Air mattress

Abstract

To provide an easy-to-use air mattress.SOLUTION: An air mattress comprises: an air mattress unit having a first air mattress, and a second air mattress capable of being erected and flattened with respect to the first air mattress; a pump unit for supplying air to the air mattress unit; and a tube for supplying air toward the air mattress unit from the pump unit. The tube has: a first tube located on one side in a right-left direction of the first air mattress; a second tube extending toward the other side in the right-left direction from the first tube; and a third tube located on the other side in the right-left direction of the second air mattress, and extending from the second tube. The second tube is located in a boundary part between the first air mattress and the second air mattress.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] FIELD OF THE INVENTION Aspects of the present invention relate generally to air mattresses. [Background technology]

[0002] An air mattress that can be placed on a wheelchair is known (Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-121365 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] With the air mattress disclosed in Patent Document 1, when the angle of the wheelchair backrest is changed, the tube that supplies air to the air mattress may bend, which may result in an inability to supply air smoothly.

[0005] Aspects of the present invention provide an air mattress that is easy to use. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the present invention is an air mattress comprising an air mattress unit having a first air mattress and a second air mattress that can be raised or lowered relative to the first air mattress, a pump unit that supplies air to the air mattress unit, and a tube for supplying air from the pump unit to the air mattress unit, wherein the tube has a first tube located on one side of the first air mattress in the left-right direction, a second tube extending from the first tube to the other side in the left-right direction, and a third tube located on the other side of the second air mattress and extending from the second tube, and the second tube is located at the boundary between the first air mattress and the second air mattress. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] Aspects of the present invention can provide an air mattress that is easy to use. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a side view showing a wheelchair equipped with an air mattress according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a simplified explanatory diagram showing an air mattress unit placed on a wheelchair. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a control system for an air mattress. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the air mattress unit seen from above. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a rear view showing the tubes extending from the seat air mattress to the back air mattress. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the state of the tube when the back air mattress is raised. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a plan view showing a tube of an air mattress according to a first modified example of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a plan view showing a tube of an air mattress according to a second modified example of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] An air mattress according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a side view showing a wheelchair equipped with an air mattress according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0010] The wheelchair 100 is designed so that the angle of the backrest 102 and the angle of the footrest 103 can be changed relative to the seat 101 on which the user sits. Specifically, the wheelchair 100 can be changed between a seated position shown by a solid line in FIG. 1 and a bed position shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 1. The position of the wheelchair 100 can be changed, for example, by operating the handle 110. In the following description, the air mattress 10 will be described in the bed position, with the side closest to the user's feet being the "front," the side closest to the head being the "rear," the side closest to the right hand being the "right," and the side closest to the left hand being the "left."

[0011] The wheelchair 100 has handrails 120 on both the left and right sides. The handrails 120 are movable in the up and down direction. When the handrails 120 are positioned at the top, they serve as armrests for the user. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 1, the wheelchair 100 is designed so that the handrails 120 can be lowered. In FIG. 1, the handrail 120 on the right side is lowered. By lowering the handrails 120 in the bed position, the caregiver can easily transfer the user from the bed into the wheelchair 100.

[0012] FIG. 2 is a simplified explanatory diagram showing an air mattress unit placed on a wheelchair. The air mattress 10 is detachably attached to the wheelchair 100. The air mattress 10 has an air mattress unit 20 that supports the body of a user using the wheelchair 100. The air mattress 10 is designed so that its hardness can be changed by supplying or discharging air from the air mattress unit 20. The air mattress 10 includes the air mattress unit 20, a pump unit 60, and a tube 80.

[0013] The air mattress unit 20 has a seat air mattress 30, a back air mattress 40, and a leg air mattress 50. As shown in Fig. 1, the seat air mattress 30, the back air mattress 40, and the leg air mattress 50 are housed inside a cover 15. Fig. 2 shows the unit with the cover 15 removed.

[0014] The seat air mattress 30 is the part that is placed on the seat surface 101 of the wheelchair 100. The seat air mattress 30 constitutes the first air mattress of the present invention. The seat air mattress 30 has a plurality of air cells 31 that correspond to the seat surface 101 of the wheelchair 100. In this example, the seat air mattress 30 has six air cells 31 lined up in the front-to-rear direction. An air supply and exhaust section 31a is provided on the back side of each air cell 31 to which a tube 80, which will be described later, is connected.

