JP2012065728A - Relaxation device and vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a user to identify a target time regarding a respiration time, and to quickly guide the user to a state where the user can relax by making the user conscious that the respiration time is guided to the target time.SOLUTION: A respiration time input means 41 inputs a respiration time of the user whose buttocks and back are placed in a seat. A target setting means 42 specifies a target time so as to extend the breathing time of the user. A guidance control means 43 changes stimulation given to the user by a stimulation unit so as to guide the breathing time of the user to the target time. A respiration information presentation means 44 presents to the user changes in the stimulation by the guidance control means 43 and the target time set by the target setting means 42.

Description

  The present invention relates to a relaxation device that induces parasympathetic nerves by inducing a user's respiration, thereby sedating the nerves and inducing sleep, and a vehicle equipped with the relaxation device.

  Conventionally, an apparatus for guiding a user's breathing so that the user breathes at a regular rhythm has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-151858 has a description that an anger and excitement that affect safe driving are suppressed by guiding a driver who is a user to breathe at a regular rhythm.

  In Patent Document 1, two types of techniques are employed as techniques for inducing respiration. In one technique, the timing of breathing is presented visually or audibly. In the other technology, a rice ball that moves up and down in accordance with the timing of breathing induction is provided on the seat back of the automobile, and the timing of breathing is guided by an operation that assists the movement of the ribs of the driver by breathing. .

  Furthermore, in order to detect the time (breathing cycle) required for one breath of the driver by the seat sensor and to guide the detected breathing cycle to the target cycle, a predetermined step time is added to the breathing cycle of the driver every cycle. The induction period is set by adding to. The induction period is a period for inducing respiration, and is set by adding a certain step time to the respiration period detected by the sheet sensor. Then, the process of setting the induction period by adding the step time to the respiration period is continued until the respiration period reaches the target period.

JP 2005-237456 A

  By the way, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, since a constant step time is added to the respiratory cycle for each cycle of the user (driver), the induction cycle is the user's respiratory cycle. Is set to always obtain a breathing cycle that is long for a certain time.

  Here, since the respiratory cycle varies, the induction cycle does not always increase monotonously toward the target cycle. Therefore, the user cannot realize that the respiratory cycle is long until the respiratory cycle reaches the target cycle. That is, the user feels that the extension of the breathing cycle is forced without showing the target cycle, and the time required to reach the target cycle tends to be long.

  The present invention makes the user aware of the breathing time by presenting the target time related to the breathing time to the user in order to relax by performing the breathing induction, until the breathing time reaches the target time. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a relaxing device that can shorten the time required for the user and, as a result, promptly induces the user to relax by quickly sedating the mind and guiding to sleep. . Furthermore, an object of this invention is to provide the vehicle carrying this relaxing device.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a breathing time input means for inputting a breathing time that is at least one of a breathing time and a breathing time of a user who puts a buttocks and a back on a seat part, and a user Target setting means for setting the target time so as to extend the breathing time of the user, breathing information presentation means for presenting the target time determined by the target setting means to the user, stimulation means for stimulating the user, And a guidance control means for changing the stimulation by the stimulation means so as to induce the breathing time to the target time.

  The guidance control means obtains a control time obtained by adding a predetermined change corresponding to the passage of time to the breathing time input from the breathing time input means, and changes the stimulation by the stimulation means in synchronization with the control time, thereby allowing the user to It is desirable to gradually induce the respiration time toward the target time.

  The stimulation unit is a tactile stimulation unit that applies tactile stimulation to a part of the user that is supported by the sheet unit, and the guidance control unit preferably changes a stimulation position by the tactile stimulation unit.

  The stimulation means is tactile stimulation means that applies tactile stimulation to a portion supported by the sheet portion of the user, and the guidance control means desirably changes the amount of stimulation by the tactile stimulation means.

  The tactile stimulation means preferably includes a plurality of airbags arranged side by side in a portion that supports the user in the seat portion, and intake / exhaust means for performing intake / exhaust to each airbag.

