JP4943785B2 - Bed load detector - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to, for example, a bed load detector interposed between a bed leg and a bed installation surface, a method for manufacturing the bed load detector, a bed occupancy detection device, a bed occupancy detection method, and a bed The present invention relates to a bed monitoring system.

  In the present specification, the term “aluminum” is used in the meaning including the alloy.

  For example, a load cell is attached to the leg of the bed as a device for detecting the bed condition of a subject (eg, sick person, elderly person, cared person, healthy person, infant) on the bed and output from this load cell A device that detects the presence of a subject based on a signal is known (for example, see Patent Document 1).

In addition, as a bed load detector interposed between the bed leg and the bed installation surface, a sensor board with a strain sensitive resistor is installed on the upper surface of the base, and the bed leg is installed on the upper side. 2. Description of the Related Art A load receiving plate that receives a load from a portion and causes a strain sensitive resistor to strain is known (see, for example, Patent Document 2).
JP 2003-79585 A JP 2000-105884 A

  By the way, the bed load detector is supported substantially horizontally, for example, in a state where the substrate portion is placed on the bed installation surface and the substrate portion is spaced upward from the bed installation surface, and the bed portion is positioned at the tip portion. A cantilever part having a mounting plate part on which the leg part is placed, and a cantilever type load detector, each of the cantilever part and the substrate part being manufactured separately, Thereafter, when the cantilever portion is integrated with the substrate portion by mechanical fastening means such as a bolt, a load detector is produced.

  That is, in the load detector thus manufactured, the load is repeatedly applied to the mounting plate portion of the cantilever portion, thereby loosening the mechanical fastening means such as a bolt, and as a result, the accurate load cannot be detected. There were difficulties.

  Therefore, in order to eliminate this difficulty, it is conceivable to manufacture a load detector in which the cantilever portion is formed integrally with the substrate portion by casting or die casting. However, it has been found by experiments by the present inventors that the load detector thus manufactured has a large variation in the amount of strain generated in the cantilever portion. When the variation in the amount of distortion is large in this way, there arises a problem that the variation in the load detected by the load detector becomes large.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described technical background, and the purpose thereof is a bed load detector excellent in load detection performance, a manufacturing method thereof, a bed occupancy detection device, and a bed occupancy detection. A method and a bed occupancy monitoring system are provided.

  The present invention provides the following means.

[1] a substrate unit placed on the bed installation surface;
A cantilever part integrally formed with a mounting plate part on which a leg part of the bed is placed on the tip part, supported in a substantially horizontal state in a state of being spaced apart from the bed installation surface on the substrate part;
A strain detection sensor that detects a strain of the cantilever portion and outputs a signal used to detect a load applied to the leg portion of the bed;
A bed load detector, wherein the cantilever portion is integrally formed with the substrate portion, and the cantilever portion and the substrate portion are made of extruded material.

[2] The substrate portion is disposed between the pair of left and right side portions that are spaced apart from each other and the left and right side portions and opposed to each other. A pair of front and rear connecting sides connecting the parts to each other,
The cantilever part is integrally formed on the upper part of the rear connection side part of the board part so that the mounting plate part can be displaced downward between the left and right side parts of the board part and the front and rear connection side parts. The bed load detector according to the preceding item 1.

[3] A projecting piece projecting from the rear connecting side to the lower position of the cantilever is integrally formed at the lower end of the rear connecting side of the substrate portion, A cavity that penetrates in the width direction of the load detector is provided between the one part and
3. The bed load detector according to item 2, wherein a control means for controlling an output signal from the strain detection sensor is installed on the projecting piece.

  [4] The bed load detector according to the above item 2 or 3, wherein a slope having an upward slope is formed on at least one of the left and right side portions of the substrate portion toward the upper surface of the mounting plate portion.

[5] The Roverval mechanism forming hole penetrating in the width direction is provided in the cantilever portion, so that the Roverval mechanism is formed in the cantilever portion,
5. The bed load detector according to any one of items 1 to 4, wherein at least one strain gauge is mounted as a strain detection sensor on the cantilever portion.

[6] A substrate unit placed on the bed installation surface;
A cantilever portion integrally supporting a mounting plate portion on which a leg portion of the bed is mounted at a tip portion, supported in a substantially horizontal state in a state of being spaced apart upward from the bed installation surface on the substrate portion;
A strain detection sensor that detects a strain of a cantilever portion and outputs a signal used to detect a load applied to a leg portion of the bed, and a method of manufacturing a bed load detector comprising:
A cutting process for obtaining a material by cutting a long extruded material with a predetermined width in the extrusion direction;
Bed load detection, comprising: forming a mounting plate portion and a cantilever portion from a material by cutting so that the cantilever portion is integrally formed with the substrate portion. Manufacturing method.

[7] The board portion is disposed between the pair of left and right side portions that are spaced apart from each other and the left and right side portions and opposed to each other, and the front end portions and the rear ends of the left and right side portions are disposed. A pair of front and rear connecting sides connecting the parts to each other,
The cantilever part is integrally formed on the upper part of the rear connection side part of the board part so that the mounting plate part can be displaced downward between the left and right side parts of the board part and the front and rear connection side parts. And
At the lower end portion of the rear connecting side portion of the substrate portion, a protruding piece portion that protrudes from the rear connecting side portion to a position below the cantilever portion is integrally formed, and the cantilever portion and the protruding piece portion, Is provided with a hollow portion penetrating in the width direction of the load detector,
The cantilever part is provided with a robust mechanism forming hole penetrating in the width direction thereof, so that the cantilever part has a robust mechanism.
The extrusion material has a through hole for a Roverval mechanism forming hole and a through hole for a cavity formed at the time of extrusion and extending in the extrusion direction.
The forming step includes
A first counterbore process that counterbores the lower surface of the part corresponding to the mounting plate portion of the material;
The lower surface of the boundary portion between the part corresponding to the placement plate part of the material and the corresponding part of the protruding piece part is countersunk so as to communicate with the through hole for the cavity part, so that the part corresponding to the placement plate part of the material is formed. A second counterbore processing step for separating from the projecting portion corresponding site;
The boundary between the left and right side corresponding parts of the material and the cantilever part, the boundary between the left and right side corresponding parts of the material and the mounting plate corresponding part, By slitting the boundary between the front connection side portion corresponding portion and the mounting plate portion corresponding portion, the material cantilever portion corresponding portion and the mounting plate portion corresponding portion are placed on the left and right sides of the material. The manufacturing method of the load detector for a bed according to the preceding item 6 comprising a slit processing step for separating the side corresponding part and the front connection side part corresponding part.

