JPH04325116A - Selecting device for mattress - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide the mattress selecting device for selecting a mattress having such hardness as a user can go to sleep in a correct laid-down posture in which the spine stretches in accordance with physique of his height and weight, etc. CONSTITUTION:This device constitutes a characteristic feature of detecting electrically the deformation amount in plural parts of a measuring mattress 4 by a pressure sensor 11, calculating a first average value of the deformation amount of the headpart and the foot part of a user and a second average value of the deformation amount of other part than the head part and the foot part by a controller 15, respectively by a detecting signal from this pressure sensor 11, displaying these first average value and second average value as a first straight line 22 and a second straight line 23 on a display 18, and also, displaying a mark 24 for indicating hardness of a mattress being suitable for the user from a difference of the deformation amounts shown by these straight lines.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a mattress selection device for selecting a mattress with a hardness suitable for a user's physique such as weight and height.

0002

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, a bed is constructed by placing a mattress on a bed frame. It is no exaggeration to say that the performance of this bed is greatly influenced by whether the firmness of the mattress matches the user's physique, such as weight and height.

[0003] In other words, when a user sleeps lying on his or her back on a mattress, the height of the lumbar region relative to the plane connecting the back and buttocks is approximately half the height when in a standing state. It is said to be comfortable when sleeping.

[0004] If a mattress is too soft for the user, the user's back and buttocks will slump extremely, and the lumbar region will be pushed up relatively, resulting in the height dimension being considerably less than half of the height when in a standing position. Physiology and ergonomics have shown that as the size increases, users experience pain and are unable to sleep peacefully.

[0005] For a mattress that can satisfy these conditions, it is better if its cushioning properties are hard. Using a firmer mattress can reduce the amount of sagging in your back and buttocks. However, if a mattress that is too hard is used, the human body will be supported by a portion of the back and buttocks, and pressure will be concentrated on the back and buttocks, resulting in a decrease in sleeping comfort.

[0006] Even if a user selects a comfortable mattress based solely on the firmness of the mattress, the amount of depression in the back and buttocks will vary depending on the person's body weight, height, etc. come. Therefore, for a user, the quality of a mattress is not only about whether the mattress is hard or soft, but also whether the firmness of the mattress is suitable for the person's physique such as weight and height. Therefore, you must select a mattress based on these criteria.

[0007] As a device for selecting a mattress suitable for a user, there is a prior art technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Application No. 61-25329. In this prior art, when a user lies supine on a mattress for measurement, arm-shaped displacement bodies are rotated in accordance with the elastic deformation of each part of the mattress for measurement. When the displacement bodies rotate, each displacement body is interlocked with an interlocking rod and slides in the vertical direction. 1 at the top of each interlocking rod.
The strings of books are connected in a continuous manner. Therefore, from the line graph drawn by the string, it is possible to know the deformed state of the measurement mattress with the user lying on his back.

[0008] Once the deformation state of the mattress for measurement is known,
Since the user can determine whether the mattress for measurement is hard or soft, the user can select a mattress with a hardness suitable for him/her based on the hardness of the mattress for measurement.

However, according to this prior art, since the elastic deformation of the mattress for measurement is mechanically transmitted and displayed by the displacement body and the interlocking rod, the number of parts increases, the structure becomes complicated, and furthermore, premature failure due to friction occurs. Damage and transmission loss may occur.

0010

[Problem to be solved by the invention] In this way, conventionally,
Since the deformed state of the mattress for measurement was displayed mechanically, the configuration became complicated and the display could not be performed accurately due to transmission loss.

An object of the present invention is to electrically detect the amount of deformation of each part when a user lies supine on a mattress for measurement;
It is an object of the present invention to provide a mattress selection device that can clearly indicate a mattress with a hardness suitable for a user based on the detection signal.

0012

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a selection device for selecting a mattress suitable for the physique of a user, which has a predetermined firmness for the user to lie on his/her back. A measuring mattress having a measuring mattress, a detecting means for electrically detecting loads at multiple locations on the measuring mattress when the user lies on the measuring mattress, and a detecting means for electrically detecting the load at multiple locations on the measuring mattress, and a detection signal from the detecting means to detect the user's head when the user lies on the measuring mattress. a control means for calculating a first average value of deformation amounts of the head and foot portions and a second average value of deformation amounts of portions other than the head and foot portions; The average value of - display means for displaying a message.

[0013]

[Operation] According to the above configuration, the deformation state of the measurement mattress can be electrically detected from the distribution of the user's load applied to the measurement mattress, and the detection signal can be used to instruct the mattress of the appropriate hardness for the user. be able to.

[0014]

Embodiments Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

1 to 5 show a first embodiment of the present invention, and the mattress selection device shown in FIG.
It is equipped with This bed frame 1 includes a rectangular mounting plate 2 and a frame 4 that horizontally supports this mounting plate 2 at a predetermined height.
It consists of book legs 3 (only two are shown).

