JP6706112B2 - Fluid cell type mattress and its control method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a fluid cell type mattress capable of improving sleeping comfort by body pressure distribution and a control method thereof.

BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, a fluid cell type mattress in which at least a part of a supporting surface is composed of a plurality of cells has been known for the purpose of improving sleeping comfort by dispersing body pressure. This fluid cell type mattress expands and contracts by supplying and discharging fluid to and from the fluid chamber formed in the cell. It has become possible to improve sleep comfort through decentralization and massage effects.

By the way, expansion and contraction of a plurality of cells are controlled by switching communication and cutoff of fluid flow paths (pipes) communicating with the fluid chambers of the cells by valves. For example, in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2007-144007 (Patent Document 1), first to third electromagnetic valves are provided in a pipe connecting a cell and a pump. In the mattress of Patent Document 1, the supply and discharge of fluid to and from the fluid chamber of the cell is controlled by opening and closing the solenoid valves, and in particular, the third solenoid valve is provided for each cell. By opening/closing the third solenoid valve, it is possible to control the supply/discharge of fluid to/from the fluid chamber for each cell, and it is also possible to make the fluid chambers of the cells independent of each other.

However, in the mattress disclosed in Patent Document 1, a large number of solenoid valves are required, and the structure and control become complicated, and the manufacturing cost increases easily. Further, when a plurality of third solenoid valves are open and a load is input to a cell connected to the opened solenoid valves, the fluid pushed out from the fluid chamber of the cell to which the load is input opens to another. There is a possibility that the fluid may flow into the fluid chamber of the cell connected to the third solenoid valve, and the undesired extensional deformation of the cell may make it difficult for the supporting surface to correspond to the user's body surface, which may adversely affect sleep comfort. It was

In addition, since the cells arranged at positions close to each other can support the same convex portion or concave portion on the body surface of the user, it is desirable that the cells expand and contract in conjunction with each other by the movement of the fluid. In the structure of No. 1, even if a plurality of cells connected to the open solenoid valve are arranged at positions distant from each other, the movement of the fluid is allowed between the cells, so that the cells are arranged at close positions. There is also a problem that the amount of fluid movement between the cells is reduced and the rapid deformation of the support surface along the unevenness of the body surface is hindered.

JP, 2007-144007, A

The present invention has been made in the background of the above circumstances, and the problem to be solved is to provide a supporting surface which can easily cope with unevenness of the body surface of the user as quickly and accurately as possible. It is an object of the present invention to provide a fluid cell type mattress having a novel structure that can be realized by the structure.

Further, the present invention also provides a novel method for controlling a fluid cell type mattress, which can easily and accurately control the expansion and contraction of cells in a fluid cell type mattress according to the body pressure distribution of a user, To aim.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention made to solve such problems will be described. The constituent elements used in each of the following aspects can be used in any combination as much as possible.

That is, according to the first aspect of the present invention, at least a part of a support surface for supporting a user is formed of cells, and the cells are formed by supplying/discharging a fluid to/from a fluid chamber in the cells having a hollow structure. In a fluid cell type mattress capable of expanding and contracting, a cell group including a plurality of the cells is provided, and the fluid chambers of the plurality of cells forming the cell group are communicated through an intra-group communication passage. While being communicated with each other, a first valve that collectively switches communication and cutoff between the fluid chambers of the plurality of cells forming the cell group is provided in the communication passage within the group, A plurality of the cell groups are provided, an inter-group communication passage connecting the cell groups to each other is connected to each of the first valves of the cell groups, and a flow resistance of the intra-group communication passage is the inter-group communication passage. It is characterized in that it is made smaller than the flow resistance of the discharge side flow path configured to include the passage.

According to the fluid cell type mattress having the structure according to the first aspect of the present invention, the communication between the fluid chambers of the plurality of cells forming the cell group can be switched by the first valve. The pressure is distributed between the cells, so that the body pressure is dispersed. On the other hand, when the fluid chamber of each cell is independent in the shutoff state, when a large pressure acts on a specific cell and the cell contracts, another cell in the same cell group as the input cell receives the input. It prevents expansion due to fluid inflow from the received cell, realizes stable support in the pressure acting part of the support surface, and avoids unnecessary deformation of the support surface in other parts, improving sleep comfort etc. Is planned.

Furthermore, since the communication and cutoff between the fluid chambers of the cells that make up the cell group are collectively switched by the first valve, it is possible to reduce the number of valves compared to the structure in which valves are arranged for each cell. You can In addition, the valve switching control can be simplified, and the control device can be downsized.

Further, for example, by arranging a plurality of cells constituting the same cell group close to each other, so that the cells of the same cell group can support the same convex portion or concave portion on the body surface of the user, When the first valve is opened, the movement of the fluid in the cell group occurs preferentially, and the plurality of cells that make up the cell group expand and contract in conjunction with each other, so that the supporting surface is a surface of the user's body. Due to the shape corresponding to the unevenness, the shape can be deformed in a short time and with high accuracy, and the body pressure can be advantageously dispersed. In addition, by selectively closing the first valve, it is possible to selectively limit the deformation of the support surface for each local region of the support surface that is configured by one cell group, resulting in unevenness of the body surface. It is possible to maintain a stable support surface in a region corresponding to.

A second aspect of the present invention is the fluid cell type mattress described in the first aspect, wherein a discharge valve for switching between opening and closing of the discharge side flow path to the outside is provided.

According to the second aspect, not only the fluid flow between the cells forming the cell group but also the discharge of the fluid from the fluid chamber to the outside is enabled by the discharge valve, so that the deformation characteristic of the support surface is adjusted. In addition to being able to do so, it is possible to more effectively realize body pressure dispersion.

A third aspect of the present invention is the fluid cell type mattress according to the first or second aspect, wherein a pump for supplying fluid to the fluid chamber of the cell is connected to the discharge side flow path. Is.

According to the third aspect, since the fluid can be supplied from the outside to the fluid chamber by the pump, the deformation characteristic of the support surface can be adjusted. Further, by adopting in combination with the second aspect, it is possible to discharge the fluid in the fluid chamber to the outside by the discharge valve at the time of pressure action and replenish the fluid chamber with the fluid at the time of releasing the pressure action.

A fourth aspect of the present invention is the fluid cell type mattress according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the plurality of cell groups communicate with each other through the inter-group communication passages of the fluid chambers. And a second valve for collectively switching between shutoff and shutoff is provided, and an external flow path that constitutes the discharge side flow path in cooperation with the inter-group communication path is connected to the second valve. The flow resistance of the inter-group communication passage is larger than the flow resistance of the intra-group communication passage and smaller than the flow resistance of the external flow passage.

