JP4418498B2 - Sleep assist device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a sleep assist device that assists comfortable sleep, and particularly to a sleep assist device for assisting sleep by forming an electric field around a human body.

There is known a sleep assist device that assists comfortable sleep by forming various electric fields around the human body according to the sleeping state (see, for example, Patent Document 1). This sleep assist device forms an electric field such that a negative potential is applied to the human body with respect to the ground potential by a DC voltage in the sleep period, and a negative potential is applied to the human body due to the AC / DC superimposed voltage in the middle of sleep. An AC / DC superimposed electric field is formed, and an AC electric field is formed by an AC voltage in the late stage of sleep. Thereby, in the sleep period, the function of the parasympathetic nerve is strengthened by the negative DC electric field, and deep sleep is obtained. Moreover, in the middle of sleep, the transition from deep sleep to awakening is smoothly performed by the AC / DC superimposed electric field. Furthermore, in the late stage of sleep, a balance between sympathetic nerves and parasympathetic nerves is maintained by an alternating electric field, and a natural arousal state is given. In this way, deep sleep and a pleasant awakening can be obtained.
JP 09-028813 A

  By the way, the state of the person (subject) before going to sleep, that is, the state of the autonomic nerve (the influence of the sympathetic nerve and the parasympathetic nerve) varies depending on the person, and even if it is the same person depending on the physical condition of the day There is. For this reason, even if an electric field is uniformly applied by the sleep assist device as described above, an appropriate assist effect may not be obtained depending on the state of the person before going to sleep. In such a case, in order to obtain an appropriate auxiliary effect, it is necessary for the assistant to adjust each output voltage by himself / herself. It is difficult to determine whether or not a proper auxiliary effect is obtained, and there is a possibility that proper adjustment cannot be performed, that is, a proper auxiliary effect cannot be obtained.

  Then, this invention aims at providing the sleep assistance apparatus which can assist sleep appropriately irrespective of the condition of the autonomic nerve before going to sleep.

In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, an electric field is formed around the human body by applying a voltage to at least one of the plurality of electrodes arranged around the human body and the electrode. In the in bed period when the state of the electric field generating means and the human autonomic nerve is unknown, an alternating electric field is created that stimulates the sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves alternately to optimize the balance between the two nerves , Control means for controlling the electric field generating means so that a predetermined electric field is sequentially formed.

  According to the present invention, an alternating electric field is formed around the human body during the entrance period, whereby the sympathetic nerve and the parasympathetic nerve are alternately stimulated to optimize the balance of both nerves, and the living body is harmonized by the autonomic nerve. The function is led to neutrality (neutral state). That is, the difference in autonomic nerves is eliminated, and then a predetermined electric field is sequentially formed around the human body.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the sleep assist device according to the first aspect, as the predetermined electric field, a direct current electric field is formed such that a negative potential is applied to a human body during the sleep period following the bed entry period. The control means generates the AC / DC superimposed electric field such that a negative potential is applied to the human body in the middle sleep period following the sleep period, and the AC electric field is formed in the late sleep period following the mid sleep period. The generating means is controlled.

  According to the present invention, since a direct current electric field that applies a negative potential to the human body is formed in the sleep period, the function of the parasympathetic nerve is strengthened, and the transition to the deepest sleep state in the sleep period is subsidized (assist). Is done. In addition, in the mid-sleep period, an AC / DC superimposed electric field is formed so that a negative potential is applied to the human body, so that the function of the parasympathetic nerve is strengthened by the DC electric field, and the balance of the autonomic nerve is aided by the AC electric field. . As a result, a smooth transition from deep sleep during sleep onset to awakening is supported. Furthermore, since an alternating electric field is formed in the late stage of sleep, the balance between the sympathetic nerve and the parasympathetic nerve is optimized, and preparation for a pleasant awakening is subsidized.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the sleep assist device according to any one of the first or second aspects, the AC electric field is generated by applying a high voltage exceeding 1000 V by the electric field generating means in the bed-in period. Is formed.

  According to the invention described in claim 1, since the harmony function of the living body by the autonomic nerve is guided to the middle in the bed entry period regardless of the state of the autonomic nerve before the bed entry, A predetermined electric field can be received in an intermediate state. In other words, even if the state of the autonomic nerve before entering the bed varies depending on individual differences and physical condition, the appropriate effect of the electric field can be obtained by always leading to a neutral state at the time of entering and then forming a predetermined electric field. It becomes possible to assist sleep appropriately.

