JP7401808B2 - Posture determination device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a posture determining device that determines the posture of a seated person, and particularly relates to a posture determining device that can determine the posture of a seated person in a seated state and encourage a correct posture.

BACKGROUND ART Technologies have been developed that actively correct distortions in a person's posture and skeleton by applying pressure to various parts of the person's body while the person performs daily movements. For example, in the technology described in Patent Document 1, when a person sits on a vehicle seat equipped with an air cell inside, the physique of the seated person is determined and the expansion pressure of the air cell is adjusted to actively adjust the sitting posture of the seated person. Correct it accordingly. This makes it possible to reduce the physical and psychological fatigue of the occupant while sitting on the seat.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2014-104865

By the way, people are often not conscious of their own posture when sitting; for example, they may be sitting with a hunched back. In order to correct the posture, it is preferable to measure the posture of the seated person and, for example, to warn the seated person about the health condition based on the posture determination result so as to encourage the seated person to maintain a normal posture.

Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and its purpose is to provide a posture that can determine the posture of a seated person and encourage the seated person to take a normal posture according to the determined posture. The object of the present invention is to provide a determination device.

According to the posture determining device of the present invention, the posture determining device having a seating portion and a backrest is provided on the seating portion and the backrest, and is configured to measure an index value regarding the posture pattern of a seated person. a measuring device; a storage unit that stores posture information indicating a relationship between measurement values measured by the measuring device and the posture pattern of the seated person; a control unit that calculates the amount of curvature, the control unit determines a posture pattern of the seated person and a risk level of lower back pain from the posture pattern of the seated person, and determines a lower back pain level according to the lower back pain level. A warning screen is displayed on the display section , and when the control section determines that the risk of lower back pain is high, the problem is solved by searching for a hospital and displaying the search results on the display section .
The posture pattern of the seated person can be determined by comparing the measurement results and the posture information, and based on the results, it becomes possible to prompt the seated person to adopt an appropriate posture pattern.

Further, in the posture determination device described above, it is preferable that an illustration and text information indicating the posture pattern of the seated person are simultaneously displayed on the display section .

Further, in the posture determination device described above , it is preferable that the display section display a message urging ideal posture on the warning screen .

Further , in the posture determining device described above, the control unit may determine that the risk of low back pain is high when the sitting lumbar curvature amount is lower than a predetermined value.
Further, in the above posture determination device, the control unit determines that the posture pattern of the seated person is a tendency to slouch when the sitting pelvis angle measured by the measuring device is lower than a first threshold, and further, If the sitting pelvis angle is lower than a second threshold value that is smaller than the first threshold value, it may be determined that the seated person's posture pattern is an extreme hunched posture and the risk of lower back pain is high.

The above-mentioned posture determination device further includes a communication unit capable of communicating with the outside, and when the control unit determines that the risk of lower back pain is high, the control unit sends the determined result to the contact information registered in advance in the storage unit. may be transmitted by the communication unit.
For example, by automatically notifying your family medical institution that there is a high risk of lower back pain, it becomes possible to take appropriate measures before lower back pain develops.
Furthermore, in the posture determination device described above, the measuring device for measuring the index value regarding the posture pattern may be a pressure sensor.

The posture pattern of the seated person can be determined by comparing the result measured by the pressure sensor with the posture information, and in turn, it becomes possible to prompt the seated person to adopt a posture pattern. Furthermore, by detecting the stiffness of the hamstring muscles, it is possible to obtain information such as the risk of lower back pain.
In addition, it is equipped with a pressing mechanism that presses the back, buttocks, and legs of the seated person, and the control unit controls the pressing mechanism based on the posture pattern, making it possible to correct the posture of the seated person according to the posture pattern. become.
By massaging the hamstring muscles with the pressing mechanism, the amount of curvature of the lumbar vertebrae is improved, and for example, a hunched posture pattern can be corrected to an optimal posture pattern.
Furthermore, by determining the degree of risk of lower back pain of the seated person and displaying a warning screen on the display unit, it is possible to notify the seated person of the risk of lower back pain and encourage them to adopt an appropriate posture pattern.
In addition, by automatically notifying your family medical institution that there is a high risk of lower back pain, it becomes possible to take appropriate measures before lower back pain develops.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a vehicle seat equipped with a posture determining device of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a posture pattern that is an ideal spinal condition. It is a figure showing the posture pattern which is the state of the spine which tends to stoop. It is a figure showing the posture pattern which is the state of the spine which tends to curve back. FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a posture determination device. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the relationship between a seated person and a vehicle seat. FIG. 3 is a flow diagram showing processing performed by the posture determination device. FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of a process for determining a posture pattern. FIG. 3 is a flowchart of processing for determining low back pain risk. It is a graph showing the relationship between the amount of lumbar curvature in a sitting position and the pelvis angle in a sitting position. It is a figure which shows a warning screen. It is a figure which shows another example of a warning screen.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 9B. In addition, in the following explanation, the longitudinal direction refers to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, that is, the direction that corresponds to the direction of travel of the vehicle, and the lateral direction refers to the direction that corresponds to the width direction of the vehicle and the vehicle seat. be.

