JP2022078507A - Pressurized air generator and body motion support device comprising the same - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a body motion support device utilizing a pressurized air generator.SOLUTION: Footwear 5 has a belt-like stationary part 53 for connecting a low-shoe part 52 and a sole part 51 having a built-in pressurized air generator. The stationary part 53 can be opened/closed by a hook-and-loop fastener. The low-shoe part 52 can be changed in accordance with the size of a user's foot by opening/closing the stationary part. Additionally, when the sole part is worn, it can also be replaced with a new sole part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

The present invention relates to a pressurized air generator and a body movement support device including the pressurized air generator.

Patent Document 1 describes a device that supports the dorsiflexion motion of the foot when getting out of bed. The device has a first pump, a second pump, an actuator connected to the joints of the foot, and a pilot valve that controls the direction of air flow, which is located under the foot and is trampled by the foot. .. The joint of the user's foot and the actuator are connected via a wire. When the user walks, the first pump and the second pump pressed by the foot are compressed to supply pressurized air to the actuator, and the wire is relaxed. When the pressurized air is discharged from the actuator, the wire becomes tense due to the spring force. The device of Patent Document 1 assists the user in dorsiflexion or plantar flexion of the foot by utilizing the relaxation and tension of the wire.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2019-141520

Artificial muscles (actuators) are used to support body movements. When the artificial muscle is contracted, air is supplied to a closed air tank, and high-pressure air is stored in the air tank. When operating the artificial muscle, the air in the high pressure state stored in the air tank is supplied to the artificial muscle having a closed space in a relatively low pressure state to operate the artificial muscle.

When the artificial muscle exerts a strong contractile force or the artificial muscle is operated multiple times, it is desirable to increase the pressure in the air tank as much as possible. However, in a device such as Patent Document 1 in which a total of two pumps are pressed and pressurized, there is a problem that the pumps must be pressed many times when trying to increase the pressure in the air tank.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY According to the present invention, it is possible to pressurize air to a desired pressure value with a smaller number of treading times as compared with a configuration in which a total of two pumps arranged on the toe side and the heel side are treaded to generate pressurized air. It is an object of the present invention to provide a pressurized air generator and a body movement support device using the pressurized air generator.

It is a pressurized air generator for supplying air to the air tank by attaching it to the sole of the foot and performing walking motion, and storing the pressurized air in the air tank. The pressurized air generator is on the toe side. It is equipped with a pressurizing part having an air bag and a heel side air bag, and the lower toe side air bag and the upper toe side air bag overlap in the vertical direction, and the lower heel side air bag and the upper heel side air bag are overlapped. The pressurizing portions are laminated in two or more stages with respect to the vertical direction so that the air bag overlaps with the air bag in the vertical direction. The air intake path and the check valve provided in the intake path are provided, and the air pressurized by the heel side air bag in the uppermost stage is supplied to the air tank in the uppermost pressurizing section. An exhaust path and a check valve provided in the exhaust path are provided, and air pressurized by the lower heel side airbag is supplied to the upper toe side airbag via the first transport path. The check valve provided in the first transport path prevents the backflow of air, and the air pressurized by the toe-side airbag in the same stage passes through the second transport path in the heel side airbag of the same stage. The air is supplied to the heel side air bag, and the backflow of air is prevented by the check valve provided in the second transport path. The above-mentioned problems are solved by the pressurized air generator having a small cross-sectional size of the air bag.

It is a pressurized air generator for supplying air to the air tank by attaching it to the sole of the foot and performing walking motion, and storing the pressurized air in the air tank. The pressurized air generator is on the toe side. It is equipped with a pressurizing part having an air bag and a heel side air bag, and the lower toe side air bag and the upper toe side air bag overlap in the vertical direction, and the lower heel side air bag and the upper heel side air bag are overlapped. The pressurizing portions are laminated in two or more stages with respect to the vertical direction so that the air bag overlaps with the air bag in the vertical direction. The air intake path and the check valve provided in the intake path are provided, and the air pressurized by the toe-side airbag in the uppermost stage is supplied to the air tank in the uppermost pressurizing section. An exhaust path and a check valve provided in the exhaust path are provided, and air pressurized by the lower toe side airbag is supplied to the upper heel side airbag through the first transport path. The check valve provided in the first transport path prevents the backflow of air, and the air pressurized by the heel-side airbag in the same stage passes through the second transport path in the heel-side airbag in the same stage. The air is supplied to the toe-side airbag and air is prevented from flowing back from the check valve provided in the second transport path. The above-mentioned problems are solved by the pressurized air generator having a small cross-sectional size of the air bag.

Further, the above-mentioned problem is solved by a body movement support device having the above-mentioned pressurized air generator and an artificial muscle that operates by using the pressurized air generated by the pressurized air generator as a drive source.

In the above-mentioned pressurized air generator or body movement support device, each toe side air bag or each heel side air bag is arranged in a frame, and each toe side air bag or each heel side air bag is arranged. Is a structure in which the end portion of the air bag protrudes out of the frame in the expanded state, and a pressing portion that approaches or separates from the frame body is provided at a position facing the frame body as the wearer walks. It is preferable to have the above-mentioned configuration. According to this configuration, it is possible to more efficiently load the tread pressure on each toe-side airbag or each heel-side airbag.

In the above-mentioned pressurized air generator or body movement support device, it is preferable that each toe-side airbag or each heel-side airbag has a flat substantially spherical shape. According to this configuration, it is possible to more efficiently load the tread pressure on each toe-side airbag or each heel-side airbag.

