JPH08420A - Sound sleep pillow with variable height - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To keep always the head supporting condition at the optimum condition during sleeping by detecting the pushing pressure received by the head supporting part of a pillow under the sleeping condition of a sleeping person and adjusting the height of the pillow based on detection of the difference in pressure. CONSTITUTION:A fixing arm 8 fixed on a base stage 1 and one end of a movable arm 2 supporting a foamed mat 3 of a supporting body being brought into contact with the head are supported on a rotating supporting shaft 9. In addition, an elevating rack 13 for moving up and down a movable arm 2 is fixed and a hollow coil bobbin 5 wound with an electromagnetic coil 4 is horizontally fixed. In addition, an actuation lot rack 11 is jointed with an electrode bar 6 inserted into a hollow coil bobbin 5 and the both racks are fixed by a gear group assembled in a gear box in such a way that the horizontal movement performs the up and down movement of the elevating rack 13. Then, a pressure-sensitive sensor 7 is fixed between the lower side of the fixing arm 8 and the base stage 1 and the electric current fed to the electromagnetic coil 4 is controlled by the output signal.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a pillow which is one of beddings, and more particularly to a pressure-sensitive height adjustable sleep pillow having a structure whose height changes depending on how the head of the pillow rests while sleeping.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a pillow is always required as one of the beddings in order to support the head not only at bedtime but also when simply taking a nap or lying down when tired. It is used as a tool.
If you don't have a pillow at hand, it's common practice to use a suitable table, a box, a few books, or even your own hand as a pillow.

In ordinary daily life, a considerable amount of time in a day is spent for sleep, during which the pillow supports the head so that the whole body and the head do not become unnatural during sleep. Plays an important role in Especially in the case of a sick person, many things are taken care of in the bedding because the patient often stays asleep for a long period of time during medical treatment, but pillows etc. have been taken into consideration when sleeping in the bed. It also works as a support.

[0004]

As described above, pillows that play an important role in daily life include rice husks, buckwheat husks, panyas, expanded synthetic resin particles, feathers, etc. in a normal cloth bag. What is filled with an appropriate amount is used, and it works to support the head and dissipate heat during use.

Since the human head has a considerable weight, the pillow for supporting it at bedtime should fit the body of the sleeping person.
It is made to deform itself so that the neck is not overloaded and the height changes to some extent. However, when a pillow is used, the sleeping person's body is in a supine, recumbent or lying down state, and never sleeps in one form. Therefore, by adjusting the pillow when going to bed so that the body and head are in the most comfortable state, and when you fall asleep or lie on your side, the above-mentioned comfortable state of the knee is canceled and There is a case where not only the rest of the body and shoulders are overpowered, but also sleep is disturbed, and on the contrary, it may cause a strain or stiff shoulder while sleeping, and a countermeasure against it is desired.

In order to improve these, the present inventors have previously proposed a pressure-sensitive height-adjustable sleep pillow that adapts to the body orientation such as turning over while sleeping or sideways (Japanese Patent Application No. 5-1599).
50). The preceding invention is a pillow in which the material of pillow already on the market can be changed and the shape and height can be adjusted (published by Asahi Shimbun, May 1993, "Asahi Family Handy Book").
Although the effect of adapting to body orientation such as turning over while lying down or sideways was achieved, which was not possible with the back cover cover), its structure is complicated and it is difficult to make it operate smoothly. It needed to be improved. The present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problems, has a simple mechanism, and even when the sleeping person turns over or lie sideways,
It is intended to provide a pillow having a function of smoothly adjusting the relationship between the body and the head so as to be in the most comfortable state.

[0007]

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to solve the above-mentioned object, the inventors of the present invention have conducted extensive studies, and as a result, the pressure acting on the head-supporting portion of the pillow is different when the sleeping person is supine and lying down. Focusing on the point, by using an electromagnet to adjust the height of the pillow using this difference in pressure, it was found that the head-supporting state can always be maintained in an optimal state during sleep, and the present invention has been completed. .

