JP6124244B2 - Variable shape mat - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a mat used as a chair, a bed, or the like that supports a supported body (a person or an animal), and relates to a shape variable mat in which the shape of a holding surface with which the supported body is in contact changes.

  When a patient in a hospital bed or the like is bedridden with the same posture on a bed, a body part that is heavy is pressed, and pressure ulcers and bedsores are likely to occur. Also, if you sit in a chair for a long time, your buttocks may be compressed and you may feel uncomfortable as well. Therefore, a plurality of mats for preventing pressure ulcers and the like have been proposed.

  For example, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, there is a pressure ulcer prevention cushion body in which a foam having a predetermined compression stress is accommodated inside a rigid frame. The foam is a resilience elastic body such as a silicone resin communication foam that is soft against the user's body, and the frame tends to spread sideways when a load on the user's body is received on the top surface. The pressure is supported by the side surface, and the foam is excessively thinned to prevent the user from feeling the bottom.

  Further, as disclosed in Patent Document 2, there is a cushioning material having a two-layer structure including a support member having a shape retaining property located at a lower portion and a buffer member having a stress relaxation property located at an upper portion. It was. The support member is formed with unevenness so that the coccyx and the like do not contact the support member when the user is seated and the buffer member is deformed, and further, two grooves for supporting the left and right thighs are formed. In addition, a buffer member is closely stacked on the support member so as to flatten the upper surface of the cushion material. With this structure, stress concentration on a specific part of the user's body is alleviated, and the thigh and the like are less likely to be displaced, making it easier to maintain the posture.

  Further, as disclosed in Patent Document 3, a variable shape including a bag body in which a mixture in which a liquid is added to a gap between a large number of powders or granules and a vibrator that vibrates the bag body is provided. There was a mat. When the bag body receives the load of the user's body on the upper surface, the shape of the surface portion that receives the load is usually difficult to change due to the mixture, and when the bag is vibrated by the shaker, the mixture is fluidized. When the surface portion is deformed and the vibration is stopped, the shape of the surface portion can be fixed. Here, the property of the mixture in the bag will be briefly described. When there is no vibration, the mixture has many contact parts between adjacent particles, so even if external pressure is applied to the bag body, the particles are difficult to move due to the effect of static friction at the contact part, and the shape of the entire bag body Is in a state of being fixed and difficult to change. On the other hand, when a vibration is applied to the mixture, the individual particles move and water in the gaps between the particles enters and enters a state of dynamic friction (a state in which the coefficient of friction between the particles is small), so that the shape of the entire bag body is likely to change. It changes to a fluidized state. Therefore, the shape of the bag can be easily changed in accordance with the external pressure when an external pressure is applied while the mixture is fluidized.

Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 6-23520 JP 2009-406 A

  In the pressure ulcer prevention cushion body of Patent Document 1, since the foam is deformed by substantially elastic deformation when receiving a load on the body of the user, the pressure of the portion with the largest deformation amount among the surfaces in contact with the body is Get higher. Therefore, since stress tends to concentrate on a specific part of the user's body, it cannot be said that the pressure ulcer prevention effect is sufficient. In addition, when the bedsore bed is formed using this pressure ulcer prevention cushion body, the upper surface of the pressure ulcer prevention cushion body may become unstable if an inpatient or bedridden elderly person voluntarily moves the body on the bed. Because it deformed and swayed, it was difficult to turn over and change posture. In addition, since the instability causes discomfort, there has been a problem that the willingness to exercise such as inpatients declines.

  Since the cushioning material of Patent Document 2 is provided with the above-described uneven portion on the support member, when the user voluntarily moves the body while sitting on the cushion body, the cushion material of Patent Document 1 has the Compared to this, it is considered that the stability in the lateral shift direction is improved and the discomfort due to the instability is reduced, but an effect that can eliminate discomfort cannot be expected. In addition, the uneven part of the support member is usually formed according to the standard human body shape, but because there are individual differences in the body shape of the user, a cushioning material that is comfortable for all users should be realized. Had the problem of being difficult.

  On the other hand, in the case of the shape variable mat of Patent Document 3, when the bag body is vibrated to receive the load of the user's body while the mixture inside is fluidized, the mixture tends to spread laterally and the load on the bag body There is a problem that a part of the receiving part becomes excessively thin and the user feels bottoming out. For this reason, particularly when a large mat is to be constructed, the amount of the mixture must be increased in advance to make the bag thicker, which has been a factor that hinders the reduction in thickness and weight of the variable shape mat.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned background art, and can form a holding surface that provides a comfortable feeling in a shape that is optimal for a user's body shape, and can be easily reduced in thickness and weight. It is an object to provide a variable shape mat.