[8] A slope having an upward slope toward the upper surface of the mounting plate portion is formed on at least one side portion of the left and right side portions of the substrate portion,
The forming step includes a slope forming step of forming a slope having an upward slope toward an upper surface of the placement plate portion corresponding portion of the material in at least one side portion corresponding portion of the left and right side portion corresponding portions of the material. 8. The method for manufacturing a bed load detector according to item 7 above.

[9] The bed load detector according to any one of 1 to 5 above,
A bed occupancy status detection apparatus, comprising: an arithmetic means for calculating the occupancy status of a subject based on an output signal from a strain detection sensor of a load detector.

  [10] The bed load detector according to any one of 1 to 5 above is installed on the bed installation surface, and the bed leg is placed on the placement plate portion of the load detector. A bed occupancy status detection method, comprising detecting the occupancy status of a subject using an output signal from a strain detection sensor of a load detector.

[11] The bed load detector according to any one of 1 to 5 above,
Based on the output signal from the strain detection sensor of the load detector, computing means for computing the presence of the subject,
An in-bed condition monitoring system comprising: an informing means for informing a computation result of the computation stage.

  The present invention has the following effects.

  In the invention of [1], since the cantilever portion is formed integrally with the substrate portion, it is possible to prevent a decrease in load detection accuracy due to the load being repeatedly applied to the mounting plate portion. Further, since it is not necessary to process a bolt insertion hole or a tapped hole for inserting a bolt as a mechanical fastening means for integrating the cantilever portion with the substrate portion, a load detector can be easily manufactured. .

  Further, since the cantilever portion and the substrate portion are made of extruded material, variation in the amount of strain generated in the cantilever portion can be reduced. Thereby, the load detection performance of the load detector is improved.

  In the invention of [2], the substrate portion is disposed between the pair of left and right side portions that are spaced from each other and opposed to each other and between the left and right side portions that are opposed to each other, and one end portion of each of the left and right side portions. A pair of front and rear connecting sides that connect each other and the other ends to each other, and the mounting plate part can be displaced downward between the left and right side parts of the substrate part and the front and rear connecting parts. Thus, since the cantilever portion is integrally formed on the upper portion of the rear connection side portion of the substrate portion, the substrate portion does not exist below the placement plate portion. Thereby, the height of the upper surface of the mounting plate part with respect to the bed installation surface can be set as low as possible. Therefore, when the leg portion of the bed is placed on the placement plate portion, the bed bed portion can be lowered.

  In the invention of [3], since the hollow portion penetrating in the width direction of the load detector is provided between the cantilever portion and the protruding piece portion, the cantilever is applied when a load is applied to the mounting plate portion. The beam portion can surely bend. Further, since the control means for controlling the output signal from the strain detection sensor is installed on the projecting piece, the control means can be built in the load detector, thereby making the load detector compact. it can.

  In the invention of [4], since the slope of the upward slope toward the upper surface of the mounting plate portion is formed on at least one of the left and right side portions of the substrate portion, the leg portion of the bed is Place the bed leg by passing the leg of the bed over the slope when placing it on the platform plate from the bed installation surface or lowering it from the platform plate to the bed installation surface. Work and unloading work can be performed easily.

  In the invention of [5], since the Roverval mechanism is formed in the cantilever portion, the distortion of the cantilever portion can be accurately detected.

  In the invention of [6], the bed load detector according to the present invention can be manufactured.

  In the invention of [7], the bed load detector according to the present invention can be reliably manufactured.

  In the invention of [8], the load detector for a bed according to the present invention is provided with a slope having an upward slope toward the upper surface of the mounting plate portion on at least one of the left and right side portions of the substrate portion. Can be produced.

  In the invention of [9], it is possible to accurately detect the presence of the subject.

  In the invention of [10], it is possible to accurately detect the presence of the subject.

  In the invention of [11], it is possible to monitor the presence of the subject.

  Several embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  In FIG. 1, (1) is a bed load detector according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 16, (30) is the bed occupancy status detection apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. This occupancy state detection device (30) includes a plurality of load detectors (1) of the first embodiment. The configuration of the occupancy status detection device (30) will be described later.

  The bed (50) is used in medical facilities (eg, hospitals), elderly facilities, nursing homes, nursing homes, general homes, etc., and is generally commercially available, for example. The bed (51) of the bed (50) is formed in a square shape in plan view. This bed (50) is installed on the bed installation surface (15). The bed installation surface (15) is made of, for example, a floor surface in a hospital room, bedroom, examination room, examination room, or the like. The bed (50) has four legs (52) (52) (52) (52) that horizontally support the bed bed (51) at a predetermined height position. A bed moving caster (53) is attached to the lower end of each leg (52).

  On the bed bed (51), as subjects (H), for example, a sick person, a dementia patient, an elderly person, a healthy person, an infant, and the like have various postures (eg, sleep, rest, examination, examination, etc.). Be lying in the supine, side, and prone positions.

  Thus, as shown in FIG. 16, the load detector (1) of the first embodiment detects the load applied to the leg (52) of the bed (50). It is interposed between the leg (52) and the bed installation surface (15). As described above, since the bed moving caster (53) is attached to the lower end of the leg (52) of the bed (50), in the first embodiment, the load detector (1). Is interposed between the caster (53) at the lower end of the leg (52) of the bed (50) and the bed installation surface (15). However, in the present invention, the caster (53) is not necessarily provided at the lower end of the leg (52) of the bed (50).