[0015] The seat air mattress 30 allows the hardness of each air cell 31 to be individually adjusted by supplying or discharging air inside each air cell 31. By adjusting the hardness of each air cell 31, the seat air mattress 30 can provide the user with a comfortable sitting or sleeping experience. In the seat air mattress 30, each air cell 31 is integrally connected by a band 32. The band 32 extends in the front-to-back direction on the side of each air cell 31.

[0016] The back air mattress 40 is placed on the backrest 102 of the wheelchair 100. The back air mattress 40 constitutes the second air mattress of the present invention. The back air mattress 40 has a plurality of air cells 41 corresponding to the backrest 102 of the wheelchair 100.

[0017] In this example, the back air mattress 40 has 11 air cells 41 arranged in the front-to-rear direction. On the back side of each air cell 41, an air supply / exhaust section 41a is provided to which a tube 80 (described later) is connected.

[0018] The air cells 41 of the back air mattress 40 are integrated with the air cells 31 of the seat air mattress 30 by bands 42. The back air mattress 40 differs from the seat air mattress 30 only in number, and otherwise has the same configuration. By changing the hardness of each air cell 41, the back air mattress 40 can provide the user with a comfortable sitting or sleeping experience.

[0019] The leg air mattress 50 is placed on the foot rest 103 of the wheelchair 100. The leg air mattress 50 has a plurality of air cells 51 corresponding to the foot rest 103 of the wheelchair 100. In this example, the leg air mattress 50 has eight air cells 51 lined up in the front-to-rear direction. An air supply / exhaust section (not shown) is provided on the back side of each air cell 51 to which a tube 80 (described below) is connected.

[0020] The air cells 51 of the leg air mattress 50 have a different shape from the air cells 31 of the seat air mattress 30 and the air cells 41 of the back air mattress 40. The leg air mattress 50 is formed so as to become as thin as possible when the air inside it is evacuated. As shown in FIG. 3 , the air cells 51 have an upper air cell 52 and a lower air cell 53 that communicates with the upper air cell 52 internally. The upper air cell 52 and the lower air cell 53 are elliptical in shape. When the air inside the leg air mattress 50 is evacuated, it becomes easier for the user to place their feet on the footrest 103 of the wheelchair 100.

[0021] The seat air mattress 30, the back air mattress 40, and the leg air mattress 50 are each separable, so that the air mattress unit 20 allows each of the air mattresses 30, 40, and 50 to be replaced individually.

[0022] The back air mattress 40 and the leg air mattress 50 are able to rise and fall relative to the seat air mattress 30. In other words, the air mattress unit 20 is bendable between the seat air mattress 30 and the back air mattress 40, and between the seat air mattress 30 and the leg air mattress 50. This allows the air mattress unit 20 to follow changes in the position of the wheelchair 100.

[0023] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the control system of the air mattress. The pump unit 60 is mounted, for example, below the seat 101 of the wheelchair 100. The pump unit 60 supplies air to the air mattress unit 20. That is, the pump unit 60 controls the hardness of the air mattress unit 20 by supplying and discharging air to and from each of the air cells 31, 41, and 51. The pump unit 60 has a control unit 61, an electromagnetic valve unit 62, and an air blower 65.

[0024] The control unit 61 controls the hardness of the air mattress unit 20. The control unit 61 has a memory unit 61a that stores a control program for controlling the hardness of the air mattress unit 20. The control unit 61 is connected to an operation unit 70 (remote control), and controls the hardness of each of the air mattresses 30, 40, 50 based on a command signal from the operation unit 70.

[0025] The control unit 61 operates using power supplied from the battery 75. The battery 75 is mounted below the seat 101 of the wheelchair 100 and is a rechargeable secondary battery. Note that the control unit 61 may detect the angle of the air mattress unit 20 using, for example, an angle sensor (not shown), and automatically control the hardness of the air mattress unit 20 based on that angle.