The present invention is a mat that receives the load of a supported body on its upper surface, and contains a bag body filled with a mixture having powder or granules and liquid added to the gap, and the bag body inside. A pedestal having a housing part and supporting the upper surface of the bag body exposed from the upper end opening of the housing part; and a vibrator for vibrating the mixture in the bag body,
The bag body is such that the holding surface in contact with the supported body is not easily deformed by the mixture even under the load of the supported body, and the mixture is fluidized by the vibration of the shaker, The holding surface is deformed according to the load and shape of the supported body, and by stopping the excitation, the shape of the holding surface before stopping can be fixed, and the bag body comes into contact with the lower surface of the bag body. As a whole, the receiving surface that supports the shape is a variable shape mat that is inclined in such a direction that the mixture fluidized in the bag body gathers at the center of the receiving surface.

The vibrator is constituted by the said vibration actuator the fixed to the vibrating plate smaller diaphragm than the inner upper surface of the housing portion, said housing portion, the lower surface of the bag on the upper surface of the diaphragm Are arranged so as to contact each other.

Further , the vibration exciter is attached to the inner side surface of the housing portion via a vibration isolating member, and a receiving surface that contacts the lower surface of the bag body and supports the bag body includes an upper surface of the vibration plate and the upper surface of the vibration plate. It is formed between the portion of the inner upper surface of the housing portion, as a whole, the mixture was fluidized is inclined in a direction to gather in the center portion of the receiving surface. The bag body is a mat serving as a seat portion of a chair, and the housing portion is formed in a circular shape in plan view, and the diaphragm of the vibration exciter has a side shape of a truncated cone having an opening at a central portion. It is formed.

Further the invention, said mixture is packed auxiliary bag is provided, wherein the vibration exciter is sandwiched between the bag and the auxiliary bag which said laid on the inner upper surface in the housing part held Te, wherein the inner upper surface of the inner housing portion abutting the lower surface of the auxiliary bag is, said mixture was fluidized in an auxiliary bag body is inclined in a direction to gather in the center portion of the receiving portion, the bag A receiving surface that contacts the lower surface of the bag and supports the bag is formed by the upper surface of the diaphragm and a part of the upper surface of the auxiliary bag, and as a whole, the mixture fluidized in the bag is the It is inclined to gather in the center of the receiving surface. The bag is a mat made of a seat of a chair, the accommodating portion, the outer shape is formed in a circular shape in plan view, the inner upper surface of the inner is formed in a conical or frustoconical said pressure It said diaphragm exciter is a variable shape mat that is formed in a truncated cone side surface shape having an opening in the center.

  Further, a plurality of the vibrators are provided, and each of the vibrators is attached so that different parts of the bag body can be vibrated, and each vibration and stop operation can be controlled independently. The bag body is a mat serving as a bed portion of the bed.

  Moreover, the protection part which covers the upper end part of the said accommodating part is extended in the peripheral part of the said bag body.

  The shape-variable mat of the present invention fluidizes when the mixture in the bag is vibrated, and in that state, a holding surface is formed by receiving the load of the user's body, so it fits securely to the user's body shape A holding surface can be obtained. In addition, when the mixture is fluidized, the holding surface is formed by the action of holding the body as wide as possible with equal pressure, so that the pressure that supports the body does not concentrate on a specific part and pressure ulcers It is possible to easily obtain a holding surface that does not easily occur. Furthermore, after the desired holding surface is formed, the shape of the holding surface can be fixed by stopping the excitation, so when the user moves the body spontaneously on the holding surface, There is no problem that the surface becomes unstable and uncomfortable.

  Moreover, since the receiving surface which supports a bag body inclines so that the center part may become deep, the fluidized mixture is hard to spread in a horizontal direction. When the user receives a load with the mixture fluidized, the lower part of the holding surface of the bag body is prevented from becoming too thin, causing the user to feel down and uncomfortable. Hard to do.

1 is a perspective view showing a first embodiment of a variable shape mat according to the present invention. It is a disassembled perspective view explaining the structural member of the shape variable mat of 1st embodiment. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the internal structure of the shape variable mat of 1st embodiment. FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a part of the vibrating body of FIG. It is the top view (a) which shows 2nd embodiment of the shape-variable mat | matte of this invention, and a front view (b). It is AA sectional drawing which shows the internal structure of the shape variable mat of 2nd embodiment. It is a front view (a) and (b) which shows the modification of the shape variable mat of a second embodiment.