In the above-mentioned pressurized air generator or body movement support device, the number of layers of the pressurized portion in the vertical direction is preferably 2 to 4 steps. With this configuration, it is possible to prevent the thickness of the pressurized air generator mounted on the sole of the foot from becoming excessively large.

According to the present invention, air is pressurized to a desired pressure value with a smaller number of treading times as compared with a configuration in which a total of two pumps arranged on the toe side and the heel side are treaded to generate pressurized air. It is possible to provide a pressurized air generator capable of using the pressurized air generator and a body movement support device using the pressurized air generator.

It is a figure which shows an example of a body support device. It is a figure which shows the pressurized air generator which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of footwear. It is a figure which shows the airbag built in the footwear of FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the shoe sole part of the footwear of FIG. It is a figure which shows the cross section of an airbag. It is a top view which shows an example of the pressing part arranged on the toe side. It is a top view which shows an example of the pressing part arranged on the heel side. It is a top view which shows an example of the frame body arranged on the toe side of the lower stage. It is a top view which shows an example of the frame body arranged on the toe side of the upper stage. It is a top view which shows an example of the frame body arranged on the heel side of the lower stage. It is a top view which shows an example of the frame body arranged on the toe side of the upper stage. It is a figure which shows the pressurized air generator which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the pressurized air generator which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the pressurized air generator which concerns on 4th Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the pressurized air generator which concerns on the comparative example 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows the pressurized air generator which concerns on the comparative example 2.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the pressurized air generator of the present invention and an embodiment of the body movement support device will be described. Each of the embodiments shown below is merely a limited example of the present invention, and the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the exemplified embodiments.

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a body movement support device. FIG. 2 shows a pressurized air generator according to the first embodiment. FIG. 13 shows a pressurized air generator according to the second embodiment. FIG. 14 shows a pressurized air generator according to the third embodiment. FIG. 15 shows a pressurized air generator according to the fourth embodiment.

[Body movement support device]
As shown in FIG. 1, the body movement support device 9 (hereinafter, simply referred to as a device) of the present embodiment includes a pressurized air generator 1 described later and an addition generated by the pressurized air generator 1. It has an artificial muscle that operates with pressure air as a drive source. The device 9 of FIG. 1 includes a first hollow pipe 91 whose base end is connected to the exhaust path 22 of the pressurized air generator 1, and an air tank 92 to which the tip of the first hollow pipe 91 is connected. A second hollow pipe 93 whose base end is connected to the air tank 92, a branch portion 94 to which the tip of the second hollow pipe 93 is connected, and a first artificial muscle 95 connected to one of the branch portions 94. And a second artificial muscle 96 connected to the other side of the bifurcation portion 94. The first hollow tube 91, the second hollow tube 93, the branch portion 94, the first artificial muscle 95, and the second artificial muscle are made of a flexible material, and are suitable for the movement of the wearer's body. It transforms together.

The air pressurized by stepping on the pressurized air generator 1 is supplied to the air tank 92 via the first hollow pipe 91. The air tank 92 is configured so that the closed state and the open state can be switched by the operating valve provided at the base end portion of the second hollow pipe 93. Further, the air tank 92 is made of a stretchable material.

When the pressurized air generator 1 is pressed with the valve closed, air is supplied to the air tank 92, the air is compressed in the air tank 92, and the pressure in the air tank increases. In the device 9 of FIG. 1, a release valve that opens when the pressure in the air tank exceeds 175 kPa is provided for safety. The release valve is closed when the pressure in the air tank is 175 KPa or less, and the compressed air in the air tank is not leaked to the outside. When the pressure in the air tank exceeds 175 kPa, the release valve opens and excess air is discharged from the air tank 92. As a result, the air tank 92, the operating valve, the first hollow pipe 91, and the like are prevented from being damaged by the excessive supply of air. The pressure at which the release valve opens can be appropriately adjusted according to the application of the device and the like. When the user opens the actuating valve, the pressurized air stored in the air tank 92 passes through the second hollow pipe 93 and the branch portion 94 into the inside of the first artificial muscle 95 and the inside of the second artificial muscle 96. Will be supplied.

The device 9 of FIG. 1 has two sets of first artificial muscles 95. Each first artificial muscle 95 is fixed to the wearer's body along the left and right shoulder blades of the wearer's back. Similarly, the device 9 has a set of second artificial muscles 96 in two rows. Each of the second and second artificial muscles 96 is fixed to the wearer's body from the left and right hips of the wearer along the back of the thigh. The first artificial muscle 95 and the second artificial muscle 96 are hollow, have flexibility in the state before pressurization, and become a rigid rod shape when air is supplied to the inside thereof. To prepare for.

For example, as shown in FIG. 1, when the wearer holds the luggage with both hands in a bent posture, the knees and hips are bent, and the first artificial muscle 95 and the second artificial muscle are bent according to the body. When the operation valve is opened in this state, the bent first artificial muscle 95 and the second artificial muscle 96 extend in a rod shape. The stretching motion of the first artificial muscle 95 and the second artificial muscle 96 assists the wearer in stretching the knee and straightening the lumbar region. This greatly reduces the load that the wearer feels when lifting the load.

If the capacity in the air tank is increased and the ultimate pressure in the air tank is increased, the artificial muscle can exert a greater force. Also, the artificial muscle can be operated more times. However, if the capacity in the air tank is increased or the ultimate pressure in the air tank is increased, the pressurized air generator must be pressed a plurality of times. As the number of treads increases, it becomes a burden on the wearer and its practicality decreases. By using the pressurized air generator of each embodiment described below, it is possible to pressurize the air to a desired pressure value with a smaller number of treading operations as compared with the conventional product.

