JP2013215469A - Mattress apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a mattress apparatus capable of changing the support part of a user's body by a fluid bag without shaking the user's body.SOLUTION: A mattress apparatus includes a plurality of fluid bags 2 longitudinally juxtaposed in two vertical stages on the upper face of a base member of rectangular plate shape so that the longitudinal direction is extended along the width direction of the base member. The fluid bags 2 are divided into two groups on the whole by forming one group of the plurality of fluid bags located in mutually non-adjacent positions in the upper and lower stages. The plurality of fluid bags in one group and the plurality of fluid bags in the other group are connected such that a fluid from an air pump 3 is supplied through a switching means 4. A control device 15 switchingly controls the switching means 4 such that the fluid is alternately supplied to the plurality of fluid bags in one group and the plurality of fluid bags in the other group.

Description

  The present invention relates to a mattress device configured using a tube-shaped fluid bag to which a fluid such as air is supplied.

  For example, in the case of a mattress device that is used for a long time by an elderly person or a sick person whose physical strength has declined, it is required to have a configuration that can prevent humiliation from occurring on the user's buttocks, back, and the like.

  There are various known mattress devices configured to prevent humiliation, and as one of them, a plurality of air bags as tube-shaped fluid bags are provided on the upper surface of a rectangular plate-like base member in two upper and lower stages. The lower airbag is always inflated, and one of the upper airbags and the other of the adjacent airbags are alternately inflated every predetermined time.

  As a result, the portion of the back of the user supported by the air bag can be changed every predetermined time, so the back of the user's buttocks, back, etc. compared to the case where the same portion is continuously supported in the same state. Humiliation is less likely to occur.

Japanese Patent No. 4156297

  However, among the airbags arranged side by side in the upper and lower stages, one of the upper adjacent airbags and the other are inflated alternately to change the portion supported by the airbag on the back of the user every predetermined time If it is made to do, the height which supports a user will differ with the airbag in the inflated state, and the airbag from which air is extracted.

  When the user's support height by the air bag changes, the user's body swings in the vertical direction in accordance with the change, and there has been a case where discomfort given to the user increases.

  The present invention relates to a mattress device in which when a fluid bag is repeatedly expanded and contracted every predetermined time to prevent humiliation from occurring on the back of the user, the body of the user who is supine is less likely to swing. Is to provide.

The present invention includes a rectangular plate-shaped base member;
A plurality of elongate pouches that can be filled with a fluid, and are arranged in two upper and lower stages on the upper surface of the base member, and are arranged in parallel with the longitudinal direction of the base member along the longitudinal direction of the base member. A fluid bag;
A fluid supply source for supplying fluid to the fluid bag;
Switching means that is provided between the fluid supply source and the fluid bag and switches a flow of fluid supplied from the fluid supply source to the fluid bag;
Control means for controlling the flow of the fluid supplied to the fluid bag by controlling the switching means,
The fluid bags can be divided into two groups as a whole by grouping a plurality of fluid bags at different positions in the upper and lower positions and not adjacent to each other in the upper and lower stages. And
The fluid bags of one group and the plurality of fluid bags of the other group are connected so that fluid from the fluid supply source is supplied via the switching means,
The control means switches and controls the switching means so that the fluid is alternately supplied to a plurality of fluid bags in one group and a plurality of fluid bags in the other group. In the device.

The switching means is
A three-way switching control valve having an inflow port, an outflow port and an exhaust port, the fluid supply source being connected to the inflow port;
A first open / close control valve connected to the outflow port of the three-way switching control valve and supplying fluid from the fluid supply source to the fluid bag of the first group;
A second open / close control valve that is branched and connected to the first open / close control valve to the outflow port of the three-way switching control valve and supplies fluid from the fluid supply source to the fluid bag of the second group; With
The control means closes one of the first open / close control valve and the second open / close control valve, and opens the open / close control valve when the other open / close control valve is open. It is preferable to control the three-way switching control valve so that the fluid supplied to one of the groups of fluid bags is discharged from the exhaust port of the three-way switching control valve.

