest 1d extends upward from the rear portion of the seat portion 1c.

  In addition, the backrest 1d of the chair 1 in the present embodiment is pivotally supported at the rear portion of the seat 1c, and has a predetermined angle from the normal state substantially perpendicular to the floor surface toward the back side of the chair 1. It can swing. In addition, a spring (not shown) is attached between the seat portion 1c and the backrest 1d, and urges the backrest 1d toward the front side. Therefore, the user can use the chair 1 as a reclining chair by leaning on the backrest 1d from the seated state, and the user can raise the upper body so that the backrest 1d is not illustrated. The normal state can be automatically restored by the energizing.

  A cushion 12 is laid on the upper portion of the seat portion 1c of the chair 1 so that the seat surface is laid under the buttocks when the user is seated. Further, the backrest 1d is provided with a cushion 11 that abuts against the back user's back when the user is seated. A urethane material is built in the cushion 11 and the cushion 12. Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a pair of detection electrodes 13 (sensor electrode and GND electrode) are attached to the back surface of the urethane material in the cushion 11 and the upper surface of the cushion 12, It is covered with a cross of cushions 11 and 12.

  In this embodiment, the seating surface of the cushion 12 refers to the upper surface of the cushion 12 against which the buttock abuts when the user is seated, and the back surface of the cushion 11 contacts the back when the user is seated. The front of the cushion 11 is indicated. The detection electrodes 13 are made of, for example, a nickel / copper-coated polyester woven cloth having a very low electric resistance, thin and flexible, and having a high bending strength that does not affect the sitting comfort even when the user is seated. Has been.

  Among these, six detection electrodes 13 attached to the seating surface of the cushion 12 are arranged in parallel in a matrix, with three in the front-rear direction and two in the left-right direction. On the other hand, the detection electrodes 13 attached to the back surface of the cushion 11 are in the same matrix as the detection electrodes 13 attached to the seating surface of the cushion 12, with a total of six detection electrodes 13 in the vertical direction and two in the horizontal direction for each pair. Are arranged side by side. In this embodiment, an assembly of the plurality of detection electrodes 13 is defined as a seating sensor 18.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the base of the backrest 1d is a swing measuring means in the present invention for measuring the swing angle of the backrest 1d toward the back side with the normal state of the backrest 1d being 0 degrees. The angle sensor 10 is attached.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a control box 22 for executing various controls on the chair 1 is provided on the side of the chair 1. As shown in FIG. 4, the control box 22 accumulates seating posture information based on the measurement signal from the seating sensor 13 and the swing angle measurement value signal from the angle sensor 10, and the seating posture information. In the present invention in which a measurement control circuit 14 for transmitting information to a storage unit 15 and a transmitter 16 to be described later, and a sitting posture storage table (see FIG. 5) for storing information on the sitting posture from the measurement control circuit 14 are stored. A storage unit 15 as storage means, a transmitter 16 that transmits information on a sitting posture stored in the storage unit 15 to a receiver 7 described later by wireless communication, and an RTC (real-time clock) 23 that measures the current time. And are built-in. The storage unit 15, the transmitter 16, the detection electrodes 13, and the angle sensor 10 are connected to the measurement control circuit 14.

  The measurement control circuit 14 includes an oscillation circuit that generates a high-frequency AC voltage to be applied between the detection electrodes 13, a smoothing circuit for smoothing the current flowing between the detection electrodes 13, and the detection electrode 13, although not particularly illustrated. And a comparator that compares the capacitance detected between them with a set value.

  A part of the seating posture storage table will be described in detail. As shown in FIG. 5, the seating posture storage table includes a current time as a time when a new seating posture is determined, and each detection electrode 13 described later. The contact / non-contact and the swing angle of the backrest 1d measured by the angle sensor 10 are stored in association with each other, and every time a new signal is input to the measurement control circuit 14 over time, The current time, the contact / non-contact of the user of each detection electrode 13, and the swing angle are additionally stored in each item.

  In addition, a battery 17 for supplying power to the measurement control circuit 14 and the detection electrode 13 is built in the control box 22, and the battery 17 is connected to the measurement control circuit 14, so The voltage can be applied to.

  It is known that the human body is modeled as a 100 pF capacitor and a 1.5 kΩ resistor connected in series. For this reason, when the user sits on the chair 3 and comes into contact with the cushion 12 through the cloth, clothing, or the like, the user himself / herself behaves as a capacitor C as shown in FIG. The capacitance between the detection electrodes 13 arranged on the back surface of the electrode changes.

