JP3064571U - Adjustable height sleep pillow - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] (With correction) [Solution] On the bottom base in the pillow where the head is placed,
An air pressure actuator 2 whose height can be varied by the inflow / outflow of air into the interior is provided. When a sensor capable of detecting a change in the internal pressure of the pneumatic actuator 2 detects a change in the internal pressure, a load / height control adjustment is made based on the output signal. By operating the apparatus, the air supply / discharge to / from the pneumatic actuator 2 is performed until the pillow height reaches a predetermined height. [Effect] Unnatural pressure and torsion acting on the neck and shoulders due to turning over and the like are reduced, and it is possible to always sleep well.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

[0001]

[Technical field to which the invention belongs]

 The present invention relates to a variable-height sleep pillow having a structure in which the height can be changed according to how the head rests on the pillow during sleep.

[0002]

[Prior art]

 Conventionally, pillows have been used as a necessary bedding to support the head not only at bedtime but also when simply sleeping or lying down when tired. If you do not have a pillow at hand, it is common practice to use a suitable table or box or several books, or even your own hand as a pillow.

[0003] In general daily life, a considerable amount of time is spent sleeping, during which time the pillows support the head, causing the entire body and head to become unnatural during sleep. It plays an important role in ensuring that it does not become a problem. Especially in the case of sick people, many people stay in bed for a long period of time during medical treatment.Therefore, bedding is considered in various ways, but pillows etc. It also acts as a support.

[0004] As described above, a pillow that plays an important role in daily life is usually made of ordinary cloth bags filled with rice husk, buckwheat husk, panya, foamed synthetic resin particles, feathers, or the like in an appropriate amount. It is used to support the head and dissipate heat during use.

[0005]

[Problems to be solved by the invention]

 Because the human head is heavy, the pillows that support it at bedtime are deformed and tall to fit the sleeper's body so that the neck is not strained Made to varying degrees. However, when using pillows, the sleeping person's body assumes a variety of states, such as lying on its back, lying down, or lying down, and it never sleeps in one form. Therefore, the pillows are adjusted at bedtime so that the relationship between the body and the head is in the most comfortable state. This may cause excessive strain on the head and shoulders, which not only hinders sleep, but may also cause muscle staggering and stiff shoulders while sleeping, and measures are needed.

For these improvements, the present inventors have previously proposed a pressure-sensitive height-variable sleeping pillow that adapts to the orientation of the body such as turning over or lying down while sleeping (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. Hei 6-343540, JP-A-8-420 and JP-A-8-299138). The above-mentioned prior design was based on a pillow (available from the Asahi Shimbun, May, 1993, "Asahi Family Convenience Book" back cover), which can change the material, adjust the shape and height of pillows already on the market. The effect of adapting to the body's orientation, such as turning over while sleeping or lying sideways, which could not be achieved, was achieved, but the structure was complicated and there were difficulties in smooth operation, and further improvements were needed. .

A pillow that detects the pressure in a balloon that expands and contracts with pressurized air and adjusts the height based on the detected pressure has also been proposed (Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 3-64072). This pillow has a structure in which two sets of upper and lower balloons are connected to each other by a flow control hole that regulates the suction and exhaust volume of a smaller diameter than the pressurized air inlet pipe. Air flowed through the flow control holes, and depending on the size of the holes and the flow rate of the air, there was a possibility that noise was generated. In addition, trial and error is required to make the size of the flow control hole appropriate.

The present inventors have solved the above-mentioned conventional problems, have a simple mechanism, and have the most comfortable relationship between the body and the head even when the sleeping person turns over or lies sideways. A pillow having a function to adjust smoothly as described above was proposed (Japanese Utility Model Application No. 10-10596). The pillow proposed above solved the previous problem, but the present invention was further improved to ensure that its function was fully demonstrated, and the pillow body was integrated with the driving part to improve usability. The purpose is to provide a good, variable height sleep pillow.