[0026] The solenoid valve unit 62 has a plurality of solenoid valves. Each solenoid valve is connected to each air cell 31, 41, 51 via a tube 80. The solenoid valve unit 62 also has a solenoid valve for exhausting air from each air cell 31, 41, 51 to the outside. The opening and closing operation of each solenoid valve is controlled by the control unit 61. The control unit 61 controls the opening and closing operation of each solenoid valve of the solenoid valve unit 62 based on a command signal from the operation unit 70.

[0027] The blower 65 supplies air to each of the air cells 31, 41, and 51 via the solenoid valve unit 62. The operation of the blower 65 is controlled by the control unit 61. The control unit 61 controls the operation of the blower 65 based on a command signal from the operation unit 70. Air is supplied to each of the air cells 31, 41, and 51 by operating the blower 65 while the solenoid valve of the solenoid valve unit 62 is in the open state. The control unit 61 stops the operation of the blower 65 based on an air pressure sensor (not shown) that detects the air pressure in each of the air cells 31, 41, and 51.

[0028] FIG. 4 is a plan view of the air mattress unit as seen from above. FIG. 5 is a rear view showing the tubes extending from the seat air mattress to the back air mattress.

[0029] The tube 80 is for supplying air from the pump unit 60 to the air mattress unit 20. The tube 80 is a flexible conduit such as a rubber hose. The tube 80 is provided on the back surface 21 of the air mattress unit 20. A plurality of tubes 80 are provided, and each is connected to each of the air cells 31, 41, and 51.

[0030] For example, there are cases where the hardness of the air cells 31 of the seat air mattress 30 and the air cells 41 of the back air mattress 40 are controlled together. In such cases, if separate tubes are provided for the air cells 31 and the air cells 41, the number of tubes will increase, and there is a risk that the back surface 21 of the air mattress unit 20 will become tangled with tubes and cables.

[0031] Therefore, it is conceivable to extend one tube from the seat air mattress 30 to the back air mattress 40 and connect the air cells that are controlled together with a common tube. As described above, the wheelchair 100 is capable of changing its position between a seated position and a bed position. In this case, if the back air mattress 40 is tilted up relative to the seat air mattress 30, there is a risk that the tube will bend.

[0032] In this configuration, in which the seat air mattress 30 and the back air mattress 40 are connected by a tube arranged in a straight line, the amount of bending of the tube at the connecting portion of the two portions varies greatly due to changes in the relative positions of the cushion portions as the position is changed. For example, when the wheelchair 100 is in the bed position, the amount of bending of the tube at the connecting portion is small and the tube is not blocked, ensuring sufficient air flow between the two air mattresses. However, when the wheelchair 100 is changed to the seated position and the back is raised significantly (for example, when the back is raised to an angle of 80°), the amount of bending of the tube at the connecting portion increases, causing a blockage, preventing sufficient air intake and exhaust between the two air mattresses. This problem of tube blockage due to position changes is particularly noticeable in wheelchair air mattresses as well as in sleeping furniture that can be moved to a variety of positions, such as electric beds.

[0033] Therefore, the tube 80 of this embodiment is designed to efficiently supply and exhaust air to and from each of the air cells 31, 41, and 51, regardless of the position of the air mattress unit 20. The tube 80 extending from the seat air mattress 30 toward the back air mattress 40 will now be described.

[0034] 4, the tube 80 has a first tube 81, a second tube 83, and a third tube 85. The tube 80 also has a connection part 82 that connects the first tube 81 and the second tube 83, and a connection part 84 that connects the second tube 83 and the third tube 85.

[0035] The first tube 81 is located on one side (the left side in this example) of the seat air mattress 30 (first air mattress) in the left-right direction and extends in the front-to-rear direction. The base end of the first tube 81 is connected to the electromagnetic valve unit 62 of the pump unit 60. The first tube 81 is connected to the air supply / exhaust section 31a of the air cell 31.

[0036] The first tube 81 may be provided with a detachable coupling (not shown) between it and the pump unit 60. By removing the first tube 81 from the coupling, maintenance and replacement of the seat air mattress 30 can be easily performed.

[0037] On the other hand, the tip side of the first tube 81 is located at the boundary 25 between the seat air mattress 30 and the back air mattress 40. A connecting part 82 made of an L-shaped cylindrical body is attached to the tip side of the first tube 31. In other words, the connecting part 82 is located at the boundary 25.