The posture determination device 10 according to the present embodiment is mounted on a seat S (hereinafter referred to as a vehicle seat) provided in a vehicle, as shown in FIG. Note that the vehicle seat S on which the posture determination device 10 is mounted may be any of a driver's seat, a passenger seat, and a rear seat.
Then, the posture determining device 10 presses the back side of the person seated on the vehicle seat S to actively determine the posture pattern of the person. Here, the posture pattern is an index regarding the posture of a seated person, and in this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. A posture pattern is determined depending on the state of the object. FIG. 2A shows a posture pattern that is an ideal spine condition, in which the arcuate shape BL is formed into a gentle S-shape. FIG. 2B shows a posture pattern in which the spine tends to be hunched over, and the arcuate shape BL is not formed in an S-shape, but the back is rounded. Further, FIG. 2C shows a posture pattern in which the spine tends to curve back, and the arcuate shape BL is formed into an S-shape with a large curve.

The basic configuration of the vehicle seat S on which the posture determination device 10 is mounted is the same as a known configuration. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle seat S includes a seat back S1 (an example of a backrest) that supports the back of a seated person, and a seat cushion S2 that supports the buttocks. (an example of a seating part) and a headrest S3 that supports the head. The headrest S3 is supported by a pair of headrest pillars HP (not shown) attached to the upper end of the seatback S1, and the headrest S3 is movable in the vertical direction even if it is fixed to the seatback S1. It may be .

The seat back S1 has a back pad BP (not shown) that contacts the back of the seated person via a skin material. Further, the seat back S1 includes a back side pressing unit 11 of the posture determining device 10 between the back pad BP and the skin material.
The back side pressing unit 11 is composed of a plurality of air cells 1, and includes a first back side pressing mechanism 11a that presses the shoulder BN1 of the seated person, a second back side pressing mechanism 11b that presses the waist BN2 and sacrum BN3, and a second back side pressing mechanism 11b that presses the waist BN2 and the sacrum BN3. A third back-side pressing mechanism 11c for pressing is provided. A pressure sensor 4 is provided in each of the first back-side pressing mechanism 11a, the second back-side pressing mechanism 11b, and the third back-side pressing mechanism 11c. The back side pressing unit 11 includes an actuator 3 that adjusts the inflation state of each air cell 1. Further, the first back-side pressing mechanism 11a, the second back-side pressing mechanism 11b, and the third back-side pressing mechanism 11d are held by a holding frame (not shown).

The seat cushion S2 has a cushion pad CP (not shown) that contacts the buttocks and legs of the seated person via a skin material. Furthermore, the seat cushion S2 includes a leg-side pressing unit 12 of the posture determining device 10 between the cushion pad CP and the skin material. The leg-side pressing unit 12 includes a first leg-side pressing mechanism 12a that presses the buttock, a second leg-side pressing mechanism 12b that presses the leg, and a third leg-side pressing mechanism 12c that presses the side of the buttock. A pressure sensor 4 is provided in the first leg-side pressing mechanism 12a, the second leg-side pressing mechanism 12b, and the third leg-side pressing mechanism 12c. Further, the leg-side pressing unit 12 includes an actuator 3 that adjusts the inflation state of the air cell 1 of each pressing mechanism. The first leg-side pressing mechanism 12a to the third leg-side pressing mechanism 12c are held by a holding frame (not shown).

Each air cell 1 is filled with air and inflated to push out the back pad BP located in the front and press the back of the seated person. As a result, a pressing force is applied to the back of the seated person.