  Alternatively, the tactile stimulation means includes a plurality of airbags arranged side by side on a portion of the seat portion that supports the user, and intake / exhaust means for performing intake and exhaust to each airbag, and at least a part of the seat portion. It is desirable that airbags be placed on the part.

  It is desirable that the intake / exhaust means has an initial state in which the load acting on each airbag becomes a specified value in a state where the user is supported, and the guidance control means preferably changes the stimulus based on the initial state.

  Further, the guidance control means changes the stimulation by the air bag by controlling the intake / exhaust means, and the breathing information presentation means makes the user perceive at least one of the intake sound and the exhaust sound by the intake / exhaust means. May be.

  It is desirable that the stimulation means provides the user with at least one kind of stimulus among tactile stimulus, visual stimulus, and auditory stimulus.

  The stimulation means may give the user an auditory stimulus by three-dimensional sound, and the guidance control means may control the position of the sound image as a change in the stimulus.

  Furthermore, the heating means provided in the part which contacts a user's limb in a sheet | seat part, and the sound output means which outputs the audio | voice message which induces respiration to a user are further provided, and a guidance control means is output from a sound output means. You may make it adjust the emitted-heat amount by a heating means according to the content of the voice message to do.

  Moreover, it is desirable to mount the above-described relaxing device on a vehicle including the above-described seat portion.

  According to the configuration of the present invention, in order to relax by performing the breathing induction, the user is made aware of the breathing time by presenting the target time related to the breathing time to the user. It is possible to shorten the time to reach the target time, and as a result, there is an advantage that the user can quickly lead to a relaxed state by quickly performing mental sedation and induction to sleep.

It is a block diagram which shows embodiment. It is the perspective view seen from the front side of the sheet | seat part used for the same as the above. It is a schematic perspective view of the sheet | seat part used for the same as the above. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing of the sheet | seat part used for the same as the above. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the airbag used for the same as the above. It is a figure which shows the operation example of the respiration information presentation means used for the same as the above. It is a figure which shows the operation example of the respiration information presentation means used for the same as the above.

  The relax device described below will be described for a case where the relax device is mounted on a vehicle represented by an automobile (particularly, it is preferably used for a rear seat). However, mounting on a vehicle is not essential, and does not prevent use in the form of an easy chair, bed, massage chair or the like. In this embodiment, a chair-type device that is used while being seated is described. However, a bedding-type device that can be used in a prone position may be used. In this embodiment, for these devices, a member that supports the user is referred to as a sheet portion.

  In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, a structure corresponding to a seat of an automobile is a seat portion 20. The illustrated seat portion 20 includes a seat portion 21 that supports the user's buttocks, a backrest portion 22 that supports the user's back, and a leg rest portion 23 that supports the user's leg portion. The leg rest 23 is not essential, but is provided to improve the user's comfort. Further, the seat part 20 has a reclining function as shown in FIG. 4, and the angle of the backrest part 22 and the leg rest part 23 with respect to the seat part 21 can be changed (the position of the solid line indicates the normal state). And the position of the broken line indicates the reclining state). Furthermore, armrest portions 24 on which the user puts arms are provided on both side portions of the seat portion 21, and side pad portions 25 that support the upper body side portion of the user are provided on both side portions of the backrest portion 22. The seat portion 20 may be provided with a headrest.

  As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, a plurality of airbags 30 are disposed in a portion of the seat portion 20 that supports a user's load. Specifically, the airbag 30 is disposed on the upper surface of the seat portion 21, the front surfaces of the backrest portion 22 and the leg rest portion 23, and the inner side surfaces of the armrest portion 24 and the side pad portion 25. When the seat portion 20 includes a headrest, it is desirable to provide the airbag 30 also on the headrest. The backrest 22 is provided with a plurality of airbags 30 arranged along the length of the user's spine, and the leg rest 23 is provided with a plurality of airbags 30 along the length of the user's legs. Are provided side by side.

