JP7118201B2 - Air mattress device and body support system - Google Patents

Description

Embodiments of the present invention relate to air mattress devices and body support systems.

There is an air mattress that is used by putting air inside a plurality of air cells. An air mattress is provided, for example, on top of the body support device. Ease of use in air mattresses and body support systems including air mattresses and body support devices is desirable.

International publication WO2013/077313

Embodiments of the present invention provide air mattress devices and body support systems that are easier to use.

According to an embodiment, an air mattress device includes an air mattress and a first connector. The air mattress includes a plurality of first air cells and a pump unit connected to the plurality of first air cells. The first connector is provided on the pump unit and can communicate with a drive control section of the body support device.

Embodiments of the present invention can provide air mattress devices and body support systems that are easier to use.

1(a) and 1(b) are perspective views illustrating body support systems and air mattress devices according to embodiments. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a body support system and an air mattress device according to an embodiment. 3(a) and 3(b) are schematic diagrams illustrating the body support system according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a body support system and an air mattress device according to an embodiment. Figures 5(a) and 5(b) are schematic side views illustrating body support systems and air mattress devices according to embodiments. 6(a) and 6(b) are schematic side views illustrating the body support system and air mattress device according to the embodiment. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating a body support system and an air mattress device according to an embodiment. 8(a) to 8(c) are schematic diagrams illustrating body support systems and air mattress devices according to embodiments. Figures 9(a) and 9(b) are schematic diagrams illustrating body support systems and air mattress devices according to embodiments. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating another body support system and air mattress apparatus according to embodiments. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating another body support system and air mattress apparatus according to embodiments;

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
The drawings are schematic or conceptual, and the relationship between the thickness and width of each portion, the size ratio between portions, and the like are not necessarily the same as the actual ones. Even when the same parts are shown, the dimensions and ratios may be different depending on the drawing.
In the present specification and each figure, the same reference numerals are given to the same elements as those described above with respect to the previous figures, and detailed description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

As depicted in FIG. 1( a ), an embodiment body support system 310 includes an air mattress apparatus 110 and a body support apparatus 210 . In this example, body support apparatus 210 is a motorized bed.

The air mattress device 110 according to the embodiment includes the air mattress 10 and an operation unit 30 (for example, an operation panel) as shown in FIG. 1(b). Air mattress 10 includes a plurality of air cells 11 , pump unit 12 and cover 13 . Gas (for example, air) is accommodated inside each air cell 11 . The pump unit 12 is connected to multiple air cells 11 . The pump unit 12 supplies gas to the multiple air cells 11 . Alternatively, the pump unit 12 exhausts gas inside the plurality of air cells 11 . A cover 13 covers the plurality of air cells 11 and the pump unit 12 .

The pump unit 12 is positioned, for example, on the foot side of the person who sleeps on the air mattress 10 . The head side and the foot side of the air mattress 10 are determined from, for example, letters and pictures attached to the air mattress 10 .

The operation unit 30 can operate the control of the air mattress 10 (pump unit 12). For example, a user (a person who sleeps on the air mattress 10) can use the operation unit 30 to increase or decrease the pressure inside the air cell 11. FIG. This allows the air mattress 10 to be hard or soft. The operation unit 30 is electrically connected to the pump unit 12 by a cable 35 as shown in FIG. 1B, for example. The operation unit 30 may be connected to the pump unit 12 by wireless communication means.

The body support apparatus 210 includes a movable portion 70 (bottom) and an operating portion 230 (eg, nurse control panel). The operation unit 230 can operate control of the movable unit 70 . The air mattress device 110 is provided on the movable portion 70 .

As shown in FIG. 2, the movable section 70 includes, for example, a back section 70a, an upper leg section 70b, a lower leg section 70c, a back bottom driving section 71a, a knee bottom A drive portion 71b and a height drive portion 72 are included. For example, the back bottom drive 71a, knee bottom drive 71b, and height drive 72 each include an actuator.