  In the present embodiment, it is assumed that, for example, a maximum load of 2000 N (200 kgf) is applied to one load detector (1).

  Here, in this specification, in order to make it easy to understand the configuration of the load detector (1), the load applied to the leg (52) of the bed (50) as shown in FIGS. ) In the state in which the load detector (1) is interposed between the leg (52) of the bed (50) and the bed installation surface (15). Is the front-rear direction (ie, the length direction) of the load detector (1), and the width direction of the bed bed (51) is the left-right direction (ie, the width direction) of the load detector (1). However, in the present invention, the front-rear direction and the left-right direction of the load detector (1) are not limited to this and should be arbitrarily determined.

  The length of the load detector (1) (that is, the length in the front-rear direction of the load detector (1)) is set within a range of, for example, 100 to 300 mm, and the width (that is, the load detector (1) ) Is set in the range of 100 to 300 mm, for example, and the maximum thickness (maximum height) is set in the range of 10 to 60 mm, for example. However, in the present invention, each dimension of the load detector (1) is not limited to the above range, but the size of the caster (53) of the leg (52) of the bed (50), the bed Various settings are made according to the weight of (50), the weight of the subject (H), the material of the load detector (1), and the like.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the load detector (1) includes a substrate part (2), a cantilever part (5), and four strain gauges (8) and (8) as strain detection sensors. (8) and (8).

  The substrate portion (2) and the cantilever portion (5) of the load detector (1) are made of a metal extruded material. More specifically, in the first embodiment, the substrate is made of an aluminum extruded material. Further, the width direction of the load detector (1) is set to the extrusion direction (E) of the extruded material (20) (see FIG. 5). However, in the present invention, the cantilever portion (5) and the substrate portion (2) may be made of a metal extruded material other than aluminum.

  The substrate portion (2) is placed on the bed installation surface (15) and supports the cantilever portion (5) in a cantilever shape.

  The substrate portion (2) is disposed apart from each other between a pair of left and right side portions (2a) (2a) opposed to each other and the left and right side portions (2a) (2a). And a pair of connecting side portions (2b) and (2c). The front end portions of the left and right side portions (2a) and (2a) are integrally connected to each other via the front connection side portion (2b), and the rear end portions of the left and right side portions (2a) and (2a) The two are integrally connected to each other via the rear connection side part (2c). Thereby, this board | substrate part (2) is formed in planar view substantially square shape (square shape).

  A rubber non-slip piece (not shown) for the bed installation surface (15) is attached to the lower surface of the substrate portion (2) as necessary.

  The cantilever portion (5) has a predetermined length and functions as a strain generating body that can be flexibly (ie, bent) elastically. A mounting plate portion (7) is integrally formed at the tip end portion (that is, the free end portion) of the cantilever portion (5). As shown in FIGS. 3 and 16, the caster (53) of the leg (52) of the bed (50) is placed on the placement plate (7).

  This cantilever part (5) is integrally formed in the predetermined site | part of the board | substrate part (2). More specifically, the cantilever portion (5) is located between the left and right side portions (2a) and (2a) of the substrate portion (2) at the upper end portion of the rear connection side portion (2c) of the substrate portion (2). Are integrally formed in a cantilever shape protruding horizontally in the front direction of the rear connecting side portion (2c). Thereby, the cantilever part (5) is supported by the upper end part of the rear connection side part (2c) horizontally in the state spaced apart upward with respect to the bed installation surface (15).

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the entire lower surface of the mounting plate portion (7) of the cantilever portion (5) is formed on the left and right side portions (2a) (2a) of the substrate portion (2) and the front and rear sides. It is dented with a depth of, for example, 1 to 5 mm from the lower surfaces of both connecting side portions (2b) and (2c). Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3, in the state in which the substrate part (2) is placed on the bed installation surface (15), the height position of the lower surface of the placement plate part (7) is the substrate part (2). Are set at positions slightly higher than the lower surfaces of the left and right side portions (2a) and (2a) and the front and rear connection side portions (2b) and (2c). Thereby, a mounting board part (7) is arrange | positioned in the state spaced apart a little upwards from the bed installation surface (15). Therefore, the mounting plate portion (7) can be displaced downward between the left and right side portions (2a) (2a) and the front and rear connection side portions (2b) (2c) of the substrate portion (2). A cantilever portion (5) is integrally formed on the upper end portion of the rear connection side portion (2c) of the substrate portion (2).

  The height position of the upper surface of the mounting plate portion (7) is set to a position lower than the height of the upper surface of the cantilever portion (5). A step portion (7d) is formed between the upper surface of the cantilever portion (5). The step portion (7d) is a stopper wall portion that stops the movement of the caster (53) when the caster (53) of the leg portion (52) of the bed (50) is placed on the placement plate portion (7). Is functioning as

  The length of the cantilever portion (5) is set, for example, within a range of 20 to 120 mm, the width thereof is set within a range of, for example, 30 to 150 mm, and the thickness thereof is, for example, 10 to 30 mm. It is set within the range.

  The length of the mounting plate portion (7) is set within a range of 70 to 150 mm, for example, and the width thereof is set within a range of 60 to 150 mm, for example, and the thickness thereof is, for example, 10 to 50 mm. It is set within the range. The height of the upper surface of the mounting plate portion (7) relative to the lower surface of the substrate portion (2) or the bed installation surface (15) is set within a range of 5 to 20 mm, for example.

  However, in this invention, each dimension of a cantilever part (5) and a mounting board part (7) is not limited to being in said range, It is not limited to the leg part (52) of a bed (50). It is set variously according to the size of the caster (53), the weight of the bed (50), the weight of the subject (H), the material of the cantilever part (5) and the mounting plate part (7), etc. is there.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the lower end of the rear connection side (2c) of the substrate part (2) has a lower side of the cantilever part (5) from the rear connection side (2c). A projecting piece (2d) protruding in the position is integrally formed. Further, a hollow portion (9) having a quadrangular cross section penetrating in the width direction of the load detector (1) is provided between the cantilever portion (5) and the protruding piece portion (2d). The tip of the projecting piece (2d) is not in contact with the mounting plate (7), that is, between the tip of the projecting piece (2b) and the mounting plate (7). There are slight gaps.

