Bed device

Abstract

To provide an improved bed device.SOLUTION: A bed device according to one embodiment includes: a bed frame long in a first direction; a floor board supported by the bed frame; and a drive mechanism driving the floor board. The floor board includes: a center back plate for receiving the back of a user; and a pair of side back plates which is rotatably connected to both side parts of a center back plate in a second direction crossing the first direction. The drive mechanism deformably configures the floor board between a first state that the center back plate and the pair of side back plate are parallel to the first direction and the second direction and a second state that the floor board tilts so that one of side parts of the floor board is located above the other in the second direction and the center back plate rises and the pair of side back plates tilts on an upper surface side of the center back plate.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a bed apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a bed device in which the floor plate supporting the mattress can be changed from a generally horizontal state to a state in which the portion supporting the back of the user is raised. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a bed device in which the floor plate can be swung in the width direction.

[0003] These bed devices allow users, such as the elderly and physically handicapped, to easily change their posture on the bed device, and also reduce the burden on caregivers when the user changes their posture. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6550414 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] From the viewpoint of stabilizing the posture of the user and further reducing the burden on the caregiver, there is still room for improvement in conventional bed apparatuses having a deformable bed plate. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A bed apparatus according to one embodiment includes a bed frame that is long in a first direction, a bed plate supported by the bed frame, and a drive mechanism that drives the bed plate. The bed plate includes a central back plate for supporting the back of a user, and a pair of side back plates that are rotatably connected to both sides of the central back plate in a second direction that intersects with the first direction. The drive mechanism is configured to be able to deform the bed plate between a first state in which the central back plate and the pair of side back plates are parallel to the first direction and the second direction, and a second state in which the bed plate is tilted so that one side of the bed plate is positioned higher than the other side in the second direction, the central back plate is raised, and the pair of side back plates are tilted toward the upper surface of the central back plate.

[0007] The floorboard may further include a central wainscot rotatably connected to an end of the central backboard in the first direction, and a pair of side wainscots rotatably connected to both sides of the central wainscot in the second direction. Furthermore, in the second state, an end of one of the pair of side backboards located on the lower side of the slope may contact or face an upper surface of one of the pair of side wainscots located on the lower side of the slope.

[0008] For example, the end of the side back panel is spaced apart from the side wainscot in the first state, and has a tapered shape in which the gap between the end and the side wainscot increases with increasing distance from the central back panel.

[0009] The bed device may further include a side rail receiving portion provided on the bed frame to which a side rail can be attached, a sensor that detects the attachment of the side rail to the side rail receiving portion, and a control device that prohibits deformation of the bed panel to the second state when the sensor detects the attachment of the side rail.

[0010] For example, the drive mechanism includes a shaft rotatably held by the central back plate, a pair of pressing members provided at both ends of the shaft, and a drive source for rotating the shaft. In this case, when the shaft rotates, the pair of pressing members press the rear surfaces of the pair of side back plates, and the pair of side back plates are tilted toward the upper surface of the central back plate.

[0011] The driving mechanism may further include a roller that contacts the back surface of the central back plate and an arm that supports the roller. For example, the driving source rotates the arm together with the shaft, and the arm rotates, causing the roller to press the back surface of the central back plate and raise the central back plate. Effect of the Invention

[0012] According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the stability of the user's posture when the floorboard is deformed, or reduce the burden on the caregiver. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a bed apparatus according to one embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration that can be applied to a floor panel. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram showing elements involved in controlling the bed apparatus. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of the bed apparatus when the bed plate is in the process of changing from the first state to the second state. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view of the bed apparatus with the bed plate transformed into the second state. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view of a part of the lifting frame and a swing mechanism. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a schematic front view of the rocking mechanism. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the rocking mechanism. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the operation of the rocking mechanism when tilting the floor panel to the right. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the operation of the rocking mechanism when tilting the floor panel to the left. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a schematic perspective view of the floor board, the swing frame and the back-raising mechanism. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a schematic side view showing an example of the operation of the back-raising mechanism. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is another schematic side view showing an example of the operation of the back-raising mechanism. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the side up shaft, the pushing member, and the side back plate. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of a configuration applicable to the side fence receiving portion and the sensor. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of a side fence and a remote controller. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing an example of a process for transforming a floorboard from a first state to a second state. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] An embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, an electric bed capable of raising and lowering, transforming and rocking a bed platform is disclosed as an example of a bed apparatus.

[0015] 1 is a schematic perspective view of a bed apparatus B according to this embodiment. In the following description, a longitudinal direction X (first direction), a width direction Y (second direction), and a vertical direction Z (third direction) are defined as shown in the figure. In this embodiment, these directions X, Y, and Z are perpendicular to each other. In addition, the head side, foot side, right side, and left side are defined based on a user lying on his / her back on the bed apparatus B.

[0016] The bed apparatus B includes a bed frame 1, a bed plate 2 arranged on the bed frame 1, and a drive mechanism 3 arranged below the bed plate 2. Both the bed frame 1 and the bed plate 2 have an elongated shape in the longitudinal direction X. The bed plate 2 has multiple parts that are rotatably connected.