In the above-mentioned device 9, an artificial muscle that extends in a rod shape when pressurized air is supplied is used. The artificial muscle may be operated by pressurized air. For example, an artificial muscle that contracts by supplying pressurized air may be used. Further, a Macchiben type artificial muscle that contracts by supplying pressurized air to the inside of the tube may be used. The Macchiben type artificial muscle has a structure in which a tube made of an elastic body such as a rubber tube is covered with a cloth made of nylon fiber or the like.

The configuration of the device to which the pressurized air generator 1 is connected is not limited to the example of FIG. The device may be any device that supports the movement of the body with artificial muscles. The device may be, for example, one that supports the movement of the fingers, one that supports the movement of the arm, or one that supports the movement of the foot.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 2 shows the pressurized air generator 1a according to the first embodiment. The pressurized air generator 1a of the present embodiment includes pressurized portions A and B having a toe-side airbag and a heel-side airbag. The pressurizing portion so that the lower toe-side airbag 11A and the upper toe-side airbag 11B overlap in the vertical direction, and the lower heel-side airbag 12A and the upper heel-side airbag 12B overlap in the vertical direction. A and B are stacked in two stages in the vertical direction.

The lowermost pressurizing portion A is provided with an intake passage 21a for supplying external air to the lowermost toe-side airbag 11A and a check valve 211a provided in the intake passage 21a. The uppermost pressurizing portion B is provided with an exhaust path 22a for supplying the air pressurized by the uppermost heel side airbag 11B to the air tank 92 and a check valve 221a provided in the exhaust path 22a. ing. Air pressurized by the lower heel-side airbag 12A is supplied to the upper toe-side airbag 11B via the first transport path 23a. The check valve 231a provided in the first transport path 23a prevents backflow of air.

To the heel-side airbags 12A and 12B of the same stage, the air pressurized by the toe-side airbags 11A and 11B of the same stage is supplied to the heel-side airbags 12A and 12B via the second transport path 24a. Backflow of air is prevented from the check valve 241a provided in the second transport path 24a.

The above-mentioned pressurized air generator 1a can be suitably applied to the sole portion of the footwear 5, for example, as shown in FIG. The footwear 5 of FIG. 3 has a band-shaped fixing portion 53 for connecting the shoe sole portion 51 incorporating the pressurized air generator 1 and the short shoe portion 52. The fixing portion 53 can be opened and closed with a hook-and-loop fastener. By opening and closing the fixed portion, the short shoe portion 52 can be changed according to the size of the user's foot. In addition, when the shoe sole is worn, it can be replaced with a new shoe sole. The composition of footwear is not limited to this. The pressurized air generator can be applied to the sole portion of any footwear such as shoes, short shoes such as sandals, and deep shoes such as boots.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a first bag is arranged as a lower toe side air bag 11A and a second bag is arranged as a lower heel side air bag 12A on the sole portion 51 of the footwear 5. The third bag is arranged as the upper toe side air bag 11B, and the fourth bag is arranged as the upper heel side air bag 12B. In FIG. 5, the check valves 211a, 241a, 231a, 221a, the intake path 21a, the exhaust path 22a, and the first transport path 23a are omitted for convenience of drawing. The connection relationship between the check valves 211a, 241a, 231a, 221a, the intake path 21a, the exhaust path 22a, and the first transport path 23a in the footwear 5 is the same as the configuration shown in FIG. In this specification, the airbags arranged upstream are expressed as the first bag, the second bag, the third bag, and the fourth bag in order from the airbag arranged downstream.

When the wearer walks while wearing the footwear 5, air is sucked from the intake path 21 and is discharged from the exhaust path 22 while being sequentially pressurized by a total of four airbags to support the body. It flows into the air tank 92 of the device 9.

As shown in FIG. 2, check valves 211a, 221a, 231a, and 241a are arranged in the intake path 21a, the exhaust path 22a, the first transfer path 23a, and the second transfer path 24a. As these check valves, those that open when the downstream pressure value exceeds a predetermined pressure value with respect to the upstream pressure value via the check valve are used. In the pressurized air generator 1 of the present embodiment, for example, a check valve 241a that opens when the value obtained by subtracting the pressure value of the second bag from the pressure value of the first bag exceeds 4 kPa is used. is doing. The check valve 241a allows an air flow from the downstream to the upstream when the pressure value exceeds a predetermined value as described above, but shuts off the air flow from the upstream to the downstream. The same check valves 211a, 221a, and 231a are used. The above pressure value can be appropriately changed according to the specifications of the body support device 9, and is not particularly limited, but may be changed within a range of, for example, larger than 0 kPa and 50 kPa or less. Can be done.

When the wearer wearing the footwear 5 puts his toes on the ground, as shown in FIG. 4, the third bag is configured to overlap the first bag in the vertical direction. Both the bag and the third bag are compressed. In this state, the air in the first bag is supplied into the second bag. The air in the third bag is supplied into the fourth bag. When the wearer wearing the footwear 5 puts his heel on the ground, the fourth bag is configured to overlap the second bag in the vertical direction, so that both the second bag and the fourth bag are used. Is compressed. In this state, the air in the second bag is supplied into the third bag. The air in the fourth bag is supplied into the air tank 92 of the device 9.

When the wearer of the footwear 5 repeats the above-mentioned walking motion, the air sucked from the intake path 21 is sequentially supplied into the sealed air tank 92 of the device 9, and the pressurized air is stored in the air tank. Will be done.

