AIR BAG VOLUME DETECTION DEVICE OF ANTI-Snoring PILLOW

Abstract

The present invention discloses an air bladder volume detection device for a snoring detection pillow. The present invention is configured to detect the volume state according to changes in the air filling amount of the air bladder through a capacitance value. Accordingly, by detecting the volume state of the air bladder applied to the anti-snoring pillow to block external exposure, and adjusting the height of the air bladder based on the detection result, the device pushes the user's neck forward so that the user's head is tilted backward, thereby preventing snoring and enabling the user to get sufficient sleep.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an anti-snoring pillow having an air bladder, and more specifically, to an air bladder volume detection device for an anti-snoring pillow that prevents snoring by detecting the volume state of an air bladder applied to the anti-snoring pillow and not exposed to the outside, thereby adjusting the height of the air bladder and pushing the user's neck forward so that the user's head is tilted backward. Background Technology

[0002] Generally, snoring can lower the quality of sleep and lead to insufficient sleep even if the amount of sleep is sufficient, which can cause headaches upon waking and, in addition to fatigue due to sleep deprivation, can lead to symptoms such as decreased memory and concentration due to insufficient oxygen supply to the brain.

[0003] Furthermore, severe snoring not only causes harm to surrounding family members but also poses a serious problem for the individual, as it can lead to sleep apnea.

[0004] Furthermore, the human brain requires rest to maintain a proper balance of activity, and most of this rest occurs during sleep. While the importance of sleep cannot be overstated, the reality is that most modern people are unable to get enough sleep due to excessive work or studies.

[0005] Meanwhile, regarding sleep, not only the quantity but also the quality of sleep is important, and most modern people often cannot get quality sleep due to stress, etc. Accordingly, a snoring detection pillow with an air bladder was introduced.

[0006] In other words, the air bladder applied inside the anti-snoring pillow is not exposed to the outside, and in the event of snoring or sleep apnea during sleep, it secures the airway and enables the user to achieve deep sleep by simultaneously or independently adjusting the left and right angles of the user's upper body to induce breathing.

[0007] Meanwhile, as described above, since the volume of the air bladder applied to the anti-snoring pillow changes as the air filling amount varies depending on the frequency of use, a sensor has conventionally been applied to periodically check the volume according to the air filling amount of the air bladder applied inside the pillow and notify the user; the sensor may be a pressure sensor for measuring pressure or a TOF sensor for measuring distance.

[0008] However, although the pressure sensor can measure the pressure of the air, if the material of the air bag itself lacks elasticity, it is difficult to determine the exact amount of air filled in the air bag, and as shown in the attached Fig. 1, the output value of the pressure sensor increases only when the air bag (100) is fully filled with air. Therefore, it is difficult to measure the volume of the air bag (100) when there is no air at all as shown in the attached Fig. 2, or when the air is filled to about half as shown in the attached Fig. 3.

[0009] Meanwhile, the above TOF sensor measures the distance traveled by the laser by irradiating the bottom surface of the air bag (100) and reflecting the laser from the top surface. This has the disadvantage that while the TOF sensor itself is read well within a certain distance, at a short distance, that is, when there is no air at all in the air bag (100) as shown in the attached Fig. 2, the TOF sensor cannot measure the distance.

[0010] In other words, conventional pressure sensors or TOF sensors applied to anti-snoring pillows cannot properly check the volume status according to changes in the air filling amount of an air bladder that is shielded from external exposure. Prior art literature

[0011] Registered Patent Publication No. 10-1866169 (Published June 11, 2018) Published Patent Publication No. 10-2018-0063577 (Published June 12, 2018) Registered Patent Publication No. 10-2290349 (Published August 18, 2021) Published Patent Publication No. 10-2024-0018762 (Published February 14, 2024) Registered Patent Publication No. 10-1630546 (Published June 14, 2016) Japanese Published Patent Publication No. JP 2005-058388 (Published March 10, 2005) The problem to be solved

[0012] The problem that the present invention aims to solve is to provide an air bladder volume detection device for an anti-snoring pillow, configured to detect the volume state according to changes in the air filling amount of the air bladder through a capacitance value, thereby detecting the volume state of the air bladder applied to the anti-snoring pillow to block external exposure, and adjusting the height of the air bladder according to the detection result to push the user's neck forward so that the user's head is tilted backward, thereby preventing the user from snoring. means of solving the problem

[0013] The air bladder volume detection device of a snoring detection pillow, which is a means for solving the problem of the present invention, comprises: an air bladder located inside a pillow that supports the user's head and is housed so as not to be exposed to the outside, and which prevents the user's snoring by adjusting its height according to changes in volume state so that the user's head tilts backward while pushing the user's neck; an electrode for measuring capacitance that contacts the air bladder; and a capacitance measuring unit that is electrically connected to the electrode and measures a capacitance value according to the volume state of the air bladder through the electrode part.

