JP2013027532A - Mattress and control method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a mattress with a novel structure, capable of improving the usability and effectively preventing bedsore by dispersing body pressure; and a control method thereof.SOLUTION: The mattress includes: a plurality of cells 24 disposed on top of a body pressure acting surface of a base body 28 for supporting a human body; and a pressure adjusting means 50 for changing and setting the height of each cell 24 by adjusting the pressure of a fluid chamber 42 formed within the cell 24. The control method includes a target internal pressure setting step (S3) for setting a target internal pressure (Pct) of the cell 24 to achieve a target height (Ht) of the cell 24 based on relationships among an internal pressure (Pc) of the cell 24, a body pressure (Pb) to be applied to the cell 24 and a height (H) of the cell 24.

Description

  The present invention relates to a mattress used for a nursing bed or the like and a control method thereof.

  Conventionally, a mattress having a cushioning action has been adopted for a support portion of a human body in a nursing bed or the like, and the sleep comfort has been improved by elastically supporting the human body.

  By the way, when a user who is difficult to turn over uses a general mattress continuously over a long period of time, the reaction force of body pressure (pressure due to the load of the human body) is continuously applied locally to the user. Since it acts, pressure ulcers due to deterioration of blood flow and the like may occur. Therefore, in order to prevent the occurrence of pressure ulcers, it is possible to disperse the reaction force of body pressure acting on the user by changing the position of the body pressure of the user using the pressure of the fluid. Mattresses have been proposed. For example, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-189472 (Patent Document 1), a load sensor sheet is disposed inside a mattress, while a body pressure acting surface (supporting portion of a human body) supporting a human body is provided with a plurality of cells. And a structure in which the internal pressure of the cell can be adjusted by sending and discharging a fluid such as air from the outside to the fluid chamber of each cell. In such a conventional mattress, the internal pressure of the cell is periodically changed by discharging the fluid of the cell in which the high load pressure is measured while sending the fluid into the cell in which the low load pressure is measured. Thus, a part of the user's body is prevented from being compressed for a long time by the action of body pressure.

  However, only by adjusting the internal pressure of the cell as in the mattress of Patent Document 1, a body pressure dispersion effect that disperses the body pressure acting part of the user can be obtained, but it is difficult to control the cell with higher accuracy. The user could not be provided with a good sleeping comfort. Specifically, regarding a cell in which a high load pressure is measured, when the fluid inside the cell is discharged to lower the internal pressure of the cell, the body pressure applied to the cell also changes simultaneously with the deformation of the cell. . Even if the internal pressure of the cell is the same, the height of the cell differs depending on the body pressure applied to the cell, so it is not possible to avoid the cell being recessed or protruding more than necessary, causing discomfort to the user. It was.

JP 2000-189472 A

  The present invention has been made in the background of the above-mentioned circumstances, and the problem to be solved thereof is a mattress having a novel structure that improves the feeling of use and effectively realizes prevention of pressure ulcers due to dispersion of body pressure. And providing a control method thereof.

  That is, according to the first aspect of the present invention relating to the mattress control method, a plurality of cells are disposed on the body pressure acting surface of the base that supports the human body, and the pressure of the fluid chamber formed inside the cells. The mattress control method is provided with pressure adjusting means for changing and setting the height of the cell by adjusting the target height, the target height setting step for setting the target height (Ht) of the cell, and the cell An internal pressure measurement step for measuring the internal pressure (Pcn) of the cell, a body pressure measurement step for measuring the body pressure (Pbn) applied to the cell, the internal pressure (Pc) of the cell stored in advance, and the body applied to the cell From the relationship between the pressure (Pb) and the height (H) of the cell, the body pressure (Pbn) measured in the body pressure measurement step was set in the target height setting step. The eye of the cell that is the target height (Ht) of the cell A target internal pressure setting step for obtaining and setting an internal pressure (Pct), and an internal pressure (Pcn) of the cell measured in the internal pressure measurement step is a target internal pressure (Pct) of the cell set in the target internal pressure setting step. Thus, an internal pressure control step of controlling an internal pressure of the cell by the pressure adjusting means is included.

  According to the control method of the mattress according to this aspect, in the target internal pressure setting step, not only the internal pressure of the cell but also the body pressure (external pressure) applied to the cell is taken into account under a state where a predetermined body pressure is applied. The target internal pressure (Pct) for realizing the target height (Ht) is obtained. That is, even if the internal pressure of the cell is the same, the height of the cell is small when the body pressure is large, and the height of the cell is large when the body pressure is small. Therefore, it is difficult to achieve the target height (Ht) with high accuracy only by paying attention to the internal pressure of the cell. The present invention has been made on the basis of such findings. The relationship between the internal pressure and the height of a cell under a state where a predetermined body pressure is exerted is stored in advance, and based on such a relationship, a predetermined The target internal pressure (Pct) that achieves the target height (Ht) under the condition where the body pressure is exerted is obtained and the cell internal pressure is adjusted. Thereby, the height of the cell can be accurately set to the target height (Ht), and a better feeling of use and a body pressure dispersion effect can be obtained.