In the pressurized air generator 1a of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the toe-side airbags 11A and 11B and the heel-side airbags 12A and 12B are airbags on the exhaust path side, that is, near the upstream side. The smaller the size of the cross section of the airbag, the smaller the size. With such a configuration, the airbag on the upstream side is loaded with a larger tread pressure per unit area on the airbag as compared with the airbag on the downstream side. This configuration allows air to be efficiently pushed out of the upstream airbag. If the air is not sufficiently pushed out in the upstream airbag, the air in the downstream airbag will be stagnant and will not be supplied to the upstream airbag. When such a phenomenon occurs, even if the wearer repeats the walking motion, the air is not efficiently supplied to the air tank, and more walking motion is required to bring the pressure inside the air tank to the desired pressure. It ends up. In addition, even if the airbag is stepped on, the airbag does not contract, and the repulsive force of the airbag acts on the foot, so that the wearer easily loses the balance of the body.

In the pressurized air generator 1a of the present embodiment, air is efficiently supplied to the air tank 92 of the device 9, so that the user does not need to consciously step on the airbag to generate a strong tread pressure. .. As a result, accidents such as an imbalance in the body and a fall when performing a walking motion are unlikely to occur. In addition, the inside of the air tank can be pressurized to a desired pressure with a smaller number of walking movements. As shown in FIG. 6, the size of the cross section of the airbag means the area of the cross section at the position where the length in the lateral direction of the airbag is maximized. In the example of FIG. 6, the cross-sectional area in the AA portion corresponds to the size of the cross section of the airbag.

The pressurized air generator 1 of the present embodiment is configured so that the volume of the airbag becomes smaller as it is closer to the upstream side. This makes it possible to more efficiently send the pressurized air to the air tank of the device 9. For example, if the volume of the airbag on the downstream side is small and the volume of the airbag on the upstream side is large, the amount of air taken in from the intake path itself is small, and the amount of air that can be supplied to the air tank with a single treading pressure. Will be reduced.

In the pressurized air generator 1a of the present embodiment, the toe-side airbags 11A and 11B, or the heel-side airbags 12A and 12B, are frame bodies 54, 55, 56 and 57 arranged at the bottom of the footwear 5. It is placed inside. The toe-side airbags 11A and 11B, or the heel-side airbags 12A and 12B, have a structure in which the end portion of the airbag protrudes out of the frame in the expanded state. Then, the pressing portions 58, 59 that approach or separate from the frame bodies 54, 55, 56, 57 as the wearer walks are provided at positions facing the frame bodies 54, 55, 56, 57. There is.

Each airbag may be made of a material that deforms to be compressed when treaded. In the pressurized air generator 1 of the present embodiment, each airbag is composed of a bag made of a woven fabric coated with a synthetic resin. The woven cloth is a plain weave cloth woven with nylon threads. Urethane resin is used for the synthetic resin coating. Since the airbag having such a configuration is made of a plain weave woven fabric, it is excellent in durability, and because it is sealed with a synthetic resin, it is also excellent in airtightness. The structure of the airbag is not limited to this example, and may be made of, for example, a synthetic resin film.

The first transport path and the second transport path may be made of any material. In the pressurized air generator 1 of the present embodiment, the first transfer path or the second transfer path is connected to each airbag by heat welding. Therefore, the first transport path or the second transport path is made of a material that can be heat-welded to the airbag. As the heat-weldable material, the same material as each airbag is preferably used.

Partitions 60 and 61 are provided between the lower frame and the upper frame. On the toe side, a plate-shaped partition portion 60 is provided so as to be in contact with the lower end portion of the upper frame body and the upper end portion of the lower frame body. On the heel side, a plate-shaped partition portion 61 is provided so as to be in contact with the lower end portion of the upper frame body and the upper end portion of the lower frame body. The partition portion prevents the upper airbag and the lower airbag from coming into direct contact with each other.

In the pressurized air generator 1 of the present embodiment, the partition portion 60 on the toe side has the same shape as the pressurized portion 58 on the toe side in a plan view. Similarly, the partition portion 61 on the heel side has the same shape as the pressurizing portion 59 on the heel side in a plan view. As the material constituting the partition portion, the same material as that constituting the pressure portion can be used.

As shown in FIG. 5, in the state where each airbag is supplied with air and expanded, the height of the airbag is larger than the height of the frames 54, 55, 56, 57. It is configured to be. Pressing portions 58 and 59 are arranged above or below each airbag. There is a gap between the pressing portions 58, 59 and the frame bodies 54, 55, 56, 57, and the size of this gap is the so-called stepping allowance. The amount of air discharged from the airbag when the airbag is compressed increases as the stepping allowance increases.

According to the configuration in which the airbag is arranged in the frame and the airbag is compressed by the pressurizing portion, the direction in which the airbag is deformed when the airbag is stepped on is regulated by the frame. This prevents the airbag from being deformed in an oblique direction when the airbag is pressed, and the deformation of the airbag is optimized. With this configuration, it becomes possible to load the tread pressure more efficiently on the airbag, and it becomes possible to discharge the air from the airbag more efficiently. In addition, since the deformation of the airbag is optimized, it is possible to prevent the body from being out of balance during walking.

The pressurized air generator 1a of the present embodiment includes a two-stage pressurized portion, that is, a pressurized portion B in the upper stage and a pressurized portion A in the lower stage. When a total of two airbags are placed in the one-stage pressurizing section as in the past and an attempt is made to tread, the volume of the airbag and the treading allowance must be increased to increase the amount of air supplied. do not have. When the volume and the stepping allowance are increased, the airbag may be stepped on at an angle depending on the walking motion method, or the airbag may not be completely compressed when the airbag is stepped on. When such a phenomenon occurs, air cannot be efficiently discharged from the airbag, and as a result, it may not be possible to obtain the desired pressure in the air tank unless the walking motion is performed many times.

