JP2019058218A - Cushion, mattress, and bed - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a cushion including a cell whose inside pressure is variable, which can suppress foreign matter feelings transmitted to a user.SOLUTION: A cushion 10 includes a plurality of container-shaped cells 150, each having an opening, a sheet-like flow passage layer body 300 having a groove 350 extending from the end part in one principal surface, and a sheet-like separator 200 having a through-home penetrating between a first surface, which is one principal surface, and a second surface, which is the other principal surface. At least part of the plurality of cells 150 are connected to the first surface of the separator 200 with the opening 155 overlapping with the through-hole 250, and the flow passage layer body 300 is connected to the second surface of the separator 200 with the through-hole 250 overlapping with part of the groove 350. The flow passage layer body 300 and the separator 200 form a flow passage for flowing fluid from the end part of the flow passage layer body 300 to the opening 155 through the groove 350 and the through-hole 250.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to a cushion that is used by supplying fluid.

  Mattresses have been proposed that include as a cushion a plurality of cells that can be individually vented and controlled to control the internal pressure under control.

  With such mattresses, the pressure of some cells can be reduced to prevent pressure sore or reduce the pressure on the affected area.

JP, 2016-34398, A

  In the mattress including the cell disclosed in Patent Document 1, the tube, the tube for supplying and discharging air to and from each cell, and the joint for connecting the tube and the cell are easily bent or weighted in the routing. It is made of a material that is harder than cells so that it does not crush and clog. However, being rigid, the presence of the tube or joint is likely to be transmitted to the user on the mattress as a foreign body sensation. Therefore, in a mattress in which a large number of small cells are distributed, it is difficult for the user to take a lying position by avoiding directly above the tube or the joint, and there is a problem that the sleeping comfort is adversely affected.

  Therefore, the present invention is a cushion including a cell in which air or the like is supplied or discharged so that the internal pressure is variable, and regardless of the position or range occupied by the cell, the feeling of foreign matter transmitted to the user is suppressed even at low pressure. And a mattress including the cushion, and the like.

  In order to achieve the above object, a cushion according to an aspect of the present invention includes a plurality of container-like cells each having an opening, and a sheet-like flow path having a first groove extending from an end on one main surface And a separator having a sheet shape and having a through hole penetrating between a first surface which is one main surface and a second surface which is the other main surface, and the first surface of the separator A first cell, which is at least a part of the plurality of cells, is connected by overlapping an opening and a first through hole, which is at least a part of the through hole, and the flow path layer body is provided on the second surface of the separator. The first through hole and a portion of the first groove are overlapped and connected, and the flow path layer body and the separator are connected to the first cell from the end portion of the flow path layer body via the first groove and the first through hole. The first flow path is formed to flow the fluid up to the opening of the

  Moreover, in order to achieve said objective, the mattress which concerns on one aspect of this invention is a mattress provided with said cushion.

  Moreover, in order to achieve the above-mentioned purpose, a bed concerning one mode of the present invention is a bed provided with the above-mentioned mattress.

  According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cushion including a cell in which the internal pressure is variable, in which a feeling of foreign matter transmitted to a user is suppressed.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of the appearance of the cushion according to Embodiment 1 as viewed from the front side. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of the appearance of the cushion according to Embodiment 1 as viewed from the back side. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the cushion according to the first embodiment as viewed from the surface side. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the cushion according to the first embodiment as viewed from the back side. FIG. 5A is a bottom view of the cell layer body and the separator of the cushion according to Embodiment 1 as viewed from the back surface side. FIG. 5B is a plan view of the separator and the flow path layer body of the cushion according to Embodiment 1 as viewed from the surface side. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the above-mentioned cushion taken along line VI-VI of FIG. 1 and an enlarged view of a part thereof. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the above cushion taken along line VII-VII of FIG. FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing an example of the appearance of the cushion according to the modification of the first embodiment as viewed from the surface side. FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing an example of the appearance of the cushion according to the modification of the first embodiment as viewed from the back surface side. FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the cushion according to the modification of the first embodiment as viewed from the surface side. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing an example of the appearance of the cushion according to Embodiment 2 as viewed from the front side. FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing an example of the appearance of the cushion according to Embodiment 2 as viewed from the back side. FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of the cushion according to the second embodiment as viewed from the surface side. FIG. 14: is the top view which looked at the cushion which concerns on Embodiment 2 from the surface side, and an enlarged view of the one part. FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the above cushion taken along line XV-XV of FIG. FIG. 16 is a plan view showing the flow path in the entire cushion according to the second embodiment. FIG. 17 is a view for explaining the configuration and manufacturing process of a cushion according to another embodiment. FIG. 18 is a view showing an example of a mattress and a bed according to another embodiment. FIG. 19 is a schematic view for explaining an example of a structure in a mattress according to another embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Each embodiment described below shows one specific example of the present invention. Therefore, the numerical values, shapes, materials, components, arrangement positions and connection forms of the components, and the like described in the following embodiments are merely examples, and are not intended to limit the present invention. Therefore, among the components in the following embodiments, components that are not described in the independent claims indicating the highest concept of the present invention are described as optional components.