In this embodiment, each of the air cells 1 is arranged on the front side of the back pad BP and on the upper side of the cushion pad CP. In this case, since the air cell 1 presses against the back side of the seated person through the skin material, the responsiveness (response sensitivity) of the air cell 1 to the pressure is good. Note that the air cell 1 may be arranged behind the back pad BP or below the cushion pad CP.

The actuator 3 adjusts the inflation state of each air cell 1 to switch the pressing states of the first back pressing mechanism 11a to third back pressing mechanism 11c and the first leg pressing mechanism 12a to third leg pressing mechanism 12c. It is something. Specifically, the actuator 3 is connected to each air cell 1 via a tube (not shown), and fills air into each air cell 1 and extracts air from each air cell 1. As a result, the pressing state when the first back side pressing mechanism to third back side pressing mechanism 11c and the first leg side pressing mechanism 12a to third leg side pressing mechanism 12c press the back of the seated person is switched. . Here, the pressing state is a concept that collectively refers to the pressing direction, the pressing location, the magnitude of the pressing force, etc.

In this embodiment, the actuator 3 is attached to a predetermined position on the back frame, for example, on the back side of the seat back S1 as shown in FIG.

In addition, the actuator 3 according to the present embodiment is configured for each of the air cells 1 that constitute the first back side pressing mechanism 11a to the third back side pressing mechanism 11c and the first leg side pressing mechanism 12a to the third leg side pressing mechanism 12c. It is possible to adjust the inflation state for each air cell 1.

The air cells 1 constituting each of the first to third back pressing mechanisms 11a to 11c may be fixed to the movable plate MP. When the air cell 1 is fixed to the movable plate MP, a movable rail MR extending along the height direction of the seat back S1 is attached to the rear surface of the movable plate MP. This movable rail MR is attached so as to be movable relative to the fixed rail FR fixed to the front surface of the support plate PL. Furthermore, a drive unit Gm that operates to move the movable rail MR is provided between the movable rail MR and the fixed rail FR. This drive unit Gm is a drive roller controlled by the above-mentioned ECU, and when it rotates, the movable rail MR moves with respect to the fixed rail FR. All of the first back pressing mechanism 11a to third back pressing mechanism 11c may be fixed to one movable plate MP, and each of the first back pressing mechanism 11a to third back pressing mechanism 11c The movable plates MP may be provided individually. With such a configuration, it becomes possible to move the first to third back pressing mechanisms 11a to 11c independently.

The air cells 1 constituting each of the first leg-side pressing mechanism 12a to the third leg-side pressing mechanism 12c are similarly fixed to the movable plate MP (not shown). A movable rail MR extending along the horizontal direction of the seat cushion S2 is attached to the rear surface of the movable plate MP. This movable rail MR is attached so as to be movable relative to the fixed rail FR fixed to the front surface of the support plate PL. Furthermore, a drive unit Gm that operates to move the movable rail MR is provided between the movable rail MR and the fixed rail FR. This drive unit Gm is a drive roller controlled by the above-mentioned ECU, and when it rotates, the movable rail MR moves with respect to the fixed rail FR.

With the configuration described above, the posture determining device 10 controls the first back side pressing mechanism 11a to the third back side pressing mechanism 11c, and the first leg side pressing mechanism according to the physique of the seated person M seated on the vehicle seat S. It is possible to change the positions of the third leg pressing mechanism 12a to 12c. As a result, it becomes possible to correct the posture pattern of the seated person regardless of their height.

As described above, in this embodiment, the pressing state when pressing each region on the back side of the seated person can be individually adjusted in each air cell 1. Further, the air cell 1 can adjust the pressing state when pressing the region on the leg and buttocks side of the seated person. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4, it becomes possible to massage the hamstring muscles H and gluteus muscles D of the seated person M. The hamstring muscle is a muscle that forms the back of the human lower limb, and is a combination of three muscles on the back of the thigh: biceps femoris, semimembranosus, and semitendinosus.