  Note that the relationship between the internal pressure (Pc) of the cell, the body pressure (Pb) applied to the cell, and the height (H) of the cell is, for example, the cell under a state where a predetermined body pressure (Pb) is applied. The relationship between changes in internal pressure (Pc) and height (H) is stored in a database from numerical values obtained by experiments and the like, and body pressure (Pbn) measured in the internal pressure measurement step and target height are stored. On the basis of the target height (Ht) set in the setting step, the corresponding target internal pressure (Pct) may be retrieved from the database and obtained, or these relationships are used as a predetermined calculation formula. For example, the target internal pressure (Pct) may be calculated from the measured body pressure (Pbn) and the set target height (Ht).

  According to a second aspect of the present invention relating to a mattress control method, in the mattress control method described in the first aspect, body pressure (Pbn + 1) applied to the cell after execution of the internal pressure control step is measured again, and The target required to realize the target height (Ht) when the difference (ΔPbt) between the body pressure (Pbn) before execution of the internal pressure control step and the body pressure (Pbn + 1) after execution is greater than or equal to a predetermined value. The method further includes an additional internal pressure control step of resetting the internal pressure (Pct + 1) and controlling the internal pressure of the cell by the pressure adjusting means.

  As the height of the cell changes in the internal pressure control step, the amount of the human body that floats or sinks on the mattress may change, or the posture of the user may change during adjustment of the height of the cell. Thereby, the body pressure (Pbn + 1) after execution of the internal pressure control process is greatly different from the body pressure (Pbn) before execution of the internal pressure control process, and the target internal pressure (Pct) based on the body pressure (Pbn) before execution of the internal pressure control process ), The target height (Ht) may not be achieved under the condition where the current body pressure (Pbn + 1) is applied. Therefore, according to this aspect, when the body pressure (Pbn + 1) after the execution of the internal pressure control process is greatly separated (more than ΔPbt) from the body pressure (Pbn) before the execution of the internal pressure control process, the target internal pressure (Pct + 1) By resetting, the height can be set with higher accuracy following the change in body pressure.

  According to a first aspect of the present invention relating to a mattress, a plurality of cells are disposed on a body pressure acting surface of a base that supports a human body, and the pressure of a fluid chamber formed inside the cell is adjusted to adjust the pressure. In a mattress provided with pressure adjusting means for changing and setting the height of a cell, target height setting means for setting the target height (Ht) of the cell, and internal pressure measurement for measuring the internal pressure (Pcn) of the cell Means, body pressure measuring means for measuring body pressure (Pbn) applied to the cell, prestored internal pressure (Pc) of the cell, body pressure applied to the cell (Pb), and high pressure of the cell And the target height (Ht) of the cell set by the target height setting means in a state where the body pressure (Pbn) measured by the body pressure measuring means is applied. The target internal pressure (Pct) of the cell is obtained and set. The internal pressure (Pcn) of the cell measured by the target internal pressure setting means and the internal pressure measurement means is adjusted by the pressure adjusting means so as to become the target internal pressure (Pct) of the cell set by the target internal pressure setting means. And an internal pressure control means for controlling the internal pressure of the cell.

  According to the mattress having the structure according to the present invention, the target internal pressure setting means for obtaining the target internal pressure (Pct) for realizing the target target height (Ht) is provided in a state where a predetermined body pressure is exerted. . As a result, not only the internal pressure of the cell but also the body pressure (external pressure) exerted on the cell is taken into account, and the target internal pressure (Pct) is set to accurately set the target height (Ht) for the cell. I can do it. As a result, it is possible to obtain a more excellent usability and body pressure dispersion effect.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention relating to a mattress, in the mattress described in the first aspect, a constricted portion is formed in an intermediate portion in the height direction of the cell, and the cell is swung in the constricted portion. It is something like that.

  According to this aspect, when a surface force acts on the upper surface of the cell due to a user's body pressure or the like, the head swings such that the upper part of the cell is relatively inclined with respect to the lower part. Deformation occurs. As a result, the upper surface of the cell can be inclined to follow the surface shape of the human body, and the user's body is supported by a larger area by the cell, so that a better body pressure dispersion effect can be obtained. I can do it.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention relating to a mattress, in the mattress described in the first or second aspect, the body pressure measuring means is constituted by a sheet-like capacitive sensor extending along the base. The capacitive sensor includes a dielectric layer formed of an elastomer, a plurality of strip-shaped and flexible first electrode films arranged in parallel on one surface of the dielectric layer, and the other of the dielectric layers. A plurality of strip-like and flexible second electrode films arranged in parallel to each other in a direction intersecting the first electrode film, wherein the first electrode film and the second electrode film intersect each other A plurality of detection units are configured, and the plurality of detection units are respectively arranged at positions overlapping with the plurality of cells.

  According to this aspect, by disposing the detection unit at a position overlapping with each cell, the body pressure applied to each cell can be individually detected based on the change in the capacitance of the detection unit. In the capacitive sensor, the dielectric layer is formed of an elastomer, and the first electrode film and the second electrode film disposed on the dielectric layer are both formed flexibly. Thereby, the capacitive sensor is flexible and can be expanded and contracted. As a result, the capacitive sensor can be deformed along the user's body, making it difficult to give the user a sense of discomfort such as hardness and stiffness. Further, since the capacitance type sensor is deformed following the movement of the user's body, excellent body pressure detection accuracy can be obtained.

