JP3139829B2 - Fluid-filled bed - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a flat rectangular-shaped bag-like container, which is filled with a fluid such as water, which has a certain elasticity and serves as a heat medium, in a sealed state. More specifically, the present invention relates to an improvement in a fluid-sealed bed in which the temperature of a fluid sealed in a bag-like container can be arbitrarily and easily adjusted. is there.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a fluid-filled bed of this kind has a certain elasticity in water or the like in a flexible, flexible, flat rectangular bag-like container. A fluid enclosing bag constructed by filling and enclosing a fluid which also serves as a heat medium in a sealed state is used as a mat member or a bed member, and a surface portion of the human body of a user directly contacting the human body is It is well known as a bed configuration that can be easily adapted and used according to the external form of the bed.

[0003] The temperature of the surface of the mat member or the bed member where the human body of the user comes into direct contact, and the holding temperature of the fluid which is sealed in the bag-like container and serves as a heat medium, is considered. Generally, a heating means such as a liquid-resistant, water-resistant heater in which a heating element is formed into a sheet shape is appropriately incorporated in the bag-shaped container, and it is necessary to raise the temperature of the surface portion when adjusting the temperature. In some cases, the fluid enclosed by the heating means is heated, and when it is desired to lower the temperature, the heat is left to natural heat radiation unless a special cooling means is provided.

[0004]

As described above, in the conventional fluid-sealed bed, in order to adjust the surface temperature of the mat member or the bed member, a sheet is provided corresponding to the fluid to be sealed. Although the heating means by the heating element of the shape is arranged, in the case of temperature adjustment only by such a heating means, even if the fluid can be heated, it cannot be cooled, If this cooling relies on natural heat radiation, the heat capacity of the fluid as a heat medium may be relatively large, so even if the temperature drops slightly, for example, only a few degrees Celsius.
It takes several hours to cool down even, and
In order to add a cooling means separately, since the cooling means itself is relatively large and accompanied by noise, a comfortable sleeping comfort is obtained in combination with difficulties in terms of space, atmosphere and economy. For this reason, delicate temperature control or the like is impossible at all, and it is hardly desired to partially cool the surface temperature according to the user's preference.

The present invention has been made to solve such a conventional problem, and a first object of the present invention is to provide a bed member with which a user's body abuts by relatively simple means. A second object of the present invention is to provide a fluid-sealed bed capable of arbitrarily setting, adjusting and maintaining the temperature of a flat rectangular surface portion of a mat member. An object of the present invention is to provide a fluid-sealed bed in which the temperature distribution in each part of the entire surface portion having a flat rectangular shape can be arbitrarily set, adjusted, and maintained.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, a fluid-filled bed according to the present invention comprises a mat member,
Or a heating / cooling unit using the so-called Peltier effect and a temperature adjusting means for the corresponding portion in the bed member, and the bed member and the mat member are provided by the temperature adjusting means. The fluid, which is also a heat medium with elasticity, such as water filled and sealed in a bag-like container, can be optionally and selectively heated or cooled, thereby maintaining the temperature of the fluid. Can be adjusted to a desired set value.

Here, the Peltier effect that constitutes the heating / cooling unit of the temperature control device has conventionally been achieved by applying a direct current through two different conductors or a semiconductor that are joined to each other, so that one of the joining portions is formed. Is well known as a phenomenon in which the heat generated at high temperatures is released to the outside (warming action), and the other is cooled at low temperatures to absorb heat from outside (cooling action). By simply switching the polarity of the DC current, it is possible to arbitrarily select both of these heating and cooling effects, and to easily control the heating and cooling temperatures by controlling the current value. In addition to its relatively small size and light weight, it also has excellent features such as no noise and vibration, and is used as a heating and cooling means for this kind of bed member or mat member. It is optimal.