  According to the invention described in claim 2, assisting a comfortable sleep by assisting a transition to a deep sleep state, a smooth transition state leading to awakening, and a comfortable preparation state of awakening from the sleep period to the late sleep period Is possible. In addition, since the human body is in a neutral state before entering the sleep period, the above auxiliary effects can be appropriately obtained regardless of the state of the autonomic nerve before going to sleep.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, an AC electric field with a high voltage exceeding 1000 V is formed in the bed entry period, so that the harmony function of the living body can be led to the middle stage at an early stage.

  The present invention will be described below based on the illustrated embodiments.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a sleep assist device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The sleep assist device 1 is a device that assists comfortable sleep, and mainly includes two electrodes 2 and 3 and a main unit 4.

  The electrodes 2 and 3 are disposed around the human body. That is, the first electrode 2 is disposed so as to be positioned above the head of the assistant M when the assistant M sleeps on the bed D, and the second electrode 3 is provided to the assistant M. Is placed on the sole of the person being assisted when lying on the bed D. The first electrode 2 is connected to a first voltage output terminal 51 of the main unit 4 (voltage generator 5 described later), and the second electrode 3 is connected to a second voltage output terminal 52 of the main unit 4. It is connected to the.

  The main unit 4 includes a voltage generation unit (electric field generation unit) 5 and a control unit (control unit) 6. The voltage generator 5 applies a voltage to at least one of the electrodes 2 and 3 to form an electric field around the human body M, and has a configuration as shown in FIG. That is, the three transformers 53 to 55 are connected in parallel to the commercial power supply G side as follows.

  The first transformer 53 is a transformer that generates (steps up) a high-voltage alternating current exceeding 1000 V from the commercial power supply G, that is, an alternating high voltage, and is connected to the commercial power supply G side via the first switch SW1. Yes. The output side of the first transformer 53 is connected to the first voltage output terminal 51 via the first resistor 56. The first resistor 56 is used to ensure safety during operation. It is composed of high impedance elements.

The second transformer 54 is a transformer that generates a DC voltage that is a negative potential with respect to the ground potential from the commercial power supply G, and is connected to the commercial power supply G side via the second switch SW2. The output side of the second transformer 54 is connected to the second voltage output terminal 52 via the second resistor 57, and the second resistor 57 is used to ensure safety during operation. It is composed of high impedance elements. Further, a capacitor 58 connected to the output side of the third transformer 55 is connected to the output side of the second transformer 54. The capacitor 58 constitutes a smoothing circuit for generating direct current, The alternating current from the transformer 55 side is allowed to pass to the second voltage output terminal 52 side. In addition, a shunt 59 is connected between the output side of the second transformer 54 and the second resistor 57. When the second switch SW2 is off, the shunt 59 causes the third transformer to be connected. Only the alternating current from the 55 side passes through the capacitor 58. Here, the relationship between the resistance value R of the shunt 59 and the capacitance C of the capacitor 58 is set as follows. Furthermore, a diode 5 </ b> A is connected to the output side of the second transformer 54.
R >> {1 / (2πfC)}
f: Frequency of commercial power supply G The third transformer 55 is a transformer that generates an alternating current of a voltage of 1000 V or less from the commercial power supply G, that is, an alternating current low voltage, and is connected to the commercial power supply G side via the third switch SW3. Has been. The output side of the third transformer 55 is connected to the capacitor 58 as described above, and is output to the second voltage output terminal 52 side via the capacitor 58 and the second resistor 57. Yes.

  When only the first switch SW1 is turned on, an alternating high voltage, in this embodiment, an alternating high voltage of 3550 V is output to the first voltage output terminal 51. Further, when only the second switch SW2 is turned on, a DC voltage that is a negative potential, that is, a DC voltage of −450 V in this embodiment, is output to the second voltage output terminal 52. Further, when only the third switch SW3 is turned on, an AC low voltage, that is, an AC low voltage of 450 V in this embodiment is output to the second voltage output terminal 52. Further, when only the second switch SW2 and the third switch SW3 are turned on, the DC voltage of −450 V and the AC low voltage of 450 V are output to the second voltage output terminal 52 as the AC / DC superimposed voltage. Further, by turning on only the first switch SW1 and the third switch SW3, an AC high voltage of 3550V is output to the first voltage output terminal 51, and an AC low voltage of 450V is output to the second voltage output terminal. Is output to 52.