  Each figure is a schematic view, and is not necessarily illustrated strictly. Further, in the drawings, substantially the same configurations are given the same reference numerals, and overlapping descriptions will be omitted or simplified.

Embodiment 1
The structure of the cushion which concerns on Embodiment 1 is demonstrated using drawing.

  FIG.1 and FIG.2 is a perspective view which shows the example of an external appearance of the cushion 10 which concerns on this Embodiment. 3 and 4 are exploded perspective views of the cushion 10.

  The cushion 10 is used, for example, as an elastic member put in a mattress, supports the user's body, and disperses the body pressure. As an application example other than the elastic member of the mattress, elastic members of objects supporting a part of the body for a relatively long time, such as various chair, seat or back of seat of wheelchair or car, cushion and backrest, etc. are mentioned. Be In addition, the cushion 10 and the urethane foam which supports or covers the cushion 10 may be combined and used as elastic members, such as a mattress.

  A plurality of container-like members, which are juxtaposed along the z-axis and project in the positive direction of the y-axis shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, are cells 150. In the example of the present embodiment, the cushion 10 has six cells 150. However, in order to make it easy to see, in each drawing, only one representative of six cells 150 is given a reference numeral. The reference numerals may be attached only to some of the cells 150 in the following drawings.

  The cell 150 is made of a soft non-air-permeable resin, and is provided, for example, as part of a cell layer body 100 made by vacuum forming a film made of such a resin.

  The cell 150 repels the external pressure when the internal pressure is high, and deforms and dents following the external pressure when the internal pressure is low. The cushion 10 placed in a mattress or the like is placed in a posture in which the weight of the user mainly falls in the negative direction of the y-axis.

  The size of the cell 150 is adjusted in design according to the application of the cushion 10, and is not particularly limited. For example, when used as an elastic member of a mattress for preventing wrinkles, the area of the surface closest to the user may be about 25 to 100 square centimeters. In the mattress, a plurality of such cushions 10 are disposed in a posture in which connection portions 15 described later are located at or near the side surface of the mattress. Here, the side of the mattress is not limited to the right and left sides and either the head side or the foot side.

  Hereinafter, for convenience, the surface of the cushion 10 on which the cell 150 is located is referred to as the front surface, and the opposite side is also referred to as the back surface. That is, the surface is the surface facing the user.

  In addition, the cell 150 described above as having a container shape has an opening 155 as shown in FIG. 4. Note that, in FIG. 4, the leader pointing to the opening 155 indicates the contour for convenience, and the same applies to the subsequent drawings.

  As described above, in the cell layer body 100 made of one sheet of film, it can be said that the plurality of cells 150 are connected by a weir extending from the opening 155.

  The cushion 10 further includes a separator 200 and a flow path layer body 300 in order from the side closer to the cell layer body 100 on the back surface side with respect to the cell layer body 100.

  The flow path layer body 300 is a member on a sheet having a plurality of grooves 350 extending from an end on one main surface. In the example of the present embodiment, the flow path layer body 300 has six grooves 350 having mutually different lengths. However, in consideration of the ease of viewing, only one of the six grooves 350 in each figure has a reference numeral attached thereto, and in the subsequent drawings, the reference numeral is attached only to a part of the grooves 350. May be Moreover, the lead-out line which points out the groove | channel 350 in FIG. 3 has pointed out the outline for convenience, and is the same also in subsequent figures. The groove 350 is an example of a first groove, and the grooves 350 provided in the cushion 10 according to the present embodiment are all first grooves.

  The flow path layer body 300 is made of a non-air-permeable resin, and is formed, for example, by vacuum forming a film made of such a resin. The softness is similar to or harder than that of the cell layer body 100, and the groove 350 is hardly crushed and clogged by a load in use. For example, in a mattress or the like, when there is a relatively soft urethane foam supporting the cushion 10 under the flow path layer 300, the load on the flow path layer 300 is reduced, so the flow path layer 300 is soft to some extent It may be Alternatively, the same applies to the case where the support for the cushion 10 from below has a recess for receiving the flow path layer body 300. However, it is soft to such an extent that the deformation required for the mattress including the cushion 10 is not impeded. In addition, since it is not necessary to use a tube like a conventional mattress, it does not have to be rigid to the extent that it is difficult to bend. Rather, from the viewpoint of preventing breakage as the cushion 10, it is preferable to be flexible so as to follow the deformation of the cell layer body 100 to a certain extent. Thus, the resin that is the material of the flow path layer body 300 is appropriately selected according to the weight and the softness or shape of the material supporting the cushion 10 and the application of the cushion 10.

  Also, the width and depth of the groove 350 are designed and adjusted depending on the application of the cushion 10 so that an appropriate cross-sectional area can be obtained in consideration of the speed of the air supply and discharge, the performance of the pump and the like.

  The separator 200 is a sheet-like member, and has a plurality of through holes 250 penetrating between its two main surfaces. In the example of the present embodiment, the separator 200 has six through holes 250. However, in consideration of the ease of viewing, in each drawing, only one of the six through holes 250 is represented by a reference numeral, and in the following figures, the reference numeral is only for a part of the through holes 250. It may be attached. Moreover, the lead-out line which points out the through-hole 250 in FIG. 3 indicates its outline for convenience, and the same applies to the subsequent drawings. The through hole 250 is an example of a first through hole, and the through holes 250 provided in the cushion 10 according to the present embodiment are all first through holes.

