JP2017104242A - Body pressure support cushion - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a body pressure support cushion with novel structure, capable of implementing excellent deformation followability of a support face with respect to width-directional movement of a user on the support face, while preventing sudden deformation of the support face with respect to a load input to the support face.SOLUTION: A body pressure support cushion 10 is configured of expandingly/contractingly deformable support cells 12, where at least parts of a support face 11 for placing a user thereon include fluid chambers 18. The body pressure support cushion includes: first communication paths 46 formed for communicating mutually the respective fluid chambers 18 of the plurality of support cells 12 aligned in the width direction; auxiliary cells 22 having volume-changeable expanding/contracting auxiliary chambers 30; and second communication paths 50 for communicating the expanding/contracting auxiliary chambers 30 and the fluid chambers 18 of the support cells 12 to each other.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

  The present invention constitutes a support surface for placing a user on an upper surface of a bed, a seat surface of a chair, and the like, and in particular, at least a part of the support surface is provided with a fluid chamber therein and can be expanded and contracted. The present invention relates to a body pressure support cushion constituted by cells.

  Conventionally, body pressure support cushions have been proposed for the purpose of preventing pressure ulcers in the elderly and the physically handicapped, and improving the comfort of sleeping and sitting. The body pressure support cushion can be deformed and expanded as described in JP 2013-27535 A (Patent Document 1) to form a fluid chamber in which a support surface for supporting a user is filled with air or the like. A support cell is provided. Then, by deforming the support cell in accordance with the load (weight) exerted on the support surface by the user, the contact pressure (body pressure) of the support surface acting on the user can be dispersed, and pressure ulcers can be obtained. Prevention and improvement of the buffering property of the support surface are realized.

  Incidentally, like the body pressure support cushion of Patent Document 1, the support cells are arranged in a plurality of rows in the width direction and the length direction, and the amount of fluid in the fluid chambers of these support cells is adjusted separately, There is also a body pressure support cushion as disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 5025490 (Patent Document 2) in which the support cell has a longitudinal shape when viewed in the vertical direction, and the body pressure is dispersed by the movement of the fluid in the fluid chamber.

  However, when the longitudinal support cell as in Patent Document 2 is adopted, the amount of deformation of the support cell due to the movement of the fluid in the fluid chamber increases, and the user feels uncomfortable floating due to abrupt deformation of the support surface. There is a problem of giving a feeling. Moreover, when the support cell is elongated in the length direction of the body pressure support cushion as shown in FIG. 1 of Patent Document 2, when the user tries to move in the width direction by turning over, There is a possibility that the vertical movement of the support cell at the movement source and the vertical contraction deformation of the support cell at the movement destination do not occur quickly, and the follow-up of the support surface is delayed, which may hinder the movement of the user.

  As shown in FIG. 4 of Patent Document 2, it is conceivable to use a support cell having a longitudinal shape extending over the entire length in the width direction of the body pressure support cushion. There is a problem that the resulting instability of the support surface becomes more problematic. Furthermore, when a large downward force is applied to the support surface outside the user in the width direction, the portion of the support surface that supports the user may bulge upward, and the pushed-up user may fall from the support surface. There was also.

JP 2013-27535 A Japanese Patent No. 5025490

  The present invention has been made in the background of the above-described circumstances, and the problem to be solved is in the width direction of the user on the support surface while preventing rapid deformation of the support surface in response to load input to the support surface. It is an object of the present invention to provide a body pressure support cushion having a novel structure capable of realizing excellent deformation followability of a support surface with respect to movement of the body.

  Hereinafter, the aspect of this invention made | formed in order to solve such a subject is described. In addition, the component employ | adopted in each aspect as described below is employable by arbitrary combinations as much as possible.

  That is, the first aspect of the present invention is a body pressure support cushion configured by a support cell capable of expansion / contraction deformation, in which at least a part of a support surface on which a user is placed has a fluid chamber therein, and is arranged in the width direction. A first communication passage is formed for communicating the fluid chambers of the plurality of support cells with each other, and an auxiliary cell including a variable volume expansion / contraction auxiliary chamber is provided, the expansion / contraction auxiliary chamber and the support A second communication passage that communicates the fluid chambers of the cell with each other is formed.

  According to the body pressure support cushion structured according to the first aspect of the present invention, the movement of the fluid is permitted while being restricted by the first communication path between the fluid chambers of the plurality of support cells arranged in the width direction, Destabilization of the support surface due to sudden fluid movement is avoided. In addition, since the support surface is composed of a plurality of support cells, the area of the support surface formed by each support cell can be reduced, and the support surface by the fluid flow in the fluid chamber of each support cell can be reduced. Deformation can also be suppressed. As a result, the user can get a comfortable sleeping and sitting comfort without feeling uncomfortable floating, etc., and when a sudden load is applied to the support surface other than the user's support part, the user can Such a problem that it is pushed up by the deformed support surface is also avoided.

  In addition, since the fluid chambers of the support cells arranged side by side in the width direction are connected to each other by the first communication path, when the user moves in the width direction by turning over, the support cells The movement of the fluid between the fluid chambers occurs through the first communication path, and the support surface easily deforms following the movement of the user. That is, when the user moves in the width direction on the support surface by turning over, the input load gradually decreases in the support cell that supports the user before the movement, and the support that supports the user after the movement is performed. Since the input load gradually increases in the cell, the support surface can easily follow the movement of the user by the fluid flow between the fluid chambers through the first communication path. In this way, body pressure is allowed by allowing gentle deformation of the support surface, particularly in the width direction, due to normal movement of the user while avoiding instability and discomfort due to sudden deformation of the support surface. Expected to be effective in improving sleeping comfort and preventing pressure sores.

  Further, since the expansion / contraction auxiliary chamber of the auxiliary cell communicates with the fluid chamber of the support cell through the second communication path, the deformation amount (stroke) of the support cell in the height direction can be reduced between the expansion / contraction auxiliary chamber and the fluid chamber. More tolerated by fluid movement between them. Therefore, the followability of the support surface with respect to the movement of the user as described above can be improved, and effects such as improvement of sleeping comfort and prevention of pressure ulcer can be obtained more advantageously. In addition, since the movement of the fluid generated between the fluid chamber of the support cell and the expansion / contraction auxiliary chamber of the auxiliary cell is allowed while being restricted by the second communication path, the support surface is unstable due to the sudden movement of the fluid. Is avoided.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the body pressure support cushion described in the first aspect, the passage cross-sectional area of the first communication passage is communicated with each other by the first communication passage. The sectional area of the second communication passage is smaller than the sectional area of the fluid chamber and the expansion / contraction assisting chamber communicated with each other by the second communication passage. Is.