The switching means detects a pressure of the fluid supplied to the fluid bag of the first group and a pressure of the fluid supplied to the fluid bag of the second group. A second pressure sensor;
The control means controls the first and second open / close control valves and the three-way switching control valve based on the pressures detected by the first pressure sensor and the second pressure sensor to control the first group and the Preferably, the supply of fluid to the second group of fluid bags is controlled.

  Between the lower surface of the fluid bag and the upper surface of the base member, when the user lies on the upper surface of the fluid bag, the portion corresponding to the back surface of the user is removed and the fluid is removed. It is preferable that an electric heater for heating the fluid supplied to the bag for use is provided.

  The fluid bag is formed by rounding a sheet having a predetermined width dimension into a tube shape and welding the both ends in the width direction, with the welded ends in the width direction facing downward on the upper surface of the base member. It is preferable to be provided.

  According to the present invention, a plurality of fluid bags stacked in two upper and lower stages at different positions on the upper and lower sides and not adjacent to each other in the upper and lower stages are grouped into one group. As a result, the whole was divided into two groups, and fluid was alternately supplied to a plurality of fluid bags in one group and the other group.

  Therefore, the fluid bags stacked in the upper and lower stages do not shrink the same fluid bag in the vertical direction at the same time, and the air bags adjacent to each other do not shrink at the same time. Since the support height of the body does not change and the body does not shake, there is no discomfort to the user.

The top view which shows the internal structure of the mattress apparatus which shows one embodiment of this invention. The top view which removed some fluid bags of the mattress apparatus shown in FIG. 1, and showed the internal structure. The side view of the mattress apparatus shown in FIG. The figure which shows the piping system and control circuit for supplying and discharging | emitting compressed air to the bag for fluids of the 1st group and the 2nd group. (A)-(d) is explanatory drawing which showed sequentially the order which supplies / discharges compressed air to the bag for fluids of the 1st group and the 2nd group.

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

  1 and 2 are plan views of the mattress device, and FIG. 3 is a side view of the same. The mattress device includes a base member 1 formed in a rectangular plate shape by an elastic material such as urethane foam.

  On the upper surface of the base member 1, a plurality of fluid bags 2 formed in an elongated bag shape are arranged in two upper and lower stages as shown in FIG. 3 with the longitudinal direction along the width direction of the base member 1. The members 1 are juxtaposed in the longitudinal direction. The upper and lower fluid bags 2 are arranged with their radial centers aligned.

  The plurality of fluid bags 2 are divided into two groups, a first group G1 and a second group G2, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5A to 5D. That is, the fluid bags 2 that are in the same position in the vertical direction and are adjacent to each other in the upper and lower stages are divided into different groups, that is, the first group G1 and the second group G2.

  In other words, by arranging a plurality of fluid bags at different positions in the upper and lower positions and not adjacent to each other in the upper stage and the lower stage as one group, the whole is divided into two groups G1 and G2. ing.

From the above, the fluid bag 2 indicated by A in FIGS. 4 and 5A to 5D is set in the first group G1, and the fluid bag 2 indicated by B is set in the second group G2. Has been.
4 and 5A to 5D show only a part of the fluid bag 2 provided on the base member 1.

  As shown in FIG. 4, in the fluid bag 2 of the first group G1 and the fluid bag 2 of the second group G2, pressurized air generated by an air pump 3 as a fluid supply source is switched. 4 are alternately supplied every predetermined time.

  The switching means 4 includes a three-way switching valve 5 having an inflow port 5a connected to the discharge side of the air pump 3. A first opening / closing control valve 6 and a second opening / closing control valve 7 are connected in parallel to the outflow port 5b of the three-way switching valve 5 via a branch pipe 8, and the exhaust port 5c is opened to the atmosphere.

  One end of a first gas supply pipe 9 indicated by a broken line in the drawing is connected to the first opening / closing control valve 6. The first gas supply pipe 9 is a fluid bag of the first group G1 indicated by A in the figure, which is located at the top of the fluid bag 2 stacked in two upper and lower stages. The one end part of the longitudinal direction of 2 is connected sequentially.