That is, a first aspect of the present invention is a fluid-filled bag in which a fluid having elasticity such as water and also serving as a heat medium is filled and sealed in a sealed state in a flexible bag-like container. In the configuration of the fluid-filled bed using the as a bed member or a mat member, the mat member or the predetermined portion in the bed member is provided with one surface facing one side, and the fluid is heated or cooled. A heating / cooling unit utilizing the Peltier effect, a temperature setting / detector such as a thermistor for detecting the temperature of the fluid and comparing the temperature with a set temperature, and outputting the temperature. A temperature controller for controlling the direction of current supply to the temperature / cooling unit and the value of the supplied current to maintain the temperature of the fluid within a set temperature range, and the heating / cooling unit.
Separate intake and exhaust ports for the other side of the
Convection duct with an opening at the top and forced convection means
And a fluid-filled bed characterized by comprising:

A second aspect of the present invention is a fluid enclosing bag in which a fluid having elasticity such as water and serving as a heat medium is filled and sealed in a sealed state in a flexible bag-like container. In the configuration of a fluid-enclosed bed using a bed member or a mat member, the bed member or at least a portion corresponding to the head of the human body in the mat member, a predetermined portion extending from the shoulder to the periphery of the thigh, and the knee and below Corresponding to a predetermined part from the toe part, each heating / cooling unit utilizing the Peltier effect for partially heating or cooling the fluid corresponding to the respective part, and the corresponding part corresponding to the respective part. Each temperature setting / detector, such as a thermistor, which detects the temperature of the fluid portion and outputs it by comparing it with each set temperature, and according to each detected temperature output, each heating corresponding to each corresponding part ·cooling Provide a temperature controller or a common temperature controller that individually controls the direction of current flow to the knit, the current value, and maintains the temperature of the fluid portion corresponding to each part within a set temperature range. It is a fluid-sealed bed characterized by comprising.

[0010]

Therefore, in the first aspect of the present invention, a desired temperature or a temperature range is arbitrarily set for the temperature setting / detector so that the temperature controller can be controlled by the heating / cooling unit. The fluid enclosed in the fluid enclosing bag can be selectively heated or cooled under the temperature control set by, whereby the temperature of the surface portion with which the human body comes into contact is always set to the set temperature, or set temperature May be maintained within the range.

[0011] In a second aspect of the present invention,
Applicable to at least the temperature setting / detector provided corresponding to the part corresponding to the head of the human body, the predetermined part from the shoulder to the periphery of the thigh, and the predetermined part from the knee to the toe. By arbitrarily setting a desired temperature or a temperature range for each part, each heating / cooling unit disposed corresponding to the corresponding part can be used by each temperature controller attached thereto. Under the temperature control, the fluid portion corresponding to each corresponding portion enclosed in the fluid enclosing bag can be selectively heated or cooled, whereby the temperature of the surface portion of each corresponding portion to which the human body comes into contact. Can always be maintained at a set temperature or within a set temperature range.

[0012]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a fluid-filled bed according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG.

FIG. 1 is a sectional explanatory view schematically showing a schematic configuration of a fluid-sealed bed to which an embodiment of the first invention of the present invention (herein, referred to as a first embodiment for convenience of explanation) is applied. In the first embodiment, a fluid-filled bag is used as a bed member.

In the first embodiment shown in FIG.
The fluid-filled bed includes a bed base 11 formed into a structure having a predetermined shape by a required material, and a bed member 21 used by being placed on the bed base 11.
And a temperature adjusting means 31 described later in detail.

Thus, the bed base 11 is set to have a substantially required size and a flat rectangular shape.
Head-up decorative board 1 with supporting legs on the head side of base plate 12
3, a foot standing decorative board 14 with supporting legs on the foot side,
Each side part has a side part rising decorative panel (not shown), and below the base plate 12, for example,
A large number of intake ports 15a are provided on the lower surface of the rear half corresponding to the foot side.
The lower surface near the front end corresponding to the head side, the exhaust ports 15b are respectively opened to the outside through another exhaust pipe if necessary, and if necessary, convection forcing by a sirocco fan or the like. A convection duct 15 having a small blower 16 therein is provided, and in the case of the first embodiment, a damper 17 for opening and closing the exhaust port 15b is provided.
Cold air introduction duct 1 attached to head-starting decorative plate 13
8 is communicated and extended, and a cool air outlet 18a formed at an end of the cool air introduction duct 18 is opened at a portion corresponding to the upper part of the user's head.