  According to the second aspect, the first communication passage that communicates the fluid chambers of the support cells arranged in the width direction and the second communication passage that communicates the fluid chamber and the expansion / contraction assisting chamber both have a small cross-sectional area. Therefore, rapid deformation of the support surface due to the rapid movement of fluid between the fluid chambers and between the fluid chamber and the expansion / contraction auxiliary chamber is prevented, and the support surface is stabilized and pushed up. Prevention is realized.

  A third aspect of the present invention is the body pressure support cushion described in the first or second aspect, wherein an elastic body is accommodated in the fluid chamber of the support cell.

  According to the 3rd aspect, it can prevent that a support cell is completely crushed by an elastic body, and can prevent bottoming. Furthermore, when the input load to the support cell is reduced or released due to the movement of the user, etc., the support cell that is crushed up and down by the input load is extended and deformed up and down by the shape restoring force of the elastic body. The cell shape (vertical dimension) is set according to the magnitude of the input load.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the body pressure support cushion described in any one of the first to third aspects, the auxiliary cell is flexible in an interior surrounded by a flexible outer membrane. The expansion / contraction auxiliary chamber and the working chamber are defined, and the working chamber of the auxiliary cell has a pressing force toward the expansion / contraction auxiliary chamber with respect to the intermediate film. The elastic means that can exert the effect is accommodated.

  According to the fourth aspect, the elastic means accommodated in the working chamber presses the intermediate film toward the expansion / contraction assisting chamber, whereby the air in the expansion / contraction assisting chamber can be efficiently discharged, and the support cell is more It is possible to rapidly expand and deform, and the followability of the support surface with respect to the movement of the user on the support surface can be improved. In addition, since the expansion / contraction assisting chamber and the working chamber are formed inside the flexible outer membrane, a rigid housing is not necessary, the structure can be simplified, and the user can directly or indirectly A sense of incongruity can also be reduced or avoided when touching the auxiliary cell.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the body pressure support cushion according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the plurality of supports in which the fluid chamber is communicated with each other by the first communication path. A cell is integrally formed, and the support cell and the auxiliary cell in which the fluid chamber and the expansion / contraction auxiliary chamber are communicated with each other by the second communication path are integrally formed. .

  According to the fifth aspect, since the support cell and the auxiliary cell connected by the communication path are integrally formed with each other, the support cell and the auxiliary cell can be more easily formed. Note that that the support cell and the auxiliary cell are integrally formed should not be construed in a limited manner as the whole of the cells being integrally formed. Even when the flexible outer membrane constituting the wall surface of the chamber is integrally formed and the elastic body of the third aspect and the elastic means of the fourth aspect are separated from each other, these cells Can be regarded as being integrally formed.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the body pressure support cushion according to the fifth aspect, the first communication passage that communicates the fluid chambers of the plurality of support cells with each other. The second communication path is formed integrally with the support cell and the auxiliary cell, and is formed integrally with the support cell and the auxiliary cell.

  According to the sixth aspect, the first communication path that connects the support cells to each other is formed integrally with the support cells, and the second communication path that connects the support cell and the auxiliary cells to each other supports them. By being formed integrally with the cell and the auxiliary cell, the structure can be simplified and the number of parts can be reduced.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the body pressure support cushion described in any one of the first to sixth aspects, a plurality of the support cells are arranged side by side in the length direction. A third communication passage that communicates the fluid chambers of the support cells with each other in the length direction is formed.

  According to the seventh aspect, by allowing the support cells to communicate with each other in the length direction of the body pressure support cushion (substantially orthogonal to the width direction), fluid flow between the fluid chambers of the support cells is easily allowed. The followability of the support surface with respect to the movement of the user can be improved. In particular, when the present invention is applied to a mattress for bedding, etc., the user's body lined up in the trunk direction by communicating the fluid chambers of the support cells with each other in the length direction that is the trunk direction of the user. The support surface easily follows the unevenness on the surface, and the effect of preventing pressure ulcer due to dispersion of body pressure is more advantageously exhibited.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the body pressure support cushion described in any one of the first to seventh aspects, a plurality of the auxiliary cells are provided, and the expansion / contraction auxiliary chamber of the plurality of auxiliary cells is provided. A fourth communication passage that communicates with each other is formed.

  According to the eighth aspect, expansion / contraction assistance chambers of the auxiliary cells communicated with each other through the fourth communication passage communicate with the fluid chamber of the support cell through the second communication passage. The expansion and contraction deformation of the support cell can be permitted with a larger stroke by the fluid flow between the chamber and the fluid chamber, and the deformation amount of the support surface can be largely permitted.

  According to the present invention, the fluid flow is permitted while being restricted between the fluid chambers of the support cells communicated with each other by the first communication path, and the area of the support surface formed by each support cell is reduced. Since the movement of the fluid in the fluid chamber of the support cell is limited, rapid deformation of the support cell is prevented, and the support surface is stabilized. Furthermore, since the fluid chambers of the support cells arranged side by side in the width direction are connected to each other by the first communication path, the support surface easily deforms following the movement of the user in the width direction. It has become. Further, since the expansion / contraction auxiliary chamber of the auxiliary cell communicates with the fluid chamber of the support cell through the second communication path, the deformation amount (stroke) of the support cell in the height direction can be reduced between the expansion / contraction auxiliary chamber and the fluid chamber. More tolerated by fluid flow between them.

The perspective view which shows the mattress as 1st embodiment of this invention. The perspective view of another angle of the mattress shown in FIG. The top view of the mattress shown in FIG. The front view of the mattress shown in FIG. The principal part expanded longitudinal cross-sectional view of the mattress shown in FIG. The partial top view which expands and shows the A section of the mattress of FIG. The disassembled perspective view of the mattress shown in FIG. The disassembled front view of the mattress shown in FIG. It is a figure explaining the use condition of the mattress shown in FIG. 1, (a) shows the initial state before load input, (b) shows the use condition after load input, respectively. It is a figure which shows the body pressure distribution in the mattress of a use state, Comprising: (a) shows the comparative example which connected the cell in the length direction, (b) shows the Example which connected the cell in the width direction, respectively. The principal part enlarged plan view which shows the mattress as 2nd embodiment of this invention. The principal part expansion longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the mattress as 3rd embodiment of this invention.

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

  1-4, a fluid cell mattress 10 is shown as a first embodiment of a body pressure support cushion structured according to the present invention. The mattress 10 includes a plurality of support cells 12 that constitute a support surface 11.