  The first gas supply pipe 9 in which one end in the longitudinal direction of the fluid bag 2 of the first group G1 located in the upper stage is sequentially connected is the first group G1 indicated by A located in the lower stage. After sequentially connecting one end of the fluid bag 2 in the longitudinal direction, the fluid bag 2 is connected to the first pressure sensor 11. The first pressure sensor 11 detects the air pressure in the fluid bag 2 of the first group G1 supplied by the first gas supply pipe 9.

  One end of a second gas supply pipe 13 indicated by a solid line in FIG. 4 is connected to the second opening / closing control valve 7. The second gas supply pipe 13 is located in the upper stage of the fluid bags 2 stacked in two upper and lower stages. The second group G2 of fluid bags 2 shown in FIG. Are sequentially connected at one end in the longitudinal direction.

  The second gas supply pipes 13 sequentially connected to one end in the longitudinal direction of the fluid bag 2 of the second group G2 located in the upper stage are for the fluid of the second group G2 located alternately in the lower stage. After sequentially connecting one end of the bag 2 in the longitudinal direction, the bag 2 is connected to the second pressure sensor 14. The second pressure sensor 14 detects the air pressure in the fluid bag 2 of the second group G2 supplied by the second gas supply pipe 13.

  Detection signals detected by the first pressure sensor 11 and the second pressure sensor 14 are output to a control device 15 including a control board. The control device 15 controls the opening / closing of the first opening / closing control valve 6 and the second opening / closing control valve 7, and the three-way switching control valve 5 is connected to the first pressure sensor 11 and the second opening / closing control valve 5. In accordance with the pressure detected by the second pressure sensor 14, switching control is performed as described later.

  The air pump 3, the switching means 4, the first and second pressure sensors 11 and 14, and the control device 15 are accommodated in a control box 16 provided at one end of the base member 1.

  As shown in FIG. 2, an electric heater 17 is disposed between the upper surface of the base member 1 and the fluid bag 2 in a portion excluding the other end portion in the longitudinal direction of the base member 1. The electric heater 17 is controlled by the control device 15 to warm the compressed air supplied to the fluid bags 2 of the groups G1 and G2.

  The electric heater 17 is arranged so as to be positioned in a portion other than the portion corresponding to the back surface of the user when the user lies with his head positioned on one end in the longitudinal direction of the base member 1. . That is, the electric heater 17 is provided in a portion excluding the central portion in the width direction on one end side of the base member 1 as shown in FIG.

  Accordingly, when the user places his head on one end in the longitudinal direction of the base member 1 and lies on his back, the user's back is prevented from being directly warmed by the heat of the electric heater 17. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the user from causing a so-called low-temperature burn by the heat of the electric heater 17.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the fluid bag 2 provided in two upper and lower stages on the upper surface of the base member 1 is held by two strip members 18 so as not to be displaced on the upper surface of the base member 1. Yes.

  The fluid bag 2 is fluid-tight having a predetermined width dimension, and in this embodiment, a flexible belt-like sheet formed in an airtight manner is rounded in the width direction, and both end portions in the width direction are overlapped and welded, It is formed in an elongated and airtight bag shape.

  As shown in FIG. 4, each fluid bag 2 is disposed on the upper surface of the base member 1 with the welded portion 2 a facing downward, that is, the upper surface side of the base member 1. As a result, the portion 2a welded with the two end portions of the fluid bag 2 overlapped, that is, the portion thicker than the other portions, is on the lower side, so that the welded portion 2a hits the back of the user and is not suitable. It can prevent giving a pleasant feeling.

  The fluid bag 2 is welded so as to seal not only the widthwise ends of the belt-like sheet but also the lengthwise ends.

  And the said base member 1 by which the bag 2 for fluids was arranged in parallel along the longitudinal direction by the upper and lower two steps on the upper surface is coat | covered with the bag-shaped exterior body which is not shown in figure.