  Further, the cantilever portion (5) is provided with a generally oval-shaped robust valve-forming hole (6a) penetrating in the width direction thereof, whereby the cantilever portion (5) has the robust mechanism (6). Is formed.

  Moreover, as shown in FIG. 1, the slope (3) of an upward slope is formed in the right-and-left each side part (2a) of a board | substrate part (2) toward the upper surface of the mounting board part (7). Thereby, the upper surface of each side part (2a) is formed in the slope surface of an upward slope toward the upper surface of the mounting board part (7). Furthermore, as shown in FIG.1 and FIG.3, the slope (3) of an upward slope is formed in the front connection side part (2b) of a board | substrate part (2) toward the upper surface of a mounting board part (7). Thus, the upper surface of the front connecting side portion (2b) is formed as an upward slope surface toward the upper surface of the mounting plate portion (7).

  The strain gauge (8) detects strain (including fluctuations in the strain) of the cantilever portion (5), and thereby a signal used to detect a load applied to the leg portion (52) of the bed (50). That is, a load detection signal is output. In the first embodiment, the number of strain gauges (8) is four.

  These strain gauges (8), (8), (8), and (8) are electrically connected to each other to form a bridge circuit (in detail, a Wheatstone bridge circuit). As shown in FIG. 3, these strain gauges (8), (8), (8), and (8) are attached to the upper surface of the portion where the Roverval mechanism (6) of the cantilever portion (5) is formed. It is attached to the cantilever part (5). These strain gauges (8), (8), (8), and (8) detect the strain generated in the cantilever portion (5) when a load is applied to the mounting plate portion (7) in the downward direction. Thus, an electrical signal is output as a load detection signal. More specifically, the signals (ie, load detection signals) output from these strain gauges (8), (8), (8), and (8) are the strain gauges (8), (8), (8) ( 8) is a voltage output from the built-in bridge circuit.

  In FIG. 3, (10) is a control means. This control means (10) is installed in a fixed state on the projecting piece (2d) of the substrate portion (2) while being mounted on the control substrate (10a). This control means (10) controls an output signal from a bridge circuit in which a plurality of strain gauges (8) (8) (8) (8) are incorporated. It has an amplifying unit that amplifies the output signal, an analog-digital converting unit that converts the amplified signal from an analog signal to a digital signal, a communication unit that transmits the converted signal to an arithmetic means (31) described later, and the like. . The control means (10) and the plurality of strain gauges (8) (8) (8) (8) are connected via a signal line (not shown).

  Next, the manufacturing method of the load detector (1) of the first embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS.

  First, as shown in FIG. 5, a long extruded material (20) having the same cross-sectional shape (a cross-sectional shape as detailed) as the cross-sectional shape (a detailed cross-sectional shape as detailed) of the load detector (1) is prepared. . This extruded material (20) can be easily produced by a known extrusion apparatus (not shown). Since the cross-sectional shape of the extruded material (20) is the same as the cross-sectional shape of the load detector (1), the extruded material (20) has a robust mechanism forming hole (6a) extending in the extrusion direction (E). It has a through hole (26a) for use and a through hole (29) for the cavity (9). These through-holes (26a) and (29) are all formed when the extruded material (20) is extruded.

  The extruded material (20) is cut in the extrusion direction (E) by the width of the load detector (1) (specifically, the substrate portion (2) of the load detector (1)) [cutting step]. Thereby, the material (21) (namely, cutting | disconnection raw material) for load detector (1) manufacture is obtained. Note that (C) is a planned cutting line of the extruded material (20).

  As shown in FIG. 6, the material (21) obtained in this way has portions corresponding to all the portions constituting the load detector (1), that is, the substrate portion corresponding portion (22) and the left and right portions. Side portions corresponding to both sides (22a) and (22a), front and rear connecting side portions corresponding portions (22b) and (22c), projecting piece corresponding portions (22d) (see FIGS. 7 and 8), and cantilever portions corresponding portions ( 25) and the mounting plate portion corresponding portion (27).

  Next, the cantilever portion (5) is formed from the material (21) so that the cantilever portion (5) is integrally formed with the upper end portion of the rear connection portion (2c) of the substrate portion (2). And the substrate portion (2) are formed by cutting [forming step].

  This formation process will be described in detail as follows.

  As shown in FIG.7 and FIG.8, the lower surface (27y) of the mounting plate part corresponding | compatible part (27) of a raw material (21) is counterbored to predetermined depth [1st counterbore process process]. Thereby, the height position of the lower surface (27y) of the placement plate portion corresponding portion (27) of the material (21) is the left and right side corresponding portions (22a) (22a) of the material (1) and both the front and rear connecting sides. It is set at a position slightly higher than the lower surfaces of the part corresponding portions (22b) and (22c).

  Next, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the lower surface of the boundary portion (27z) between the placement plate portion corresponding portion (27) and the projecting piece portion corresponding portion (22d) of the material (21) is formed into a hollow portion. (9) Counterbore processing so as to communicate with the through-hole (29) for use [second counterbore processing step]. Thereby, the mounting plate part corresponding part (27) of the material (21) is separated from the projecting part corresponding part (22d).

  Next, as shown in FIG. 11, the boundary portion (28a) between the left and right side portion corresponding portion (22a) and the cantilever portion corresponding portion (25) of the material (21), and the material (21) The boundary portion (28b) between the left and right side side corresponding portions (22a) and the placement plate portion corresponding portion (27), the front connection side portion corresponding portion (22b) of the material (21), and the placement plate portion The boundary portion (28c) between the corresponding portion (27) and the upper surface thereof are collectively slit processed [slit processing step]. Thereby, as shown in FIG.12 and FIG.13, the slit groove | channel (28) is formed in each boundary part, As a result, the cantilever part corresponding | compatible part (25) and mounting plate part corresponding | compatible part of a raw material (21) (27) is separated from the left and right side corresponding parts (22a) and the front connecting side corresponding parts (22b) of the material (21).