  More specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, the support cell 12 has a hollow structure including a fluid chamber 18 between an upper outer film 14 and a lower outer film 16 formed of a flexible film such as a synthetic resin. In addition, a support elastic body 20 as an elastic body is accommodated in the fluid chamber 18. In the present embodiment, the upper outer membrane 14 has a reverse concave shape that opens downward, and the lower outer membrane 16 has a substantially flat plate shape. The upper outer membrane 14 is covered with the lower outer membrane 16. As a result, a fluid chamber 18 is formed between the upper outer film 14 and the lower outer film 16. The supporting elastic body 20 disposed in the fluid chamber 18 is a porous elastic body having open cells, and is formed of, for example, a foamed urethane foam having a high foaming rate. The support cell 12 is allowed to expand and contract in the vertical direction, with the deformation of the upper outer membrane 14 being allowed by the inflow and discharge of air into the fluid chamber 18. The fluid in the fluid chamber 18 may be a gas other than air or may be a liquid. However, since the fluid is preferably a compressible fluid, an impact load is applied depending on the compressibility of the fluid. The cushioning property at the time of action can be improved, and the acting force on the outer membranes 14 and 16 can be reduced by the compressibility of the fluid at the time of loading, so that the durability and load bearing performance can be improved.

  Further, a plurality of support cells 12 are integrally formed. That is, a plurality of support cells 12 arranged in the width direction (left and right direction in FIG. 3) of the mattress 10 are arranged, and the plurality of support cells 12 arranged in the width direction have their upper and outer films 14 connected to each other. These lower outer membranes 16 are connected to each other and integrally formed. In the present embodiment, a plurality of support cells 12 are arranged side by side in the length direction (vertical direction in FIG. 3) of the mattress 10, and the plurality of support cells 12 arranged in the length direction are also arranged above them. The outer membrane 14 is integrally connected to each other, and the lower outer membrane 16 is integrally connected to each other.

  On the other hand, auxiliary cells 22 are arranged on the left and right outer sides of the plurality of support cells 12 arranged in the width direction. In the auxiliary cell 22, an intermediate film 28 made of a flexible synthetic resin film or the like is disposed between an upper outer film 24 and a lower outer film 26 made of a flexible synthetic resin film or the like. It has a structure. Further, the space between the upper outer membrane 24 and the lower outer membrane 26 is partitioned by the intermediate film 28, so that either the expansion / contraction auxiliary chamber 30 or the working chamber 32 is formed above and below the intermediate film 28. The volume of the auxiliary chamber 30 and the working chamber 32 is variable by deformation of the outer membranes 24 and 26 and the intermediate membrane 28. In the present embodiment, the upper outer membrane 24 has a reverse concave shape that opens downward, and the lower outer membrane 26 has a substantially flat plate shape. The opening of the upper outer membrane 24 is covered with the lower outer membrane 26. As a result, the expansion / contraction assisting chamber 30 and the working chamber 32 are formed between the upper outer membrane 24 and the lower outer membrane 26. The upper outer membrane 24 of the auxiliary cell 22 has substantially the same shape as the upper outer membrane 14 of the support cell 12, and the lower outer membrane 26 of the auxiliary cell 22 has substantially the same shape as the lower outer membrane 16 of the support cell 12. It is said that. Further, the intermediate film 28 has a reverse concave shape that opens downward, and in this embodiment, has a shape substantially the same as the upper outer film 24. In this embodiment, the expansion / contraction auxiliary chamber 30 is formed on the upper side of the intermediate film 28 and the working chamber 32 is formed on the lower side. However, the expansion / contraction auxiliary chamber 30 and the working chamber 32 are formed of the intermediate film. It can also be arranged upside down with respect to 28.

  The action chamber 32 accommodates an action elastic body 34 as elastic means. In this embodiment, the working elastic body 34 is made of a sponge substantially the same as the support elastic body 20 of the support cell 12, and cost reduction and simplification of manufacturing and management are achieved by sharing parts. . Furthermore, a through-hole 36 is formed in the lower outer membrane 26 constituting a part of the wall portion of the working chamber 32, and the working chamber 32 is opened to the outside of the outer membranes 24 and 26 through the through-hole 36. . As a result, the volume change of the working chamber 32 is allowed by the inflow and outflow of fluid through the through-hole 36, and in the non-input state of the load, the intermediate film 28 is moved to the initial position by the action elastic body 34 (in this embodiment). The position at which the volume of the expansion / contraction assisting chamber 30 is minimized). In FIG. 5, for easy understanding, the intermediate film 28 is shown in a state of moving to the working chamber 32 side.

  The auxiliary cells 22 are integrally connected to the support cells 12 arranged side by side in the width direction. That is, the upper outer membrane 24 of the auxiliary cell 22 and the upper outer membrane 14 of the support cell 12 are integrally connected to each other in the width direction, and the lower outer membrane 26 of the auxiliary cell 22 and the lower outer membrane of the support cell 12 are formed. 16 are connected to each other in the width direction and integrally formed. The plurality of auxiliary cells 22 arranged side by side in the length direction are integrally connected to each other. That is, the upper and outer membranes 24 of the auxiliary cells 22 arranged in the length direction are integrally connected to each other, and the lower outer membrane 26 of the auxiliary cells 22 arranged in the length direction are integrally connected to each other. . In the present embodiment, the upper sheet 38 in which the upper outer membrane 14 of the plurality of support cells 12 and the upper outer membrane 24 of the plurality of auxiliary cells 22 are integrally formed, and the lower outer membrane 16 and the plurality of support cells 12 are integrally formed. A plurality of supporting cells 12 and a plurality of auxiliary cells 22 are integrally connected by a lower sheet 40 in which the lower outer membrane 26 of the auxiliary cells 22 is integrally formed continuously and fixed in an overlapping manner. Has been.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the intermediate films 28 of the plurality of auxiliary cells 22 arranged side by side in the length direction are integrally connected to each other. That is, between the upper sheet 38 and the lower sheet 40, an intermediate sheet 42 including a plurality of intermediate films 28 arranged in the length direction is disposed at both ends in the width direction. The upper and lower sheets 38 and 40 are superposed in contact with each other and fixed by means such as welding. In addition, the intermediate sheet 42 is separated from the upper sheet 38 and overlapped and fixed to the lower sheet 40 in a contact state at a portion where the second communication path 50 described later is formed.

  Further, an adhering portion 44 is provided between the plurality of support cells 12 and the plurality of auxiliary cells 22 in the upper sheet 38. That is, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, the adhering portion 44 extends between the upper outer membrane 14 and the upper outer membrane 24 of the adjacent support cell 12 and contacts the lower sheet 40. They are overlapped in a state and fixed by means such as welding. In the present embodiment, the upper outer membrane 14 of the support cell 12 and the upper outer membrane 24 of the auxiliary cell 22 are substantially rectangular in plan view, so that the fixing portions 44 extend in a substantially lattice shape.