[0014] In addition, the pillow further includes an air pump for injecting air into the air bag and a solenoid valve, wherein the solenoid valve is controlled to open or close by a controller according to the capacitance value measured by the capacitance measuring unit, and the air pump is configured to prevent the user from snoring by adjusting the height of the air bag, wherein the amount of air injected during operation is determined by the controller according to the capacitance value measured by the capacitance measuring unit when the solenoid valve is open.

[0015] Additionally, the device further includes: a microphone provided on the inside or one side of the pillow to receive a snoring sound; a vibration sensor provided on the inside of the pillow to detect vibrations of the snoring sound or ambient noise to distinguish between the snoring sound of the pillow user and ambient noise or the snoring sound of another person; and a controller that extracts ambient noise or the snoring sound of another person by comparing and analyzing the snoring sound input through the microphone and the vibration sensor with the vibration value of the snoring sound.

[0016] In addition, the electrode is a conductive film attached to one outer surface and the other outer surface of the air pocket, respectively.

[0017] In addition, the electrode is a flexible conductive film attached to one outer surface and the other outer surface of the air pocket, respectively.

[0018] In addition, the capacitance value (C) measured by the capacitance measuring unit is a formula that calculates the dielectric constant (ε), the area (A) of the electrode, and the distance (d) between one side and the other side according to the volume state of the air pocket,

[0019] It is measured by. Effects of the invention

[0020] Accordingly, the present invention is configured to detect the volume state according to changes in the air filling amount of an air bladder through a capacitance value. By detecting the volume state of the air bladder applied to the anti-snoring pillow to block external exposure, and adjusting the height of the air bladder according to the detection result, the user's neck is pushed forward so that the user's head is tilted backward, thereby preventing snoring and enabling the user to get sufficient sleep.

[0021] The effects of the present invention are not limited to those mentioned above, and other unmentioned effects will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description in the claims. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0022] FIG. 1 is a drawing of a conventional air bladder maintaining a fully inflated volume state. FIG. 2 is a drawing of a conventional air bladder maintaining a fully contracted volume state. FIG. 3 is a drawing of a conventional air bladder maintaining a semi-inflated volume state. FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of an air bladder volume detection device for an anti-snoring pillow as an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a state in which a high capacitance value is measured when the air bladder maintains a fully contracted volume state, as an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a state in which a low capacitance value is measured when the air bladder maintains a fully inflated volume state, as an embodiment of the present invention. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0023] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings.

[0024] FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of an air bladder volume detection device for an anti-snoring pillow according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a state in which a high capacitance value is measured when the air bladder maintains a fully contracted volume state according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a state in which a low capacitance value is measured when the air bladder maintains a fully inflated volume state according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Referring to the attached FIGS. 4 to 6, the air bladder volume detection device of an anti-snoring pillow according to an embodiment of the present invention, although not shown in the drawings, is configured inside the anti-snoring pillow and includes an air bladder (10), an electrode (20), and a capacitance measuring unit (30), and / or may further include a controller (40), a solenoid valve (50), an air pump (60), a microphone (70), and a vibration sensor (80).

[0026] The above air bag (10) is positioned inside a pillow that supports the user's head and is contained so as not to be exposed to the outside. When the user snores or falls into a sleep apnea state while sleeping with the pillow, it secures the airway and guides the user to get a good night's sleep by simultaneously or independently adjusting the left and right angles of the user's upper body to induce breathing. This is inflated or deflated by an air pump (60) controlled by the controller (40).

[0027] That is, the above air bag (10) prevents the user from snoring by adjusting the height through changes in volume state so that the user's head is tilted backward while pushing the user's neck.

[0028] The electrode (20) is formed on one outer surface and the other outer surface of the air bag (10), respectively, and accumulates an amount of charge according to the volume state of the air bag (10). This may be a conductive film attached to one outer surface and the other outer surface of the air bag (10), respectively, or a flexible conductive film attached to one outer surface and the other outer surface of the air bag (10), respectively.

[0029] The above capacitance measuring unit (30) is electrically connected to the electrode (20) and measures the capacitance value (C) from the amount of charge accumulated from the electrode (20).

[0030] That is, the capacitance value (C) measured by the capacitance measuring unit (30) is calculated using the following formula, which calculates the distance (d) between one outer surface and the other outer surface according to the permittivity (ε), the area (A) of the electrode (20), and the volume state of the air pocket (10).

[0031] It is measured by.

[0032] For example, as shown in the attached FIG. 3, when the air pocket (10) provided inside the pillow is in a fully contracted volume state, the permittivity (ε) and the area (A) of the electrode (20) are fixed, but the distance (d) between one outer surface and the other outer surface of the air pocket (10) is shortened, so the capacitance value (C) measured by the capacitance measuring unit (30) is measured as high.

[0033] On the other hand, as shown in the attached Fig. 4, when the air bladder (10) provided inside the pillow is in a fully expanded volume state, the permittivity (ε) and the area (A) of the electrode (10) are fixed, but the distance (d) between one outer surface and the other outer surface of the air bladder (10) is increased, so the capacitance value (C) measured by the capacitance measuring unit (30) is measured as low.