  Next, as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the upper surface (22z) of the left and right side portion corresponding portion (22a) of the material (21) is scraped, so that the side portion corresponding portion (22a) A slope (3) having an upward slope is formed toward the upper surface of the placement plate portion corresponding portion (27) of (21) [slope formation step]. In addition, the slope (3) formed at the time of extrusion of an extrusion raw material (20) is previously formed in the front connection edge part corresponding | compatible part (22b) of a raw material (21).

  Through the above steps, the load detector (1) of the first embodiment is manufactured.

  Next, the four strain gauges (8) (8) (8) constituting the bridge circuit are formed on the upper surface of the portion of the cantilever portion (5) of the load detector (1) manufactured in this way where the robust mechanism (6) is formed. ) (8) Adhere (8). Further, the control board (10a) on which the control means (10) is mounted is installed in a fixed state on the projecting piece (2d) of the load detector (1).

  In the first embodiment, the first spot facing process, the second spot facing process, the slit machining process, and the slope forming process are performed in this order. However, in the present invention, the order in which these steps are performed is not limited to this, and is arbitrarily determined and can be variously changed.

  Next, the bed presence detection apparatus (30) of the bed according to the first embodiment will be described below.

  As shown in FIG. 16, the bed occupancy status detection device (30) of the first embodiment has the subject (H) sleeping as the occupancy status of the subject (H) on the bed couch (51). , Bed leaving, bed presence, presence or absence of body movement of the subject (H), whether or not the subject (H) has raised the upper body, and the like.

  The detection device (30) includes the four load detectors (1) (1) of the first embodiment interposed between the legs (52) of the bed (50) and the bed bed surface (15). ) (1) (1), a calculation means (31), a communication means (32), and a notification means (33).

  The calculation means (31) is a strain gauge (8) as a strain detection sensor of these load detectors (1) (1) (1) (1) (more specifically, a bridge incorporating the strain gauge (8)). Based on the output signal from the circuit), the presence status of the subject (H) is calculated. This calculating means (31) is comprised by the computer which has CPU, and memory | storage parts, such as ROM and RAM, for example. (34) is a signal line which transmits the output signal from each load detector (1) to the calculating means (31). In the present invention, the output signal from each load detector (1) may be configured to be transmitted to the calculation means (31) by, for example, wireless communication means.

  This calculating means (31) is installed in a bedroom, a hospital room, a nurse station, a monitoring room, a caregiver's stuffing station, and the like.

  The communication means (32) is constituted by, for example, a modem, and information on the occupancy status of the subject (H) is obtained as a calculation result of the calculation means (31) such as a telephone line network, the Internet, a wired LAN, and a wireless LAN. It transmits to a notification means (33) via a wireless communication network or a wired communication network. As the telephone network, for example, a fixed telephone network or a mobile telephone (including PHS) network is used.

  The notification means (33) notifies the notification target person of information related to the presence of the subject (H) as the calculation result of the calculation means (31). Examples of the notification target include nurses, caregivers, and supervisors.

  This notification means (33) has a notification speaker, a notification lamp, a display means, and the like. The notification speaker notifies the notification target person of predetermined information with sounds such as voice and buzzer sound. The notification lamp notifies the notification target person of predetermined information by lighting or blinking the lamp. The display means is constituted by a liquid crystal display, a plasma display, an organic EL display, a CRT, or the like, and notifies predetermined information to a notification target person by displaying characters, figures, and the like.

  This notification means (33) is installed in a nurse station, a monitoring room, a caregiver's stuffing station, or mounted on a fixed telephone or a mobile phone.

  Next, a bed occupancy status detection method performed using the load detector (1) and the occupancy status detection device (30) of the first embodiment will be described below.

  First, the load detector (1) is placed on the bed installation surface (15) at a position corresponding to the caster (53) of each leg (52) of the bed (50). Next, the caster (53) of the corresponding leg (52) of the bed (50) is placed on the placement plate (7) of each load detector (1). Then, with respect to the signals output from the strain gauges (8), (8), (8), and (8) of each load detector (1), the tare process using the load of the bed (50) as the tare is performed by the calculation means (31). Do.

  Thereafter, in this state, the subject (H) is present on the bed sleeping portion (51). Then, from the caster (53) of the leg (52) of the bed (50) to the weight of the subject (H) on the mounting plate (7) of the cantilever (5) of each load detector (1). Corresponding load is applied downward. As a result, the mounting plate portion (7) is displaced downward between the left and right side portions (2a) (2a) and the front and rear connecting side portions (2b) (2c) of the substrate portion (2). As the plate portion (7) is displaced downward, the cantilever portion (5) is elastically slightly bent (bent) so that the tip of the cantilever portion (5) is displaced downward. As a result, distortion occurs in the cantilever portion (5). This strain is detected by four strain gauges (8) (8) (8) (8) as strain detection sensors. The electrical voltage used to detect the load applied to each leg (52) of the bed (50) from the bridge circuit incorporating these strain gauges (8), (8), (8), and (8). It is output as a signal (that is, a load detection signal). Based on this output signal (detailed output voltage), the load applied to each leg (52) of the bed (50) is calculated by the calculation means (31). Furthermore, based on this load, the presence state of the subject (H) is calculated by the calculation means (31).

  Here, the case where the subject (H) is in bed calculated by the calculation means (31) is, for example, whether or not the subject (H) is on the bed (51) on the bed sleeping portion (51). The calculation performed by the calculation means (31) is as follows.

  Whether the total output signal from the four load detectors (1) (1) (1) (1) or the total load calculated based on the total output signal is greater than a predetermined threshold value set in advance Determine whether or not. When it is determined that the total output signal or the total load is larger than the threshold value in this determination result, it is determined that the subject (H) is present on the bed sleeping portion (51). On the other hand, when it is determined that the total output signal or the total load is equal to or less than the threshold value, it is determined that the subject (H) is not present on the bed / bed portion (51). Such calculation is performed by the calculation means (31).