  Here, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, between the support cells 12, 12 adjacent in the width direction, a first communication passage 46 for communicating the fluid chambers 18, 18 of the support cells 12, 12 with each other. Is formed. Specifically, in the fixing portion 44 of the upper sheet 38, a first groove 48 extending in the width direction is formed in a portion located between the support cells 12 and 12 in the width direction. The first communication passage 46 is formed between the fixing portion 44 of the upper sheet 38 and the lower sheet 40 by covering the openings 48 with the lower sheet 40. Then, both ends of the first communication passage 46 are opened in the wall surfaces of the fluid chambers 18, 18 of the support cells 12, 12 adjacent in the width direction, so that the fluid chambers 18, 18 are connected to the first communication passage 46. Are in communication with each other. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, first communication passages 46 are formed between the width directions of all the support cells 12, and the fluid chambers 18 of all the support cells 12 aligned in the width direction are the first ones. One communication passage 46 communicates. The cross-sectional area of the first communication passage 46 is smaller than the cross-sectional area of the fluid chamber 18, and the fluid chambers 18 and 18 of the support cells 12 and 12 adjacent in the width direction are narrowed. The communication paths 46 communicate with each other.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, between the support cell 12 and the auxiliary cell 22 adjacent in the width direction, the fluid chamber 18 of the support cell 12 and the expansion / contraction auxiliary chamber 30 of the auxiliary cell 22 communicate with each other. A second communication path 50 is formed. Specifically, a second groove 52 extending in the width direction is formed in the fixing portion 44 of the upper sheet 38 between the support cell 12 and the auxiliary cell 22 in the width direction, and the opening of the second groove 52 is formed. By covering the portion with the lower sheet 40, the second communication path 50 is formed between the fixing portion 44 of the upper sheet 38 and the lower sheet 40. Then, both ends of the second communication passage 50 are opened to the wall surface of the fluid chamber 18 of the support cell 12 adjacent in the width direction and the wall surface of the expansion / contraction auxiliary chamber 30 of the auxiliary cell 22, so that the fluid chamber 18 The expansion / contraction assisting chamber 30 communicates with each other through the second communication passage 50. The cross-sectional area of the second communication passage 50 is smaller than the cross-sectional areas of the fluid chamber 18 and the expansion / contraction auxiliary chamber 30, and the expansion / contraction of the fluid chamber 18 and the auxiliary cell 22 of the support cell 12 adjacent in the width direction. The auxiliary chambers 30 are communicated with each other by a narrowed second communication path 50.

  As is apparent from the above description, the outer membranes 14 and 16 of the support cells 12 and 12 adjacent in the width direction connected to the wall portion of the first communication passage 46 and the first communication passage 46 are Are integrally formed with each other. In short, the support cells 12 and 12 having the fluid chambers 18 and 18 communicated with each other by the first communication passage 46 are integrally connected to each other, and the support cells 12 and 12 are connected to the first and second cells. The wall part of the communicating path 46 is integrally connected. Further, the outer membranes 14 and 16 of the support cell 12 and the outer membranes 24 and 26 of the auxiliary cell 22 that are adjacent to each other in the width direction and connected to the wall portion of the second communication passage 50 are: They are integrally formed with each other. In short, the support cell 12 and the auxiliary cell 22 in which the fluid chamber 18 and the expansion / contraction auxiliary chamber 30 are communicated with each other by the second communication passage 50 are integrally connected to each other. The auxiliary cell 22 and the wall portion of the second communication passage 50 are integrally connected.

  7 and 8, the mattress 10 of this embodiment includes an upper sheet 38, a lower sheet 40, a pair of left and right intermediate sheets 42 and 42, a plurality of support elastic bodies 20, and a plurality of functions. The elastic body 34 is comprised. That is, the action elastic body 34 is inserted into each of the intermediate films 28 of the intermediate sheets 42, 42, and the intermediate sheets 42, 42 are overlapped with the left and right end portions of the lower sheet 40 to surround the intermediate films 28. Is fixed to the lower sheet 40 over the entire circumference by means such as welding. Further, the intermediate films 28 of the intermediate sheets 42 and 42 are inserted into the upper outer films 24 positioned at the left and right ends of the upper sheet 38 and the upper outer films 14 positioned between the left and right of the intermediate sheets 42 and 42. The support elastic body 20 is inserted into each. Then, the upper sheet 38 is superposed on the intermediate sheets 42 and 42 and the lower sheet 40 from above, and the periphery (adhering portion 44) of each upper outer film 14 on the upper sheet 38 is attached to the lower sheet 40 by means such as welding. By fixing each of them, the mattress 10 integrally including the plurality of support cells 12 and the plurality of auxiliary cells 22 is formed.

  Further, when the upper sheet 38 is fixed to the lower sheet 40 and the intermediate sheet 42, the first sheet is fixed by avoiding the formation of the first concave groove 48 and the second concave groove 52 in the upper sheet 38. The communication path 46 and the second communication path 50 can be easily provided without requiring special parts. In FIG. 6, for easy understanding, the hatching area is attached to the fixing area between the lower sheet 40 and the intermediate sheet 42 in the fixing portion 44 of the upper sheet 38.

  The mattress 10 having the structure according to the present embodiment is laid so that the lower sheet 40 is superimposed on the upper surface of a bed (not shown), for example, and a user (not shown) lies on the support surface 11. use. In the mattress 10 of the present embodiment, the support surface 11 is configured by the upper surfaces of the plurality of support cells 12. Although the upper surface of the auxiliary cell 22 can be a part of the support surface 11, in the present embodiment, the auxiliary cell 22 is disposed at both left and right ends of the mattress 10, and the auxiliary cell 22 is a user. Therefore, the support surface 11 is composed only of the support cells 12.

  In such a use state, the support load of the user is input downward with respect to the upper outer membrane 14 into the support cell 12 at the portion of the support surface 11 of the mattress 10 where the user is placed and supported. Thereby, the support cell 12 is compressed up and down, and the air in the fluid chamber 18 of the support cell 12 moves through the first communication path 46 to the fluid chamber 18 of another support cell 12 having a small input load. As described above, in the mattress 10 of the present embodiment, the fluid chamber 18 of the support cell 12 communicates with the fluid chamber 18 of the other support cell 12 through the first communication path 46, so that the fluid chamber The vertical movement of the support cell 12 is allowed by the movement of the air between 18. Therefore, the support surface 11 of the mattress 10 is deformed so as to equalize the body pressure distribution of the user, and improvement of sleeping comfort and prevention of pressure ulcers are realized by dispersion of body pressure.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the fluid chambers 18 of the plurality of support cells 12 arranged side by side in the width direction are connected to each other by the first communication passage 46, and air movement between the fluid chambers 18 is performed. Is generated in the width direction of the mattress 10. Thereby, in this embodiment, when the user on the support surface 11 moves in the width direction by turning over or the like, the extension cell of the support cell 12 on which the user was placed before the movement and the user are placed after the movement. The shrinkage deformation of the support cell 12 is caused smoothly by the movement of air between the fluid chambers 18 and 18 of the support cells 12 and 12 arranged side by side in the width direction. Therefore, the deformation of the support cell 12 is caused to highly follow the movement of the user in the width direction on the support surface 11, and the user can easily move in the width direction without being blocked by the support cell 12. Can move.