In the pressurized air generator 1a of the present embodiment, since the pressurized air generator 1a has two stages of the pressurized portion B of the upper stage and the pressurized portion A of the lower stage, the volume of each airbag and the stepping allowance are reduced. However, a sufficient amount of air can be sent into the air tank. Since the volume and the stepping allowance can be set so that the treading pressure can be efficiently transmitted to the airbag, the airbag can be appropriately treaded and air can be efficiently sent out. Since the upper pressurizing section B is placed on the lower pressurizing section A so that the airbags overlap in the vertical direction, the operation of attaching one toe to the ground or one heel to the ground is performed. Multiple airbags can be compressed by the action of attaching to. As a result, the desired air pressure can be achieved with less walking motion.

7 and 8 show an example of the pressing portion. The pressing portion 58 shown in FIG. 7 is arranged on the toe side. The pressing portion 58 is used in both the upper pressing portion B and the lower pressing portion A. In the pressurized air generator 1a of the present embodiment, a sole pattern is formed on the lower surface of the lower pressing portion 58 for the purpose of preventing slipping.

The pressing portion 59 shown in FIG. 8 is arranged on the heel side. The pressing portion 59 is used in both the upper pressing portion B and the lower pressing portion A. In the pressurized air generator 1a of the present embodiment, a sole pattern is formed on the lower surface of the lower pressing portion 59 for the purpose of preventing slipping.

The pressing portion can be made of a material constituting the sole generally used for footwear. Excessive deformation of the pressing portion may interfere with the compression of the airbag. In such a case, it is preferable to select a material and a shape having rigidity such that the pressing portion is not excessively deformed when the airbag is stepped on.

In the pressurized air generator 1 of the present embodiment, each pressing portion is made of a polyethylene plate. Each pressing portion has a shape that is larger than the area of the airbag in a plan view and has a portion that is in contact with the entire circumference of the edge of the frame. In the pressing portion having this configuration, the treading pressure of the wearer acts evenly on the contact points between the airbag and the pressing portion, and the pressing portion comes into contact with the edge of the frame body to restrict the descent of the pressing portion.

9 to 12 show an example of a frame. The frame body 54 of FIG. 9 is arranged on the toe side of the lower pressurizing portion A. The frame body 54 has a circular through hole 542 surrounded by an edge portion 541 and an edge portion 541. The frame body 55 in FIG. 10 is arranged on the toe side of the upper pressurizing portion B. The frame 55 has an edge portion 551 and a circular through hole 552 surrounded by the edge portion 551. The frame 56 in FIG. 11 is arranged on the heel side of the lower pressurizing portion A. The frame 56 has a circular through hole 562 surrounded by an edge 561 and an edge 561. The frame body 57 in FIG. 12 is arranged on the heel side of the upper pressurizing portion B. The frame body 57 has a circular through hole 572 surrounded by an edge portion 571 and an edge portion 571. Since the size of the cross section of the airbag becomes smaller toward the upstream side, as shown in FIGS. 9 to 12, in the frame bodies 54, 55, 56, 57, the diameter of the circle of each through hole also becomes smaller toward the upstream side. It is configured as follows.

The frame is preferably made of a material and a shape having strength enough not to be crushed when the airbag is stepped on. In the pressurized air generator 1 of the present embodiment, each frame is made of foamed polyurethane. By forming the frame body with an elastic body, the shock when the pressing portion comes into contact with the frame body is alleviated. This is configured to reduce fatigue when walking and fatigue when the wearer performs work.

In the pressurized air generator 1 of the present embodiment, each toe-side airbag or each heel-side airbag is a flat, substantially spherical member as shown in FIG. By flattening the airbag, the height of each pressurized part is kept small. This prevents the sole of the footwear 5 from becoming excessively thick. Each airbag is circular in plan view and has a substantially spherical apex. In this configuration, it is less likely to be affected by the direction in which the force acts on the airbag, and the tread pressure is likely to be applied relatively evenly to each airbag. For example, assuming a prismatic airbag, it is difficult to apply tread pressure to the corners, and depending on the treading method, the airbag may be treaded diagonally. If the airbag is circular and substantially spherical in a plan view, such a problem can be less likely to occur.

The pressurized air generator may be configured, for example, from the second embodiment to the fourth embodiment shown below. The pressurized air generators of the second to fourth embodiments shown below will be described only with respect to the differences from the pressurized air generator according to the first embodiment. The same configurations as those of the pressurized air device 9 of the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals in the drawings.

[Second Embodiment]
In the pressurized air generator 1a according to the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, one end of the first transport path 23a is connected to a position upstream of the check valve 241a of the second transport path 24a downstream. The other end of the first transport path 23a is connected to the downstream of the check valve 241a of the upstream second transport path 24a, and the check valve 231a is arranged in the first transport path 23a. Further, the intake path 21a is connected to the downstream of the check valve 241a of the second transport path 24a downstream, and the exhaust path 22a is connected to the upstream of the check valve 241a of the upstream second transport path 24a. Since the first transport path 23a is not directly connected to the second bag and the third bag, and the intake path 21a or the exhaust path 221a is not directly connected to the first bag or the second bag, the first bag is not directly connected. The durability of the bag, the second bag, the third bag, and the fourth bag can be increased. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 13, in the pressurized air generator 1b of the second embodiment, one end and the other end of the first transport path 23b are provided with respect to the second bag and the third bag. Therefore, they are connected to each other. A check valve 231b is arranged in the second transport path 23b. The intake path 21b is connected to the first bag, and the exhaust path 22b is connected to the fourth bag. The first bag and the second bag are connected by a second transport path 24b. The third bag and the fourth bag are connected by the second transport path 24b. Check valves 211b, 221b, and 241b are arranged in the intake path 21b, the exhaust path 22b, and the second transport path 24b.