  However, in the present invention, the presence state of the subject (H) calculated by the calculation means (31) is not limited to the above-described presence state, and in addition, the sleeping state of the subject (H) And the like, whether or not there is a body movement, whether or not the subject (H) has raised his / her upper body, and the like. In the present invention, the calculation method of the calculation means (31) is not limited to the above method.

  Information relating to the presence of the subject (H) as the calculation result of the calculation means (31) is transmitted from the calculation means (31) to the notification means (33) by the communication means (32), and the notification means (33). Is notified to the notification subject. Thereby, the information subject can know information about a subject's (H) bed situation.

  Thus, the load detector (1) of the first embodiment has the following advantages.

  That is, in the load detector (1) of the first embodiment, since the cantilever portion (5) is formed integrally with the substrate portion (2), a load is repeatedly applied to the mounting plate portion (7). This can prevent a decrease in load detection accuracy. Therefore, the load detector (1) can be used over a long period of time. Furthermore, it is not necessary to process a bolt insertion hole or a tapped hole for inserting a bolt as a mechanical fastening means for integrating the cantilever portion (5) with the substrate portion (2), so that load detection is possible. The vessel (1) can be easily manufactured.

  Furthermore, since the cantilever portion (5) and the substrate portion (2) are made of extruded material, variation in the amount of strain generated in the cantilever portion (5) can be reduced. Thereby, the load detection performance of the load detector (1) is improved. Of course, since the cantilever portion (5) and the substrate portion (2) are made of an aluminum extruded material, the weight of the load detector (1) can be reduced.

  Here, the present inventors manufactured the load detector (1) in which the cantilever part (5) is formed integrally with the substrate part (2) from casting, but not by extrusion or die casting. In this case, it was inferred why the variation of the strain amount generated in the cantilever portion (5) is large. As a result, it was concluded that the fine cast holes present in the cast material and die-cast material caused variations in the amount of distortion. On the other hand, when the load detector (1) in which the cantilever portion (5) is formed integrally with the substrate portion (2) is manufactured from the extruded material, there is no cast hole in the extruded material. Therefore, the variation in the amount of distortion can be remarkably reduced, and the load detection accuracy can be improved.

  Further, the substrate part (2) is opposed to each other between the pair of left and right side parts (2a) (2a) arranged opposite to each other and the left and right side parts (2a) (2a). A pair of front and rear connecting sides (2b) and (2c) that are arranged to connect one end and the other end of each of the left and right sides (2a) and (2a) to each other; The cantilever portion (5) is such that (7) can be displaced downward between the left and right side portions (2a) (2a) and the front and rear connecting side portions (2b) (2c) of the substrate portion (2). ) Is integrally formed at the upper end of the rear connecting side portion (2c) of the substrate portion (2), the substrate portion (2) does not exist below the placement plate portion (7). Thereby, the height position of the upper surface of the mounting plate part (7) relative to the bed installation surface (15) can be set as low as possible. Therefore, when the caster (53) of the leg part (52) of the bed (50) is placed on the placing plate part (7), the bed sleeping part (51) can be lowered.

  Furthermore, since slopes (3) and (3) are formed on the left and right sides (2a) and (2a) of the substrate part (2), respectively, ascending slopes (3) and (3) toward the upper surface of the mounting plate part (7). The caster (53) of the leg portion (52) of the bed (50) is placed on the placement plate portion (7) from the bed placement surface (15) or the bed placement surface (15) from the placement plate portion (7). ), When the caster (53) of the leg (52) of the bed (50) is passed over the slope (3), the work of placing the leg (52) of the bed (50) The unloading work can be easily performed.

  Furthermore, since the cavity part (9) penetrated in the width direction of the load detector (1) is provided between the cantilever part (5) and the protruding piece part (2d), the mounting plate part (7 ), The cantilever (5) can be surely bent when a load is applied. Further, since the control board (10a) on which the control means (10) for controlling the output signal from the strain gauge (8) as the strain detection sensor is mounted on the projecting piece (2d), the control means ( 10) can be built in the load detector (1), so that the load detector (1) can be made compact.

  Furthermore, since the Roverval mechanism (6) is formed in the cantilever part (5), the distortion of the cantilever part (5) can be detected accurately.

  Moreover, the manufacturing method of the load detector (1) of this 1st Embodiment cut | disconnects a elongate extrusion raw material (20) by the width | variety of the load detector (1) in the extrusion direction (E). The cutting step of obtaining (1) and the material (21) so that the cantilever portion (5) is integrally formed on the upper end portion of the rear connection side portion (2c) of the substrate portion (2). The load detector (1) of this 1st embodiment can be manufactured reliably, since the formation process which forms the mounting plate part (7) and the cantilever part (5) by cutting is included. .

  Furthermore, the formation process in the manufacturing method of the load detector (1) includes the first counterbore process, the second counterbore process, the slit process, and the slope formation process. The load detector (1) of the embodiment can be more reliably manufactured.

  Since the bed occupancy state detection device (30) of the first embodiment includes the load detector (1) of the first embodiment, it has the above-described advantages such as small variations in detection load. ing. Therefore, according to this detection apparatus (30), a subject's (H) in-bed condition can be detected correctly.

  The bed occupancy status monitoring system (40) of the first embodiment includes the occupancy status detection device (30) of the first embodiment. Therefore, according to this monitoring system (40), the subject's (H) occupancy status can be monitored at a remote location or the like.

  17 and 18 are diagrams for explaining a bed load detector (1) according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  The load detector (1) includes a laying plate (12) on which the substrate portion (2) is placed. This laying plate (12) is laid under the substrate portion (2) when the substrate portion (2) is placed on the bed installation surface (15), and is made of resin, for example.

