Slatted frame for a reclining and / or seating furniture

Abstract

Slatted base (1) for a reclining and / or seating furniture, comprising: - at least two zone elements (2), wherein at least one slat (3) is arranged on each of the zone elements, - a frame (4) to accommodate the at least two zone elements (2), - at least one support element (5) arranged on the frame (4) for supporting the at least two zone elements (2) along a longitudinal extension (L) of the frame (4), - at least one electrically operated actuating element (6) for adjusting the at least one support element (5), wherein the sinking depth of the reclining and / or seating furniture can be adjusted by adjusting the support element (5), and - a control device (7) for controlling and / or regulating the at least one actuating element (6), characterized in that at least one sensor (8) is provided for determining a person's sleep behavior, wherein the control device (7) is designed to control and / or regulate the at least one actuating element (6) depending on the sleep behavior determined by the at least one sensor (8).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a slatted frame for a reclining and / or seating furniture, comprising: - at least two zone elements, each with at least one slat arranged on the zone elements, - a frame to accommodate at least two zone elements, - at least one support element arranged on the frame for supporting the at least two zone elements along a longitudinal extension of the frame, - at least one electrically operated actuating element for adjusting the at least one support element, wherein the sinking depth of the reclining and / or seating furniture can be adjusted by adjusting the support element, and - a control device for controlling and / or regulating at least one actuator.

[0002] Such slatted bed bases are already well known in the prior art. For example, the applicant's own patent AT 521531 B1 discloses a slatted bed base with several zone elements and a support element arranged on a frame for holding the zone elements. The tension of the support element, and thus the flexibility and adaptability of the slatted bed base, can be adjusted via an adjustment element controlled by a control element. This can be used to automatically adjust the flexibility and adaptability of the slatted bed base, and thus the sinking depth, by means of a sensor on the slatted bed base that can determine a person's weight.

[0003] A disadvantage of the current state of the art is that actual sleep patterns, which are a true indicator of a person's sleep quality compared to their weight, have no influence on the adjustment of the slatted frame.

[0004] The object of the invention is to at least partially eliminate the disadvantages described above and to provide a slatted frame that is improved compared to the prior art and which can be adjusted to improve a person's sleep quality depending on their sleeping behavior.

[0005] This problem is solved by the features of independent claim 1.

[0006] According to the invention, at least one sensor for determining a person's sleep behavior is provided in a slatted frame as described above, wherein the control device is designed to control and / or regulate the at least one actuating element depending on the sleep behavior determined by the at least one sensor.

[0007] It has been shown that the sinkage depth of a reclining and / or seating furniture has a significant influence on the sleep quality of a person sleeping on it. With a slatted frame according to the invention, a person's sleeping behavior can be determined by means of a sensor. The sinkage depth can then be adjusted via the adjustment element and the control device depending on the determined sleeping behavior in order to improve the person's sleep quality.

[0008] A procedure for setting a sinking depth may include the following sequential steps: - Determining a person's sleep patterns over a predefined period, preferably at least one night, with a predefined sinkage depth of the slatted frame, - Adjusting the sinking depth of the slatted frame in a first direction, - Re-evaluation of a person's sleep patterns over a predefined period, preferably at least one night, with the adjusted sinking depth, - Comparison of the determined sleep patterns and determination of whether adjusting the sinking depth has brought about a change, preferably an improvement or deterioration, in sleep patterns, and - Adjusting the sinkage depth to the value at which sleep patterns were better. Using this method, the sinkage depth can be adjusted based on identified sleep patterns to achieve optimal sleep. In other words, adjusting the sinkage depth according to sleep patterns can improve or optimize a person's sleep quality.

[0009] The steps of such a procedure follow one another in the order listed above, but it is conceivable that further steps could be carried out between them. Therefore, the steps listed above do not have to be performed immediately one after the other; only their overall sequence must be followed.

[0010] Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are defined in the dependent claims.

[0011] A person's sleep behavior can be characterized by at least one, preferably by a variety of different parameters, which can be detected by at least one sensor.

[0012] For example, certain measurements may imply good sleep patterns, while other measurements may imply poor sleep patterns.

[0013] If several parameters are used to characterize sleep behavior, they can be weighted equally or differently with regard to their significance in relation to sleep behavior.

[0014] Advantageously, it can be provided that at least one sensor is designed to detect at least one of the following parameters: - Wakeful periods, - REM sleep phase, - Light sleep phase, - Deep sleep phase, - Pulse, - Movements of a person, - Oxygen levels in the blood, and / or - Sleeping sounds.