  At this time, the measurement control circuit 14 has a decrease in electrostatic capacitance due to the cushion 12 cloth or clothing being interposed between the human body and the detection electrode 13, or the measurement control circuit 14, the wiring, and the detection electrode 13 itself. Considering the increase in capacitance, for example, the set value is set to about 30 pF to 50 pF. The capacitance exceeding the set value is measured as a measured value between the detection electrodes 13, and the measurement control circuit 14 determines that the user touches the detection electrode 13 where the capacitance exceeding the set value is measured. It comes to judge.

  On the other hand, when the capacitance measured between the detection electrodes 13 is less than the set value, the measurement control circuit 14 is in contact with the user at the detection electrode 13 where the capacitance less than the set value is measured. It is judged that there is no (non-contact).

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, an analysis device 19 such as a personal computer is provided in the communicable range of the transmitter 16 of the control box 22. The analysis device 19 includes an analysis control circuit 20 that performs a seating posture assumption and various analyzes based on the information on the seating posture transmitted from the control box 22, and various programs that are analyzed by the analysis device 19. The storage unit 21 stores data of the storage and analysis results, and the receiver 7 collects data by receiving information on the sitting posture transmitted from the transmitter 16 in the control box 22. .

  Then, the analysis control circuit 20 assumes the seating posture of the user by a combination of contact / non-contact at each detection electrode 13 and the swing angle of the backrest 1d measured by the angle sensor 10. ing. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3A, the detection electrodes 13 at the front and center of the cushion 12 detect the contact of the user, and any detection electrode 13 of the cushion 11 is used. When the receiver 7 receives information on the sitting posture in which the contact of the person is not detected and the angle sensor 10 measures the swing angle of 0 degree, the analysis control circuit 20 is in a shallow sitting state. Assume that

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3B, all the detection electrodes 13 of the cushion 12 and the cushion 11 detect the contact of the user, and the angle sensor 10 has a slight swing angle of about 10 degrees, for example. When the receiver 7 receives the information on the sitting posture measured, the analysis control circuit 20 assumes that it is in a deeply seated state.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3 (c), the detection electrodes 13 on the right and rear left and right of the front part, the central part of the cushion 12 detect the user's contact, and When the detection electrode 13 detects the contact of the user and the receiver 7 receives the sitting posture information obtained by the angle sensor 10 measuring the swing angle 0 degree, the analysis control circuit 20 It is assumed that the state is assembled.

  And as shown in FIG.3 (d), while the detection electrode 13 of the front part right and left of the cushion 12 and the center part right and left has detected a user's contact, the detection electrode 13 of the center stage right and left of the cushion 11 is detected. When the receiver 7 has received the information on the sitting posture in which the contact of the user is detected and the angle sensor measures a large swing angle of about 20 degrees, for example, the analysis control means 19 Assume that you are defeated.

  Although not shown in particular, when no contact of the user is detected by any of the detection electrodes 13, the analysis control circuit 20 determines that the user is not seated on the chair 1, and at least one user If there is the detection electrode 13 that detects the contact, the measurement control circuit 14 determines that the user is seated on the chair 1 and assumes the sitting posture as described above.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the above-described four seating postures are described as an example, but detection of contact and non-contact of the user at each detection electrode 13 and backrest 1d measured by the angle sensor 10 are described. Of course, the seating posture assumed by the combination of the swing angle is assumed to be other than the above four.

  In this embodiment, the analysis device 19 assumes the seating posture of the user based on the seating posture information from the receiver 7 and the form of the chair 1 and the detection method of the detection electrode 13, that is, the form of the seating sensor 18. The timing of the RTC 23 is used to analyze how the user has changed the sitting posture within the sitting time. And an analysis result is memorize | stored in the memory | storage part 21, and data are preserve | saved.

  Hereinafter, the sitting posture detection processing executed by the measurement control circuit 14 and the analysis control circuit 20 will be described based on the flowchart shown in FIG.

  First, in step Sa01, the measurement control circuit 14 measures the capacitance between all the detection electrodes 13 of the cushions 11 and 12, and sets the capacitance measured by the measured value and the comparator. By comparing the value (threshold value), the user's detection and the detection target in each detection electrode 13 are determined. In step Sa02, the swing angle of the angle sensor 10 is measured, and the process proceeds to step Sa03.

  In step Sa03, the measurement control circuit 14 refers to the seating posture storage table shown in FIG. 5, and the previous contact / contact and swing angle of each detection electrode 13 and the current contact / non-contact of each detection electrode 13 are determined. The contact and swing angle are compared, and the process proceeds to step Sa04.

