WO2024039072A1

WO2024039072A1 - Automatic height-adjustable pillow

Info

Publication number: WO2024039072A1
Application number: PCT/KR2023/009795
Authority: WO
Inventors: 박송범
Original assignee: 박송범
Priority date: 2022-02-03
Filing date: 2023-07-10
Publication date: 2024-02-22
Also published as: KR20230118017A

Abstract

The present invention relates to a pillow of which the height is automatically adjusted during sleep, the pillow comprising, inside a pillow body part forming the exterior thereof: an auxiliary tube in which fluid is stored; a main tube into which the fluid of the auxiliary tube is injected so as to have increased volume; fluid transfer devices for injecting the fluid of the auxiliary tube into the main tube; position detection sensors for detecting whether the position of a sleeping person is the lateral decubitus position or the supine position; and a control unit for operating the fluid transfer device according to the detection result of the position detection sensors. The present invention automatically detects whether a sleeping user is in the supine position or the lateral decubitus position, and then automatically allows pillow height to be adjusted on the basis of the detection result, and thus an optimal pillow height that is suitable to the position of the sleeping person is provided.

Description

automatic height adjustable pillow

The present invention relates to a pillow capable of automatically adjusting its height, and more specifically, to a pillow whose height is automatically adjusted in consideration of the sleeping posture by detecting whether the sleeping person is lying upright or lying on his side. will be.

In general, pillows are one of the most important things for people to sleep well. These pillows are with people for many hours of the day, and the optimal form of the pillow that provides the most comfort is different depending on the individual's sleeping position and physical condition. Due to the increase in insomnia and stress among modern people, and the widespread use of computers, etc., they are used in daily life. As the number of people staying in incorrect postures for long periods of time increases, various functions are required.

Various technologies are being developed in accordance with these demands for pillows, and Publication Patent No. 2009-0014131 discloses a pillow form that supports the side of a person's head and can be changed in shape, and a pillow form located inside the pillow form, A pillow is provided that includes one or more shape variable units that change the shape.

However, although the prior art includes information on changing the height of the pillow, it does not disclose information on changing the height in response to the sleeper's changing posture during sleep. In other words, the posture may change frequently while sleeping, and although it is necessary to appropriately adjust the height of the pillow in response to this change in posture, there is a problem in the prior art that the pillow height cannot be adjusted during sleep.

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a technology that detects the user's sleeping posture using various sensors and automatically adjusts the height of the pillow in consideration of the user's sleeping posture.

The present invention is provided inside the pillow body forming the outer shape, and includes an auxiliary tube in which fluid is stored; a main tube whose volume is increased by injecting fluid from the auxiliary tube; a fluid transfer device that injects fluid from the auxiliary tube into the main tube; A posture detection sensor that detects whether the sleeping person is lying on their side or lying down; and a control unit that operates the fluid transfer device according to a result detected by the posture sensor. An automatic height adjustment pillow is provided that includes automatically adjusting the height of the pillow in a sleeping state.

The present invention is a method of detecting whether the sleeping user is lying upright or lying on his side using a carotid artery sensor, an infrared sensor, a body temperature sensor, or a tactile sensor, and then injecting fluid based on this. By automatically adjusting the height of the pillow, the beneficial effect of helping a good night's sleep occurs by providing the optimal pillow height suited to the sleeper's posture.

1 is a conceptual view of the internal structure of an automatic height adjustment pillow according to an embodiment of the present invention,

Figure 2 is an external view of an automatic height adjustment pillow according to an embodiment of the present invention,

Figures 3 and 4 show the internal structure of the automatic height adjustment pillow in operation according to another embodiment of the present invention,

Figure 5 is an operational view of the internal structure of an automatic height adjustment pillow according to another embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 6 shows some devices of the internal structure of the automatic height adjustment pillow of the present invention arranged outside the pillow through a separate device,

Figures 7 to 11 show a person lying down and on his side while sleeping using an automatic height-adjustable pillow according to the present invention.