By the way, in this embodiment, the filling and extracting of air by the actuator 3 is automatically controlled by an electronic control unit (hereinafter referred to as ECU) not shown. To explain in more detail, the vehicle seat S is equipped with a measuring device that measures an index value regarding the skeleton when the seated person M sits on the vehicle seat S. Here, the index value related to the skeleton is a value that changes depending on the curved state of the skeleton of the seated person M, specifically, the curvature of each part of the spine. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, each air cell 1 is equipped with a pressure sensor 4 as a measuring device. This pressure sensor 4 measures seat pressure balance, weight, sitting pelvis angle, etc. as examples of the above-mentioned index values. The measurement results of the pressure sensor 4 are transmitted to the ECU, and the ECU calculates the amount of lumbar curvature of the seated person M in a sitting position based on the measurement results of the pressure sensor 4.

After calculating the amount of lumbar curvature of the seated person in a sitting position, the ECU determines the posture pattern of the seated person. Specifically, the ECU determines whether the posture of the seated person corresponds to any of the posture patterns shown in FIGS. 2A to 2C based on the measured sitting pelvis angle α.

As shown in FIG. 3, the ECU 50 includes a controller 51 (control unit) that controls various devices, and a memory 52 (storage unit) that stores data. The memory 52 stores posture information 55 indicating the relationship between the measured value of the pressure received from the seated person M and the posture pattern of the seated person. The posture information 55 includes, for example, a sitting pelvis angle α (see FIG. 4, the angle between the vertical plane B and the pelvis A with respect to the direction C in which the seat back S1 extends) in order to determine whether the person has a tendency to hunch back or a tendency to arch the back. ) are recorded. Additionally, the posture determining device 10 may include a display section 53 that displays the results determined by the ECU 50. Furthermore, a communication unit 54 that transmits the determination result to the outside may be provided.

As shown in FIG. 5, the controller 51 first determines whether the seated person M, for example, the driver, is seated by measuring the pressure received from the pressure sensor 4 (S101). The seat pressure and weight of the seated person M are acquired (S102), the sitting pelvis angle α (see FIG. 4) is calculated, and the posture information 55 stored in the memory 52 is compared with the posture information 55 to determine the posture pattern of the seated person M. is determined (S103). Furthermore, the stiffness of the hamstring muscles of the seated person M is detected based on the determined posture pattern of the seated person M (S104).

The process of determining the posture pattern will be described using the flow shown in FIG. 6 and the graph shown in FIG. 8 showing the relationship between the amount of lumbar curvature in the sitting position and the pelvis angle in the sitting position.

FIG. 8 will be explained. The amount of lumbar curvature in the sitting position and the posture pattern are related, and if the amount of lumbar curvature in the sitting position is less than a predetermined value, for example, 5 mm or less, it can be determined that the person has a tendency to hunch back (range A). Further, if the amount of lumbar curvature in the sitting position is 0 mm or less, it can be determined that the risk of low back pain is high (range D). Further, if the amount of lumbar curvature in the sitting position is 10 mm or more, it can be determined that the person has a tendency to curve the back (range C). If the amount of lumbar curvature in the sitting position is in the range of 5 to 10 mm, the posture pattern is determined to be ideal. Note that the threshold value for the amount of lumbar curvature in a sitting position is just one example, and varies depending on the weight, height, etc. of the sitting person.

The amount of lumbar curvature in the sitting position and the pelvic angle in the sitting position have a correlation as shown in FIG. 8, and the amount of lumbar curvature in the sitting position can be estimated from the pelvis angle in the sitting position. The sitting pelvis angle can be measured from the pressure sensor 4. Therefore, in this embodiment, the posture pattern is determined based on the sitting pelvis angle α.

When determining the posture pattern, the sitting pelvis angle α is compared with a threshold T1 (approximately 10°) recorded in the posture information 55 (S201). If the sitting pelvis angle α is less than or equal to the threshold T1 (No in S201), it is determined that there is no tendency to curve the back, and then it is compared with the threshold T2 (approximately 5°) (S202). When the sitting pelvis angle α is higher than the threshold T2, it is determined that the sitting pelvis angle α is in the ideal posture range B, and the amount of lumbar curvature in the sitting position is a normal value.

If the sitting pelvis angle α is larger than the threshold T1 (Yes in S201), it is determined that the posture pattern is a tendency to curve the back (S204). At this time, the ECU 50 drives the actuator 3 and corrects the posture by pressing the back of the seated person M using the first to third back pressing mechanisms 11a to 11c of the back pressing unit 11. .