[0017] The bed frame 1 includes a base frame 11 and a lifting frame 12 supported by the base frame 11. For example, casters 10 are attached to the four corners of the base frame 11. This allows the bed apparatus B to move on the floor. Note that fixed leg members may be attached instead of the casters 10.

[0018] 1, a headboard HB is attached to the head side end of the lift frame 12 in the longitudinal direction X, and a footboard FB is attached to the foot side end. For example, the headboard HB and the footboard FB are detachable from the lift frame 12.

[0019] A plurality of side fence receiving portions 4R, to which a side fence, described later, can be attached, are provided on the right side portion of the lift-up frame 12 in the width direction Y. These side fence receiving portions 4R are lined up at regular intervals in the longitudinal direction X. Similarly, a plurality of side fence receiving portions (side fence receiving portion 4L shown in FIGS. 3 and 6) are provided on the left side portion of the lift-up frame 12, not shown in FIG. 1.

[0020] Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration applicable to the floorboard 2. Here, the rear surface side of the floorboard 2 is shown. In addition, although a plurality of openings and irregularities are formed in each portion of the floorboard 2 as shown in Fig. 1, these are omitted from Fig. 2.

[0021] The floorboard 2 includes a central back panel 20C, a central wainscot 21C, a first central leg panel 22C, and a second central leg panel 23C. The central back panel 20C, the central wainscot 21C, the first central leg panel 22C, and the second central leg panel 23C are arranged in order along the longitudinal direction X from the head side to the foot side.

[0022] The central back panel 20C is a portion for supporting the back of the user. The central waist panel 21C is a portion for supporting the waist of the user. The first central leg panel 22C is a portion for supporting the legs of the user mainly above the knees. The second central leg panel 23C is a portion for supporting the legs of the user mainly below the knees.

[0023] For example, among central back panel 20C, central wainscot 21C, first central leg panel 22C, and second central leg panel 23C, central back panel 20C has the longest length in longitudinal direction X. In the example of Fig. 2, central wainscot 21C is divided into two parts aligned in longitudinal direction X. However, central wainscot 21C does not have to be divided in this manner.

[0024] Central back panel 20C and central wains panel 21C are connected by a pair of connecting members 25a so as to be rotatable about an axis parallel to the width direction Y. Central wains panel 21C and first central leg panel 22C are connected by a pair of connecting members 25b so as to be rotatable about an axis parallel to the width direction Y. First central leg panel 22C and second central leg panel 23C are connected by a pair of connecting members 25c so as to be rotatable about an axis parallel to the width direction Y.

[0025] The floorboard 2 further includes back side panels 20R, 20L, wainscot side panels 21R, 21L, first leg side panels 22R, 22L, and second leg side panels 23R, 23L.

[0026] The side panels 20R, 20L are connected to both sides of the central panel 20C in the width direction Y by hinges 24a. The side panels 20R, 20L are rotatable from a state parallel to the central panel 20C toward the upper surface of the central panel 20C as shown in FIGS.

[0027] Side wainscots 21R, 21L are connected to both sides of central wainscot 21C in width direction Y by hinges 24b. Side wainscots 21R, 21L can be rotated from a state parallel to central wainscot 21C toward the upper surface of central wainscot 21C as shown in Figures 1 and 2.

[0028] The first side leg plates 22R, 22L are connected to both sides of the first central leg plate 22C in the width direction Y by hinges 24c. The first side leg plates 22R, 22L are rotatable from a state parallel to the first central leg plate 22C toward the upper surface of the first central leg plate 22C as shown in Figs.

[0029] The second side leg plates 23R, 23L are connected to both sides of the second central leg plate 23C in the width direction Y by hinges 24d. The second side leg plates 23R, 23L are rotatable from a state parallel to the second central leg plate 23C toward the upper surface of the second central leg plate 23C as shown in Figures 1 and 2.

[0030] For example, central back panel 20C, central wainscot panel 21C, first central leg panel 22C, and second central leg panel 23C have the same width in width direction Y. Also, side back panels 20R, 20L, side wainscot panels 21R, 21L, first side leg panels 22R, 22L, and second side leg panels 23R, 23L have the same width in width direction Y. The planar shapes of side back panel 20R, side wainscot panel 21R, first side leg panel 22R, and second side leg panel 23R and the planar shapes of side back panel 20L, side wainscot panel 21L, first side leg panel 22L, and second side leg panel 23L are, for example, line-symmetrical with respect to an axis parallel to the longitudinal direction X.

[0031] The bed frame 1 further includes a rocking frame 13 that supports the bed plate 2. For example, the rocking frame 13 includes a pair of frame members 130R, 130L extending in the longitudinal direction X. These frame members 130R, 130L each face the rear surfaces of the central back panel 20C, the central wainscot panel 21C, the first central leg panel 22C, and the second central leg panel 23C.

[0032] Side panel 20R has an end E0 facing side panel 21R in the longitudinal direction X. Similarly, side panel 21R has an end E1 facing side panel 20R in the longitudinal direction X. These ends E0, E1 are spaced apart by a gap G.

[0033] In the example of FIG. 2, most of the end E1 is parallel to the width direction Y. On the other hand, most of the end E0 is inclined with respect to the width direction Y and the longitudinal direction X. Specifically, the end E0 has a tapered shape in which the gap G between the end E0 and the side wainscot 21R increases with increasing distance from the central back panel 20C in the width direction Y. In other words, the end E0 is inclined toward the head side (left side in the figure) of the floorboard 2. The width of most of the gap G in the longitudinal direction X is larger than the width of the gap between the side wainscot 21R and the first side leg panel 22R and the width of the gap between the first side leg panel 22R and the second side leg panel 23R.