A measuring mattress 4 is provided on the upper surface of the placing plate 2. This measuring mattress 4 has a spring unit 5 as an elastic unit. This spring unit 5 consists of a large number of coil springs 6 arranged in a matrix on the mounting plate 2 with their axes parallel to each other. This coil spring 6 has a deformation amount with respect to a load,
In other words, those whose hardness (cushioning properties) have been measured in advance are used. Thereby, the hardness of the measuring mattress 4 can be ranked based on the hardness of the coil spring 6.

A sheet of urethane foam or the like is attached to the upper surface of the spring unit 5 via a synthetic resin net 7.
T-shaped elastic members 8 are laminated. The elastic material 8 and the periphery of the spring unit 5 are covered with an exterior material 9. The peripheral edge of this exterior material 9 is fixed to the lower surface of the mounting plate 2 by a tacker or the like (not shown).

A pressure sensor 11 as a detection means is provided on the upper end surface of the coil springs 6 arranged in a row in the longitudinal direction located at the center portion of the spring unit 5 in the width direction, that is, on the upper end surface of eight coil springs 6 in this embodiment. It is provided.

Each pressure sensor 11 is provided between a pair of plates 12, as shown in FIG. These plates 12 are formed into a disk shape from a relatively hard material such as synthetic resin that does not easily deform under load. Thereby, the load of each part of the user U who lies supine on the measurement mattress 4 is reliably transmitted to each pressure sensor 11.

When pressure is applied to the pressure sensor 11,
It outputs an electrical signal according to the pressure, and may be of any type, such as an electrical resistance variable type, a capacitance type, an electromagnetic induction type, or a self-power generation type.

One end of a lead wire 13 is connected to each pressure sensor 11. The other ends of these lead wires 13 are connected to a relay box 1 provided on the lower surface side of the mounting plate 2.
4 and then a control device 15 consisting of a personal computer.
It is connected to the. As shown in FIG. 3, this control device 15 includes an A/D converter 16 that converts the detection signal detected by each pressure sensor 11 into a digital signal, and a detection signal from this A/D converter 16 that is determined in advance. A monitor that performs control by comparing the received data and control program is stored in R.
It consists of a memory section 17 consisting of an OM, and an input/output control section 19 for inputting and outputting data signals between the memory section 17 and a color CRT display 18.

On the display 18, the pressure distribution state (deformation amount) at each point 1 to 8 on the measurement mattress 4 detected by the eight pressure sensors 11 is displayed as a curve 21. Let the amount of deformation at each point 1 to 8 be t1 to t8. Furthermore, display 18
In FIG. 4, there is a first straight line 22 shown as a solid line and a second straight line shown as a broken line.
A straight line 23 and a mark 24 indicating a mattress of appropriate firmness for the user U from these straight lines are displayed.

The first straight line 22 is the average value of the deformation amounts at points 1, 6, 7, and 8, which are points corresponding to the head and legs of the user U who lies supine on the measurement mattress 4. Indicates h1. In other words, h1 is
h1 = (t1 +t6 +t7 +t8)/
4...Calculated using equation (1).

The second straight line 23 is the average value h2 of the amount of deformation at points 2 to 5, which are points corresponding to the torso excluding the head and legs of the user U lying supine on the measurement mattress 4. shows. In other words, h2 is
h2 = (t2 + t3 + t4 t5)/
4...calculated using equation (2).

The difference between the average value h1 indicated by the first straight line 22 and the average value h2 indicated by the second straight line 23 indicates the difference in the amount of deformation between the heavy and light parts of the user U's body. . It has been confirmed that the difference between these average values approximately corresponds to the height dimension of the waist with respect to the plane connecting the user's back and buttocks.

Therefore, if the difference in the amount of deformation is greater than about half of the height of the lumbar region relative to the plane connecting the back and buttocks when the user is standing, the mattress 4 for measurement is too soft for the user. If the difference is small, it can be determined that the material is too hard.

The mark 24 consists of a reference line 25 and first to third blocks 26a to 26c located below the reference line 25 at predetermined intervals. Each block 26a~
26c has a different color. For example, the first block 26a is set to blue, the second block 26b is set to yellow, and the third block 26c is set to red.

When the reference line 25 is aligned with the first straight line 22, the difference between the average value h1 and the average value h2 is approximately the height of the waist with respect to the plane connecting the back and buttocks in a standing position. The mark 24 is set so that the second block 26b coincides with the second straight line 23 when the second straight line 23 is about half full.
The distance between the reference line 25 and the second block 26b is set. Normally, the height of the waist that provides user U with a comfortable sleeping position is about 2 to 3 cm.

