NL2024137B1 - Person support system and method to operate such a person support system - Google Patents

Person support system and method to operate such a person support system Download PDF

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Publication number
NL2024137B1
NL2024137B1 NL2024137A NL2024137A NL2024137B1 NL 2024137 B1 NL2024137 B1 NL 2024137B1 NL 2024137 A NL2024137 A NL 2024137A NL 2024137 A NL2024137 A NL 2024137A NL 2024137 B1 NL2024137 B1 NL 2024137B1
Authority
NL
Netherlands
Prior art keywords
support system
person support
light
bladder
cavity
Prior art date
Application number
NL2024137A
Other languages
Dutch (nl)
Inventor
Buso Alice
Vink Peter
Bernardus Nicolaas Scharff Rob
Leonidovitsch Doubrovski Eugeni
Original Assignee
Univ Delft Tech
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Univ Delft Tech filed Critical Univ Delft Tech
Priority to NL2024137A priority Critical patent/NL2024137B1/en
Priority to PCT/NL2020/050619 priority patent/WO2021086175A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of NL2024137B1 publication Critical patent/NL2024137B1/en

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61G—TRANSPORT, PERSONAL CONVEYANCES, OR ACCOMMODATION SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PATIENTS OR DISABLED PERSONS; OPERATING TABLES OR CHAIRS; CHAIRS FOR DENTISTRY; FUNERAL DEVICES
    • A61G7/00—Beds specially adapted for nursing; Devices for lifting patients or disabled persons
    • A61G7/05—Parts, details or accessories of beds
    • A61G7/057—Arrangements for preventing bed-sores or for supporting patients with burns, e.g. mattresses specially adapted therefor
    • A61G7/05769—Arrangements for preventing bed-sores or for supporting patients with burns, e.g. mattresses specially adapted therefor with inflatable chambers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60N2/00—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles
    • B60N2/002—Seats provided with an occupancy detection means mounted therein or thereon
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60N2/00—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles
    • B60N2/02—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles the seat or part thereof being movable, e.g. adjustable
    • B60N2/0224—Non-manual adjustments, e.g. with electrical operation
    • B60N2/0244—Non-manual adjustments, e.g. with electrical operation with logic circuits
    • B60N2/026—Non-manual adjustments, e.g. with electrical operation with logic circuits varying hardness or support of upholstery, e.g. for tuning seat comfort when driving curved roads
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60N2/00—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles
    • B60N2/90—Details or parts not otherwise provided for
    • B60N2/914—Hydro-pneumatic adjustments of the shape
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61G—TRANSPORT, PERSONAL CONVEYANCES, OR ACCOMMODATION SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PATIENTS OR DISABLED PERSONS; OPERATING TABLES OR CHAIRS; CHAIRS FOR DENTISTRY; FUNERAL DEVICES
    • A61G2203/00—General characteristics of devices
    • A61G2203/30—General characteristics of devices characterised by sensor means
    • A61G2203/40—General characteristics of devices characterised by sensor means for distance

Abstract

Person support system (1), comprising: — at least one foamy body (8); — a pressure control system (5, 6, 7, 9); and — a light signal source (10) and light detecting electronics (11) for measuring a load that is applied on the person sup— port system (1), wherein the light signal source (10) and the light detecting electronics (11) are positioned at a same side in a cavity (12) of the at least one foamy body (8). The cavi— ty (12) has walls, at least one wall (12’) of said cavity (12) being covered with a light—reflecting material.