According to the fourth aspect, since the second valve can switch between allowing and blocking the movement of the fluid through the inter-group communication passage between the cell groups, it is possible to permit the movement of the fluid between the cell groups. The pressure distribution is realized more effectively. On the other hand, by blocking the movement of the fluid between the cell groups, for example, the fluid movement is allowed only between the fluid chambers of the cells that are arranged close to each other and constitute the cell group, and the supporting surface along the unevenness of the body surface is formed. It can be realized more quickly.

A fifth aspect of the present invention is the fluid cell type mattress according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the discharge side flow passage is longer than the intra-group communication passage. ..

According to the fifth aspect, the flow resistance of the intra-group communication passage can be easily made smaller than the flow resistance of the discharge side flow passage.

A sixth aspect of the present invention is the fluid cell type mattress described in any one of the first to fifth aspects, which has a structure in which electrodes extending in mutually different directions are superposed on both surfaces of an elastic layer. A sheet-shaped pressure sensor for detecting the pressure distribution of the supporting surface by detecting the pressure acting in the facing direction of the electrodes with respect to the pressure detecting portion formed in the intersecting facing portion of the electrodes is provided, The first valve is adapted to be switched between a communication state and a cutoff state based on a detection result of the pressure sensor, and the pressure sensor has elasticity in a thickness direction and a surface direction. ..

According to the sixth aspect, the opening/closing of the first valve is controlled based on the detection result of the pressure acting on the supporting surface by the pressure sensor, whereby the deformation of the supporting surface along the irregularities of the body surface of the user is controlled. Is accurately controlled, and the improvement of sleeping comfort by the dispersion of body pressure is advantageously realized. Further, the elasticity of the pressure sensor allows the pressure sensor to be deformed following the deformation of the support surface, for example, when the pressure sensor is arranged on the support surface. It is possible to prevent the user from feeling uncomfortable when he is stretched.

A seventh aspect of the present invention is a method for controlling the fluid cell type mattress according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, wherein the fluid cell type mattress has the outside of the discharge side flow path. A discharge valve for switching between opening and closing of the discharge cell, and a discharge valve opening step of opening the discharge valve when a compression force acts on the cell, and at least one of the discharge valve opening step and the discharge valve opening step. The fluid cell mattress has a control device for performing a first valve opening step of opening the first valve connected to one of the cell groups.

According to the seventh aspect, by opening the first valve, the fluid movement between the fluid chambers of the cells forming the cell group and the discharge of the fluid to the outside by the discharge valve are simultaneously started. By moving and discharging, the body pressure can be quickly dispersed.

An eighth aspect of the present invention is a method for controlling the fluid cell type mattress according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, wherein the fluid cell type mattress is external to the discharge side flow path. Is provided with a discharge valve for switching between opening and shutting off, and a first valve opening step of opening the first valve connected to at least one of the cell groups, and a predetermined opening from the opening of the first valve. The fluid cell mattress is provided with a control device for performing a discharge valve opening step of opening the discharge valve after a lapse of time.

According to the eighth aspect, the discharge valve is closed and the first valve is kept open for a predetermined time to deform the support surface into a shape according to the body pressure distribution, and then the discharge valve is closed. By opening, the pressure can be reduced over the entire support surface. As a result, it is possible to avoid excessive discharge of the fluid while sufficiently realizing body pressure dispersion, and advantageously prevent occurrence of bottoming.

A ninth aspect of the present invention is the method for controlling a fluid cell type mattress according to the seventh or eighth aspect, wherein each of the first first and second cells connected to the plurality of cell groups in the first valve opening step. The valve of is opened at the same time.

According to the ninth aspect, by simultaneously opening the plurality of first valves, the fluid chambers of the cells forming the plurality of cell groups are communicated with each other, and the body pressure is dispersed. By adopting in combination with the seventh aspect, the fluid is discharged from the fluid chambers of the cells forming the plurality of cell groups, and the body pressure dispersion can be realized more quickly. On the other hand, by adopting in combination with the eighth aspect, by opening the plurality of first valves while closing the discharge valve, the movement of the fluid between the cell groups is allowed, and the supporting surface is more efficiently structured. It can be deformed along the surface.

According to the present invention, communication and cutoff between the fluid chambers of a plurality of cells that form a cell group are switched by the first valve, so that the body pressure can be dispersed by the movement of the fluid in the communication state. , In the shut-off state, the fluid chambers of each cell are independently prevented from moving between the fluid chambers, so that stable support is achieved at the pressure acting portion of the support surface and at the other portions. Unnecessary deformation of the surface is avoided, and sleep comfort is improved. Furthermore, since communication and cutoff between the fluid chambers of the plurality of cells forming the cell group are collectively switched by the first valve, the number of valves is reduced as compared with the structure in which valves are arranged for each cell. In addition, the valve switching control is simplified.

The exploded perspective view showing the fluid cell type mattress as a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the fluid cell type mattress of FIG. 1. The piping model figure which shows the structure of the cell and piping in the fluid cell type|mold mattress of FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the 1st valve which comprises the fluid cell type mattress of FIG. 1, (a) shows the open state of a 1st valve, (b) shows the closed state of a 1st valve, respectively. .. It is sectional drawing which shows the 2nd valve which comprises the fluid cell type|mold mattress of FIG. 1, (a) shows the open state of a 2nd valve, (b) shows the closed state of a 2nd valve, respectively. .. The disassembled perspective view of the pressure sensor which comprises the fluid cell type mattress of FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of a control method for the fluid cell mattress of FIG. 1. The flowchart which shows another example of the control method of the fluid cell type mattress of FIG.

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

FIG. 1 shows a fluid cell type mattress 10 (hereinafter, mattress 10) as a first embodiment of the present invention in a disassembled state. The mattress 10 includes a mattress body 12, a pressure sensor 14, and an upper cushion 16. In the following description, the vertical direction refers to the vertical direction in FIG. 1, which is the vertical direction. Further, the width direction is the lateral direction of the mattress 10 which is the left-right direction of the user lying on the mattress 10 on the back, and the length direction is the longitudinal direction of the mattress 10 which is the body axis direction of the user lying on the mattress 10. Say the direction, respectively.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the mattress main body 12 includes a bottom plate portion 18 having a substantially rectangular flat plate shape and end seat portions disposed on the bottom plate portion 18 at both end portions in the width direction (left and right direction in FIG. 2). 20 and 20, and a cushion portion 22 arranged on the bottom plate portion 18 between the end seat portions 20 and 20.

The bottom plate portion 18 is formed of, for example, a relatively hard urethane foam which is a closed cell and has a low foaming rate, and is elastically deformed to a certain extent by a load exerted by a user or a caregiver (nurse). In addition, it is less likely to be deformed than the upper cushion 16 described later. The bottom plate portion 18 is divided into a head portion side and a leg portion side at an intermediate portion in the length direction (direction orthogonal to the paper surface of FIG. 2).