[0034] The end E0 forms an acute angle θ with respect to the width direction Y. In one example, the angle θ is 30 degrees or more, and is about 45 degrees in FIG. 2. In the example of FIG. 2, the end E0 is linear (flat). As another example, the end E0 may be curved (curved surface).

[0035] The side back panel 20L has a shape similar to that of the side back panel 20R. That is, the end E0 of the side back panel 20L has a tapered shape in which the gap between the end E0 and the side wainscot panel 21L increases as the end E0 moves away from the central back panel 20C in the width direction Y.

[0036] The term "board" attached to the names of the floorboard 2 and the parts that make up the floorboard 2 does not necessarily mean that the components are flat. Each component with a name that includes "board" may have a structure other than flat, such as a structure of connected rod-shaped components, as long as it can support a mattress placed on it.

[0037] 3 is a schematic block diagram showing elements related to the control of the bed apparatus B. The above-mentioned drive mechanism 3 includes a lifting mechanism 31, a back-raising mechanism 32, a knee-raising mechanism 33, and a rocking mechanism .

[0038] The lifting mechanism 31 raises and lowers the lifting frame 12 and the oscillating frame 13 in the vertical direction Z relative to the base frame 11. The back-raising mechanism 32 tilts the central back panel 20C so that the head-side end of the central back panel 20C is positioned higher than the foot-side end. The knee-raising mechanism 33 tilts the first central leg panel 22C so that the foot-side end of the first central leg panel 22C is positioned higher than the head-side end.

[0039] The rocking mechanism 34 tilts the floor board 2 so that one side of the floor board 2 in the width direction Y is positioned higher than the other side. Specifically, the rocking mechanism 34 can tilt the floor board 2 so that the side back board 20L, the side lumbar board 21L, the first side leg board 22L, and the second side leg board 23L are positioned higher in the vertical direction Z than the side back board 20R, the side lumbar board 21R, the first side leg board 22R, and the second side leg board 23R, respectively. Conversely, the rocking mechanism 34 can also tilt the floor board 2 so that the side back board 20R, the side lumbar board 21R, the first side leg board 22R, and the second side leg board 23R are positioned higher in the vertical direction Z than the side back board 20L, the side lumbar board 21L, the first side leg board 22L, and the second side leg board 23L, respectively.

[0040] The drive mechanism 3 includes drive sources M1, M2, M3, and M4 for operating the lifting mechanism 31, the back-raising mechanism 32, the knee-raising mechanism 33, and the swinging mechanism 34. For example, these drive sources M1, M2, M3, and M4 include motors.

[0041] The bed apparatus B further includes a control device 30, a remote controller RC (input device), and at least one sensor S. For example, the remote controller RC includes a plurality of buttons that can input commands related to the deformation of the bed board 2. The control device 30 and the remote controller RC are connected for communication via wire or wirelessly.

[0042] The sensor S is provided on at least one of the side fence receiving portions 4R shown in Fig. 1. The sensor S is also provided on at least one of the side fence receiving portions 4L provided on the side portion of the left lift frame 12 not shown in Fig. 1. These sensors S are capable of detecting the attachment of side fences to the side fence receiving portions 4R, 4L. When the sensor S detects the attachment of a side fence, it outputs a detection signal to the control device 30.

[0043] The control device 30 controls the drive sources M1, M2, M3, and M4 in response to commands input from a remote controller RC. Examples of commands that can be input from the remote controller RC include commands for individually operating the drive sources M1, M2, M3, and M4, and commands for compositely operating at least two of the drive sources M1, M2, M3, and M4.

[0044] In this embodiment, the floorboard 2, in which each part is parallel to the longitudinal direction X and the width direction Y (first state) as shown in Fig. 1, can be deformed into a shape (second state) that supports the user to get up. The transition from the first state to the second state will be described below.

[0045] Fig. 4 is a schematic perspective view of the bed apparatus B in the middle of transforming the bed plate 2 from the first state to the second state. Fig. 5 is a schematic perspective view of the bed apparatus B in which the bed plate 2 has transformed into the second state. In these figures, it is assumed that a user lying on his / her back on the bed plate 2 rises to the right side.

[0046] When the floorboard 2 is transformed from the first state to the second state, first, the floorboard 2 is transformed by the swing mechanism 34 as shown in Fig. 4. Specifically, in Fig. 4, the floorboard 2 is inclined so that the left side of the floorboard 2 is positioned higher than the right side. From another point of view, the side back panel 20L, the side lumbar panel 21L, the first side leg panel 22L, and the second side leg panel 23L are positioned higher in the vertical direction Z than the side back panel 20R, the side lumbar panel 21R, the first side leg panel 22R, and the second side leg panel 23R, respectively.

[0047] As in the first state, the side back panel 20L, the side wainscot panel 21L, the first side leg panel 22L and the second side leg panel 23L are kept parallel to the central back panel 20C, the central wainscot panel 21C, the first central leg panel 22C and the second central leg panel 23C.