That is, the present invention made on the basis of the above knowledge provides an air pressure actuator having a height variable on the bottom base in a pillow on which a head is placed by inflow / outflow of air into the inside. A sensor that can fix the tutor only and cover the entire pillow with an elastic covering material, and can detect changes in the internal pressure of the pneumatic actuator, and pneumatic pressure generation and release that supplies and discharges air to the pneumatic actuator When the device and a sensor capable of detecting a change in the internal pressure of the air pressure actuator detect a change in the internal pressure, the load / height control / adjustment device is actuated by the output signal, and the air pressure is adjusted until the pillow height reaches a predetermined height. An automatic control device in which each control for feeding and discharging air to and from the pressure actuator is performed based on preset data; and And the pillow body are connected together by an air supply / discharge pipe to the pneumatic actuator. The pillow is a sleep pillow.

[0010] In the above invention, a knob for adjusting the operating load / height and a manual one-touch height adjusting switch are arranged on the side of the pillow, and wiring is supplied to the operating device together with the air supply / discharge pipe to the pneumatic actuator. It also features a height-adjustable sleep pillow that can be combined, or the knobs and switches can be remotely operated by a remote control wire.

Further, according to the present invention, an air pressure actuator whose height can be varied by inflow / outflow of air into the inside is fixed on a bottom base in a pillow on which a head is placed, and the air pressure actuator internal pressure is fixed. When a sensor capable of detecting a change is arranged and an air pressure generating / opening device for supplying / discharging air to / from the air pressure actuator and a sensor capable of detecting a change in the internal pressure of the pneumatic actuator detect a change in the internal pressure, the output is output. Each control for operating the load / height control adjusting device by a signal to perform air supply / discharge to the pneumatic actuator until the pillow height reaches a predetermined height is performed based on data set in advance. The automatic control device and the power supply for driving each device are arranged on the bottom base in parallel with the pneumatic actuator. In addition, a knob for adjusting the operating load and height control conditions and a manual one-touch height adjustment switch are arranged on the side of the pillow, and the entire body is covered with an elastic covering material. The gist is a variable sleep pillow.

According to the present invention, an air pressure actuator whose height can be changed by inflow and outflow of air into the inside is fixed on a bottom base in a pillow on which a head is placed, and the base and the air are fixed. A sensor capable of detecting a load on the pillow is arranged between the pressure actuator and a pneumatic pressure generating / releasing device for supplying / discharging air to / from the pneumatic actuator, and a sensor capable of detecting the load on the pillow is a load sensor. When the change is detected, each control for operating the load / height control adjusting device based on the output signal to perform air supply / discharge to the pneumatic actuator until the pillow height reaches a predetermined height, An automatic control device based on preset data and a power supply for driving each device are arranged on the bottom base in parallel with the pneumatic actuator. In addition, a knob for adjusting the operating load and height control conditions and a manual one-touch height adjustment switch are arranged on the side of the pillow, and the entire body is covered with an elastic covering material. It also features a variable height sleep pillow. Furthermore, in each of the above-mentioned inventions, the operating load / height adjusting knob and the manual one-touch height adjusting switch mounting portion are attached to the tip of a detachable remote control wire on the pillow main body, so that the height enabling remote operation can be achieved. It also features variable sleep pillows.

[0013]

[Embodiment of the invention]

 The configuration and operation of the present invention will be described. The sleeping pillow of the present invention employs a mechanism that adjusts the height of the pillow by utilizing the difference in the load received by the head support of the pillow depending on the sleeping state of the sleeping person.

The state of the force applied between the head, neck and body is different between the state in which the person is supine and the lying position, and if the height of the pillow is constant, the person is in the supine position. If appropriate, the pillow would be too low in the reclined position, and the neck would bend.