[0015] These parameters are advantageous in that they, alone or in combination, easily allow conclusions to be drawn about a person's sleep behavior.

[0016] It may also be provided that at least one sensor is - Pulse sensor, - Accelerometer, - Temperature sensor, especially skin temperature sensor, - ECG sensor, - Motion sensor, - Pressure sensor, - Blood oxygen saturation sensor, and / or - Pulse oximeter operator.

[0017] These sensors allow the previously described advantageous parameters to be determined in a simple manner.

[0018] According to an advantageous embodiment, the at least one sensor can detect at least two of the parameters mentioned above and / or several sensors are provided, in particular wherein the sensors are selected from the listed list of sensors.

[0019] In one embodiment, it can be provided that the at least one sensor is arranged on the slatted frame and / or wherein the at least one sensor is arranged separately from the slatted frame, preferably in and / or on a device to be carried by a person.

[0020] A sensor mounted on the slatted bed base can, for example, detect sleep sounds or movements of the person during sleep in order to detect restless sleep or the like.

[0021] Another advantage of sensors mounted on the slatted frame is that usually inexpensive standard sensors can be used, as there are no special requirements regarding size, environmental influences or the like.

[0022] A sensor positioned separately from the slatted frame makes it possible to record a wider range of parameters. For example, it is conceivable to use a camera to record the person while they sleep and to draw conclusions about their sleep patterns using image processing techniques.

[0023] However, it is particularly advantageous for the sensor, which is arranged separately from the slatted frame, to be located in and / or on a device worn by a person. Such a device could be, for example, an electronic wristwatch (smartwatch), a smart ring, or a finger sensor. The immediate proximity of at least one sensor to the person allows for the easy recording of a wide variety of parameters.

[0024] In this embodiment, the device worn by a person can communicate with the control device using wireless connection technologies, such as Bluetooth, and transmit the determined parameters to the control device.

[0025] At least two sensors can also be provided, wherein one of the at least two sensors is located on the slatted frame and another of the at least two sensors is arranged separately from the slatted frame, preferably in and / or a device to be carried by a person.

[0026] This allows for comprehensive metrological monitoring of the person and thus a comprehensive and meaningful determination of the person's sleep behavior.

[0027] Regarding a procedure, it may be provided that the person's sleep behavior is determined at least before the sinking depth is adjusted over a period of at least three, preferably consecutive, nights.

[0028] If sleep patterns are determined over several nights, the sleep pattern can be assessed more meaningfully, as any outliers in sleep patterns due to temporary influencing factors are less significant.

[0029] It is also conceivable that sleep patterns are recorded over a period of at least three nights only before the initial adjustment of the sinking depth. For subsequent sleep pattern assessments, the period can be less than three nights.

[0030] Preferably, it may be provided that, if sleep behavior improves, the sinking depth is adjusted further in the first direction in a further step, and it is determined according to the aforementioned procedure whether the further adjustment of the sinking depth has brought about a change, preferably an improvement or deterioration, in sleep behavior.

[0031] The aim is to determine whether further adjustments in the first direction can improve sleep patterns even further.

[0032] It may also preferably be provided that, if the sleep behavior deteriorates after adjusting the sinking depth in the first direction, in a further step, starting from the predefined sinking depth, the sinking depth is adjusted in a direction opposite to the first direction and it is determined according to the method of claim 6 whether the further adjustment of the sinking depth has brought about a change, preferably an improvement or deterioration, in the sleep behavior.

[0033] If sleep patterns improve after adjustment in the second direction, it can then be provided that in a further step the sinking depth is adjusted further in the second direction and, according to the method of claim 6, it is determined whether the further adjustment of the sinking depth results in a change, preferably an improvement or deterioration, of sleep patterns.

[0034] If adjusting the sinking depth in one direction leads to a deterioration in sleep behavior, it will be determined whether adjusting the sinking depth in a direction opposite to the first direction can improve sleep behavior or not.

[0035] It may be particularly preferred that the aforementioned procedural steps be carried out iteratively until no further improvement in sleep behavior can be observed.

[0036] The sinkage depth of the reclining and / or seating furniture can therefore be adjusted iteratively until no further improvement in sleep patterns can be observed, meaning that further adjustment in the first or second direction (after previous improvement) worsens sleep patterns again or remains unchanged. In this case, it can be assumed that the sinkage depth before adjustment provides optimal sleep for the individual. This is then set as the sinkage depth.