[Third Embodiment]
As shown in FIG. 14, the pressurized air generator 1c of the third embodiment is provided with an intake path 21c in the vicinity of the heel-side airbag 12A of the lower pressurized portion A, and is provided with an intake path 21c of the upper pressurized portion B. It differs from the pressurized air generator 1 according to the first embodiment in that the exhaust path 22c is provided in the vicinity of the toe-side airbag 11B.

As shown in FIG. 14, the pressurized air generator 1c includes a pressurized portion having a toe side air bag and a heel side air bag, and has a lower toe side air bag 11A and an upper toe side air. The pressurizing portions are laminated in two stages in the vertical direction so that the bag 11B overlaps in the vertical direction and the lower heel side air bag 12A and the upper heel side air bag 12B overlap in the vertical direction. The lowermost pressurizing portion A is provided with an intake path 21c for supplying external air to the lowermost heel side air bag 12A and a check valve 211c provided in the intake path 21c, and is provided with the uppermost step. The pressurizing portion B is provided with an exhaust path 22c for supplying the air pressurized by the uppermost toe-side air bag 11B to the air tank 92 and a check valve 221c provided in the exhaust path 22c. The air pressurized by the lower toe side air bag 11A is supplied to the upper heel side air bag 12B via the first transport path 23c, and is provided by the check valve 231c provided in the first transport path 23c. Backflow of air is prevented, and in the toe-side airbags 11A and 11B of the same stage, the air pressurized by the heel-side airbags 12A and 12B of the same stage is passed through the second transport path 24c to the toe-side airbag 11A. , 11B is supplied to, air backflow is prevented from the check valve 241c provided in the second transport path 24c, and the toe side air bags 11A and 11B and the heel side air bags 12A and 12B are on the exhaust path side. The closer the air bag is, the smaller the size of the cross section of the air bag is configured.

The air flow in the pressurized air generator 1c is as follows. When the user wearing footwear puts the heel on the ground, the third bag is configured to overlap vertically on the first bag, so that both the first bag and the third bag are compressed. Will be done. In this state, the air in the first bag arranged on the heel side is supplied into the second bag, and the air in the third bag arranged on the heel side is supplied into the fourth bag.

When a user wearing footwear 5 puts his toes on the ground, the fourth bag is configured to overlap the second bag in the vertical direction, so that both the second bag and the fourth bag are placed. It is compressed. In this state, the air in the second bag is supplied into the third bag. The air in the fourth bag is supplied into the air tank 92 of the device 9.

[Fourth Embodiment]
In the pressurized air generator 1d of the fourth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 15, the first-stage toe-side airbag, the second-stage toe-side airbag, and the third-stage toe-side airbag are up and down. The pressurizing section is 3 in the vertical direction so that the first-stage heel-side airbag, the second-stage heel-side airbag, and the third-stage heel-side airbag overlap in the vertical direction. It is laminated on the stage. The airbag includes a total of six airbags from the first bag to the sixth bag. In the pressurized air generator 1d of the fourth embodiment, the second stage pressurizing part corresponds to the upper stage pressurizing part and the first stage pressurizing part corresponds to the second stage pressurizing part as a reference. Corresponds to the lower pressure section. Based on the third-stage pressurizing section, the third-stage pressurizing section corresponds to the upper pressurizing section, and the second-stage pressurizing section corresponds to the lower pressurizing section.

As shown in FIG. 15, the pressurized air generator 1d includes a pressurized portion having a toe-side airbag and a heel-side airbag, and has a first-stage toe-side airbag 11A and a second-stage. The toe-side airbag 11B and the third-stage toe-side airbag 11C overlap in the vertical direction, and the first-stage heel-side airbag 12A, the second-stage heel-side airbag 12B, and the third-stage heel-side air The pressurizing portions A, B, and C are laminated in three stages with respect to the vertical direction so that the bag 12C and the bag 12C overlap in the vertical direction. An intake path 21d for supplying external air to the side airbag 11A and a check valve 211d provided in the intake path 21d are provided, and the third-stage pressurizing portion C is provided with a third-stage toe side. An exhaust path 22d for supplying the air pressurized by the airbag 11C to the air tank 92 and a check valve 221d provided in the exhaust path 22d are provided, and the second-stage toe-side airbag 11B or 3 is provided. Air pressurized by the first-stage heel-side airbag 12A or the second-stage heel-side airbag 12B is supplied to the toe-side airbag 11C of the first stage via the first transport path 23d. The check valve 231d provided in the first transport path 23d prevents the backflow of air, and the heel-side airbags 12A, 12B, 12C of the same stage are pressurized by the toe-side airbags 11A, 11B, 11C of the same stage. The generated air is supplied to the heel side airbags 12A, 12B, and 12C via the second transport path 24d, and the check valve 241d provided in the second transport path 24d prevents the backflow of air and prevents each toe side air. The bags 11A, 11B, 11C and the airbags on the heel side 12A, 12B, 12C are configured such that the closer the airbag is to the exhaust path side, the smaller the size of the cross section of the airbag.