Referring to Figure 1, the automatically height-adjustable pillow according to the present invention automatically detects whether the sleeping person (hereinafter referred to as 'user') is lying on his side or upright during sleep, and then adjusts the height of the pillow according to the posture. It is characterized by automatic adjustment. This solves the problem of maintaining a constant height regardless of the user's sleeping position, even though the height of the pillow required for the user is different when lying on the side and when lying on the back.

The pillow 100 according to the present invention first has a body portion 110 that forms an overall appearance and provides cushion to the user. The body portion may be made of various materials that are conventionally used in pillows. Additionally, devices for height adjustment, which are a feature of the present invention, are built into the body.

That is, it is provided inside the pillow body 110 forming the outer shape, and includes an auxiliary tube 120 and a main tube 150 in which fluid is stored, a transfer pipe 135 connecting the auxiliary tube and the main tube, and A transfer pump 130 is provided in the transfer pipe to transfer fluid. Here, the transfer pipe and transfer pump are also referred to as a fluid transfer device.

The

fluid transfer devices

130 and 135 serve to increase or decrease the volume of the main tube by transferring the fluid inside the auxiliary tube and the main tube to one side or the other. That is, an appropriate amount of fluid (air or liquid) is built inside the auxiliary tube and the main tube, and the fluid inside the auxiliary tube moves into the main tube or the fluid inside the main tube is moved by the transfer pump. moves inside the auxiliary tube, thereby increasing or decreasing the volume of the main tube 130, and as a result, the height of the pillow surrounding the main tube is raised or lowered.

Referring to Figure 2, for convenience, the upper surface of the pillow is divided into an upper part (100-2) and a lower part (100-1). The lower part refers to the lower part where the user's neck or shoulder is located when lying down, and the upper part refers to the upper part. means part. The main tube 130 is located inside the lower part 100-1 of the pillow, and as the volume of the main tube increases or decreases, the height of the lower part of the pillow increases or decreases.

In addition, the present invention is characterized in that the height adjustment of the pillow is automatically performed by detecting the posture of the sleeping person, and for this purpose, a posture detection sensor 170 is used to detect whether the user's posture is lying on the side or lying down. It further includes, and the control unit 180 automatically adjusts the pillow height by operating the fluid transfer device according to the result detected by the posture sensor.

The posture detection sensor 170 in the present invention is a sensor that functions to detect the user's posture and is preferably placed on the upper surface of the body of the pillow, but is preferably placed at the lower part 100-1 and may be used as an infrared sensor, a touch sensor, etc. Sensors may be used.

As an example, the posture sensor may be a carotid artery sensor that detects the vibration of the carotid artery pulse of a sleeping user. When the user sleeps, if he or she lies on his or her side or in an upright position, the carotid artery sensor in the pillow detects this and determines the user's posture. That is, when lying down on one's back and on one's side, the pulse signal of the carotid artery may be weak or strong due to the difference in distance from the sensor, and the carotid artery sensor detects the posture by distinguishing between these signals. The control unit receives a detection signal from the carotid artery sensor and operates the fluid transfer device.

Alternatively, the posture sensor may be an infrared sensor that detects the user's head and shoulders. When the user lies down, the portion occupied by both shoulders is placed on either side of the head when viewed from the pillow. In other words, the infrared sensor detects both shoulders. However, when the user lies on his side, both shoulders are not detected based on the head. Using this difference, an infrared sensor is used to detect the user's sleeping posture.

Alternatively, the posture sensor may be a body temperature sensor that detects the user's body temperature. When the user lies down on his back, the back of his head touches the pillow, and when he lies on his side, the side of his face touches the pillow. When lying on your side, the body temperature of the face is detected, and when lying on the side, the body temperature of the back of the head is detected. The temperature difference between the two cases is used to determine the user's sleeping position. Alternatively, when lying down, body temperature may not be detected due to hair. If the appropriate body temperature cannot be detected, it is determined that the patient is lying down.