  In the example of the present embodiment, the shape of the through hole 250 can be called an oval or a rounded rectangle, but the shape of the through hole 250 is not limited to this example. The shape and the area of the through hole 250 are designed and adjusted in consideration of the speed of the air supply and exhaust, the performance of the pump, and the like depending on the application of the cushion 10. Further, the positions of the through holes 250 in the separator 200 will be described later.

  The separator 200 is made of a non-air-permeable resin. As for the softness, as in the flow path layer body 300, the deformation of the cell layer body 100 is sufficient as long as it is soft according to the application of the cushion 10, such as not to prevent the deformation required for the mattress including the cushion 10. It is preferable to be flexible to follow to some extent.

  The cushion 10 includes the cell layer body 100, the separator 200, and the flow path layer body 300 in a state of being connected and stacked by welding or adhesion using an adhesive. The cell layer body 100, the separator 200, and the flow path layer body 300 are connected to each other in the positional relationship as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 so that the cushion 10 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is obtained. Be The arrows included in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 indicate examples of locations where alignment is performed when connecting the cell layer body 100, the separator 200, and the flow path layer body 300 in the present embodiment. is there.

  The cushion 10 obtained in this manner includes a flow path for supplying and discharging air to and from the outside of the cushion 10 of each cell 150. Hereinafter, this flow path will be described.

  The cell 150 is connected to one of the two main surfaces of the separator 200, and the flow path layer body 300 is connected to the other. Hereinafter, for convenience of description, the main surface to which the cell 150 is connected is also referred to as a first surface, and the main surface to which the flow path layer body 300 is connected is also referred to as a second surface.

  FIG. 5A is a bottom view of the cell layer body 100 and the separator 200 of the cushion 10 as viewed from the back surface side of the cushion 10, that is, the second surface side of the separator 200. In FIG. 5A, the flow channel layer body 300 is omitted so that the positional relationship between the cells 150 and the through holes 250 of the separator 200 can be easily understood. The positions of the contours of the cell 150 and the opening 155 are indicated by broken lines.

  As shown in FIG. 5A, the cell 150 is connected to the first surface of the separator 200 by overlapping the opening 155 of the cell 150 and the through hole 250.

  The cell 150 may be welded or adhered to the separator 200 at least all around the opening 155 so as to confine the air reaching through the flow path inside, and the crucible 200 is also welded or adhered to the separator 200. May be connected more firmly.

  FIG. 5B is a plan view of the separator 200 and the flow path layer body 300 of the cushion 10 as viewed from the surface side of the cushion 10, that is, the first surface side of the separator 200. In FIG. 5B, illustration of the cell layer body 100 is omitted so that the positional relationship between the through holes 250 of the separator 200 and the grooves 350 of the flow path layer body 300 can be easily understood. The position of the outline of the portion connected to the separator 200 around the groove 350 is indicated by a broken line.

  As shown in FIG. 5B, the flow path layer body 300 is connected to the second surface of the separator 200 by overlapping the through holes 250 and a part of each of the plurality of grooves 350.

  By connecting the cell layer body 100, the separator 200, and the flow path layer body 300 in this manner, the groove 10 and the through hole are formed in the cushion 10 from the end where the one end of the groove 350 of the flow path layer body 300 is located. A flow path is formed to allow air to flow through 250 to the opening 155.

  At this end, there are a separator 200, a flow path layer body 300 sandwiching the separator 200, and a cylindrical connection portion 15 formed by the cell layer body 100. Connected to the connection portion 15 is a tube connecting between the inside of the cushion 10 and a pump used for air supply and exhaust of the cushion 10, or a joint relaying the tube and the connection portion 15 as necessary.

  The flow channel layer body 300 is connected to the separator 200 at a portion excluding at least the end portion with the connection portion 15 around the groove 350 so that the air efficiently flows between the connection portion 15 and the cell 150. What is necessary is, or may be connected to the separator 200 more firmly, even in other parts.

  The structure of the flow path formed in this way inside the cushion 10 will be described using a cross-sectional view of the cushion 10. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the cushion 10 taken along line VI-VI of FIG. 1 and an enlarged view of a portion thereof. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII of FIG. The double arrows in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 indicate the flow of air flowing when the cushion 10 is supplied and discharged.

  6 and 7, the flow passage for passing the fluid is a portion of one of the main surfaces of the flow passage layer body 300 extending from the end in the cushion 10 and a portion thereof located in the plurality of grooves 350, and the separator 200. The flow path layer body is formed between the end of the flow path layer body 300 and the opening 155 of the cell 150 by a portion covering the groove 350 on the surface side with respect to the flow path layer body 300 among the second surfaces of the A space including the grooves 300 and the through holes of the separator 200 is defined. The flow path thus defined is hereinafter also referred to as the first flow path. In addition, a cell that directly communicates with the first flow path to exchange air with the outside of the cushion 10 is hereinafter also referred to as a first cell. The cells 150 provided in the cushion 10 according to the present embodiment are all first cells.