  Hereinafter, a first embodiment of a variable shape mat according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The shape-variable mat 10 of this embodiment is installed on a wheelchair seat and used as a cushion. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the shape-variable mat 10 accommodates a bag body 12 enclosing a mixture 11 and a bag body 12. And a vibrator 18 that vibrates the mixture 11 in contact with the bag body 12.

  The bag body 12 is a mat that receives the load of the buttocks of the user M, which is a supported body, with the upper surface 12a serving as a seating surface of the chair. For example, the bag body 12 is a circle formed of a flexible material such as nylon or a plastic bag. A mixture 11 having a powder or a granule and a liquid added to the gap is enclosed in a polygonal (in this case, regular octagonal) outer bag. The mixture 11 is, for example, a mixture of polyester resin particles having a particle size of about 400 to 500 μm with water having a mass ratio of about 30% to 50%. The bag body 12 is accommodated in an accommodating portion 14 which will be described later, the lower portion is deformed according to the shape inside the accommodating portion 14, and when it is accommodated in the accommodating portion 14, the mixture 11 is fixed and the entire shape is obtained. Is determined. Thereafter, when vibration is applied, the mixture 11 is fluidized, and the shape can be changed according to the external load. The side surface of the bag body 12 is provided as a protective portion 12c to be described later so as to protrude outside the housing portion 14.

  The accommodating portion 14 of the gantry 18 is formed of a material such as metal having a certain rigidity, and is inclined in a substantially conical side surface shape so that the central portion is deep. As shown in FIG. 3, the inner volume of the housing portion 14 is set so that the upper surface 12 a of the bag body 12 is sufficiently exposed from the upper end opening of the housing portion 14 in a state where the bag body 12 is housed.

The leg portion 16 of the gantry 18 is erected on the outer surface of the peripheral edge of the upper end portion of the accommodating portion 14, and functions to support substantially horizontally with the upper end opening of the accommodating portion 14 facing upward. The leg portion 16 may be a columnar member, but may be a cylindrical member having a smaller diameter than the accommodating portion. The height of却部16 may be a degree that the lower end of the housing portion 14 (conical side surface shape of the tip portion) does not touch the installation surface, a truncated cone which appropriately cut lower end of the inner upper surface 14a of the housing portion 14 You may set the height of the leg part 16 as a shape-shaped bottom face.

As shown in FIG. 4, the vibration exciter 20 includes a diaphragm 22 and a vibration motor 24 that is a vibration actuator. Vibrating plate 22 has a central portion is opened, the frustoconical side external shape which is inclined substantially opposite angles to the inner upper surface 14a of the housing portion 14. Four excitation motors 24 are attached at positions that divide the central axis of the diaphragm 22 into four equal parts. The vibration motor 24 has a weight 24c eccentrically attached to a tip end of a rotating shaft 24b protruding from the motor main body 24a. The rotating shaft 24b is inserted into a mounting hole 22a provided in the diaphragm 22, and the motor It is integrally fixed to the diaphragm 22 by a fixing portion 24d extending from the main body 24a. When the vibration motor 24 rotates, the motor main body 24a vibrates due to the changing action of the center of gravity by the eccentrically fixed weight 24c, and the vibration is transmitted to the diaphragm 22 through the fixing portion 24b. An upper cover 26 and a lower cover 28 that cover the vibration motor 24 from above and below are attached to the vibration plate 22, so that an object that prevents the weight 24 c from rotating does not come into contact with the vibration motor 24. A controller 30 is connected to each vibration motor 24 via a cable 30a, and the user M can operate the controller 30 to perform rotation and stop, adjustment of vibration intensity, and the like. Yes.

When assembling the variable shape mat 10 is first rack 18 (accommodating portion 14 and the leg portion 16) is placed on the horizontal surface, placing the vibrating machine 20 on the inner upper surface 14a of the housing 14. And the bag body 22 is accommodated in the accommodating part 14 so that it may be mounted on the upper surface of the diaphragm 22, and it will be in the assembly state shown in FIG. And the accommodating part 14 and the mount frame 18 are assembled | assembled integrally by the fixing member which is not shown in figure.