[0048] 4, the side back panel 20R, the side waist panel 21R, the first side leg panel 22R, and the second side leg panel 23R are inclined to form a V-shaped valley with the central back panel 20C, the central waist panel 21C, the first central leg panel 22C, and the second central leg panel 23C, respectively. By deforming the floor panel 2 in this way, a user lying on the floor panel 2 will naturally turn to the right.

[0049] When the back-raising mechanism 32 is driven from the state shown in Fig. 4 to raise the central back plate 20C, the second state shown in Fig. 5 is reached. In the second state, each of the side back plates 20R and 20L is inclined toward the upper surface of the central back plate 20C relative to the central back plate 20C.

[0050] In the second state, at least a part of the end E0 of the side back panel 20R faces the upper surface of the side wainscot panel 21R with a gap therebetween. At least a part of the end E0 of the side back panel 20R may be in contact with the upper surface of the side wainscot panel 21R.

[0051] In the second state, since the central back panel 20C is raised, the user can easily change his / her posture to sit on the right side of the floor panel 2, either by himself / herself or with the assistance of a caregiver. Furthermore, since the side back panels 20R, 20L are inclined toward the upper surface of the central back panel 20C, the upper half of the user's body is unlikely to slip down to the right side until the user sits on the side of the floor panel 2. This improves the stability of the user's posture.

[0052] Next, an example of a configuration that can be applied to the rocking mechanism 34 will be described. The configuration of the rocking mechanism 34 illustrated here is similar to the configuration for rocking disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 6550414. The configuration disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 6550414 is incorporated into this embodiment by reference. The rocking mechanism 34 is not limited to this example, and various configurations can be applied.

[0053] Fig. 6 is a schematic perspective view of a part of the lifting frame 12 and the swinging mechanism 34. Fig. 7 is a schematic front view of the swinging mechanism 34. As shown in Fig. 6, the swinging mechanism 34 includes a frame body 5. The frame body 5 is rectangular in shape and includes a pair of horizontal members 50 extending in the width direction Y and a pair of vertical members 51 extending in the longitudinal direction X connected to each other. The frame body 5 is connected to four brackets 120 provided on the lifting frame 12.

[0054] A bearing 52 is provided at the center of each of the pair of horizontal members 50 in the longitudinal direction X. These bearings 52 rotatably support both ends of a mounting shaft 53 in the longitudinal direction X. One end of an L-shaped arm 54 is attached to the middle of the mounting shaft 53.

[0055] As shown in Fig. 7, the swing mechanism 34 has a screw shaft 56. The screw shaft 56 is covered by a bellows member 57 molded from resin to be expandable and contractible. One end of the screw shaft 56 is exposed from the bellows member 57 and is rotatably supported by a bracket 58 provided on one of the vertical members 51 of the frame 5. A driving source M4 is provided in the middle of the screw shaft 56. An end of an L-shaped arm 54 is connected to the driving source M4.

[0056] An internally threaded body that is rotationally driven by a driving source M4 is screwed onto the screw shaft 56. When the internally threaded body rotates, the screw shaft 56 is driven in the axial direction relative to the internally threaded body. When the screw shaft 56 is driven, the screw shaft 56 and the driving source M4 and other elements swing in accordance with the rotational direction of the screw shaft 56, with one end pivotally supported by a bracket 58 as a fulcrum. This causes the mounting shaft 53 to which the L-shaped arm 54 is connected to rotate.

[0057] The upper end of a band-shaped drive link 60 having a guide shaft 59 at its lower end is attached to the mounting shaft 53 together with the L-shaped arm 54. A middle portion of the drive link 60 is attached to the drive source M4 together with the L-shaped arm 54. The guide shaft 59 is slidably inserted through long holes 61a and 62a provided in the first swing link 61 and the second swing link 62, respectively.

[0058] One end of the first swing link 61 and one end of the second swing link 62 are rotatably connected to one end of a connecting link 63 by a connecting shaft 64. Furthermore, one end and the other end of a restricting link 65 curved in an arc shape are rotatably connected to each connecting shaft 64 together with the first swing link 61 and the second swing link 62.

[0059] 6, one end of each of the pair of connecting links 63 is connected to one end of each of the mounting shafts 66. A receiving roller 67 is rotatably attached to the other end of each of the mounting shafts 66. Furthermore, each of the pair of mounting shafts 66 penetrates one end and the other end of the rectangular column-shaped mounting member 55.

[0060] 7, a pair of engagement members 68 engageable with the connecting shaft 64 is provided on the lower surface of one of the horizontal members 50 of the frame body 5. In addition, a pair of receiving members 69 for receiving the receiving rollers 67 is provided on the upper surface of the horizontal member 50.

[0061] 6, connectors 70 are provided on both ends of the mounting member 55. One end of each of the frame members 130R, 130L of the oscillating frame 13 in the longitudinal direction X is connected to each of the connectors 70. The other end of each of the frame members 130R, 130L in the longitudinal direction X is also supported so as to be able to oscillate.

[0062] 8, 9 and 10 are diagrams showing the operation of the swing mechanism 34. In Fig. 8, the mounting member 55 is parallel to the width direction Y. At this time, the swing frame 13 is also parallel to the width direction Y.