  According to the mattress device having the above configuration, when the operation is started by the control device 15, the air pump 3 is operated with the first opening / closing control valve 6 and the second opening / closing control valve 7 opened at first. Then, compressed air is supplied to the fluid bags 2 of the first group G1 and the second group G2.

  When the first pressure sensor 11 and the second pressure sensor 14 detect that the pressure of the compressed air supplied to the fluid bags 2 of the groups G1 and G2 exceeds a set value, the detection signal Based on the above, the first opening / closing control valve 6 and the second opening / closing control valve 7 are closed by the control device 15. This state is shown in FIG.

  When a predetermined time elapses in the state shown in FIG. 5A, the first opening / closing control valve 6 is opened while the second opening / closing control valve 7 is closed, and the three-way switching control valve 5 The three-way switching control valve 5 is controlled so that the outflow port 5b communicates with the exhaust port 5c.

  As a result, the compressed air supplied to the fluid bag 2 of the first group G1 is switched from the first opening / closing control valve 6 to the three-way state mainly by the user's load applied to the fluid bag 2 of the first group G1. It is discharged into the atmosphere through the exhaust port 5 c of the control valve 5. When the first pressure sensor 11 detects that the pressure in the fluid bag 2 of the first group G1 has decreased to a predetermined value, the first opening / closing control valve 6 is closed.

  As a result, the fluid bag 2 of the first group G1 contracts by a predetermined rate, for example, 50%, compared to the time of expansion, while the fluid bag 2 of the second group G2 remains inflated at a predetermined pressure for a predetermined time. Maintained. This state is shown in FIG.

  In the state shown in FIG. 5B, the back surface of the user is mainly supported by the fluid bag 2 of the second group G2, and is for the fluid of the first group G1 contracted (expanded) in a state of about 50%. The bag 2 is in a state where it does not strongly support the back of the user.

  That is, the user presses the back surface only by the fluid bag 2 of the second group G2 from the state where the entire back surface is compressed by the fluid bag 2 of the first and second groups G1 and G2. The compressed state of the portion that has been supported by the fluid bag 2 of the first group G1 until then is released.

  When the state shown in FIG. 5B elapses for a predetermined time, the first opening / closing control valve 6 is opened, and compressed air is supplied from the air pump 3 to the fluid bag 2 of the first group G1. Thereby, the fluid bag 2 of the first group G1 is inflated until the pressure of the compressed air detected by the first pressure sensor 11 rises to a predetermined pressure.

  That is, since the compressed air is supplied to the fluid bag 2 of the first group G1 until the air pressure in the fluid bag 2 of the first group G1 and the second group G2 is substantially the same, the compressed air is supplied. As in the case of FIG. 5A, the back surface of the person is almost entirely supported by the inflated fluid bag 2 of the first group G1 and the second group G2. This state is shown in FIG.

  When the state shown in FIG. 5C elapses for a predetermined time, the second opening / closing control valve 7 is opened while the first opening / closing control valve 6 is closed, and the three-way switching control valve 5 The three-way switching control valve 5 is switched so that the outflow port 5b communicates with the exhaust port 5c.

  As a result, the compressed air supplied to the fluid bag 2 of the second group G2 is discharged into the atmosphere from the second opening / closing control valve 7 through the exhaust port 5c of the three-way switching control valve 5 mainly by the load of the user. Is done. When the second pressure sensor 14 detects that the pressure in the fluid bag 2 of the second group G2 has decreased to a predetermined value, the second opening / closing control valve 7 is closed.

  Thereby, the fluid bag 2 of the second group G2 contracts by a predetermined ratio, for example, 50% with respect to the inflated state, and the state in which the fluid bag 2 of the first group G1 is inflated is maintained for a predetermined time. That is, the back surface of the user is mainly supported by the fluid bag 2 of the first group G1, and the back surface is compressed and supported at the portion corresponding to the fluid bag 2 of the second group G2 contracted to about 50%. It will not be done. This state is shown in FIG.

  Therefore, according to the state shown in FIG. 5 (d), the entire back surface of the user is supported by the fluid bags 2 of the first and second groups G1 and G2 expanded as shown in FIG. 5 (c). By being supported by the fluid bag 2 of the first group G1, the compressed state of the portion supported by the fluid bag 2 of the second group G2 is released.