In the state of FIG. 3, the bag body 12, the central portion of the lower surface and the peripheral portion is supported on the inner upper surface 14a of the housing portion 14, other portions of the lower surface is supported on the upper surface of the vibration plate 22, the seat surface The upper surface 12a is exposed above the upper end opening of the accommodating portion 14 and becomes substantially flat, so that the overall shape is determined. Therefore, the receiving surface for supporting the bag body 12 abuts against the lower surface of the bag body 12 is formed in a portion of the inner upper surface 14a of the housing portion 14 and the upper surface of the vibration plate 22, as a whole, and fluidized The mixture 11 is inclined so as to gather at the center of the receiving surface. Further, the bag body 12 is formed larger than the housing portion 14 and covers the upper end portion of the housing portion 14 and the upper end portion of the vibration exciter 20 at the end portion of the bag body 12 as shown in FIG. The end portion of the bag body 12 is a protection portion 12c, which protects the back side of the thigh and lower leg from coming into contact with the accommodation portion 14 and the like when the user M is seated.

The inner top surface 14a of the housing 14, as shown in FIG. 4, laying an anti-vibration member 30 (gel sheet, etc.), installing a vibration exciter 24 thereon. By providing the vibration isolation member 30, it is difficult for vibration of the vibration exciter 24 to be transmitted to the housing portion 14, and the bag body 12 in contact with the upper surface of the diaphragm 22 can be vibrated efficiently. A flat member for installation or a cylindrical body with a bottom may be further attached to the bottom surface side of the leg portion 16. As a result, the seating surface to be installed can be protected so that the load is not concentrated.

  And if the assembled shape variable mat 10 is installed in seat parts, such as a wheelchair which is not shown in figure, it will be in the state which the user M can use.

  Next, the operation of the shape variable mat 10 will be described. Here, of the upper surface 12a of the bag body 12, when the user M sits down, a portion that receives a load in contact with the buttocks is referred to as a holding surface 12b. Before the user M sits on the upper surface 12 a of the bag body 12, the user M first operates the controller 30 and issues a command to change the shape of the bag body 12. Then, the vibration motor 24 rotates and the diaphragm 22 vibrates, the vibration of the diaphragm 22 is transmitted to the bag body 12, the mixture 11 in the bag body 12 fluidizes, and the shape easily changes.

  Next, the user M sits at the center of the upper surface 12a of the bag body 12 in which the mixture 11 is fluidized by vibration. Then, as shown in FIG. 3, the holding surface 12b with which the buttocks contact is pushed down by the weight of the user M, and changes to the shape of the buttocks. At this time, the bag body 12 as a whole is deformed by the action of trying to hold the collar portion as wide as possible with an equal pressure, and an ideal holding surface 12b is formed in which the pressure is not concentrated on a specific portion. Moreover, since the receiving surface that supports the bag body 12 is inclined in such a direction that the fluidized mixture 11 gathers at the central portion of the receiving surface (the central portion of the accommodating portion 14), the mixture 11 in the bag body 12 is Almost no lateral spread. Moreover, since the outer bag becomes a wall also about the mixture 11 in the protection part 12c, it cannot spread any more.

  In the description of the operation so far, the vibration by the vibration exciter 20 is performed before the user M is seated, but the vibration may be performed after the user M is seated.

  Next, the user M operates the controller 30 when the holding surface 12b of the bag body 12 has a comfortable shape that matches his body shape, and issues a command to the effect that the shape of the bag body 12 is to be fixed. Then, the vibration of the vibration motor 24 stops and the vibration of the diaphragm 22 stops. As a result, the mixture 11 in the bag body 12 changes from the liquefied state to the fixed state, and the holding surface 12b becomes the vibration motor. It is held in a comfortable shape before 24 stops.

  Thereafter, when the user M wants to change his / her sitting posture by reassembling the legs, the shape of the holding surface 12b can be easily changed in the above manner by operating the controller 30 again.

  As described above, the shape-variable mat 10 used as a chair is fluidized when the mixture 11 in the bag body 12 is vibrated, and the holding surface 12b is formed on the upper surface 12a of the bag body 12 in this state. Therefore, the holding surface 12b which fits the user M's buttocks reliably can be obtained. In addition, when the mixture 11 is fluidized, the holding surface 12b is formed by the action of holding the collar part as wide as possible and at an equal pressure, so that the pressure supporting the collar part does not concentrate on the specific part, It is possible to obtain the holding surface 12b that is less likely to cause pressure ulcers. Furthermore, after the desired holding surface 12b is formed, the shape of the holding surface 12b can be firmly fixed by stopping the excitation by the vibration exciter 20, so that the user M can voluntarily move the body. When the is moved, the problem that the holding surface 12b is unstablely deformed and feels uncomfortable does not occur.

