Bedding capable of detecting sleeping postures

Abstract

The present technology relates to a bedding (10) capable of detecting a sleeping posture, comprising: a main body part (1) in which an airbag (5) is provided, the main body part (1) having a front end surface on which the shoulders of a sleeping user approach; the shoulder sensor group comprises a plurality of 2 / 3 shoulder sensors which are arranged in an array shape along the long side direction of the front side end surface; the controller 6 is connected to the air bag 5 and the shoulder sensor set, the sleeping posture of the user is judged according to the detection result of the shoulder sensor set, and then inflation and deflation of the air bag are adjusted to change the height of the main body part 1, and the front side end face has a downward and inward contracting shape when viewed from the side in the long side direction of the front side end face. The shoulder sensor group is positioned at a downward adduction position of the front side end face, so that the shoulders of the user lying on the side can be close to the shoulder sensor group.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of smart home. More specifically, this utility model relates to bedding capable of detecting sleeping posture. Background Technology

[0002] In recent years, it is widely acknowledged in the health and wellness field that sleep has become a key factor affecting health, and people's attention to sleep has been increasing year by year. As a smart home solution, with the rapid intelligentization of bedding such as pillows and mattresses involved in the sleep industry, the demand for helping to eliminate sleep disorders caused by various factors and improve the sleep quality of sub-healthy people is increasing in both specific professional institutions such as medical and elderly care and ordinary residents' daily consumer fields. As a result, a variety of smart pillows, smart mattresses and other smart bedding products have emerged.

[0003] From an ergonomic perspective, the human body's physiological curves differ when lying on one's back and side. Regarding the height of pillows and other bedding, statistical patterns show that the height is roughly based on the distance between the cheekbone and shoulder when lying on one's side, and on the distance between the neck and back when lying on one's back. This difference is particularly pronounced in adults. To maintain the natural curvature of the spine, a lower pillow is needed when lying on one's back, while a higher pillow is needed when lying on one's side. Therefore, a pillow of a fixed height cannot be suitable for both sleeping positions simultaneously. To address this, existing technologies have proposed zoned pillow designs, which incorporate a higher side-lying zone and a lower back-lying zone to accommodate the needs of different sleeping positions.

[0004] During sleep, the human body is in a quasi-static state. Maintaining a specific static posture for an extended period can lead to poor local blood circulation, prompting the brain to issue a turning command to alleviate discomfort. Medical research has found that normal individuals adjust their sleeping position approximately every half hour during sleep. In the use of zoned pillows, because people unconsciously and frequently turn over during sleep, it's difficult to consistently maintain the correct sleeping zone. Therefore, in practice, smart pillows that automatically adjust their height based on the sleeping position are a better solution. Thus, to achieve the adaptive adjustment function—a core feature of smart bedding—real-time and accurate detection of various sleeping positions, including side-lying and supine positions, is crucial for smart bedding to automatically adjust its shape and implement various automatic intervention functions, including anti-snoring.

[0005] Existing sleep posture detection technologies, particularly those performed outside bedding, include: using wearable devices such as three-axis accelerometers to sense body posture; using cameras for image recognition; analyzing pressure distribution using pressure sensor arrays placed on the mattress; or detecting carbon dioxide concentration, body temperature, or infrared signals. However, these external detection technologies all have drawbacks. For example, accelerometers need to be worn, resulting in a poor user experience; camera capture and image recognition raise privacy concerns; placing pressure sensor arrays on the mattress increases equipment requirements and limits its application; and physiological indicator-based detection often requires real-time monitoring, placing high demands on equipment and leading to high costs and unstable detection accuracy. Therefore, in practice, it is preferable to implement sleep posture detection inside the pillow or other bedding components.

[0006] As a method for detecting sleeping posture inside bedding, the current mainstream technology is based on pressure detection. Detection sites include the head and neck, the back of the shoulders and upper back when lying on one's back, and the side of the upper arm and acromion area when lying on one's side. The types of sensors used include: switch-type sensors, which determine pressure by detecting the presence or absence of pressure; piezoresistive sensors, where the greater the pressure, the lower the resistance and the larger the measured value; piezoelectric sensors, which are sensitive to pressure changes and can be used to collect physiological information such as micro-vibration signals of the heartbeat; barometric pressure sensors, which indirectly detect pressure by measuring changes in air pressure within an air bladder; and capacitive sensors, including dual-electrode and single-electrode types. Dual-electrode sensors use a compressible insulating layer between positive and negative electrodes to form a capacitor, with the capacitance increasing with pressure. Single-electrode sensors rely on the fit between the sensor and the body to form the capacitor; the tighter the fit, the larger the capacitance.