  A pair of left and right side frame portions (13) and (13) are integrally formed on the left and right side edges of the laying plate (12). As shown in FIG. 17, the both side frame portions (13) and (13) are arranged on the left and right sides of the substrate portion (2) in a state where the substrate portion (2) is placed on the laying plate (12). It is arrange | positioned on the outer side of a side part (2a) (2a). Further, as shown in FIG. 18, in the center portion of the laying plate (12), an opening having a sectional shape (that is, a rectangular shape) corresponding to the bottom surface shape (that is, a rectangular shape) of the mounting plate portion (7) ( 12a) is provided. And in the state in which the board | substrate part (2) was mounted on the laying board (12), the mounting board part (7) connected both right-and-left both sides (2a) (2a) of the board | substrate part (2), and front and back. The cantilever portion (5) is connected to the rear connecting side portion (2) of the substrate portion (2) so that it can be displaced downward between the side portions (2b) (2c) and further inside the opening (12a). It is integrally formed at the upper end of 2c).

  Further, in this load detector (1), no slope is formed on the left and right side portions (2a) (2a) of the substrate portion (2), and instead, the left and right side frames of the laying plate (12). Slopes (14) and (14) having an upward slope toward the upper surface of the mounting plate portion (7) are formed in the portions (13) and (13). Therefore, by using this laying plate (12), it is not necessary to form slopes on the left and right side portions (2a) (2a) of the substrate portion (2), that is, the slope forming step can be omitted.

  Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to those shown in the above embodiments, and various setting changes can be made.

  For example, in the present embodiment, the material of the cantilever portion (5) and the substrate portion (2) of the load detector (1) is aluminum. However, in the present invention, other metals than aluminum, for example, steel Copper (including alloys thereof) or other materials may be used.

  Moreover, in this embodiment, the cantilever part (5) is integrally formed in the upper end part of the back connection side part (2c) of a board | substrate part (2). However, in the present invention, the part of the substrate part (2) in which the cantilever part (5) is integrally formed is not limited to the rear connection side part (2c), and the substrate part (2 ). Specifically, in the present invention, the cantilever portion (5) is, for example, an upper portion of one of the left and right side portions (2a) (2a) of the substrate portion (2). May be formed integrally with each other, or may be formed integrally with the upper portion of the front connection side (2b).

  In the present invention, slopes (3) and (3) may be formed on the left and right side portions (2a) and (2a) of the substrate portion (2), respectively, and either one of the side portions (2a). Only the slope (3) may be formed.

  In the present invention, one strain gauge (8) may be attached to the cantilever portion (5) as a strain detection sensor, or two or more strain gauges (8) may be cantilevered. It may be attached to the part (5).

  In the present invention, the strain detection sensor is a sensor other than the strain gauge (8), such as a conductive elastomer sensor (that is, a conductive rubber sensor or a conductive resin sensor), an electrostrictive device sensor, a piezoelectric device sensor, or a magnetostrictive device. It may be a sensor, or may be one or more sensors selected from the group consisting of these sensors.

  Next, specific examples and comparative examples of the present invention are shown below. However, this invention is not limited to the Example mentioned later.

<Example>
The load detector (1) of the first embodiment was prepared. The cantilever portion (5) and the substrate portion (2) of the load detector (1) are made of an aluminum extruded material (material: A6061), and the cantilever portion (5) is located behind the substrate portion (2). It is integrally formed at the upper end of the connecting side (2c).

  The position dependency of the load detector (1) on the mounting plate (7) was examined. The measurement positions are the four locations A, B, C, and D shown in FIG. The results are shown in Table 1.

  The calculation method of position dependency is as follows.

  At each measurement position, a relational expression Y = a · X + b between the load X (unit: kgf) and the voltage Y (unit: mV) output from the strain gauge (8) of the load detector (1) was obtained. In this relational expression, b is an output voltage when there is no load. And position dependence (unit:%) was calculated by following Formula (i) based on the value of a in the relational expression calculated | required at four measurement positions.

  Position dependency = {(maximum value of a) / (minimum value of a) −1} × 100 (i)

<Comparative example>
A load detector having the same configuration as that of the example was prepared except that the cantilever portion (5) was integrally formed on the upper end portion of the rear connection side portion (2c) of the substrate portion (2) by aluminum die casting. The aluminum die-cast material used is JIS (Japanese Industrial Standard) ADC12.

  The position dependency of the load detector (1) on the mounting plate (7) was examined. The measurement position and measurement method are the same as in the example. The results are shown in Table 1.

  As shown in Table 1, the position dependency of the example is better than the position dependency of the comparative example. Therefore, it was confirmed that the load detector (1) of the example had a small variation in the detected load, that is, the load detector (1) of the example was excellent in load detection performance. The reason why the position dependency of the comparative example is bad is presumed to be due to the influence of a cast hole inevitably existing in the die-cast material.

  The present invention relates to, for example, a bed load detector interposed between a bed leg and a bed installation surface, a method for manufacturing the bed load detector, a bed occupancy detection device, a bed occupancy detection method, and a bed It can be used for a bed-status monitoring system.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a load detector for a bed according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the load detector. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XX in FIG. FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the load detector. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the load detector manufacturing material and the extruded material. FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of the material. FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the material after the first spot facing step. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XX in FIG. FIG. 9 is a bottom view of the material after the second spot facing process. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XX in FIG. FIG. 11 is a plan view of the material after slit processing. FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken along line XX in FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along line YY in FIG. FIG. 14 is a plan view of the material after the slope forming step. FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the material after the slope forming step. FIG. 16 is a schematic perspective view showing the load detector in use. FIG. 17: is a perspective view shown in the state which mounted the load detector of the bed which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention on the laying board. FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing the load detector separated from the laying plate.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Load detector 2 ... Board | substrate part 2a ... Side part 2b ... Front connection side part 2c ... Rear connection side part 2d ... Projection piece part 3 ... Slope 5 ... Cantilever part 6 ... Roverval mechanism 6a ... Roverval mechanism formation hole 7: Mounting plate 8 ... Strain gauge (strain detection sensor)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 9 ... Cavity part 10 ... Control means 10a ... Control board 12 ... Laying board 15 ... Bed installation surface 20 ... Extrusion material 21 ... Material 22 ... Substrate part corresponding part 22a ... Side part corresponding part 22b ... Front connection side part corresponding part 22c ... rear connection side part corresponding part 22d ... projecting piece part corresponding part 25 ... cantilever part corresponding part 26a ... through hole 27 for rovalval mechanism forming hole ... mounting plate part corresponding part 27y ... lower surface 27z ... boundary part 28 ... slit groove 28a to 28c ... boundary portion 29 ... hollow portion through-hole 30 ... floor condition detection device 31 ... calculation means 32 ... communication means 33 ... notification means 40 ... floor condition monitoring system 50 ... bed 51 ... bed part 52 ... leg part 53 ... Caster