As shown in FIG. 1, the end seat portion 20 is made of the same material as that of the bottom plate portion 18, and the columnar lower portion 24 arranged on the widthwise end portion of the bottom plate portion 18 has a predetermined lengthwise direction. A plurality of beam-shaped upper portions 26, which are provided at intervals and continuously extend in the length direction, are mounted on the columnar lower portion 24. The end seat portion 20 is divided into a head side and a leg side at positions corresponding to the division positions of the bottom plate portion 18.

The cushion portion 22 is composed of three elastic supports 28, 28, 28 and a large number of cells 30, 30,. The elastic support body 28 is made of the same material as the bottom plate portion 18 and the end seat portion 20, and has a rectangular block shape extending in the width direction. In the present embodiment, two elastic supports 28, 28 are arranged adjacent to a portion supporting a user's back (not shown) in the longitudinal direction, and one elastic support 28 is not shown by a user. Is disposed apart from the other two in the portion supporting the foot of the.

As shown in FIG. 2, the cell 30 has a hollow bag shape formed of a synthetic resin film or the like, and has a fluid chamber 32 inside. The fluid chamber 32 is filled with fluid, and the fluid can be supplied to and discharged from the fluid chamber 32 through the cell-side port 34 provided at the lower end of the cell 30. The cell 30 can be expanded and contracted in the vertical direction by supplying and discharging the fluid to and from the fluid chamber 32. The fluid in the fluid chamber 32 is not particularly limited and various gases and liquids can be adopted, but in the present embodiment, air is used as the fluid.

The cell 30 of the present embodiment has a structure in which the upper bag body 36 and the lower bag body 38 are vertically stacked and a through hole is formed in the overlapping central portion to form the fluid chamber 32. And has a two-stage shape having constrictions in the upper and lower intermediate portions. As a result, the deformation followability of the support surface 42 (described later) with respect to the body surface shape of the user is improved, and the expansion and contraction stroke of the cell 30 in the vertical direction is increased.

As shown in FIG. 1, such a cell 30 is arranged at a position separated from the three elastic supports 28, 28, 28 in the lengthwise direction between the end seats 20, 20 in the width direction, A plurality are arranged two-dimensionally. In the present embodiment, the cells 30 are arranged in 6 rows in the width direction, and 18 cells 30 are arranged in a portion that supports the head of the user, and the waist and legs of the user are arranged. 54 cells 30 are arranged in the supporting portion. Although the plurality of cells 30 may be arranged independently of each other, in the present embodiment, the connecting sheet 40 in which the cell-side port 34 projecting downward is formed of urethane foam or the like. By fixing the cells 30 to each other, the cells 30 are positioned with respect to each other and the cells 30 can be handled integrally.

In this way, the three elastic supports 28, 28, 28 and the plurality of cells 30 are arranged on the bottom plate portion 18 in the width direction of the end seat portions 20, 20, so that the mattress main body 12 is configured. There is. The upper surface of the mattress body 12 serves as a supporting surface 42, and the supporting surface 42 includes the upper surface of the cell 30. The end seats 20 and 20 of the present embodiment are, for example, areas where a user sits down when moving from the mattress 10 to a wheelchair, or a caregiver (nurse) puts a hand or knee on the chair. Since it is relatively hard and its shape is stable, the user lies on the center portion in the width direction of the support surface 42 formed by the cushion portion 22, thereby providing excellent cushioning property (body pressure dispersibility). Can be obtained.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the in-group pipe 44 is connected to the cell-side port 34 of each cell 30. The in-group pipe 44 has a hollow tube shape, and is connected to the cell-side ports 34 of the three cells 30, 30, 30 arranged side by side in the width direction in the present embodiment. The fluid chambers 32 of the three cells 30, 30, 30 are mutually connected by the intra-group communication passage 46 constituted by the inner hole of the intra-group pipe 44 and the first internal flow passage 62 of the first valve 50 described later. And the three cells 30, 30, 30 constitute a cell group 48. In the present embodiment, two cell groups 48, 48 are arranged side by side in the width direction of the mattress body 12, and 24 cell groups 48 are provided in the mattress body 12 as a whole.

Furthermore, the first valve 50 is connected to the in-group pipe 44. The first valve 50 is a multi-port valve, and is a spool valve as shown in FIG. 4 in this embodiment. The first valve 50 has a structure in which a spool 54 is axially slidably inserted into a tubular sleeve 52. Although an example in which a spool valve is adopted will be described here, as the first valve 50 and a second valve 74 described later, for example, a multi-port valve of various known structures such as a poppet valve can be adopted. is there.

The sleeve 52 is a tubular member having a spool accommodation space 56, and has three first ports 58, 58, 58 formed on the peripheral wall. The first port 58 has a tubular shape and protrudes from the sleeve 52 toward the outer periphery, and an inner hole penetrates the peripheral wall of the sleeve 52 and is connected to the spool accommodation space 56. Further, a second port 60 is formed on the peripheral wall of the sleeve 52. The second port 60 has the same structure as the first port 58, and the inner hole penetrates the peripheral wall of the sleeve 52 at a site different from the first port 58 and is connected to the spool accommodation space 56. ing. Then, the inner hole of the sleeve 52, the inner hole of the first port 58, and the inner hole of the second port 60 form a first internal flow path 62, and the intra-group communication passage 46 has the first internal flow path 62. The first valve 50 is disposed on the intra-group communication passage 46 by being configured to include the internal flow path 62. In the first internal flow path 62 of the present embodiment, one end formed by the inner hole of the first port 58 is branched into three. Further, the sleeve 52 is formed with an air vent hole 64 penetrating the peripheral wall.

The spool 54 has a substantially columnar shape as a whole and is accommodated in the spool accommodating space 56 of the sleeve 52. The four large diameter portions 66, 66, 66, 66 slidably contacting the sleeve 52 have predetermined axial directions. It is provided at a distance. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, small-diameter portions 68 are provided between the large-diameter portions 66, 66 that are adjacent to each other in the axial direction, and the four large-diameter portions 66, 66, 66, 66 are arranged in three positions. The two small diameter portions 68, 68, 68 are axially connected to each other.

Although not shown, the stator of the electromagnetic actuator is attached to the base end side (left side in FIG. 4 ) of the sleeve 52, and the mover of the electromagnetic actuator is attached to the base end portion of the spool 54. The spool 54 can be displaced relative to the sleeve 52 in the axial direction (left-right direction in FIG. 4 ) by the output of the electromagnetic actuator. As this electromagnetic actuator, various known structures can be adopted as long as a linear output can be obtained, and for example, the structure described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2007-212857 can be adopted. However, the first valve 50 and the second valve 74 described later may be operated by hydraulic pressure or pneumatic pressure, for example.

The first valve 50 has a large diameter portion 66 of the spool 54 in a state in which the large diameter portion 66 of the spool 54 is located outside the opening of each first port 58 into the sleeve 52. The first port 58 and the second port 60 are communicated with each other on the outer peripheral side of the portion (small-diameter portion 68) deviated from the portion 66, and the first internal flow path 62 is in the communication state.