  In step Sa04, the measurement control circuit 14 calculates the previous contact / contact and swing angle of each detection electrode 13 and the current contact / non-contact and swing angle of each detection electrode 13 performed in Sa03. Based on the comparison, it is determined whether the previous contact / contact and swing angle of each detection electrode 13 and the current contact / non-contact and swing angle of each detection electrode 13 are the same. If the previous contact / non-contact and swing angle of each detection electrode 13 and the current contact / non-contact and swing angle of each detection electrode 13 are the same, the current process is terminated and the step of Sa01 is performed. Returning, if at least one of the previous contact / non-contact and swing angle between the detection electrodes 13 and the current contact / non-contact and swing angle between the respective detection electrodes 13 are the same, Sa05 Proceed to step.

  In step Sa05, the measurement control circuit 14 does not have the same contact / non-contact and swing angle of each detection electrode 13 and the current contact / non-contact and swing angle of each detection electrode 13. Therefore, a seating posture assumption process is performed. Specifically, the measurement control circuit 14 displays the current time acquired from the RTC 23, the current contact / non-contact of each detection electrode 13, and the swing angle at the bottom of the seating posture storage table shown in FIG. Add additional memory. Next, the measurement control circuit 14 transmits the current time and the current contact / non-contact and swing angle between the detection electrodes 13 from the transmitter 16 to the analysis device 19 by wireless communication as information on the sitting posture. To do.

  Based on the current contact / non-contact and swing angle of each detection electrode 13 received by the receiver 7, the analysis control circuit 20 performs various seating as shown in FIGS. 3 (a) to 3 (d). Assuming a posture, the process proceeds to step Sa06.

  In step Sa06, the analysis control circuit 20 stores the current time received by the receiver in step Sa05, the current contact / non-contact of each detection electrode 13, and the swing angle as the seating information storage process. The process is stored in the unit 21, the current process is terminated, and the process returns to the step of Sa01.

  In addition, by displaying the information on the sitting posture stored in the storage unit 21 on a display or the like (not shown), the change in the sitting posture can be displayed in an easy-to-understand manner almost in real time.

  As described above, in the chair 1 according to the present embodiment, the sitting posture of the user who is seated on the chair 1 can be estimated at low cost by the seating sensor 18 having a simple configuration. Further, for example, by providing the seating sensor 18 on the cushion 12 mounted on the seat surface of the chair 1 or the cushion 11 attached to the back surface, the cushions 11 and 12 can be removed and used for other chairs 1. Even the chair 1 can assume a sitting posture.

  In addition, since a plurality of seating sensors 18 are arranged in parallel in the front-rear direction of the seat surface and the vertical direction of the back surface, it is possible to detect the front-rear direction bias of the user seated on the chair 1. For example, it is possible to more precisely assume the sitting posture such as how deeply the user is sitting on the seating surface and how much the user is leaning on the back surface.

  In addition, since a plurality of seating sensors 18 are arranged in parallel in the left-right direction of the seating surface and the back surface, it is possible to detect a lateral deviation of the posture of the user sitting on the chair 1. For example, a sitting posture such as whether the user is crossing legs can be assumed in more detail. Further, by arranging a plurality of seating sensors 18 in the front-rear direction of the seat surface and the vertical direction of the back surface, it is possible to measure a change in posture due to the user continuously sitting on the chair 1. .

  The backrest 3d is pivotally supported so as to be swingable in the front-rear direction, and assumes a seating posture of the user based on the plurality of seating sensors 18 and the angle sensor 10 that detects the swinging angle of the backrest 1d. Therefore, even if it is a reclining chair etc. which can change the angle of the backrest 1d, the seating posture of the seated user can be assumed.

  In addition, since the storage unit 15 that stores information on the assumed sitting posture is provided, the sitting posture is detected after the detection of the sitting posture using the sitting sensor 18 even if the assumed state of the sitting posture is not constantly monitored. Analysis and the like can be performed by using the storage unit 15 in which information is stored.

  In addition, by having a transmitter 16 that transmits information on the sitting posture stored in the storage unit 15 to the receiver 7 provided outside, the sitting posture information received by the receiver 7 is separated from the chair 1. It is possible to monitor the state of the sitting posture at a place and to perform work such as analysis while continuing to monitor the sitting posture.

  Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to these embodiments, and modifications and additions within the scope of the present invention are included in the present invention. It is.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, information on the assumed sitting posture is stored in the storage unit 15 in the control box 22, and further, the sitting posture information is transmitted to the analysis device 19 by wireless communication using the transmitter 16 and the receiver 7. However, the transmitter 16 and the receiver 7 may be connected by a communication cable or the like, and the information on the sitting posture may be directly stored in the storage unit 21 provided in the analysis device 19.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, information on the assumed sitting posture is stored in the storage unit 15 in the control box 22, and further, information on the sitting posture is transmitted to the analysis device 19 by wireless communication using the transmitter 16 and the receiver 7. After that, the analysis control circuit 20 assumed the sitting posture. However, the storage unit 15 is configured as a storage device that can be attached to and detached from the control box 22 such as a USB memory stick, and the storage unit 15 stores the sitting posture information. After that, the storage unit 15 is removed from the control box 22 and connected to the analysis device 19, and based on the sitting posture information stored in the storage unit 15, the analysis control circuit 20 performs the assumption and analysis of the sitting posture. You may make it perform work.

  Moreover, in the said Example, the cushion 12 which built the urethane material which provided the detection electrode 13 on the upper surface was laid in the seat part 1c of the chair 1, and the urethane material which provided the detection electrode 13 in the front was built in the backrest 1d. Although the cushion 11 is attached, the detection electrodes 13 may be provided on the upper surface of the seat portion 3c and the front surface of the backrest 1d without providing the cushions 11 and 12. In this case, the upper surface of the seat portion 1c is the seat surface, and the front surface of the backrest 1d is the back surface.

  In the above embodiment, the chair 1 is described as a reclining chair in which the backrest 1d can swing toward the back side of the chair 1 using the biasing force of the spring. The present invention can also be applied as a reclining chair that can adjust the swing angle of 1d.

  Moreover, in the said Example, although the detection electrode 13 makes a pair of a sensor electrode and a GND electrode and detects, the number of the detection electrodes 13 which are the pair is the seat surface of the chair 1, or the back surface. The number may be selected as appropriate according to the purpose of analysis of the size and the sitting posture.

  Moreover, in the said Example, three detection electrodes 13 were arranged in parallel by the matrix direction of three in the front-back direction of the seat surface of the chair 1, and two in the left-right direction, 3 in the up-down direction on the back, and 2 left-right directions. The detection electrodes 13 may be arranged in parallel only in the front-rear direction of the seating surface or in the up-down direction of the rear surface in accordance with the purpose of analyzing the sitting posture.

  In the above embodiment, the analyzing device 19 such as a personal computer is provided in the communicable range of the transmitter 16 of the control box 22, and the sitting posture information transmitted from the transmitter 16 by the receiver 7 in the analyzing device 19 is obtained. The analysis control circuit 20 receives the seating posture and performs various analyses. However, the seating posture information transmitted from the transmitter 16 by the data collection device including the receiver 7 and the storage unit is received. The information is received and stored in the storage unit in the data collection device, and the posture information is stored. Then, the seating posture information is transmitted to the analysis device 19 by a USB cable or the like, and the analysis control circuit 20 assumes the sitting posture. Various analyzes may be performed.

  In the embodiment, the measurement control circuit 14 compares the previous contact / contact and swing angle of each detection electrode 13 with the current contact / non-contact and swing angle of each detection electrode 13. If at least one of the previous contact / non-contact and swing angle between the detection electrodes 13 and the current contact / non-contact and swing angle between the detection electrodes 13 are the same, the sitting posture Although the assumption process is performed, the swing angle changes due to a slight movement of the user. Therefore, the measurement control circuit 14 sets a set value (for example, 5) for the previous swing angle and the current swing angle. If there is no displacement greater than (degrees), it may be determined that they are the same.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Chair 1c Seat part 1d Backrest 7 Receiver 10 Angle sensor (oscillation measuring means)
11, 12 Cushion 13 Detection electrode 14 Measurement control circuit 15 Storage unit (storage means)
16 Transmitter 17 Battery 18 Seating sensor 22 Control box

Claims (6)

In a chair provided with a seating sensor for detecting a user's sitting state or leaving state by a pair of detection electrodes,
The seating sensor measures a capacitance between the detection electrodes, and compares the measured value of the capacitance with a preset value to output a seated state or a seated state. ,
A chair that assumes a seating posture of a user by providing a plurality of the seating sensors on the seating surface and the back surface of the chair.   2. The chair according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the seating sensors are arranged side by side in a front-rear direction of the seating surface and a vertical direction of the rear surface.   The chair according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a plurality of the seating sensors are arranged side by side in the left-right direction between the seating surface and the back surface.   The back surface is pivotally supported to be swingable in the front-rear direction, and assumes a seating posture of the user based on the plurality of seating sensors and swing detection means for detecting a swing angle of the back surface. The chair according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the chair is characterized.   The chair according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising storage means for storing information on an assumed sitting posture.   The chair according to claim 5, further comprising a transmitter that transmits information on a sitting posture stored in the storage unit to a receiver provided outside.

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