[0063] When the driving source M4 operates in the first rotation direction from the state in Fig. 8, the driving source M4 moves leftward along the screw shaft 56. As a result, as shown in Fig. 9, for example, the guide shaft 59 moves in the direction indicated by the arrow R1a in the long hole 61a of the first swing link 61. Accordingly, the driving link 60 rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow R1b.

[0064] As the drive link 60 rotates, the second swing link 62 rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow R1c by the guide shaft 59. Also, the left connecting link 63 connected to the second swing link 62 moves from the lowered position shown in Fig. 8 to the raised position shown in Fig. 9. At this time, the left receiving roller 67 moves away from the receiving member 69. Meanwhile, the right receiving roller 67 abuts against the receiving member 69.

[0065] When the left connecting link 63 rises, the left frame member 130L of the oscillating frame 13 connected to the connecting link 63 via the mounting shaft 66 and the mounting member 55 rises. When the oscillating frame 13 tilts in this manner, the floor plate 2 tilts to the state shown in FIG.

[0066] When tilting the floorboard 2 in the opposite direction to that shown in Fig. 4, the driving source M4 is rotated in a second rotation direction opposite to the first rotation direction described above from the state shown in Fig. 8. This causes the right connecting link 63 to rise as shown in Fig. 10. Accordingly, the right frame member 130R of the oscillating frame 13 connected to the connecting link 63 via the mounting shaft 66 and the mounting member 55 rises.

[0067] Next, a description will be given of a configuration that can be applied to the back-raising mechanism 32. The configuration described below is merely an example, and the back-raising mechanism 32 may have another configuration that can raise the central back panel 20C and tilt the side back panels 20R and 20L.

[0068] Fig. 11 is a schematic perspective view of the floor board 2, the oscillating frame 13, and the back-raising mechanism 32. Note that Fig. 11 shows a state in which the oscillating frame 13 is horizontal and the central back board 20C is raised.

[0069] The back-raising mechanism 32 includes a back-raising shaft 80 that extends parallel to the width direction Y when the oscillating frame 13 is in a horizontal state. Both ends of the back-raising shaft 80 are rotatably supported by supports 81 provided on the frame members 130R and 130L, respectively.

[0070] The back-raising mechanism 32 further includes a pair of arms 82 connected to the back-raising shaft 80, and a pair of rollers 83 supported by the tips of the arms 82. In the state shown in Fig. 11, the pair of arms 82 are arranged side by side with a gap therebetween in the width direction Y. The pair of rollers 83 are rotatable about an axis parallel to the width direction Y.

[0071] A pair of protruding members 26 are provided on the back surface of central back panel 20C. At least a portion of these protruding members 26 has a shape in which the thickness gradually increases toward the connecting portion between central back panel 20C and central wainscot panel 21C. As a result, each protruding member 26 is formed with a slope 26a that is inclined toward the back surface of central back panel 20C. A pair of rollers 83 are in contact with these protruding members 26.

[0072] A portion of the back-raising shaft 80 is held by the above-mentioned driving source M2. The driving source M2 is attached to the oscillating frame 13, and rotates the back-raising shaft 80. When the back-raising shaft 80 rotates, the pair of arms 82 also rotate about the back-raising shaft 80.

[0073] The back-raising mechanism 32 includes a side upshaft 84 as an element for driving the side back panels 20R and 20L. The side upshaft 84 extends parallel to the width direction Y when the oscillating frame 13 is in a horizontal state as shown in Fig. 11. The side upshaft 84 is rotatably attached to the rear surface of the central back panel 20C by a pair of holding members 85.

[0074] 11, a groove 27C parallel to the width direction Y is provided on the rear surface of the central back panel 20C. Further, grooves 27R and 27L adjacent to the groove 27C are provided on the rear surfaces of the side back panels 20R and 20L, respectively.

[0075] Most of the side-up shaft 84 is housed in the groove 27C. At least a portion of the right end of the side-up shaft 84 is housed in the groove 27R, and at least a portion of the left end is housed in the groove 27L.

[0076] A pressing member 86R is provided at the right end of the side-up shaft 84. A pressing member 86L is provided at the left end of the side-up shaft 84. These pressing members 86R, 86L protrude in the radial direction of the side-up shaft 84.

[0077] The side-up shaft 84 is connected to the back-raising shaft 80 via a link mechanism. In the example of Fig. 11, this link mechanism includes a first link member 87 connected to the back-raising shaft 80, a second link member 88 connected to the first link member 87, and a third link member 89 connected to the second link member 88 and the side-up shaft 84. The link members 87, 88, and 89 are all, for example, rod-shaped members.

[0078] 12 and 13 are schematic side views showing an example of the operation of the back-raising mechanism 32. As shown in these figures, the first link member 87 and the second link member 88 are rotatably connected by a first rotation axis AX1, and the second link member 88 and the third link member 89 are rotatably connected by a second rotation axis AX2.

[0079] When the back-raising shaft 80 rotates as shown by the arrow in Fig. 12, the arm 82 also rotates. At this time, the central back plate 20C starts to rise up as it is pushed by the roller 83. When the arm 82 rotates further, the roller 83 rolls on the slope 26a as shown in Fig. 13. Since the slope 26a is configured so that the distance between the slope 26a and the rear surface of the central back plate 20C gradually increases, the rotation angle of the central back plate 20C that rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the arm 82 can be increased.