  In addition, the first communication passage 46 that communicates the fluid chambers 18 of the plurality of support cells 12 with each other is a narrowed passage having a small cross-sectional area, and air is allowed to be inhibited from moving between the fluid chambers 18. Therefore, an uncomfortable floating feeling of the user due to a sudden deformation of the support surface 11 is avoided. In addition, since the support surface 11 is composed of a large number of support cells 12, the area of the upper surface of each support cell 12 constituting the support surface 11 can be reduced, and the fluid flow in each fluid chamber 18 can be reduced. This limits the amount of deformation that occurs on the upper surface of each support cell 12. Therefore, destabilization of the support surface 11 due to the deformation of the support cell 12 is avoided, and stable support and good sleeping comfort of the user can be realized.

  In addition, even when a large load is input outside the body pressure acting region of the user on the support surface 11, the movement of air is restricted in the first communication path 46, so that the support surface 11 is suddenly deformed. Is prevented. Therefore, for example, even when a caregiver or a nursing person inputs a large load on the support surface 11 by putting a hand or knee on the support surface 11 when the user performs care or nursing for the user, the caregiver (nurse ) Is effectively supported by the support surface 11, and a problem that the user is suddenly pushed up by the deformed support surface 11 and rolls down from the mattress 10 to the side is also avoided.

  The expansion / contraction auxiliary chambers 30 of the auxiliary cells 22 provided at both ends in the width direction of the mattress 10 are communicated with the fluid chamber 18 of the support cell 12 through the second communication passage 50. When the pressure in the fluid chamber 18 of the support cell 12 increases due to the input of the support load, the air in the fluid chamber 18 flows into the expansion / contraction auxiliary chamber 30 of the auxiliary cell 22 through the second communication path 50, and the expansion / contraction auxiliary chamber. Since the pressure of 30 increases, the intermediate film 28 moves downward against the elasticity of the action elastic body 34, and the volume of the expansion / contraction auxiliary chamber 30 is expanded. In short, in the expansion / contraction auxiliary chamber 30 of the auxiliary cell 22, the inflow of air from the fluid chamber 18 is allowed, and the ease of the inflow of air is adjusted by the elasticity of the action elastic body 34.

  Thus, in addition to the movement of air between the fluid chambers 18 of the plurality of support cells 12, the movement of air between the fluid chamber 18 of the support cell 12 and the expansion / contraction assisting chamber 30 of the auxiliary cell 22, The deformation of the support cell 12 is allowed, and a large deformation allowable amount (up / down stroke) of the support cell 12 is ensured, so that the dispersion of body pressure is advantageously realized. In particular, in the present embodiment, since the auxiliary cells 22 are disposed on both sides in the width direction of the plurality of support cells 12 arranged in the width direction, the deformation allowable amount of the plurality of support cells 12 is determined as a pair of left and right auxiliary cells 22. , 22 can be set larger.

  Further, when the support load acting on the support surface 11 is reduced or released, the internal pressure of the expansion / contraction assisting chamber 30 is reduced, and the intermediate film 28 is expanded or contracted by the elastic restoring force of the acting elastic body 34. Is pressed. Thereby, the air of the expansion / contraction auxiliary chamber 30 moves to the fluid chamber 18 of the support cell 12, and each support cell 12 compressed by the support load extends vertically. In this embodiment, when the support load acting on the support surface 11 is reduced or released, the support cell 12 is extended by the elasticity of the support elastic body 20 disposed in the fluid chamber 18. The rapid shape restoration is realized by the cooperation of the elasticity of the support elastic body 20 and the elasticity of the action elastic body 34. Thus, since the vertical dimension of the support cell 12 changes following the change of the input load quickly, the support area of the user is increased, and the dispersion of body pressure is advantageously realized. In addition, even when the user moves on the support surface 11 and the action position of the support load changes in the length direction, the shape is restored as described above in the portion where the support load is reduced or released. Can occur.

  In addition, in FIG. 9, the schematic diagram explaining the deformation | transformation of the support cell 12 and the auxiliary cell 22 in the use condition of the mattress 10 is shown. That is, in FIG. 9, the four support cells 12A, 12B, 12C, and 12D that include the fluid chambers 18 arranged in the width direction and communicated with each other through the first communication passage 46, and the second support cell 12A. The auxiliary cell 22 connected by the communication path 50 is shown. In the initial state before use in which no load is applied to the support cells 12A to 12D shown in FIG. 9A, the support cells 12A to 12D are not deformed even when the human weight is applied, and are expanded and deformed. Is inflated to an acceptable level. Further, in the initial state shown in FIG. 9A, the volume of the expansion / contraction auxiliary chamber 30 in the auxiliary cell 22 is kept small by the elasticity of the action elastic body 34.

  When a load is applied to the support cell 12D as shown in FIG. 9B, first, the first communication from the fluid chamber 18 of the support cell 12D to the fluid chambers 18, 18, 18 of the other support cells 12A to 12C. Air moves through the passage 46. Thereby, the deformation of the support cell 12D is allowed by a relatively small spring, and the body pressure acting on the user is reduced.

  Further, since air flows into the fluid chamber 18 of the support cell 12A through the first communication passage 46, the pressure of the fluid chamber 18 of the support cell 12A increases, so that the fluid chamber 18 communicates with the second communication passage 50. The pressure in the expansion / contraction auxiliary chamber 30 of the auxiliary cell 22 is increased, and the intermediate film 28 is displaced toward the working chamber 32 against the elasticity of the working elastic body 34. As a result, air moves from the fluid chamber 18 of the support cell 12A to the expansion / contraction assisting chamber 30 of the auxiliary cell 22 through the second communication passage 50, and the fluid in the fluid chambers 18, 18, 18, 18 of the support cells 12A to 12D. Since the total amount of air is reduced, deformation of the support cell 12D to which a load is input is greatly permitted, and the body pressure acting on the user is further reduced.

  As described above, in the mattress 10 according to the present embodiment, the fluid chambers 18 of the support cells 12 arranged in the width direction are communicated with each other by the first communication path 46, and the fluid chambers 18 of the support cells 12 are connected to the auxiliary cells 22. The expansion / contraction assisting chamber 30 is communicated by the second communication passage 50, so that the stroke (deformation amount) of the support cell 12 in the vertical direction is greatly permitted, and the sleeping comfort due to the dispersion of body pressure is allowed. It is advantageous to improve the quality and prevent pressure ulcers.

  Further, the second communication passage 50 is a narrowed passage having a reduced cross-sectional area like the first communication passage 46, and the amount of air moving per unit time through the second communication passage 50 is limited. Has been. Therefore, the use of the support cell 12 due to abrupt deformation while ensuring a large deformation allowance of the support cell 12 by the movement of air between the fluid chamber 18 of the support cell 12 and the expansion / contraction auxiliary chamber 30 of the auxiliary cell 22. An unpleasant floating feeling of the person is avoided.