By driving the back bottom drive unit 71a, the back bottom 70a is operated to change the angle of the back of the user P (the person who sleeps on the electric bed). By driving the knee bottom driving portion 71b, the knee bottom 70b and the leg bottom 70c are operated, and the angle between these bottoms can be changed. Thereby, the angle of the user's P knee can be changed. The angle between each bottom may change in conjunction. By driving the height driving section 72, the height of the movable section 70 (the distance between the floor surface and the bed surface) can be changed.

Body support device 210 includes a drive controller 220 . The drive control section 220 includes a bottom control section 221 and a height control section 222 . The back bottom drive section 71 a and the knee bottom drive section 71 b are electrically connected to the bottom control section 221 . The operations of the back bottom driving section 71 a and the knee bottom driving section 71 b are controlled based on signals transmitted from the bottom control section 221 . The height drive section 72 is electrically connected to the height control section 222 . The operation of the height drive section 72 is controlled based on signals transmitted from the height control section 222 .

Operation unit 230 is electrically connected to drive control unit 220 . The operation unit 230 is connected to the drive control unit 220 by a cable 235 shown in FIG. 1B, for example. The operation unit 230 may be connected to the drive control unit 220 by wireless communication means.

As shown in FIG. 3(a), the air mattress device 110 includes a first connector 20a. The first connector 20a is provided in the pump unit 12, for example. Body support apparatus 210 includes connector 22a and connector 23a. Connectors 22a and 23a are provided in drive control unit 220, for example. One end of the first cable 31 is connected to the first connector 20a, and the other end of the first cable 31 is connected to the connector 22a.

One end of the cable 33 is connected to the connector 23a. The other end of the cable 33 is connected to an outlet 23b provided on a wall surface or the like. Accordingly, alternating current is supplied to the drive control unit 220 via the cable 33 . For example, an alternating current supplied to the drive control section 220 is converted into a direct current in the drive control section 220 . A direct current, for example, is supplied from the drive control unit 220 to the air mattress device 110 (pump unit 12 ) via the first cable 31 . Alternatively, the first cable 31 may include an AC-DC adapter (converter, hereinafter referred to as AC adapter). The AC adapter may convert the alternating current output from the drive control section 220 into a direct current and supply the direct current to the pump unit 12 .

The terminals of the first connector 20a, the connector 22a, and the first cable 31 have shapes different from, for example, plugs for plugging into outlets for wiring. For example, both ends of the first cable 31 are provided with male DIN connectors. The first connector 20a and the connector 22a are female DIN connectors. The terminals of the first connector 20a, the connector 22a, and the first cable 31 may be mini-DIN connectors, phone connectors, LAN connectors, circular connectors, rectangular connectors, or the like.

As shown in FIG. 1( a ), body support apparatus 210 includes frame 75 . The frame 75 is positioned below the movable section 70 and supports the movable section 70 . For example, the drive control section 220 is fixed to the frame 75 . The connector 22a may be provided on the frame 75 as shown in FIG. 3(b). Similarly, connector 23 a may be provided on frame 75 . In this case, connectors 22a and 23a are electrically connected to drive control unit 220 by wiring (not shown). Connector 22a is located, for example, between frame 75 and board 76 during normal use of body support system 310 .

According to embodiments, electrical current supplied from the body support apparatus 210 may drive the air mattress apparatus 110 (pump unit 12). Therefore, for example, there is no need to extend a cable from the air mattress device 110 to an outlet provided on a wall surface or the like. For example, the cables do not get in the way when the user or the user or the user's caregiver walks around the air mattress device 110 . Embodiments can provide an air mattress device 110 that is easier to use. By providing the air mattress device 110 in the body support device 210, a more user-friendly body support system 310 can be provided.

According to an embodiment, air mattress 10 includes a plurality of air cells 11 and pump unit 12 . By integrally providing a plurality of air cells 11 and pump units 12, the size of the air mattress device 110 can be reduced.