[0080] When the back-raising shaft 80 rotates, the first link member 87 also rotates. The distance between the side-up shaft 84 and the first rotation axis AX1 increases as the central back plate 20C rises. Therefore, the angle formed by the second link member 88 and the third link member 89 connecting the side-up shaft 84 and the first rotation axis AX1 also increases as the central back plate 20C rises. The third link member 89 and the side-up shaft 84 are fixedly connected. Therefore, the side-up shaft 84 rotates in the groove 27C shown in FIG. 11 as the central back plate 20C rises.

[0081] Fig. 14 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the side-up shaft 84, the pressing member 86R, and the side back plate 20R. Fig. 14(a) corresponds to a state in which the central back plate 20C (not shown in Fig. 14) is not raised and is parallel to the longitudinal direction X. At this time, the side-up shaft 84 is housed inside the groove 27R. Also, the pressing member 86R is spaced apart from the inner wall and edge of the groove 27R.

[0082] While the central back plate 20C is rising, the side-up shaft 84 rotates relative to the side back plate 20R as shown by the arrow Rs in FIG. 14(b). This causes the pressing member 86R to press the edge of the groove 27R. This pressing force F causes the side back plate 20R to tilt toward the upper surface of the central back plate 20C. As this tilt progresses, the side-up shaft 84 moves out of the groove 27R.

[0083] In the example of Fig. 14, the protective member 28 is attached to the edge of the groove 27R. This prevents damage to the side back plate 20R due to contact with the pressing member 86R. The protective member 28 may be provided partially on the edge of the groove 27R in an area that may come into contact with the pressing member 86R as shown in the figure, or may be provided on the entire edge. In one example, the side up shaft 84, the pressing member 86R, and the protective member 28 are made of metal, and the side back plate 20R is made of resin.

[0084] The operation of the pushing member 86L and the side back plate 20L is the same as that of the pushing member 86R and the side back plate 20R shown in Fig. 14. When returning the raised central back plate 20C to a horizontal state, the driving source M2 rotates the back-raising shaft 80 in the opposite direction to the example in Fig. 12. This causes the arm 82 and the central back plate 20C to gradually approach the horizontal. Also, the inclination of the side back plates 20R, 20L with respect to the central back plate 20C is gradually reduced.

[0085] Next, an example of the sensor S shown in FIG. 3 and a method of controlling the bed apparatus B using the detection result of the sensor S will be described.

[0086] 15 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of a configuration applicable to the side fence receiving part 4R and the sensor S. The side fence receiving part 4R includes a main body 40 and a holder 44. The main body 40 has a pair of mounting parts 41 aligned vertically, and each mounting part 41 is provided with a mounting hole 41a.

[0087] The main body 40 can be attached to a predetermined position on the lift frame 12 using these mounting holes 41a as shown in Fig. 1. For example, the main body 40 can rotate about an axis inserted into the mounting hole 41a. This allows the side fence receiving portion 4R to be folded up so as to fit along the side surface of the lift frame 12 when the side fence is not in use.

[0088] The main body 40 further has insertion holes 42 into which the legs of the side fences can be inserted, and a storage chamber 43 connected to the insertion holes 42. The storage chamber 43 opens to the top surface of the main body 40. A step portion 43a is formed on the edge of the upper end of the storage chamber 43. In addition, a through hole 43b to the storage chamber 43 is formed in the side surface of the main body 40.

[0089] The holder 44 has a shape that allows it to be inserted into the storage chamber 43. The holder 44 also has a slit 45 in which the sensor S can be disposed. A through hole 45a leading to the slit 45 and a female screw 45b are provided on the side surface of the holder 44. A flange 46 is formed on the upper edge of the holder 44.

[0090] The sensor S is, for example, a contact-type limit switch having a contact C. As another example, the sensor S may be an optical sensor including a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element. In the example of FIG. 15, the sensor S has a mounting hole H and a pair of terminals T.

[0091] When assembling the side fence receiving portion 4R, the sensor S is placed in the slit 45 of the holder 44. Furthermore, the sensor S is fixed to the holder 44 by inserting the pin P into the mounting hole H and the through hole 45a.

[0092] Next, the holder 44 is inserted into the accommodation chamber 43. At this time, the flange portion 46 comes into contact with the step portion 43a. Furthermore, a male screw is inserted into the through hole 43b, and the tip of the male screw is screwed into the female screw 45b, thereby fixing the holder 44 to the main body 40.

[0093] A part of the contact C of the sensor S protrudes into the insertion hole 42. When the leg of the side fence is inserted into the insertion hole 42, the leg comes into contact with the contact C. This enables the sensor S to detect the attachment of the side fence.

[0094] Fig. 16 is a diagram showing an example of a side fence and a remote controller RC. The side fence 100 shown in this figure is made of metal members in a lattice shape. Furthermore, the side fence 100 has two legs 101 that protrude downward.

[0095] The multiple side fence receiving portions 4R are spaced apart at intervals equal to the distance between the two legs 101. When installing the side fence 100, each leg 101 is inserted into two adjacent ones of the multiple side fence receiving portions 4R.