The bed member 21 is used by being placed on the base plate 12 surrounded by each rising decorative plate of the bed base 11, and at least a portion corresponding to the surface, that is, the user It is integrally formed of a suitable plastic sheet material etc. to give the required flexibility on the relevant part of the surface lying supine, and between the main part on the upper front side and the main part on the lower back side for shape retention etc. on the inside , A fluid-filled bag 22 as a bag-shaped container in which the fluid-filled bag 22 is partially connected with a connecting piece 22a made of the same material. By using a drain valve 25 which also serves as an exhaust, a required amount of the fluid 23 having elasticity such as water and serving as a heat medium is filled and sealed in a sealed state.

Further, in the case of the first embodiment, the temperature control means 31 is disposed so as to face a corresponding portion in the bed member 21, here, a bottom portion relatively close to the center. A heating / cooling unit 32 using the Peltier effect for directly or indirectly heating or cooling the fluid 23, and comparing the temperature of the fluid 23 with a set temperature by detecting the temperature of the fluid 23 Temperature setting / detector 33 such as a thermistor for output
And heating by the heating / cooling unit 32,
Alternatively, a rectifier for converting a commercial AC current to a DC current for controlling a cooling action, a changeover switch for changing an energizing direction according to a detection output from the temperature setting / detector 33, and a convection current by switching the damper 17 during a cooling action. A temperature controller 3 having a built-in changeover switch for communicating the duct 15 with the cool air introducing duct 18 (both not shown) and capable of controlling a current value in each current direction.
4 is provided for each.

Therefore, in the case of the first embodiment having the above-described configuration, by opening the exhaust port 15b and driving the small blower 16, the forced convection in the convection duct 15 is performed by the user. When the temperature of the fluid 23 sealed in the bed member 21 is lower than the set temperature based on the setting of the desired temperature for the temperature setting / detector 33 as the temperature adjusting means 31, the temperature is set by the temperature setting / detector 33. The DC current from the temperature controller 34 is switched to the heating side by the detected temperature (in this case, low temperature) detection signal to the heating / cooling unit 32, and the required current value, In other words, a current value that can reach the set temperature as quickly as possible in accordance with the detected temperature at that time is applied to generate heat on the unit surface facing the fluid 23 side. By, and as it can rapidly heated to the desired temperature for the fluid 23 is set, also,
Conversely, when the temperature of the fluid 23 is higher than the set temperature, the temperature is detected by the temperature detector 33, and the temperature at that time (in this case, (High temperature) detection signal, the DC current from the temperature controller 34 is switched to the cooling side direction, and again the required current value, that is, the set temperature corresponding to the degree of the detected temperature at that time is increased as quickly as possible. By flowing the current at a current value that can reach the temperature and cooling the unit surface facing the fluid 23 side, the fluid 23 can be rapidly cooled to a set desired temperature, and further, the convection duct 15 side That is, with respect to each of the cold air at the time of heating and the warm air at the time of cooling generated in the convection duct 15, the air intake from each air inlet 15a by the small blower 16 and the damper 17 are opened. Exhaust from the exhaust port 15b in the state,
That is, the fluid 23 can be discharged indoors or forcedly outside by forced convection, and after the temperature of the fluid 23 is heated or cooled to the desired temperature, the temperature setting / detection is always performed. This fluid 23 is
By monitoring the temperature of the battery, even if the temperature is slightly changed, the temperature can be maintained within the allowable value range of the set temperature by controlling the energization with a relatively small current value. As a result,
For the user, very comfortable sleep can be achieved under the temperature conditions suited to the user's preferences.

On the other hand, especially when the fluid 23 is heated, the point where cold air is generated in the convection duct 15 is effectively used to close the damper 17 or open the exhaust port 15b. By adjusting the degree of convergence and connecting the inside of the convection duct 15 to the inside of the communication duct 18, the entire amount or the necessary amount of the cool air at the time of heating can be supplied from the cool air outlet 18 a to the upper side of the head of the sleeping user. Here, it is possible to realize a preferable sleeping mode called "head cold foot fever".

Next, FIG. 2 schematically shows a schematic configuration of a fluid-sealed bed to which an embodiment of the second invention of the present invention (herein, referred to as a second embodiment for convenience of explanation) is applied. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional explanatory view. In the configuration of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the same reference numerals as those of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 represent the same or corresponding parts. This is a case where the body enclosing bag is used as a mat member.

In the configuration of the second embodiment, the first
Mat member 2 corresponding to the beds de member 21 in the embodiment configuration
1a has the following means.