[0038] The second tube 83 extends from the first tube 81 toward the other side in the left-right direction (to the right in this example). The second tube 83 is connected to the first tube 81 via a connecting portion 82. As shown in FIG. 5, the extending direction of the second tube 83 is changed to the left-right direction by the connecting portion 82.

[0039] The second tube 83 is located at the boundary 25 between the seat air mattress 30 (first air mattress) and the back air mattress 40 (second air mattress). In this case, the second tube 83 extends along the seat air mattress 30 at the boundary 25. A connecting part 84 made of an L-shaped cylinder is attached to the tip side of the second tube 83. In other words, the connecting part 84 is located at the boundary 25.

[0040] The third tube 85 is located on the other left-right side (the right side in this example) of the back air mattress 40 (second air mattress) and extends rearward (toward the head) from the second tube 83. The third tube 85 is connected to the second tube 83 via a connecting part 84. As shown in FIG. 5, the direction in which the third tube 83 extends is converted to the front-to-rear direction by the connecting part 84. The third tube 85 is connected to the air supply / exhaust part 41a of the air cell 41.

[0041] In this manner, the tube 80 extends in a crank shape from the seat air mattress 30 toward the back air mattress 40 by the first tube 81, the second tube 83, and the third tube 85.

[0042] Next, the case where the wheelchair 100 is changed from the bed position to the seated position will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the state of the tube when the back air mattress is raised.

[0043] As shown in Figure 6, when the back air mattress 40 is raised, the third tube 85 extends vertically. Here, the connecting part 82 is attached only to the first tube 81 and the second tube 83. In addition, the connecting part 84 is attached only to the second tube 83 and the second tube 85.

[0044] Therefore, when the back air mattress 40 is raised, the third tube 85 side of the connecting part 84 rotates upward with the second tube 83 side as a fulcrum (see FIG. 2). As a result, as shown in FIG. 6, the second tube 83 is twisted in the direction of the arrow by the rotational force of the connecting part 84. The second tube 83 is made of a flexible material that is resistant to this twisting force.

[0045] In this way, the tube 80 has a second tube 83 extending in the left-right direction at the boundary 25 between the seat air mattress 30 and the back air mattress 40. This makes it possible to prevent the tube 80 from bending even when the back air mattress 40 is tilted up relative to the seat air mattress 30. Therefore, the air mattress 10 can effectively change the hardness of the air mattress unit 20 whether in the seated position or the bed position.

[0046] FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a tube of an air mattress according to a first modified example of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a plan view showing a tube of an air mattress according to a second modified example of the present invention.

[0047] In the above-described embodiment, the second tube 83 extends in the left-right direction along the seat air mattress 30. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as in a first modified example shown in Fig. 7, a connection 92 between the first tube 90 and the second tube 91 may be provided at a position overlapping the seat air mattress 30 (first air mattress), a connection 94 between the second tube 91 and the third tube 93 may be provided at a position overlapping the back air mattress 40 (second air mattress), and the second tube 91 may straddle the boundary portion 25. In other words, the second tube 91 may extend obliquely from the first tube 90 toward the third tube 93.

[0048] Furthermore, the second tube 95 may extend in an S-shape, as in a second modified example shown in Fig. 8. In the second modified example shown in Fig. 8, the air supply and exhaust section 31a of the seat air mattress 30 and the air supply and exhaust section 41a of the back air mattress 40 are connected by an S-shaped second tube 95.

[0049] As with the above-described embodiment, the tubes according to the first and second modifications can also be prevented from bending when the back air mattress 40 is tilted up relative to the seat air mattress 30. Furthermore, by using the second tube 95 formed in an S-shape, as in the second modification, bending of the tube can be prevented without using an L-shaped connecting portion.

[0050] In the above-described embodiment, the back air mattress 40 is used as the second mattress. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the second air mattress may be the leg air mattress 50. That is, a tube extending between the seat air mattress 30 and the leg air mattress 50 can have a similar configuration. In this case, the second tube is located at the boundary 25 between the seat air mattress 30 and the leg air mattress 50. This makes it possible to prevent the tube from bending even when the leg air mattress 50 is tilted up relative to the seat air mattress 30.