That is, according to the present invention based on the above knowledge, one end of a fixed arm mounted in parallel on a base and one end of a movable arm for supporting a support with which the head abuts is fixed to the fixed arm. It is attached by pivoting to one end of the arm,
Inside the position distant from the support shaft of the movable arm, a rising rack for moving the movable arm up and down is attached, and on the fixed arm, a hollow coil bobbin wound with an electromagnetic coil is horizontally attached, and inside the hollow coil bobbin. An operating rod rack is joined to the electrode rod to be inserted, and both racks are combined by a combination of gears so that the horizontal movement of the operating rack rack causes vertical movement of the ascending rack, and a fixed arm near the lower portion of the ascending rack. A pressure-sensitive height variable, characterized in that a pressure-sensitive sensor is attached between the lower side and the base, and the output signal of the pressure-sensitive sensor is connected to a control circuit that supplies a current to the electromagnetic coil. The main theme is the sleep pillow.

According to the present invention, a fixed arm mounted in parallel on a base and one end of a movable arm that supports a support body with which the head abuts at a distance from the fixed arm are attached to one end of the fixed arm. A support base fixedly mounted on the fixed arm so that the roller is rotatably supported inside a position distant from the support shaft of the movable arm, and a cam that comes into contact with the roller to move the roller up and down is fixed on the fixed arm. Rotatably mounted on the fixed arm, a hollow coil bobbin wound with an electromagnetic coil is horizontally mounted on the fixed arm, and an extension portion of a cam for vertically moving the roller is attached to a tip of an electrode rod inserted into the hollow coil bobbin. While rotatably supporting, a pressure sensor is mounted between the base and the lower side of the fixed arm near the cam support base, and the output signal of the pressure sensor is supplied to the electromagnetic coil as a current. Are the subject matter also the pressure sensitive height variable sleep pillow, characterized in that formed by connecting the sheet to the control circuit.

Further, according to the present invention, a fixed arm mounted in parallel on the base and one end of a movable arm for supporting a support body with which the head abuts are provided at one end of the fixed arm at a distance from the fixed arm. An electrode rod having an operation lot cam attached to the tip thereof, which is supported and attached, rotatably supports a cam roller inside a position apart from the support shaft of the movable arm, and contacts the cam roller to move the cam roller up and down. On the fixed arm, it is inserted horizontally into a hollow coil bobbin on which an electromagnetic coil is wound, and a receiving roller for supporting the actuating lot cam is attached almost directly below the cam roller. A pressure sensor is attached between the two, and an output signal of the pressure sensor is connected to a control circuit that supplies a current to the electromagnetic coil. It is summarized as force sensitive height adjustable sleep pillow.

According to the present invention, a fixed arm mounted in parallel on a base and one end of a movable arm that supports a support body with which the head abuts are provided at one end of the fixed arm at a distance from the fixed arm. An eccentric cam fixedly mounted on the fixed arm, which is rotatably mounted, rotatably supports a cam roller inside a position distant from the support shaft of the movable arm, and contacts the cam roller to move the cam roller up and down. A gear that is rotatably attached to a pedestal and that is coaxially attached to the eccentric cam, and a hollow coil bobbin with an electromagnetic coil wound on the fixed arm are horizontally attached, and the electrode rod that is inserted into the hollow coil bobbin is actuated in a lot. By joining the racks and engaging the operating lock rack with the gear, the horizontal movement of the operating lock rack is directly connected to the gear. The eccentric cam is rotated, and a receiving roller for supporting the operating lock rack is attached to the eccentric cam shaft substantially directly below the eccentric cam shaft. A pressure sensor is attached between the lower side of the receiving roller and the base, and A gist of a pressure-sensitive height adjustable type sleep pillow characterized in that an output signal of a pressure sensor is connected to a control circuit for supplying a current to the electromagnetic coil.

[0012]

The structure and operation of the present invention will be described. The sleep pillow of the present invention focuses on the fact that there is a difference in the pressing force received by the head supporting portion of the pillow depending on the sleeping state of the sleeping person, and a mechanism for detecting the pressure difference and adjusting the height of the pillow is used. It is incorporated inside.

The action state of the force between the head, the neck and the body is different between the supine position and the recumbent position. If the height of the pillow is constant, the supine position is appropriate. If so, it will be too low in the recumbent position, and a force will be exerted to bend the neck. If this state continues, it causes troubles such as fatigue in the neck and stiffness in the lower shoulder. In order to avoid this, the sleeping person unconsciously inserts a part of his / her lower part of the body between the pillow and the head or a part of the comforter, but the hand gets numb over time. Or the body protruding from the comforter may get cold and catch a cold.