Low noise generated in the body support system 310 is desirable. Low noise can, for example, reduce malfunctions in the body support system 310 . For example, noise generated by the body support system 310 can be less likely to affect surrounding electronic equipment. According to embodiments, the connector 22a provided on the body support apparatus 210 has a different shape than, for example, an electrical outlet. As a result, connection of electrical products other than the air mattress device 110 to the connector 22a can be restricted. For example, only devices that can be driven by power supplied from the drive control unit 220 can be restricted.

In FIG. 4, the solid line arrows indicate the flow of electricity, and the dashed line arrows indicate the flow of gas.
As shown in FIG. 4, the pump unit 12 includes, for example, a power supply section 12a, a communication section 12b, a control section 12c, a relay circuit 12d, a pump 12e, a pressure sensor 12f, a first valve 12g1, a second valve 12g2, a third Includes valve 12g3 and exhaust valve 12h.

For example, drive control unit 220 includes power supply unit 225 and communication unit 226 . DC power, for example, is supplied from the power supply unit 225 to the power supply unit 12a of the pump unit 12 . A signal is sent from the communication section 226 to the communication section 12 b of the pump unit 12 . This signal includes, for example, operational information for the body support apparatus 210 . Thereby, for example, the air mattress device 110 can be operated in conjunction with the operation of the body support device 210 .

A signal is sent from the power supply unit 12a to the control unit 12c. This signal includes, for example, information regarding the presence or absence of current supply to the power supply unit 12a. A signal is sent from the communication unit 12b to the control unit 12c. This signal includes, for example, operational information for the body support apparatus 210 .
Further, a signal is sent from the pressure sensor 12f to the controller 12c. The pressure sensor 12f is connected to a channel between the pump 12e and the first valve 12g1 to the third valve 12g3, and detects the pressure in this channel. The pressure sensor 12f transmits information about the detected pressure to the controller 12c.
The controller 12c drives the relay circuit 12d based on the information contained in these signals. By driving the relay circuit 12d, the current supply to each of the pump 12e, the first valve 12g1 to the third valve 12g3, and the exhaust valve 12h is switched on/off.

The first to third valves 12g1 to 12g3 are provided in flow paths between the pump 12e and the pressure sensor 12f and the plurality of air cells 11. As shown in FIG. In this example, the flow path connected to the pump 12e branches into three. These flow paths are provided with a first valve 12g1, a second valve 12g2, and a third valve 12g3, respectively. Each of the plurality of air cells 11 is one of a first system A to which the first valve 12g1 is connected, a second system B to which the second valve 12g2 is connected, and a third system C to which the third valve 12g3 is connected. connected to

The exhaust valve 12h is connected to a channel between the pump 12e and the plurality of valves 12g1-12g3. For example, by driving the pump 12e and the exhaust valve 12h, the pressure of any one of the first system A to the third system C becomes lower than the pressure of the other systems. Thereby, a part of the air mattress 10 can be softened. By sequentially changing the pressure reducing system, the position of the soft portion of the air mattress 10 can be changed. As a result, it is possible to prevent pressure from being continuously applied to a specific part of the user's body, thereby suppressing the occurrence of pressure ulcers (bedsores) on the user.

The first cable 31 is, for example, stretchable. For example, as shown in FIG. 5A, the first cable 31 is spirally wound. The connector 22a is provided on the frame 75 of the body support device 210, for example. In this case, when the movable portion 70 is operated and the position of the pump unit 12 is raised, the distance between the first connector 20a and the connector 22a is also increased as shown in FIG. 5(b). The first cable 31 can expand and contract according to this change in distance. For example, since the first cable 31 can be expanded and contracted, the flexibility of arrangement of the first connector 20a and the connector 22a is increased. For example, even if the first cable 31 is pulled, the first cable 31 is less likely to be damaged.