  Further, the plurality of detection portions of the capacitive sensor are formed at opposing portions where the first electrode film and the second electrode film each having a band shape are crossed. As a result, the number of electrodes can be reduced, and the number of wires for detecting capacitance from the detection unit can be reduced.

  In the present invention relating to the mattress control method, a predetermined body pressure (Pbn) is applied from the relationship between the internal pressure (Pc) of the cell, the body pressure (Pb) applied to the cell, and the height (H) of the cell. A target internal pressure setting step for obtaining and setting a target internal pressure (Pct) of the cell that realizes the target height (Ht) under the state is provided. As a result, the cell height can be accurately set to the target height (Ht) by adjusting the internal pressure of the cell in consideration of the body pressure applied to the cell. Therefore, according to the control method according to the present invention, it is possible to obtain a better feeling of use and a body pressure dispersion effect.

  Further, in the present invention relating to the mattress, target internal pressure setting means for setting a target internal pressure (Pct) for realizing the target height (Ht) is provided in consideration of the body pressure (Pbn) exerted on the cell. Thereby, according to the mattress according to the present invention, it is possible to accurately set the target height (Ht) for the cell, and it is possible to obtain a better feeling of use and a body pressure dispersion effect.

The perspective assembly drawing of the bed provided with the mattress of this invention. The top view of the mattress of this invention. III-III sectional drawing in FIG. The perspective view of a cell. Sectional drawing of the cell shown in FIG. The top view of a body pressure sensor. VII-VII sectional drawing in FIG. The graph which shows the relationship between the body pressure exerted on a cell, the internal pressure of a cell, and the height of a cell. Explanatory drawing for demonstrating the operation | movement aspect of the height adjustment of a cell. The flowchart which shows the control method of this invention.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  First, FIG. 1 shows a bed 12 having a mattress 10 structured according to the present invention. The bed 12 has a structure in which the mattress 10 is placed on the upper surface of the floor plate 16 in the bed main body 14. The mattress 10 includes a mattress main body 18 and a top mat 20.

  2 and 3 show the mattress 10. In FIG. 2, the top mat 20 is shown through. The mattress main body 18 includes a box-shaped housing portion 22 and a plurality of cells 24 accommodated in the housing portion 22. In the following description, the vertical direction means the vertical direction in FIG. 3 which is the vertical vertical direction in principle.

  The casing 22 is entirely formed of an elastic cushion material, and a bottom mat 28 as a base body is fitted in the lower opening of the frame 26, and the cushion is formed in the upper opening of the frame 26. A top mat 20 as a layer is fitted and formed.

  The frame 26 is an elastic member formed entirely of porous urethane foam, and a head side block 30 and a leg side block 32 arranged so as to be parallel to each other are a pair of side blocks. It is made into the structure connected by 34 and 34, and is exhibiting the rectangular frame shape in the up-down direction. The material for forming the frame body 26 is not particularly limited and is not limited to a foamable material. However, considering deformation followability when performing contact with the human body or raising the back, etc. It is desirable to be formed of a material having elasticity.

  The bottom mat 28 is a rectangular plate-like member that is thinner in the vertical direction than the frame body 26 and is formed of porous urethane foam in this embodiment. Further, the bottom mat 28 corresponds to the opening of the frame 26 in the shape viewed in the vertical direction. By accommodating such a bottom mat 28 in the lower opening of the frame body 26, a housing space 36 is formed inside the frame body 26.

  A plurality of cells 24 are accommodated in the accommodation space 36. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the cell 24 is made of, for example, a urethane film or the like, and has a substantially rectangular shape (rounded rectangular shape) whose corners are rounded in an arc shape in plan view (viewed in the height direction). Shape) or a balloon shape. More specifically, the cell 24 is formed by an upper bag-shaped portion 38 and a lower bag-shaped portion 40 each having a substantially purse-like shape having an opening, and the openings are fixed to each other.

  A fluid chamber 42 is formed inside the cell 24. The fluid chamber 42 is formed by the internal space of the upper bag-shaped portion 38 and the internal space of the lower bag-shaped portion 40 being communicated with each other through a communication portion 43 that uses these openings. The fluid chamber 42 is substantially sealed from the outside, and communicates with the outside through a cylindrical port 44 penetrating through the bottom of the cell 24. Then, fluid such as air is supplied to and discharged from the fluid chamber 42 through the port 44, whereby the internal pressure of the fluid chamber 42 is adjusted, and the cell 24 is expanded and contracted. The fluid supplied to and discharged from the cell 24 is not limited to air, and for example, a liquid such as water can be used.

  A constricted portion 46 is formed at an intermediate portion in the height direction of the cell 24. That is, since the upper bag-like portion 38 and the lower bag-like portion 40 are both gradually narrowed toward the opening, the fixing portion (the fixing portion between the upper bag-like portion 38 and the lower bag-like portion 40 ( A constricted portion 46 is formed in the opening). As a result, the cell 24 is thinned at the intermediate portion in the height direction where the constricted portion 46 is provided, and has a two-stage structure having a substantially 8-shaped or hook shape in the longitudinal section during expansion.