[0037] Further details and advantages of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the figures and the drawings. These show: Fig. 1a a schematic top view of a slatted bed base, Fig. 1b a schematic side view of a slatted bed base, Fig. 2a-c schematic representations of the adjustment of the sinking depth, and Fig. 3. A flowchart of a process.

[0038] The Fig. Figure 1a shows a schematic top view of a slatted frame 1 with several zone elements 2 arranged in it.

[0039] The zone elements 2 comprise two opposing, parallel support elements 2a (see Fig. 1b), which are spaced apart from each other. Connecting elements 2b are attached to the support elements 2a. These connect slats 3 to the zone element 2. The connecting elements 2b can be made of an elastic material to support the flexibility of the slats 3 and to allow the slats 3 to move relative to the rest of the zone element 2.

[0040] The slatted frame 1 has a frame 4 consisting of longitudinal sides 4a and transverse sides 4b. Additional reinforcing struts may also be arranged between the opposite longitudinal sides 4a and the opposite transverse sides 4b.

[0041] The zone elements 2 are connected to each other by means of longitudinal tensioning devices 9. The first and the last link in the chain of zone elements 2 are each connected to the frame 4 – more precisely to the transverse sides 4b of the frame 4 – via further longitudinal tensioning devices 9.

[0042] Parallel to this, a support element 5 runs on both sides. The support elements 5 are each connected at one first end 5a to the frame 4 – more precisely to the transverse sides 4b of the frame 4 – and at their respective second end 5b to an actuating element 6.

[0043] The actuating elements 6 are electrically operated and can, for example, be constructed like a winch. The load-bearing elements 5, here in the form of a rope, can then be wound onto or unwound from a respective rope drum of the actuating element 6 and thus tightened or loosened.

[0044] It is also conceivable that the position of the second ends 5b can be changed via the adjusting elements 6.

[0045] In principle, however, a specialist is familiar with a wide variety of designs for an actuating element 6, according to which the above explanations should only be regarded as examples.

[0046] Transverse bracing means 10 are attached to the longitudinal sides 4a of the frame 4 and extend to the zone elements 2.

[0047] Furthermore, a sensor 8 arranged on the slatted frame 1 is visible. The position of the sensor 8 is only an example; sensors 8 can be attached to various locations, for example on the actuating element 6, on the tensioning elements 9, 10, or directly on the support element 5.

[0048] Furthermore, a device 8a, to be worn by a person, is also visible, equipped with another sensor 8. In this embodiment, the device 8a is designed as an electronic wristwatch (smartwatch).

[0049] The sensors 8 can be a pulse sensor, an accelerometer, a temperature sensor, in particular a skin temperature sensor, an ECG sensor, a blood oxygen saturation sensor, and / or a pulse oximeter.

[0050] It is also conceivable that other types of sensors, which can capture parameters for characterizing sleep behavior, may be provided.

[0051] Of course, several sensors 8 can also be arranged on the slatted frame 1 and / or on the device 8a.

[0052] Fig. Figure 1b shows a section through a longitudinal extension L of the slatted frame 1 in side view. The supporting element 5 extends from the transverse side 4b to the opposite transverse side 4b on the other side of the slatted frame 1.

[0053] There it is connected to an adjusting element 6. By a fixed connection of the support element 5 to one transverse side 4b and a movable or adjustable attachment on the opposite transverse side 4b, the tension on the support element 5 can be adjusted.

[0054] The load-bearing element 5 contacts zone roller bodies 11 and also frame roller bodies 12. A zone element 2 with at least two zone roller bodies 11 is located between each pair of frame roller bodies 12.

[0055] The composite elements 2b with the slats 3 are arranged on the upper side of the support elements 2a.

[0056] The Fig. Figures 2a to 2c show schematic representations of the adjustment of the sinking depth.

[0057] In the Fig. 2a shows how the setting height of the zone elements 2 is higher relative to a frame bottom edge 4c than, for example, in the Fig. 2b. Thus, the tension on the lifting element 5 is in the Fig. 2a chosen higher than in the Fig. 2b, which affects the degree of freedom of the zone elements 2 and thus the sinking depth of the slatted frame 1.

[0058] In the Fig. Figure 2c shows how the tension of the load-bearing element 5 was reduced so significantly that the zone elements 2 lowered completely to the bottom edge of the frame 4c. A stop strip 4d could potentially be provided there, allowing the zone elements 2 to rest against it.