If the sitting pelvis angle α is smaller than the threshold T2 (Yes in S202), it is determined that the posture pattern is a tendency to slouch (S206). There is a relationship between the stiffness of the hamstring muscles and a hunched posture; if the hamstring muscles are stiff, or cannot stretch, the pelvis will be pulled, causing it to tilt backwards. Therefore, they tend to have a tendency to slouch. Therefore, if it is determined in S206 that the posture pattern is a tendency to slouch, the gluteus maximus and hamstring muscles are massaged using the leg-side pressing unit 12, particularly the first leg-side pressing mechanism 12a (S207). By massaging the hamstring muscles, the hamstring muscles become soft and stretch easily, causing the pelvis to move forward. Therefore, the hunched posture of the seated person can be corrected. After correcting the posture by moving the pressing mechanism for a while in S205 and S207, the process of determining the posture pattern may be ended. Furthermore, the sitting pelvis angle α and the posture information 55 may be compared again, and the process may be repeated until the posture pattern becomes ideal.

Next, the process of determining the risk of lower back pain will be explained. In the posture pattern, if the person has a tendency to hunch back, and if the amount of curvature in the sitting back pain is quite low, it can be determined that the risk of back pain is high. For example, if the amount of curvature of the lower back in a sitting position is 0 mm or less (the pelvis angle in a sitting position is T3 or less), it can be estimated that the person has an extreme hunched back. In the posture determination device 10 of the present embodiment, if the posture pattern is determined and it is determined that the person has a tendency to slouch, and if the sitting pelvis angle is lower than the threshold T3 (Yes in S303), it is determined that the posture pattern is extremely hunched and the risk of low back pain is high. It is determined (S306). In this case, a warning screen is displayed on the display that is the display unit 53 (S308). Furthermore, if the memory 52 has contact information in case the risk of low back pain is high, for example, the e-mail address or server information of the family hospital, the determination result by the ECU 50 is sent to the contact information via the communication unit 54. It may also be sent that the risk of lower back pain is high (S309). Note that even if it is determined in S303 that the sitting pelvic angle is higher than the threshold T3 and the risk of back pain is low even though the posture pattern is hunched (S304), a warning screen will appear on the display indicating that the posture pattern is hunched but the risk of back pain is low. may be displayed (S305).

As described above, the attitude determination device 10 includes the display section 53 that displays the results determined by the ECU 50. The display unit 53 is, for example, a display attached to a vehicle or a smartphone used by a seated person. The ECU 50 and the display/smartphone may be directly connected via a cable or the like, or may be wirelessly connected via a wireless LAN, Bluetooth (registered trademark), or the like. For example, as shown in FIG. 9A, the display unit 53 displays a warning screen 60 indicating the posture pattern determined by the ECU 50, the risk of lower back pain, and the like.

As shown in FIG. 9A, an illustration 61 showing one of the posture patterns and text information (for example, "hunchback") are displayed on the display section 53 as a warning screen 60 so that the determined result can be easily understood by the seated person M. displayed at the same time. Further, as shown in FIG. 9A, if it is determined that the person has a tendency to slouch, future risks associated with the slouch posture are displayed on the message display section 62 on the screen. For example, as a future risk (danger level) due to a hunched back, a warning message such as "Be careful of stiff shoulders, lower back pain, gastrointestinal disorders due to pressure on internal organs, etc." is displayed on the message display section 62. Further, information regarding the cause of a hunched back posture may be displayed on the message display section 62. For example, messages such as "Your pelvis is tilted backwards" and "Your muscles are out of balance" are displayed. Further, a message urging the user to adopt an ideal posture may be displayed on the message display section 62 on the screen. For example, a message is displayed that says, "By focusing on your back muscles and pectoralis major muscles and raising your pelvis, you can strengthen your muscles and maintain your ideal posture." Further, an illustration of an ideal posture may be displayed separately in conjunction with the illustration of a hunched posture.

FIG. 9B shows another example of the warning screen displayed on the display unit 53. On the warning screen 60a, an illustration 61a of the current posture pattern is shown in the "Before" column, and an illustration 61b of the ideal posture pattern after the posture has been corrected is shown in the "After" column. Encourages posture improvement by visualizing changes in posture. At that time, the warning screen 60a displays that the lower back is pressed by the pressing device, and the hamstring muscles are softened by the pressing device on the seat, thereby correcting the amount of lumbar curvature and returning the back-pelvic angle to a normal state. Good too. In addition, the message display section 62a on the screen displays a message encouraging the ideal posture, such as, ``By being conscious of your back muscles and pectoralis major muscles and raising your pelvis, your muscles will be strengthened and you will be able to maintain your ideal posture.'' The contents will be displayed.