Moreover, since the center part of the diaphragm 22 is opened, sufficient thickness is ensured in the lower part of the holding surface 12b of the bag body 12. Moreover, the receiving surface for supporting the bag body 12 from the lower surface (upper surface and the surface of the central portion inner upper surface 14a is combined in the accommodating portion 14 of the diaphragm 22), as a whole, inclined to become deeper toward the center thereof Therefore, the fluidized mixture 11 is difficult to spread in the lateral direction. Therefore, when the load of the user M is received in a state where the mixture 11 is fluidized, the lower portion of the holding surface 12b of the bag body 12 is prevented from being excessively thinned, and the user M has a feeling of bottoming out. The problem of unpleasantness is less likely to occur. As a result, it is not necessary to secure the thickness of the bag body 12 by increasing the amount of the mixture 11 as in the conventional variable shape mat of Patent Document 3, and the bag body 12 can be easily reduced in thickness and weight. it can.

  In addition, the shape-variable mat 10 has a simple structure of the gantry 18 and the vibration exciter 20, and since each member has an external shape with no directivity around the central axis, it is easy to assemble at a factory or the like and can be easily installed on a wheelchair. is there.

  When the upper surface 12a of the bag body 12 is divided into a plurality of sections and the shape of the holding surface 12b can be varied for each section, for example, the frustoconical side plate-like diaphragm 22 is equally divided into four in the circumferential direction. The four excitation motors 24 attached to each diaphragm 22 may be controlled independently.

  Next, a second embodiment of the variable shape mat according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. Here, the same components as those in the above embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted. The shape variable mat 34 of the present embodiment is used as a bed on which the user M stands, and as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the bag body 12 (12 (1), 12, 12 (2)), an auxiliary bag body 36 (36 (1), 36 (2)) which is the same bag body as the bag body 12, a housing portion 38 for housing the bag body 12 and the auxiliary bag body 36, and A frame 40 composed of legs 16 that support the accommodating portion 38, vibrators 42 (42 (1) to 42 (8)) that vibrate in contact with the eight portions of the bag 12, and the bag 12 A top sheet 44 is provided to cover the top surface 12a.

  The bag body 12 is a mat that receives the load of the body of the user M, with the upper surface 12a serving as the bed surface of the bed, and is composed of the same two bag bodies 12 (1) and 12 (2). The bag bodies 12 (1) and 12 (2) are deformed in accordance with the inner shape of the housing portion 38 in the process in which the outer bag is filled with the mixture 11 and is housed in the housing portion 38 described later. If it fits in 38, the mixture 11 will be fix | immobilized and the whole shape will be decided. And when a vibration is added, the mixture 11 will be fluidized and it will be in the state which can change a shape according to the load from the outside.

  The auxiliary bag body 36 is a mat that is placed under the bag bodies 12 (1) and 12 (2) and is substantially the same as the bag body 12 (1) and 12 (2). , 36 (2).

The accommodating portion 38 of the gantry 40 is made of a material such as metal having a certain rigidity, and has a substantially rectangular box-shaped outer shape in plan view. The bottom plate has a central portion sandwiched between a pair of long sides and is deeply inclined in a substantially V shape, and a low-side wall is extended upward from the peripheral portion of the bottom plate. The inner volume of the accommodating portion 38 is such that when the bag bodies 12 (1) and 12 (2) and the auxiliary bag bodies 36 (1) and 36 (2) are stored, the upper surface 12a of the bag body 12 is opened at the upper end of the side wall. It is set to be exposed at almost the same height. Hereinafter, the upper surface of the bottom plate of the housing portion 38 is referred to as the inner upper surface 38a, the inner surface of the side wall and the side surface 38b.

  As shown in FIG. 5A, each of the vibrators 42 (1) to 42 (8) is a diaphragm 46 that is a flat, substantially rectangular plate member that is in contact with the eight portions of the bag body 12 in the housing portion 36. It has. As in the case of the shaker 20 shown in FIG. 4, the vibration motor 24 is fixed to each diaphragm 46 at the center, and the upper cover 26 and the lower cover that cover the vibration motor 24 from the upper and lower surfaces of the vibration plate 46. A cover 28 is attached. Further, a controller 30 is connected to each vibration motor 24 via a cable 30a, and when the user M operates the controller 30, rotation and stop, adjustment of vibration intensity, and the like can be performed. ing.