[0007] Regarding the data types used as the basis for determining sleeping posture, based on the detection principle, they can be roughly divided into categories such as pressure area, total pressure magnitude, and pressure spatial distribution. When using pressure area data, the pressure difference is mainly based on the difference in pressure area between supine and lateral positions. This is indirectly determined by factors such as the inflation time of the detection airbag or the number of switch-type sensors activated due to pressure. However, this approach suffers from problems such as affecting sleep experience, poor real-time performance, and low accuracy. When using total pressure data, the difference in downward pressure on the head is directly determined based on the difference in downward pressure between supine and lateral positions. However, downward pressure is easily affected by changes in the relative position of the body and bedding, the height of the bedding itself, interference from internal components, and even bedding items including pillowcases, leading to low accuracy.

[0008] On the other hand, when using pressure spatial distribution data for sleep posture detection, the judgment is mainly based on the difference in the spatial distribution of shoulder and back pressure when lying on the back and side. This avoids the drawbacks of the two methods mentioned above, thus becoming a more accurate and reliable data type in practical use. In existing technologies, there are solutions that measure shoulder pressure using strip-shaped piezoresistive sensors extending from the side of the pillow or other bedding closest to the shoulder. However, the configuration of this strip-shaped sensor can cause a foreign body sensation for users, especially when lying on their side, as their shoulder is blocked by the sensor and cannot comfortably fit against the lower side of the pillow, thus affecting the sleep experience. In addition, the lifespan of the sensor is affected by the long-term compression of the user's shoulder.

[0009] In view of this, the industry urgently needs bedding with improved mechanisms that can simultaneously achieve high accuracy, low cost, and user-friendly sleep posture detection. Utility Model Content

[0010] To address the problems of existing sleep posture detection technologies, researchers in this field have conducted in-depth research and development, and proposed improved sleep posture detection and adaptive adjustment solutions, including bedding that can detect sleep posture based on shoulder pressure.

[0011] This invention provides a bedding device capable of detecting sleeping posture. The bedding device may include: a main body containing an air bladder, the main body having a front end face that allows the sleeping user's shoulders to approach; a shoulder sensor group including multiple shoulder sensors arranged in an array along the long side of the front end face; and a controller connected to the air bladder and the shoulder sensor group, which determines the user's sleeping posture based on the detection results of the shoulder sensor group, and then adjusts the inflation and deflation of the air bladder to change the height of the main body. When viewed from the side along the long side of the front end face, the front end face has a downward-inward shape, and the shoulder sensor group is positioned at this downward-inward position of the front end face, allowing the shoulder of the sleeping user to be close to the shoulder sensor group.

[0012] By adopting the above-described structure, the front end face of the bedding is designed to have a downward and inward shape. The shoulder sensor array, arranged in an array along the long side of the front end face, is positioned at the downward and inward position of the front end face. This allows the shoulder of the user lying on their side to be close to the shoulder sensor array. This reduces costs while ensuring the accuracy of sleeping posture detection, and does not cause any discomfort to the sleeping body, thus improving the user's comfort. It helps to assist the smart bedding in its overall operation, thereby better improving the user's sleep quality. Attached Figure Description

[0013] The accompanying drawings, which form part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the present invention and, together with the specification, serve to explain the principles of the present invention. Those skilled in the art can derive other technical solutions from these drawings and descriptions without inventive effort.

[0014] Figure 1 This is an exemplary schematic diagram of a sleeping posture-detecting bedding according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] Figure 2 This is a schematic example of the front end face of a bedding unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] Figure 3 An exemplary schematic diagram of measurement data from a shoulder sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0017] Figure 4 This is an exemplary schematic diagram of the configuration of a shoulder sensor in a sleeping posture-detecting bedding according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 5 This is an exemplary schematic diagram of the configuration of a shoulder sensor in a sleeping posture-detecting bedding according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 6 This is an exemplary schematic diagram of the configuration of a shoulder sensor in a sleeping posture-detecting bedding according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 7 This is an exemplary schematic diagram of the configuration of a neck sensor in a sleeping posture-detecting bedding according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 8 This is an exemplary schematic diagram of the configuration of a neck sensor in a sleeping posture-detecting bedding according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 9 This is an exemplary schematic diagram of the configuration of a neck sensor in a sleeping posture-detecting bedding according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure Labels