On the other hand, in the state of FIG. 4B in which the large diameter portion 66 of the spool 54 is located at the opening portion of each first port 58, the opening portion of each first port 58 is closed by the large diameter portion 66 of the spool 54. As a result, the first internal flow path 62 is blocked. In this way, the first valve 50 can collectively switch between communication and blockage of the three first ports 58, 58, 58 by moving the spool 54 in the axial direction (left and right in FIG. 4). Has been done. In this embodiment, the coil spring 70 is disposed between the tip of the spool 54 and the tip of the sleeve 52 in the axial direction, and the coil spring 70 is compressed by the output of an electromagnetic actuator (not shown). The internal flow path 62 is communicated, and by releasing the output of the electromagnetic actuator, the spool 54 is moved to the initial position based on the elasticity of the coil spring 70, and the first internal flow path 62 is blocked. It has become so. Further, the air vent hole 64 is formed on the tip side of the spool 54, and the air spring acting on the tip of the spool 54 at the time of output of the electromagnetic actuator is reduced.

The in-group piping 44 is attached to each of the three first ports 58, 58, 58 of the first valve 50 having such a structure, and the three first ports 58, 58, 58, Reference numeral 58 is connected to the cell-side ports 34, 34, 34 of the three cells 30, 30, 30 by the in-group piping 44. As a result, the intra-group communication passage 46 that connects the fluid chambers 32 of the three cells 30, 30, 30 to each other is configured by the inner hole of the intra-group pipe 44 and the first internal flow path 62 of the first valve 50. Has been done. Further, in the three cells 30, 30, 30 forming the same cell group 48, communication and cutoff between the fluid chambers 32 can be collectively switched by the first valve 50.

On the other hand, an inter-group pipe 72 is attached to the second port 60 of the first valve 50. As shown in FIG. 3, the inter-group pipe 72 is provided so as to connect the second ports 60 of the plurality of first valves 50 to each other. In the present embodiment, one end of the inter-group pipe 72 is provided. The part is connected to the second port 60 of the first valve 50 and the other end is connected to the second valve 74.

The second valve 74 is a spool valve or the like similar to the first valve 50. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the sleeve 76 is provided with two third ports 78, 78. While one fourth port 80 is provided, the spool 54 is formed with three large diameter portions 66, 66, 66, and these three large diameter portions 66, 66, 66 are two. The two small diameter portions 68, 68 are connected in the axial direction . The inner hole of the sleeve 76, the inner holes of the third ports 78, 78, and the inner hole of the fourth port 80 form a second internal flow path 82. The members and parts of the second valve 74 that are understood to be substantially the same as those of the first valve 50 are designated by the same reference numerals in the drawings, and description thereof will be omitted.

Then, the inter-group pipe 72 is attached to each of the two third ports 78, 78, and the third ports 78, 78 of the second valve 74 are connected to the second ports of the two first valves 50, 50, respectively. The port 60 is connected to the group pipes 72, 72, and the two cell groups 48, 48 are connected to each other via the group pipe 72 and the second valve 74. Thereby, the fluid chambers 32 of the plurality of cells 30 forming the two cell groups 48, 48 are in the group formed by the inner hole of the in-group pipe 44 and the first internal flow passage 62 of the first valve 50. The communication path 46 and the inter-group communication path 84 configured by the inner hole of the inter-group pipe 72 and the second internal flow path 82 of the second valve 74 communicate with each other.

Furthermore, an external pipe 86 is attached to the fourth port 80 of the second valve 74. The external pipe 86 is a tube similar to the intra-group pipe 44 and the inter-group pipe 72, one end of which is attached to the fourth port 80 of the second valve 74 and the other end of which is the pump 88. By being attached to the exhaust valve 90, the fourth port 80 of the second valve 74 is connected to the pump 88 and the exhaust valve 90 as shown in FIG. As a result, the fluid chambers 32 of the plurality of cells 30 forming the two cell groups 48, 48 have the external flow passages including the intra-group communication passage 46, the inter-group communication passage 84, and the inner hole of the external pipe 86. 92 communicates with the pump 88 and the discharge valve 90. In addition, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the external pipe 86 penetrates the columnar lower portion 24 of the end seat portion 20 and extends in the length direction, and the end portion of the end seat portion 20 on the leg portion side. To the outside and is connected to a pump 88 and a discharge valve 90.

Then, when the first valve 50 and the second valve 74 are opened, the supply of air to the fluid chamber 32 by the pump 88 and the discharge of air from the fluid chamber 32 through the discharge valve 90 are selective. It is said to be executable. In the present embodiment, a pump 88 that pressure-feeds air to the fluid chamber 32 of the cell 30 and a discharge valve 90 that switches between opening and shutting off of the fluid chamber 32 of the cell 30 to the atmosphere via the external flow passage 92 are provided. Although provided separately, the functions of the pump 88 and the discharge valve 90 can be combined by a device capable of supplying and discharging air to and from the fluid chamber 32.

Further, in the state where the first valve 50 is opened and the second valve 74 is closed, the fluid chambers 32 of the three cells 30, 30, 30 forming the same cell group 48 are communicated with each other and are different. The fluid chambers 32 of the cells 30 belonging to the cell group 48 are shut off from each other. As a result, in the three cells 30, 30, 30, which are arranged at positions close to each other and constitute the same cell group 48, the deformation of the support surface 42 due to the movement of air between the fluid chambers 32 is allowed. As a result, the cell 30 that supports the convex portion of the body surface of the user contracts and the other cells 30 in the same cell group 48 expand, so that the support surface 42 conforms to the irregularities of the body surface as much as possible. It quickly deforms, and the body pressure is dispersed quickly and highly. On the other hand, since the movement of air between the fluid chambers 32 is blocked between the cells 30 which are arranged at positions distant from each other and constitute another cell group 48, the cells which receive the input. The air is prevented from moving from the fluid chamber 32 of the cell 30 to the fluid chamber 32 of the distant cell 30 to prevent bottoming. When the second valve 74 is closed, both the supply of air to the fluid chamber 32 by the pump 88 and the discharge of air from the fluid chamber 32 by the discharge valve 90 are blocked.

Further, by closing the first valve 50, the fluid chambers 32 of the three cells 30, 30, 30 forming the same cell group 48 are shut off from each other. Thereby, the fluid chambers 32, 32, 32 of the three cells 30, 30, 30 can be made independent, the expansion and contraction of the cells 30, 30, 30 can be limited, and the support surface 42 can be stabilized.

Here, the flow resistance of the intra-group communication passage 46 is made smaller than the flow resistance of the discharge-side flow passage 94 formed by the inter-group communication passage 84 and the external flow passage 92. In the present embodiment, the intra-group communication passage 46 connecting the cells 30, 30, 30 in the cell group 48 arranged close to each other to each other is the inter-group communication passage 84 and the group connecting the cell groups 48, 48 to each other. Since the cross-sectional area of the inter-group communication passage 46 is shortened with respect to the external flow passage 92 connecting the inter-communication passage 84 to the pump 88 and the discharge valve 90, the flow resistance of the intra-group communication passage 46 flows through the discharge-side passage 94. It is smaller than the resistance.