The deformable mat 34 when assembling the, first pedestal 40 (accommodating portion 38 and leg 16) placed on the floor, to one half of the inner upper surface 38a of the housing portion 38 laid auxiliary bag 36 (1), the other Lay 36 (2) on one half. At this time, the thicknesses of the auxiliary bag bodies 36 (1) and 36 (2) are made substantially uniform. Next, the exciters 42 (1) to 42 (4) are arranged at four locations apart from the upper surface of the auxiliary bag body 36 (1), and similarly, four locations away from the upper surface of the auxiliary bag body 36 (2). Vibrators 42 (5) to 42 (8) are arranged in

  Next, the bag body 12 (1) is laid so as to cover the upper surfaces of the vibrators 42 (1) to 42 (4) and the auxiliary bag body 36 (1), and the vibrators 42 (5) to 42 ( 8) And the bag body 12 (2) is laid so as to cover the upper surface of the auxiliary bag body 36 (2). Then, when the upper surface 12a is covered with a top sheet 44 such as a flexible sheet, an assembled state as shown in FIGS. When the outer bag of the bag body 12 is a sheet or the like, the top sheet 44 may be omitted.

  In the state of FIG. 6, the lower surface of the bag 12 (1) is supported by the upper surface of each diaphragm 46 of the vibrators 42 (1) to 42 (4) and a part of the upper surface of the auxiliary bag 36 (1). The lower surface of the bag 12 (2) is supported by the upper surface of each vibration plate 46 of the vibrators 42 (5) to 42 (8) and a part of the upper surface of the auxiliary bag 36 (2). The upper surface 12a (the upper surfaces of the bag bodies 12 (1) and 12 (2)) is substantially flat along the upper end opening of the housing portion 38, and the overall shape is determined. Therefore, the receiving surface that contacts the lower surface of the bag body 12 and supports the bag body 12 is formed by the upper surface of the eight diaphragms 46 and a part of the upper surface of the auxiliary bag body 36, and as a whole, in the bag body 12. The mixture 11 fluidized in the step is inclined in such a direction as to gather at the center of the receiving surface.

  In the case of the shape-variable mat 34, each vibration exciter 42 is sandwiched and held between the auxiliary bag body 36 and the bag body 12, and the auxiliary bag body 36 has a vibration isolating member 32 shown in FIG. Therefore, the vibration of each vibration exciter 42 is not easily transmitted to the housing portion 40, and the bag body 12 in contact with the upper surface of the diaphragm 46 can be efficiently vibrated.

  Next, the operation of the shape variable mat 34 will be described. Here, the portion of the upper surface 12a of the bag body 12 that receives a load in contact with the body while the user M lies down and lies down is referred to as a holding surface 12b. Before the user M lies on the upper surface 12 a of the bag body 12, the user M first operates the controller 30 and issues a command to change the shape of the bag body 12. Then, the vibration motor 24 rotates and the diaphragm 46 vibrates, and the vibration of the diaphragm 46 is transmitted to the corresponding portion of the bag body 12, and the mixture 11 in the bag body 12 is fluidized and easily changes in shape. Become. In addition, the vibration of the diaphragm 46 is also transmitted to the auxiliary bag body 36, and the fluid 11 in the auxiliary bag body 36 is fluidized, so that the shape is easily changed.

  Next, the user M lies on the center of the upper surface 12a of the bag body 12 in which the mixture 11 is fluidized. Then, as shown in FIG. 6, the holding surface 12b with which the body contacts is pushed down by the weight of the user M, and changes to the shape of the body. At this time, the bag body 12 as a whole is deformed by the action of trying to hold the body as wide as possible with an equal pressure, and an ideal holding surface 12b is formed in which the pressure is not concentrated on a specific portion. Moreover, since the receiving surface which supports the bag body 12 is inclined in such a direction that the fluidized mixture collects in the central portion of the receiving surface (the central portion of the accommodating portion 38), the fluidized mixture 11 is the user M's. Does not spread laterally to the body. Further, the shape of the portion of the auxiliary bag 36 that contacts the lower surface of the vibration plate 42 hardly changes, and the portion of the auxiliary bag 36 that contacts the lower surface of the bag body 12 is slightly pushed down by receiving pressure from the bag body 12.

  In the description of the operation so far, the vibration by the vibration exciter 42 is performed before the user M lies. However, the vibration may be performed after the user M lies.