For example, at least one of the first connector 20a and the connector 22a is connected to the first cable 31 without fixing. As a result, when the first cable 31 is pulled, the first cable 31 is easily removed from the first connector 20a or the connector 22a. For example, even if the first cable 31 is pulled, the first cable 31 is less likely to be damaged.

As shown in FIG. 6A, the first connector 20a is provided facing the body support device 210, and the connector 22a is provided facing the air mattress device 110 (movable part 70). good. As a result, for example, when the first cable 31 is pulled upward or downward during operation of the movable portion 70, the first cable 31 is easily detached from the first connector 20a or the connector 22a.

The first connector 20 a and the connector 22 a may be fixedly connected to the first cable 31 . In this case, for example, as shown in FIG. 6B, the first cable 31 is preferably provided with a pair of connectors 21c and 21d. Connectors 21c and 21d are connected without fixing. As a result, when the first cable 31 is pulled, the connectors 21c and 21d are disconnected, making the first cable 31 less likely to be damaged.

The first cable 31 may include wiring for communication in addition to wiring for power supply. This allows signals to be transmitted and received between the air mattress device 110 and the body support device 210 over a single cable. When the air mattress device 110 and the body support device 210 are connected by wiring for communication, for example, one operation unit can operate the control of the air mattress device 110 and the body support device 210 .

For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the operation unit 230 is connected to the drive control unit 220 by a cable 235. FIG. When the operating portion 230 is operated, a signal is input from the operating portion 230 to the drive control portion 220 . When the signal transmitted from the operation unit 230 relates to the operation of the movable unit 70 , the drive control unit 220 causes the movable unit 70 to operate. When the signal transmitted from the operation unit 230 relates to the operation of the air mattress device 110 , the signal is transmitted from the drive control unit 220 to the pump unit 12 . As a result, the operating portion 230 can be used to operate the movable portion 70 and the pump unit 12 . The ability to operate the controls of the air mattress apparatus 110 and the body support apparatus 210 from a single control makes the air mattress apparatus 110 and the body support system 310 easier to use.

In the body support apparatus 210, the drive controller 220 may monitor the voltage at the connector 22a. For example, when the air mattress apparatus 110 and the body support apparatus 210 are connected by communication wiring, the drive control section 220 sends a signal to the pump unit 12 when the voltage at the connector 22a is lower than a predetermined threshold. When the pump unit 12 receives this signal, it weakens or stops the operation of the pump 12e.
The drive controller 220 may monitor the current flowing through the connector 22a. For example, drive control 220 sends a signal to pump unit 12 when the current at connector 22a is higher than a predetermined threshold. When the pump unit 12 receives this signal, it weakens or stops the operation of the pump 12e.
The magnitude of the noise may be estimated by the drive control section 220 based on the voltage at the connector 22a or the current flowing through the connector 22a. The drive controller 220 sends a signal to the pump unit 12 when the noise magnitude exceeds a predetermined threshold. When the pump unit 12 receives this signal, it weakens or stops the operation of the pump 12e.
At least one of these operations is performed by the drive control section 220 and the pump unit 12, so that the noise generated in the body support system 310 can be reduced.

When the air mattress device 110 and the body support device 210 are connected by wiring for communication, for example, it is possible to operate the air mattress device 110 in conjunction with the operation of the body support device 210 . For example, when the angle of the back bottom 70a increases, the angle of the user's back also increases, and the force (body weight) applied from the user's buttocks to the air mattress 10 increases. As a result, a portion of the air mattress 10 sinks, and when the buttocks come into contact with the movable portion 70, the stress applied to the buttocks increases. For example, by increasing the angle of the back bottom 70a and increasing the pressure in the plurality of air cells 11, it is possible to suppress the sinking of the air mattress 10, prevent the buttocks from contacting the movable part 70, and reduce the stress applied to the buttocks. .