Alternatively, the posture sensor may be a touch sensor that detects contact with the user's body. When the user lies down on his back, the back of his head touches the pillow, and when he lies on his side, the side of his face touches the pillow. In the case where the user lies on his side, the touch sensor recognizes the skin on the face and determines that the user is lying on his side. In this case, the touch sensor detects the back of the head, and when hair is detected, the user's sleeping position is determined to be lying down. In other words, the user's lying posture is determined using the difference between the skin and hair that the touch sensor touches.

Additionally, the posture detection sensor of the present invention may be a posture detection camera (170-1 in FIG. 9) that photographs the user's sleeping posture. The user's posture while sleeping is photographed with a camera and the sleeping posture is determined based on this. The sleeping posture captured by the camera is transmitted wired or wirelessly to a control unit (described below) that controls the height of the pillow. The control unit automatically adjusts the pillow height according to the results detected by the posture sensor.

Figures 3 and 4 show another embodiment of the fluid transfer device used in the pillow according to the present invention. In this embodiment, only the fluid transfer device for fluid transfer is different and other configurations are similar to those described above, so their description will be brief.

In this embodiment, the pillow 200 first has a body portion 210 that forms an overall appearance and provides a cushion to the user, and devices for height adjustment are built into the body portion. That is, it is equipped with an auxiliary tube 220 in which fluid is stored, a main tube 250, a transfer pipe 225 connecting the auxiliary tube and the main tube, a posture detection sensor 270, and a control unit 280 that controls them. do.

In this embodiment, the transfer device for transferring fluid consists of a pressing plate 240 that presses the auxiliary tube 220, a wire 236 whose one end is connected to the pressing plate to pull the pressing plate, and the other end of the wire It includes a motor 230 that is connected and pulls the wire by rotation, and a spring 245 provided on the press plate to apply an elastic force in a direction opposite to the pulling direction of the wire. Additionally, the sensors that detect whether the user's sleeping position is lying down or lying down on their side are the same as those described above.

When the user's sleeping posture is detected by sensors that detect the user's posture, the motor 230 rotates in the forward or reverse direction under the control of the control unit 280. When the motor rotates in the forward direction, the wire 236 pulls the pressing plate 240 so that the pressing plate presses the auxiliary tube 220, and then the fluid inside the auxiliary tube moves along the transfer pipe 225 to the main It is injected into the tube 250. As a result, the volume of the main tube increases and the height of the pillow where the main tube is located increases. Conversely, when moving the fluid inside the main tube to the auxiliary tube, the motor rotates in the reverse direction and the force applied by the wire to the pressing plate disappears. Then, the spring 245 connected to the pressing plate 240 pulls the pressing plate in the opposite direction (upward direction in the figure), causing the pressing plate to move upward and expand the auxiliary tube, allowing fluid to flow into the auxiliary tube. For this purpose, the auxiliary tube is preferably coupled to the pressing plate so that the volume of the auxiliary tube increases or decreases by the up and down rotation of the pressing plate.

Figure 5 shows another embodiment of a fluid transfer device used in a pillow according to the present invention. In this embodiment, only the fluid transfer device for fluid transfer is different and other configurations are similar to those described above, so their description will be brief.

The pillow 300 of this embodiment first has a body portion 310 that forms an overall appearance and provides a cushion to the user, and devices for height adjustment are built into the body portion. That is, it is equipped with an auxiliary tube 320 in which fluid is stored, a main tube 350, a transfer pipe 325 connecting the auxiliary tube and the main tube, a posture detection sensor 370, and a control unit 380 to control them. do.

In this embodiment, the configuration of the transfer device for transferring fluid includes an electromagnet 342 located on one side of the auxiliary tube that pressurizes the auxiliary tube 320, and a metal plate (342) located on the other side of the auxiliary tube and attracted by the electromagnet. 344). In this embodiment, the control unit controls the electromagnet to pull the metal plate when power is supplied. At this time, the auxiliary tube between the electromagnet and the metal plate is compressed, and the fluid inside the auxiliary tube moves to the main tube. For effective operation, it is advisable to place an auxiliary plate 343 between the electromagnet and the auxiliary tube, and also place a deceleration device 346 at an appropriate location to prevent the metal plate from being attached to the electromagnet at too high a speed. Since the deceleration device controls the speed of the metal plate, it may be a device that adjusts the magnetic force of the electromagnet to gradually increase. Additionally, a compression spring may be further provided between the auxiliary plate 343 and the metal plate 344 to allow the auxiliary tube to expand from its compressed state to its original state. Through this, the auxiliary tube can be compressed by the electromagnet action and expanded again by the compression spring action.