  The control unit 6 is a controller that controls the opening and closing of the switches SW1 to SW3 of the voltage generating unit 5, and controls the opening and closing according to a program stored in advance. That is, an AC high electric field due to an AC high voltage is formed around the human body M in the bed entry period, and then a predetermined electric field is formed, that is, in the sleep period following the bed entry period, the human body M A DC electric field is formed such that a negative potential is applied to the human body M, and an AC / DC superimposed electric field is formed such that a negative potential is applied to the human body M in the middle sleep period following the sleep onset period. The switches SW1 to SW3 are controlled to be opened and closed so that an alternating electric field by a low voltage is formed.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, first, the first switch SW1 and the third switch SW3 are turned on from the state where all the switches SW1 to SW3 are turned off (step S1), and the first predetermined switch is set. When the time T1 has elapsed (in the case of “Y” in step S2), both switches SW1, 3 are turned off and the second switch SW2 is turned on (step S3). Subsequently, when the second predetermined time T2 has elapsed (in the case of “Y” in step S4), the third switch SW3 is further turned on (step S5). Next, when the third predetermined time T3 has elapsed (in the case of “Y” in step S6), the second switch SW2 is turned off (step S7), and when the fourth predetermined time T4 has elapsed ( In the case of “Y” in step S8, the third switch SW3 is turned off (step S9). Note that the steps after step S3 are steps for forming a predetermined electric field after the bed entry period.

  Here, the first predetermined time T1 corresponds to the bed entry period, the second predetermined time T2 corresponds to the sleep period, the third predetermined time T3 corresponds to the mid-sleep period, and the fourth predetermined time T4 is Applies to late sleep. Specifically, in this embodiment, the first predetermined time T1 is set to 1 hour, the second predetermined time T2 is set to 15 minutes, the third predetermined time T3 is set to 105 minutes, The fourth predetermined time T4 is set to 5 hours. Here, the predetermined times T1 and T2 are set in this way because a person's sleep cycle is generally 1.5 hours to 2 hours. This is because it is desirable that the total time is 1.5 hours or less. FIG. 4 shows an example of the relationship between the sleep time and the sleep stage, and the predetermined times T1 to T4 may be set according to changes in the average sleep time and the sleep stage.

  Next, the operation and the like of the sleep assist device 1 having such a configuration will be described.

  First, in the state where the assistant M is lying on the bed D, the first electrode 2 is positioned above the head of the assistant M, and the second electrode 3 is positioned on the sole of the assistant M. The main unit 4 is activated. Then, the control by the control unit 6 is started, and as described above, the first switch SW1 and the third switch SW3 are first turned on and the bed entry period starts. As a result, an AC high voltage of 3550 V is applied to the first electrode 2 via the first voltage output terminal 51, and the first electrode 2 is applied to the second electrode 3 via the second voltage output terminal 52. An AC low voltage of 450 V having a reverse phase (reverse polarity) is applied. As a result, an alternating high electric field by an alternating high voltage of 4000 V is formed around the human body M, the sympathetic nerve and the parasympathetic nerve of the assistant M are alternately stimulated, and the balance of both nerves is optimized, and by the autonomic nerve The harmony function of the living body is guided to the middle. Furthermore, simultaneously with such an effect, an alternating high electric field is formed around the human body M, so that the effect of electric potential treatment (electric field treatment) can be obtained. That is, the effect of relaxing headache, stiff shoulders, insomnia and chronic constipation can be obtained.

  Next, when the one-hour entry period (T1) has elapsed, the first switch SW1 and the third switch SW3 are turned off, the second switch SW2 is turned on, and the sleep period begins. As a result, a DC voltage of −450 V is applied to the second electrode 3 via the second voltage output terminal 52, the potential of the first electrode 2 becomes the ground potential, and a negative potential is applied to the human body M. A direct current electric field is formed. As a result, the function of the parasympathetic nerve of the assistant M is strengthened, and the transition to the deepest sleep state in the sleep period is subsidized (assisted).

  Subsequently, when the 15-minute sleep onset period (T2) has elapsed, the third switch SW3 is further turned on to enter the mid-sleep period. As a result, a DC voltage of −450 V and an AC low voltage of 450 V are applied to the second electrode 3 via the second voltage output terminal 52. As a result, an AC / DC superimposed electric field of a DC electric field and an AC electric field that apply a negative electric potential to the human body M is formed, and the function of the parasympathetic nerve of the assistant M is strengthened by the DC electric field, and the function of the autonomic nerve is increased by the AC electric field. A proper balance is subsidized, and a smooth transition from deep sleep during sleep onset to awakening is subsidized.