  Moreover, in FIG.6 and FIG.7, the correspondence of several 1st flow paths and several 1st cells is shown. In FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, the six cells 150 which are the first cell are distinguished to form the cell 150A, the cell 150B, the cell 150C, the cell 150D, the cell 150E, and the cell 150F, and the first flow paths corresponding to each other one by one The channels 150a, 150b, 150c, 150d, 150e, and 150f are used. As described above, in the example of the present embodiment, the cushion 10 includes six first flow paths and six first cells, and each first flow path is different from one first cell and the outside of the cushion 10. It is a flow path through which air flows. Thus, as with conventional mattresses with multiple cells, the multiple first cells can individually control the internal pressure. Therefore, the structure that fulfills the same function as the tube of forming the air flow path is constituted by the separator 200 and the flow path layer body 300, so unlike the mattress capable of individual control of conventional cells, the cushion 10 It does not give the user who is in the position a feeling of foreign matter from the tube.

  Furthermore, even if a joint is used, the joint 10 is in a recumbent position, usually below the center of the mattress, because the cushion 10 has the connection 15 at or near the side of the mattress. Few. That is, in the cushion 10, the opportunity to convey the presence of the joint to the user in the recumbent position is suppressed as compared with the conventional mattress capable of individually controlling the cells.

  Thereby, cushion 10 concerning this embodiment is used, for example as an elastic material of a mattress, and individual control of the pressure in a plurality of cells is realized by adjusting the elasticity for preventing the pressure or the pressure of the user. And give the user a more comfortable sleeping feeling with less foreign body feeling.

(Modification of Embodiment 1)
Although the cushion 10 according to the first embodiment is described using an example in which six cells 150 are arranged in one row and six columns, the number and arrangement of the cells 150 are not limited to this example.

  8 and 9 are perspective views showing an example of the external appearance of a cushion 1010 according to a modification of the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the cushion 1010.

  The cushion 1010 according to the present modification is different from the cushion 10 according to the first embodiment in that the cushion 1010 includes 36 cells 150 arranged in six rows and six columns.

  The container-like cells 150 are arranged in the cell layer body 1100 in six rows and six columns.

  The sheet-like separator 1200 constituting the cushion 1010 has a through hole 250 penetrating between the main surfaces at a position facing the opening of each cell 150. Further, in the sheet-like flow path layer body 1300 constituting the cushion 1010, there are a plurality of grooves 350 extending from the end to the positions facing the through holes 250 of the separator 1200 on one main surface.

  The cell layer body 1100 including the cell 150, the separator 1200, and the flow path layer body 1300 are prepared, for example, by molding a resin film.

  The cushion 1010 is formed by connecting the cell layer body 1100, the separator 1200, and the flow path layer body 1300 as shown in FIG. The arrows included in FIG. 10 indicate examples of locations where alignment is performed when connecting the cell layer body 1100, the separator 1200, and the flow path layer body 1300 in this modification.

  In the cushion 1010 thus obtained, individual channels for flowing air between the cells 150 and the outside are formed by the separator 1200 and the channel layer body 1300. Further, in the cushion 1010, in the flow path layer body 1300, the connection portion 15 for each flow path consisting of the cell layer body 1100, the separator 1200, and the flow path layer body 1300 in the place corresponding to the end portion of the groove 350. There is. When used as an elastic member of the mattress, the cushion 1010 is arranged such that the connection 15 is located at or near the side of the mattress.

  Even with such a cushion 1010, the pressure inside the cell 150 can be individually controlled similarly to the cushion 10, and the sense of foreign matter can be suppressed to give the user a more comfortable sleeping feeling.

  The cushion 1010 is also an example, and the cushion according to the first embodiment or the present modification can also be realized as a cushion that includes fewer or more cells 150 and still achieves the same effect.

Second Embodiment
The cushion which concerns on Embodiment 2 is demonstrated using drawing.

  11 and 12 are perspective views showing an example of the appearance of the cushion 2010 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of the cushion 2010.

  The cushion 2010 is also used as an elastic member such as a mattress in the same manner as the cushion 10 or 1010 described above, and supports the user's body and disperses the body pressure.

  The cushion 2010 differs from the cushion 10 or 1010 in that in the cushion 10 or 1010 it is one cell that the internal pressure is adjusted by the air supply and exhaust from one connection part, whereas in the cushion 2010 it is one connection The pressure inside the cells is adjusted by air supply and exhaust from the unit. Moreover, the combination of several cells which adjust an internal pressure by the air supply / exhaust from one connection part can be selected with a certain degree of freedom in a mattress at a design stage.

  In a plurality of cells to which conventional tubes are individually connected, it is possible to raise and lower the pressure inside any combination of cells in parallel depending on control even after the start of use. However, in the case of the above configuration, as many pumps or solenoid valves as the number of cells are required, which increases the manufacturing cost. Therefore, it is conceivable to operate with a predetermined pattern to further reduce the manufacturing cost. In this case, the pressure inside the cell of any combination in theory can be regulated in parallel by the bifurcation of the tube.

  However, in the conventional mattress as described above, if there is a crossing point between the tubes, the tubes are pressed against each other at that point to affect air flow. In addition, the existence of the intersection as a larger foreign substance is more easily transmitted to the user more strongly than the tube, and the sleeping comfort is further deteriorated. Therefore, tube crossing is avoided as much as possible, but the combination of cells that adjust pressure in parallel is limited accordingly.