As described above, when the sleeping person turns over from the supine position to the recumbent position (or vice versa), a change in the pressing force occurs on the pillow supporting the head. Become. In the present invention, the change in the pressing force is detected by the pressure sensor arranged on the base of the pillow, and an electric current is supplied to the electromagnetic coil according to the signal of the pressure sensor, and the generated magnetic force moves the electrode bar horizontally. Then, the movement of the electrode rod is transmitted to the rising rack or the cam to adjust the pillow to a predetermined height.

The present inventors considered using the electromagnetic force or the repulsive force by the permanent magnet directly for changing the height of the pillow, as shown in FIG. 5 or FIG. However, considering the space inside the pillow, in the case like the above, a considerable amount of electric power is required to generate electromagnetic force,
It became clear from the power supply and coil dimensions that it was not practical.

Therefore, the inventors have earnestly studied a structure that can be reliably operated with a small amount of electric power. As a result, the structure in which the above-mentioned electromagnetic coils are arranged horizontally is considered. FIG. 1 is an explanatory view showing a cross section of the pillow of the present invention. A fixed arm 8 mounted in parallel on the base 1 and one end of the movable arm 2 supporting the foamed mat 3 of the support body with which the head abuts at an interval with the fixed arm 8 at one end of the fixed arm 8. It is mounted by being pivotally supported by the rotary support shaft 9.

A hollow coil bobbin in which an ascending rack 13 for moving the movable arm 2 up and down is mounted inside the position of the movable arm 2 away from the support shaft 9 and an electromagnetic coil 4 is wound on the fixed arm 8. Mount 5 horizontally. An operating rod rack 11 is joined to the electrode rod 6 inserted into the hollow coil bobbin 5, and both racks are gearboxed so that the horizontal movement of the operating rod rack 11 causes the ascending rack 13 to move up and down. It is connected by the gear group built in. The pressure sensor 7 is attached between the base 1 and the lower side of the fixed arm 8 near the lower part of the rising rack 13, and the output signal of the pressure sensor 7 is
It is a pressure-sensitive height variable sleep pillow connected to a circuit (not shown) for supplying a current to the electromagnetic coil 4.

The operation of the above-described sleep pillow of the present invention is as described below. First, when going to bed, adjust to the optimum height with the manual operation button (not shown). Then, the use is started in that state. When the person lie on his / her back in the midst of using, the pressure sensor 7 detects a change in pressure. Usually, the pressure of the head pressing the pillow is smaller when lying down than when lying down. Although there are individual differences, the load difference is 1 kg or more. It is also possible for the sleeping person to switch from the automatic operation and manually adjust the height of the pillow by using the manual operation button.

The change in the pressure on the pillow of the head due to the orientation of the body is sensed by the pressure sensor 7 and an output voltage proportional to its magnitude is generated. When this output is input to the control circuit, a current is supplied to the electromagnetic coil 4 with a specified time lag, and the electrode rod 6 is moved in a direction in which the pressure change sensed by the pressure sensitive sensor 7 is eliminated. The speed of fluctuation of the pillow height due to the movement of the electrode rod 6 is
It is a relatively slow speed that does not disturb the sleep of the sleeping person, and the sound generated by the operation is so small that it is almost invisible to the outside.

The power source used for the pillow of the present invention can be a commercial power source or a portable power source such as a dry battery. As the members such as the pressure sensor, the amplifier, the electromagnetic coil, and the gear used in the pillow of the present invention, commercially available products having those functions can be used.

[0021]

EXAMPLES The present invention will be specifically described with reference to Examples.
The present invention is not limited to this. Example 1 The pillow shown in FIG. 1 is a mechanism in which a head support portion of the pillow is moved up and down, and an operating lock rack 11 attached to an electrode rod 4 is coupled to a rising rack 13 by a gear combination 12, and a gear ratio is set. By appropriately selecting, the height change rate of the pillow can be adjusted. Fixed arm 8 on base 1
Are attached in parallel, and a rotary support shaft 9 for attaching the movable arm 2 that supports the foam mat 3 of the head supporting portion, which is the main body of the pillow, is provided at one end thereof.