Additionally, the sensors that detect whether the user's sleeping position is lying down or lying down on their side are the same as those described above. That is, when the user's sleeping posture is detected by sensors that detect the user's posture, the electromagnet operates under the control of the control unit 380 and the fluid inside the auxiliary tube moves along the transfer pipe to the main tube. is injected.

Figure 6 is an example of the present invention, in which a separate auxiliary device 200-1 separated from the body of the height-adjustable pillow itself is placed at a slight distance from the pillow. In addition, the auxiliary tube, fluid transfer device, and control unit described in FIGS. 1, 3, 5, etc. can be arranged to be accommodated inside the auxiliary device 200-1. Through this, it is possible to prevent sleep from being disturbed by noise caused by the operation of the device for transferring the fluid during sleep. The signal detected by the posture sensor can be transmitted to the control unit wired or wirelessly.

Figure 10 shows the height (d1) of the pillow when lying down, and Figure 11 shows the height (d2) of the pillow when lying on its side. The height (d2) when lying on its side is shown when lying on its side. It can be seen that it is higher than the height (d1).

The present invention uses the above configuration to detect whether the sleeping user is lying down or on his side using a carotid artery sensor, an infrared sensor, a body temperature sensor, or a touch sensor, and then the fluid transfer device delivers fluid based on this. It is introduced or discharged into the main tube, and as a result, the height of the pillow is automatically adjusted, providing the optimal pillow height suitable for the sleeper's posture, which has the effect of ensuring a good night's sleep.

Claims

Auxiliary tube in which fluid is stored;

a main tube whose volume is increased by injecting fluid from the auxiliary tube;

a fluid transfer device that injects fluid from the auxiliary tube into the main tube;

A posture detection sensor that detects whether the sleeping person is lying on their side or lying down; and

An automatic height adjustment pillow, comprising a control unit that operates the fluid transfer device according to a result detected by the posture sensor, and automatically adjusts the height of the pillow in a sleeping state.
The method of claim 1, wherein the fluid transfer device,

An automatic height-adjustable pillow comprising a transfer pipe connecting the auxiliary tube and the main tube; and a transfer pump provided in the transfer pipe to transfer fluid.
The method of claim 1, wherein the fluid transfer device,

A pressing plate that pressurizes the auxiliary tube;

A wire at one end connected to the pressing plate to pull the pressing plate;

a motor to which the other end of the wire is connected and which pulls the wire by rotation;

An automatic height adjustment pillow comprising a spring provided on the press plate and applying elastic force in a direction opposite to the direction of traction of the wire.
The method of claim 1, wherein the fluid transfer device,

An automatic height-adjustable pillow comprising an electromagnet located on one side of the auxiliary tube, with the auxiliary tube in between, and a metal plate located on the other side of the auxiliary tube, on which an attractive force is applied by the electromagnet.
According to paragraph 1,

It is further provided with a separate auxiliary device separated from the body of the height-adjustable pillow,

An automatic height adjustment pillow, characterized in that the auxiliary tube, the fluid transfer device, and the control unit are accommodated in the auxiliary device.
The method of claim 1, wherein the posture sensor is:

A carotid artery sensor is provided laterally at the lower end of the upper surface of the body forming the outer shape of the pillow and detects vibration of the user's carotid artery pulse; Infrared sensor that detects the user's head and shoulders; A body temperature sensor that detects the user's body temperature; A touch sensor that detects contact with the user's body; A posture detection camera that captures the user's sleeping posture; An automatically height-adjustable pillow, characterized in that any one of the following.