  Further, the auxiliary cell 22 of the present embodiment includes an expansion / contraction auxiliary chamber 30 and a working chamber 32 defined by the intermediate film 28, and the expansion / contraction auxiliary chamber 30 is connected to the fluid chamber 18 of the support cell 12. The working chamber 32 is open to the outside through the through hole 36 and communicated through the communication passage 50. As a result, the expansion / contraction assisting chamber 30 communicated with the fluid chamber 18 of the support cell 12 is not opened to the external space by the air in the working chamber 32 moving between the external space through the through hole 36. Change is allowed. Therefore, the total amount of air stored in the fluid chamber 18 of the support cell 12 and the expansion / contraction auxiliary chamber 30 of the auxiliary cell 22 communicated by the first and second communication passages 46 and 50 is the support cell 12 and the auxiliary cell 22. The cushioning property of the mattress 10 can be stably maintained even when it is deformed.

  In addition, when the input load to the support cell 12 (the action of body pressure) is released, the intermediate film 28 is pressed toward the expansion / contraction auxiliary chamber 30 by the elasticity of the action elastic body 34 accommodated in the action chamber 32, Air flows from the expansion / contraction auxiliary chamber 30 into the fluid chamber 18. As a result, the expansion / contraction assisting chamber 30 that has been compressed and deformed up and down is quickly restored to the initial shape, and the occurrence of bottoming is prevented when the user's body pressure acts again.

  Further, when a plurality of cell units including a plurality of support cells 12 and auxiliary cells 22 are formed independently of each other and the mattress 10 is configured by combining these cell units, the fluid chambers 18 of the support cells 12 and auxiliary Since the expansion / contraction assisting chamber 30 of the cell 22 is communicated in the width direction, which is the short direction, by the second communication passage 50, the configuration of the cell unit is facilitated. In other words, if the auxiliary cells 22 are respectively arranged outside the support cells 12 arranged in the width direction as in the first embodiment, the left and right cell units can be divided into two parts by dividing the left and right cell units. A sufficient amount of deformation of the support cells 12 constituting each cell unit can be ensured without providing the first communication path in the portion. On the other hand, since the communication between the fluid chamber 18 and the expansion / contraction auxiliary chamber 30 is not essential in the longitudinal length direction, the number of divisions can be set with a large degree of freedom in the length direction, and a third communication passage is provided in the division portion. Since it is possible to secure the deformation amount of the support cell 12 without providing a cell, each cell unit can be downsized with a simple structure.

  In FIG. 10, a mattress (FIG. 10A) as a comparative example in which the fluid chambers 18 of the support cells 12 arranged in the length direction are communicated with the fluid chamber 18 of the support cells 12 arranged in the width direction. The result of having measured the distribution of the load (henceforth an action load) which acts on the support surface 11 in the mattress 10 (FIG.10 (b)) as an Example is shown. The user is measured in a posture lying on his back on the support surface 11. In FIG. 10, the length direction of the mattress is the left-right direction in the figure, and the width direction is the up-down direction in the figure. The measurement was performed with the user's head positioned on the left side in FIG.

  According to this measurement result, in the comparative example shown in FIG. 10A, in the portion of the support surface 11 that supports the user's buttocks, a region where a large working load was measured (as indicated by the broken line in FIG. 10A). (Enclosed area) is distributed in the length direction. On the other hand, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 10B, in the portion of the support surface 11 that supports the user's buttocks, a region where a large working load is measured (region surrounded by a broken line in FIG. 10B). ) Spread in the width direction. As described above, in the mattress 10 of the embodiment in which the fluid chamber 18 of the support cell 12 communicates in the width direction, the body pressure is dispersed in the left-right width direction, and the fluid chamber 18 of the support cell 12 in the length direction. It was confirmed by measurement that characteristics different from the mattress in communication can be realized.

  In FIG. 11, a part of the mattress 60 as the second embodiment of the present invention is enlarged and shown in a top view. As in the first embodiment, the mattress 60 has a plurality of rows of support cells 12 arranged in the width direction and the length direction. The fluid chambers 18 and 18 of the support cells 12 and 12 adjacent in the width direction are communicated with each other by the first communication passage 46 and the fluid chambers 18 and 18 of the support cells 12 and 12 adjacent in the length direction are connected. 18 communicate with each other by a third communication passage 62. In addition, in the following description, about the member and site | part substantially the same as 1st embodiment, description is abbreviate | omitted by attaching | subjecting the same code | symbol.

  More specifically, the third communication passage 62 extends in the length direction between the support cells 12 and 12 that are arranged adjacent to each other in the length direction, and in the length direction at the fixing portion 44 of the upper sheet 38. The lower opening of the third groove extending in the direction is covered with the lower sheet 40, so that it is formed between the upper sheet 38 and the lower sheet 40 in the same manner as the first communication path 46. The third communication passage 62 extends in the length direction with a smaller cross-sectional area than the fluid chamber 18, and the fluid chambers 18, 18 of the support cells 12, 12 arranged adjacent to each other in the length direction are narrowed. The third communication passage 62 communicates with each other. In the present embodiment, the structure in which the fluid chambers 18 of all the support cells 12 are communicated in the width direction and the length direction by the plurality of first communication passages 46 and the third communication passages 62 is illustrated. It is not necessary that air movement by communication between the fluid chambers 18 of the support cells 12 is allowed.

  Further, in the mattress 60 of the present embodiment, a plurality of auxiliary cells 22 are arranged in the length direction similarly to the first embodiment, and the auxiliary cells 22 and 22 arranged adjacent to each other in the length direction. A fourth communication passage 66 is formed to communicate the expansion / contraction assisting chambers 30, 30 with each other. The fourth communication path 66 extends in the length direction between the auxiliary cells 22 and 22 arranged adjacent to each other in the length direction, and the fourth communication path 66 extends in the length direction at the fixing portion 44 of the upper sheet 38. The lower opening of the concave groove is covered with the lower sheet 40, so that it is formed between the upper sheet 38 and the lower sheet 40 in the same manner as the second communication path 50. The fourth communication passage 66 extends in the length direction with a smaller cross-sectional area than the expansion / contraction auxiliary chamber 30, and the expansion / contraction auxiliary chambers 30, 30 of the auxiliary cells 22, 22 arranged adjacent to each other in the length direction are They are communicated with each other through the narrowed fourth communication passage 66. In the present embodiment, the structure in which the expansion / contraction auxiliary chambers 30 of all the auxiliary cells 22 are communicated in the length direction by the plurality of fourth communication paths 66 is illustrated, but the expansion / contraction auxiliary chambers 30 of all the auxiliary cells 22 are not necessarily between. It is not necessary that air movement by communication is allowed.

  According to the mattress 60 according to this embodiment, the fluid chamber 18 of the support cell 12 and the expansion / contraction auxiliary chamber 30 of the auxiliary cell 22 are communicated with each other in the length direction in addition to the width direction. The movement of air between the fluid chamber 18 and the expansion / contraction assisting chamber 30 can more advantageously disperse the body pressure to prevent the occurrence of pressure sores.