Claims (9)

A substrate part placed on the bed installation surface;
A cantilever part integrally formed with a mounting plate part on which a leg part of the bed is placed on the tip part, supported in a substantially horizontal state in a state of being spaced apart from the bed installation surface on the substrate part;
A strain detection sensor that detects a strain of the cantilever portion and outputs a signal used to detect a load applied to the leg portion of the bed;
With cantilever portion is formed integrally with the substrate portion, the cantilever portion and the substrate portion is Ri der made extruded material,
The substrate part is arranged to be opposed to each other between a pair of left and right side parts spaced apart from each other and between the left and right side parts. A pair of front and rear connecting sides connected to each other,
The cantilever part is integrally formed on the upper part of the rear connection side part of the board part so that the mounting plate part can be displaced downward between the left and right side parts of the board part and the front and rear connection side parts. load detector bed, characterized in that there. At the lower end portion of the rear connecting side portion of the substrate portion, a protruding piece portion that protrudes from the rear connecting side portion to a position below the cantilever portion is integrally formed, and the cantilever portion and the protruding piece portion, Is provided with a hollow portion penetrating in the width direction of the load detector,
Load detector bed according to claim 1, wherein is installed a control means for controlling the output signal on the protrusion portion from the strain detecting sensor. The bed load detector according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a slope having an upward slope is formed on at least one of the left and right side portions of the substrate portion toward the upper surface of the mounting plate portion. The cantilever part is provided with a robust mechanism forming hole penetrating in the width direction thereof, so that the cantilever part has a robust mechanism.
Load detector bed according to any one of claims 1 to 3, at least one strain gauge is mounted as a strain detecting sensor cantilever portion. A substrate part placed on the bed installation surface;
A cantilever portion integrally supporting a mounting plate portion on which a leg portion of the bed is mounted at a tip portion, supported in a substantially horizontal state in a state of being spaced apart upward from the bed installation surface on the substrate portion;
A strain detection sensor that detects a strain of a cantilever portion and outputs a signal used to detect a load applied to a leg portion of the bed, and a method of manufacturing a bed load detector comprising:
A cutting process for obtaining a material by cutting a long extruded material with a predetermined width in the extrusion direction;
A forming step of the cantilever portion is formed by cutting the cantilever portion plate portion mounting a material to be a state of being formed integrally with the substrate portion and Nde including a
The substrate part is arranged to be opposed to each other between a pair of left and right side parts spaced apart from each other and between the left and right side parts, and the front end parts and the rear end parts of the left and right side parts are arranged. A pair of front and rear connecting sides connected to each other,
The cantilever part is integrally formed on the upper part of the rear connection side part of the board part so that the mounting plate part can be displaced downward between the left and right side parts of the board part and the front and rear connection side parts. And
At the lower end portion of the rear connecting side portion of the substrate portion, a protruding piece portion that protrudes from the rear connecting side portion to a position below the cantilever portion is integrally formed, and the cantilever portion and the protruding piece portion, Is provided with a hollow portion penetrating in the width direction of the load detector,
The cantilever part is provided with a robust mechanism forming hole penetrating in the width direction thereof, so that the cantilever part has a robust mechanism.
The extrusion material has a through hole for a Roverval mechanism forming hole and a through hole for a cavity formed at the time of extrusion and extending in the extrusion direction.
The forming step includes
A first counterbore process that counterbores the lower surface of the part corresponding to the mounting plate portion of the material;
The lower surface of the boundary portion between the part corresponding to the placement plate part of the material and the corresponding part of the protruding piece part is countersunk so as to communicate with the through hole for the cavity part, so that the part corresponding to the placement plate part of the material A second counterbore processing step for separating from the projecting portion corresponding site;
The boundary between the left and right side corresponding parts of the material and the cantilever part, the boundary between the left and right side corresponding parts of the material and the mounting plate corresponding part, By slitting the boundary between the front connection side portion corresponding portion and the mounting plate portion corresponding portion, the material cantilever portion corresponding portion and the mounting plate portion corresponding portion are placed on the left and right sides of the material. And a slit machining step for separating the side corresponding part and the front connection side part corresponding part . A method for manufacturing a load detector for a bed, comprising: An upward slope is formed toward the upper surface of the mounting plate portion on at least one side portion of the left and right side portions of the substrate portion,
The forming step includes a slope forming step of forming a slope having an upward slope toward an upper surface of the placement plate portion corresponding portion of the material in at least one side portion corresponding portion of the left and right side portion corresponding portions of the material. The method for manufacturing a bed load detector according to claim 5 . The bed load detector according to any one of claims 1 to 4 ,
A bed occupancy status detection apparatus, comprising: an arithmetic means for calculating the occupancy status of a subject based on an output signal from a strain detection sensor of a load detector. While installing the load detector of the bed in any one of Claims 1-4 on a bed installation surface, the leg part of a bed is mounted on the mounting plate part of a load detector, In this state, load A bed occupancy state detection method, comprising detecting a subject's occupancy state using an output signal from a strain detection sensor of a detector. The bed load detector according to any one of claims 1 to 4 ,
Based on the output signal from the strain detection sensor of the load detector, computing means for computing the presence of the subject,
An in-bed condition monitoring system comprising: an informing means for informing a computation result of the computation stage.

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