The air flow in the pressurized air generator 1d according to the fourth embodiment is from the lower toe side airbag to the upper heel side airbag as in the pressurized air generator 1a according to the first embodiment. It flows sequentially. As shown in FIG. 14, the number of stages of the pressurizing portion may be changed so as to sequentially flow from the lower heel side airbag to the upper toe side airbag. Further, the connection relationship between the first transport path, the intake path, and the exhaust path may be changed as in the example of FIG.

The number of layers of the pressurized portion in the vertical direction is not particularly limited, but it is preferably 2 to 4 steps in consideration of the balance between the ease of walking and the efficiency of air supply.

Hereinafter, a more specific description will be given with reference to examples.

[Example 1]
The footwear 5 according to the first embodiment has the configuration of FIGS. 3 to 5. The footwear 5 includes the pressurized air generator 1a shown in FIG. As described above, the check valves 211a, 221a, 231a, and 241a are those that open when the difference between the pressure in the downstream space and the pressure in the upstream space exceeds 4 kPa across the check valve. ing. The materials of the footwear and each part constituting the pressurized air generator are as described above.

As shown in Table 2, in the footwear of Example 1, the airbag A shown in Table 1 is used as the first-stage-toe-side airbag (first bag), and the first-stage-toe side airbag is used. The airbag B shown in Table 1 is used as the airbag (second bag), and the airbag C shown in Table 1 is used as the airbag on the second stage-toe side (third bag), and the second stage is used. -Each airbag D shown in Table 1 was used as the airbag on the heel side (fourth bag).

[Example 2]
The footwear according to the second embodiment has a configuration in which the pressurizing portions of the footwear of FIGS. 3 to 5 are formed in three stages. The footwear incorporates the pressurized air generator 1 shown in FIG. As shown in Table 2, in the footwear of Example 2, the airbag A shown in Table 1 is used as the first-stage-toe side airbag (first bag), and the first-stage-bag side air bag is used. The airbag B shown in Table 1 is used as the airbag (second bag), and the airbag C shown in Table 1 is used as the airbag on the second stage-toe side (third bag), and the second stage is used. -Use the airbag C shown in Table 1 as the airbag on the heel side (4th bag), and use the airbag D shown in Table 1 as the airbag on the toe side (5th bag). Third stage-The airbag D shown in Table 1 was used as the airbag on the heel side (sixth bag). As the pressurized air generator according to the second embodiment and each component of the footwear provided with the pressurized air generator, the same components as those used in the first embodiment were used.

[Comparative Example 1]
For comparison, footwear equipped with the pressurized air generator 1e shown in FIG. 16 was prepared. The number of steps of the pressure section A of the footwear is one. The pressurized air generator 1e uses the airbag A shown in Table 1 as the first-stage-toe side airbag (first bag), and as the first-stage-heel side airbag (second bag). The airbag D shown in Table 1 was used. The toe-side airbag 11Ae and the heel-side airbag 12Ae are connected by a second transport path 24e provided with a check valve 241e. An exhaust path 22e having a check valve 221e is connected to the upstream of the check valve 241e. An intake path 21e having a check valve 211e is connected to the downstream of the check valve 241e. As the pressurized air generator 1e of Comparative Example 1 and each component of the footwear provided with the pressurized air generator 1e, the same components as those used in Example 1 were used.

[Comparative Example 2]
For comparison, footwear equipped with the pressurized air generator 1f shown in FIG. 17 was prepared. The pressurized air generator 1f uses the airbag A shown in Table 1 as the first-stage-toe side airbag (first bag), and as the first-stage-heel side airbag (second bag). The airbag C shown in Table 1 was used, and the airbag D shown in Table 1 was used as the airbag on the second stage-heel side (third bag). The number of stages of the pressurizing portions A and B is two. The lower toe-side airbag 11Af and the heel-side airbag 12Af are connected by a second transport path 24f provided with a check valve 241f. One end of the first transport path 23f having the check valve 231f is connected to the upstream of the check valve 241f. The other end of the first transport path 23f is connected to the upper heel-side airbag 12Bf. An exhaust path 22f having a check valve 221f is connected to the upstream of the check valve 231f. An intake path 21f having a check valve 211f is connected to the downstream of the check valve 241f. As the pressurized air generator 1f of Comparative Example 2 and each component of the footwear provided with the pressurized air generator 1f, the same components as those used in Example 1 were used.

The exhaust path of each footwear according to Example 1, Example 2, Comparative Example 1, or Comparative Example 2 was connected to the first hollow tube 91 of the body movement support device 9 shown in FIG. The body movement support device 9 was worn by the user to perform a walking motion. When the user performs a walking motion, air is discharged from the exhaust path of the footwear according to each embodiment or comparative example attached to one leg, and air is supplied to the air tank 92 through the first hollow pipe 91. In this experiment, the pressurized air generator was attached to only one leg, but the pressurized air generator may be attached to both legs.

Before the start of the test, the absolute pressure in the air tank was set to atmospheric pressure (110 kPa). The absolute pressure inside the airbag was measured when the user walked 20 steps. The measured absolute pressure (kPa) is summarized in Table 2. The number of steps in the present specification refers to the number of times the airbag is pressed by the foot. For example, if a person walks 20 steps while wearing a pressurized air generator on only one leg, it means that the left and right feet perform a walking motion of 40 steps and the pressurized air generator is pressed 20 times with one foot. ..

Next, before the start of the test, the absolute pressure in the air tank was set to 130 kPa, and the number of steps required to pressurize the absolute pressure in the airbag to the target value of 175 kPa was measured. The measured number of steps is summarized in Table 2. In the footwear according to Comparative Example 1, the absolute pressure in the air tank did not reach 175 kPa even after walking 50 steps with the footwear attached, so it was concluded that the efficiency was poor and the test was discontinued.