Description

Person support system and method to operate such a person sup- port system The invention relates to a person support system, comprising at least one foamy body, a pressure control system, and a light signal source and light detecting electronics for measuring a parameter, in particular one of a load and a shape deformation, that relates to the person support system.
EP 2 508 128 discloses such a person support system, in which the system supports a person in a laying down or in a seated position. One or more sensors, which may be operably coupled to the person support system, monitor changes in the position of the person situated on the person support system. A control system receives output from the sensor or sensors over period of time. The control system may use the activity and/or mobility determination to control a particular feature of the person support system, or for other purposes. The sys- tem may be either one of the mattress, cushion, bed, stretch- er, chair or table. The at least one sensor may be at least one of a load cell, an inclinometer, an accelerometer, a pres- sure sensor, a force sensor, and an optical sensor. The known person support system comprises a plurality of inflatable zones, and at least one of the sensors senses fluid pressure internal to each of the zones, and an activity level is calcu- lated for each of the zones based on the coefficient of varia- tion of the outputs from the respective zone.
It is an object of the invention to improve on accu- racy in the control of the person support system whilst em- ploying relatively inexpensive sensory equipment.
It is a further object of the invention to improve in controllability of the person support system and to make it more suitable for application and diversity of luxury applica- tions such as high quality mattresses and seats of luxury cars.
These and other objects which will become apparent from the following disclosure, are provided with a person sup- port system and a method of operating such a person support system having the features of one or more of the appended claims.
According to a first aspect of the invention the light signal source and the light detecting electronics are positioned at a same side in a cavity of the at least one foamy body.
When the at least one foamy body deforms this impacts the cavity, and consequently the light that is detected with the light detecting electronics and that originates from the light signal source is accordingly affected. In fact the in- ventors have found that small changes in shape of the cavity can result into large changes in values detected by the light detecting electronics and vice versa, making calibration easy.
A further advantage of positioning the light signal source and the light detecting electronics at a same side in a cavity of the at least one foamy body, is that the side of the body that receives the load can remain soft, which is a big advantage when using the invention in a mattress or in the seat of a luxury car.
Preferably the cavity has walls, at least one of which is covered with a light-reflecting material. This sup- ports the feature of the invention that the load that is ap- plied on the person support system is measured based on re- flection of light, rather than diffusion of light which is the comon way of measuring in the prior art. This promotes the accuracy of the measurement.
Suitably the light detecting electronics are con- figured to detect the intensity of reflected light originating from the light signal source.
Advantageously the light detecting electronics are connected to a processor to relate an intensity value of the detected reflected light to a load or shape deformation of the cavity.
To promote a versatile system it is preferred that the pressure control system comprises at least one bladder and at least one pressure regulator or pump for the supply of air into the at least one bladder, and that the at least one foamy body is provided within the at least one bladder. This can then form the basis of a modular system, wherein each module is formed by a foamy body provided within a bladder. Depending on the needs of the situation each module of a foamy body within a bladder can then be provided with an individual pres- sure regulator, or a single pressure regulator can be used to control a series of modules. Also of course intermediate solu- tions are feasible, wherein a couple of pressure regulators are applied to provide a distributed control of a series of modules, each module comprising a foamy body within a bladder. In a method for operating a person support system as discussed herein above, which comprises a module comprising a foamy body and a bladder, and a pressure regulator, the method is characterized by providing that the pressure inside the bladder is controlled by actuating the pressure regulator so as to actively control the behaviour of the module. The term behaviour as used herein may relate to the shape of the mod- ule, the force applied by the module, or the stiffness of the module.
Preferably said method comprises the steps of: - detecting an intensity of reflected light inside a cavity within the foamy body; - using machine learning and/or a trained neural network for the purpose of relating the intensity of the reflected light with a shape deformation and/or a pressure/force applied on the foamy body; and - adjusting the pressure inside the at least one bladder to achieve a desired behaviour of the module.
The invention will hereinafter be further elucidated with reference to the drawing of an exemplary embodiment of a person support system according to the invention that is not limiting as to the appended claims.
In the drawing: —-figure 1 shows an exploded view of a person support system of the invention; -figures 2A - 2D show a module of a foamy body within an air bladder in respectively a front view, a side view, a top view, and a sectioned isometric view; -figures 3A - 3C schematically show a module of the person support system of the invention when subjected to dif- ferent loads; and
-figures 4A - 4C schematically shows different con- trol configurations of the person support system of the inven- tion.
Whenever in the figures the same reference numerals are applied, these numerals refer to the same parts.