As described above, since the flow resistance of the intra-group communication passage 46 is made smaller than the flow resistance of the discharge-side flow passage 94, in a state where both the first valve 50 and the second valve 74 are open, The movement of air between the fluid chambers 32 of the cells 30, 30, 30 composing the same cell group 48 occurs preferentially over the movement of air between the different cell groups 48, 48.

Further, the distribution resistance of the inter-group communication passage 84 is set to be larger than the distribution resistance of the intra-group communication passage 46 and smaller than the distribution resistance of the external flow passage 92. As a result, the movement of air between the fluid chambers 32 of the cells 30, 30, 30 composing the same cell group 48 occurs preferentially over the movement of air between the different cell groups 48, 48. At the same time, the movement of air between the different cell groups 48, 48 occurs preferentially over the discharge of the air in the fluid chamber 32 to the outside. In the present embodiment, since the length of the inter-group communication passage 84 is longer than the intra-group communication passage 46 and shorter than the external flow passage 92, the flow resistance of the inter-group communication passage 84 is reduced. Is larger than the flow resistance of the external flow path 92 and smaller than the flow resistance of the external flow path 92.

The difference in flow resistance between the intra-group communication passage 46, the inter-group communication passage 84, and the external flow passage 92 is set by the difference in passage length as described above, and for example, the passage cross-sectional area is increased, It can be set by various methods such as smoothing the inner surface of the passage wall or reducing the flow resistance by providing a low friction layer on the inner surface of the passage wall.

As shown in FIG. 1, the pressure sensor 14 is superposed on the support surface 42 of the mattress body 12 as described above. The pressure sensor 14 is in the form of a flexible sheet as a whole, and also has elasticity in the plane direction and the thickness direction in the present embodiment. In this pressure sensor 14, as shown in FIG. 6, an elastomer sheet 98a is superposed on one surface of a dielectric layer 96 as an elastic layer, and an elastomer sheet 98b is superposed on the other surface of the dielectric layer 96. Has a structured structure.

The dielectric layer 96 is made of an electrically insulating elastomer or resin foam, has a plate shape or a sheet shape, and is elastically stretchable and deformable in the plane direction and the thickness direction. As the material for forming the dielectric layer 96, for example, silicone rubber, acrylonitrile-butadiene copolymer rubber, acrylic rubber, epichlorohydrin rubber, chlorosulfonated polyethylene, chlorinated polyethylene, urethane rubber, polyethylene resin, polypropylene resin, Polyurethane resin, polystyrene resin, polyvinyl chloride-polyvinylidene chloride copolymer, ethylene-acetic acid copolymer and the like are preferably adopted. Further, the dielectric layer 96 may be a foam, and the foam is not necessarily limited to a foam exhibiting a homogeneous phase due to closed cells, as long as the necessary dielectric constant and flexibility are ensured. It may have an inhomogeneous phase such as formation of bubbles. Further, the thickness and forming material of the dielectric layer 96 are appropriately set according to the relative permittivity and flexibility required in the pressure detection unit 106 described later.

In the present embodiment, the elastomer sheet 98a and the elastomer sheet 98b are substantially rectangular in plan view and are formed of substantially the same material and shape as each other, and are electrically insulating sheets formed of an elastomer having fibers or rubber elasticity. However, both bending deformation in the thickness direction and expansion/contraction deformation in the surface direction are allowed. Further, the elastomer sheets 98a and 98b are provided with a pair of connecting pieces 100 and 102 juxtaposed to the outer periphery at one side on the circumference. The material for forming the elastomer sheets 98a and 98b is not particularly limited, but examples thereof include silicone rubber, ethylene-propylene copolymer rubber, natural rubber, styrene-butadiene copolymer rubber, acrylonitrile-butadiene copolymer rubber, and acrylic. Rubber, epichlorohydrin rubber, chlorosulfonated polyethylene, chlorinated polyethylene, urethane rubber, polyester fiber, acrylic fiber and the like are preferably adopted. Further, the elastomer sheets 98a and 98b in the figure are transparent for easy understanding, but may be opaque.

Further, the electrode 104a is formed on the lower surface of the elastomer sheet 98a, and the electrode 104b is formed on the upper surface of the elastomer sheet 98b. Each of the electrodes 104a and 104b is formed of an elastomer in which a conductive metal or a conductive filler is mixed, and has a thin strip shape linearly extending. Further, each of the electrodes 104a and 104b is formed side by side in parallel, and the electrodes 104a and 104b extend obliquely to each other, and in the present embodiment, extend in directions substantially orthogonal to each other. ..

Furthermore, the elastomer sheets 98a and 98b extend to the outside of the areas where the electrodes 104a and 104b are provided, and printed wirings (not shown) are electrically conductive outside the electrodes 104a and 104b of the elastomer sheets 98a and 98b. Printed by material. The printed wiring of the elastomer sheet 98a extends from one end of the electrode 104a to one connection piece 100, and the printed wiring of the elastomer sheet 98b extends from one end of the electrode 104b to the other connection piece 102. The printed wiring can be obtained, for example, as a wiring pattern printed with conductive ink on the surfaces of the elastomer sheets 98a and 98b. Further, the electrodes 104a and 104b can also be formed by printing on the elastomer sheets 98a and 98b with a conductive ink formed of a conductive elastomer similarly to the printed wiring. Further, the elastomer sheets 98a and 98b are fixed to each other by an adhesive agent or an adhesive tape at an outer peripheral end portion outside the area where the electrodes 104a and 104b are provided and the area where the printed wiring is formed.

The elastomer sheet 98a and the elastomer sheet 98b having such a structure are superposed from the upper and lower one sides of the dielectric layer 96, respectively. As a result, the electrode 104a of the elastomer sheet 98a and the electrode 104b of the elastomer sheet 98b are arranged so as to be opposed to each other with the dielectric layer 96 interposed therebetween. A capacitor is formed at a portion where the electrodes 104a and 104b are opposed to each other with the dielectric layer 96 in between, and the pressure detecting unit 106 is formed by the capacitor. Note that in FIG. 6A, the dielectric layer 96 and the electrodes 104a and 104b are illustrated by thin lines.