  A plurality of such cells 24 are accommodated in the accommodation space 36 of the housing portion 22 as shown in FIGS. That is, as shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of cells 24 are disposed adjacent to the top surface of the bottom mat 28, and the bottom surface of each cell 24 is fixed to the bottom mat 28 at the center portion (around the port 44). Thus, the cell 24 is supported to be tiltable with respect to the bottom mat 28. As shown in FIG. 2, in this embodiment, 147 cells 24 are arranged so as to be 21 rows vertically and 7 columns horizontally.

  As schematically shown in FIG. 3, a set of supply / discharge units 50 is provided for seven cells 24 arranged horizontally. In the mattress 10 of the present embodiment, it corresponds to 21 vertical rows. Thus, 21 sets of supply / discharge units 50 are provided. The supply / discharge unit 50 includes a main port 52, a plurality of sub-ports 54 branched from the main port 52 and communicating with the ports 44 of each cell 24, an air valve 56 and a pressure gauge 58 provided on each sub-port 54, a pump 60.

  The main port 52 is connected to the pump 60. One pump 60 may be provided in common for the 21 sets of supply / discharge units 50 or may be provided for each supply / discharge unit 50. A plurality (seven in this embodiment) of sub-ports 54 are branched from the main port 52 corresponding to each cell 24. Although not shown, the port 44 of the cell 24 is disposed through the bottom mat 28, and the subport 54 is connected to the port 44. An air valve 56 and a pressure gauge 58 are disposed in the middle of the subport 54. The air valve 56 is an electromagnetic valve, for example, and is connected to the control device 62 so that the communication with the pump 60 of the subport 54 and the opening to the atmosphere can be selectively switched based on a control signal from the control device 62. It has become. Further, the pressure gauge 58 is connected to the subport 54 and is connected to the control device 62, whereby the internal pressure of the cell 24 can be measured. The pressure gauge 58 constitutes an internal pressure measuring means. ing.

  These pump 60, air valve 56, and pressure gauge 58 are connected to a control device 62. The control device 62 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 64, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 66, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 68, a drive circuit 70, and a power supply circuit 88 described later. The ROM 66 stores a control program based on a control method described later. The RAM 68 temporarily stores the calculated value of the control program, the measured value from the pressure gauge 58, and the like. Then, the CPU 64 transmits the control signal to the pump 60 and the air valve 56 through the drive circuit 70 based on the control program stored in the ROM 66, thereby controlling the operation of the pump 60 and the operation of the plurality of air valves 56. It is designed to be controlled separately.

  Thereby, for example, based on a control signal from the control device 62, in a state where air is supplied from the pump 60, some of the plurality of air valves 56 are selectively controlled so that only a specific cell 24 is connected to the pump 60. By communicating, only the fluid chamber 42 of the cell 24 communicated with the pump 60 is pressurized to expand and deform the cell 24, and the height of the cell 24 can be increased. In addition, by selectively controlling some of the plurality of air valves 56 to communicate only the specific cells 24 with the atmosphere, only the fluid chambers 42 of the specific cells 24 are decompressed, and the cells 24 are contracted and deformed. Thus, the height of the cell 24 can be reduced. As described above, in this embodiment, the expansion and contraction of the plurality of cells 24 can be individually controlled, and the height of the cells 24 is changed and set including the supply / discharge unit 50 and the control device 62. Pressure adjusting means is configured.

  The top mat 20 is fitted into the upper opening of the frame body 26 in which the plurality of cells 24 are accommodated in the accommodation space 36 and overlapped with the cells 24 in the accommodation space 36. The top mat 20 is substantially the same as the bottom mat 28 in the vertical direction, and has a rectangular plate shape that is thicker than the bottom mat 28. The top mat 20 has a laminated structure having a surface layer portion 72 as a first cushion layer and a back layer portion 74 as a second cushion layer, each formed of porous urethane foam. In addition, although the surface layer part 72 and the back layer part 74 may be formed with the same material, the more comfortable sleeping can be exhibited by forming with the material from which an elastic modulus etc. differ.

  In the top mat 20, a body pressure sensor 76 as a body pressure measuring unit is provided between the surface layer portion 72 and the back layer portion 74. As the body pressure sensor 76, a load cell using a strain gauge or a magnetostrictor can be used. However, in the present embodiment, a sheet-like capacitive sensor is used as the body pressure sensor 76. Yes. As such a capacitance type sensor, conventionally known ones can be adopted as appropriate, so that only an outline will be described below.

  6 and 7 schematically show the body pressure sensor 76. In FIG. 6, a dielectric layer 78 and a front side base material 80 which will be described later are shown through. In FIG. 6, detection units A0101 to A2107 described later are hatched.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the body pressure sensor 76 includes a dielectric layer 78, front side electrodes 01X to 21X as first electrode films, back side electrodes 01Y to 07Y as second electrode films, and front side wirings 01x. To 21x, back side wirings 01y to 07y, a front side base material 80, a back side base material 82, a front side wiring connector 84, a back side wiring connector 86, and a control device 62. Note that the upper two digits “◯◯” in the symbols “AOOΔΔ” of detectors A0101 to A2107 described later correspond to the front electrodes 01X to 21X. The last two digits “ΔΔ” correspond to the back-side electrodes 01Y to 07Y.