A hollow coil bobbin in which a gear box 12 is installed on a fixed arm 1 away from the position of the rotary support shaft 9 and an electromagnetic coil 4 is horizontally wound between the rotary support shaft 9 and the gear box 12. To fix. The electrode rod 5 is inserted into the coil bobbin 5, and the electrode rod 5 is horizontally moved left and right by the electromagnetic force generated by the control current flowing through the electromagnetic coil 4.

The operation lock track 11 is joined to the tip of the electrode rod 5 which is exposed to the outside of the electromagnetic coil 4, and this is engaged with the gear of the gear box 12 so that the horizontal movement of the operation lock track 11 is changed to a gear. The movable arm 2 provided at a distance from the fixed arm 1 is transmitted to the ascending rack 13 which moves up and down.

A pressure sensor 7 for detecting the pressure applied to the pillow is attached between the fixed arm 8 and the base 1 near the lower portion of the rising rack. When the head rests on the pillow, the pressure-sensitive sensor outputs a signal corresponding to the pressure, and the output circuit operates the control circuit in which the current supplied to the electromagnetic coil is controlled.

Embodiment 2 FIG. 2 shows a combination of a cam roller 14 and a cam 16 in place of the drive mechanism for raising and lowering the head supporting portion of the pillow by the combination of the rack and the gear in the embodiment 1. One end of the cam 16 is movably connected to the tip of the electrode rod 6, and the cam 16 that is rotated by the support shaft 15 by the horizontal movement of the electrode rod 6 and the cam roller 14 attached to the movable arm 2 cooperate with each other. The action causes the movable arm 2 to move up and down. The state in which the pillow head support is raised is shown by a dotted line. The structure is simple and there are few malfunctions. Also, the operation is fast and reliable.

Embodiment 3 FIG. 3 shows a combination of a cam roller 14 and an operating lot cam 18 in place of the drive mechanism for raising and lowering the head supporting portion of the pillow by the combination of the rack and the gear of Embodiment 1. The operation lot cam 18 is attached to the tip of the electrode rod, and the head support portion of the pillow is moved up and down by the cam roller 14 that comes into contact with the operation lot cam 18 as the electrode rod moves horizontally. The structure is simple, the number of parts is small, and there are few malfunctions. Also, the operation is fast and reliable.

Embodiment 4 FIG. 4 shows a combination of a cam roller 14 and an eccentric cam 20 in place of the drive mechanism for lifting and lowering the head supporting portion of the pillow by the combination of the rack and the gear of Embodiment 1. The operation lock track 11 is joined to the tip of the electrode rod, and this is engaged with a gear that rotates coaxially with the eccentric cam 20.
The head support portion of the pillow is moved up and down by the cam roller 14 which comes into contact with the pillow. The structure is simple, the number of parts is small, and there are few malfunctions. Also, the operation is fast and reliable.

When a material exhibiting superconductivity at room temperature is developed in the future, if an electromagnet using this material is applied to the present invention, the amount of electric power used will be extremely small, resulting in a very economical product. .

In each of the above-described embodiments, the pressure applied to the pillow by the head at bedtime is detected and the head is automatically operated until it reaches a predetermined height. ,
By providing a knob that can be manually operated from the outside, it is possible to operate the knob irrespective of the pressure exerted on the pillow by the head to raise the pillow to a predetermined height. The height adjustment by the knob is necessary for setting the optimum state of the user when using the pillow. The knob is usually stored inside the recess with a lid,
It does not hinder automatic operation.