Figure 1 depicts an exploded view of a person support system 1. In this example some parts of a seat are shown, com- prising a seat pan frame 2, a series of modules 3 further dis- cussed hereinafter, a spacer fabric 4, all of which topped up with a sheet pan covered 5. The modules 3 which will be dis- cussed hereinafter are the core of the invention.
In figure 4A - 4C different control configurations are shown for the modules 3, notably in figure 4A a configura- tion is shown wherein two pumps 4 are applied for each module 3, in figure 4B a configuration is shown with a compressor 5, and a number of proportional pressure regulators, each propor- tional pressure regulator 6 feeding through individual valves 7 the modules 3 of a particular section of modules 3. Further in figure 4C a configuration is shown which again comprises a compressor 5, this time feeding through proportional pressure regulators 6 a series of modules 3 of a particular section of modules 3.
Figure 2A and figure 2B provide a look through view from the front and the side respectively of a module 3, which comprises a foamy body 8 provided within an air bladder 9. Figure 2C depicts that the module 3 comprises a light signal source 10 and light detecting electronics 11 for measuring a load that is applied on the model 3 of the person support sys- tem 1. Said light signal source 10 and light detecting elec- tronics 11 are provided at a same side within a cavity 12 of the at least one foamy body 8. This is better shown in figures 3A — 3C.
Figure 3A and figure 3B clearly show that the light signal source 10 and the law detecting electronics 11 are pro- vided at the same side of the cavity 12 within the foamy body
8. The cavity has walls, wherein at least one wall 12’ of said walls is covered with a light-reflecting material.
The light detecting electronics 11 are configured to detect the intensity of reflected light originating from the light signal source 10. It is further preferable that the light detecting electronics 11 are connected to a processor to relate an intensity value of the detected reflected light to a deformation of the cavity 12 as is symbolized in figure 3C.
5 The person support system 1 of the invention, com- prising a foamy body 8, a bladder 9 and a pressure regulator as depicted in figure 4C, preferably operate such that the pressure inside the bladder 9 is controlled by actuating the pressure regulator so as to actively control the stiffness of the module 3. Preferably said method comprises the steps of: - detecting an intensity of reflected light inside a cavity 12 within the foamy body 8; - using machine learning and/or a trained neural network for the purpose of relating the intensity of the reflected light with a shape deformation and/or a pressure/force applied on the foamy body 8; and - adjusting the pressure inside the at least one bladder 9 to achieve a desired behaviour of the module 3. Although the invention has been discussed in the foregoing with reference to an exemplary embodiment of the person support system and method to operate the person support system of the invention, the invention is not restricted to this particular embodiment which can be varied in many ways without departing from the invention. The discussed exemplary embodiment shall therefore not be used to construe the append- ed claims strictly in accordance therewith. On the contrary the embodiment is merely intended to explain the wording of the appended claims without intent to limit the claims to this exemplary embodiment. The scope of protection of the invention shall therefore be construed in accordance with the appended claims only, wherein a possible ambiguity in the wording of the claims shall be resolved using this exemplary embodiment. Aspects of the invention are itemized in the follow- ing section.
1. Person support system (1), comprising: — at least one foamy body (8); - a pressure control system (5, 6, 7, 9); and - a light signal source (10) and light detecting electron- ics (11) for measuring a parameter, in particular one of a load and a shape deformation, that relates to the per- son support system (1), characterized in that the light signal source (10) and the light detecting electronics (11) are positioned at a same side in a cavity (12) of the at least one foamy body (8).
2. Person support system according to claim 1, characterized in that the cavity (12) has walls, at least one wall (127) of said cavity (12) being covered with a light-reflecting material.
3. Person support system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the light detecting electronics (11) are configured to detect an intensity of reflected light originating from the light signal source (10).
4. Person support system according to any one of claims 1 - 3, characterized in that the light detecting electronics (11) are connected to a processor to relate an intensity value of the detected reflected light to a load or shape defor- mation of the cavity (12).
5. Person support system according to any of claims 1 -4, characterized in that the pressure control system (5, 6, 7, 9) comprises: - at least one bladder (9); and - at least one of a pressure regulator (6) and pump (4) for the supply of air into the at least one bladder (9), and that the at least one foamy body (8) is provided within the at least one bladder (9).
6. Method for operating a person support system (1), compris- ing a module (3) of a foamy body (8) and a bladder (2), and a pressure regulator (6), characterized in that providing that the pressure inside the bladder (9) is controlled by actuating the pressure regulator (6) so as to actively con- trol the behaviour of the module (3).
7. Method for operating a person support system according to claim 6, characterized in that said method comprises the steps of: - detecting an intensity of reflected light inside a cavity (12) within the foamy body (8); - using machine learning and/or a trained neural network for the purpose of relating the intensity of the reflect-
ed light with a shape deformation and/or a pressure/force applied on the foamy body (8); and - adjusting the pressure inside the at least one bladder (9) to achieve a desired behaviour of the module (3).