  The dielectric layer 78 is made of urethane foam as an elastomer, has a rectangular plate-like sheet shape, and can be elastically deformed. The dielectric layer 78 has substantially the same size as the upper opening of the frame body 26.

  The front-side base material 80 is made of rubber and has a rectangular plate shape. The front side base material 80 is laminated above the dielectric layer 78 (front side). The back side base material 82 is made of rubber and has a rectangular plate shape. The back side base material 82 is laminated below the dielectric layer 78 (back side).

  As shown in FIG. 7, the outer edge of the front side base material 80 and the outer edge of the back side base material 82 are joined, and the front side base material 80 and the back side base material 82 are bonded together in a bag shape. The dielectric layer 78 is accommodated in the bag. The top four corners of the dielectric layer 78 are spot-bonded to the bottom four corners of the front substrate 80. The four corners of the lower surface of the dielectric layer 78 are spot-bonded to the four corners of the upper surface of the back-side base material 82. Thus, the dielectric layer 78 is positioned on the front side base material 80 and the back side base material 82 so as not to be wrinkled during use. However, the dielectric layer 78 can be elastically deformed in the horizontal direction (front-rear left-right direction) with respect to the front-side base material 80 and the back-side base material 82 with the four corners adhered.

  A total of 21 front side electrodes 01 </ b> X to 21 </ b> X are arranged on the upper surface of the dielectric layer 78. Each of the front side electrodes 01X to 21X is formed including acrylic rubber and conductive carbon black. The front-side electrodes 01X to 21X each have a belt shape and are formed to be flexible and extendable. The front-side electrodes 01X to 21X each extend in the lateral direction (left-right direction in FIG. 6). The front-side electrodes 01X to 21X are substantially parallel to each other in the vertical direction (vertical direction in FIG. 6) at intervals equal to the arrangement pitch in the vertical direction (vertical direction in FIG. 2) of the cells 24. So that it is arranged.

  A total of 21 front-side wirings 01x to 21x are arranged on the upper surface of the dielectric layer 78. The front side wirings 01x to 21x are each formed to include acrylic rubber and silver powder. The front side wirings 01x to 21x each have a linear shape. The front-side wiring connector 84 is disposed at the corners of the front-side base material 80 and the back-side base material 82. The front side wirings 01x to 21x connect the end portions of the front side electrodes 01X to 21X and the front side wiring connector 84, respectively.

  A total of seven back-side electrodes 01Y to 07Y are arranged on the lower surface of the dielectric layer 78. The back-side electrodes 01Y to 07Y are each formed by including acrylic rubber and conductive carbon black. Each of the back-side electrodes 01Y to 07Y has a strip shape and is formed to be flexible and extendable. The back-side electrodes 01Y to 07Y each extend in the vertical direction (vertical direction in FIG. 6). The back-side electrodes 01Y to 07Y are substantially parallel to each other at intervals substantially equal to the arrangement pitch of the cells 24 in the horizontal direction (left and right direction in FIG. 2) in the horizontal direction (left and right direction in FIG. 6). So that it is arranged. Thus, the front-side electrodes 01X to 21X and the back-side electrodes 01Y to 07Y are arranged in a lattice shape orthogonal to each other when viewed from above or below.

  A total of seven back-side wirings 01y to 07y are arranged on the lower surface of the dielectric layer 78. The back side wirings 01y to 07y are each formed to include acrylic rubber and silver powder. The back side wirings 01y to 07y each have a linear shape. The back side wiring connector 86 is disposed at the corners of the front side base material 80 and the back side base material 82. The back-side wirings 01y to 07y connect the end portions of the back-side electrodes 01Y to 07Y and the back-side wiring connector 86, respectively.

  As shown by hatching in FIG. 6, the detection units A0101 to A2107 are arranged at portions (overlapping portions) where the front side electrodes 01X to 21X and the back side electrodes 01Y to 07Y intersect in the vertical direction. Each of the detection units A0101 to A2107 includes a part of the front side electrodes 01X to 21X, a part of the back side electrodes 01Y to 07Y, and a part of the dielectric layer 78. The detection units A0101 to A2107 are arranged in a total of 147 (= 21 × 7), which is the same number as the cells 24 housed in the housing space 36 of the housing unit 22. The detectors A0101 to A2107 are arranged uniformly over substantially the entire surface of the dielectric layer 78.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the control device 62 is electrically connected to the front side wiring connector 84 and the back side wiring connector 86. The control device 62 is provided with a power supply circuit 88. The power supply circuit 88 applies periodic rectangular wave voltages to the detection units A0101 to A2107 in order in a scanning manner. The ROM 66 stores in advance a map indicating the correspondence between the capacitance of the capacitors configured in the detection units A0101 to A2107 and body pressure (load). On the other hand, the RAM 68 temporarily stores capacitances of the detection units A0101 to A2107 input from the front-side wiring connector 84 and the back-side wiring connector 86. Then, the CPU 64 detects the body pressure acting on the detection units A0101 to A2107 based on the map stored in the ROM 66 from the capacitances of the detection units A0101 to A2107 stored in the RAM 68. Yes.

  The top mat 20 having such a body pressure sensor 76 is fitted into the upper opening of the frame body 26 and overlapped with the plurality of cells 24 housed in the housing space 36 of the frame body 26. As a result, the body pressure sensor 76 is spread along the bottom mat 28 via the plurality of cells 24, and the detection units A0101 to A2107 of the body pressure sensor 76 are overlaid on the cells 24, respectively. As a result, the body pressure acting on each cell 24 can be detected by the body pressure sensor 76.