  The third communication path 62 and the fourth communication path 66 are not essential in the present invention. For example, only one of the third communication path 62 and the fourth communication path 66 is provided. Alternatively, the third communication path 62 and the fourth communication path 66 may not be provided in all the support cells and auxiliary cells.

  In FIG. 12, a part of a mattress 70 as a third embodiment of the present invention is enlarged and shown in a longitudinal section. The mattress 70 includes a plurality of support cells 72 and a plurality of auxiliary cells 74.

  The support cell 72 has a structure in which a reverse concave-shaped upper outer membrane 14 that opens downward and a concave lower outer membrane 78 that opens upward are fixed to each other at their openings. Is provided with a fluid chamber 18. Further, the fluid chamber 18 accommodates a support elastic body 20 as an elastic body. In this embodiment, the upper portion of the support elastic body 20 is inserted into the recess of the upper outer membrane 14 and the lower portion is the lower portion. It is inserted into the recess of the outer membrane 78.

  The auxiliary cell 74 has a structure in which a reverse concave upper outer membrane 24 that opens downward and a concave lower outer membrane 82 that opens upward are fixed to each other at their openings. Further, an intermediate film 28 is disposed between the upper outer film 24 and the lower outer film 82, and an expansion / contraction assisting chamber 30 and a working chamber 32 are formed above and below the intermediate film 28. Further, a through hole 36 is formed in a constituent part of the bottom wall portion of the working chamber 32 in the lower outer membrane 82, and the working chamber 32 is opened to the external space through the through hole 36. A working elastic body 34 as an elastic means is accommodated.

  The upper outer membrane 14 of the support cell 72 and the upper outer membrane 24 of the auxiliary cell 74 are integrally formed as the upper sheet 38, and the lower outer membrane 78 of the support cell 72 and the lower outer membrane 82 of the auxiliary cell 74 are lower. The sheet 86 is integrally formed. In the present embodiment, since the lower outer membranes 78 and 82 have a concave shape that is upside down with respect to the upper outer membranes 14 and 24, the upper sheet 38 and the lower sheet 86 can be a common component.

  Adhering portions 88 are provided between the upper outer films 14 and 24 in the upper sheet 38 and between the lower outer films 78 and 82 in the lower sheet 86, respectively. The adhering portion 88 has a flange shape that spreads to the outer periphery at the openings of the upper outer films 14 and 24 and the lower outer films 78 and 82, and has a substantially lattice plate shape as a whole.

  Furthermore, between the adhering portion 88 of the upper sheet 38 and the adhering portion 88 of the lower sheet 86, a first communication passage 46 communicating the fluid chambers 18 and 18 of the support cells 72 and 72 adjacent in the width direction with each other; A second communication passage 50 is formed to communicate the fluid chamber 18 of the support cell 72 and the expansion / contraction auxiliary chamber 30 of the auxiliary cell 74 that are adjacent to each other in the width direction. A first upper concave groove 90 extending in the width direction (left-right direction) while opening downward is provided in the fixing portion 88 of the upper sheet 38, and the first upper groove extending in the width direction while opening upward. The lower concave groove 92 is provided in the fixing portion 88 of the lower sheet 86, and the first communication passage 46 is formed by fixing the respective openings of the first concave grooves 90 and 92 so as to overlap each other. Is done. Similarly, the second upper concave groove 94 extending in the width direction while opening downward is provided in the fixing portion 88 of the upper sheet 38, and the second lower concave groove extending in the width direction while opening upward. 96 is provided in the fixing portion 88 of the lower sheet 86, and the second communication passage 50 is formed by fixing the respective openings of the second concave grooves 94 and 96 so as to overlap each other.

  The mattress 70 having the structure according to this embodiment can achieve the same effects as those of the first embodiment. In short, the lower sheet is not necessarily limited to a flat flexible film, and may have unevenness like the upper sheet 38.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was explained in full detail, this invention is not limited by the specific description. For example, the fluid chambers 18, 18 of the support cells 12, 12 adjacent in the width direction do not necessarily have to be communicated with each other through the first communication passage 46, and the fluid chamber 18 that is not connected to the first communication passage 46. May be independent, or may be communicated only with the fluid chamber 18 of the support cell 12 adjacent in the length direction by the third communication passage 62.

  Further, the entire support surface 11 does not need to be configured by the support cell 12, and the expansion / contraction auxiliary chamber 30 of the auxiliary cell 22 may be formed in a part of the support surface 11, or a part of the support surface 11. Can be formed of an elastic material such as urethane foam to simplify the structure.

  Further, the shape of the support cell can be appropriately changed according to the required characteristics of the support surface 11 and the user's preference, and for example, a circular cylindrical shape in a plan view can be adopted. The shape of the auxiliary cell can be changed in the same manner as the support cell, and can have a different external shape from the support cell. The support cell and the auxiliary cell are not necessarily limited to a structure having an outer membrane composed of an upper outer membrane and a lower outer membrane. For example, both axial ends of a cylindrical side wall portion made of a flexible membrane are used. The opening can be formed by being closed by the upper bottom wall portion and the lower bottom wall portion, or the entire outer membrane can be integrally formed by vacuum forming.

  Further, the auxiliary cell is not necessarily limited to the structure including the expansion / contraction auxiliary chamber 30 and the working chamber 32 separated by the intermediate film 28. For example, the support is provided with only the expansion / contraction auxiliary chamber 30 without the intermediate film 28. A structure similar to that of the cell 12 may be employed. On the other hand, a structure having an intermediate film similar to that of the auxiliary cell 22 can be adopted as the support cell, and the support cell and the auxiliary cell constituting the body pressure support cushion can be made to have a common structure.

  In the first embodiment, all of the support cells 12 and the auxiliary cells 22 are integrally connected. For example, a cell unit in which the plurality of support cells 12 and the auxiliary cells 22 are integrally connected. The mattress 10 can also be configured by combining a plurality of the above. Furthermore, one or some of the support cells 12 and the auxiliary cells 22 may be formed separately from the other support cells 12 and the auxiliary cells 22.

  Further, both the first communication path 46 and the second communication path 50 can be formed separately from the support cell 12 and the auxiliary cell 22. Similarly, the third communication path 62 and the fourth communication path 66 can also be formed separately from the support cell 12 and the auxiliary cell 22. Specifically, for example, by providing a port penetrating the wall portion of the fluid chamber 18 and the wall portion of the expansion / contraction assisting chamber 30, and connecting a tubular body to the port, a separate pipe line is formed by the port and the tubular body. A continuous communication path can be formed.

  In the above-described embodiment, the communication passages 46, 50, 62, and 66 are passages having substantially the same shape, but communication passages having different cross-sectional areas and lengths may be used in combination.