  The above-described arrangement of the airbag 30 is an example, and the specific arrangement can be determined as appropriate as long as the airbag 30 is provided side by side at a portion that supports the user on the seat portion 20. However, it is desirable to arrange a plurality of airbags 30 along the longitudinal direction of the user's spine and legs at least in the backrest 22 and the leg rest 23.

  Each airbag 30 is connected to intake / exhaust means 31 (see FIG. 1) including a pump and a valve. The intake / exhaust means 31 is connected to each airbag 30 so that the intake and exhaust of each airbag 30 can be individually performed. That is, the valve is controlled so as to perform intake and exhaust for each airbag 30.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5, a plurality of airbags 30 may be stacked on at least a part of the seat portion 20. By arranging the airbags 30 in an overlapping manner, the amount of displacement given to the user can be increased even when the flow rate of air passing through one valve is limited. That is, a plurality of airbags 30 may be stacked in a region where the displacement amount by the airbag 30 needs to be increased.

  The airbag 30 and the intake / exhaust means 31 are provided as tactile stimulation means. As the tactile stimulation means, a ball that moves the backrest portion 22 up and down to press a desired position from the user's waist to the neck. A shaped fir ball or a ring shaped fir wheel may be used. In the case of using a kneading ball or a kneading wheel as the tactile stimulation means, the mechanism used in the massage chair can be used.

  The tactile stimulation means as described above is used as a stimulation means that gives tactile stimulation to the user. As a stimulus means for giving a stimulus to the user, a visual stimulus or an auditory stimulus may be used in addition to a tactile stimulus. Visual stimuli and auditory stimuli can be used alone, or visual stimuli and auditory stimuli can be used in combination.

  As the visual stimulus, the amount of light by illumination, the light color, and the display content by video may be used. A lighting fixture 32 (see FIG. 1) for performing illumination or a display device 33 (see FIG. 1) for displaying an image can be provided integrally with the seat portion 20, but the illumination around the seat portion 20 is provided. In order to control and make it easy for the user to view the video, it may be arranged in the vehicle separately from the seat portion 20. The display device 33 can be selected from a monitor device arranged in front of the user, a projection device that projects an image on the ceiling of the vehicle, a head-mounted display that the user wears on the head, and the like.

  Similarly, as the auditory stimulus, volume, sound content, position of sound image, and the like are used. In order to give an auditory stimulus to a user, a configuration using a sound output means 34 (see FIG. 1) made of a speaker is generally used. As the sound output means 34, headphones, ear speakers, and a bone conduction device are also used. it can. Or you may make it give auditory stimulation by arrange | positioning the intake-exhaust means 31 so that the user who mounted on the seat part 20 can hear the intake-exhaust sound of the airbag 30. FIG. The operation of using the intake / exhaust sound as an auditory stimulus will be described later.

  When a speaker is used as the sound output means 34, a three-dimensional sound may be provided by arranging a large number of speakers in the vehicle interior of the vehicle. When three-dimensional sound is generated by providing a large number of speakers, the position of the sound image can be accurately controlled, but auditory stimuli may become noise other than the user placed on the seat unit 20. Therefore, left and right speakers may be provided as sound output means 34 above the backrest portion 22 of the seat portion 20, and pseudo three-dimensional sound may be generated using a head-related transfer function. The operation using three-dimensional sound as an auditory stimulus will be described later.

  By the way, in this embodiment, the respiration time input means 41 (refer FIG. 1) which inputs the respiration time which is at least one of the expiration time of a user and the time of inhalation is provided. Specifically, the breathing time input means 41 includes an operation unit selected from a variable resistor, a numeric keypad, a touch panel, and the like, and holds the breathing time set by the operation of the operation unit. In the following description, the case where the expiration time is used as the breathing time will be described. However, the breathing period obtained by adding the expiration and inspiration times may be used as the breathing time, or the inspiration time may be used as the breathing time. .