As summarized in Table 2, Example 1 or Example is configured so that the airbag is provided with two or more pressurizing portions and the size of the cross section of the airbag becomes smaller as the airbag is closer to the exhaust path side. In the footwear according to Comparative Example 2, the pressure in the air tank could be increased by walking 20 steps as compared with the footwear according to Comparative Example 1 or Comparative Example 2. In the footwear according to Example 1 or Example 2, the inside of the air tank could be pressurized to the target value of 175 kPa with a smaller number of steps as compared with the footwear according to Comparative Example 1 or Comparative Example 2. In the footwear according to Example 1 or Example 2, when the airbag was trampled, a large feeling of resistance did not occur, and the balance of the body was not lost.

According to the pressurized air generator of Example 1 or Example 2, the footwear and the body support device using the pressurized air generator, a total of two pumps arranged on the toe side and the heel side are pressed to generate pressurized air. It is possible to pressurize the air to a desired pressure value with a smaller number of treading times as compared with the configuration. By using the pressurized air generator or the like, it is possible to generate pressurized air having a desired pressure value with a small number of walks, and it is possible to reduce the burden on the user.

9 Body support device 92 Air tank 1a Pressurized air generator 1b Pressurized air generator 1c Pressurized air generator 1d Pressurized air generator 11A Toe side air bag 11B Toe side air bag 11C Toe side air bag 12A Heel side air bag 12B Heel side air bag 12C Heel side air bag A Pressurizing part B Pressurizing part C Pressurizing part 21a Intake path 21b Intake path 21c Intake path 21d Intake path 211a Check valve 211b Check valve 211c Check valve 211d Check valve 22a Exhaust path 22b Exhaust path 22c Exhaust path 22d Exhaust path 221a Check valve 221b Check valve 221c Check valve 221d Check valve 23a First transport path 23b First transport path 23c First transport path 23d First transport path 231a Reverse Check valve 231b Check valve 231c Check valve 231d Check valve 24a Second transport path 24b Second transport path 24c Second transport path 24d Second transport path 241a Check valve 241b Check valve 241c Check valve 241d Check valve 54 Frame 55 Frame 56 Frame 57 Frame 58 Pressing part 59 Pressing part

Claims (6)

It is a pressurized air generator for supplying air to the air tank by attaching it to the sole of the foot and performing walking motion, and storing the pressurized air in the air tank.
The pressurized air generator comprises a pressurized section having a toe-side airbag and a heel-side airbag.
The pressurizing part is vertically overlapped so that the lower toe-side airbag and the upper toe-side airbag overlap in the vertical direction, and the lower heel-side airbag and the upper heel-side airbag overlap in the vertical direction. On the other hand, it is laminated in two or more stages,
The lowermost pressurizing section is provided with an intake path for supplying external air to the lowermost toe-side airbag and a check valve provided in the intake path.
The uppermost pressurizing section is provided with an exhaust path for supplying the air pressurized by the uppermost heel-side airbag to the air tank and a check valve provided in the exhaust path.
Air pressurized by the lower heel-side airbag is supplied to the upper toe-side airbag via the first transport path, and a check valve provided in the first transport path prevents air backflow. ,
Air pressurized by the toe-side airbag of the same stage is supplied to the heel-side airbag via the second transport path to the heel-side airbag of the same stage, and a check valve provided in the second transport path. More air backflow is prevented,
Each toe side airbag and each heel side airbag are pressurized air generators in which the size of the cross section of the airbag is smaller as the airbag is closer to the exhaust path side. It is a pressurized air generator for supplying air to the air tank by attaching it to the sole of the foot and performing walking motion, and storing the pressurized air in the air tank.
The pressurized air generator comprises a pressurized section having a toe-side airbag and a heel-side airbag.
The pressurizing part is vertically overlapped so that the lower toe-side airbag and the upper toe-side airbag overlap in the vertical direction, and the lower heel-side airbag and the upper heel-side airbag overlap in the vertical direction. On the other hand, it is laminated in two or more stages,
The lowermost pressurizing section is provided with an intake path for supplying external air to the lowermost heel-side airbag and a check valve provided in the intake path.
The uppermost pressurizing section is provided with an exhaust path for supplying the air pressurized by the uppermost toe-side airbag to the air tank and a check valve provided in the exhaust path.
Air pressurized by the lower toe-side airbag is supplied to the upper heel-side airbag via the first transport path, and the check valve provided in the first transport path prevents the air from flowing back. ,
To the toe-side airbag of the same stage, air pressurized by the heel-side airbag of the same stage is supplied to the toe-side airbag via the second transport path, and a check valve provided in the second transport path. More air backflow is prevented,
Each toe side airbag and each heel side airbag are pressurized air generators in which the size of the cross section of the airbag is smaller as the airbag is closer to the exhaust path side. Each toe-side airbag, or each heel-side airbag, is located inside the frame.
Each toe-side airbag or each heel-side airbag has a structure in which the end of the airbag protrudes out of the frame in the expanded state.
The pressurized air generator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a pressing portion that approaches or separates from the frame body is provided at a position facing the frame body as the wearer walks. The pressurized air generator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein each toe-side airbag or each heel-side airbag has a flat substantially spherical shape. The pressurized air generator according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the number of layers of the pressurized portion in the vertical direction is 2 to 4 stages. A body movement support device having the pressurized air generator according to any one of claims 1 to 5 and an artificial muscle that operates using the pressurized air generated by the pressurized air generator as a drive source.

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