Therefore, when the first block 26a corresponds to the second straight line 23, it means that the amount of deformation of the measuring mattress 4 is small, and therefore the measuring mattress 4 is too hard for the user U. Therefore, when the third block 26c corresponds, it will be too soft.

On the other hand, the colors of the blocks 26a to 26c indicate mattresses of different hardness, which are set based on the hardness of the mattress 4 for measurement. That is, the blue first block 26a indicates a mattress that is harder than the measurement mattress 4, and the yellow first block 26a indicates a mattress that is harder than the measurement mattress 4.
The second block 26b displays a mattress having the same hardness as the measurement mattress 4. Furthermore, the red third
The block 26c indicates a mattress that is softer than the measurement mattress 4.

[0031] The mark 24 is shown in advance on the display 18.
1 and 3, and after the first straight line 22 and the second straight line 23 are displayed on the display 18, the reference line 25 is connected to the first straight line 22. They will descend until they are at the same height. At that time, three blocks 26a to 26c
Depending on which of the lines corresponds to the second straight line 23, a mattress with a hardness suitable for the user U can be selected.

Next, a case in which the user U uses the selection device having the above configuration to select a mattress with a firmness suitable for his/her physique will be described with reference to FIG. 5. First, when the selection device is activated, it is determined in step 1 (hereinafter referred to as step S) whether or not a load is applied to the measurement mattress 4. If no load is applied, zero point recognition of each pressure sensor 11 is performed in S2. In other words, even if the zero point of the pressure detected by each pressure sensor 11 does not match, the state in which the user U is not on the measurement mattress 4 is recognized as the zero point of each pressure sensor 11.

[0033] After the zero point recognition is completed, in S3 the user U lies down on the measurement mattress 4, and it is determined that a load has been applied. When the determination is completed, in step 4, the detection signals detected by each pressure sensor 11 are converted into digital signals by the A/D conversion section 16 and read into the memory section 17. Next, in S5, it is determined whether or not points 1, 5, and 8 among the measurement points do not change for one second. That is, it is determined from the state of the center and both ends of the measurement mattress 4 whether a load is applied to only a portion of the measurement mattress 4 or whether the user U is not moving.

If the result is "YES", it means that the measurement has been completed in step 6, and the display 1
The measurement results are displayed at 8. In other words, the amount of deformation at each measurement point detected by the first to eighth pressure sensors 11 is displayed as the curve 21, and the above equation (1) and (2)
A first straight line 22 indicating the average value h1 of the amount of deformation of the head and legs calculated based on the formula, and a second curve 23 indicating the average value h2 of the amount of deformation of the torso are displayed. Ru.

[0035] Next, in S7, the display 18
The mark 24 in the upper right corner of the
It descends to a position that coincides with straight line 22. In this state, the three blocks 2 of marks 24 are drawn on the second straight line 23.
Depending on which of the mattresses 6a to 26c are at the same height, it is possible to determine which mattress has the appropriate hardness for the user U's physique.

For example, if the second yellow block 26b is located at the same height as the second straight line 23, for the user U, the second block 26b is the same as the displayed measurement mattress 4. A firm mattress will be preferred. Moreover, when the first block 26a corresponds to the second straight line 23, a mattress that is softer than the measurement mattress displayed by the first block 26a is suitable, and furthermore, the third block 26c corresponds to the second straight line 23. In this case, a mattress harder than the measurement mattress 4 indicated by the block 26c is preferable. The result is displayed on the display 18 in S8 and is also output as audio.

In other words, the first straight line 22 (average value h1)
A mattress with a suitable hardness for the user U can be selected based on the hardness of the measuring mattress 4, depending on the degree of difference between the measured value and the second straight line 23 (average value h2).

In this way, the average value h1 and the average value h2
If you select a mattress with the most suitable firmness for user U based on the difference between the You can definitely choose.

[0039] In other words, if the deformation state determined from the pressure distribution state is simply displayed as a graph and that graph is compared with a graph of the ideal deformation state, it will be difficult to display the deformation state obtained from the pressure distribution state if the user's physique such as weight or height is different. , the ideal deformed state graphs will also differ, making it impossible to perform accurate comparisons.

However, as described above, since the present invention selects a mattress with a hardness suitable for the user U based on the difference between the average value h1 and the average value h2, even if the user U has a different physique, You can select a mattress with a firmness suitable for the user.

FIGS. 6 to 8 show a second embodiment of the invention. This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the detection means for detecting the pressure applied to the measurement mattress 4. That is, one end of the first string 31 is connected to the upper end surface of the coil spring 6 of the net 7. The other end of the first string 31 is passed through a through hole 32 formed in the mounting plate 2 to the lower surface side thereof, and is connected to the first drum 33a of the pulley 33.
It is wound with the end fixed in place.