  The expiration time of the user to be input to the breathing time input means 41 is usually entered by the user as a self-report using the breathing time input means 41 by measuring the expiration time of the user in advance. However, it is also possible for another person to measure the breathing time of the user and input the value to the breathing time input means 41.

  The expiration time (breathing time) input to the breathing time input means 41 is given to the control means 40 described below. The control means 40 is configured using a device that includes a processor such as a microcomputer or FPGA and operates according to a program.

  The control means 40 includes a target setting means 42 for setting a target time so as to extend the expiration time (breathing time) of the user, and a stimulus by the stimulation means so as to induce the expiration time of the user to the target time. Guidance control means 43 to be provided. The target setting means 42 sets a target time (hereinafter referred to as “final target time”) that is to be finally achieved as the expiration time of the user, and the guidance control means 43 sets the expiration time of the user as the final target time. The stimulation means such as the airbag 30 described above is controlled so as to be guided in time.

  The final target time is determined using the expiration time of the user input from the breathing time input means 41. A case is now assumed in which a breathing method is intended to perform abdominal breathing (or a breathing method such as Tanda, which is similar to abdominal breathing). In this case, the target setting unit 42 adds a predetermined addition value based on the breathing time input from the breathing time input unit 41 or multiplies a predetermined magnification (a value greater than 1), Determine the breathing time that will be the final target time.

  The addition value or magnification for obtaining the final target time can be set to a constant value regardless of the expiration time input from the breathing time input means 41. However, in general, the longer the input breathing time is, the higher the user is proficient in the breathing method, so the added value or magnification for determining the final target time is It is desirable to set larger as the time is shorter.

  The expiration time input from the breathing time input means 41 and the final target time determined by the target setting means 42 are given to the guidance control means 43 that controls the above-described stimulation means. The guidance control means 43 changes the stimulus given to the user from the stimulation means, and induces the expiration time of the user to be extended from the input expiration time to the respiratory cycle which is the final target time.

  In this embodiment, since the tactile stimulus is given to the user using the airbag 30 described above, the guidance control unit 43 controls the intake and exhaust of the airbag 30 to thereby control the tactile stimulus to the user. To change. In practice, the guidance control means 43 obtains a control time obtained by adding a predetermined change corresponding to the passage of time to the expiration time input from the breathing time input means 41, and the intake / exhaust means 31 is synchronized with the control time. Controls the intake and exhaust of the airbag 30 by changing the tactile stimulation given to the user.

  Here, the passage of time means the passage of time from the start of the operation, and the control time with a predetermined change corresponding to the passage of time specifically increases with the passage of the control time. Means that. The control time may be increased linearly according to the elapsed time, or may be increased nonlinearly. In either case, gradually increase toward the final target time. When the guidance control means 43 performs such an operation, the user is guided so that the expiration time is gradually extended while the breathing is adjusted to the tactile stimulus, and eventually the final target time is reached.

  Below, the operation example which changes tactile sense stimulation with the airbag 30 is shown. First, a case where tactile stimulation is applied to the user's back (back, buttocks, leg back) will be described. The seat part 20 is provided with the seat part 21, the backrest part 22, and the leg rest part 23 as described above, and a plurality of airbags 30 are arranged side by side. Therefore, the position of the stimulus can be changed between the upper part (for example, the shoulder) and the lower part (for example, the waist) of the user by changing the position of the airbag 30 that performs intake and exhaust. Stimulating the user's upper part (pushing forward) pushes the chest and promotes exhalation, and stimulating the user's lower part raises the diaphragm and further exhales.

  Here, it is assumed that the operation of moving the stimulation position from the shoulder toward the waist is repeatedly performed by sequentially inflating and contracting the airbag 30 from the upper part to the lower part of the user. The repetition cycle is set based on the expiration time determined as the final target time. The time for changing the position of the stimulus from the shoulder to the waist is the expiration time determined as the final target time, and the timing for resuming the stimulation from the shoulder (that is, the repetition period) is the expiration time determined as the final target time. Determine empirically using time as a reference.