The body support apparatus 210 may operate in conjunction with the operation of the air mattress apparatus 110 . For example, the air mattress device 110 includes multiple air cells 14 . A plurality of air cells 14 are provided on a portion of the plurality of air cells 11 . The plurality of air cells 14 are laterally separated from each other. The lateral direction is, for example, along the horizontal plane and perpendicular to the direction connecting the head side and the foot side of the air mattress 10 .

For example, as shown in FIGS. 8(a) to 8(c), the air mattress device 110 includes a plurality of air cells 14 in order to prevent stress from being continuously applied to a part of the user's body. Some can be inflated. In conjunction with this movement of the air mattress apparatus 110, the inclination of the body support apparatus 210 may change. For example, as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, when one of the left and right air cells 14 is inflated, the air cell 14 pushes the body of the user P toward the other of the left and right sides. In accordance with the operation of the air mattress device 110, the other of the left side and the right side of the body support device 210 (movable portion 70) rises. This makes it difficult for the user P to fall from the air mattress device 110, for example.

The body support system 310 may include a battery 240, as depicted in FIG. 9(a). The battery 240 is connected to the pump unit 12 and the drive control section 220 by the first cable 31, for example. For example, the battery 240 is charged while the drive control unit 220 is supplied with current from the outlet 23b. In the event of a power failure or the like, when current is no longer supplied to the drive control unit 220 from the outlet 23b, the pump unit 12 and the drive control unit 220 are supplied with current from the battery 240. FIG. As a result, the air mattress device 110 and the body support device 210 can be operated even during a power failure or the like, making the air mattress device 110 and the body support system 310 easier to use.

As shown in FIG. 9B, the pump unit 12 and the drive control section 220 may be connected by the first cable 31, and the drive control section 220 and the battery 240 may be connected by the cable . In this case, current is supplied from the battery 240 to the pump unit 12 via the drive control section 220 in the event of a power failure or the like.

As depicted in FIG. 10, another embodiment air mattress device 111 includes a first connector 20a and a second connector 20b. The first connector 20a and the second connector 20b are provided in the pump unit 12, for example.

One end of the first cable 31 is connected to the first connector 20a. One end of the second cable 32 is connected to the second connector 20b. Direct current is supplied to the pump unit 12 through one of the first cable 31 and the second cable 32 . The shape of the first connector 20a is different from the shape of the second connector 22a. Accordingly, different types of cables can be connected to the first connector 20a and the second connector 22a.

For example, the shape of the other end of the first cable 31 is different from the shape of the other end of the second cable 32 . Thereby, the first cable 31 and the second cable 32 can be connected to different connectors. For example, the other end of first connector 20a can connect to connector 22a of body support apparatus 210 . The other end of the second connector 22a can be connected to an outlet 23b.

According to this air mattress device 111, current is supplied to the pump unit 12 using the first connector 20a and the first cable 31, or current is supplied to the pump unit 12 using the second connector 20b and the second cable 32. You can choose to For example, if the body support device on which the air mattress device 111 is placed includes a connector for power supply, the first cable 31 can connect this body support device and the pump unit 12 . When the body support device on which the air mattress device 111 is placed does not include a connector for power supply, the outlet 23b and the pump unit 12 can be connected by the second cable 32. FIG. Electric current can be supplied to the air mattress device regardless of the configuration of the body support device on which the air mattress device rests. Thereby, the usability of the air mattress device can be improved.

In the air mattress device 112 shown in FIG. 11 , the pump unit 12 is provided separately from the air mattress 10 . For example, the pump unit 12 is integrated with the operating portion 30 and hung on the board 76 of the body support apparatus 210 . A plurality of air cells 11 of the air mattress 10 and the pump unit 12 are connected by tubes 15 . Pressure inside the plurality of air cells 11 is controlled via the tube 15 .