Claims (7)

CONCLUSIESCONCLUSIONS 1. Persoonondersteuningssysteem (1), omvattende: - ten minste één schuimlichaam (8); — een drukregelsysteem (5, 6, 7, 9); en - een lichtsignaalbron (10) en lichtdetectie-elektronica (11) voor het meten van een parameter, in het bijzonder één van een belasting en een vervorming, die betrekking heeft op het per- soonondersteuningssysteem (1), met het kenmerk, dat de lichtsignaalbron (10) en de lichtde- tectie-elektronica (11) aan dezelfde zijde in een holte (12) van het ten minste ene schuimlichaam (8) zijn geplaatst.A person support system (1), comprising: - at least one foam body (8); — a pressure control system (5, 6, 7, 9); and - a light signal source (10) and light detection electronics (11) for measuring a parameter, in particular one of a load and a deformation, related to the person support system (1), characterized in that the light signal source (10) and the light detection electronics (11) are placed on the same side in a cavity (12) of the at least one foam body (8). 2. Persoonondersteuningssysteem volgens conclusie 1, met het kenmerk, dat de holte (12) wanden heeft, waarbij ten min- ste éen wand (12') van de holte (12) bedekt is met een licht- reflecterend materiaal.A person support system according to claim 1, characterized in that the cavity (12) has walls, wherein at least one wall (12') of the cavity (12) is covered with a light-reflecting material. 3. Persoonondersteuningssysteem volgens conclusie 1 of 2, met het kenmerk, dat de lichtdetectie-elektronica (11) is ge- configureerd om een intensiteit van gereflecteerd licht afkom- stig van de lichtsignaalbron (10) te detecteren.A person support system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the light detecting electronics (11) is configured to detect an intensity of reflected light from the light signal source (10). 4. Persoonondersteuningssysteem volgens één van de con- clusies 1 - 3, met het kenmerk, dat de lichtdetectie- elektronica (11) is verbonden met een processor om een inten- siteitswaarde van het gedetecteerde gereflecteerde licht te relateren aan een belasting of vervorming van de holte (12).A person support system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the light detection electronics (11) is connected to a processor to relate an intensity value of the detected reflected light to a load or deformation of the cavity (12). 5. Persoonondersteuningssysteem volgens één van de con- clusies 1-4, met het kenmerk, dat het drukregelsysteem (5, 6, 7, 9) omvat: - ten minste één blaas (9); en - ten minste een van een drukregelaar (6) en een pomp (4) voor de toevoer van lucht naar de ten minste ene blaas (9), en dat het ten minste ene schuimlichaam (8) binnen de ten min- ste ene blaas (9) is aangebracht.A person support system according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that the pressure control system (5, 6, 7, 9) comprises: - at least one bladder (9); and - at least one of a pressure regulator (6) and a pump (4) for supplying air to the at least one bladder (9), and that the at least one foam body (8) is within the at least one bladder (9) is fitted. 6. Werkwijze voor het bedienen van een persoonondersteu- ningssysteem (1), omvattende een module (3) van een schuim- lichaam (8) en een blaas (9), en een drukregelaar (6), met het kenmerk, dat de druk in de blaas (9) wordt geregeld door acti-A method of operating a person support system (1), comprising a module (3) of a foam body (8) and a bladder (9), and a pressure regulator (6), characterized in that the pressure in the bladder (9) is regulated by activation vering van de drukregelaar (6) om het gedrag van de module (3) actief te regelen.suspension of the pressure regulator (6) to actively control the behavior of the module (3). 7. Werkwijze voor het bedienen van een persoonondersteu- ningssysteem volgens conclusie 6, met het kenmerk, dat genoem- de werkwijze de stappen omvat van: — het detecteren van een intensiteit van gereflecteerd licht in een holte (12) in het schuimlichaam (8); - gebruik van machine learning en / of een getraind neuraal netwerk om de intensiteit van het gereflecteerde licht te re- lateren aan een vormvervorming en / of een druk / kracht uit- geoefend op het schuimlichaam (8); en - het aanpassen van de druk in de ten minste ene blaas (9) om een gewenst gedrag van de module (3) te bereiken.A method of operating a person support system according to claim 6, characterized in that said method comprises the steps of: - detecting an intensity of reflected light in a cavity (12) in the foam body (8) ; - use of machine learning and/or a trained neural network to relate the intensity of the reflected light to a shape deformation and/or a pressure/force applied to the foam body (8); and - adjusting the pressure in the at least one bladder (9) to achieve a desired behavior of the module (3).
NL2024137A 2019-10-31 2019-10-31 Person support system and method to operate such a person support system NL2024137B1 (en)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
NL2024137A NL2024137B1 (en) 2019-10-31 2019-10-31 Person support system and method to operate such a person support system
PCT/NL2020/050619 WO2021086175A1 (en) 2019-10-31 2020-10-08 Person support system and method to operate such a person support system

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
NL2024137A NL2024137B1 (en) 2019-10-31 2019-10-31 Person support system and method to operate such a person support system

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NL2024137B1 true NL2024137B1 (en) 2021-07-19

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NL2024137A NL2024137B1 (en) 2019-10-31 2019-10-31 Person support system and method to operate such a person support system

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WO (1) WO2021086175A1 (en)

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6154907A (en) * 1997-07-21 2000-12-05 Poly System Injection Pneumatic cushion having individually deformable cells
US20010039681A1 (en) * 1997-11-24 2001-11-15 Royce W. Johnson System and methods for mattress control in relation to patient distance
WO2011097569A2 (en) * 2010-02-05 2011-08-11 Stryker Corporation Patient/invalid handling support
EP2508128A1 (en) 2011-04-08 2012-10-10 Hill-Rom Services, Inc. Person support apparatus with activity and mobility sensing

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6154907A (en) * 1997-07-21 2000-12-05 Poly System Injection Pneumatic cushion having individually deformable cells
US20010039681A1 (en) * 1997-11-24 2001-11-15 Royce W. Johnson System and methods for mattress control in relation to patient distance
WO2011097569A2 (en) * 2010-02-05 2011-08-11 Stryker Corporation Patient/invalid handling support
EP2508128A1 (en) 2011-04-08 2012-10-10 Hill-Rom Services, Inc. Person support apparatus with activity and mobility sensing

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