If this state continues, troubles such as fatigue of the neck and stiffness of the lower shoulder may occur. In order to avoid this, the sleeping person unconsciously inserts a part of the lower hand between the pillow and the head or pinches a part of the comforter, but the hand becomes numb with time. Or the body protruding from the comforter may get cold and catch a cold.

As described above, when the sleeping person turns from the supine position to the reclining position (or vice versa), a change in load occurs on the pillow supporting the head. Become. In the present invention, the above-mentioned load change is harmonized with the air pressure, and the height of the pillow supporting the head is changed.

Therefore, the present inventors have intensively studied a structure capable of reliably performing the above operation. As a result, it was thought that the sensor described above detected a change in the load on the pillow or a change in the internal pressure of the pneumatic actuator, and combined these output signals to adjust the pressure of the pneumatic actuator built into the pillow. The pillow is designed to move up and down.

The present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, but the present invention is not limited thereto. FIG. 1 shows an outline of the pillow 1 of the present invention. An air pressure actuator whose height can be varied by inflow / outflow of air into the inside of a pillow 1 on which a head is placed is provided on a bottom base 3. The heater 2 is fixed.

When the base 3 is made of reinforced plastic (FRP), the base 3 is flexible and easily compatible with the constituent materials of the pillow, but is not limited thereto, and may be made of light alloy or wooden. No problem.

The pneumatic actuator 2 is made of a material which has a low air pressure (0.1 to 0.2 kg / cm 2), has airtightness and flexibility but does not expand and contract, for example, a synthetic resin impregnated cloth (specifically, A rectangular bag made of, for example, urethane laminate material manufactured by Hibix Co., Ltd.) is suitable, and may have a folded corrugated (bellows-like) shape on the upper and lower sides.

According to the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1A, only the pneumatic actuator 2 is built in the pillow body, and a sensor capable of detecting a change in the internal pressure of the pneumatic actuator 2. 4. An air pressure generating / opening device 8 for supplying / discharging air to / from the air pressure actuator 2 and a sensor 4 capable of detecting a change in the internal pressure of the air pressure actuator detect a change in the internal pressure.・ Automatic control is performed based on the preset data, in which the height control adjusting device 8 is operated to control the air supply / discharge to / from the pneumatic actuator 2 until the pillow height reaches the predetermined height. The control device and the power supply 9 for driving each device are collectively housed in separate containers to supply and discharge air to and from the pneumatic actuator. A tube connects the device and the pillow body. When the pillow is not connected to the device, there is little difference from a normal pillow (air pillow). As shown in FIG. 1 (b), operation switches, knobs 5, 6 and the like may be attached to the side of the pillow so that adjustment when using the pillow can be easily performed.

In the invention according to claim 4 or 6, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the air pressure actuator 2 as well as the sensor 4, the control device 8, and the driving power supply 9 thereof are all built in the pillow body. Have been. Although these are mechanically complex, they can be used as a single pillow, and have the effect of eliminating the inconvenience of connecting the pillow to a storage container such as a driving device.

As the front sensor 4, for example, an Omron E8CB / E8CC pressure sensor manufactured by Omron Corporation is used, but it goes without saying that another sensor having the same operation and function can be used. As a low air pressure generating compressor which is a driving source of the air pressure generating / releasing device and the load / height control adjusting device 8, for example, a linear drive free piston compressor manufactured by Nitto Koki Co., Ltd. can be used. In particular, when a driving device is housed in the pillow body, for example, a diaphragm pump (model: CM-15) manufactured by Enomoto Micro Pump Manufacturing Co., Ltd. is suitable. This pump has characteristics of dimensions L74 × W31 × H24 mm, weight 60 g, drive voltage DC3V, ultra-low noise and low vibration. The pillow body constituting material may be any commonly used fiber product, but polyester fiber or polyurethane cloth or cotton is particularly preferable.