  Next, when the 105-minute mid-sleep period (T3) has elapsed, the second switch SW2 is turned off to enter the late-sleep period. As a result, only an AC low voltage of 450 V is applied to the second electrode 3 and an AC electric field is generated around the human body M by the AC low voltage, thereby balancing the sympathetic nerve and the parasympathetic nerve of the assistant M. Optimized and comfortable preparation for awakening. Then, when the 5-hour late sleep period (T4) has elapsed, the third switch SW3 is turned off, and the sleep assisting action ends.

  As described above, according to the sleep assisting apparatus 1, regardless of the state of the autonomic nerve of the assistant M before entering the bed, the harmony function of the living body by the autonomic nerve is moderate in the bed entering period. Therefore, after that, a predetermined electric field can be received in an intermediate state. In other words, even if the state of the autonomic nerve before entering the bed varies depending on individual differences and physical condition, the appropriate effect of the electric field can be obtained by always leading to a neutral state at the time of entering and then forming a predetermined electric field. It becomes possible to assist sleep appropriately. Specifically, as described above, from the sleep period to the late stage of sleep, the transition to the deep sleep state, the smooth transition state leading to awakening, and the preparation state of a pleasant awakening can be supported, and comfortable sleep can be assisted It becomes possible. In addition, since an AC high electric field is generated by an AC high voltage of 4000 V during the entrance period, the living body's harmony function can be led to the middle stage at an early stage.

  Further, an AC high voltage of 3550 V is applied to the first electrode 2 on the head side of the assistant M, and an AC low voltage of 450 V in reverse phase is applied to the second electrode 3 on the legs of the assistant M. Thus, since an AC high voltage of 4000 V is obtained, safety is improved. In addition, as described above, since the potential treatment effect is obtained in the bed entry period, it is possible to sleep while receiving treatment. That is, it is possible to treat the headache of the assistant M at the same time as assisting comfortable sleep.

  Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the specific configuration is not limited to the above embodiment, and even if there is a design change or the like without departing from the gist of the present invention, Included in the invention. For example, in the above embodiment, the two electrodes 2 and 3 are provided, but three or more electrodes may be provided. Moreover, you may form electric fields other than said electric field pattern (a DC electric field, an AC / DC superposition electric field, an AC electric field) as a predetermined electric field after the bed entry period. Further, only one of the first switch SW1 and the third switch SW3 may be turned on in the bed entry period to form an AC electric field around the human body M. Further, the circuit of the main unit 4 may be other than the above circuit, and an AC high voltage generator that generates an AC high voltage exceeding 1000 V, a DC voltage generator that generates a DC voltage, and an AC voltage of 1000 V or less. An AC generator that generates a low voltage and an AC / DC superimposed voltage generator that generates an AC / DC superimposed voltage may be provided, and the connection between these generators and the electrodes 2 and 3 may be controlled.

  As described above, the sleep assist device according to the present invention is extremely useful as a device capable of assisting sleep appropriately regardless of the state of the autonomic nerve before going to bed.

It is a schematic block diagram which shows the sleep assistance apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a circuit diagram of the voltage generation part of the sleep assistance apparatus of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the control flow of the control part of the sleep assistance apparatus of FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the relationship between sleep time and a sleep stage.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Sleep assistance apparatus 2 1st electrode 3 2nd electrode 4 Main body unit 5 Voltage generation part (electric field generation means)
51, 52 Voltage output terminal 53-55 Transformer 56, 57 Resistor 58 Capacitor 59 Shunt 5A Diode SW1-3 Switch 6 Control part (control means)
G Commercial power supply D Bed M Support person

Claims (3)

A plurality of electrodes disposed around the human body;
Electric field generating means for applying a voltage to at least one of the electrodes to form an electric field around the human body;
During the entrance period when the human autonomic state is unknown, an alternating electric field is created that alternately stimulates the sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves to optimize the balance between the two nerves. Control means for controlling the electric field generating means to be formed;
A sleep assisting device comprising:   As the predetermined electric field, a direct current electric field is formed such that a negative potential is applied to the human body during the sleep period following the bed entry period, and a negative electric potential is applied to the human body during the sleep period following the sleep period. The sleep assisting device according to claim 1, wherein the electric field generating unit is controlled by the control unit such that a superimposed electric field is generated and an alternating electric field is formed in the late sleep period following the mid-sleep period. 3. The sleep assisting device according to claim 1, wherein the alternating electric field is formed by applying a high voltage exceeding 1000 V by the electric field generating unit in the bed-entry period.

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