  The mattress 10 having such a structure is overlaid on the floor plate 16 of the bed main body 14 as shown in FIG. When the user lies on the mattress 10, the user's body pressure acts on the top mat 20, the plurality of cells 24, and the bottom mat 28 and is supported by the floor plate 16 of the bed body 14. Yes. The supply / discharge unit 50, the pump 60, and the control device 62 are disposed in the bed main body 14 and the like. A body load (body pressure) based on gravity acting on the user acts downward, so that the top surface of the top mat 20, the cell 24, the bottom mat 28, and the floor board 16 are affected by body pressure. The working surface.

  Next, a control method for adjusting the height of the cell 24 in the mattress 10 will be described. First, in the ROM 66 of the control device 62, the relationship among the internal pressure (Pc) of the cell 24, the body pressure (Pb) applied to the cell 24, and the height (H) of the cell 24 shown in FIG. Is stored as a cell internal pressure / height relationship table. The body pressures Pb1 to Pb3 in FIG. 8 are Pb3> Pb2> Pb1. As is apparent from FIG. 8, the cell 24 has the same internal pressure (Pc), but the height (H) is different if the applied body pressure (Pb) is different. That is, even with the same internal pressure (Pc), the height (H) is small when the body pressure (Pb) is large, and the height (H) is large when the body pressure (Pb) is small. Such a cell internal pressure / height relationship table is created from data obtained in advance by actual measurement or the like.

  Hereinafter, for example, as schematically shown in FIG. 9, the height of the cell 24 is increased from the initial state shown in FIG. 9A to the height of the cell 24 as shown in FIG. 9B. : A control method for adjusting the shape of the top mat 20 to the shape of the head of the user by adjusting to Ht will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 9A, it is assumed that body pressure (Pbn) is applied to the cell 24 in the initial state.

  First, in S1 in FIG. 10, the CPU 64 of the control device 62 performs a body pressure measurement process. In the body pressure measurement step, the CPU 64 measures the body pressure (Pbn) applied to the cell 24 from the body pressure sensor 76.

  Next, in S2, the CPU 64 performs a target height setting process. In the target height setting step, the CPU 64 sets the target height (Ht) of the cell 24. As for the target height (Ht), for example, the body pressure (Pbn) exerted on the cell 24 and the target height (Ht) corresponding to the body pressure (Pbn) are stored in advance in the ROM 66 as a data map. Using the data map, the target height (Ht) corresponding to the body pressure (Pbn) obtained in S1 is acquired and set. Thus, in this embodiment, the target height setting means is comprised including ROM66 and S2.

  Next, in S3, the CPU 64 performs a target internal pressure setting step. In the target internal pressure setting step, the CPU 64, based on the cell internal pressure / height relationship table shown in Table 1, the target height (Ht) set in S2 and the target corresponding to the body pressure (Pbn) measured in S1. The internal pressure (Pct) is acquired and set. If there is no measurement value in the cell internal pressure / height relationship table, a value close to the measurement value is used. For example, when the target height (Ht) is set to 7 h (mm) in S2 and the body pressure (Pbn) measured in S1 is 2 pb (mmHg), the cell internal pressure / Based on the height relation table, target internal pressure (Pct) = 15 pc (kPa) is acquired and set. Thus, in this embodiment, the target internal pressure setting means is comprised including ROM66 and S3.

  Next, in S4, the CPU 64 performs an internal pressure control process. In the internal pressure control step, the CPU 64 operates the supply / discharge unit 50 through the drive circuit 70 to adjust the internal pressure of the cell 24 to the target internal pressure (Pct) set in S3. That is, when the internal pressure measurement process of measuring the internal pressure of the cell 24 with the pressure gauge 58 is performed and the internal pressure (Pcn) of the cell 24 obtained in the internal pressure measurement process is lower than the target internal pressure (Pct), Supply air from the pump 60 to the fluid chamber 42 and pressurize it. On the other hand, when the internal pressure (Pcn) of the cell 24 is higher than the target internal pressure (Pct), the fluid chamber 42 of the cell 24 is communicated with the atmosphere to reduce the pressure. Thus, in this embodiment, the internal pressure control means is configured including S4.

  Further, in S5 and S6, the CPU 64 performs an additional internal pressure control process. In S5, the CPU 64 measures the current body pressure (Pbn + 1) of the cell 24, and determines whether or not the difference from the body pressure (Pbn) measured in S1 is equal to or greater than ΔPbt. That is, for example, since the body pressure distribution of the user changes due to the change in the height of the cell 24, the current body pressure (Pbn + 1) exerted on the cell 24 is the body pressure measured at the time of the initial S1. There is a possibility that the target body pressure (Pct) is set based on the initial body pressure (Pbn), and the target height (Pbn + 1) is applied to the target height (Pbn). Ht) may not be realized.