In addition, if it is determined that the risk of back pain is high, and when displaying the judgment result of the risk of back pain on the display, the ECU 50 automatically searches for nearby hospitals, etc., and displays the results to the seated person on the display. The information may be displayed to introduce the hospital. This saves the time and effort of searching for a hospital, and in case of emergency, such as when a passenger develops back pain, the driver can immediately respond and take the passenger to a referred hospital.

After determining the posture pattern of the seated person M, the ECU 50 controls the actuator 3 to adjust the inflation state of the air cell 1 according to the posture pattern of the seated person M. For example, if the posture pattern is determined to be hunched, the air cells 1 placed on the seat are adjusted to massage the hamstring muscles/gluteal muscles of the seated person and increase the amount of change in the amount of lumbar curvature. . If it is determined that the posture pattern is a tendency to arch the back (backward), the actuator 3 controls the air cells 1 disposed in the seat back S1 to press the shoulders and lower the amount of lumbar curvature.

In this way, by using the posture determining device 10 of the present embodiment, it is possible to determine the posture of the seated person and urge the seated person to adopt a normal posture according to the determined posture. Furthermore, the air cells 1 provided in the seat cushion S2 and the seat back S1 can encourage the seated person to improve their posture.

Note that the measuring device for measuring the index value related to the posture pattern is not limited to the pressure sensor 4, and may be any other measuring device as long as it can measure the index value related to the posture pattern. It is also possible to use a shape sensor for measurement.

Further, in this embodiment, when a collision load is applied from the rear of the vehicle while a seated person is seated on the vehicle seat S, the actuator 3 extracts air from all the air cells 1 at once. More specifically, when the ECU described above detects that a collision load from the rear is applied to the vehicle, the actuator 3 is controlled to extract the air from each air cell 1. As a result, when a load is applied to the vehicle from the rear, the seated person's body can slip behind the vehicle seat S, making it possible to ensure the safety of the seated person in the event of a rear collision. Become.

In this embodiment, when the ECU 50 detects that a collision load is applied from the rear of the vehicle, the actuator 3 extracts air from each air cell 1 in response to a command from the ECU 50. It may be configured such that the air from the air cell 1 is mechanically extracted when a load is applied.

In the above embodiment, the posture determination device 10 of the present invention was mainly described. However, the above embodiments are for facilitating understanding of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. The present invention may be modified and improved without departing from its spirit, and it goes without saying that the present invention includes equivalents thereof.

The vehicle seat S may be interlocked with the body of the vehicle in which it is mounted. For example, when the vehicle suddenly starts or brakes, the side support or the thigh support may be moved to suppress hip displacement.

The pelvis of the seated person M may be fixed by the third leg-side pressing mechanism 12c and then massaged to enhance the effect of improving the posture. At this time, the position and pressure of the pressing mechanism are automatically adjusted according to physical differences and individual differences.

A frame that supports the pressing mechanism may be provided on the seat surface so that the first leg-side pressing mechanism 12a can exert optimal pressure for pressing the gluteus maximus and hamstring muscles of the seated person M.

Further, when the seated person M is seated, the posture determining device 10 inflates the first leg-side pressing mechanism 12a to the third leg-side pressing mechanism 12c of the leg-side pressing unit 12 to support the pelvis and prevent hip displacement. However, it may be held so that the seated person can sit in the correct position.

The actuator may be equipped with a heater, and when massaging the seated person M, the heater may warm the air and send the warmed air to the air cell. Alternatively, the actuator may be equipped with an air cooler, the air cooler may cool the air, and the cold air may be sent to the air cell 1. By adjusting the temperature of an air cell 1, a seated person can comfortably receive massage.

Furthermore, when inflating the air cell, not only air but also temperature-controlled gel or liquid may be sent. Using a gel or liquid increases the heat storage effect, making it possible to maintain the desired temperature for a longer period of time.

The kneading effect may be enhanced by vibrating the air cells 1 provided in the back side pressing unit 11 and the leg side pressing unit 12. Further, the kneading effect may be enhanced by providing a heater in the vehicle seat S and warming the body of the seated person M in advance with the heater.