[0024] 1: Main body; 2: Capacitive sensor; 3: Piezoresistive sensor; 4: Neck capacitive sensor; 4': Neck piezoresistive sensor; 5: Airbag; 6: Controller; 10: Pillow. Detailed Implementation

[0025] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that, unless otherwise specifically stated, the relative arrangement, numerical expressions, and values ​​of components, etc., described in these embodiments do not limit the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, for ease of description, the dimensions of the various parts shown in the drawings are not drawn to actual scale. The following description of at least one exemplary embodiment is merely illustrative and does not constitute any limitation on the present invention or its application or use.

[0026] Techniques, methods, and equipment known to those skilled in the art may not be discussed in detail, but where appropriate, such techniques, methods, and equipment should be considered part of the specification.

[0027] For ease of understanding and explanation, pillows and mattresses are mainly used as examples of bedding that can detect sleeping posture according to embodiments of this utility model, but this is not limiting. Those skilled in the art will understand that the technical essence of this utility model can be applied not only to any currently known suitable bedding, but also to any future applicable bedding.

[0028] Next, refer to Figure 1 The following is a schematic configuration example of a sleeping posture-detecting bedding structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. For convenience, a pillow will be used as the example of bedding in the following description, but this is not limiting. Figure 1 From top to bottom, (a) shows a schematic perspective view of the overall structure of the pillow 10 as bedding, (b) shows a schematic top view of the pillow 10, (c) shows a schematic side view of the shape of the pillow 10 when the user is lying on their back, and (d) shows a schematic side view of the shape of the pillow 10 when the user is lying on their side.

[0029] Reference Figure 1 The sleeping posture detection bedding of this utility model embodiment may include: a main body 1, wherein an airbag 5 is provided inside, and the main body 1 has a front end face that allows the shoulders of the sleeping user to approach; a shoulder sensor group, including a plurality of shoulder sensors 2 and / or 3, arranged in an array along the long side of the front end face; and a controller 6, connected to the airbag 5 and the shoulder sensor group, which determines the sleeping posture of the user based on the detection results of the shoulder sensor group, and then adjusts the inflation and deflation of the airbag 5 to change the height of the main body 1. The front end face has a downward inward shape when viewed from the side along the long side of the front end face, and the shoulder sensor group is positioned at the downward inward position of the front end face, so that the shoulders of the user lying on their side can be close to the shoulder sensor group.

[0030] More specifically, the controller 6 may include a memory and a processor coupled to the memory. The controller 6 may be connected to a barometer (not shown), which can be connected to the airbag 5 via, for example, an air tube (not shown) to detect the air pressure of the airbag 5. Based on the air pressure detection results from the barometer and the user's sleeping posture determined based on the detection results from the shoulder sensor group, the controller 6 inflates or deflates the airbag 5 via the air tube to change the height of the pillow 10. The barometer and air tube can be integrated inside the main body 1 without affecting detection and control.

[0031] Regarding the shape of the bedding in the embodiments of this utility model, such as Figure 1 As shown in (b), in a schematic top view of the bedding, the top surface of its main body 1, primarily used to support the user's head, is shown. In the case of a pillow 10, the long side of the right side of the top surface faces the side closest to the sleeping user's shoulder. Along the long side of the right side of the top surface, a front end face is formed between it and the bed surface for the sleeping user's shoulder to approach; the long side of the right side of the top surface is in the same direction as the long side of this front end face. Next, Figure 2 The diagram illustrates a schematic example of the front end face of a bedding unit according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein (a) and (b) show the user lying supine and on their side, respectively. Figure 2 As shown by the bold lines in (a) and (b), when viewed from the side along the long side of the front end face, the front end face is not directly perpendicular to the bed surface, but is designed to have a downwardly tapering shape so that the shoulder sensor assembly is positioned at the downwardly tapering position of the front end face, i.e., the portion shown by the bold lines. Figure 2 As shown in (b), the downward inward structure of the front end face allows the user's shoulder to naturally come into contact with the shoulder sensor group while lying on their side, thereby abutting against and pressing against the front end face.