The power supply 9 for operating the air pressure generating / opening device 8 may be a commercial power supply (100 AC), a portable power supply (battery), or a combination of both. The load / height control / adjustment device 8 normally uses DC 12V, but is not limited to this. When the operation of the pneumatic actuator 2 is stopped, only a weak current flows in the sensor circuit, and the power consumption is small and economical. The inside of the pillow only has a low voltage (DC12V) sensor circuit, and there is no danger of electric shock.

The operation switches, knobs 5, 6 and the like are attached to the side of the pillow, or the remote switch including the wiring and air supply / exhaust piping to the pneumatic actuator 2 is pulled out and the operation switch is attached to the end 7 thereof. , Knobs 5, 6 and the like, and may be connected to the sensor 4, the air pressure generating / releasing device, the load / height control adjusting device 8, the automatic control device, and the driving power source by a one-touch connector.

The relationship between the pneumatic actuator 2 installed in the pillow and the pillow main body is as shown in FIG. 2A, having a movable portion 2 ′ that moves up and down along the guide in the pillow main body, or FIG. The pillow body expands and contracts due to the pneumatic actuator 2 so that the upper part of the pillow moves up and down, and as shown in FIG. 2c, the pillow divides the pillow into two parts and moves up and down around the fulcrum G. . Further, as shown in FIG. 2d, the pneumatic actuator 2 may be wrapped by the continuous pillow body 1. The size of the pillow may be any size as long as it is generally commercially available.

The device unit integrated in this way is housed in a bag made of a soundproof material such as, for example, a foamed synthetic resin, and a jacket is placed around the bag. Generally used materials can be applied to the pillow jacket as it is. A jacket that can be opened and closed with a chuck is convenient for removing and washing when dirty.

Next, the usage of the variable height sleep pillow of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. First, when the pillow is not used, that is, with no load applied to the pillow, the operating load / height adjustment knob 5 is adjusted according to the user's physical condition (weight, shoulder width, etc.). Adjust the pillow height. In this case, when the power is turned on, air is sent from the air pressure generating / releasing device 8 to the air pressure actuator 2, and the upper portion of the pillow rises to the above-mentioned adjustment height and stops. When the load on the pillow 1 is unloaded, the pillow is usually about 30 mm higher than in the supine position.

When the pillow is supine as shown in FIG. 3A, the sensor 4 detects a change in the internal pressure of the pneumatic actuator 2 due to the load on the head, and after a lapse of a predetermined time, the load / height control adjusting device 8 The height of the pillow is lowered to a predetermined position by the air exhaust valve inside exhausting the air inside the air pressure actuator 2, and the supine can be stably continued in this state. The time from the detection of the load to the start of the exhaust (delay time of the operation start) is set to about 5 to 60 seconds. By providing this delay time, even if the load fluctuates repeatedly within a short period of time, the flapping that air is supplied and exhausted each time is prevented.

Generally, after starting to use the pillow, the head may move and become restless so that the positional relationship between the head and the pillow approaches a desired state so that the user can sleep well. During such a transient state, the sensor 4 is prevented from operating, and the load / height control adjustment device 8 is operated by the output signal of the sensor 4 after the delay time since the head is stabilized. In this way, the unstable state of the use of the pillow can be avoided. When the head is put on the pillow vigorously at the beginning of use of the pillow, or when the head is moved up and down, a greater load is applied than when the patient is in the supine position, and the sensor 4 detects this and detects the height of the pillow. In some cases, the exhaust is stopped at a position different from the predetermined position.

If the pillow is uncomfortable when supine as described above, the height is adjusted to an optimum height using the manual one-touch height adjustment switch 6. The manual one-touch height adjustment switch 6 is normally in the OFF state, and while the switch knob is being pushed upward (or toward the front), air is supplied to the pneumatic actuator 2 and the pillow is raised. When you release your hand, the spring returns to the OFF position and the rise of the pillow stops.