When pressure is applied in the stacking direction (vertical direction) of the dielectric layer 96 and the elastomer sheets 98a and 98b, the dielectric layer 96 is deformed at the intersecting opposing portions of the electrodes 104a and 104b (the pressure detection unit 106), and the electrodes 104a and 104b. , 104b is shortened, and the capacitance of the pressure detection unit 106 that receives the input changes. Therefore, it is possible to detect the pressure exerted on each pressure detection unit 106 by detecting the change in the capacitance of each pressure detection unit 106, and the pressure sensing unit 108 is configured. The pressure distribution acting on the pressure sensitive portion 108 can be detected by the plurality of pressure detecting portions 106. In short, in the pressure sensor 14, each intersecting portion (the pressure detection unit 106) of the electrodes 104a and 104b functions as a capacitance type pressure detection element, and the pressure distribution is detected based on the detection result of each pressure detection element. It is a capacitance type sensor. The pressure sensor 14 having elasticity in the thickness direction means that the pressure sensor 14 is capable of contracting and deforming with respect to the compression input in the thickness direction, and that the pressure sensor 14 is released when the input is released. It is to restore the original shape by elasticity, and does not necessarily have to be able to extend more than the initial shape in the thickness direction.

Further, the control device 110 is arranged in the lengthwise direction of the columnar lower portion 24 of the end seat portion 20 (see FIG. 1), and the electrodes 104a and 104b are electrically connected to the control device 110 via printed wiring. The control device 110 supplies a detection current to the electrodes 104a and 104b, and the control device 110 detects the capacitance value of the pressure detection unit 106. Further, the control device 110 is arranged in the end seat portion 20, and the control device 110 is connected to an external power source, a computing device, or the like (not shown) by electrical wiring (not shown) that is routed together with the external pipe 86 and extends in the length direction. ing. Furthermore, the control device 110 is connected to the first and second valves 50 and 74, and when the control device 110 sends an opening/closing signal to the first and second valves 50 and 74, these first and second valves 50 and 74 are connected. , The second valves 50 and 74 are opened and closed based on the detection result of the pressure sensor 14.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the upper cushion 16 is superposed on the support surface 42 of the mattress body 12. The upper cushion 16 is formed of a substantially plate-shaped flexible urethane foam.

Then, the three pressure sensors 14, 14, 14 are arranged on the support surface 42 of the mattress body 12 side by side in the lengthwise direction, and the upper cushion 16 is placed on the mattress body 12 and the pressure sensors 14, 14, 14. Are overlapped and the pressure sensors 14, 14, 14 are positioned with respect to the support surface 42 between the mattress body 12 and the upper cushion 16. Each pressure detection unit 106 of the pressure sensors 14, 14, 14 is positioned on the upper surface of each cell 30, and the pressure applied to the support surface 42 by each pressure detection unit 106 can be accurately detected. Although the pressure sensor 14 may be arranged and positioned between the mattress main body 12 and the upper cushion 16, the upper cushion 16 may be provided with a bag-shaped positioning body that houses the pressure sensor 14, and the positioning body may be used as a positioning body. The housed pressure sensor 14 may be positioned on the support surface 42.

Thus, the pressure distribution of the support surface 42 is detected by the pressure sensors 14, 14, 14 arranged on the support surface 42, and the pressure distribution of the support surface 42 detected by the pressure sensor 14, 14, 14 is detected. Based on this, switching between opening and closing of the first and second valves 50 and 74 and the discharge valve 90 is controlled, and the operation and stop of the pump 88 are controlled.

In the mattress 10 having the structure according to the present embodiment, the flow resistance of the intra-group communication passage 46 is smaller than the flow resistance of the discharge-side flow passage 94 including the inter-group communication passage 84 and the external flow passage 92. Has been done. As a result, when the first and second valves 50, 74 are opened, the cells 30, 30, 30 of the same cell group 48 expand and contract in conjunction with each other, so that the cells 30, 30 on the support surface 42. , 30 is easily deformed quickly along the unevenness of the body surface. Specifically, for example, when a compressive force acts on a specific cell 30, the air that has flowed out of the cell 30 that has received the input flows into the other cells 30, 30 of the same cell group 48, and the cell 30 that has received the input. Contracts while the other cells 30, 30 expand. Therefore, the cells 30 supporting the vertices of the convex portions on the body surface contract, and the cells 30, 30 supporting the portions off the vertices expand, so that the cell group 48 quickly moves to the convex portions on the body surface. Since it abuts in a wide range, the body pressure can be effectively dispersed.

Further, the distribution resistance of the inter-group communication passage 84 is set to be larger than the distribution resistance of the intra-group communication passage 46 and smaller than the distribution resistance of the external flow passage 92. As a result, the movement of air within the same cell group 48 occurs preferentially over the movement of air between different cell groups 48 and 48, and the movement of air between different cell groups 48 and 48 occurs. The movement occurs preferentially over the discharge of air from the fluid chamber 32 into the atmosphere. Therefore, the deformation of the support surface 42 along the user's body surface effectively occurs, and the discharge of air from the fluid chamber 32 to the atmosphere is restricted, so that the bottoming due to excessive escape of air may occur. Avoided.

Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the difference in the flow resistance of the intra-group communication passage 46, the inter-group communication passage 84, and the external flow passage 92 is set by the difference in the lengths of these passages, and the difference in the desired flow resistance. Can be easily realized.

Further, in the mattress 10, the fluid chambers 32 of the three cells 30, 30, 30 which are arranged close to each other and constitute the same cell group 48 collectively communicate and block each other by the first valve 50. It can be switched. This makes it possible to switch between a state in which the movement of air within the cell group 48 is allowed and a state in which the fluid chambers 32 of the cells 30 are independent of each other with a small number of valves.

Further, in the mattress 10, the inter-group pipe 72 connecting the two cell groups 48, 48 arranged side by side in the width direction is connected to the second valve 74, and the cells 30, constituting one cell group 48, The second valve 74 can collectively switch communication and cutoff between the fluid chambers 32 of 30 and 30 and the fluid chambers 32 of the cells 30, 30, 30 forming the other cell group 48. .. This makes it possible to switch between a state in which the movement of air between the cell groups 48 is allowed and a state in which the cell groups 48, 48 are independent of each other, with a small number of valves.

Note that the valve switching control can be simplified because the permission and blocking of the movement of air within the cell group 48 and between cell groups 48 can be switched by a small number of valves.

Further, in the present embodiment, the pump 88 and the discharge valve 90 are attached to the external pipe 86, so that the total amount of air in the fluid chamber 32 of the cell 30 can be changed, and the fluid chamber 32 can be changed. Dispersion of the body pressure is more advantageously realized as compared with the case where only the movement of air between them is allowed and the total amount of air in the fluid chamber 32 is kept substantially constant.

Further, the first and second valves 50, 74, the pump 88, the discharge valve 90, etc. that control the deformation of the support surface 42 are controlled based on the detection result of the pressure distribution of the support surface 42 by the pressure sensor 14. Therefore, the dispersion of the body pressure due to the deformation of the support surface 42 is effectively realized. Further, since the pressure sensor 14 is allowed to bend in the thickness direction and expand/contract in the surface direction, even if the pressure sensor 14 is arranged on the support surface 42, the pressure sensor 14 can be supported by the support surface 42. Following the deformation of the surface 42, the adverse effect on the sleeping comfort is avoided.