[0032] The principle of the sleeping posture detection technology of this utility model is briefly introduced below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Due to gravity, the shape of the parts of the human body that come into contact with bedding during sleep, including the shoulders, neck, and back, varies depending on sleeping positions such as supine and side-lying. The distribution of pressure per unit area (i.e., pressure) on the shoulders, neck, and other parts of the body relative to bedding such as pillows or mattresses exhibits significantly different patterns. Specifically, when lying on one's side, in order for the pillow 10 to better support the side of the neck, the shoulder naturally rests against and presses against the front end surface; when the front end surface presents a... Figure 2When the pillow has a convex shape, the shoulders may even get caught in the gap between the pillow and the bed surface during sleep, specifically in the downward-inward position below the front end. In this case, among the shoulder sensor array arranged in an array along the long side of the front end, the sensors located along the long side experience greater pressure from the shoulder and detect higher pressure values, while the unpressed sensors detect almost zero pressure. The spatial distribution of pressure is relatively concentrated, and the pressure values ​​are also relatively high. On the other hand, when lying on your back, the shoulders only rest relatively gently against the front end of the pillow. The shoulder sensor array experiences less pressure from the shoulder, resulting in lower pressure values ​​and a more dispersed pressure distribution. This novel downward-inward design of the bedding's front end, combined with the correspondingly positioned shoulder sensor array, effectively demonstrates the different pressure distribution patterns when lying on your back and side, thus enabling more accurate detection of sleeping posture.

[0033] The inventors of this invention further investigated the characteristics of different types of sensors and selected suitable sensor types for more accurate sleep posture detection. As preferred sensor types, cost-effective options such as piezoresistive sensors and capacitive sensors were considered. Piezoresistive sensors can directly reflect the pressure between the shoulder and the front end face; as capacitive sensors, if a monolithic sensor is used, as mentioned earlier, a capacitance is formed between the monolithic sensor and the human body. The smaller the distance between the sensor and the human body, the larger the capacitance, thus reflecting the degree of contact between the shoulder and the front end face, and indirectly reflecting the pressure between the shoulder and the front end face.

[0034] For ease of explanation, Figure 1 The illustration shows a shoulder sensor group comprising both a capacitive sensor group and a piezoresistive sensor group, but in practice, the shoulder sensor group only needs to include at least one of these two types. Figure 1As shown, the capacitive sensor group includes a plurality of capacitive sensors 2 arranged in an array along the long side of the front end face, and the piezoresistive sensor group includes a plurality of piezoresistive sensors 3 arranged in an array along the long side of the front end face. When using piezoresistive sensors, to better collect the pressure force between the shoulder and the front end face, it is preferable to position the piezoresistive sensors near the area where the shoulder and front end face experience significant deformation due to their interaction, such as near the protruding position of the front end face when viewed from the side. When using capacitive sensors, to better distinguish whether the shoulder is in contact with the front end face, it is desirable to maximize the distance between them when they tend to separate, for example, when lying supine. In other words, it is preferable to position the capacitive sensors relatively far from the area easily accessible to both the shoulder and the front end face in various sleeping positions, i.e., relatively far from the protruding position of the front end face when viewed from the side, that is, in a relatively lower position. Therefore, it is preferable that the piezoresistive sensor group is positioned higher than the capacitive sensor group when viewed from the side along the long side of the front end face.

[0035] The following is for reference Figure 3 Examples of measurement data using piezoresistive sensor groups and capacitive sensor groups are illustrated below. Figures (a) to (d) show pressure measurement data in the lateral and supine positions using piezoresistive sensors, and in the lateral and supine positions using capacitive sensors, respectively. In each figure, the first row of data represents the sensor number, and the second row represents the measured value. For visualization purposes, the pressure distribution is shown in bar chart form below each pressure measurement value. (From the example using piezoresistive sensors...) Figure 3 A comparison of (a) when lying on one's side and (b) when lying on one's back shows that when lying on one's side, the contact area between the shoulder and the front end of the pillow body is significantly smaller than that when lying on one's back, resulting in a significantly larger pressure per unit area. The pressure value of the unpressed area drops sharply, showing a clear spatial distribution of concentrated pressure. When lying on one's back, the head and neck are mainly supported by the top surface of the pillow body, and only a slight pressure is applied to the pressure resistance sensor at the front end. The shoulders on both sides, especially the acromion, are relatively gently pressed against the front end, applying similar or slightly larger pressure. Overall, the pressure amplitude is small and the distribution is dispersed.