When the pillow is too high, the air in the pneumatic actuator 2 is discharged from the air discharge valve in the pneumatic pressure generating / opening device 8 while the switch knob is being pushed down (or beyond), and Height gradually decreases. If the switch is released when the pillow is at the desired height, the air discharge valve closes and the operation of lowering the pillow stops. The operating load / height control condition adjusting knob 5 and the manual one-touch height adjusting switch 6 employ a rotary type or a sliding type, and the position at the time of ascending and descending is adjusted according to the preference of the user. The operation can be easily performed by switching between the middle and low three stages (the number of stages can be arbitrarily determined). Each position may be incorporated into the control program before use and input to the control device.

When the posture is changed from the supine position to the recumbent position as shown in FIG. 3B, the load of the head on the pillow is reduced. According to the measurement results, a load larger by 0.5 to 3.0 kg acts on the pillow when lying on the back than when lying down, although there are individual differences. Therefore, in this case, the load on the pneumatic actuator 2 in the pillow is reduced, but the height of the pillow rises only slightly, so that the neck is bent sideways and unnatural force is applied to the neck and shoulders. Is applied.

When changing from the supine position to the recumbent position, the degree of reduction in the load on the head against the pillow varies from person to person, so data measured in advance is input to the load / height control adjustment device 8. deep. Even if the load on the pillow decreases, the height of the pillow hardly changes. The sensor 4 detects this change in the load reduction, and the air pressure actuated by the output signal from the load / height control adjustment device 8 so that the optimum pillow height is obtained when the patient is lying down after a predetermined delay time has elapsed. Air is supplied from the compressor in the generating / opening device 8 into the pneumatic actuator 2 and the control is stopped at the position where the pillow has reached the predetermined height, and the pillow is fixed at the pillow height suitable for the lying posture. .

[0033] Next, when the patient is changed from the recumbent state to the supine state, the load on the head is increased, but the height of the pillow is only slightly lowered, and the pillow state is too high. The body is bent forward. The sensor 4 detects the state of the increase in the load, and the output signal from the load / height control adjustment device 8 which operates after a predetermined delay time elapses according to the detection signal outputs the air discharge valve in the air pressure generation / release device 8. When activated, air is exhausted from the air pressure actuator 2 and the pillow height is fixed when the pillow height reaches the initially set height in the supine state.

Each time the supine state and the lying state are repeated, the air supply / release operation to the air pressure actuator 2 is repeated, so that sleep can be continued in a comfortable state.

In the repetition of the supine state and the recumbent state, if the operation of the air pressure generating / releasing device 8 and the load / height control / adjustment device 8 activated by the output signal of the sensor 4 is too early, If the child rolls over many times during this time, the height of the pillow will change each time, and unexpected force will be applied to the head and neck, which will rather impair sleep.

Therefore, in order to solve the above-mentioned inconvenience, when the state of the supine and the lying is changed, the air pressure generating / releasing device 8 and the load / height are delayed by a time delay from the occurrence of the state change. By operating the control adjustment device 8, this disadvantage can be avoided. The degree of delay of the operation time can be set arbitrarily by incorporating a circuit for adjusting the operation time delay and adjusting the knob.

[0037]

[Effect of the invention]

 The variable-height sleep pillow according to the present invention is configured as described above, so that it is easy to manufacture and, when used, acts on the neck and shoulders by turning over during sleep. It can be expected to have the effect of eliminating and reducing unnatural pressure and torsion, and to always be able to sleep well, which is extremely beneficial from the viewpoint of maintaining health.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic explanatory view showing a partial cross section of a pillow of the present invention and necessary devices.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory view of an arrangement state of a pneumatic actuator and a driving part in the pillow of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing an operation at the time of using the pillow of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which an operation drive unit, a power supply, and the like are incorporated in the pillow of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing an outline of an operation and drive portion arranged on the base of the pillow of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference Signs List 1 pillow 2 air pressure actuator 3 bottom base 4 sensor capable of detecting load on pillow or change in internal pressure of pneumatic actuator 2 5 knob for operating load / height adjustment 6 manual one-touch height adjustment switch 7 remote wire end 8 Air pressure generation / release device and load / height control / adjustment device 9 Power supply for operation 10 Remote wire 11 Air pipe 12 Wiring for operation