  While changing the position of stimulation from the shoulder to the waist, it is desirable to increase the amount of air introduced into the airbag 30 and to expand the airbag 30 greatly as the position is closer to the waist. That is, the closer to the waist, the greater the intensity of stimulation. If this operation is performed, when the expiration starts, the chest is pushed a little and the discharge of air from the lungs is promoted, and then the abdomen is pushed larger and the diaphragm is pulled up as the amount of discharged air increases. , Further expelling the air remaining in the lungs. That is, the amount of stimulation changes according to the position of the stimulus, and the expiration time is extended by giving a stimulus that promotes abdominal breathing.

  In the above-described operation, the intensity of the stimulus is changed, but the speed at which the position of the stimulus is changed may be changed. In this case, by slowing the rate of change of the position of the stimulus from the shoulder to the waist, the time for stimulating the vicinity of the waist is made longer than the time for stimulating the appendage, and the diaphragm is lifted more strongly to encourage expiration Can do. That is, by giving a stimulus that promotes abdominal breathing, the expiration time is extended.

  By the way, since the position of stimulation is changed from the shoulder toward the waist during the expiration period, it is desirable to change the position of the stimulation from the waist toward the shoulder during the inspiration period. In this way, by changing the position of the stimulus between the shoulder (chest) and the waist (abdomen), the movement of the muscles during abdominal breathing is promoted without the user being aware of it, and by external stimulation It becomes possible to learn abdominal breathing by other dynamic habits.

  In the above-described operation, the position of the stimulus is changed between the shoulder and the waist, but it is desirable to use the airbag 30 provided on the seat portion 21 and the leg rest portion 23 of the seat portion 20 as well.

  For example, during the inspiration period, the air is moved from the top of the head by changing the position of stimulation from the vicinity of the shoulder (or the head if the airbag 30 is also provided near the head) toward the leg. You may make it give a user the feeling as if it is flowing toward the foot. If such an operation is performed, the user concentrates on breathing and is conscious of breathing in the correct breathing method.

  Further, during the expiration period, the airbag 30 near the waist may be inflated to push the abdomen forward. That is, when inhaling, the abdomen is pushed out to widen the rib cage to promote expiration.

  When the airbag 30 near the waist is inflated during the exhalation period and the position of the stimulus is changed from the head to the foot during the inspiration period, the user becomes aware of breathing throughout the body, In addition to encouraging extension, the nerve is led to a sedated state and can be induced to sleep.

  In the seat portion 20 of the present embodiment, since the airbag 30 is also provided in the armrest portion 24 and the armrest portion 25, the airbag 30 of the armrest portion 24 and the armrest portion 25 disposed on the side portion of the user. By using it, a stimulus can be given also to a user's ventral part. For example, during the expiration period, the abdominal breathing may be promoted by inflating the armrest portion 24 or the side pad portion 25 and applying a stimulus that compresses the user's abdomen from the side. In addition, the abdominal breathing may be promoted by repeating the expansion and contraction of the airbag 30 provided in the seat portion 21 in accordance with the breathing cycle to induce the pelvic front-back tilting motion.

  By using the reclining function of the seat part 20, in a state where the backrest part 22 is tilted and the leg rest part 23 is raised, the user who is placed on the seat part 20 can use the relaxing device in a supine posture. In this case, in addition to the above-described operation, all the airbags 30 may be expanded and contracted simultaneously. When the airbag 30 is inflated, the entire body of the user is lifted, and when the airbag 30 is contracted, the entire body of the user is lowered. That is, the user is conscious of floating feeling when the whole body moves up and down and extending the respiratory cycle when the consciousness concentrates on breathing.