  Therefore, in S5, it is determined whether or not the difference between the current body pressure (Pbn + 1) and the initial body pressure (Pbn) as a result of adjusting the internal pressure of the cell 24 is equal to or greater than a predetermined ΔPbt. If the difference between the current body pressure (Pbn + 1) and the initial body pressure (Pbn) is equal to or greater than ΔPbt (S5 = Yes), in S6, as in S3, a cell internal pressure / height relationship table (see Table 1). ), The target internal pressure (Pct + 1) that achieves the target height (Ht) with the current body pressure (Pbn + 1) is acquired again and reset, and the process proceeds to S7. On the other hand, if the difference between the current body pressure (Pbn + 1) and the initial body pressure (Pbn) is not equal to or greater than ΔPbt (S5 = No), the process proceeds to S7.

  Next, in S7, the CPU 64 performs an internal pressure measurement step of measuring the internal pressure of the cell 24 with the pressure gauge 58, and the internal pressure (Pcn) of the cell 24 becomes the target internal pressure (Pct) based on the measurement result. It is determined whether or not. When the internal pressure (Pcn) of the cell 24 is not equal to the target internal pressure (Pct), the processes after S4 are repeated. On the other hand, when the internal pressure (Pcn) of the cell 24 reaches the target internal pressure (Pct), the process is terminated.

  As described above, as shown in FIG. 9B, the height of the cell 24 is set to the target height (Ht). As a result, the top mat 20 is shaped along the user's body surface, and the user's body is supported over a larger area, so that a good sleeping comfort can be obtained.

  Then, according to the control method according to the present embodiment, in the target internal pressure setting step (S3), the body pressure (Pbn) exerted on the cell 24 is also taken into consideration from the cell internal pressure / height relationship table shown in Table 1. The target internal pressure (Pct) for realizing the target height (Ht) is set. As a result, the height of the cell 24 can be set with high accuracy by the target height (Ht) for the purpose, and a more excellent usability and body pressure dispersion effect can be obtained.

  Particularly in the present embodiment, in the process of adjusting the internal pressure of the cell 24 by the additional internal pressure control step (S5, S6), the body pressure (Pcn) applied before the internal pressure adjustment and the current body pressure (Pcn + 1) The target internal pressure (Pcn + 1) was reset when the difference was large. Thereby, the cell 24 can be accurately set by the target height (Ht) by changing and setting the target internal pressure following the change in the body pressure exerted on the cell 24.

  The cell 24 in the present embodiment has a two-stage structure in which the upper bag-like portion 38 and the lower bag-like portion 40 are connected to each other and have a constricted portion 46. As a result, the cell 24 can be swung in the constricted portion 46 by tilting the upper portion (upper bag-shaped portion 38) of the constricted portion 46 with respect to the lower portion (lower bag-shaped portion 40). Accordingly, for example, as shown in FIG. 9B, the upper surface (body pressure acting surface) is set to the top mat as in each of the cells 24, 24 on both sides adjacent to the cell 24 set to the target height (Ht). It can be tilted following 20 deformations (displacements). As a result, the support surface having a shape corresponding to the unevenness of the top mat 20 is constituted by the upper surfaces of the plurality of cells 24, and the surface of the mattress 10 can be deformed into a shape along the unevenness of the human body surface. Thus, a more excellent body pressure dispersion effect can be obtained by bringing the surface of the cell 24 into contact with the user's body surface over a wider area.

  The body pressure sensor 76 in the present embodiment is formed of a sheet-like dielectric layer 78 made of an elastomer, flexible first electrodes 01X to 21X, and second electrodes 01Y to 07Y. As a result, the body pressure sensor 76 can be deformed along the user's body, making it difficult to give the user a sense of discomfort such as hardness. Further, a plurality of detection parts A0101 to A2107 are formed at the intersections of the first electrodes 01X to 21X and the second electrodes 01Y to 07Y. Thereby, a large number of detection portions A0101 to A2107 can be formed with a small number of electrodes. Then, by arranging the detection units A0101 to A2107 so as to overlap each cell 24, the body pressure exerted on each cell 24 can be detected individually and accurately.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was explained in full detail, this invention is not limited by the specific description. For example, in the above embodiment, the internal pressure of each cell 24 is individually controlled, but a plurality of cells 24 may be grouped to control the internal pressure for each group. Specifically, first, the cells 24 are classified into groups shown in Table 2 based on the body pressure (Pbn) obtained from the body pressure sensor 76. Next, after setting the target height (Ht) for each group, the target internal pressure (Pct) that becomes the target height (Ht) is obtained based on the cell internal pressure / height relationship table shown in Table 1 above. Then, the internal pressure of each cell 24 is adjusted to the target internal pressure (Pct). This is repeated for each group. The internal pressure is preferably adjusted from a group with high body pressure (group 7 in Table 2). In this way, by controlling the plurality of cells 24 in groups, the height can be adjusted in a shorter time than when each cell 24 is individually controlled.

  Further, the grouping of the cells 24 is not limited to the above classification. For example, as shown in Table 3, from the body pressure distribution obtained by the body pressure sensor 76, a human body part located on each cell 24 is estimated, and each cell 24 is grouped for each human body part. May be. In such a case, the adjustment of the internal pressure of the cell 24 is preferably controlled in order from the group 1 with the highest body pressure.