That is, in the mat member 21a, with respect to the fluid enclosing bag 22 as a bag-shaped container, at least a portion corresponding to the head of the human body, a predetermined portion from the shoulder to the periphery of the thigh, and a portion from the knee to the toe. In order to partially separate the fluid 23 corresponding to each part corresponding to the predetermined part up to the part, or to divide the fluid 23 so as to be communicable, the main part on the upper surface side and the main part on the lower back side corresponding to each part Are connected by a connecting piece 22a made of the same material, or are connected by a perforated partitioning piece 22b also serving as a connecting piece, and are added to the fluid 23 which is divided so as to be communicable for each corresponding portion. The temperature or the heating / cooling units 32a, 32b, and 32c for cooling and the temperature of the fluid 23 corresponding to each part are detected, and compared with each set temperature and output. Each temperature setting Detector 33a, 33 that
b, 33c, and the respective heating / cooling units 32a, 32b, 32c corresponding to the respective portions in accordance with the detected temperature outputs.
Control the direction of current flow and the current value
Temperature controllers 31a, 31b, and 31c, each of which includes a temperature controller 34a, 34b, and 34c for maintaining the temperature of the fluid 23 corresponding to each of the portions within a set temperature range, are provided respectively. In the case of the second embodiment, the temperature controllers 34a, 34b and 34c may be common.

Therefore, in the case of the configuration of the second embodiment having the above configuration, the portion corresponding to the head of the human body, the predetermined portion from the shoulder to the periphery of the thigh, and the portion from below the knee to the toe in the mat member 21a. The temperature of each of the fluid 23 portions corresponding to the respective portions can be adjusted in exactly the same manner as in the case of the configuration of the first embodiment. As a result, here, at the time of bedtime, The temperature of the site corresponding to the head of the mat member 21a, which is considered to be the most effective as a sleep mode, is relatively low, and the temperature of a predetermined region from the shoulder to the periphery of the thigh is approximately room temperature.
It is possible to set and maintain a predetermined portion from the knee portion to the toe portion at a relatively high temperature, and similarly,
It is possible to easily and more effectively realize a preferable sleeping mode called "head cold foot fever".

[0024]

As described above in detail in each embodiment, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a fluid such as water which has elasticity and serves as a heat medium is filled in a sealed state. In the configuration of the fluid-sealed bed using the sealed fluid-sealed bag as a bed member or a mat member, the Peltier effect of heating or cooling the fluid to the mat member or the corresponding portion in the bed member is used. A heating / cooling unit, a temperature setting / detector that detects the temperature of the fluid and outputs it by comparing it with the set temperature, and the direction and direction of current flow to the heating / cooling unit according to the detected temperature output A temperature controller for controlling the current value individually to maintain the temperature of the fluid within a set temperature range ; and the heating / cooling unit.
Separate the intake and exhaust ports for the other side of the
And a convection duct provided with forced convection means is provided, so that the temperature can be controlled under the temperature control of the temperature controller by setting a desired temperature range for the temperature setting / detector. Heat the fluid enclosed in the fluid enclosure bag.
The cooling unit can be selectively heated or cooled, and as a result, the temperature of the fluid, and thus the bed member,
Or the temperature of the surface part where the human body in the mat member abuts can always be maintained at the set temperature, or within the set temperature range,
There is an excellent feature that it is possible to extremely easily realize a desired desired sleeping mode for the user.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, in the structure of the fluid-sealed bed, at least a part corresponding to the head of the human body in the bed member or the mat member, from the shoulder to the periphery of the thigh. Each heating / cooling unit utilizing the Peltier effect of partially heating or cooling the fluid corresponding to each of the predetermined portions, and corresponding to the predetermined portions from the knee portion to the toe portion, Each temperature setting / detector that detects the temperature of the fluid portion corresponding to each corresponding part and outputs it by comparing it with each set temperature, and according to each detected temperature output, A temperature controller that controls the direction of current flow to the temperature / cooling unit and the current value to maintain the temperature of the fluid portion corresponding to each part within the set temperature range, or a common temperature controller. Because it was provided and configured The desired temperature range for each part for each temperature setting / detector corresponding to the part corresponding to the head of the body, the predetermined part from the shoulder to the vicinity of the thigh, and the predetermined part from the knee to the toe. Depending on the setting, under the temperature control by each temperature controller, each applicable fluid portion enclosed in the fluid enclosure bag can be selectively heated or cooled by each heating / cooling unit. Become
As a result, the temperature of the fluid, and consequently the temperature of the surface of the bed member or the mat member with which the user's body abuts, can always be maintained at the set temperature or within the set temperature range for each of the portions, and also in this case Further, there is an excellent feature that it is possible to extremely easily realize a desired desired sleeping mode for the user.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory cross-sectional view schematically showing a schematic configuration of a fluid-sealed bed to which an embodiment of the first invention of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a sectional explanatory view schematically showing a schematic configuration of a fluid-sealed bed to which an embodiment of the second invention of the present invention is applied.