[0036] On the other hand, from the perspective of using capacitive sensors Figure 3A comparison of the side-lying (c) and supine (d) positions shows that when lying on the side, although the capacitive sensors are positioned below the piezoresistive sensors, the shoulder is pressed against and close to the front end, and may even be squeezed into the downward and inward position below the front end, i.e., the gap between the pillow and the bed surface. At this time, in the narrower part where the shoulder is pressed against the front side of the pillow, several capacitive sensors can detect a large capacitance as a pressure value. When lying on the supine, because the shoulder is far from the capacitive sensors, the capacitance is very small, showing a low amplitude and sporadic distribution pattern, and there may even be cases where the overall value is 0.

[0037] Those skilled in the art will understand that Figure 3 The pressure measurements shown are merely examples to better illustrate the spatial distribution of pressure under various sleeping positions and do not represent a specific proportional relationship between the measurements from the piezoresistive and capacitive sensors. In other words, depending on differences in sensor characteristics in the actual usage environment, differences in user body size and weight, changes in the relative position of the pillow and the body (including left-right and up-down positions), pillow height adjustments, interference from the smart components inside the pillow, and the influence of bedding such as pillowcases, the spatial distribution of piezoresistive sensor measurements may be more concentrated than that of capacitive sensor measurements when lying on one's side.

[0038] The following is for reference Figures 4-6 The configuration of the shoulder sensor in the sleeping posture-detecting bedding according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail. Specifically, the shoulder sensor group of the bedding, namely the pillow 10, as an embodiment of the present invention includes at least one of a capacitive sensor group and a piezoresistive sensor group. The capacitive sensor group includes a plurality of capacitive sensors 2 arranged in an array along the long side direction of the front end face. The piezoresistive sensor group includes a plurality of piezoresistive sensors 3 arranged in an array along the long side direction of the front end face. When viewed from the side along the long side direction of the front end face, the piezoresistive sensor group is positioned higher than the capacitive sensor group.

[0039] Figure 4 This is an exemplary schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of a shoulder sensor in a sleeping posture-detecting bedding according to an embodiment of the present invention. (a) to (d) sequentially show a top view of the top surface of the main body of the pillow 10, a side view of the user lying supine along the long side direction of the top surface (i.e., the long side direction of the front end face), a side view of the user lying on their side, and a side view of the front end face observed along the short side direction of the top surface. The shoulder sensor group consists only of a piezoresistive sensor group comprising a plurality of piezoresistive sensors 3 arranged in an array along the long side direction of the front end face. For example, the piezoresistive sensor group can be positioned, for example, within a range from approximately 15° upward to approximately 30° downward from the horizontal direction.

[0040] Figure 5This is an exemplary schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of a shoulder sensor in a sleeping posture-detecting bedding according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 Similarly, (a) to (d) show, in sequence, a top view of the top surface of the main body of the pillow 10, a side view of the user lying supine, a side view of the user lying on their side, and a side view of the front end face. Figure 4 The difference lies in that, instead of the piezoresistive sensor group, a capacitive sensor group comprising a plurality of capacitive sensors 2 arranged in an array along the long side of the front end face is provided as the shoulder sensor group. For example, the capacitive sensor group can be positioned, for example, within a range from approximately 30° to approximately 90° downward from the horizontal direction. Figure 4 In comparison, when viewed from the side along the long side of the front end face, the piezoresistive sensor group is positioned higher than the capacitive sensor group.

[0041] Figure 6 This is an exemplary schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of a shoulder sensor in a sleeping posture-detecting bedding according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 and Figure 5 Similarly, (a) to (d) show, in sequence, a top view of the top surface of the main body of the pillow 10, a side view of the user lying supine, a side view of the user lying on their side, and a side view of the front end face. Figure 4 and Figure 5 The difference lies in the fact that the shoulder sensor group incorporates a combination of the capacitive sensor group and the piezoresistive sensor group. When viewed from the side along the long side of the front end face, the piezoresistive sensor group is positioned higher than the capacitive sensor group. In this case, during sleep posture detection, the controller 6 performs two levels of detection: First, it determines the user's sleeping posture based on the detection results of the capacitive sensor group. If the user is determined to be lying on their side, the posture is ultimately determined to be lying on their side. Otherwise, the controller 6 further determines the posture based on the detection results of the piezoresistive sensor group. If the user is determined to be lying on their back, the posture is ultimately determined to be lying on their back; otherwise, it is determined to be lying on their side. This is because, since the capacitive sensor group is positioned relatively low, the measurement value is almost zero when the user is lying on their back, but the measurement value increases significantly when the user is lying on their side. Therefore, it is virtually impossible for it to misjudge a supine position as a lying position, and the accuracy when determining a lying position is close to 100%. However, depending on the configuration of the capacitive sensor array, for example, if it is positioned very low, it may not be sufficiently detected if the user is in a side-lying position, potentially misjudging a side-lying position as a supine position. In such cases, a secondary determination is needed by combining it with the detection from the piezoresistive sensor array. This two-stage detection improves the accuracy of sleep posture detection.