[0030]

EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION Since the present invention is constructed as described above, it is easy to manufacture, and in use, it acts on the neck and shoulders when a sleeping person turns over unconsciously during sleep. It is possible to expect the effect of automatically eliminating and reducing unnatural pressures and twists that occur, and always being able to sleep well, which is extremely beneficial in maintaining health.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory sectional view showing an embodiment of the pillow of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional explanatory view showing another embodiment of the pillow of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional explanatory view showing still another embodiment of the pillow of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional explanatory view showing still another embodiment of the pillow of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory sectional view showing an outline of a height-adjustable pillow using electromagnetic force.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional explanatory view showing an outline of a variable height pillow that utilizes the repulsive force of a permanent magnet.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Base 11 Operating Lot Rack 2 Movable Arm 12 Gear Box 3 Foam Mat 13 Lifting Rack 4 Electromagnetic Coil 14 Cam Roller 5 Coil Bobbin 15 Cam Shaft 6 Electrode Rod 16 Cam 7 Pressure Sensitive Sensor 17 Permanent Magnet 8 Fixed Arm 18 Acting Lot Cam 9 Rotation Spindle 19 Bearing roller 10 Bellows 20
Eccentric cam

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A fixed arm mounted in parallel on a base, and a movable arm supporting a support body with which a head abuts at a distance from the fixed arm, and one end of the fixed arm is pivotally supported on the fixed arm. Attaching, inside the position away from the support shaft of the movable arm, an ascending rack for moving the movable arm up and down is attached, and on the fixed arm, a hollow coil bobbin wound with an electromagnetic coil is horizontally attached, and the hollow coil bobbin is attached. An operating rod rack is joined to an electrode rod to be inserted therein, and both racks are combined with a combination of gears so that the horizontal movement of the operating rack rack causes the vertical movement of the ascending rack. A pressure sensor is attached between the lower side of the fixed arm and the base, and the output signal of the pressure sensor is connected to a control circuit that supplies a current to the electromagnetic coil. A sleep pillow with variable pressure-sensitive height. 2. A fixed arm mounted in parallel on a base, and a movable arm supporting a support body with which the head abuts at a distance from the fixed arm, and one end of the movable arm is pivotally supported on the fixed arm. Attaching, rotatably supporting a cam roller inside a position away from the support shaft of the movable arm, and rotating a cam that comes into contact with the cam roller and moves the cam roller up and down on a support base fixed on the fixed arm. A hollow coil bobbin wound with an electromagnetic coil is horizontally mounted on the fixed arm, and the extension of the cam for moving the roller up and down is rotated at the tip of the electrode rod inserted into the hollow coil bobbin. The pressure sensor is supported between the base and the lower side of the fixed arm near the cam support, and the output signal of the pressure sensor is supplied to the electromagnetic coil. A pressure-sensitive variable height sleep pillow characterized by being connected to a control circuit that supplies it. 3. A fixed arm mounted in parallel on a base, and a movable arm supporting a support body with which the head abuts at a distance from the fixed arm, and one end of the movable arm is pivotally supported on one end of the fixed arm. The fixed arm is attached with an electrode rod having an operating lot cam at the tip thereof, which pivotally supports a cam roller inside a position distant from the support shaft of the movable arm and moves the cam roller up and down in contact with the cam roller. above,
It is inserted horizontally into a hollow coil bobbin wound with an electromagnetic coil, and a receiving roller for supporting the actuating lot cam is attached almost directly under the cam roller, and a pressure sensor is provided between the lower side of the receiving roller and a base. And a pressure sensitive variable height sleep pillow which is configured to connect an output signal of the pressure sensor to a control circuit which supplies a current to the electromagnetic coil. 4. A fixed arm mounted in parallel on a base, and a movable arm supporting a support body with which the head abuts at a distance from the fixed arm, and one end of the movable arm is pivotally supported on the fixed arm. An eccentric cam that pivotally supports a cam roller inside a position distant from the support shaft of the movable arm and moves the cam roller up and down by contacting the cam roller is mounted on a support base fixed on the fixed arm. A gear mounted coaxially to the eccentric cam and a hollow coil bobbin wound with an electromagnetic coil are horizontally mounted on the fixed arm, and an operating rod rack is joined to an electrode rod inserted into the hollow coil bobbin. Then, by engaging the operating lock rack with the gear, the horizontal movement of the operating lock rack is directly connected to the eccentric. A cam is rotated to mount a receiving roller that supports the operating lock rack substantially directly below the eccentric cam shaft. A pressure sensor is installed between the lower side of the receiving roller and a base, and the pressure sensor is installed. The pressure-sensitive height-adjustable sleep pillow, wherein the output signal of (1) is connected to a control circuit that supplies a current to the electromagnetic coil.