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference Signs List 11 bed base 12 base plate 13 head rising decorative panel with supporting legs 14 foot rising decorative panel with supporting legs 15 convection duct 15a intake port 15b exhaust port 16 small blower such as sirocco fan 17 exhaust port for opening and closing, or the damper 18 cold air inlet duct 18a air outlet 21 for opening adjustment, and 21a beds de member, and the mat member 22 bags like container as the fluid enclosing bag 22a, and 22b interlocking piece, and the cooperative piece Perforated partition piece 23 which also serves as a fluid 23 as a heat medium 24 Liquid supply valve 25 Drain valve 31 which also serves as exhaust, and 31a, 31b, 31c Temperature control device 32, and 32a, 32b, 32c Heating / using the Peltier effect Cooling unit 33 and temperature setting / detectors 34 and 3 such as thermistors 33a, 33b and 33c 4a, 34b, 34c Temperature controller with built-in rectifier, changeover switch, etc.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (58) Fields surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) A47C 27/00 A47C 17/02 A47C 21/04

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. A fluid-sealed bed in which a fluid-sealed bag in which a fluid serving as a heat medium such as water is filled and sealed in a flexible bag-shaped container in a sealed state is used as a bed member or a mat member. A heating / cooling unit that is provided with one surface facing the mat member or a predetermined portion in the bed member and that uses the Peltier effect to heat or cool the fluid; and A temperature setting / detector, such as a thermistor, which detects the temperature of the battery and outputs the temperature in comparison with a set temperature. And a temperature controller for maintaining the temperature of the fluid within a set temperature range, and an air intake to the other surface side of the heating / cooling unit.
Mouth and exhaust ports are opened separately, and forced convection means
And a convection duct provided with a convection duct . 2. A convection duct having an intake port and an exhaust port separately provided on the other surface side of the heating / cooling unit, and a convection duct provided with forced convection means. At the time of energization control for warming up, forming a cold air introduction duct that is connected to the convection duct through a damper that closes the opening of the exhaust port or adjusts the degree of opening arbitrarily, and 2. The fluid-filled bed according to claim 1, wherein the outlet of the introduction duct is opened at least above the head of the human body. 3. A fluid-sealed bed in which a fluid-sealed bag in which a fluid serving as a heat medium such as water is filled and sealed in a flexible bag-like container in a sealed state is used as a bed member or a mat member. Corresponding to at least a part corresponding to the head of the human body in the bed member or the mat member, a predetermined part from the shoulder to the periphery of the thigh, and a predetermined part from the knee or lower to the toe. Each heating / cooling unit utilizing the Peltier effect of partially heating or cooling the corresponding fluid, and detecting the temperature of the corresponding fluid portion corresponding to each of the corresponding portions, and setting the respective set temperatures and Each temperature setting / detector, such as a thermistor, to be compared and output, and in accordance with each detected temperature output, the direction of current flow to each heating / cooling unit corresponding to each of the corresponding portions, the current flow value. A fluid-filled bed comprising: a temperature controller for controlling the temperature of each of the fluid portions corresponding to the respective portions within a set temperature range; or a common temperature controller. 4. A part corresponding to at least a part corresponding to the head of the human body, a predetermined part extending from the shoulder to the periphery of the thigh, and a predetermined part extending from below the knee to the toe in the bed member or the mat member. 4. The fluid-filled bed according to claim 3 , wherein the respective portions are separated from each other by a partition piece or a partition piece having a communication hole.