[0096] The sensor S does not necessarily have to be provided in all side fence receiving portions 4R. In one example, the sensor S is provided in the second side fence receiving portion 4R from the head side among the five side fence receiving portions 4R shown in FIG. 1. As another example, the sensor S may be provided in the second and fourth side fence receiving portions 4R from the head side. The same arrangement of the sensor S as that of the side fence receiving portion 4R can also be applied to the side fence receiving portion 4L.

[0097] When the leg 101 is inserted into the side fence receiving portion 4R on which the sensor S is provided, a detection signal is output to the control device 30 through a wire connected to the terminal T shown in FIG.

[0098] The remote controller RC, also shown in Figure 3, is equipped with, for example, a button BTR for transitioning the floor board 2 from a first state to a second state inclined to the right as shown in Figure 5, a button BTL for transitioning the floor board 2 from the first state to the second state inclined to the left, and a display DSP.

[0099] In the second state shown in Fig. 5, a part of the side back panel 20R may protrude to the right of the side fence receiving portion 4R. Therefore, when the side fence 100 is attached to the side fence receiving portion 4R, the side back panel 20R may interfere with the side fence 100. Also, when the side fence 100 is attached to the left side fence receiving portion 4L, the side back panel 20L may interfere with the side fence 100 when the floorboard 2 is transformed into the second state in which it is generally tilted to the left.

[0100] Therefore, in this embodiment, the control device 30 is configured to prohibit the deformation of the floor board 2 to the second state when the side fence 100 is attached in a direction that tilts the floor board 2. Such an operation of the control device 30 is realized, for example, by a processor included in the control device 30 executing a computer program.

[0101] 17 is a flowchart showing an example of a process for transforming the floorboard 2 from the first state to the second state. The process shown in this flowchart is started in response to a command being input to the control device 30 by operating either one of the buttons BTR or BTL of the remote controller RC, for example.

[0102] First, the control device 30 determines the direction in which the floorboard 2 is tilted (step ST1). When the button BTR is operated, the control device 30 determines that the floorboard 2 is tilted to the right ("right side" in step ST1), and determines whether the side fence 100 is attached to the right side (step ST2).

[0103] If no detection signal is output from the sensor S of the side fence receiving portion 4R, the control device 30 determines that the side fence 100 is not attached to the right side ("NO" in step ST2). At this time, the control device 30 performs a rise-up support operation to the right (step ST3). Specifically, the control device 30 drives the drive source M4 of the rocking mechanism 34 to tilt the floor board 2 to the right as shown in FIG. 4. Next, the control device 30 drives the drive source M2 of the back-raising mechanism 32 to raise the central back board 20C. This causes the floor board 2 to deform to the second state inclined to the right as shown in FIG. 5. At this time, the side back boards 20R, 20L are inclined toward the upper surface side of the central back board 20C as described above.

[0104] On the other hand, if a detection signal is output from the sensor S of the side fence receiving portion 4R, the control device 30 determines that the side fence 100 is attached to the right side ("YES" in step ST2). At this time, the control device 30 issues a warning to the operator of the remote controller RC (step ST6). After the warning, the control device 30 ends the operation shown in the flowchart without transforming the floorboard 2 into the second state.

[0105] In step ST1, the control device 30 determines that the tilt is to the left when the button BTL is operated ("left side" in step ST1). At this time, the control device 30 determines whether the side fence 100 is attached to the left side (step ST4).

[0106] If no detection signal is output from the sensor S of the side fence receiving portion 4L, the control device 30 determines that the side fence 100 is not attached to the left side ("NO" in step ST4). At this time, the control device 30 performs a rise-up support operation to the left side (step ST5). Specifically, the control device 30 drives the drive source M4 of the rocking mechanism 34 to tilt the floor board 2 to the left. Next, the control device 30 drives the drive source M2 of the back-raising mechanism 32 to raise the central back board 20C, thereby transforming the floor board 2 into a second state inclined to the left. At this time, the side back boards 20R, 20L are inclined toward the upper surface side of the central back board 20C as described above.

[0107] On the other hand, if a detection signal is output from the sensor S of the side fence receiving portion 4L, the control device 30 determines that the side fence 100 is attached to the left side ("YES" in step ST4). At this time, the control device 30 issues a warning to the operator of the remote controller RC (step ST6). After the warning, the control device 30 ends the operation shown in the flowchart without transforming the floorboard 2 into the second state.

[0108] The warning in step ST6 is implemented, for example, by displaying a warning message on the display DSP. As another example, the warning may be implemented by outputting a warning sound from a speaker provided in the remote controller RC or by lighting a lamp provided in the remote controller RC.

[0109] The operation of transforming the floorboard 2 into the second state is not limited to the above example. For example, when transforming from the first state to the second state, the tilting of the floorboard 2 to the right or left by the rocking mechanism 34 and the tilting of the central backboard 20C by the back-raising mechanism 32 may be performed in response to the operation of separate buttons. In this case, for example, when the button for operating the back-raising mechanism 32 is operated with the floorboard 2 tilted to the right or left, a determination equivalent to steps ST2 and ST4 may be performed.

[0110] In the present embodiment described above, the bed plate 2 can be transformed from the first state shown in Fig. 1 to the second state shown in Fig. 2. This allows a user lying on his / her back on a mattress placed on the bed plate 2 to easily get up by himself / herself or with the assistance of a caregiver.