  On the other hand, in the cushion 2010 according to the present embodiment, since it is possible to cross the flow path, the pressure inside the plurality of cells of the combination which is difficult to realize in the above conventional mattress is adjusted in parallel. can do. For example, it is possible to operate in an operation pattern in which every other cell is combined in each row from each cell arranged in a matrix. With such a combination adjustable mattress, the pressure inside the cell does not rise or fall in the area under the user's shoulder, waist or other body part. Therefore, alternating between high pressure cells and low pressure cells to avoid acupuncture, without putting the user in a recumbent position into an unnatural state such as a part of the body sinking or being lifted. Operation is possible.

  Hereinafter, the configuration of such a cushion 2010 will be described. However, the description in common with the cushion 10 according to the first embodiment or the cushion 1010 according to the variation thereof may be omitted or simplified.

  As shown in FIGS. 11-13, the cushion 2010 comprises a plurality of cells 150, in this example 36 cells 150 arranged in six rows and six columns.

  Further, as further shown in FIG. 13, the cushion 2010 includes a cell layer body 2100, a separator 2200, and a flow path layer body 2300 to be stacked. The cell layer body 2100, the separator 2200, and the flow path layer body 2300 are connected by welding or adhesion using an adhesive. The arrows included in FIG. 13 indicate examples of locations where alignment is performed when connecting the cell layer body 2100, the separator 2200, and the flow path layer body 2300 in the present embodiment.

  Here, the flow path layer body 2300 has a groove 350 extending with one end at an end, and a groove 2350 extending apart from the end. The groove 350 is an example of a first groove, and the groove 2350 is an example of a second groove.

  Referring to FIG. 12, the groove 350 extends from the end to the middle of the cell closest to the end. Further, the grooves 2350 are positions and sizes that straddle two diagonally adjacent cells 150 among the plurality of cells 150 arranged in a matrix.

  In addition, the separator 2200 has a through hole 250 located at a position facing the groove 350 when connected to the flow path layer body 2300 and a through hole 2250 located at a position facing the groove 2350. More specifically, the through hole 250 is located at the end opposite to the end of the groove 350. The through holes 2250 are at positions facing each of both ends of the groove 2350. The through hole 2250 is an example of a first through hole, and the through hole 2250 is an example of a second through hole.

  FIG. 14 is a plan view of the cushion 2010 and an enlarged view of a portion thereof. Of the cell layer body 2100, the separator 2200, and the flow path layer body 2300, the cell layer body 2100 is shown by a solid line. Further, the positions of the through holes 250 and the through holes 2250 of the separator 2200 and the grooves 350 and the grooves 2350 of the flow path layer body 2300 in a plan view are shown by broken lines. The lead lines of the through hole 250 and the through hole 2250, and the grooves 350 and 2350 are attached to the same ones as in FIG.

  Similar to the cells in the cell 150 of the first embodiment, the cells 150 included in the cell layer body 2100 each have an opening (not shown) facing the separator 2200 and are arranged on one main surface of the separator 2200. Ru. This main surface is also referred to as the first surface as in the first embodiment.

  Here, there are three types of cells 150 included in the cell layer body 2100.

  One is directly between the end of the flow path layer body 2300 and the opening 155 of the cell 2150 and the first flow path defined as a space including the groove 350 of the flow path layer body 2300 and the through hole 250 of the separator 2200. It is a first cell that communicates and exchanges air with the outside of the cushion 2010. In FIG. 14, one of the first cells is shown as an example.

  The other is a cell 150 including an inter-cell connector 2155 for communicating with other cells 150 without passing through the through holes 250 and 2250 of the separator 2200. This type of cell is also referred to below as the second cell. In FIG. 14, one of the second cells is shown as an example. In addition, a flow path of air between the cells 150 which is formed by the inter-cell connector 2155 and does not pass through the through holes 250 or 2250 is also referred to as a second flow path.

  Further, one is a cell 150 in which the opening 155 and the second through hole are overlapped on the first surface of the separator 2200 and connected to the separator 2200. This type of cell is also referred to below as the third cell. In FIG. 14, one of the third cells is shown as an example. The third cell exchanges air with the other cells 150 in the flow path formed by the second through hole and the second groove partially overlapping with the second through hole. The flow path is defined by the separator 2200 and the flow path layer body 2300 as a space including the groove 2350 of the flow path layer body 2300 and the through holes 2250 of the plurality of separators 2200.

  Note that these types of cells 150 are conceptual, and each cell 150 may correspond to a plurality of first cells, second cells, and third cells. For example, although the cells 150 in the rightmost row in FIG. 14 are all first cells, they are also second or third cells.

  A specific example of the inter-cell connector 2155 will be described with reference to FIG. 14 and FIG.

  The inter-cell connector 2155 is a tunnel-like structure located between two diagonally adjacent cells 150 shown in hatched in the enlarged view in FIG. 14 and connecting these two cells 150. . The cell layer body 2100 including the cell 150 having such an inter-cell connector 2155 is also produced by vacuum forming a resin film, for example.

  FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the cushion 2010 taken along line XV-XV of FIG. 11, and shows an enlarged area including the cell 150 which is entirely included in the enlarged view of FIG. The double arrows in FIG. 15 indicate the flow of air flowing when the cushion 2010 is supplied and discharged.