In this example, body support apparatus 210 is provided with outlet 24 . The outlet 24 is electrically connected to the drive control unit 220, for example. By connecting one end of the second cable 32 to the pump unit 12 and connecting the other end of the second cable 32 to the outlet 24 , it is possible to supply direct current or alternating current from the drive control section 220 to the pump unit 12 . The outlet 24 is preferably provided on the foot side of the body support device 210 (the side where the knee bottom 70b and the leg bottom 70c are located with respect to the back bottom 70a). This is because the second cable 32 connecting the outlet 24 and the pump unit 12 can be shortened. In this example as well, current can be supplied from the body support device 210 to the air mattress device 110, making the air mattress device 110 and the body support system 310 easier to use.

In the above example, the body support device 210 is an electric bed. Embodiments of the invention are not limited to these examples. The body support device 210 may be an electric chair, stretcher, or the like.

Embodiments can provide a more user-friendly air mattress apparatus and body support system.

The embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to specific examples. However, the invention is not limited to these specific examples. For example, regarding the specific configuration of each element such as the operation part, air mattress, air cell, pump unit, connector, cable, movable part, drive part, frame, control part, etc. included in the air mattress device and body support system, It is included in the scope of the present invention as long as a person can implement the present invention in the same manner and obtain the same effect by appropriately selecting from the known range.

Any combination of two or more elements of each specific example within the technically possible range is also included in the scope of the present invention as long as it encompasses the gist of the present invention.

In addition, based on the air mattress device and body support system described above as embodiments of the present invention, all air mattress devices and body support systems that can be implemented by those skilled in the art by appropriately modifying their designs also include the gist of the present invention. as long as it is within the scope of the present invention.

In addition, within the scope of the idea of the present invention, those skilled in the art can conceive of various modifications and modifications, and it is understood that these modifications and modifications also belong to the scope of the present invention. .

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10... Air mattress 11... Air cell 12... Pump unit 12a... Power supply part 12b... Communication part 12c... Control part 12d... Relay circuit 12e... Pump 12f... Pressure sensor 12g... Valve 12h... Exhaust valve 13... Cover 14... Air cell 15... Tube 20a... First connector 20b... Second connectors 21c, 21d, 22a, 23a... Connectors 23b, 24... Outlet 30... Operation unit 31... First cable 32... Second cable 33, 34, 35... Cable 70... Movable part 70a Back bottom 70b Knee bottom 70c Leg bottom 71a Back bottom drive unit 71b Knee bottom drive unit 72 Drive unit 75 Frame 76 Boards 110, 111, 112 Air mattress device 210 Body support device 215 Cable 220 Drive control unit 221 Bottom control unit 222 Control unit 225 Power supply unit 226 Communication unit 230 Operation unit 235 Cable 240 Battery 310 Body support system P User

Claims (5)

a body support apparatus including a back bottom, a knee bottom, and a leg bottom;
an air mattress comprising a plurality of first air cells and a pump unit connected to the plurality of first air cells;
a first connector provided in the pump unit, capable of communicating with a drive control section of the body support device, and capable of receiving power supply from the body support device ;
an air mattress device comprising
with
The pump unit is
a communication unit that receives a communication signal via the first connector;
a control unit that controls the plurality of first air cells based on a signal transmitted from the communication unit;
including
A body support system in which the angle between the knee bottom and the leg bottom is variable in conjunction with the angle of the back bottom. the pump unit receives an operation signal for the air mattress device through the first connector ;
The air mattress further includes a cover covering the plurality of first air cells and the pump unit,
the body support device includes a connector provided on the frame;
2. The body support system of claim 1 , wherein the first connector connects with the connector of the body support apparatus . 3. A body support system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the pressure in the plurality of first air cells increases as the angle of the back bottom with respect to the horizontal plane increases. The air mattress includes a plurality of second air cells provided above the plurality of first air cells,
4. The body support system of any one of claims 1-3, wherein the plurality of second air cells are laterally spaced from one another. By changing the inclination of the body support device when a portion of the plurality of second air cells is inflated, another one of the plurality of second air cells is moved from the portion of the plurality of second air cells to the portion of the plurality of second air cells. 5. The body support system of claim 4, wherein the body support system raises the portion.

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