[0042] See also Figure 3The example of shoulder sensor measurement data shown illustrates that the controller 6 can pre-set different discrimination thresholds for side-lying and supine positions as sleeping posture discrimination parameters, and determine the sleeping posture based on these thresholds. Furthermore, as mentioned earlier, the spatial distribution of pressure measurements under different sleeping postures can vary due to the influence of various variables, such as differences in sensor characteristics in the actual usage environment, differences in user body size and weight, and changes in the relative position of the pillow and the body. To address this, the controller can include an intelligent learning module that, by involving the user in sleeping posture detection learning, adjusts the sleeping posture discrimination parameters suitable for the user based on the actual pressure distribution under supine and side-lying positions. For example, artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms can be used to collect supine / side-lying data for each specific user. By learning the spatial distribution of pressure measurements for different users under supine and side-lying positions, the sleeping posture discrimination parameters suitable for that user can be adjusted to train a personalized model, resulting in a more accurate real-time sleeping posture determination result for that user.

[0043] In addition, based on physiological parameters such as the user's height, weight, shoulder width, back thickness, and cervical curvature, as well as the firmness of the mattress, the appropriate pillow height can be recommended for different sleeping positions. The inflation and deflation of the airbags under different sleeping positions can be controlled according to the recommended pillow height, ultimately further improving the user's sleep quality.

[0044] Furthermore, as an example of adaptive height adjustment in bedding, the controller 6 can control the airbag 5 by inflating it when it detects the user changing from a supine to a side-lying position and deflating it when it detects the user changing from a side-lying to a supine position. This ensures that the height of the main body 1 is higher when the user is in a side-lying position than when the user is in a supine position. This allows the user to receive good support conforming to the curvature of the human body in various sleeping positions, ultimately improving the user's sleep quality.

[0045] In addition to the shoulder sensor group, the bedding according to the embodiments of the present invention may also include a neck sensor connected to the controller 6 and arranged along the long side of the front end face. When viewed from the side along the long side of the front end face, the neck sensor is positioned higher than the shoulder sensor group, so that the neck of the sleeping user can be close to the neck sensor.

[0046] The following is for reference Figures 7-9The configuration of the neck sensor in the sleeping posture-detecting bedding according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail. Specifically, the neck sensor of the pillow 10, which is an embodiment of the present invention, is generally arranged in a strip along the long side of the front end face. The controller 6 determines whether the user is off the pillow based on the detection result of the neck sensor. When it is determined that the user is off the pillow, the controller 6 does not control the inflation or deflation of the airbag 5.

[0047] Specifically, for example, Figure 7 This is an exemplary schematic diagram of the configuration of a neck sensor in a sleeping posture-detecting bedding according to an embodiment of the present invention. (a) to (d) sequentially show a side view of the pillow 10 viewed along the long side of its top surface, a side view of the front end face viewed along the short side of its top surface, a top view of the main body 1, and a perspective view of the overall structure of the pillow 10. As a shoulder sensor group, only a piezoresistive sensor group including multiple piezoresistive sensors 3 is provided, which corresponds to... Figure 4 The shoulder sensor group configuration is shown. In this case, the neck sensor group comprises individual neck piezoresistive sensors 4' extending upwards in a strip shape from each piezoresistive sensor 3 along the short side of the front end face, forming a structure combining the neck piezoresistive sensor 4' for pillow-off detection and the piezoresistive sensors 3 from the shoulder sensor group. In this configuration, the area of ​​the neck piezoresistive sensor 4' can be designed to be very small, essentially not affecting the measurement of the piezoresistive sensor 3, and thus not affecting the detection of supine and lateral lying positions. The distance between two adjacent neck piezoresistive sensors 4' is designed to be sufficiently small, for example, less than 6 cm, thereby ensuring that when the user is on the pillow, the neck will definitely touch the neck sensor, resulting in a measurement value (pressure) greater than 0; when the user is off the pillow, the measurement value is 0. This allows for convenient and accurate determination of whether the user is off the pillow.