[0034] That is, even if the capacitance measuring unit (30) applies a constant pressure to the air bag (10), the magnitude of the capacitance value (C) itself does not change significantly, so the distance (d) between one outer surface and the other outer surface of the air bag (10) can be measured, and the volume state of the air bag (10) can be measured from the measured distance (d).

[0035] Meanwhile, in the interior or on one side of the anti-snoring pillow according to an embodiment of the present invention, a microphone (70) for receiving a snoring sound, a vibration sensor (80) for detecting vibrations of the snoring sound or surrounding noise to distinguish between the snoring sound of the pillow user and surrounding noise or the snoring sound of another person, and a controller (40) for extracting surrounding noise or the snoring sound of another person by comparing and analyzing the snoring sound input through the microphone (70) and the vibration sensor (80) and the vibration value of the snoring sound, may be configured, as well as an air pump (60) for injecting air into the air bag (10) and a solenoid valve (50).

[0036] That is, the solenoid valve (50) is controlled to be opened or closed by the controller (40) according to the capacitance value (C) measured by the capacitance measuring unit (30), and the air pump (60) is turned on or off by the controller (40) according to the capacitance value (C) measured by the capacitance measuring unit (30) when the solenoid valve (50) is opened, and the amount of air injected when turned on is determined by the controller (40), thereby preventing the user from snoring by adjusting the height of the air bag (10).

[0037] Accordingly, the height of the air bag (10) can be adjusted according to the amount of air injected when the air pump (60) is turned on, and the neck of the sleeping user is pushed back according to the height adjustment of the air bag (10), thereby allowing the user's head to be tilted backward, and thereby enabling the sleeping user to get a good night's sleep.

[0038] As such, the air bag volume state detection device of the snoring detection pillow according to the embodiment of the present invention is intended to adjust the height of the air bag (10). As shown in the attached FIGS. 4 to 6, when a user is sleeping with the pillow, the volume state of the air bag (10) provided inside the pillow is measured by the capacitance value (C) measured by the electrode (20) and the capacitance measuring unit (30). If the volume state of the air bag (10) is in a completely contracted state as shown in the attached FIG. 5, the air pump (40) is activated to inject air into the air bag (10) to maintain an expanded volume state as shown in the attached FIG. 6.

[0039] Then, the user's neck is pushed forward while sleeping on the pillow, and as the head tilts backward due to this pushing phenomenon, snoring is prevented, allowing the user to achieve stable, deep sleep.

[0040] Although the technical concept of the air bladder volume detection device for a snoring detection pillow according to the present invention has been described above together with the accompanying drawings, this is merely an illustrative description of the best embodiment of the present invention and does not limit the invention.

[0041] Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the specific preferred embodiments described above, and anyone with ordinary knowledge in the art to which the invention pertains can make various modifications without departing from the essence of the invention as claimed in the claims, and such modifications will be within the scope of the claims. Explanation of the symbols

[0042] 10; air bladder 20; electrode 30; Capacitance measuring unit 40; Controller 50; Solenoid valve 60; Air pump 70; Microphone 80; Vibration sensor

Claims

Claim 1 An air bladder located inside a pillow that supports the user's head and housed so as not to be exposed to the outside, which prevents the user's snoring by adjusting its height based on changes in volume state to push the user's neck and tilt the user's head backward; an electrode for measuring capacitance that contacts the air bladder; a capacitance measuring unit that is electrically connected to the electrode and measures a capacitance value according to the volume state of the air bladder through the electrode; a microphone provided inside or on one side of the pillow to receive snoring sounds; and a vibration sensor provided inside the pillow to detect vibrations of the snoring sound or ambient noise to distinguish the snoring sound of the pillow user from ambient noise or the snoring sound of another person. and a controller that extracts ambient noise or another person's snoring sound by comparing and analyzing the snoring sound input through the microphone and the vibration sensor with the vibration value of the snoring sound; wherein the pillow further includes an air pump for injecting air into the air bladder and a solenoid valve, and the solenoid valve is measured by the capacitance measuring unit, and a formula for calculating the distance (d) between one outer surface and the other outer surface according to the permittivity (ε), the area (A) of the electrode, and the volume state of the air bladder. An air bladder volume detection device for a snoring detection pillow, characterized in that it is configured to prevent snoring by adjusting the height of the air bladder, wherein the air pump is controlled to be opened or closed by a controller according to the capacitance value measured by the capacitance measuring unit when the solenoid valve is opened, and the air injection amount during operation is determined by the controller according to the capacitance value measured by the capacitance measuring unit. Claim 2 delete Claim 3 delete Claim 4 An air bladder volume detection device for a snoring detection pillow, characterized in that, in claim 1, the electrode is a conductive film attached to one outer surface and the other outer surface of the air bladder, respectively. Claim 5 An air bladder volume detection device for a snoring detection pillow, characterized in that, in claim 1, the electrode is a flexible conductive film attached to one outer surface and the other outer surface of the air bladder, respectively. Claim 6 delete

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