  In FIG. 15, the flow of air flowing in the second flow path formed by the inter-cell connector 2155 is indicated by a double-striped arrow. The second flow path is defined by the inner surface of the inter-cell connector 2155 and the first surface of the separator 2200, and is located on the surface side of the cushion 2010 with respect to the separator 2200.

  Further, in the enlarged view in FIG. 15, the flow of air flowing in the third flow passage in the present embodiment is indicated by hatched double arrows. The third flow path is a portion of the one main surface of flow path layer body 2300 in groove 2350 and one of the grooves 2350 on the surface side of flow path layer body 2300 in the second surface of separator 2200. It is a flow path defined by a portion covering the portion, and is located on the back side of the cushion 2010 with respect to the separator 2200.

  That is, in the cushion 2010, the second flow path and the third flow path intersect three-dimensionally with the separator 2200 interposed therebetween. Even with such a structure, since the separator 2200 is provided, the flow path is not narrowed, and the presence of the three-dimensional crossing is not transmitted to the user and the sleeping comfort is not impaired.

  It is a top view of FIG. 16 which shows the flow path of the whole cushion 2010 in which such a three-dimensional crossing exists in multiple places. Similar to FIG. 14, in FIG. 16, the positions of the through holes 250 and 2250 in the separator 2200 and the grooves 350 and 2350 in the flow path layer 2300 in a plan view are indicated by broken lines.

  Referring to FIG. 16, the flow path is divided into two in the entire cushion 2010. Each system is a first system shown by an arrow having a bold broken line axis and a second system shown by an arrow having a thick solid line axis. An intersection point of the dashed arrow axis and the solid arrow axis is a portion where the flow path three-dimensionally intersects in the cushion 2010. Hereinafter, the case of supplying each flow path will be described as an example.

  The flow path of the first system starts from, for example, a first flow path having one end at the connection portion 15B. The air supplied to one cell 150 from the first flow path flows along the third flow path to the cell 150 diagonally adjacent to the cell 150 (lower left and upper left in FIG. 16), and the cell 150 is further inclined. It also flows along the third channel next to (upper left, lower left, and lower right in FIG. 16).

  Moreover, the flow path of 2nd system | strain starts from the 1st flow path which has an end in 15 A of connection parts, for example. The air supplied to one cell 150 from the first flow path flows along the second flow path to the cell 150 diagonally adjacent to the cell 150 (lower left in FIG. 16), and further obliquely adjacent to the cell 150 Also in the upper left, lower left, and lower right in FIG.

In this way, air flowing along the flow paths of each system flows from the cells 150 arranged in rows and columns only in every other cell 150 in each row. Therefore, the control of alternately repeating the following (1) and (2) realizes the operation of the cushion 2010 that alternately switches the high-pressure cell and the low-pressure cell to prevent wrinkles.
(1) Air is supplied to the cushion 2010 in the flow path of the first system, the pressure inside the cell 150 along this flow path is increased to a predetermined height, and part of the air is discharged in the flow path of the second system The pressure inside the cell 150 along the flow path is lowered to a predetermined height and maintained for a predetermined time.
(2) Air is supplied to the cushion 2010 through the flow path of the second system to increase the pressure inside the cell 150 along this flow path to a predetermined height, and part of the air is discharged from the flow path of the first system The pressure inside the cell 150 along the flow path is lowered to a predetermined height and maintained for a predetermined time.

  In this manner, the configuration that enables the three-dimensional intersection of the flow paths allows the mattress 150 to be combined with high freedom in parallel, without sacrificing the user's sleeping comfort. .

  In the above-described example, the cells 150 are combined so that two combinations of the cells 150 supplied and discharged in parallel have a checkered pattern, but various combinations can be made as described above. Also, the number of flow channel systems may be more.

(Other embodiments)
Although the present invention has been described as above based on each embodiment and its modification, the present invention is not limited to this description.

  For example, each cushion described above has a three-layer structure in which the cell layer body, the separator, and the flow path layer body have one layer each, but the separator may be composed of two layers having the same shape. This is in consideration of the manufacturing process. FIG. 17 is a diagram for describing the configuration and manufacturing process of a cushion including a two-layer separator. Hereinafter, the configuration and manufacturing process will be described by taking the cushion 10A in which the separator 200 of the cushion 10 includes the first layer 200A and the second layer 200B as an example.

  The first layer 200A of the separator 200 is a layer having a first surface. The second layer 200B is a layer having a second surface.

  In the manufacturing process, the cell layer body 100 is connected to the first surface of the first layer 200A. Further, the flow path layer body 300 is connected to the second layer 200B. FIG. 17 shows that this procedure has already been completed.

  Next, the first layer 200A and the second layer 200B are connected in a positional relationship such that the through holes at corresponding positions are overlapped by welding or connection using an adhesive. In FIG. 17, the through holes at corresponding positions are indicated by double arrows.

  The first layer 200A and the second layer 200B may be connected at least at portions surrounding the through holes. Thus, the space defined by the surface in the groove of flow path layer body 300 and the second surface of second layer 200B of separator 200 is in communication with the inside of cell 150, and the flow path including the space It is possible to supply air from outside the cushion 100A to the cell 150 and exhaust air from the cell 150 to the outside of the cushion 100A.