[0048] Figure 8 This is an exemplary schematic diagram of the configuration of a neck sensor in a sleeping posture-detecting bedding according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein (a) to (d) sequentially show the configuration of the neck sensor in the bedding according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 7 Views similar to (a) to (d). With Figure 7 The difference lies in that, as a shoulder sensor group, only a capacitive sensor group including multiple capacitive sensors 2 is provided, which corresponds to Figure 5 The shoulder sensor group is configured as shown; correspondingly, the neck sensor is a neck capacitive sensor group comprising individual neck capacitive sensors 4 extending upward in a strip shape from each capacitive sensor 2 in the capacitive sensor group along the short side direction of the front end face, forming a structure that combines the neck capacitive sensor 4 for head displacement detection and the capacitive sensors 2 in the shoulder sensor group. Figure 7Similarly, in this case, the area of ​​the neck capacitive sensor 4 can be designed to be very small so that it does not affect the measurement of the capacitive sensor 2, and thus does not affect the detection of supine and lateral lying positions. The distance between two adjacent neck capacitive sensors 4 is designed to be small enough, for example, less than 6 cm, thereby ensuring that when the user is on the pillow, the neck will definitely touch the neck sensor, making the measured value (e.g., capacitance) greater than 0; when the user is off the pillow, the measured value is 0. This allows for convenient and accurate determination of whether the user has left the pillow.

[0049] Those skilled in the art will understand that, Figure 7 and Figure 8 In the diagram, for convenience, the neck piezoresistive sensors 4' and neck capacitive sensors 4, which extend upward in a strip along the short side of the front end face, are shown as straight strips. However, the shape of the neck sensors is not limited to straight strips, but can be various strips such as curved strips, wavy strips, sawtooth strips, etc., as long as the area of ​​the neck sensors in the long side of the front end face is low enough to not affect the detection of the shoulder sensor group.

[0050] Furthermore, although not illustrated, with Figure 6 Corresponding to the shoulder sensor group configuration shown, when the shoulder sensor group includes both a capacitive sensor group and a piezoresistive sensor group, the piezoresistive sensor group is positioned higher than the capacitive sensor group when viewed sideways along the long side of the front end face. In this case, the neck sensor... Figure 7 Similarly, for a neck piezoresistive sensor group including each neck piezoresistive sensor 4' extending upward in a strip shape from each piezoresistive sensor 3 in the piezoresistive sensor group along the short side direction of the front end face, a structure is formed by combining the neck piezoresistive sensor 4' for head-off detection and the piezoresistive sensor 3 in the shoulder sensor group.

[0051] By integrating the neck sensor and shoulder sensor for head displacement detection using the above method, the neck sensor can be manufactured at a lower cost to achieve head displacement detection.

[0052] Figure 9 This is an exemplary schematic diagram of the configuration of a neck sensor in a sleeping posture-detecting bedding according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein (a) to (d) sequentially show the configuration of the neck sensor in the bedding according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 8 Views similar to (a) to (d). With Figure 8 The difference lies in the arrangement of the neck sensors in a strip along the long side of the front end face. This arrangement allows for the simpler fabrication of the neck sensors to achieve head displacement detection. Although not illustrated, this strip-shaped neck sensor configuration can also be applied to… Figure 4 and Figure 6 The configuration of the shoulder sensor group. Furthermore, although... Figure 9For convenience, the neck sensor is shown as neck capacitive sensor 4, but in reality, regardless of the configuration of the shoulder sensor group, the strip-shaped neck sensor can be either neck capacitive sensor 4 or neck piezoresistive sensor 4'.

[0053] By incorporating a neck sensor, the controller 6 can determine whether the user has left the pillow based on the sensor's detection results. For example, when the pressure value detected by the neck sensor is 0, it can be determined that the user is in a state of leaving the pillow. When it is determined that the user is in a state of leaving the pillow, the controller 6 does not control the inflation or deflation of the air bladder 5. This effectively reduces the power consumption of the pillow 10 as bedding.

[0054] It should be understood that at least two of the feature portions of the present invention described herein can be combined. That is, the various feature portions described in each specific embodiment can be arbitrarily combined without distinction between embodiments. The embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of this utility model is shown not by the foregoing description but by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims.

[0055] The above description addresses the use of pillows as bedding. According to embodiments of this invention, the bedding capable of detecting sleeping posture includes not only common single-piece pillows, but also, as those skilled in the art will understand, head support when the body is in a lying position. For example, the pillow can be integrated into a mattress; as long as a structure in the head support area is designed in accordance with the aforementioned technical principles, it also falls within the scope of this invention.