By the way, in the mattress 10, the first valve 50 is closed before the user sleeps on the support surface 42 (before use), and the fluid chambers 32 of the cells 30 are independently sealed. Thereby, when the user lies on the support surface 42, it is possible to prevent the cells 30 from being excessively crushed and bottoming. When the mattress 10 is used, the opening/closing of the first and second valves 50, 74 is controlled according to the control method of the fluid cell type mattress 10 shown in the flowchart of FIG. 7, for example.

That is, when the user lies on the support surface 42 and applies a compressive force to the cell 30, the pressure sensor 14 detects the effect of pressure on the support surface 42. Then, based on the detection result by the pressure sensor 14, the control device 110 transmits an opening signal to the discharge valve 90 to open the discharge valve 90. This completes the discharge valve opening step S1.

Further, at the same time as the opening of the discharge valve 90 or after the discharge valve 90 is opened, the control device 110 sends an opening signal to the first valve 50 and the second valve 74 to cause the first and second valves 50 to 50. , 74 open. This completes the first valve opening step S2 and the second valve opening step S3. By completing the first valve opening step S2, the intra-group communication passage 46 is switched to the communication state, the fluid chambers 32 of the cells 30 in the same cell group 48 are communicated with each other, and the second valve is also communicated. By completing the opening step S3, the discharge side flow path 94 including the inter-group communication path 84 and the external flow path 92 is switched to the communication state, and the movement of air between the cell groups 48 is permitted. The fluid chamber 32 of the cell 30 is opened to the atmosphere.

In the present embodiment, in the first valve opening step S2, the opening/closing of all the first valves 50, 50,..., 50 can be collectively switched at the same time. However, the opening/closing of each first valve 50 may be independently switched, or some opening/closing of the first valve 50 may be collectively switched at the same time. Further, in the second valve opening step S3, the opening and closing of all the second valves 74, 74,..., 74 are adapted to be switched simultaneously and collectively. The opening and closing may be independently switched, or some of the second valves 74 may be collectively opened and closed at the same time.

Then, the air moves between the fluid chambers 32 of the cells 30 in the same cell group 48 through the intra-group communication passage 46, so that a relatively large pressure is generated in the three cells 30, 30, 30 in the cell group 48. The cell 30 on which is applied contracts and the cell 30 on which a relatively small pressure acts expands. As a result, the portions of the support surface 42 formed by the respective cell groups 48 are deformed to conform to the irregularities on the body surface of the user, and the body pressure is dispersed.

Further, the fluid chambers 32 of the cells 30 are communicated with each other between the two cell groups 48, 48 that are adjacent to each other in the width direction, the movement of air between the fluid chambers 32 is allowed, and the fluid chambers 32 are It is opened to the atmosphere through the discharge valve 90. As a result, the pressure difference between the cell groups 48 and 48 is reduced, and the body pressure is reduced by discharging the air from the fluid chamber 32 into the atmosphere.

Furthermore, by opening the first and second valves 50 and 74 at the same time as or after opening the discharge valve 90, the movement of air within the cell group 48 and the movement of air between the cell groups 48. And the discharge of air into the atmosphere proceed at the same time. Thereby, the pressure can be dispersed by the expansion and contraction of the cells 30 in a shorter time. Moreover, since the distribution resistance of the intra-group communication passage 46 is smaller than the distribution resistance of the discharge-side flow path 94, the cell groups are more likely to move than the movement of air between the cell groups 48 and the discharge of air from the cell groups 48 to the outside. The movement of air within 48 occurs preferentially, so that the support surface 42 is easily deformed along the unevenness of the user's body surface. Furthermore, since the flow resistance of the inter-group communication passage 84 is made smaller than the flow resistance of the external flow passage 92, the movement of air between the cell groups 48 occurs preferentially over the discharge of air into the atmosphere. As a result, the support surface 42 is easily deformed along the unevenness of the body surface of the user, and excessive escape of air is prevented.

When the pressure detected by the pressure sensor 14 becomes sufficiently small due to the movement of air between the fluid chambers 32 and the dispersion of the body pressure due to the discharge of air into the atmosphere, the control device 110 causes the first valve 50 to operate. The first valve closing step S4 is completed by transmitting the closing signal and closing the first valve 50. However, after the completion of the valve closing step S4, when the pressure sensor 14 detects a large pressure, the control device 110 transmits the opening signal of the first valve 50 again to open the first valve 50 again. The discharge valve 90 appropriately discharges air from the fluid chamber 32 into the atmosphere. Before closing the first valve 50, the second valve 74 is closed so that the intra-group communication passage 46 is communicated with and the inter-group communication passage 84 and the external flow passage 92 are cut off, so that excess air is discharged. While preventing the above, it is possible to allow the portion of the support surface 42 formed by the cell group 48 to accurately follow the unevenness of the user's body surface.

When the pressure acting on the support surface 42 is released, the control device 110 opens the first and second valves 50 and 74 and operates the pump 88 based on the detection result of the pressure sensor 14. This completes the air supply step S5 of sending air into the fluid chamber 32 of the cell 30 to extend the cell 30, and avoids the occurrence of problems such as bottoming out during the next use. The exhaust valve 90 is closed during the operation of the pump 88 to prevent air from escaping into the atmosphere.

On the other hand, the opening and closing of the first and second valves 50 and 74 can be controlled according to another control method of the fluid cell mattress 10 shown in the flowchart of FIG. That is, when the pressure sensor 14 detects a pressure equal to or higher than the threshold value, the control device 110 opens the first valve 50 while keeping the second valve 74 closed. This completes the first valve opening step S1. By completing the first valve opening step S1, the intra-group communication passage 46 is switched to the communication state, and the fluid chambers 32 of the cells 30, 30, 30 in the same cell group 48 are communicated with each other. Then, air moves between the fluid chambers 32 of the cells 30, 30, 30 in the same cell group 48 through the intra-group communication passage 46, so that among the three cells 30, 30, 30 in the cell group 48. The cell 30 on which a relatively large pressure acts contracts, and the cell 30 on which a relatively small pressure acts expands. As a result, the portion of the support surface 42 that is formed by one cell group 48 is deformed to conform to the irregularities on the body surface of the user, and the body pressure is dispersed.

Next, the second valve 74 is opened with the first valve 50 kept open to complete the second valve opening step S2, and the discharge valve 90 is opened to complete the discharge valve opening step S3. As a result, the inter-group communication passage 84 and the external flow passage 92 are switched to the communication state, and the fluid chambers 32 of the cells 30 are communicated with each other between the two cell groups 48, 48 that are adjacent in the width direction. The movement of air between the different cell groups 48, 48 is allowed, and the fluid chamber 32 is opened to the atmosphere via the discharge valve 90. As a result, the difference in the internal pressure of the fluid chamber 32 between the cell groups 48, 48 is reduced, and the body pressure is reduced by discharging air from the fluid chamber 32 into the atmosphere.