  When the airbag 30 is inflated and contracted, an appropriate residual pressure that matches the body shape of the user is applied so that the load is not biased to only a part of the user while the user is supported. Can be. In other words, it is desirable to perform intake / exhaust of each airbag 30 using the intake / exhaust means 31 so that the load acting on each airbag 30 becomes a specified value when the user is supported by the seat portion 20. In this state, the reaction force that each part of the user receives from the airbag 30 is substantially equal.

  For example, when the user lies on the seat portion 20 in a state where the backrest portion 22 is tilted and the leg rest portion 23 is raised using the reclining function of the seat portion 20, the user's waist is supported without sinking. It will be. That is, the user's spine can be supported by the seat portion 20 without distortion.

  It is desirable that the state in which the residual pressure of each airbag 30 is adjusted by the intake / exhaust means 31 as described above is an initial state, and the guidance control means 43 causes the airbag 30 to expand and contract based on the initial state. . By setting the initial state, it is possible to give a substantially equal tactile stimulus regardless of the body shape of the user.

  In the above configuration example, the case where the airbag 30 and the intake / exhaust means 31 that are tactile stimulation means are used as the stimulation means has been described. Good. Also, when using visual stimulation or auditory stimulation, the stimulation is changed based on the expiration time input from the breathing time input means 41 and the final target time set by the target setting means 42.

  When the above-described three-dimensional sound is used as the auditory stimulus, the guidance control unit 43 controls the position of the sound image according to the final target time. That is, the guidance control unit 43 localizes the sound image at the foot during expiration. The position of the sound image is changed so that the sound image is localized at the back of the head during inspiration. It is desirable to change the position of the sound image smoothly. Further, when not only changing the position of the sound image but also using the auditory stimulus by three-dimensional sound in combination with the tactile stimulus by the airbag 30 or the like, the user performs abdominal breathing without being conscious of the tactile stimulus, and the auditory sense. Stimulation gives awareness of breathing. As a result, the user's nerve is sedated and guided to sleep quickly. In the three-dimensional sound, the sound image may diverge during inspiration and the sound image may concentrate during expiration.

  When giving auditory stimulation to the user, a configuration in which the user can hear the intake and exhaust sounds of the airbag 30 may be adopted. In particular, if an opening for leaking sound is formed so that the user can hear the exhaust sound from the exhaust port during the exhalation period, the exhaust sound can be used for auditory stimulation during exhalation. The user can be made aware of breathing. Here, an example using exhaust sound has been described, but intake sound may be used, or both exhaust sound and intake sound may be used.

  The case where the visual stimulus is used is the same as the case where the auditory stimulus is used, and the visual stimulus is given so as to change the positions of the plurality of light sources or change the light quantity. Further, a monitor device or a projector for displaying an image in front of the user may be provided, and a visual stimulus may be given so as to present an image in which dot-like figures are mixed and scattered in accordance with the breathing cycle. Visual stimuli can be used in combination with tactile stimuli or auditory stimuli. When a plurality of stimuli are used in combination, respiration induction can be expected to be performed more efficiently than when used alone. When a plurality of types of stimuli are used in combination, it is desirable to provide the user with at least one of a visual stimulus and an auditory stimulus in addition to the tactile stimulus.

  In the above-described operation, the guidance control unit 43 changes the stimulation of the stimulation unit according to the expiration time input from the breathing time input unit 41 and the final target time set by the target setting unit 42. However, only with this operation, the user does not know the relationship between the change in stimulation by the stimulation means and the final target time, so the expiration amount cannot be adjusted. That is, there is no indication of how fast exhalation or inspiration should be performed.

  Therefore, in order to give this indication, a respiration information presenting means 44 for presenting the user with the final target time of respiration determined by the target setting means 42 is provided. It is desirable that the respiration information presentation unit 44 also presents the state in which the guidance control unit 43 is changing the stimulation of the stimulation unit. By presenting both, the user can adjust the expiratory volume by recognizing the relationship between the stimulus change process and the final target time.