  In the embodiment, the relationship between the internal pressure (Pc) of the cell 24, the body pressure (Pb) applied to the cell 24, and the height (H) of the cell 24 is previously stored as a cell internal pressure / height relationship table. Although stored as a map, for example, these relationships are stored in the ROM 66 with a predetermined calculation formula, and in the target internal pressure setting step (S3), the calculation formula and the obtained body pressure (Pbn) and The target internal pressure (Pct) may be calculated from the target height (Ht).

  Furthermore, the specific shape of the cell 24 used in the mattress 10 in the above embodiment is merely an example, and various conventionally known shapes can be appropriately employed. Therefore, as the cell 24, a single bag-like body or the like can be adopted instead of the two-stage shape as in the above embodiment.

  In the above-described embodiment, the periodic rectangular wave voltages are sequentially applied to the detection units A0101 to A2107 of the body pressure sensor 76 in a scanning order. For example, an alternating voltage may be applied in a scanning order. .

  Further, when a sinusoidal AC voltage is applied sequentially in a scanning manner, the RAM 68 may temporarily store the impedance and phase input from the front wiring connector 84 and the back wiring connector 86. Then, the CPU 64 extracts the capacitance of the detection units A0101 to A2107 based on the impedance and phase stored in the RAM 68, and based on the map stored in the ROM 66, the detection unit A0101 is extracted from the obtained capacitance. The body pressure acting on ~ A2107 may be detected.

10: mattress, 18: mattress body, 20: top mat, 24: cell, 28: bottom mat (base), 38: upper bag-shaped portion, 40: lower bag-shaped portion, 42: fluid chamber, 46: constricted Part: 50: supply / discharge unit (pressure adjusting means), 56: air valve, 58: pressure gauge, 60: pump, 76: body pressure sensor (body pressure measuring means), 78: dielectric layer, 01X to 21X: front electrode ( First electrode film), 01Y to 07Y: Back side electrode (second electrode film), A0101 to A2107: Detection unit

Claims (5)

A pressure adjusting means in which a plurality of cells are disposed on a body pressure acting surface of a base that supports a human body, and the height of the cells is changed by adjusting the pressure of a fluid chamber formed inside the cells. A mattress control method provided with
A target height setting step for setting a target height (Ht) of the cell;
An internal pressure measuring step of measuring an internal pressure (Pcn) of the cell;
A body pressure measurement step for measuring body pressure (Pbn) applied to the cell;
The body pressure measured in the body pressure measurement step is stored in advance from the relationship between the internal pressure (Pc) of the cell, the body pressure (Pb) applied to the cell, and the height (H) of the cell. A target internal pressure setting step of obtaining and setting a target internal pressure (Pct) of the cell that becomes the target height (Ht) of the cell set in the target height setting step in a state where (Pbn) is applied;
The internal pressure of the cell is controlled by the pressure adjusting means so that the internal pressure (Pcn) of the cell measured in the internal pressure measuring step becomes the target internal pressure (Pct) of the cell set in the target internal pressure setting step. A mattress control method comprising: an internal pressure control step.   The body pressure (Pbn + 1) applied to the cell after the execution of the internal pressure control step is measured again, and the difference (ΔPbt) between the body pressure (Pbn) before execution of the internal pressure control step and the body pressure (Pbn + 1) after execution is calculated. An additional internal pressure control step of resetting a target internal pressure (Pct + 1) necessary for realizing the target height (Ht) when the predetermined value or more is reached, and controlling the internal pressure of the cell by the pressure adjusting means; The method of controlling a mattress according to claim 1. A pressure adjusting means in which a plurality of cells are disposed on a body pressure acting surface of a base that supports a human body, and the height of the cells is changed by adjusting the pressure of a fluid chamber formed inside the cells. In the mattress provided with
Target height setting means for setting a target height (Ht) of the cell;
An internal pressure measuring means for measuring the internal pressure (Pcn) of the cell;
Body pressure measuring means for measuring body pressure (Pbn) applied to the cell;
The body pressure measured by the body pressure measuring means based on the relationship between the internal pressure (Pc) of the cell, the body pressure (Pb) applied to the cell, and the height (H) of the cell, which is stored in advance. Target internal pressure setting means for obtaining and setting the target internal pressure (Pct) of the cell that becomes the target height (Ht) of the cell set by the target height setting means in a state where (Pbn) is applied;
The internal pressure of the cell is controlled by the pressure adjusting means so that the internal pressure (Pcn) of the cell measured by the internal pressure measuring means becomes the target internal pressure (Pct) of the cell set by the target internal pressure setting means. Internal pressure control means,
A mattress characterized by comprising:   The mattress according to claim 3, wherein a constricted portion is formed at an intermediate portion in the height direction of the cell, and the cell is swung in the constricted portion. The body pressure measuring means is constituted by a sheet-like capacitive sensor extending along the base, and the capacitive sensor comprises a dielectric layer formed of an elastomer and one of the dielectric layers. A plurality of strip-like and flexible first electrode films arranged on the surface and arranged in parallel, and a plurality of strip-like and flexible electrodes arranged on the other surface of the dielectric layer and arranged in parallel in a direction intersecting the first electrode film A plurality of detectors are formed at opposing portions where the first electrode film and the second electrode film intersect with each other, and the plurality of detectors are respectively located at positions where the plurality of cells overlap. The mattress according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the mattress is disposed.

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