[0059] The maximum hardness of the slatted frame 1, and thus the minimum sinking depth, would be achieved if the supporting element 5 no longer had any influence on the zone elements 2 due to the lack of tension, and the zone elements 2 rested rigidly against the stop strip 4d.

[0060] In this embodiment, direction R1 points upwards and the opposite direction R2 points downwards. Adjusting the sinking depth in direction R1 therefore increases the sinking depth, while adjusting it in direction R2 decreases the sinking depth.

[0061] The Fig. Figure 3 shows a flowchart of a procedure. Starting with a predefined sinking depth, a person's sleep patterns are determined in a first step. This can be done within a predefined period. An example period would be one night, where a night is defined as the time between a person falling asleep and waking up and can therefore vary in hours. It is also conceivable that the predefined period could be three nights.

[0062] In the next step, the sinking depth is adjusted in a first direction R1. The sinking depth can be adjusted by a predefined value, for example, by 1 cm. In the present embodiment, adjusting the sinking depth in the first direction R1 corresponds to increasing the sinking depth.

[0063] In the next step, sleep patterns are assessed again. The assessed sleep patterns are then compared to determine whether an improvement in sleep patterns has occurred.

[0064] If this is the case, the next step involves adjusting the sinking depth further towards R1. The sleep pattern is then assessed again and compared to the previous sleep pattern. This process is repeated until no further improvement in sleep pattern can be observed, meaning that the sleep pattern worsens again (or remains the same) with further adjustment towards R1. At this point, the previous sinking depth is set as the optimal sinking depth.

[0065] If sleep patterns worsen after the initial comparison, the sinkage depth is adjusted towards R2. Sleep patterns are then assessed again and compared to the previous assessment. If sleep patterns improve, the sinkage depth is adjusted further towards R2. This process is repeated until no further improvement in sleep patterns is observed, meaning that sleep patterns worsen again with further adjustment towards R2 (or remain unchanged). At this point, the previous sinkage depth is set as the optimal sinkage depth.

[0066] This makes it easy to determine the ideal sinking depth for the best possible sleep behavior for a person. Reference symbol list: 1 slatted bed base 2 zone elements 2a Support element 2b Composite element 3 Latte 4 frames 4a Long side 4b Cross side 4c bottom edge of frame 4D stop bar 5 Lifting devices 6 Actuator 7 Control device 8 Sensor 8a Device to be carried by person 9 Longitudinal tensioning devices 10 transverse bracing devices 11 zone roller bodies 12 frame roller bodies QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] AT 521531 B1

[0002]

Claims

[1] Slatted base (1) for a reclining and / or seating furniture, comprising: - at least two zone elements (2), wherein at least one slat (3) is arranged on each of the zone elements, - a frame (4) to accommodate the at least two zone elements (2), - at least one support element (5) arranged on the frame (4) for supporting the at least two zone elements (2) along a longitudinal extension (L) of the frame (4), - at least one electrically operated actuating element (6) for adjusting the at least one support element (5), wherein the sinking depth of the reclining and / or seating furniture can be adjusted by adjusting the support element (5), and - a control device (7) for controlling and / or regulating the at least one actuating element (6), characterized by, that at least one sensor (8) is provided for determining a person's sleep behavior, wherein the control device (7) is designed to control and / or regulate the at least one actuating element (6) depending on the sleep behavior determined by the at least one sensor (8). [2] Slatted frame (1) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor (8) is configured to detect at least one of the following parameters: - Wakeful periods, - REM sleep phase, - Light sleep phase, - Deep sleep phase, - Pulse, - Movements of a person, - Oxygen levels in the blood, and / or - Sleeping sounds. [3] Slatted frame (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one sensor (8) is a - Pulse sensor, - Accelerometer, - Temperature sensor, especially skin temperature sensor, - ECG sensor, - Motion sensor, - Pressure sensor, - Blood oxygen saturation sensor, and / or - Pulse oximeter is. [4] Slatted frame (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the at least one sensor (8) is arranged on the slatted frame (1) and / or wherein the at least one sensor (8) is arranged separately from the slatted frame (1), preferably in and / or on a device (8a) to be carried by a person. [5] Slatted frame (1) according to claim 4, wherein at least two sensors (8) are provided, wherein one of the at least two sensors (8) is located on the slatted frame (1) and another of the at least two sensors (8) is located separately from the slatted frame, preferably in and / or a device (8a) to be carried by a person.

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