  That is, the support by the fluid bag 2 of the second group G2 is released, contrary to the case of FIG. 5B in which the support by the fluid bag 2 of the first group G1 is released.

  As described above, the state in which the back surface of the user is pressed and supported by the fluid bag 2 of the first group G1 and the second group G2 is alternately repeated, so that the back surface of the user's buttocks, back, and the like. Therefore, it is prevented that humiliation is caused on the back surface of the user.

  The fluid bag 2 of the first group G1 and the fluid bag 2 of the second group G2 are in different positions in the upper and lower positions, and are not adjacent to each other in the upper and lower stages.

  For this reason, when the fluid bag 2 of either the first group G1 or the second group G2 is maintained in an inflated state and the compressed air is allowed to flow out from the other fluid bag 2, the thickness of the mattress device is reduced. That is, the total thickness of the fluid bag 2 stacked in two upper and lower stages changes uniformly and does not change to a different thickness for each part.

  That is, the mattress device having the above-described configuration has two upper and lower steps over the entire length in the longitudinal direction of the base member 1 when the thickness changes by putting compressed air into and out of the fluid bags 2 of the first and second groups G1 and G2. The thickness formed by the fluid bag 2 laminated in (1) does not change to different thicknesses for each part, and changes while maintaining a uniform thickness.

  Therefore, in order to prevent the occurrence of humiliation on the back of the user, when the support state by the fluid bag 2 of the first group G1 and the second group G2 on the back of the user is alternately switched, Since the thickness of each part changes, the user's body does not move, so that the user does not feel uncomfortable that the ship is shaking, and the support state by the fluid bag 2 on the back is maintained. Can be switched.

  A first pressure sensor 11 and a second pressure sensor 14 for detecting the pressure of the compressed air supplied to the fluid bags 2 of the first group G1 and the second group G2 are provided.

  Therefore, since the pressure of the compressed air supplied to the fluid bags 2 of the first group G1 and the second group G2 can be set, the pressure on the back of the user's body is set according to the user's preference. It can be supported by the fluid bag 2 inflated with (hardness).

  Further, when compressed air is extracted from the fluid bags 2 of the first group G1 and the second group G2, the fluid remains in the fluid bag 2 by the detection of the first pressure sensor 11 and the second pressure sensor 14. Since it is possible to set how much the pressure of compressed air to be compared with the pressure at the time of expansion, it becomes possible to set the thickness of the entire mattress device according to the preference of the user .

  An electric heater 17 is provided on the upper surface of the base member 1. Therefore, since the compressed air supplied to the fluid bag 2 can be warmed by the electric heater 17, for example, a heating action can be exhibited in winter.

  The electric heater 17 is not provided at a portion corresponding to the back surface of the user who is supine, but is mainly provided at both end portions in the width direction of the base member 1. Therefore, since the user's back surface is not directly warmed by the heat of the electric heater 17, the user can be prevented from being burned at a low temperature.

  The fluid bag 2 is formed by rolling a sheet having a predetermined width into a tube shape and welding both ends in the width direction. The portion 2a where both ends in the width direction are welded faces down on the base member 1. Is placed.

  Therefore, since the user who lies on the mattress device does not feel the hardness of the welded portion 2a of the fluid bag 2, the user can be prevented from feeling uncomfortable by the portion 2a. .

  In the above embodiment, compressed air is supplied to the fluid bag. However, liquid may be supplied instead of compressed air. In this case, the fluid in the fluid bag discharged from the exhaust port of the three-way switching control valve may be collected in a tank and then supplied to the fluid bag with a pump and reused.