  Moreover, although the cell layer body with which each above-mentioned cushion is provided is made by vacuum-forming one resin film, and the some cell is connected by the weir extending from an opening, the cell does not need to be connected, for example It may be a separately formed container or bag-like member, and its opening may be connected to the separator so as to surround the through hole of the separator.

  Further, although the example in which the inter-cell connector 2155 is formed simultaneously with the plurality of cells 150 has been described in the above description, it may be separately formed and connected to the plurality of cells so as to be in communication with each other. In the above example, the second flow path is a flow path including a space defined by the inner surface of the inter-cell connector 2155 and a part of the first surface of the separator 2200, but the inter-cell connector 2155 is cylindrical That is, the second flow path may be defined only by the inner surface of the inter-cell connector 2155. In this case, the cell 150 which is the second cell may not have the opening 155 connected to the separator 2200, and has an opening connected to the hole of the inter-cell connector 2155.

  Further, in order to show that individual control of the plurality of cells 150 is possible, the first embodiment is capable of controlling the cells 150 and the flow paths, that is, the cells 150 and the through holes 250 in the cushion 10 having the plurality of grooves 350. Although the groove 350 has been described using a one-to-one correspondence example, this correspondence is not essential for the cushion according to the present invention, and individual control may not be possible.

  For example, the supply and exhaust of one cell 150 may be performed through a plurality of through holes 250 communicating with different grooves 350 respectively. Alternatively, the plurality of through holes 250 may correspond to each of the grooves 350. Also, one cushion may have one first groove, and air may flow to the openings of all the cells 150 in one first flow path. Even with the cushion configured in this manner, the feeling of foreign matter transmitted to the user can be suppressed as compared with the conventional cushion.

  In addition, although the cells 150 provided in the above-mentioned cushions have a substantially cubic shape, they may have any shape capable of supporting the user's body, for example, may have a prismatic shape such as a cylindrical shape or a triangular prism. Also, the shape or size of all the cells 150 provided in one cushion may not be the same.

  Each of the above-mentioned cushions may further include an elastic body made of urethane foam or the like for assisting the restoration thereof in the cell 150 made of a soft resin.

  Further, the arrangement of the cells 150 is not limited to the matrix. For example, they may be arranged alternately in a row or column, or may be radial. Further, the outline of the plurality of arranged cells 150 does not have to be a substantially square, and the cells 150 are arranged in a shape such as a mattress using a cushion or a shape according to the range to which the user's weight is applied at the time of use. May be

  Further, in each of the cushions described above, the plurality of first grooves 350 all extend in the same direction from the end including the same side of the flow path layer body, but is not limited thereto. The plurality of first grooves 350 may extend in different directions from the plurality of ends including the different sides of the flow path layer body, or if the flow path layer body is circular, from any position on the periphery thereof It may extend. The first groove 350 may have one end at a position where the connecting portion 15 is out of the position where the weight of the user is received in the vertical direction or in the near direction when using the cushion.

  Moreover, although each above-mentioned groove | channel is linear shape, it is not limited to this. It may have a bend or may branch.

  Further, the connection of the cells, the separators, and the flow path layer described above is not limited to welding or adhesion between these components, as long as they are physically continuous. For example, some or all of these components may be continuously and integrally formed by 3D printing of a resin material.

  Further, various fluids such as water may be used instead of air for each of the above cushions. The material of each component of the cushion is suitably changed according to the fluid used.

  Further, in the second embodiment, in order to show that it is possible to form a complex flow path intersecting in the cushion, an example in which a plurality of second flow paths and a plurality of third flow paths are formed and intersect each other However, the combination of the types of channels formed in the cushion according to the present invention, the number of each type of channels, and the types of intersecting channels is not limited to this example.

  For example, the types of flow paths formed in one cushion may be the first flow path and the second flow path, or the first flow path and the third flow path. In addition, only one second channel or third channel may be formed in one cushion. Also, the first channel and the second channel may intersect in a three-dimensional manner. For example, the first flow path counts from the end of the cushion 2010 and reaches the third row of cells 150, and the second flow path passing through the inter-cell connector 2155 to the cell 150 closer to the end from this cell 150 Air is supplied along the

  The second flow path may be a flow path passing through the space in the inter-cell connector 2155 and may be a flow path not passing through the through hole of the separator 2200, and may further include the space in the cell 150.

  Further, in the example of the second embodiment, the third flow path is shown as a configuration capable of supplying and discharging to and from the cell 150 via the second through holes at both ends thereof, but is not limited to this. For example, the third flow path may extend across three or more cells 150, and it may be possible to feed / discharge the cells 150 at positions other than the both ends via the second through holes.

  Further, as described above, each cell 150 may be classified into a plurality of types of cells, but the combination is not limited to the above example. Each cell 150 provided in the cushion according to the present invention may be a second cell and a third cell, or may be a first cell and may be a second cell and a third cell. In other words, the other cell 150 via the second flow path and the cell 150 that supplies and exhausts air are the second cell, and the third flow path and the cell 150 that discharges and exhausts via the second through hole are the third cell It is a cell.