  Next, the user M operates the controller 30 when the holding surface 12b of the bag body 12 has a comfortable shape that matches his body shape, and issues a command to the effect that the shape of the bag body 12 is to be fixed. Then, the vibration motor 24 stops rotating and the vibration of the diaphragm 46 stops. As a result, the mixture 11 in the bag body 12 and the auxiliary bag body 36 changes from the fluidized state to the fixed state, and the holding surface 12b. Is firmly held in a comfortable shape.

  Thereafter, when the user M wants to change his / her posture by turning over, the controller 30 can be operated again to easily change the shape of the holding surface 12b in the manner described above. When it is desired to change only the shape of a part of the holding surface 12b (for example, only the part that holds the lower body), the above-described excitation operation may be performed only for the corresponding part of the vibrator 42.

  As described above, the shape variable mat 34 used as a bed can obtain the same effects as the shape variable mat 10 for cushions described above. Particularly, since the bed has a wider holding surface than a chair or the like, in the case of a conventional bed (for example, a bed using a shape-variable mat of Patent Document 3), the mixture in the bag body 12 is prevented from spreading in the lateral direction. It is difficult, and a part of the bag body 12 tends to become excessively thin. However, in the case of the variable shape mat 34, the substantially rectangular bottom surface 36b in the accommodating portion 36 is inclined in a V-shaped cross section and the central portion is deep, and the diaphragms 46 are opposed to each other along the inclination. Therefore, a sufficient thickness (thickness of the bag body 12 and the auxiliary bag body 36) is secured in the lower portion of the holding surface 12b of the bag body 12. Moreover, the upper surface 12a having a large area is provided so as to be divided into the region of the bag 12 (1) and the region of 12 (2), and the mixture 11 in at least one region does not spread to the other region. Accordingly, when the mixture 11 is subjected to a load on the body of the user M in a fluidized state, the mixture 11 in the bag body 12 is effectively prevented from spreading laterally, and as a result, the bag body 12 is held. The lower part of the surface 12b is prevented from becoming excessively thin, and the problem that the user M feels down and becomes uncomfortable is unlikely to occur.

  In order to prevent the mixture 11 from spreading in the lateral direction, it is more effective to change the structure as shown in FIGS. 7 (a) and 7 (b). For example, in the structure shown in FIG. 7A, the receiving surface is inclined in a quadrangular pyramid side shape from the substantially rectangular four sides toward the center. In addition, the structure shown in FIG. 7B is divided into a bag body 12 (1) region and a 12 (2) region, and the receiving surface is formed in a quadrangular pyramid side shape toward the center of each region. It is slanted. The shape of the receiving surface may be appropriately selected in consideration of the ease of manufacturing the housing portion 36 and the cost.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, For example, the vibrator which vibrates the mixture in a bag body is what fixed to the vibration motor integrally with the diaphragm, for example, a moving coil, for example It is also possible to use a moving magnet or other actuator or another actuator such as a piezoelectric element. In addition to the structure in which the vibration plate is in contact with the lower surface of the bag body as described above, the structure for vibrating the mixture with the vibrator is caused to vibrate on the outer side surface of the housing portion of the gantry so that the housing portion and the bag body can be vibrated. You may make it the structure which vibrates a mixture through an outer bag, or the structure which installs inside a bag body and vibrates a mixture directly.

Also, the bag body 12 of the shape-variable mat 10 of FIG. 3 is provided with a protective portion 12c, so that when the user M is seated, the back side of the thigh or lower leg contacts the accommodating portion 14 and the like so as not to be injured. However, the protection part 12c can be omitted if necessary. Further, in the shape variable mat 10 of FIG. 3, the vibration exciter 20 is attached to the bottom surface 14a of the accommodating portion 14 via the vibration isolation member 32. However, like the shape variable mat 34 of FIG. Instead of 32, it may be configured to be held by an auxiliary bag. On the contrary, the configuration of the shape variable mat 34 in FIG. 6 is changed, and each of the vibrators 42 (1) to 42 (8) is placed on the inner upper surface 36 a of the accommodating portion 38 as in the shape variable mat 10 in FIG. You may make it the structure attached through a vibration proof member.

  In addition, the receiving surface that supports the bag body may be any as long as it can be inclined so that the central portion thereof is relatively deep and the fluidized mixture can be prevented from spreading in the lateral direction. The number of surfaces, the shape of the receiving surface, the angle of inclination, etc. in the case of a composite structure can be changed as appropriate according to the application.