  Also, when the first and second groups of fluid bags are alternately expanded and contracted alternately, the fluid is supplied to the fluid bag from which the fluid has been discharged and expanded, and then the expanded bag is in an expanded state. Although the fluid is discharged from a certain fluid bag, the supply of the fluid to the fluid bag in the contracted state and the discharge of the fluid from the expanded fluid bag may be performed simultaneously.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Base member, 2 ... Fluid bag, 3 ... Air pump (fluid supply source), 4 ... Switching means, 5 ... Three-way switching control valve, 6 ... 1st opening / closing control valve, 7 ... 2nd opening / closing control valve , 11 ... 1st pressure sensor, 14 ... 2nd pressure sensor, 15 ... Control apparatus, 17 ... Electric heater.

It is the electric heater 17 when the user supine by positioning the head on the other end side in the longitudinal direction of the base member 1, is arranged to be positioned in a portion except for the portion corresponding to the back of the user Yes. That is, the electric heater 17 is provided in a portion excluding the central portion in the width direction on one end side of the base member 1 as shown in FIG.

Whereby the user when supine by positioning the head on the other end side in the longitudinal direction of the base member 1, the back of the user by the heat of the electric heater 17 is prevented from being warmed directly Therefore, it is possible to prevent the so-called low-temperature burn on the back surface of the user , in particular, the buttocks and legs by the heat of the electric heater 17.

The electric heater 17 is not provided at a portion corresponding to the back surface of the user who is supine, but is mainly provided at both end portions in the width direction of the base member 1. Therefore, the user's back , particularly the buttocks and legs, are not directly warmed by the heat of the electric heater 17, so that the user can be prevented from low-temperature burns.

Claims (5)

A rectangular plate-shaped base member;
A plurality of elongate pouches that can be filled with a fluid, and are arranged in two upper and lower stages on the upper surface of the base member, and are arranged in parallel with the longitudinal direction of the base member along the longitudinal direction of the base member. A fluid bag;
A fluid supply source for supplying fluid to the fluid bag;
Switching means that is provided between the fluid supply source and the fluid bag and switches a flow of fluid supplied from the fluid supply source to the fluid bag;
Control means for controlling the flow of the fluid supplied to the fluid bag by controlling the switching means,
The fluid bags can be divided into two groups as a whole by grouping a plurality of fluid bags at different positions in the upper and lower positions and not adjacent to each other in the upper and lower stages. And
The fluid bags of one group and the plurality of fluid bags of the other group are connected so that fluid from the fluid supply source is supplied via the switching means,
The control means switches and controls the switching means so that the fluid is alternately supplied to a plurality of fluid bags in one group and a plurality of fluid bags in the other group. apparatus. The switching means is
A three-way switching control valve having an inflow port, an outflow port and an exhaust port, the fluid supply source being connected to the inflow port;
A first open / close control valve connected to the outflow port of the three-way switching control valve and supplying fluid from the fluid supply source to the fluid bag of the first group;
A second open / close control valve that is branched and connected to the first open / close control valve to the outflow port of the three-way switching control valve and supplies fluid from the fluid supply source to the fluid bag of the second group; With
The control means closes one of the first open / close control valve and the second open / close control valve, and opens the open / close control valve when the other open / close control valve is open. 2. The mattress device according to claim 1, wherein the three-way switching control valve is controlled so that the fluid supplied to one of the groups of fluid bags is discharged from the exhaust port of the three-way switching control valve. The switching means detects a pressure of the fluid supplied to the fluid bag of the first group and a pressure of the fluid supplied to the fluid bag of the second group. A second pressure sensor;
The control means controls the first and second open / close control valves and the three-way switching control valve based on the pressures detected by the first pressure sensor and the second pressure sensor to control the first group and the The mattress device according to claim 2, wherein the supply of fluid to the second group of fluid bags is controlled.   Between the lower surface of the fluid bag and the upper surface of the base member, when the user lies on the upper surface of the fluid bag, the portion corresponding to the back surface of the user is removed and the fluid is removed. 2. The mattress device according to claim 1, further comprising an electric heater for heating the fluid supplied to the bag.   The fluid bag is formed by rounding a sheet having a predetermined width dimension into a tube shape and welding the both ends in the width direction, with the welded ends in the width direction facing downward on the upper surface of the base member. The mattress device according to claim 1, wherein the mattress device is provided.

Images