  The breathing information presentation unit 44 is configured to visually present information mainly through a monitor device, but may be configured to present to a user through a tactile sense. Specifically, when only information related to exhalation or inspiration is presented, it is displayed on the monitor device in a format as shown in FIG. FIGS. 6A and 6B show examples in which information is presented in a graph or a graphic form on the screen of the monitor device.

  In the example shown in FIG. 6A, a rectangular figure 441 that is long in the vertical direction is used. Further, the elapsed time from the time when the guidance control means 43 starts changing the stimulus by the stimulus means as the stimulus during the expiration period is represented by the distance from the lower end of the graphic 441 to the pointer line 442. In the illustrated example, the target expiration time, which is the final target time, is represented by the distance from the lower end of the graphic 441 to the target line 443.

  In the example shown in FIG. 6B, a circular figure 444 is used. In this example, one end of the reference line 445 set in the figure 444 is set as the center of rotation, and the amount is represented by an angle with respect to the center of rotation. That is, the elapsed time from the start point of the stimulus change by the guidance control means 43 is represented by the angle from the reference line 445 to the pointer line 446, and the target expiration time which is the final target time is expressed from the reference line 445 to the target line 447. It is expressed as an angle.

  In the example shown in FIGS. 6 (a) and 6 (b), the elapsed time from the time point when the guidance control means 43 starts stimulation during the expiration period and the final target time determined by the target setting means 42 are presented side by side on the monitor device. is doing. Therefore, the user regards the start time of the expiration period instructed by the guidance control means 43 as the start time of the user's own expiration, and adjusts the expiration amount according to the relationship between the presented elapsed time and the final target time. It is possible to extend the breathing time with the user's own sense.

  In the example shown in FIG. 6C, the elapsed time from the start of expiration by the guidance control means 43 and the final target time set by the target setting means 42 are digitized and presented to the monitor device. Two display windows 448 and 449 for displaying numerical values are set on the screen of the monitor device. One of the display windows 448 and 449 (lower display window 448) displays a numerical value corresponding to the elapsed time from the start of expiration by the guidance control means 43, and the other (upper display window 449) displays the final target time. The corresponding numerical value is displayed.

  Even when information is presented in the form shown in FIG. 6 (c), the user can be aware of breathing, so the breathing cycle of the user can be extended by adjusting the breathing cycle with the user's own sense. Can be made.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the state of control by the guidance control means 43 is shown as a format for presenting the elapsed time from the start of expiration designated by the guidance control means 43 and the final target time set by the goal setting means 42. An instruction line 451 and a target line 452 indicating the target time may be used. In the illustrated example, the horizontal axis is the time axis, and the vertical axis corresponds to the respiration rate. Therefore, the period in which the instruction line 451 is rising represents the inhalation period, and the period in which the instruction line 451 is falling represents the expiration period. In this format, the difference between the instruction line 451 and the target line 452 provides the user with a guide for bringing the expiration time closer to the final target time. Therefore, the user is conscious of adjusting the expiration time.

  The configuration of the breathing information presentation unit 44 described above is an example, and the format and configuration displayed on the monitor device include a stimulus change instructed by the guidance control unit 43 and a final target time set by the target setting unit 42. It can be changed as appropriate within the scope of the technical idea of presenting together.

  Incidentally, as shown in FIG. 1, a heating means 35 may be added to the sheet portion 20. The heating means 35 is provided in a portion that comes into contact with the user's limbs, that is, the leg rest portion 23 and the armrest portion 24. When the heating unit 35 is provided, a voice message for inducing respiration is output from the voice output unit 34.

  For example, in addition to stimulating to relax the breathing cycle by using a method called self-hypnosis or autonomous training, in addition to stimulating to stretch the respiratory cycle, while outputting the voice message “warm limbs” The heating means 35 is used for heating. By adjusting the amount of heating by the heating means 35 in accordance with the content of such a voice message, it can be expected to be guided to a relaxed state more quickly.