[0051] Embodiments may include the following features. (Configuration 1) an air mattress unit having a first air mattress and a second air mattress that can be raised or lowered relative to the first air mattress; a pump unit for supplying air to the air mattress unit; a tube for supplying air from the pump unit to the air mattress unit; Equipped with The tube a first tube located on one side of the first air mattress in the left-right direction; a second tube extending from the first tube toward the other side in the left-right direction; a third tube located on the other side of the second air mattress in the left-right direction and extending from the second tube; The second tube is located at the boundary between the first air mattress and the second air mattress. (Configuration 2) a connection portion between the first tube and the second tube and a connection portion between the second tube and the third tube are located at the boundary portion, 2. The air mattress of claim 1, wherein the second tube extends along the first air mattress at the boundary. (Configuration 3) a connection portion between the first tube and the second tube is provided at a position overlapping the first air mattress, a connecting portion between the second tube and the third tube is provided at a position overlapping the second air mattress; The air mattress according to configuration 1, wherein the second tube straddles the boundary portion. (Configuration 4) The air mattress according to configuration 3, wherein the second tube extends in an S-shape. (Configuration 5) the first air mattress is a seat air mattress that supports the user's buttocks, 5. The air mattress according to any one of configurations 1 to 4, wherein the second air mattress is a back air mattress that supports the back of the user. (Configuration 6) the first air mattress is a seat air mattress that supports the user's buttocks, 5. The air mattress according to any one of configurations 1 to 4, wherein the second air mattress is a leg air mattress that supports the legs of the user.

[0052] Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. While the combination of an air mattress with a wheelchair has been described as an example of its application, it may also be used with a position-adjustable electric / manual bed or other nursing care equipment. These embodiments can be implemented in a variety of other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are intended to be included within the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as within the scope of the invention and its equivalents as set forth in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0053] 10. Air Mattress 15 Cover 20 air mattress units 21 Back side 25 Boundary 30 Seat air mattress 31 Air Cell 31a Supply and exhaust section 32 bands 40 Back Air Mattress 41 Air Cell 41a Supply and exhaust section 42 bands 50 Leg Air Mattress 51 Air Cell 52 Upper air cell 53 Lower air cell 60 Pump Unit 61 Control Unit 61a Storage section 62 Solenoid valve unit 65 Blower 70 Operation section 75 Battery 80 tubes 81 1st Tube 82 Connection 83 Second Tube 84 Connection 85 3rd Tube 90 1st Tube 91 2nd Tube 92 Connection 93 Third Tube 94 Connection 95 2nd Tube 100 wheelchairs 101 Seat part 102 Backrest 103 Footrest 110 Handle 120 Handrail

Claims

1. an air mattress unit having a first air mattress and a second air mattress that can be raised or lowered relative to the first air mattress; a pump unit for supplying air to the air mattress unit; a tube for supplying air from the pump unit to the air mattress unit, the tube comprising: a first tube located on one side of the first air mattress in the left-right direction; a second tube extending from the first tube toward the other side in the left-right direction; a third tube located on the other side of the second air mattress in the left-right direction and extending from the second tube; The second tube is located at the interface between the first air mattress and the second air mattress.

2. a connection portion between the first tube and the second tube and a connection portion between the second tube and the third tube are located at the boundary portion, 2. The air mattress of claim 1, wherein the second tube extends alongside the first air mattress at the interface.

3. a connection portion between the first tube and the second tube is provided at a position overlapping the first air mattress, a connecting portion between the second tube and the third tube is provided at a position overlapping the second air mattress; The air mattress according to claim 1 , wherein the second tube straddles the boundary portion.

4. 4. The air mattress of claim 3, wherein the second tube extends in an S-shape.

5. the first air mattress is a seat air mattress that supports the user's buttocks; 2. The air mattress according to claim 1, wherein the second air mattress is a back air mattress that supports the back of the user.

6. the first air mattress is a seat air mattress that supports the user's buttocks; 2. The air mattress of claim 1, wherein the second air mattress is a leg air mattress that supports the user's legs.

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