Claims (8)

[Utility model registration claims] 1. On a bottom base in a pillow on which a head is placed,
A sensor capable of fixing only an air pressure actuator whose height can be varied by inflow / outflow of air into the interior and covering the entire pillow with an elastic covering material, and detecting a change in the internal pressure of the air pressure actuator; When an air pressure generating / opening device for supplying and discharging air to the actuator and a sensor capable of detecting a change in the internal pressure of the pneumatic actuator detect a change in the internal pressure,
By operating the load / height control adjusting device according to the output signal, each control for performing air supply / discharge to the pneumatic actuator until the pillow height reaches a predetermined height is based on data set in advance. The automatic control device to be performed and the power supply for driving each device are collectively housed in a separate container to supply air to the air pressure actuator.
The variable height sleep pillow, wherein the device and the pillow body are connected by a discharge pipe. 2. An operating load / height adjusting knob and a manual one-touch height adjusting switch are arranged on the side of the pillow, and wiring is connected to the operating device together with an air supply / discharge pipe to the pneumatic actuator. The variable height sleep pillow according to 1. 3. A remote control wire is mounted on an operating device or a pillow body at a tip of a detachable remote control wire, wherein a knob for adjusting an operating load and a height and a manual one-touch height adjusting switch mounting portion are mounted on the operating device or the pillow body. Or 2
The variable height sleep pillow described. 4. On a bottom base in a pillow on which a head is placed,
A pneumatic actuator whose height can be varied by inflow / outflow of air into the interior is fixed, a sensor capable of detecting a change in the internal pressure of the pneumatic actuator is arranged, and an air pressure generator for supplying / discharging air to / from the pneumatic actuator is provided. When the opening device and the sensor capable of detecting a change in the internal pressure of the pneumatic actuator detect a change in the internal pressure, the load / height control adjusting device is activated by the output signal, and the pillow height is adjusted until the pillow height reaches a predetermined height. Each control for performing air supply and discharge to and from the pressure actuator is performed based on data set in advance, and an automatic control device, and a power supply for driving each device are connected to the bottom base in parallel with the pneumatic actuator. On the side of the pillow, there are knobs for adjusting the operating load and height -Touch height adjustment switch located by envelope material which is stretchable, high variable sleep pillow characterized by comprising covering the whole. 5. The variable height sleep pillow according to claim 4, wherein a sensor capable of detecting a change in the internal pressure of the pneumatic actuator is disposed in the pneumatic actuator or in an air supply system to the pneumatic actuator. 6. On a bottom base in a pillow on which a head is placed,
Fixing a pneumatic actuator whose height can be varied by inflow / outflow of air into the interior, disposing a sensor capable of detecting a load on a pillow between the base and the pneumatic actuator, When a change in load is detected by a pneumatic pressure generating / releasing device for supplying / discharging air to the pillow and a sensor capable of detecting the load on the pillow, a load / height control / adjustment device is actuated by an output signal of the device, and the pillow height is adjusted. Then, each control for performing air supply and discharge to the pneumatic actuator until a predetermined height is reached, an automatic control device that is performed based on preset data, and a drive power supply for each device. It is arranged on the bottom base in parallel with the pneumatic actuator. -Touch height adjustment switch located by envelope material which is stretchable, high variable sleep pillow characterized by comprising covering the whole. 7. The variable height sleep pillow according to claim 6, wherein a sensor capable of detecting a load on the pillow is disposed inside the pneumatic actuator. 8. A knob for adjusting a control condition of an operating load / height and a manual one-touch height adjusting switch mounting portion are provided.
The variable-height sleep pillow according to any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein the pillow body is attached to a detachable remote control wire tip to enable remote control.