Furthermore, by massaging not only the back and hamstring muscles of the seated person M but also the lumbar region, the range of motion of the lumbar vertebrae may be increased and the effect of improving posture may be enhanced. For example, by stretching the lumbar vertebrae, the stretching effect expands the range of motion of the intervertebral discs, increasing the effect of improving posture.

Further, the vehicle seat S may be interlocked with an automatic braking system mounted on the vehicle body. For example, during a sudden start or sudden braking, the third back side pressing mechanism 11c (side support) and the second leg side pressing mechanism 12b (thigh support) are moved to prevent the seated person's buttocks from shifting. Further, for example, when the automatic brake is applied, the posture determining device 10 of the vehicle seat S, that is, the massage device and the posture correcting device may be controlled to stop automatically.

Alternatively, changes in the posture of the seated person may be measured in real time, the fatigue state of the seated person may be predicted based on the change in posture, and the kneading air cell (leg side pressing unit 12) may be operated to perform a massage. For example, even if the driver's posture is normal at the beginning of driving, the driver may become hunched over as the driver continues to drive. By reading these fluctuations, you can massage your glutes and hamstring muscles to soften them and help you maintain a correct posture before you slouch.

Further, in the above embodiment, the posture determination device mounted on the vehicle seat S has been described as an example. However, the posture determination device of the present invention is applicable to seats other than the vehicle seat S, such as a medical bed, an office chair, a waiting room bench, an airplane seat, a train seat, a boat seat, a bus/taxi driver's seat, etc. It can also be installed on dental chairs, sofas for home use, and seats installed in commercial facilities such as movie theaters and public facilities such as hospitals.

Furthermore, by placing a seat cover-like mat with a built-in pressure sensor on an existing vehicle seat S as a retrofit, posture detection and determination of hamstring muscle flexibility may be performed.

M Seated person H Hamstring muscle D Gluteus maximus BN1 Shoulder BN2 Lower back BN3 Sacrum BL Arc shape S Vehicle seat S1 Seat back S2 Seat cushion S3 Headrest 1 Air cell 3 Actuator 4 Pressure sensor 10 Posture determination device 11 Back side pressing unit 11a 1st Back pressure mechanism 11b Second back pressure mechanism 11c Third back pressure mechanism 12 Leg pressure unit 12a First leg pressure mechanism 12b Second leg pressure mechanism 12c Third leg pressure mechanism 50 ECU
51 Control section 52 Storage section 53 Display section 54 Communication section 55 Posture information 60, 60a Warning screens 61, 61a, 62b Illustrations 62, 62a Message display section

Claims (7)

A posture determining device having a seating portion and a backrest,
a measuring device provided on the seating portion and the backrest for measuring an index value regarding the posture pattern of the seated person;
a storage unit that stores posture information indicating a relationship between a measurement value measured by the measuring device and a posture pattern of the seated person;
a control unit that calculates the amount of lumbar curvature of the seated person in a sitting position based on the measurement results of the measuring device;
A display section for displaying information;
The control unit determines a posture pattern of the seated person and a risk level of back pain from the posture pattern of the seated person, and displays a warning screen according to the risk level of back pain on the display unit;
The posture determining device, wherein the control unit searches for a hospital and displays the search results on the display unit when determining that the risk of low back pain is high . The posture determining device according to claim 1, wherein an illustration indicating the posture pattern of the seated person and text information are simultaneously displayed on the display unit. The posture determining device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the display unit displays a message urging an ideal posture on the warning screen. The posture according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein the control unit determines that the risk of low back pain is high when the sitting lumbar curvature amount is lower than a predetermined value. Judgment device. When the sitting pelvis angle measured by the measuring device is lower than a first threshold, the control unit determines that the sitting person's posture pattern is a tendency to slouch, and further, the sitting pelvis angle is lower than the first threshold. 5. If the posture pattern of the seated person is lower than a second threshold value, which is smaller than the threshold value of The posture determination device described. Equipped with a communication section that can communicate with the outside,
Claims 1 to 5, wherein when the control unit determines that the risk of lower back pain is high, the communication unit transmits the determined result to a contact registered in advance in the storage unit . The posture determination device according to any one of the items. 7. The posture determining device according to claim 1, wherein the measuring device for measuring the index value related to the posture pattern is a pressure sensor.

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