As shown in FIG. 8, the pulley 33 is attached to a rotatable adjustment shaft 35 of a variable resistor 34 as a detection means. This variable resistor 34 is connected to the mounting plate 2 described above.
It is attached to an attachment member 36 provided along the longitudinal direction at the center portion in the width direction.

The pulley 33 has a second drum 33b, and one end of a second string 37 is wound around the second drum 33b with its end fixed. The other end of this second string 37 is connected to one end of a tension spring 38. The other end of the tension spring 38 is connected to the mounting member 36.

The tension spring 38 is softer than the coil spring 6 of the spring unit 5. Therefore, even if the tensile force of the tension spring 38 acts on the pulley 33 via the second string 37, the pulley 33 will not rotate due to that force. When the coil spring 6 is compressed and deformed and the first string 31 is loosened, the second string 37 is pulled by the tension spring 38 by that amount, causing the pulley 33 to rotate.

When the pulley 33 rotates, the adjustment shaft 35 of the variable resistor 34 rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the pulley 33, thereby changing the resistance value of the variable resistor 34. Changes in the resistance value of each variable resistor 34 are input to the control device 15. This control device 15 has a variable resistor 34 similar to the above embodiment.
A/D converter 1 that converts the resistance value from
6, a memory section 17 and an input/output control section 19.

That is, according to this embodiment, user U
When the coil spring 6 of the spring unit 5 is compressed and deformed when the person lies supine on the measurement mattress 4, the amount of deformation is detected by each variable resistor 34, and these variable resistors 34
A detection signal from is input to the control device 15.

Therefore, as in the first embodiment, since the first straight line 22 and the second straight line 23 are displayed on the display 18, by comparing these straight lines with the mark 24, it is possible to Person U can select a mattress with a firmness suitable for him/her.

FIG. 9 shows a third embodiment of the invention. In this third embodiment, instead of the spring unit 5, a cushion material 51 made of urethane foam formed into a rectangular plate shape is used as the elastic unit. The hardness of the cushion material 51 can be set by changing the foaming rate of the urethane foam. Further, as the detection means, pressure sensors 11 provided between two plates 12 are used as in the first embodiment, and each pressure sensor 11 is placed at a predetermined position on the upper surface of the cushion material 51. It is placed there. A lead wire 13, one end of which is connected to each pressure sensor 11, is led to the relay box 14 through a through hole 52 formed in the thickness direction of the cushion material 51.

FIG. 10 shows a fourth embodiment of the invention. This fourth embodiment has almost the same configuration as shown in FIG. 7, but the cushioning material 51 does not have a through hole 52 formed therein. A lead wire 13 having one end connected to the pressure sensor 11 is passed between the upper surface of the cushion material 51 and the net 7 and led to the relay box 14 .

[0050]

Effects of the Invention As described above, the present invention electrically detects the amount of deformation at a plurality of locations on a mattress for measurement by means of a detection means, and uses detection signals from the detection means to determine whether the user's head and feet are separated from each other. A first average value of the amount of deformation of the body and a second average value of the amount of deformation of parts other than the head and feet are respectively calculated, and these first average values and second average values are drawn on the first straight line and the second average value. Displayed on the display unit as a second straight line,
Based on the difference in the amount of deformation indicated by these straight lines, a mark is displayed on the display section to indicate a mattress of appropriate firmness for the user.

[0051] Therefore, by associating the first straight line and the second straight line with the above marks, it is possible to electrically display and select a mattress with a suitable hardness for the user, which is more effective than mechanical means. The configuration can be simplified and the selection accuracy can be improved.

Moreover, the mattress has a hardness suitable for the user based on the first average value of the amount of deformation of the user's head and feet and the second average value of the amount of deformation of parts other than the head and feet. Therefore, even users with different physiques such as height and weight can select a mattress with a firmness suitable for them.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of a portion of the mattress for measurement.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a control device.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of an image similarly displayed on the display.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart as well.

FIG. 6 is an overall configuration diagram of a second embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged sectional view of a portion of the mattress for measurement.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged view taken along line VI-VI in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of a measuring mattress according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged sectional view of a portion of a measuring mattress according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

4...Measurement mattress, 11...Pressure sensor (detection means)
, 15...control device (control means), 18...display (
display means), 24...mark.

Claims (1)

[Claims] Claim 1: A selection device for selecting a mattress suitable for a user's physique, comprising: a measuring mattress having a predetermined firmness for the user to lie on; By lying on the user's back, a detection means electrically detects the load at multiple locations on the mattress for measurement, and a detection signal from the detection means is used to determine the first average value of the amount of deformation of the user's head and feet, and a control means for calculating second average values of deformation amounts of parts other than the head and feet, and a first average value and a second average value calculated by the control means, respectively. The mattress is characterized by comprising display means for displaying a straight line and a second straight line, and a mark for indicating the firmness of the mattress suitable for the user based on the difference in the amount of deformation indicated by these straight lines. mattress selection device.