  In addition, regarding the mixture in the bag, the material and particle size of the powder and granules constituting the mixture, and the type of liquid may be any material that has the property of being fixed when not vibrating and fluidized when vibrating. It is not limited. For example, the liquid may be oil or gel in addition to water, and the material can be set as appropriate. Also, the frequency and speed of vibration are set as appropriate in consideration of the application and size of the variable shape mat and the properties of the mixture.

10,34 variable shape mat 11 mixture 12, 12 (1), 12 (2) bag 12a upper surface 12b holding surface 12c protective portion 14, 38 accommodating portions 14a, 38a inside the upper surface 16 leg 18, 40 pedestal 20, 42 , 42 (1) to 42 (8) Exciters 22, 46 Diaphragm 24 Excitation motor (vibration actuator)
24a Motor body 24b Rotating shaft 24c Weight 30 Controller 32 Anti-vibration members 36, 36 (1), 36 (2) Auxiliary bag body M User

Claims (7)

A mat that receives the load of the supported body on its upper surface, and has a powder or granule and a bag filled with a mixture in which a liquid is added to the gap,
A pedestal having an accommodating portion for accommodating the bag body on the inside, and exposing and supporting an upper surface of the bag body from an upper end opening of the accommodating portion;
A vibrator for vibrating the mixture in the bag body,
The bag body is such that the holding surface in contact with the supported body is not easily deformed by the mixture even under the load of the supported body, and the mixture is fluidized by the vibration of the shaker, The holding surface is deformed according to the load and shape of the supported body, and by stopping the excitation, the shape of the holding surface before stopping can be fixed,
The receiving surface of the housing portion that contacts the lower surface of the bag body and supports the bag body is inclined so that the mixture fluidized in the bag body collects in the central portion of the receiving surface as a whole. ,
The vibration exciter is attached to the inner upper surface of the housing part via a vibration isolating member, and is composed of a vibration plate smaller than the receiving surface of the housing part, and a vibration actuator fixed to the vibration plate, The lower surface of the bag body is disposed so as to be able to contact the upper surface of the vibration plate in the housing portion, and the vibration plate of the vibration exciter is formed in a truncated cone side shape having an opening in the central portion. Variable shape mat. The bag is a mat serving as a seat of a chair,
The accommodating part, the deformable mat of claim 1, wherein the outer shape is formed in a circular shape in plan view. A mat that receives the load of the supported body on its upper surface, and has a powder or granule and a bag filled with a mixture in which a liquid is added to the gap,
A pedestal having an accommodating portion for accommodating the bag body on the inside, and exposing and supporting an upper surface of the bag body from an upper end opening of the accommodating portion;
A vibrator for vibrating the mixture in the bag body,
The bag body is such that the holding surface in contact with the supported body is not easily deformed by the mixture even under the load of the supported body, and the mixture is fluidized by the vibration of the shaker, The holding surface is deformed according to the load and shape of the supported body, and by stopping the excitation, the shape of the holding surface before stopping can be fixed,
An auxiliary bag filled with the mixture is provided,
The vibrator is composed of a diaphragm smaller than the housing part and a vibration actuator fixed to the diaphragm, so that the lower surface of the bag body can come into contact with the upper surface of the diaphragm in the housing part. are arranged, said shakers, sandwiched between the auxiliary bag which said laid on the inner upper surface in the accommodating portion and the bag is held,
Wherein the inner upper surface of the inner housing portion abutting the lower surface of the auxiliary bag is, said mixture was fluidized in an auxiliary bag body is inclined in a direction to gather in the center portion of the accommodating portion,
The receiving surface that contacts the lower surface of the bag body and supports the bag body is formed by the upper surface of the diaphragm and a part of the upper surface of the auxiliary bag body, and as a whole, fluidized in the bag body. A variable shape mat , characterized in that the mixture is inclined in such a direction as to gather at a central portion of the receiving surface. The bag is a mat serving as a seat of a chair,
Conical the accommodating portion, the outer shape is formed in a circular shape in a plan view, with the diaphragm of the said inner top surface of the inner is formed in a conical or frustoconical said shakers, an opening in the central portion The shape variable mat according to claim 3, wherein the shape variable mat is formed in a side surface of the base.   A plurality of the vibrators are provided, and each of the vibrators is attached to be able to vibrate different parts of the bag body, and each vibration and stop operation can be independently controlled. The variable shape mat as described.   The variable shape mat according to claim 5, wherein the bag body is a mat that becomes a bed portion of a bed. The shape variable mat according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a protective portion that covers an upper end portion of the housing portion is extended at a peripheral portion of the bag body.

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