[0056] The above description is merely illustrative of the technical solution of this utility model and not restrictive. Any other modifications or equivalent substitutions made by those skilled in the art to the technical solution of this utility model, as long as they do not depart from the spirit and essence of the technical solution of this utility model, should be covered within the scope of the claims of this utility model. The effects described in this specification are merely illustrative and not limited thereto; other effects are also possible.

Claims

1. A bedding device capable of detecting sleeping posture, characterized in that, The bedding includes: The main body, which contains an airbag, has a front end face that allows the user's shoulder to be close to it while sleeping. The shoulder sensor group includes multiple shoulder sensors arranged in an array along the long side of the front end face; A controller, connected to the airbag and the shoulder sensor group, determines the user's sleeping posture based on the detection results of the shoulder sensor group, and then adjusts the inflation and deflation of the airbag to change the height of the main body. When viewed from the side along the long side of the front end face, the front end face has a downward and inward shape. The shoulder sensor group is positioned at the downward and inward position of the front end face, so that the shoulder of the user lying on his side can be close to the shoulder sensor group.

2. The bedding according to claim 1, characterized in that, The shoulder sensor group includes at least one of a capacitive sensor group and a piezoresistive sensor group. The capacitive sensor group includes multiple capacitive sensors arranged in an array along the long side of the front end face. The piezoresistive sensor group includes multiple piezoresistive sensors arranged in an array along the long side of the front end face. When viewed from the side along the long side of the front end face, the piezoresistive sensor group is positioned higher than the capacitive sensor group.

3. The bedding according to claim 1, characterized in that, The bedding also includes: A neck sensor, connected to the controller, is configured along the long side of the front end face and positioned higher than the shoulder sensor group when viewed from the side along the long side of the front end face, so that the neck of the sleeping user can be close to the neck sensor.

4. The bedding according to claim 2, characterized in that, When the shoulder sensor group includes both a capacitive sensor group and a piezoresistive sensor group... The controller first determines the user's sleeping position based on the detection results of the capacitive sensor group. If it determines that the user is lying on their side, then the user's sleeping position is ultimately determined to be lying on their side. Otherwise, the controller further determines the user's sleeping position based on the detection results of the piezoresistive sensor group. If the user is determined to be lying on their back, the controller will determine the user's sleeping position as lying on their back; otherwise, the user will determine the user as lying on their side.

5. The bedding according to claim 3, characterized in that, The neck sensor is arranged in a strip along the long side of the front end face.

6. The bedding according to claim 3, characterized in that, The controller determines whether the user has moved away from the pillow based on the detection results of the neck sensor. When the controller determines that the user is in a state of being away from the pillow, it does not control the inflation or deflation of the airbag.

7. The bedding according to claim 2, characterized in that, The bedding also includes: A neck sensor, connected to the controller, is configured along the long side of the front end face and positioned higher than the shoulder sensor group when viewed from the side along the long side of the front end face. When the shoulder sensor group consists only of a capacitive sensor group, the neck sensor is a neck capacitive sensor group comprising individual neck capacitive sensors extending upward in a strip along the short side direction of the front end face from each of the capacitive sensors in the capacitive sensor group, or the neck sensors are arranged in a strip along the long side direction of the front end face. When the shoulder sensor group includes a piezoresistive sensor group, the neck sensor is a neck piezoresistive sensor group that includes individual neck piezoresistive sensors extending upward in a strip along the short side direction of the front end face from each of the piezoresistive sensors in the piezoresistive sensor group, or the neck sensors are arranged in a strip along the long side direction of the front end face.

8. The bedding according to claim 1, characterized in that, The controller includes: The intelligent learning module, by involving the user in sleep posture detection learning, adjusts the sleep posture discrimination parameters to suit the user based on the actual pressure distribution when the user is lying on their back and side.

9. The bedding according to claim 1, characterized in that, The controller controls the airbag to inflate when it detects that the user changes from a supine to a lateral position and to deflate when it detects that the user changes from a lateral to a supine position, so that the height of the main body is higher when the user is in a lateral position than when the user is in a supine position.

10. The bedding according to claim 1, characterized in that, The bedding mentioned is a pillow or mattress. When the bedding is a mattress, the various components of the bedding are integrated with the mattress as part of the mattress.

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