[0111] Furthermore, when transforming from the first state to the second state, the side back panels 20R, 20L gradually incline toward the upper surface of the central back panel 20C. If the side back panels 20R, 20L remain parallel to the central back panel 20C, the user's body would easily slip down in the direction of the inclination on the floor panel 2 inclined to the right or left. In contrast, if the side back panels 20R, 20L are inclined toward the upper surface of the central back panel 20C, the stability of the user's posture during and after transformation to the second state is significantly improved.

[0112] 5, in the second state inclined to the right, if the side back panel 20R is inclined with respect to the central back panel 20C to the extent that it contacts or faces the upper surface of the side lumbar panel 21R, the above-mentioned posture stability effect is sufficient. Similarly, in the second state inclined to the left, if the side back panel 20L is inclined with respect to the central back panel 20C to the extent that it contacts or faces the upper surface of the side lumbar panel 21L, the above-mentioned posture stability effect is sufficient.

[0113] However, to realize such a configuration, it is necessary to suppress interference between the side back panels 20R, 20L and the side lumbar panels 21R, 21L. In this regard, in this embodiment, the end E0 of the side back panels 20R, 20L has a tapered shape as shown in Fig. 2. This suppresses interference between the side back panels 20R, 20L and the side lumbar panels 21R, 21L, and allows the side back panels 20R, 20L to be inclined at a large angle with respect to the central back panel 20C.

[0114] 11 to 14, the operation of raising the central back plate 20C and the operation of tilting the side back plates 20R and 20L toward the upper surface of the central back plate 20C can be realized by one driving source M2. This reduces the number of parts constituting the bed apparatus B and the manufacturing cost compared to the case where both operations are realized by separate driving sources.

[0115] Furthermore, as explained using Figures 15 to 17, if the attachment of the side fence 100 is detected by a sensor S and deformation to the second state is restricted based on the result, interference between the floor board 2 and the side fence 100 can be suppressed.

[0116] In addition to the above, the configuration disclosed in the present embodiment has various advantageous effects. Also, the configuration disclosed in the present embodiment is merely one example for realizing the invention related to the bed apparatus, and can be modified in various ways. [Explanation of symbols]

[0117] B...Bed device, 1...Bed frame, 2...Floor plate, 3...Drive mechanism, 4R, 4L...Side rail receiving portion, 11...Base frame, 12...Lifting frame, 13...Swinging frame, 20C...Central back plate, 20L, 20R...Side back plate, 21C...Central waist plate, 21L, 21R...Side waist plate, 22C...First central leg plate, 22L, 22R...First side leg plate, 23C...Second central leg plate, 23L, 23R...Second side leg plate, 27C, 27L, 27R...Groove, 28...Protective member, 30...Control device, 31...Lifting mechanism, 32...Back-raising mechanism, 33...Knee-raising mechanism, 34...Swinging mechanism, 80... back-raising shaft, 82... arm, 83... roller, 84... side-up shaft, 86L, ​​86R... pushing members, 87, 88, 89... first to third link members, 100... side fence, RC... remote controller.

Claims

1. A bed frame that is long in a first direction; A bed plate supported by the bed frame; A drive mechanism for driving the floor panel; Equipped with The floor plate is A central back panel for supporting the back of a user; A pair of side back plates rotatably connected to both sides of the central back plate in a second direction intersecting the first direction; Including, The drive mechanism includes: a first state in which the central back plate and the pair of side back plates are parallel to the first direction and the second direction; a second state in which the floor panel is inclined such that one side of the floor panel in the second direction is positioned higher than the other side of the floor panel, the central back panel is raised, and the pair of side back panels are inclined toward the upper surface of the central back panel; The bed apparatus is configured so that the bed plate can be deformed between the above.

2. The floor plate is A central waist panel rotatably connected to an end portion of the central back panel in the first direction; A pair of side wainscots rotatably connected to both sides of the central wainscot in the second direction; Further comprising: In the second state, one end of the pair of side back panels located on the lower side of the inclination contacts or faces an upper surface of one of the pair of side wainscots located on the lower side of the inclination. The bed apparatus according to claim 1.

3. The end of the side back panel is spaced from the side wainscot in the first state, and has a tapered shape in which the gap between the end and the side wainscot increases as the end is spaced from the central back panel. The bed apparatus according to claim 2.

4. A side fence receiving portion provided on the bed frame and capable of mounting a side fence; A sensor that detects the attachment of the side fence to the side fence receiving portion; a control device that prohibits the floor panel from deforming into the second state when the sensor detects that the side fence is attached; The bed apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

5. The drive mechanism includes: A shaft rotatably supported on the central back plate; A pair of pressing members provided at both ends of the shaft, A drive source that rotates the shaft; Equipped with When the shaft rotates, the pair of pressing members press the back surfaces of the pair of side back plates, and the pair of side back plates are inclined toward the upper surface of the central back plate. The bed apparatus according to claim 1.

6. The drive mechanism includes: A roller that contacts the rear surface of the central back plate; An arm supporting the roller; Further equipped with The driving source rotates the arm together with the shaft, When the arm rotates, the roller presses the back surface of the central back plate to raise the central back plate. The bed apparatus according to claim 5.

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