  Further, as shown in the first embodiment, since an effect such as prevention of bottoming is exhibited, an elastic body (support elastic body 20) is preferably accommodated in the fluid chamber 18 of the support cell 12. However, the elastic body is not essential and may be omitted. Further, as the elastic means accommodated in the working chamber 32 of the auxiliary cell 22, for example, an internal pressure adjusting means (such as a pump) or a coil spring of the working chamber 32 can be adopted instead of the working elastic body 34.

  The through hole 36 can be formed at an arbitrary position so as to connect the working chamber 32 and the external space. For example, the through hole 36 opens laterally in the concave outer membrane 82 as in the third embodiment. It can also be formed. In addition, if the through hole 36 is formed so as to open to the side, even if a load is input to the auxiliary cell 22, the through hole 36 is maintained in a communication state without being blocked and opened upward or downward. It is possible to obtain characteristics different from the case.

  Further, in the first embodiment, the working chamber 32 of the auxiliary cell 22 is opened to the external space by the through hole 36, and the working chamber 32 is made passive to the pressure change of the expansion / contraction auxiliary chamber 30 in the auxiliary cell 22. However, for example, a pump may be connected to the through hole 36. According to this, the pressure of the working chamber 32 in the auxiliary cell 22 can be actively adjusted by the pump, and is generated between the fluid chamber 18 of the support cell 12 and the expansion / contraction auxiliary chamber 30 of the auxiliary cell 22. Air movement can be controlled. Further, the opening area of the through-hole 36 can be adjusted by providing a valve in the through-hole 36 or by providing a lid that can block part or all of the opening of the through-hole 36. The movement of air between the expansion / contraction auxiliary chamber 30 may be controllable.

  Furthermore, an actuator that actively changes the volume of the expansion / contraction auxiliary chamber 30 and the working chamber 32 of the auxiliary cell 22 may be provided. For example, the actuator exerts an external force in the vertical direction on the auxiliary cell 22, and various known ones such as a pneumatic cylinder, a hydraulic cylinder, a ball screw actuator, and a linear motor actuator can be adopted. It should be noted that by periodically repeating the compression and release of the auxiliary cell 22 by the actuator, it is possible to actively cause expansion / contraction deformation of the support cell 12 to exert a massage effect on the user.

  Furthermore, the maximum volume allowed for the expansion / contraction assisting chamber 30 and the working chamber 32 may be adjusted to a predetermined size and maintained by the actuator. Thereby, the deformation | transformation tolerance of the support cell 12 is adjusted indirectly, and the hardness of a body pressure support cushion can be adjusted according to a user's liking or a body state. If a storage device for storing the adjustment state of the body pressure support cushion by the actuator is provided so that the adjustment state stored in the storage device can be easily reproduced, a plurality of people use one body pressure support cushion. Even in this case, the hardness of the body pressure support cushion can be made closer to the user's preference.

  Further, a plurality of types of auxiliary cells 22 having different volumes of the expansion / contraction auxiliary chamber 30 are provided, and the expansion / contraction auxiliary chambers 30 of the plurality of types of auxiliary cells 22 are selectively communicated to the fluid chamber 18 of the support cell 12 by a valve body. By doing so, the hardness of the body pressure support cushion can be switched stepwise.

  In addition, the amount of fluid flowing per unit time through the first communication passage 46 and the second communication passage 50 is not limited to a fixed amount, and the passage cross-sectional area is variable by the flow control valve. It may be adjustable, for example. Similarly, the flow rates of the third communication path 62 and the fourth communication path 66 can be adjusted.

  Further, the arrangement of the auxiliary cells 22 is not necessarily limited to the left and right ends of the mattress 10. For example, the auxiliary cells 22 may be arranged only at either one of the left and right ends. A part of the support surface 11 may be configured by being arranged in the left and right intermediate part.

  In the said embodiment, although the example which applied the body pressure support cushion which concerns on this invention to the mattress was shown, the body pressure support cushion which concerns on this invention is used for the cushion of the seat surface of a pillow or a chair (a wheelchair is included) etc., for example Can also be applied.

10, 60, 70: mattress (body pressure support cushion), 11: support surface, 12, 72: support cell, 18: fluid chamber, 20: support elastic body (elastic body), 22, 74: auxiliary cell, 24: Upper outer membrane (outer membrane), 26, 82: Lower outer membrane (outer membrane), 28: Intermediate membrane, 30: Expansion / contraction chamber, 32: Working chamber, 34: Working elastic body (elastic means), 46: First 50: second communication path, 62: third communication path, 66: fourth communication path

Claims (8)

A body pressure support cushion constituted by a support cell capable of expanding and contracting, wherein at least a part of a support surface on which a user is placed has a fluid chamber therein;
A first communication path is formed to communicate the fluid chambers of the plurality of support cells arranged in the width direction with each other;
An auxiliary cell having a variable volume expansion / contraction auxiliary chamber is provided, and a body pressure is provided, wherein a second communication path is formed to communicate the expansion / contraction auxiliary chamber with the fluid chamber of the support cell. Support cushion.   The cross-sectional area of the first communication path is made smaller than the cross-sectional area of the fluid chamber communicated with each other by the first communication path, and the cross-sectional area of the second communication path is 2. The body pressure support cushion according to claim 1, wherein the body pressure support cushion is made smaller than a cross-sectional area of the fluid chamber and the expansion / contraction auxiliary chamber communicated with each other by two communication paths.   The body pressure support cushion according to claim 1 or 2, wherein an elastic body is accommodated in the fluid chamber of the support cell. The auxiliary cell has a structure in which a flexible intermediate film is disposed inside a flexible outer membrane to define the expansion / contraction auxiliary chamber and a working chamber,
The body pressure support according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the working chamber of the auxiliary cell contains elastic means capable of exerting a pressing force on the intermediate film toward the expansion / contraction auxiliary chamber. cushion.   A plurality of the support cells that communicate the fluid chamber with each other by the first communication passage are integrally formed, and the fluid chamber and the expansion / contraction auxiliary chamber communicate with each other by the second communication passage. The body pressure support cushion according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the support cell and the auxiliary cell are integrally formed.   The first communication passage that communicates the fluid chambers of the plurality of support cells with each other is formed integrally with the plurality of support cells, and the fluid chamber and the expansion / contraction auxiliary chamber communicate with each other. The body pressure support cushion according to claim 5, wherein the second communication passage is formed integrally with the support cell and the auxiliary cell.   The plurality of support cells are arranged side by side in the length direction, and a third communication path is formed to communicate the fluid chambers of the plurality of support cells with each other in the length direction. The body pressure support cushion according to any one of the above.   The body pressure according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein a plurality of the auxiliary cells are provided, and a fourth communication path is formed to communicate the expansion / contraction auxiliary chambers of the plurality of auxiliary cells with each other. Support cushion.