  In the example described above, the operation when the user is relaxed by introducing the expiration time to the maximum target time and finally introduced into sleep has been described, but refreshing from the relaxed state or the sleep state It can also be awakened. In this case, the control for changing the stimulus, such as the direction to change the position of the stimulus, the amount of stimulation, and the stimulation speed, is reversed from the above-described operation, and the stimulus for shortening the breathing cycle or the expiration time is given. In this way, by applying a stimulus opposite to the stimulus for leading to a relaxed state, it is possible to awaken a user whose nerves have been sedated or a sleeping user.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 20 Seat part 21 Seat part 22 Backrest part 23 Leg mounting part 24 Armrest part 25 Side pad part 30 Airbag (stimulation means, tactile stimulation means)
31 Intake / exhaust means (stimulation means, tactile stimulation means)
34 Sound output means 35 Heating means 40 Control means 41 Respiration time input means 42 Target setting means 43 Guidance control means 44 Respiration information presentation means

Claims (12)

  A breathing time input means for inputting a breathing time that is at least one of an expiration time and an inspiration time of a user who puts the buttocks and the back on the seat portion; and a target time so as to extend the breathing time of the user. A target setting means for determining, a breathing information presentation means for presenting the target time determined by the target setting means to the user, a stimulation means for giving a stimulus to the user, and a breathing time of the user for the target time. A relaxation device comprising: guidance control means for changing a stimulus by the stimulus means so as to guide the user.   The guidance control means obtains a control time obtained by adding a predetermined change corresponding to the passage of time to the breathing time input from the breathing time input means, and changes the stimulation by the stimulation means in synchronization with the control time. The relaxation device according to claim 1, wherein the breathing time of the user is gradually guided toward the target time.   The stimulation unit is a tactile stimulation unit that applies a tactile stimulation to a part of the user supported by the sheet unit, and the guidance control unit changes a stimulation position by the tactile stimulation unit. The relaxing device according to claim 1 or 2.   The stimulation means is a tactile stimulation means for applying a tactile stimulation to a part of the user that is supported by the sheet portion, and the guidance control means changes a stimulation amount by the tactile stimulation means. The relaxing device according to claim 1 or 2.   The tactile stimulation means includes a plurality of airbags arranged side by side on a portion of the seat portion that supports the user, and intake / exhaust means for performing intake / exhaust to each airbag. Item 5. A relaxation device according to item 3 or 4.   The tactile sensation stimulation means includes a plurality of airbags arranged side by side on a portion of the seat portion that supports the user, and intake / exhaust means for performing intake / exhaust to each airbag, and at least the seat portion The relaxation device according to claim 4, wherein the airbag is arranged in a part of the portion.   The intake / exhaust means sets a state in which a load acting on each airbag becomes a specified value in a state where the user is supported, and the guidance control means changes a stimulus based on the initial state. The relaxation device according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that   The guidance control means changes the stimulation by the airbag by controlling the intake / exhaust means, and the breathing information presentation means gives at least one of the intake sound and the exhaust sound by the intake / exhaust means to the user. The relaxation device according to claim 5, wherein the relaxation device is made to perceive.   The relaxation device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the stimulation means provides the user with at least one kind of stimulus among a tactile stimulus, a visual stimulus, and an auditory stimulus.   The relaxation device according to claim 9, wherein the stimulating unit gives an auditory stimulus by three-dimensional sound to the user, and the guidance control unit controls the position of the sound image as a change in the stimulus.   The sheet unit further includes a heating unit provided at a portion that contacts the user's limb, and a sound output unit that outputs a voice message for inducing respiration to the user, wherein the guidance control unit includes the sound output unit. The relaxation device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the amount of heat generated by the heating means is adjusted in accordance with the content of a voice message output from the means.   A vehicle comprising the seat portion and mounted with the relaxing device according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

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