  In addition, Embodiment 2 has been described using an example in which a plurality of first flow paths including an inlet / outlet port of a system's fluid are included in order to show that formation of a plurality of flow paths in one cushion is possible. However, the system of the flow path formed in the cushion according to the present invention may be one, and the first flow path may be one. Even with such a cushion, the feeling of foreign matter transmitted to the user can be suppressed as compared with the conventional cushion.

  In the second embodiment, only the example in which the second flow path and the third flow path intersect three-dimensionally with the separator 2200 interposed therebetween is shown, but each flow path is a cell for obtaining a desired operation pattern. It may be designed according to the combination, and three-dimensional crossing is not essential.

  Moreover, the present invention may be realized as a mattress provided with any of these cushions as well as each cushion described above, or a bed provided with this mattress. FIG. 18 shows an example of such a mattress and bed.

  In the mattress 500 shown in FIG. 18, the end of the flow channel layer with one end of the groove of the cushion is located on the side surface, and the connection portion 15 appears on the side surface. In this position, the connection including the end is not weighted by the user, and the access for connecting the tube is easy.

  FIG. 19 is a schematic view for explaining a structural example in the mattress 500. As shown in FIG. This schematic view shows a state in which the side fabric of the mattress 500 in the range shown in the dashed XIX frame in FIG. 18 is removed.

  In this example, the mattress 500 has a three-layer structure including the cushion 2010 in the second embodiment and the first urethane foam layer and the second urethane foam layer sandwiching the cushion 2010. The first urethane foam layer and the second urethane foam layer are, for example, layers of urethane foam different in repulsion from one another, and the entire mattress supports the user's body.

  Also, the mattress 500 changes the air pressure inside the cells 150, so that the power to the user transmitted through the first urethane foam layer changes depending on the location. Then, by temporally changing the air pressure inside the cell 150, the force transmitted to the user can be temporally changed even at the same place.

  In addition, since the bed 600 including such a mattress 500 can temporally change the elasticity according to the place so as to prevent wrinkles as described above, the wrinkle risk of the care recipient can be reduced.

  In addition, the present invention can be realized by arbitrarily combining components and functions in each embodiment without departing from the scope of the present invention or embodiments obtained by applying various modifications that those skilled in the art may think to each embodiment. The form is also included in the present invention.

10, 10A, 1010, 2010 Cushion 150 cells (first cell, second cell, third cell)
150A, 150B, 150C, 150D, 150E, 150F Cell 155 Opening 200, 1200, 2200 Separator 250 Through hole (first through hole)
300, 1300, 2300 channel layer 350 groove (first groove)
500 mattress 600 bed 2155 inter-cell connector 2250 through hole (second through hole)
2350 Groove (second groove)

Claims (11)

A plurality of container-like cells each having an opening;
A sheet-like channel layer body having a first groove extending from an end on one of the main surfaces;
A sheet-like separator having a through hole penetrating between a first surface which is one main surface and a second surface which is the other main surface,
A first cell, which is at least a part of the plurality of cells, is connected to the first surface of the separator so as to overlap the opening and a first through hole, which is at least a part or all of the through hole.
The flow path layer body is connected to the second surface of the separator by overlapping the first through hole and a part of the first groove,
The flow path layer body and the separator flow a fluid from the end of the flow path layer body to the opening of the first cell via the first groove and the first through hole. Cushion that forms the road. The first cell is a plurality of first cells,
The first grooves are a plurality of the first grooves which do not cross each other,
The first through holes are a plurality of the first through holes,
The first flow path is a plurality of first flow paths passing through the plurality of first grooves different from each other and the plurality of first through holes different from each other,
The cushion according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of first flow paths flows the fluid to different ones of the plurality of first cells. The first cell is a part of the plurality of cells, and the plurality of cells further include a plurality of second cells disposed on the first surface of the separator,
The plurality of second cells are provided with an inter-cell connection body which allows the plurality of second cells to form a second flow path of the fluid between each other without causing the through holes to communicate with each other. Cushion described. The cushion according to claim 3, wherein the first flow path and the second flow path three-dimensionally intersect with the separator interposed therebetween. The first through hole is a part of the through hole, and the through hole further includes a plurality of second through holes,
The flow path layer body further includes a second groove extending away from the end on the main surface,
The plurality of cells further include a plurality of third cells in which the opening and the plurality of second through holes are overlapped and connected to the separator on the first surface of the separator,
The plurality of second through holes and a portion of the second groove overlap;
The flow path layer body and the separator further form a third flow path through which fluid flows to the openings of the plurality of third cells via the second groove and the plurality of second through holes. The cushion according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The cushion according to claim 5, wherein the second flow path and the third flow path three-dimensionally intersect with the separator interposed therebetween. The separator includes a first layer having a first surface to which the plurality of cells are connected, and a second layer having a second surface to which the flow path layer body is connected,
The cushion according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the first layer and the second layer are connected at portions surrounding at least the respective through holes. The cushion according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the plurality of cells and the flow path layer body are respectively molded resin films. The cushion according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising an elastic body accommodated in each of the plurality of cells. A mattress comprising the cushion according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein
The end of the flow path layer is located on the side of the mattress. A bed comprising the mattress according to claim 10.

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