Before the second valve opening step S2, the state in which the first valve 50 is opened with the second valve 74 kept closed is maintained for a predetermined time, thereby forming the cell group 48. Air is sufficiently moved between the three cells 30, 30, 30 so that the portion of the support surface 42 formed by the cell group 48 can be made to conform to the unevenness of the user's body surface. On the other hand, when the first valve 50, the second valve 74, and the discharge valve 90 are open for a short time, for example, the second valve 74 is quickly closed to move the air between the cell groups 48, 48. The quantity and the amount of air emitted into the atmosphere are limited. As a result, it is possible to prevent the support surface 42 from becoming unstable due to the movement of the air between the cell groups 48, 48 affecting the mutually distant portions of the support surface 42, and to prevent the excess air from flowing. Prevents bottoming due to slipping out.

The first valve closing step S4 after the completion of the body pressure distribution and the air supply step S5 after the body pressure release are the same as the control mode shown in FIG. 7, and therefore the description thereof is omitted here.

In the control mode of FIG. 8 as described above, by completing the movement of the air in the cell group 48 before starting the discharge of the air in the fluid chamber 32 to the atmosphere, while suppressing the discharge amount of the air, The support surface 42 can be deformed along the body surface of the user, and the cushioning property of the cell 30 can be advantageously maintained while the body pressure is dispersed.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above in detail, the present invention is not limited to the specific descriptions. For example, the number of cells 30 forming the support surface 42, the specific structure of the cells 30, and the like can be changed as appropriate. In the above-described embodiment, the cell 30 having a two-stage structure including the upper bag body 36 and the lower bag body 38. However, a single-stage hollow bag-shaped cell can also be used.

Further, the number of cells 30 forming the cell group 48 is not limited to three as long as it is plural. Further, the cells 30 configuring the same cell group 48 are preferably arranged close to each other, but the arrangement can be changed appropriately. Specifically, for example, three cells 30, 30, 30 arranged side by side in the length direction can be configured to form one cell group 48, or four cells arranged in two columns in the length direction and the width direction, respectively. One cell 30, 30, 30, 30 may constitute one cell group 48.

Further, the number of the cell groups 48 connected by the inter-group communication passages 84 is not limited to two as long as it is plural, and the arrangement of the cell groups 48 connected by the inter-group communication passages 84 is not particularly limited. Specifically, for example, the three cell groups 48 arranged in the length direction may be connected by the inter-group communication passage 84.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the structure including the first valve 50 and the second valve 74 is illustrated, but the second valve 74 may be omitted.

Further, the discharge valve 90 and the pump 88 are not essential. For example, the fluid chamber 32 is substantially sealed from the atmosphere to prevent movement of air between the fluid chamber 32 and the atmosphere, and A structure that allows movement of air between the fluid chambers 32 of the plurality of cells 30 when the valve 50 is opened can also be adopted.

Further, the pressure sensor 14 is not limited to the capacitance type sensor exemplified in the above embodiment, and for example, the elastic body layer is formed by the conductive rubber in which the conductive filler is mixed in the rubber material, It is also possible to employ a resistance-type pressure sensor that detects pressure based on the change in electric resistance of the elastic layer due to elastic deformation of the elastic portion when a load is input.

10: Fluid cell type mattress, 12: Mattress main body, 14: Pressure sensor, 30: Cell, 32: Fluid chamber, 42: Support surface, 44: In-group piping, 46: In-group communication passage, 48: Cell group, 50 : First valve, 72: Inter-group piping, 74: Second valve, 84: Inter-group communication passage, 86: External piping, 88: Pump, 90: Discharge valve, 92: External flow path, 94: Discharge side Channel

Claims (9)

A fluid cell type mattress in which at least a part of a support surface for supporting a user is composed of cells, and the cells can be expanded and contracted by supplying and discharging fluid to and from a fluid chamber in the cells having a hollow structure. At
A cell group including a plurality of the cells is provided, and the fluid chambers of the cells forming the cell group are communicated with each other through the intra-group communication passage, and the intra-group communication passage is also provided. Is provided with a first valve that collectively switches communication and cutoff between the fluid chambers of the plurality of cells forming the cell group, while a plurality of cell groups are provided to connect the cell groups. An inter-group communication passage that is connected to each other is connected to each of the first valves of the cell groups, and the flow resistance of the intra-group communication passage is the flow of the discharge-side flow passage that includes the inter-group communication passage. A fluid cell type mattress characterized by being made smaller than resistance. The fluid cell mattress according to claim 1, further comprising a discharge valve that switches between opening and closing of the discharge side flow path to the outside. The fluid cell type mattress according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a pump that supplies fluid to the fluid chamber of the cell is connected to the discharge side flow path. A second valve that collectively switches between communication and cutoff of the fluid chambers through the inter-group communication passages between the plurality of cell groups is provided, and the second valve cooperates with the inter-group communication passages. An external flow path that constitutes the discharge side flow path is connected to the second valve, and the flow resistance of the inter-group communication path is greater than the flow resistance of the intra-group communication path and the flow resistance of the external flow path. The fluid cell type mattress according to any one of claims 1 to 3, which is smaller than the above. The fluid cell type mattress according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the discharge-side flow passage is longer than the intra-group communication passage. It has a structure in which each of the electrodes extending in mutually different directions is superposed on both sides of the elastic layer, and the pressure acting in the opposing direction of the electrodes is applied to the pressure detection part formed at the intersecting opposing part of the electrodes. A sheet-shaped pressure sensor for detecting the pressure distribution of the supporting surface is provided,
The first valve is adapted to be switched between a communication state and a disconnection state based on the detection result of the pressure sensor,
The fluid cell mattress according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the pressure sensor has elasticity in a thickness direction and a surface direction. A method of controlling a fluid cell type mattress according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The fluid cell type mattress is provided with a discharge valve that switches between opening and closing the discharge side flow path to the outside,
A discharge valve opening step of opening the discharge valve when a compressive force acts on the cell;
And a first valve opening step of opening the said discharge said first valve connected to at least one of the cell groups after opening the same time or the outlet valve and opening of the valve, the fluid cell mattress control device to perform A method for controlling a fluid cell type mattress, which comprises: A method for controlling a fluid cell type mattress according to any one of claims 1 to 6, comprising:
The fluid cell type mattress is provided with a discharge valve that switches between opening and closing the discharge side flow path to the outside,
A first valve opening step of opening the first valve connected to at least one cell group;
A fluid cell type mattress having a control device for performing a discharge valve opening step of opening the discharge valve after a lapse of a predetermined time from the opening of the first valve. Control method. 9. The method of controlling a fluid cell type mattress according to claim 7, wherein each of the first valves connected to the plurality of cell groups is simultaneously opened in the first valve opening step.

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